"Hahaha! The system gets me!"
Jiang Ling was in an excellent mood. He immediately checked the reimbursement records from gifting techniques to the outer disciples.
[Ding! Detected host gifting item to Outer Disciple Zhang Tieniu: 1 x Basic Qi Circulation Art (Middle-Tier Yellow Rank). Ten-Thousandfold Reimbursement Triggered! Reward: Earth-Tier High-Grade Technique Bull Charge Fist!]
[Ding! Detected host gifting item to Outer Disciple Li Xiaoyaya: 1 x Basic Qi Circulation Art (Middle-Tier Yellow Rank). Ten-Thousandfold Reimbursement Triggered! Reward: Profound-Tier Low-Grade Technique Green Wood Scripture!]
...
Nine notifications popped up in a row. Every single reward was a Profound-Tier technique—except for that one Earth-Tier skill.
Compared to the Immortal-Tier rewards from Jincancan and Hua Yuntian, the difference was like heaven and earth!
"What's the deal here? All Profound-Tier stuff? And they call this a ten-thousandfold reimbursement? That's it?"
Jiang Ling was thoroughly dissatisfied, thinking the system was being way too stingy—not even a single Heaven-Tier technique to show for it.
[Reply to Host: The quality of reimbursed items is closely linked to the recipient disciple's hidden attributes such as luck, karmic destiny, and potential. Jincancan and Hua Yuntian bear special karmic ties and are favored by great fortune, hence triggering ultra-high-multiplier reimbursements. Ordinary disciples have limited luck and potential, so their corresponding rewards are naturally lower-tier.]
"Special karmic destiny? Favored by great fortune?"
Jiang Ling mulled over the system's words, then thought of Hua Yuntian's stuck-up attitude—like he thought he was the greatest thing since sliced immortal cakes, and everyone else was just dirt beneath his feet. His mood turned complicated beyond words.
No wonder the first time he gave Hua Yuntian the Basic Qi Circulation Art, he got an Immortal-Tier technique—the Supreme Heartless Sword Canon—in return.
So this prickly disciple of his might actually be a real gem?
And Jincancan—he'd originally thought it was just a regular chick, but turns out it was also a treasure blessed with immense fortune!
The two personal disciples he'd taken in on a whim had brought him no small amount of unexpected surprises.
Hmm. From now on, this Basic Qi Circulation Art could double as a luck-testing tool. Hand one out to every new disciple who joins the sect, and see if it can sift out the ones with great fortune.
Those who trigger high-tier reimbursements? Focus on cultivating them.
Those who only get low-tier rewards? Well, they can still be useful as regular laborers.
He could almost see a bright future ahead—of sorting through his "crops" (ahem, screening geniuses).
Jiang Ling perked up, turned to face all the disciples, and announced in a clear, loud voice:
"The sect has just been founded, and resources are scarce. Now, I hereby issue the first collective sect mission: Reclaim 300 mu of spiritual fields at the back mountain within three days!"
"Rewards for this mission will be distributed based on contribution! The top three contributors will be personally bestowed with high-grade cultivation techniques by this seat! All others who put in the effort will also receive spirit stone and medicinal pill rewards!"
"This mission starts immediately! Bring your own tools! Meet at the back mountain!"
As soon as his voice fell, every disciple—except Hua Yuntian—lit up with excitement.
High-grade techniques!
Spirit stones and medicinal pills!
For these newly recruited disciples, these were irresistible temptations.
"We obey, Sect Master!"
The disciples answered in unison, rolling up their sleeves, ready to go.
"Cheep!"
Jincancan let out a high-pitched chirp, equally eager to join in.
It was already at Mid Foundation Building Realm—reclaiming wasteland would be a piece of cake!
The high-grade technique didn't really matter; what mattered was getting to show up that annoying second junior brother!
Only Hua Yuntian's face was so dark, it looked like it could drip water.
Make him go dig up dirt and farm at the back mountain?
This was even more humiliating than being forced to call that chicken "Senior Brother"!
"I refuse!"
Hua Yuntian said coldly. "This kind of menial labor is beneath a cultivator! A disciple's priority should be cultivation—how dare you waste my time on such trivialities?"
The entire scene fell dead silent in an instant.
