Chapter 105: Earth Sink Cave

After Sun De left, Qin Sang looked at Zhuang Yan with a doubtful expression. "Senior Brother Zhuang, what did Senior Brother Sun mean by 'the big pitfalls'?"

Zhuang Yan sighed softly, shaking his head. "Junior Brother Qin, the miscellaneous tasks within the sect truly range from tedious to easy, but overall, they are fair. Heavier tasks come with a higher monthly stipend, and some even offer unexpected opportunities, though they do consume cultivation time. That's why many fellow disciples are reluctant to choose them. However, these tasks must be done, and it's a dilemma for me. I've had to forcibly assign them to newly admitted junior disciples, which has earned me a lot of criticism. You and I seem to get along well, Junior Brother Qin. In a moment, I'll give you a list, and you can choose one yourself. Once you've made your choice, you cannot go back on it; you must complete five full years, unless you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. How does that sound?"

Qin Sang knew that Senior Brother Zhuang accommodating him to this extent was already a show of great favor, and pressing further would be ungrateful. He replied gratefully, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhuang."

As they walked and talked, Qin Sang also learned that Mount Shaohua's miscellaneous tasks were not only within the sect but also involved many duties far away.

For example, several large market cities around the sect's mountain gate had cultivators from Mount Shaohua stationed there to keep the unruly rogue cultivators in line. These tasks were extremely lucrative. Zhuang Yan straightforwardly told Qin Sang that he definitely wouldn't be assigned such a task unless he could get close to a certain Martial Uncle.

Furthermore, Mount Shaohua oversaw various mortal kingdoms, both large and small. Some were governed by cultivation families affiliated with Mount Shaohua, while others required the sect to send people to monitor them.

The main purpose was to prevent rogue cultivators from causing trouble, and to stop demonic creatures and evil cultivators from harming mortals. They were strictly forbidden from arbitrarily interfering with mortal affairs or openly displaying their powers among humans, or they would face severe punishment.

After careful consideration, Qin Sang decided to choose a task outside the mountain gate if possible.

While searching for the Song family in the major market cities, he hadn't forgotten to inquire about places where Yin-Fiend Qi might be present. He had noted down a few locations, all in remote mountainous areas, but hadn't yet had the chance to verify them.

As long as he had Soul Pills, his cultivation speed wouldn't be slower than others. It would also be more convenient to be outside. Even if the spiritual energy wasn't as dense as on Mount Shaohua, the impact wouldn't be significant.

Returning to the Wooden Hall, Zhuang Yan took out a jade slip and handed it to Qin Sang. With a glance of his spiritual sense, Qin Sang immediately understood why so many tasks remained unchosen.

The first was serving as a medicine boy at Nine Cauldron Peak. The jade slip painted an overly optimistic picture, listing many senior disciples who had been chosen as apprentices, taught the art of alchemy, and became grandmasters of pills. However, it glossed over the drawback: one had to tend to the alchemical furnace's earth fire for at least twelve hours every day.

Qin Sang skipped the tasks within the sect and flipped directly to the latter part of the list. As he read through them one by one, he found a task: guarding the Sunken Cavern.

It stated that the Sunken Cavern was bottomless and the entire grotto was filled with Yin-Fiend Qi. Mount Shaohua had set up a restrictive formation to seal the cavern, requiring disciples to guard it constantly. Any change had to be reported to the sect immediately to prevent the Yin-Fiend Qi from leaking out and causing widespread devastation.

Qin Sang was quite surprised that Mount Shaohua was so cautious. Was the Yin-Fiend Qi in the Sunken Cavern even more potent than that in the Abyssal Yin-Fiend Pit? He withdrew his spiritual sense and asked Zhuang Yan, "Senior Brother Zhuang, is the task of guarding the Sunken Cavern still available?"

Zhuang Yan looked at him with a strange expression. "You've chosen this one?"

Seeing Qin Sang nod, Zhuang Yan clapped his hands decisively and exclaimed joyfully, "Excellent! The Sunken Cavern will be entrusted to you from now on, Junior Brother Qin. I'll change your waist token immediately."

Qin Sang handed over his waist token, then, with a dark expression, demanded, "Senior Brother Zhuang, can you tell me the truth now? Is the Sunken Cavern one of 'the big pitfalls'?"

