Steward Chen glanced thoughtfully at the Cultivation Technique in Xiao Chen's hand but said nothing.
After receiving their Cultivation Techniques, the next step was to choose their courtyards.
Outer Disciples enjoyed three major benefits from the Sect.
First, they could choose a suitable Cultivation Technique for themselves. Furthermore, as their Cultivation advanced, they could receive corresponding Advanced Cultivation Techniques.
This way, unlike Loose Cultivators, they wouldn't have to search for a new Cultivation Technique after every breakthrough.
Second, they could choose an unoccupied small courtyard within their division to serve as their personal residence.
They no longer had to share a room with several people like Servant Disciples; instead, they had their own private homes.
Third, they could receive a free low-grade Magical Artifact to serve as their protective treasure.
Although these mass-produced Magical Artifacts were made to ensure quantity, their quality was relatively poor, and they weren't necessarily compatible with the individual Cultivator.
However, one had to remember that even the most common low-grade Magical Artifact was worth over a hundred Spirit Stones.
Based on the average Outer Disciple's monthly stipend of three Spirit Stones, this was equivalent to more than three years' worth of pay.
Most Outer Disciples used the standard-issue Sect Magical Artifacts until they were promoted to Inner Sect Disciples. They were reluctant to switch to more expensive, custom-made ones.
There weren't many vacant houses in the Second Division at the moment, so Xiao Chen chose a small courtyard in the southeast corner.
Next was an hour of free time, allowing them to pack up their old living quarters and bring over any useful belongings.
Jiang Sixuan chose a small courtyard on the south side but didn't go to set it up immediately. Instead, she approached Xiao Chen.
"Xiao, when we return, it'll be time to choose our Magical Artifacts. New disciples can opt out of receiving the standard mass-produced artifact and instead buy a better, custom-made one at a discount."
"It's a lot cheaper, and the Magical Artifact you get is more suitable for you. You could call it a hidden benefit."
"I've saved up some Spirit Stones, so if you need any later, don't hesitate to ask."
'There's a discount like that?'
Xiao Chen took note of this information and shook his head. "Thank you for the reminder, Junior Sister, but I have some savings of my own."
Jiang Sixuan gave a slight smile and turned to leave.
Servant Disciples earned only one Spirit Stone a month. Over three years, even if one didn't spend a single coin, that would only amount to thirty-six Spirit Stones.
When the time came, Xiao Chen would realize that his "savings" were just a drop in the bucket.
'Then, it will become clear whether he was forced to choose a Yellow Level Cultivation Technique due to a lack of resources, or if there was some other reason.'
In truth, Xiao Chen didn't have many belongings worth moving. Servants didn't even have desks or chairs, let alone furniture.
But since Jiang Sixuan had reminded him that he would need Spirit Stones, he returned to the Miscellaneous Peak, found a deserted spot, and took out the two hundred Spirit Stones he had received as his "Opting out" reward.
Afterward, he also made a trip to the Merit Hall and withdrew the thirty-five Spirit Stones he had saved up, stuffing them all into his robes.
Although the Spirit Stones weren't large, there were so many that he could barely fit them all.
'If only I had a Storage Bag,' he thought.
Unfortunately, a Storage Spiritual Artifact was still a Magical Artifact, and the Sect would only bestow a free Storage Bag upon those who became Inner Sect Disciples.
He returned to the division with his robes bulging with Spirit Stones, where Steward Chen was already waiting at the gate.
His eyes swept over Xiao Chen's chest. "Oh? Planning to exchange for a custom Magical Artifact? In that case, head to the Merit Hall first and pick out one you like."
The Merit Hall of the Li Huo Sect wasn't just responsible for managing and distributing disciples' monthly stipends.
Accepting Sect missions and exchanging for Sect treasures also fell under its purview.
Returning to the Merit Hall, Xiao Chen explained his purpose and was led by the senior brother on duty to an inner chamber, where he was shown a variety of custom-made Magical Artifacts.
"Junior Brother Xiao, since you have a Wood Spirit Root, I recommend this Black Wood Banner. Its staff is made from thousand-year-old ebony, and the banner face is embroidered with a black-gold snake pattern, which creates poison. The reverse side has a black cloud pattern, which creates mist. With a wave, a poisonous mist spreads, allowing you to win through surprise."
