According to the regulations of the Azure Cloud Sect, a personal disciple's cave dwelling should be assigned eight miscellaneous chores workers to serve them. However, Sword Venerable Jinglian had always preferred quiet, and the entire lineage of Wanjian Peak followed her rules, assigning only two Qi Refining disciples to manage the daily affairs of each cave dwelling.
Seeing her approach, the two of them curtsied in unison and said in clear voices, “Disciples Qinghe and Wancui have come by order of the Peak Master to attend to Senior Sister's daily needs. Please give us your instructions, Senior Sister.”
Shen Qingci paused slightly, her gaze sweeping indifferently over the two of them. “Rise. I am already aware of Master's rule of preferring quiet. You only need to handle daily chores and guard the cave dwelling. Do not enter the inner chamber to disturb my quiet cultivation unless necessary.”
“Your disciples obey.” The two of them stood up and stepped aside to make way.
Qinghe took half a step forward and spoke in a low voice, “The cave dwelling has been cleaned and arranged according to the specifications of a personal disciple. The spirit-gathering array was just tested, and the spiritual energy concentration is suitable for Qi Refining stage cultivation.”
“If Senior Sister lacks any items or finds anything not to your liking, just command us to handle it.”
Shen Qingci asked as she walked, “How long have you been at the peak?”
“How is the daily guard duty arranged? Aside from cultivation, what other regular duties are there on Wanjian Peak?”
“Replying to Senior Sister, the two of us have been in the Miscellaneous Chores Yard for three years, and we have always managed the empty cave dwellings on the east side, so we are familiar with all the rules of the peak.” Wancui followed half a step behind her, answering in an orderly manner. “During the day, we wait in the side rooms, and at night, we take turns guarding the front of the cave. No matter when Senior Sister summons us, someone will respond.”
“The miscellaneous chores workers on the peak have their own divisions of labor. We only handle the cave dwelling's internal affairs and do not need to work at the front mountain. Ordinarily, no outsiders will casually trespass into the back mountain.”
Qinghe, following from behind on the side, added, “If Senior Sister wishes to practice the sword, there is a dedicated sword-practice platform next to the sword pavilion outside the cave. No one goes there usually, so it is very quiet.”
“Beside the platform, there is also sword-tempering water and sword-wiping cloths. They are all readily available, so Senior Sister does not need to worry about them.”
Shen Qingci glanced in the direction of the outside of the cave and replied indifferently, “I see. Once the Dharma Academy starts, what time is the daily morning class? Do you know?”
“Replying to Senior Sister, classes at the Dharma Academy start at the Chen hour and dismiss at the Shen hour, with one hour for meals in between,” Qinghe answered quickly.
“New disciples have to learn basic spells and sect regulations in the first month, and there are daily quizzes. However, since Senior Sister is the Peak Master's personal disciple, the requirements are much looser. As long as you pass the monthly assessment, you do not need to attend the morning classes every day.”
The three of them talked as they walked, and before they knew it, they had arrived in front of the cave dwelling.
The entrance of the stone cave was half-open. It was about two sizes smaller than her master's cave dwelling, but it made up for it by being quiet and deep.
A spirit-gathering array disc was embedded in the stone wall, with spiritual light flowing slowly along the array patterns. A stone bed, a stone table, prayer mats, tea sets, and a few plates of spiritual fruits were all prepared according to the personal disciple's allocation. Even the crevices in the stone wall were wiped clean, showing that great care had been taken.
Shen Qingci walked over to the stone bed and sat down, her hands resting on her knees. “For daily life, just follow the standard allocation; there is no need to add anything extra. I do not like to be disturbed when I cultivate. If anyone comes to visit, announce them first before letting them in. Meals can just be delivered to the stone table in the outer room every day; there is no need to bring them into the inner chamber.”
“Yes, your disciple will keep this in mind.” Wancui added, “The storehouse will deliver fresh spiritual grain and spiritual vegetables every day at the Chen hour. If there is any specific food Senior Sister wishes to eat, just let us know a day in advance.”
“The spiritual chefs at the peak excel at making light and refreshing spiritual food. If Senior Sister prefers stronger flavors, we can also go to the front mountain's dining hall to place a custom order.”
“No need to trouble yourselves, just proceed as usual.” Shen Qingci raised her hand. “Go wait in the side rooms first.”
