"Come clean, go clean... You have to be responsible for every cut you make."

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Liang understood what

Xia Ming understood Jiang Liang's implication.

The sect nurtured these disciples, and in return, these disciples must work for the sect.

Even in death, all their belongings belong to the sect; that's the rule.

In the world of cultivation, every inch of a person's value is squeezed out.

But as disciples of the sect, they must still be treated with dignity.

Like leaves returning to their roots after death.

So, handling the bodies must be done with care.

They can't damage the bodies, nor can they allow them to carry anything back.

Coming clean, going clean... That's how it should be done.

...

Taking a glance at Jiang Liang behind him, Xia Ming knew this was an opportunity.

If he could make a good impression on Elder Jiang, it might benefit him in the future.

As the saying goes, the more relationships you have, the easier your path becomes.

Thinking this, Xia Ming made up his mind.

"Elder Jiang, disciple has made up his mind."

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"Good, good, kid. Whether you find anything with this cut or not, I'll take the responsibility for you!"

Seeing Xia Ming's humble demeanor, Jiang Liang also harbored some subtle thoughts.

He had been parachuted to the Clutching Soul Cliff through connections; otherwise, how could Elder Hai from the Labor Office dare to give him a hard time?

Just arriving at the Clutching Soul Cliff, Jiang Liang urgently needed to establish his authority.

With both kindness and severity, that's how you achieve lasting stability.

Starting with this kid, let's establish some authority!

Under the watchful gaze of Elder Jiang Liang, Xia Ming held the sharp blade and thrust it directly into the acupoint.

With a slight twist of his wrist, followed by a gentle flick, a blood-stained soul stone fell into Xia Ming's hand.

Xia Ming respectfully presented the soul stone to Jiang Liang, who then pinched the blood-stained soul stone and squinted his eyes.

Then Jiang Liang's deep voice echoed throughout the Soul Cliffs.

"On the seventeenth of the twelfth month, thirty-seventh cave, one soul stone is issued today, awarded to the first. Additionally... for every two-tenths beyond the designated limit, one soul stone will be deducted."

"From now on, the first achiever of each day will be rewarded with a soul stone. This is the new rule!"

Listening to Jiang Liang's words, Xia Ming was momentarily stunned.

Jiang Liang played his hand brilliantly, not only establishing reward measures to boost disciples' morale but also setting boundaries. Injuries must be within an inch and two-tenths; exceeding this limit would incur punishment.

In the end, Xia Ming became Jiang Liang's trusted disciple.

With Jiang Liang's announcement, the Soul Cliffs resounded with praises and compliments.

"Disciples thank Elder Jiang! Elder Jiang is benevolent and brings fortune to us."

"Thank you, Elder Jiang!"

"Elder Jiang is kind-hearted!"

With someone leading the way, responses from other disciples followed naturally.

As he listened to the compliments, Jiang Liang's gaze shifted to Xia Ming.

Pinching the blood-stained soul stone, Jiang Liang finally handed it to Xia Ming.

"You may use this soul stone for yourself. Also, keep this meridian chart..."

Handing over a delicate silk meridian chart, Jiang Liang lightly patted Xia Ming's shoulder.

"Xia Ming, isn't it? I'll remember you. Work hard from now on."

Taking a deep breath, Xia Ming bowed deeply to Jiang Liang.

He knew he had gambled correctly this time!

Respectfully seeing off Jiang Liang, Xia Ming sat back beside the body with a mixture of fear and excitement.

The path to redemption lay before him!

Extending his right hand and closing his eyes slowly, Xia Ming's heart began to beat rapidly.

Holding his breath, he focused intently within the magnetic field, sensing the wandering spirits.

Eventually, a faint water-blue strip appeared in his vision.

It was a water spirit root...

A tear gently slid down Xia Ming's cheek.

Finally, his damn days were coming to an end!

Excitedly, Xia Ming began to manipulate the magnetic field, breaking down the water spirit root.

Gradually, the water spirit root turned into faint blue dust, floating within the magnetic field and gradually entering Xia Ming's body.

After completing everything, Xia Ming silently invoked the spirit root. In his mind, a faint diode appeared.

One of the diode's terminals was tinged with a light blue, indicating about one percent completion.

In other words... if Xia Ming wanted to fully activate the diode and possess the water spirit root, he needed to break down at least one hundred water spirit roots!

The number was daunting!

Though the road ahead seemed endless, Xia Ming could still see a glimmer of light shining down from the sky.