Before the front gate of the Moon Sect.
A handyman disciple was leading the new disciples and introducing the situation of the outer court.
"My name is Chen Luo, a handyman disciple responsible for leading everyone into the Moon Sect today."
"Near Falling Moon City, the Moon Sect has the largest number of members, so naturally its overall strength is also the strongest."
"I heard that among the inner court disciples, there are even those from ancient aristocratic families."
"The outer court contains eleven peaks, among which Qinglan Peak is exclusively for handyman disciples."
"July Peak is the herb garden. Although there are cultivation methods there, generally no one studies them; only handymen go there to work."
"The remaining nine peaks cultivate different methods. In a few days, after the outer court disciple grand competition, the elders of each peak will select disciples suitable for joining their respective peaks."
"Aside from needing to obey the rules of the sect, the rules of each peak vary slightly, which you will learn after joining them."
"Every two years, the outer court disciple grand competition takes place, and the top ten can enter the inner court."
"Usually, claiming sect tasks, spirit stones, pills, or borrowing cultivation manuals are all handled at Star Moon Peak. Outer court disciples can receive ten spirit stones, five Qi Medium Pills, and borrow one cultivation manual."
"..."
After half an hour of explanation, Chen Luo finally led everyone to the front of Bright Moon Peak.
"Since you senior brothers just arrived today, all of you will temporarily stay at Bright Moon Peak. The subsequent grand competition will also be held here at Bright Moon Peak. Wait here for a moment, and shortly a senior brother from Bright Moon Peak will come to receive you," Chen Luo said, then turned and prepared to leave.
"Senior Brother Chen, please wait. Where should a handyman go to report?" Zhu Wu called out, stopping Chen Luo to ask.
"A handyman? Handymen don't need to report. Why are you asking about this?" Chen Luo replied.
"I am here to be a handyman," Zhu Wu answered.
"Ah? Handymen are usually brought directly by stewards. I'm not very clear about this either. Why don't you ask when you get to Bright Moon Peak later?" With that, Chen Luo left, seemingly busy picking up the next batch of disciples.
On Bright Moon Peak, several thousand new disciples were being assigned food and lodging by dozens of outer court disciples.
When it was Zhu Wu's turn, the responsible disciple angrily shouted, "How did a handyman sneak in here? You brat, get lost right away! This is no place for a handyman!"
Unjustly scolded and not knowing what to do, Zhu Pingping stepped forward and loudly retorted, "So what if he's a handyman? Don't handymen need to eat and sleep?"
"Who are you? Don't meddle in other people's business!" Seeing that she was a beauty, the disciple's attitude softened slightly.
"I'm his sister, so of course it's my business. How is this meddling?" Zhu Pingping replied.
"If it's your business, then take him to eat and sleep with you. In any case, there is no share here for a handyman," the disciple said, still speaking in an unkind tone.
"Hmph, I'm going to find the steward," Zhu Pingping said as she pulled Zhu Wu away.
The steward did not come to Bright Moon Peak.
The other disciples were all settled, but only Zhu Wu was left unattended, naturally because there was no precedent.
"I'll go take a look at Qinglan Peak. After all, that's where the handymen belong," Zhu Wu said to Zhu Pingping.
"It's so late, and you don't know the way. Just stay at my place tonight," Zhu Pingping said.
"This..."
"We used to sleep together when we were little anyway..." Zhu Pingping also realized that didn't sound appropriate.
"The weather should be fine tonight. At worst, sleeping outside doesn't matter," Zhu Wu looked up, then pointed to an open space in the distance and said, "The sunset glow is so pretty. I think that spot looks quite nice. Shall we go take a look?"
The sloping grassland was dotted with wild flowers of various colors, presenting a unique scenery in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Zhu Wu calmed his breath and solemnly said to Zhu Pingping, "Sister Pingping, thank you! From now on, whatever I can do for you, through mountains of blades and seas of fire, I will not hesitate even in death!"
Taken aback by Zhu Wu's sudden solemnity, Zhu Pingping smiled softly, "Having this heart of yours is enough. In the future, won't I still have to take care of you all the time?"