Xiao Chen glanced at the price. The Black Wood Banner cost one hundred and eighty Spirit Stones, which was within his budget.
He had just confirmed that if he forfeited the Standard Flying Sword provided by the Sect, he would receive a discount of a full one hundred Spirit Stones.
This meant he could consider any Magical Artifact priced up to three hundred Spirit Stones.
"Excuse me, Senior Brother, do you have any better recommendations?"
"Oh? In that case, Junior Brother, come take a look at this Cyan Gourd. It contains a strand of Cyan Wood Spiritual Qi that can manifest as a Cyan Wood Divine General. Not only can you command the Divine General in battle, but it also has the potential to be upgraded in the future."
'A summoning-type Magical Artifact!'
Xiao Chen was immediately intrigued. This type of Magical Artifact was rare.
He first glanced at the tag below. Just as he'd expected, the gourd was originally a Middle Grade Magical Artifact valued at 800 Spirit Stones.
However, the gourd had been damaged in a previous battle.
Of its original three Divine Generals, only one remained, and its power had dropped to the equivalent of the sixth layer of Qi Refining.
As it stood, its price tag of 280 Spirit Stones was a bit steep, which was why it had been sitting here unsold for two and a half years.
Xiao Chen's eyes lit up. This Magical Artifact was exactly what he wanted.
He would only need to spend 180 Spirit Stones to buy the Cyan Gourd, making it an incredibly good deal.
If he could gather the necessary materials to repair the damage in the future, the Cyan Gourd could be restored to its status as a Middle Grade Magical Artifact.
More importantly, the Cyan Gourd's core function was to cultivate that strand of Cyan Wood Spiritual Qi.
If he could comprehend the Cyan Wood Spiritual Qi while practicing his Cultivation Technique, it would surely provide some benefits and accelerate his cultivation speed—killing two birds with one stone.
"I'll take this Cyan Gourd. Please wait a moment, Senior Brother. Our steward will be here soon."
"Of course, of course. Junior Brother Xiao, if you've made your decision, just come over here and pay the 180 Spirit Stones. We can handle the rest of the paperwork later."
Hearing that Xiao Chen was willing to buy the Cyan Gourd, the senior brother on duty breathed an inward sigh of relief.
Most disciples couldn't afford custom Magical Artifacts, and the few wealthy ones who could usually had other arrangements.
The Cyan Gourd had been sitting here for ages without selling; today, he was finally rid of the thing.
As a result, his opinion of Xiao Chen improved slightly.
He not only completed the Magical Artifact registration ahead of time but also offered a friendly reminder, "I've heard that to repair this gourd, you need to collect Cyan Wood Spirit Liquid."
"Our Sect's treasury doesn't have any at the moment. If you're looking for it in the future, Junior Brother, you should ask around at the Hundred Treasures Tower in the Marketplace. They auctioned off some Cyan Wood Spirit Liquid there eight years ago."
Xiao Chen cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for the tip, Senior Brother."
As they spoke, Steward Chen arrived at the Merit Hall with Ye Fei and Jiang Sixuan to select their Magical Artifacts.
The moment Jiang Sixuan entered, she saw the Cyan Gourd hanging from Xiao Chen's waist, and a peculiar glint flashed in her beautiful eyes.
As a member of the Jiang Family, she had heard about the Cyan Gourd before her arrival. If a suitable Fire Attribute Magical Artifact hadn't been available, the Cyan Gourd would have been one of her top backup choices for its value.
The fact that Xiao Chen had the resources to acquire the Cyan Gourd proved he was definitely not some ordinary Loose Cultivator, so poor that he lacked Spirit Stones for cultivation.
That being the case, his decision to pass over a Xuan Level Cultivation Technique in favor of a Yellow Level one was truly intriguing.
Jiang Sixuan glanced surreptitiously at Xiao Chen. 'I'll have to plan tonight's banquet carefully,' she thought.
'Since I can't figure him out myself, I'll just have to ask my brother to come and help test him.'