The chubby cultivator sitting behind the desk had just taken the storage bag from his pack. He gently weighed it in his hand, as if deciding whether it was more suitable for his lunch as a chicken leg or if he should wait a little longer before eating. He slowly raised his head, glanced at Lu Ye, and casually spoke, a blade of grass hanging from his mouth, “Name, background, and cultivation level?”

Lu Ye nodded and gave his name, “Lu Ye from the Xuantian Sect.”

The chubby cultivator lowered his head and focused on the jade slip in his hand, flipping through it. He frowned slightly. “Hmm, found it. You are indeed listed here.”

“Oh? Then that's good, isn't it?” Lu Ye thought, relieved that he could finally settle down for a peaceful life. But just as he was thinking this, the chubby cultivator suddenly found another detail in the jade slip. His eyes deepened, and the corner of his mouth curled up slightly. “However... something's off! The jade slip records say you’re an unawakened mortal, but now… you’ve opened a spiritual meridian. This could be a problem.”

“A problem?” Lu Ye's heart skipped a beat. Could this chubby cultivator be a meticulous “treasure appraiser”? But... there wasn't much to fear, since he was just a mine slave. What danger could there be?

The chubby cultivator continued to squint at the storage bag around Lu Ye’s waist, as if eyeing a piece of gold falling into a frying pan. “This storage bag... you didn’t just ‘pick it up,’ did you?”

“Uh, picked it up?” Lu Ye almost laughed out loud, but quickly coughed to cover it up. “I came across an injured Evil Moon Valley cultivator in the mine tunnel. I gave him ‘first aid.’ In the life-and-death situation... I awakened my spiritual meridian.”

The chubby cultivator raised an eyebrow, seemingly somewhat convinced by this version. After all, in this world, apart from the naturally talented cultivators, it's not uncommon for people like Lu Ye to suddenly awaken a meridian. After all, who hasn't done a "righteous deed" or two?

“I see, you’ve got guts!” The chubby cultivator looked at Lu Ye with a hint of admiration in his eyes. “You know, even injured cultivators from Evil Moon Valley could easily flatten you like a pancake.”

“Well, of course.” Lu Ye nodded calmly. “Otherwise, how would I deserve this storage bag on my back?”

“Oh?” The chubby cultivator's eyes widened in surprise, his gaze locked firmly on the storage bag. Lu Ye felt a little uncomfortable under the scrutiny and thought to himself, As expected, this storage bag is causing trouble.

At that moment, a soft voice came from behind. The young cultivator leaned in and whispered something in the chubby cultivator’s ear. The chubby cultivator’s expression changed, and he widened his eyes. “Which Old Tang?”

The young cultivator lowered his head and remained silent, gazing quietly at him.

Suddenly, the chubby cultivator seemed to realize something. His mouth moved, he cleared his throat, and a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. “Ah, so it’s a friend of Old Tang! In that case, we’ll go through the proper procedure and follow the rules!”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

He stood up, his smile becoming even warmer. “Since you have guts, go ahead. Just don’t run off. Don’t make us come looking for you.”

“Alright, thank you, Senior Brother Pang.” The young cultivator cupped his hands.

“Go ahead, go ahead.” Senior Brother Pang waved him off and watched him leave. He then turned to Lu Ye. “Follow me.”

Lu Ye obediently followed, still glancing around, noticing the dejected expressions of the mine slaves standing around. A feeling of melancholy arose in his heart. I’ve regained my freedom, but these people... are still trapped in this abyss.

When they reached the group of mine slaves, Senior Brother Pang raised a heavy palm and gently clapped it in the air. “Anyone from Xuantian Sect? Step forward, let me see.”

In the silence that followed, Lu Ye scanned the mine slaves and realized that no one was willing to step forward. At that moment, a premonition rose in his heart: It looks like... I’m the last one left from Xuantian Sect.

Senior Brother Pang stared at the crowd for a moment, then asked, “Does anyone recognize him?”

Still, no one responded. Lu Ye sighed, a sense of desolation filling his chest. While he wasn’t entirely saddened by the fall of Xuantian Sect, seeing the hollow eyes of these mine slaves stirred something within him. Compared to the others, his life was relatively comfortable. He could even exchange blood tonic pills, and his situation was far easier than that of the other slaves. After all, those who survived in such a harsh environment were far from weak.

Just as the atmosphere became oppressive, a weak voice suddenly piped up, “I know him. He’s Lu Ye from Xuantian Sect.”

Senior Brother Pang spun around sharply, his eyes sharpening like blades as he fixed his gaze on the source of the voice. “Who spoke?”

As his words fell, the crowd parted to reveal a young woman.

Lu Ye was stunned. Compared to the other mine slaves, this woman appeared remarkably fresh. Though her clothes were simple, they were clean, which made her stand out. Her complexion was a bit pale, but her eyes contained a determination and a coldness that captivated him.

“Are you sure?” Senior Brother Pang asked with doubt, scrutinizing the woman. “Are you sure he’s Lu Ye from Xuantian Sect?”

The woman lowered her head slightly, looking a little nervous, but she still nodded firmly. “I’m sure.”

Senior Brother Pang fell silent for a moment before nodding. “In that case, it’s fine. Identity confirmed. You can stay here for now. Don’t run off. Tomorrow, there’s an opportunity waiting for you.”

After saying that, he turned and left, his footsteps light, as if nothing had happened.

Lu Ye was left stunned for a moment. Just as he was about to ask for more details, the woman smiled faintly and walked toward him. “No need to thank me. After you helped me back in the mine tunnel, I thought I should return the favor.”

“You’re...” Lu Ye hesitated for a moment, suddenly recalling something.

The woman lowered her voice. “Yu Xiaodie. Do you remember me? You saved me in the mine tunnel. I didn’t get a chance to thank you then, but now I can at least repay you a little.”

Lu Ye smiled slightly, feeling a warm feeling in his chest. “So, we’re even now?”

Yu Xiaodie nodded gently, her smile gradually blooming. “We’re even.”

“Well then, let me formally introduce myself: Lu Ye, from Xuantian Sect.” He smiled as he extended his hand.

“Yu Xiaodie.” The woman performed a graceful curtsy, her manners impeccable.

Lu Ye rubbed his chin, curiosity piqued. “Yu, about that ‘opportunity’ Senior Brother Pang mentioned, what exactly is it?”

Yu Xiaodie gently adjusted a lock of hair by her ear and smiled softly. “For us mine slaves, although our identities are clean, we’ve never had a chance to awaken our spiritual meridians. After the Haotian Alliance took control of this place, they plan to select a few individuals with potential to cultivate. Tomorrow’s opportunity is a chance for those with cultivation talent to prove themselves.”

“So that’s the ‘opportunity’ the chubby guy was talking about?” Lu Ye blinked in realization. “I get it now.”