"Hehe, that's true."
"It's just that I can't take care of you at any time either, so you still need to break through quickly. By the way, today I also forgot to ask if there's the kind of place you mentioned within the Moon Sect." Zhu Pingping was somewhat at a loss for words.
"There's no need to rush for a day or two. After your grand competition, when you have your own cave residence and are settled in, asking slowly won't be late either."
The two lay down on the grass. As night fell, stars twinkling all over the sky became visible.
"Xiao Wu, making you a handyman, do you feel wronged?" Zhu Pingping looked at the starry sky and asked softly.
"Not really. On the other hand, you—you were supposed to go to the Sword Washing Sect," Zhu Wu replied.
"It doesn't matter. Cultivation is the same anywhere. Anyway, I'm a genius; I can learn anything," Zhu Pingping smiled lightly.
"What are your plans for the future?" Zhu Wu asked.
"The future... cultivate to the Golden Core, and then go see other places. I hear that those different cities, different people, different monster beasts, and even making friends with demons—that must be very interesting, right?"
"Really? I'm the same too. Cultivate to the Golden Core, fly on a sword, and go wherever I want."
"By the time you reach the Golden Core, who knows how many years it will take. When the time comes, big sis will fly you there."
"Alright. Who knows, maybe another place will have a spot suitable for my breakthrough."
"..."
After a while.
"Sister Pingping..." Zhu Wu called out softly. "She's fallen asleep..."
Shortly after, Zhu Wu also drifted off into dreamland.
Early in the morning, it was a bit cold.
Zhu Wu was frozen awake, with Zhu Pingping's outer jacket draped over him.
"Awake?" Zhu Pingping was in the middle of cultivation and said when she saw Zhu Wu move.
"Yeah. When did you wake up? Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?" Zhu Wu hurriedly draped the jacket back over Zhu Pingping.
"It's fine. After cultivating for a bit, I won't be cold. I didn't expect it to be already dawn. If I had known, I would have gone to sleep at my place. We used to sleep together anyway..." The last part of Zhu Pingping's sentence was barely audible.
"I'll cultivate for a bit too, while everyone else hasn't come out yet." Zhu Wu adjusted his breathing and sat down.
The first ray of morning sunlight broke through the mountains, shining diagonally across the grassland.
"Wait, just now was also the convergence of yin and yang..."
"If this counts as well, then both morning and evening can be used for breakthroughs."
"No, such a window of time is too short; there's simply no time to make a breakthrough."
Zhu Wu silently felt the sensation of cultivation in his heart; it truly was different from usual.
It was just that the time between the first ray of sunlight chasing away the cold was merely a single instant. To make a breakthrough, there wouldn't even be enough time to gather the qi to fullness.
"It seems I still need to seek another way." Feeling his body warm up, Zhu Wu stopped cultivating.
Returning to the temporary gathering spot, Zhu Wu and Zhu Pingping wandered around together, inquiring about the steward or Qinglan Peak, which attracted many gazes.
"Aren't those two siblings? Why are they like a couple, sticking together everywhere?"
"Yeah, I heard that guy is a handyman without living quarters. Could they have slept together last night?"
"..."
Quiet discussions occasionally broke out among the crowd, and jealousy began to surface on the faces of some male disciples.
"Why is that handyman still here?" an outer court disciple said with a disgusted expression.
"Who knows? Probably sticking with his sister," another replied.
"Hmph..."
Zhu Wu was assigned to July Peak.
On the surface, managing the herb garden seemed like a good errand; who knows, he might even be able to secretly pluck a few herbs.
The steward of July Peak led Zhu Wu to a thatched cottage and said, "This is your future residence. From the front up to the foot of the mountain is under your care."
"Every year, you must hand over a hundred portions of grade 5 herbs, or a thousand portions of grade 3 herbs, or ten thousand portions of grade 1 herbs."
"This is your identity token. Every month you can go to Star Moon Peak to collect spirit stones and pills. Handymen are not allowed to learn cultivation methods within the sect; this is the cultivation method of our July Peak."