Every eye turned to stare at Hua Yuntian.
Jiang Ling narrowed his eyes, the last trace of benevolence vanishing from his face without a trace.
This kid was really asking for a beating.
"Refuse?"
Jiang Ling's voice was devoid of any emotion. "Once you join my sect, you must abide by my rules. Sect missions are the responsibility of every single member. Hua Yuntian, as my second disciple, you should be setting an example for the others!"
"Rules?"
Hua Yuntian let out a laugh like he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world. He took a sharp step forward, and the imposing aura of a former Tribulation Transcending powerhouse—mixed with all the pent-up anger and frustration of his current life—came crashing down on Jiang Ling without restraint.
"A mortal with no cultivation base at all—what right do you have to make rules and order me around?"
An invisible, mentally oppressive pressure instantly enveloped Jiang Ling.
It was Hua Yuntian's anger made manifest. Though it lacked substantial spiritual power, it contained the insight into heaven and earth's laws and the willpower impact from his past life—enough to make even an ordinary Foundation Building cultivator lose control of their mind and spirit.
A flash of cruelty and satisfaction flickered in Hua Yuntian's eyes. Pathetic fool! Daring to put on an act, daring to humiliate me with a chicken! Today, I'll let everyone see your true colors!
But the scene he'd imagined—Jiang Ling cowering in fear, wetting his pants—never happened.
Jiang Ling stood rooted to the spot, not moving an inch. Not even the corner of his robe fluttered in the wind.
If anything, there was a hint of... mocking amusement on his face, like he was watching a monkey show?
"Heh."
Jiang Ling let out a soft snort. He raised his hand casually, as if brushing a speck of dust off his sleeve.
Hum!
The Nine Heavens Earth Dragon Guarding Formation at the peak of Primordial Beginning Mountain was activated in an instant.
A terrifying pressure—vast as divine might, heavy as a sacred mountain—descended out of nowhere, slamming into Hua Yuntian with pinpoint accuracy!
Thud!
Before Hua Yuntian could even let out a grunt, he was crushed to the ground by that irresistible force.
Face down, limbs splayed—bowing in the most humiliatingly perfect position imaginable.
He felt like he had a towering mountain weighing down on his back. Every bone in his body screamed in agony, and he couldn't even move a single finger.
The meager pressure from his past-life remnant soul was nothing compared to the true might of an immortal formation—like a firefly pitted against the bright moon, it was crushed to smithereens in an instant!
"Ah!"
Hua Yuntian let out a muffled groan of pain and terror, his eyes filled with disbelief, fear, and utter confusion.
What was happening?
This power—far surpassing Tribulation Transcending Realm! It was even more terrifying than the pressure of a Great Ascension Emperor he'd felt in his past life!
What the hell was this ragtag sect?!
"Chirp chirp chirp chirp!!!"
A string of clucks, brimming with schadenfreude and unbridled mockery, rang out.
Jincancan flapped its magnificent golden wings, strutted over to Hua Yuntian's prone form with an arrogant gait, and stopped right beside his head.
It lowered its head, its glazed eyes brimming with undisguised contempt and ridicule—then slammed a wing right into Hua Yuntian's dirt-covered hair.
"Cheep! Cheep cheep cheep!"
How does it feel to taste the power of an immortal formation?
Ignorant fool!
Daring to make a move against the master?
Serves you right!
Jincancan preened proudly, more convinced than ever that its master was definitely pretending to be weak while hiding his true strength.
This immortal formation was ironclad proof!
It rubbed affectionately against Jiang Ling's leg, staking its claim.
Only this emperor is allowed to bully the master! Anyone else who dares to show disrespect?
Immortal formation for you!
Jiang Ling lifted part of the pressure. "Now. Do you understand the rules? Are you going to do the mission... or not?"
Hua Yuntian raised his head with immense difficulty, humiliation and fear warring within him.
He stared at the unfathomable Jiang Ling, then at the menacing Jincancan, and gritted his teeth so hard he thought they might crack.
"...I'll do it."
His voice was filled with endless resentment.
Never in his life had he felt such humiliation. Never had he felt the shadow of death looming so clearly over him.
The pressure of that immortal formation had crushed every last bit of his will to resist.