I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 558: The Jin Long Sect

Chapter 558: The Jin Long Sect

After they visited the mission hall, Shen took them to the sect’s treasury, more accurately, to a building connected to it.

Sharing the luxurious design of its neighbour, Adam and Misha gawked at the tall columns.

Engraved with elegant calligraphy masterfully chiselled into the wood, they inspired a sense of grandeur that shook their pupils.

Shen chuckled at their reaction as he pushed the courtyard’s gates open.

"This is the lodging the sect provided for me. You might think it’s impressive, but luxury doesn’t matter much to cultivators." He shook his head, yet the corner of his lips rose into a soft smile. "We value Qi gathering formations and the ambient energy permeating our living place."

Adam scratched his head and shrugged.

"What’s wrong if you can have both? Or are we to live in caves just because their environment makes it easier for us to cultivate?"

Misha nodded and raised her fist to emphasise their point.

"I will never sleep on the ground or in a damp cave again! I’ll get the best beds, hairpins, and clothes."

Shen observed them for a second. His brows rose, and his head tilted slightly to the right at their determined stance.

Then, he laughed and nudged them inside.

"You’re right, kids. Why be content with one when you can have two? Keep that unwavering spirit and you might reach the cultivation realm’s pinnacle."

Pushed inside, the sweet scent permeating the air assaulted Adam’s nose. Just smelling it caused his mouth to water and felt like he had bitten into a delicious fruit. Licking his lips uncontrollably, his eyes darted to scan his surroundings.

A lush garden lining the walls greeted him. Plants he had never seen before enlivened the courtyard with countless glistening colors. He noticed the fresh dew covering them. No. He narrowed his eyes and leaned closer, his instinct whispering that there was something more to them. But he quickly straightened his back, unwilling to commit a mistake that could infuriate the elder.

Instead, he turned to Shen and offered the man a knowing smile as he pointed at them.

"Are they all spiritual plants?"

Shen nodded and gestured for them to walk to the red gazebo in the middle.

The noise of their feet echoing against smooth dark, and white pebbles resounded on their way before the wooden construct cast a soothing shade over their heads.

They sat at a stone table. The jade inlaid on its surface sparkled to form accurate squares like those in chess games. But they didn’t matter to him much. Instead, he focused on Shen and waited for him to share his plan with them.

Meanwhile, Shen rang a bell on the table, smiled mysteriously, and began speaking.

"I can share a star-grade cultivation technique with you, but I’ll remove the core information to lower it to the sky-grade. I’ll give you the missing parts after we officialise our relationship."

He opened a drawer in the table and retrieved an intricate pipe. Golden dragons coiled around the polished wood in an impressive display of craftsmanship.

After taking a moment to light it up and fill his lungs with a deep puff, he blew smokey circles and continued.

"I won’t mistreat you but won’t spoon-feed you either." His voice sharpened, and his eyes narrowed. "You can live here for a week. I’ll also offer you ten sect points each as a starting capital. Try to grow it or buy cultivation resources. The choice is yours, but don’t waste your time asking for more."

Adam rolled his eyes.

’You’re the one who wanted to take us as disciples, yet that’s all you give us?’

Meanwhile, Shen took another puff before his eyes softened.

"I’ll give you two minor spiritual stones each weekend. Of course, I’ll increase the number if you cultivate diligently. In short, you’ll get from me what you deserve. Nothing more, nothing less."

As his voice lingered, the noise of wheels drew Adam’s and Misha’s attention.

Soon, an aged woman pushed a cart filled with dishes and tea and placed them on the table.

Shen nodded and kissed the woman’s hand in gratitude before he gestured at her.

"This is Mei Lan. She’s the house manager and the best cook in the realm."

Mei Lan chuckled and slapped the back of Shen’s head playfully.

"Don’t listen to him, children. I’m just a regular person he picked up as a maid during his younger days." She smiled at them like a mother. "I’m far from being the best in anything, but I try my hardest to repay my debt to him."

He and Misha introduced themselves and smiled at her before she left, saying the food would go cold before they ate.

Still, he found her agreeable and wondered why she didn’t learn cultivation to extend her life span.

As she left, Shen poured cups of tea for everyone and pushed the plates to them.

"Let me continue my explanations while you eat. The Jin Long sect isn’t different from the others. Disciples strive to attract the elders’ attention by pushing through the realms and perfecting their combat techniques." He outstretched his palm and clenched his fist. "Every six months, the sect organises a friendly sparring competition to rank them. The top three will enter the inner disciple section while the others stagnate."

Adam nodded, slurping from a bowl of delicious noodles.

"How do we become core disciples, then?"

Misha devoured a plate of meat before she jumped into the discussion.

"Let me guess. It has to do with the mission hall. That’s why you introduced us to Elder Xu Fei earlier."

Shen whistled and spun his pipe around his fingers, interest flashing in his eyes.

"You’re a sharp little one. Indeed, to rise above the sect’s elite to join the rank of monsters, you’ll have to clear a five-star mission. To give you an idea, the kill order on the terrible Baldur only reached four stars."

He shook his head and smoked before continuing.

"But that’s only the base requirement. As horrible as it may sound, the sect leader only wants the cream of the crop on his beloved mountain. Therefore, we have a fixed number of core disciples."

Adam’s eyes narrowed, and he struck his palm with his fist.

"We’ll have to defeat one of them to claim a spot. Shouldn’t be too hard."

Shen’s lips twisted as he nodded.

"Correct. But don’t get your hopes too high. No one will dismiss your talent. However, the core disciples are at least on your level, with some even a cut above. Don’t forget that they’re older than you, too."

He sipped his tea, letting his words settle into the eager kid’s mind for a minute. After all, the last thing he wanted was to demoralise him before he even started.

"You’ll have a chance in eight to ten years if you focus on training. Even then, you’ll become one of the youngest core disciples in history. Just don’t pressure yourself too much and take your time."

Meanwhile, Adam gazed at Misha before they chuckled at the surreal idea. Eight years? They’ll do it in six months! But first, they needed capital to breeze through the early cultivation realms.

Therefore, Adam retrieved his jade card and placed it on the table.

"I’ll take the ten sect points now if it doesn’t bother you."

Shen shrugged and flashed a golden card infused with his Qi above it before doing the same with Misha’s.

Then, he raised an eyebrow at the empty plates and the standing kids, impressed by their appetite.

Yet, worry flashed in his eyes.

"I know you’re eager to discover the sect, but return before nightfall."

Misha nodded.

"Thank Mei Lan in my stead for the delicious meal."

And just like that, they left the house and rushed to the building they wanted to visit the most: the Alchemy Union!