"If you have any questions, you can find Senior Brother Wang." With that, Steward Wang turned and left.
"Thank you, Steward Wang!" Zhu Wu bowed, reached out to take the token and the cultivation method, but inwardly began to curse.
What was assigned to him was a piece of newly reclaimed barren land, and the herbs planted there looked like half of them were already dying.
To meet the requirements set by the steward was basically impossible.
As for the so-called cultivation method, it was called the *Hundred Herb Manual of the Bright Garden*. Zhu Wu flipped through it roughly, and it was simply a book for identifying herbs.
With a turbulent heart, Zhu Wu inspected the perimeter of the garden.
Directly facing the foot of the mountain was a large cliff, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom like a wide-mouthed cave, with a cold wind blowing through the middle.
"A cave? Cold wind? It seems a breakthrough might be possible here?" Zhu Wu pondered in his heart.
"Yin and yang in balance—judging by the feel of this cold wind, it seems possible only in the morning." Zhu Wu observed the cliff; it received very little sunlight and looked gloomy.
Seeing that the hour was still early, Zhu Wu hurried to Star Moon Peak to first collect this month's spirit stone and pills.
Handymen could receive one spirit stone and one grade 3 Qi Medium Pill every month.
When he returned, it happened to be evening. Zhu Wu found a spot inside the mountain cliff and began to cultivate.
In the middle of the night, both the spirit stone and the pill were consumed, but as expected, there was still no sensation of advancement.
Dawn broke, and sunlight slowly spilled into the cliff.
"Now is the time." Zhu Wu sat cross-legged to gather qi.
"Qi Condensation 7th Layer."
"It worked. But the higher the realm, the longer the time required for a breakthrough. At this rate, this place can at most take me to the 9th layer..." Zhu Wu estimated the time.
A year's time was not long.
Zhu Pingping still secretly saved up spirit stones and pills to give to Zhu Wu, and Zhu Wu finally reached the Qi Condensation 9th Layer.
In another year, handymen would also be able to participate in the grand competition to enter the outer court.
Zhu Wu enjoyed such times.
However, the assigned quota had become a huge trouble.
Only a little over six hundred portions of spiritual herbs survived in the garden, which fell far short of the one thousand portions demanded by the steward.
"Senior Brother Wang, I'd like to ask, if the spiritual herbs aren't enough, are there any other ways?" Zhu Wu found Senior Brother Wang, who was also a handyman, and asked.
"There are. You can use spirit stones as a substitute," Senior Brother Wang sneered. "One low-grade spirit stone can replace ten portions of grade 3 spiritual herbs."
"Hmph, I don't know who you offended, but Steward Wang is trying to take your life..." Senior Brother Wang thought to himself.
"Ah? So expensive? Are there any other ways?" Zhu Wu asked in astonishment, while feeling doubtful inside: "This is different from what Sister Pingping said?"
"Naturally there are ways, and that is to go pick them yourself in the nearby Severed Mountain Range. However, senior brother will advise you: although grade 3 spiritual herbs are not guarded by monster beasts, there are quite a few monster beasts on the way there," Senior Brother Wang feigned advice.
"Of course, you can also take on sect tasks and trade for them with contribution points. For grade 3 spiritual herbs, one contribution point can be exchanged for ten. But sect tasks are generally not open to handymen; after all, they are all dangerous. Without the strength of Foundation Establishment or above, you'd likely fail even to reach the task location."
"In a few days, you'll have to hand over a thousand portions of spiritual herbs. I heard Zhu Pingping is your sister, right? Getting her to help would make it much easier."
"There is a young master from the capital who has taken a fancy to your sister, saying that as long as she agrees, there will be as many spirit stones as she wants..."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll go think of a way." Filled with anger yet daring not to act, Zhu Wu cut off Senior Brother Wang's words and headed toward Star Moon Peak.
"Finding a task heading to the Severed Mountain Range and gathering some herbs along the way should be fine," Zhu Wu calculated inwardly, checking the task board in the main hall.