Zhuang Yan seemed to have shed a huge burden; he was completely relaxed. He said with a smile, "The Sunken Cavern is indeed recognized as one of the big pitfalls. This is because the cavern undergoes many changes that aren't visible from outside the restrictive formation. Consequently, the assigned dwelling is located inside the Sunken Cavern, perpetually dark and bone-chillingly cold. Those with unstable temperaments won't be able to stand it. However, if you, Junior Brother, can endure the solitude, it's actually one of the best miscellaneous tasks."

Qin Sang nodded slightly, but thought to himself, among cultivators, there's no shortage of people who can endure solitude. Senior Brother Zhuang's words surely contained some untruths.

However, he was currently in need of Yin-Fiend Qi, and as long as there was no danger to his life, he could endure anything.

The two immediately finalized the task. Zhuang Yan then took Qin Sang to the Dharma Impartation Hall. The Martial Uncle who was lecturing had already arrived. Since Qin Sang had just joined the sect, he didn't need to pay spirit stones for a month, so he slipped in to listen.

Qin Sang was immediately captivated. This Martial Uncle truly lived up to his reputation, possessing profound mastery over incantations, especially the Five Elements incantations. A casual remark from him greatly inspired Qin Sang, making him realize how far behind Yue Wu was in comparison.

Previously, Qin Sang had many unresolved doubts, but after an hour, he had greatly benefited. He secretly sighed with emotion, realizing that based on this alone, rogue cultivators simply couldn't compare to those from established sects.

He now roughly understood why others were unwilling to go to the Sunken Cavern.

The Sunken Cavern was in a very remote location, and one had to guard it year-round, which meant missing countless opportunities to listen to Martial Uncles' lectures.

When the lecture concluded, the disciples rose to respectfully see off the Martial Uncle. Qin Sang could stay on Mount Shaohua for another month, and since he was currently at a bottleneck in the ninth layer, he decided not to rush to the Sunken Cavern. He would stay to listen to more lectures, hoping to avoid detours in his future cultivation.

"The task Junior Brother Qin chose?"

As the disciples dispersed in small groups, Qin Sang heard Sun De's voice behind him. He turned and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Sun. Senior Brother Zhuang assigned me to guard the Sunken Cavern."

Sun De said to Zhuang Yan, "You've fooled another one."

Zhuang Yan said smugly, "You can't blame me for this; Junior Brother Qin chose it himself."

Sun De was stunned and looked at Qin Sang. "Going to the Sunken Cavern isn't so bad; you'll rise through the ranks in five years at most. When do you plan to leave, Junior Brother Qin? Shall we go together?"

Zhuang Yan turned to Qin Sang and explained, "Senior Brother Sun manages the medicinal garden on Mount Tianyun, which isn't far from the Sunken Cavern. If you encounter any trouble outside later, you can ask Senior Brother Sun for help. He's known as 'Timely Rain' here on Mount Shaohua."

Qin Sang looked pleased. "I'll be relying on Senior Brother Sun for assistance in the future. However, I still have some unfinished matters to attend to and wish to remain in the sect for another month. I'll accompany Senior Brother Sun next time."

The next day, Qin Sang flew alone to Pagoda Peak.

His status as a newcomer was useless on Pagoda Peak. Qin Sang dutifully paid the spirit stones and entered the first level of Pagoda Peak, the place where information on spiritual herbs and fruits was stored.

An hour later, Qin Sang emerged from Pagoda Peak with a resigned expression. Although he had anticipated it, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.

The first level of Pagoda Peak was only for Qi Condensation cultivators, containing information on common spiritual herbs and fruits. Qin Sang had already learned some of this at Yuanzhao Sect, but he still patiently reviewed it all. As expected, there was nothing similar to the mysterious orchid.

Still, the trip wasn't a complete waste. At the very least, he would be able to roughly identify spiritual herbs he encountered outside in the future.

As for the second level of Pagoda Peak, it couldn't be entered just by paying spirit stones; it required a Foundation Establishment cultivator's waist token. Qin Sang only knew Martial Uncle Wen and had no close ties with him, so he could only set it aside for now.

After that, Qin Sang remained on Mount Shaohua. Less than a month later, he suddenly left in a hurry.