The two of them bowed in response and retreated quietly, making not even the slightest sound as they closed the door.
Only then did Shen Qingci withdraw her gaze. Her fingers stroked the sea-blue jade pendant at her waist as she pulled up the system panel in her mind.
A five-draw had consumed four hundred points, which theoretically left her with eighty-three.
However, after the apprentice-acknowledgment ceremony in Lanyun Hall just now, the five Peak Masters' recognition of her identity as a “direct descendant of the Shen family” had deepened. Among them were two Soul Transformation and three peak Nascent Soul cultivators. Factoring in their half-believing and half-doubting states, nearly forty points had quietly entered her account.
Currently, she had one hundred and twenty-three points sitting in her account.
Enough to use, but not much.
She closed the panel, in no hurry to draw.
In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, an announcement came from outside the door: “Senior Sister, Enshrined Guardian Shen has arrived.”
Just as the voice fell, Shen Hanzhou had already stepped through the door. Her eyes swept over the furnishings inside the cave dwelling, and after confirming there was nothing unusual in the surroundings, she stood still in front of Shen Qingci and knelt on one knee.
“Greetings, Eldest Young Lady.”
Shen Qingci said, “Hanzhou, rise and speak. I do not care for kneeling here.”
Shen Hanzhou stood up at her words, her posture remaining respectful. “Everything has been settled at the Hall of Enshrined Guardians. My residence is right next to Eldest Young Lady's cave dwelling, separated by only a single stone wall, making it convenient to come and go. The deacon gave me an Enshrined Guardian token, allowing me to roam freely except for the sect's forbidden grounds.”
“The monthly salary is paid at the highest tier for a Nascent Soul Enshrined Guardian, which is three hundred mid-grade spirit stones per month.”
Shen Qingci nodded and asked, “Is the spirit-gathering array at your residence usable? If the spiritual energy is insufficient, I can supplement you with a few high-grade spirit stones. Do not mistreat yourself.”
“Replying to Eldest Young Lady, the array disc is Mystic-grade Mid-rank, which is sufficient,” Shen Hanzhou said. “This subordinate's cultivation method does not rely heavily on spirit-gathering arrays. It is enough for daily meditation.”
Shen Qingci felt relieved and turned to mention another matter. “Master said you have achievements in the Dao of the sword and that you can visit the main cave dwelling more often when you have time. She intends to give you a few pointers. Do not miss this opportunity, and do not let your status hold you back.”
“Yes, this subordinate understands.” Shen Hanzhou's brow twitched slightly, and her expression grew more solemn. “This subordinate will choose a day to pay a visit and seek guidance. I will certainly not tarnish the reputation of the Shen family.”
After listening, Shen Qingci took out a brocade pouch from her storage ring and placed it on the table.
“Inside are fifty high-grade spirit stones. Take it.”
“Young Lady, my monthly salary is enough. There is no need for extra expense.”
“When I tell you to take it, take it.” Shen Qingci pushed the brocade pouch in front of her.
“You are an Enshrined Guardian of the Shen family after all, and you represent the dignity of the Shen family on the outside. Do not skimp on your food, clothing, daily expenses, or cultivation resources. When it comes to spending spirit stones, do not try to save money for this young lady. Tell me directly if you lack anything; there is no need to go through the sect's requisition process, which is just a hassle.”
Shen Hanzhou was silent for a moment before holding the brocade pouch with both hands.
“Then Hanzhou thanks Eldest Young Lady.” She bowed, took two steps back, and said, “This subordinate will not disturb Eldest Young Lady's quiet cultivation. I will return to my residence first.”
“Mhm, go on. I will call for you if anything comes up.”
Shen Hanzhou turned and left the cave dwelling.
Shen Qingci stood up, paced to the stone table, picked up a spiritual fruit, and took a large bite.
The flesh was crisp and sweet, and the spiritual energy flowed down her throat to nourish her dantian. Setting aside the fruit core, she sat cross-legged on the stone bed.
Everything was settled.
She had her cave dwelling, her identity was secure, Shen Hanzhou was settled, the jade slip from the Dharma Academy was stored in her storage ring, and even the servants had been arranged.
Now she could cultivate in peace and quiet.
She closed her eyes and circulated the Nine Heavens Lightning Control True Art.
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