"At the Qi Condensation 9th Layer, dealing with Tier 2 monster beasts should be no problem." Zhu Wu found what looked like the simplest task: obtaining the hearts of ten Tier 2 jackals.
Few people accepted this task because it offered only thirty contribution points, and moreover, jackals traveled in packs of seven or eight, requiring one to find two packs. Furthermore, they excelled at group attacks; going with too many people was unprofitable, while going with too few made it hard to resist, making a special trip for this not worth it.
Never mind. Zhu Wu memorized the task number and walked up to the task hall steward.
"I want to take this." Zhu Wu reported the number to the steward.
The steward glanced at Zhu Wu, hesitated, and said, "For the Qi Condensation Stage, this task is unusually dangerous. It seems to be very important to you, little brother, so let me give you a piece of advice: while there are green hills left, one need not worry about firewood. Are you sure you want to take it?"
"Sure."
Actually, there were tasks safer than this one, such as searching for lost spiritual pets within the sect, but they only offered one or two contribution points—truly suitable tasks for handymen.
"Alright. I suggest you find people to form a team. Although you'll end up splitting fewer contribution points, at least it's safe."
"Thank you, Steward. I'll be careful."
In front of the thatched cottage, Zhu Pingping watched Zhu Wu packing his things.
"I heard that other handymen only need to hand over five hundred portions of grade 3 spiritual herbs. How did it become a thousand for you? No, I'm going to find the steward and ask clearly," Zhu Pingping said angrily.
"Sister Pingping, it's fine. Don't you have me? You can just help me go to the Severed Mountain Range to hunt jackals," Zhu Wu knew he was being targeted, but under someone else's roof and lacking self-preservation strength for now, it was not the time to resist.
"It's all my fault for dragging you down," Zhu Pingping said, guilt-ridden once again.
"How could that be? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even have the qualification to enter the sect. As for you, you must never wrong yourself on my account. If you do that, I won't talk to you anymore," Zhu Wu said hastily.
Zhu Pingping had already reached Foundation Establishment, and the cultivation method she practiced was mainly based on Illusion Techniques. The Moon Sect's fire-attribute cultivation method was rumored to be of Earth Grade, but that was not something outer court disciples could learn.
"Alright. When we encounter jackals, you climb up a tree and hide. I'll slowly deal with them."
"No, the best way is for me to act as bait while you attack directly. I'm wearing a couple of extra layers of clothes; they won't be able to bite through me right away." Zhu Wu didn't want to do nothing.
Seeing Zhu Wu's persistence, Zhu Pingping had no choice but to say, "We'll play it by ear then. In any case, I don't want you to get hurt. When I get hurt, my master will help treat me; when you get hurt, there's no one to help."
"Yeah, alright. By the way, are Illusion Techniques effective against monster beasts?"
"They are, but the effect is very weak. I heard that those with special physiques can enhance the level of Illusion Techniques, making them effective against monster beasts."
"Then let's test the Illusion Technique in a bit, just in case your illusion is different."
"Alright, that would make things much easier."
On the afternoon of the second day, Zhu Wu and Zhu Pingping finally hurried to the foot of the Severed Mountain Range.
"Let's rest outside tonight and enter the mountain tomorrow morning," Zhu Pingping said.
Outside the tent, a black figure flashed past.
On the morning of the third day, Zhu Wu and Zhu Pingping headed toward the place where the jackals were, and before long they encountered a pack of seven.
"I'll try the Illusion Technique first. Moon Sea!" Zhu Pingping said, crossing her hands and casting her spell.
The jackals' movements changed. Originally bunched closely together, they now scattered.
Suddenly, holding a long sword, Zhu Pingping thrust it toward the nearest one.
"So simple?" Zhu Pingping doubted it herself. But without time for hesitation, she killed the remaining six one after another.
"Ah? Tier 2 monster beasts are this easy to kill?" Zhu Wu said while harvesting the hearts.
"No, it must be that my Illusion Technique worked. I feel like I have a talent for Illusion Techniques," Zhu Pingping scanned the surroundings on alert.
"In that case, we can finish gathering the spiritual herbs today as well. Sister, you're amazing!" Zhu Wu praised Zhu Pingping.
"Of course. With big sis here, don't you worry. There's a pack on the left, let's go," Zhu Pingping said, looking into the distance.
"Moon Sea!" After releasing the Illusion Technique on the jackals, Zhu Pingping felt somewhat lacking in true qi.
One, two, three... there were nine in this pack.
With three left, the Illusion Technique failed. The three let out a simultaneous howl, sending a flurry of birds flying across the surrounding woods.
"Sister Pingping, watch out!" Seeing all three charging toward Zhu Pingping, Zhu Wu hurriedly leaped down from the tree, dagger in hand, and rushed toward one of them.
Danger averted, they finally managed to resolve the situation.
"It's not safe here. Let's find another place to rest. I need to recover some of my strength," Zhu Pingping said, panting.
"Wait, it looks like something is coming." Zhu Pingping became alert.
"Yo, Zhu Pingping, so you're here." Judging by their attire, they were also sect disciples. Three people had arrived—two in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment and one in the Middle Stage.
Yet Zhu Pingping had no impression of them.
"What do you want?" Seeing that the newcomers had ill intentions, Zhu Pingping forced herself to remain calm.
"What do we want? We're here to do tasks too," one of them said with a sinister smile.
"Oh, then we won't disturb you. Xiao Wu, let's go." With that, she pulled Zhu Wu's hand.
"Hey, hey, if you leave, how are we supposed to do our task?" one disciple said.
"What do you mean?" Zhu Pingping guessed their purpose, but her true qi hadn't fully recovered, and with the numerical disadvantage of the opposite side, she feared she wouldn't even be able to escape.
"What do we mean? Young Master Zhang invited you to go over as a guest," a disciple said.
"Young Master Zhang? Hmph, if he wants to invite me, why didn't he come himself? Lacking even sincerity, what right does he have to invite me?" Zhu Pingping bought time to stall.
"Who says there's no sincerity? Our Young Master Zhang is right up ahead..."
"Hey, stop running your mouth." A disciple hurriedly cut the other disciple off. "Come with us obediently, or else we can't guarantee you'll make it out alive."
"Alright, let me see what that Young Master Zhang really wants." Zhu Pingping squeezed Zhu Wu's hand and said to the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment disciple.
"This way."
In a slightly open patch of ground.
The one called Young Master Zhang was together with another Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Beauty, this young master said I would definitely have you. Let's see where you can run to now, hahahaha," Young Master Zhang laughed lewdly as he walked toward Zhu Pingping.
"As for that punk, as long as you obey obediently, I'll let him go back first."
Zhu Pingping knew that if Zhu Wu were left alone in this place, it would basically spell certain death.
Young Master Zhang pushed Zhu Wu aside and reached out to grope Zhu Pingping all over.
"This won't do. Moon Sea!" Facing the six of them and taking advantage of their relaxed vigilance, Zhu Pingping abruptly circulated her true qi.
Zhu Wu hurriedly rolled to the side and bolted toward the northeast.
Zhu Pingping also instantly sprinted in Zhu Wu's direction.
"After them!"
The Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, one of the Middle Stage ones, and Young Master Zhang were unaffected by the Illusion Technique and hurried after Zhu Pingping's direction.
"This young master doesn't believe a cooked duck can fly away! Ah-Zhong, summon!" Furious, Young Master Zhang snapped.
A Tier 5 Scarlet-Practicing Tiger instantly appeared before them. The three climbed onto the tiger's back and quickly caught up to Zhu Pingping and Zhu Wu.
"Run! Let's see where you can run to. Attack!"
The Scarlet-Practicing Tiger let out a fierce roar that shook the earth. Zhu Wu's scalp tingled from the shock: "Sister Pingping!"
Zhu Pingping had no true qi to defend herself, and blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
"Xiao Wu, I'm sorry. I might have dragged you down," Zhu Pingping said apologetically.
"How could that be? It's me who dragged you down. Let's fight them to the death!" Zhu Wu gritted his teeth.
Zhu Wu threw out spiritual numbing powder, which he had originally intended to use on jackals—a type of drug with a paralyzing effect. Once inhaled, one would feel paralyzed all over.
The three were on guard, so the effect wasn't very obvious, and the Scarlet-Practicing Tiger was of a higher grade, rendering the effect negligible, but it managed to temporarily stall their movements.
Zhu Pingping picked up her long sword and charged at the Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator named Ah-Zhong, while Zhu Wu lunged at Young Master Zhang.
Young Master Zhang was in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment and relied on treasures on his body to remain immune to ordinary Illusion Techniques.
The other Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator also rushed toward Zhu Pingping.
"After them..."
Having inhaled some spiritual numbing powder during the earlier skirmish, the three were somewhat paralyzed and much slower in speed. The monster beast summoning seemed to have a time limit and did not appear at this moment.
Otherwise, Zhu Wu and Zhu Pingping would already be corpses.
"Sister Pingping, hold on a little longer. We'll definitely be able to escape..." Carrying Zhu Pingping on his back, Zhu Wu ran with all the strength he could muster.
The blood on Zhu Pingping's chest soaked into Zhu Wu's back, and her breath was weak: "We won't make it out tonight. Up ahead is a cliff; there's no road..."
"Run away by yourself. There's still hope for one person; you won't get out carrying me. The smell of blood will attract monster beasts, and you can't handle them..."
"No, we will definitely get out! Hang in there, Sister Pingping!"
Zhu Pingping passed out.
Inside a cold, gloomy cave beneath the cliff.
Zhu Wu took out his drinking water, washed the bloodstains off Zhu Pingping's and his own backs, and then threw the bloody clothes down the cliff.
Fortunately, he had worn two extra sets of clothes today. He changed Zhu Pingping into a clean set.
Daring not light a fire, Zhu Wu transmitted weak streams of true qi to Zhu Pingping to help warm her body.
Seeing Zhu Pingping's complexion improve slightly, he gently helped her lie down and began checking the surrounding environment both inside and outside.
Dawn was breaking.
In the eastern starry sky, only a single morning star remained visible.
"Xiao Wu..." A weak voice came.
"Sister Pingping." Zhu Wu hurriedly ran over and grasped Zhu Pingping's hand.
"It's good... you're still alive..." Zhu Pingping spoke intermittently.
"Sis, don't talk for now. Here, drink some water." Zhu Wu held the remaining drops of water to Zhu Pingping's lips.
"Cough... cough..." Zhu Pingping coughed twice, her head tilted, and she vomited a mouthful of blood.
"I won't make it, Xiao Wu. In the end, it's good to see you safe..." Zhu Pingping continued.
"No, you will! I still have the Blood Energy Pill you gave me. Eat it first." Zhu Wu hurriedly rummaged through his pack.
"It's no use, Xiao Wu. Come and talk to big sis."
"Look, the sun is about to come out. I feel this place is suitable for your breakthrough—it's very cold..."
"You're at the 9th layer now; you should be able to break through to Foundation Establishment. Once you break through to Foundation Establishment, you'll be able to run out on your own..."
Kneeling in front of Zhu Pingping, Zhu Wu nodded repeatedly.
"Sis wants to see how you break through. Help me sit up; big sis still has three Qi Medium Pills in her pouch—you eat them first."
"Okay."
Sunlight slanted into the cave, illuminating only half of it.
Surest enough, this was indeed a prime spot for the mutual harmony of yin and yang, and the time appeared relatively sufficient.
Looking at Zhu Pingping's face filled with expectation for him, Zhu Wu gritted his teeth, turned away, sat cross-legged, and channeled his cultivation in one smooth motion.
About a quarter of an hour later, sunlight seemed to roam across Zhu Wu's entire body, and the chill inside the cave was swept away completely.
"Foundation Establishment Early Stage!"
It succeeded!
Zhu Wu hurriedly turned his head. Zhu Pingping's eyes were closed, and her body had already grown somewhat stiff...