Noon.

Venturing into the West District, Bubai couldn't suppress an exasperated sigh. “I really need to take a task soon…”

Unfortunately, the primary prerequisite for undertaking any of the formation tasks within the sect is the attainment of the status of a formation apprentice.

To ascend to this status, one must not only grasp the fundamental runes but also demonstrate mastery of at least two basic array formulas.

The critical step involves linking these two arrays, thereby crafting a rudimentary formation node – the essential building block for formations of a larger scale.

Typically, aspiring formation apprentices follow a progression, commencing with the learning of the Qi-gathering array, followed by a supplementary auxiliary array.

Subsequently, they weave these two arrays together, constructing a node where the Qi-gathering array serves as the energy source for the other array.

Alas, even mastering the basic Qi-gathering array was a time-consuming journey. Note that this formula’s version was not the same as the official Qi-gathering formations employed in cultivation abodes.

This was a basic formula for beginners and could at most be considered a mini Qi-gatherer. It mainly functions as a miniature battery, principally serving as an auxiliary power unit for each formation node.

Bubai was uncertain about the specific formations constituting the grandiose official Qi-gathering array, but he was sure that it formed through the convergence of numerous nodes.

Naturally, mastering such a sophisticated array was completely beyond his reach.

Right now, he was still only three-quarters through grasping the symbols required for the mini Qi-gathering array.

Of course, his progress, albeit not too notable, could be already be deemed remarkably fast, considering that it had been less than half a month since he initiated the rune imprinting process.

While formation prodigies might effortlessly conquer an entire formula in a matter of weeks or even days, the average novice could expend months to acquaint themselves with all the symbols comprising a formation formula.

The sluggish pace of advancement was often attributable to a scarcity of resources and the cautious approach adopted during the learning process, owing to financial constraints.

With his cheat at his disposal, Bubai could speed up his learning progress with minimal errors, yet he still remained bound by the inevitable depletion of his supplies.

Now, another heart-wrenching trip to replenish his stock of practice blocks awaited him.

“But first, let’s see if there is any quick tasks. Every spirit stone can save me a good portion of my spirit rice…”

Task Pavilion.

“Need spirit rice farm hand. Commissioner: Anonymous. Payment: depending on harvest. Requirement: A deposit of two low-grade spirit stones. Must be Qi-refiner or below.”

“Need workers to till the field. Commissioner: Anonymous. Payment: 1 low-grade spirit stone per day. Requirement: Must be a male with a strong body. Must sign the specified waivers.”

“As usual, a lack of promising farming tasks…”

Many of these remaining farm tasks had strange clauses or required down payments of some sort…

Anyone with a good eye and mind can notice the brewing scam...

Leaving behind the old, unpopular farm tasks, Bubai went to explore the task boards in the miscellaneous section, where a mix of familiar and unfamiliar new assignments awaited.

“Need energy bank for establishing a foundation. Commissioner: Anonymous. Payment: 1 low-grade spirit stone per day.”

Too cheap and no energy to spare.

“Borrowing cultivation tools. Requirement: Mid stage Qi-refiner or higher. Commissioner: Long Batian. Payment: 1-2 low-grade spirit stone per day.”

Sorry, Xiao Lan was much more valuable than some trifling spirit stones.

“Requesting an experienced brother who can avoid the ghosts of the Law Enforcement Hall! Commissioner: Anonymous. Payment: 5 low-grade spirit stones and up!”

Nope, he still wants to keep his little brother intact.

“Buying little brothers. Requirement: Mid-stage Qi-refiner or higher. Commissioner: Xiao Wawa. Payment: 1-5 low-grade spirit stones depending on quality.”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Uh… pass.

“Find lost cat in the sect. Commissioner: Mo Badao. Payment: 3 low-grade spirit stones, 10 contribution points.”

Oh, finally a normal one, but…

“If I remember correctly, this task has been here since the first time I came here… No one has completed it even after so long?” Bubai furrowed his brow, hesitating whether to take it.

Notably, the task description carried no specified time limit, alleviating any of his immediate concerns of failure.

However, his hesitance stemmed from the identity of the task giver.

“Mo Badao… one of the Golden Core elders of the Sun Furnace Sect.”

The formidable strength alone was already a deterrent, but what truly put Bubai off was the fact that this man was none other than the grandfather of Mo Tianren!

And he was someone who essentially came into the sect riding on Mo Tianren’s death! Not only that, the reason for Mo Tianren’s death was still kept at his side!

It would be strange if he didn’t enter this old man’s sights...

Honestly, ever since he learned about this guy from WeiWei, Bubai had lingering worries that this elder might harbor a narrow-mind and take revenge on him.

However, even after a month, there had been no discernible actions from the old man - no dirty tricks nor petty schemes.

It appeared as if the old man had cast aside any thoughts of avenging his grandson's death, seeming to have no qualms about the tragic fate of his own kin, possibly even forgetting about him altogether…

Was the old man really so magnanimous?

Bubai certainly didn’t believe so.

So, he never let his guard down in the face of this unknown elder whom he had never met. Proper vigilance is the only way to avoid arrows from the dark.

Now, he was contemplating the risks and debating whether to accept the task.

After all, this task could serve as a loophole that could be exploited to attack him. If this elder used some underhanded tactics to sabotage him and fail him for some arbitrary reasons...

“But finding a cat, it can’t get easier than this…”

Even if this was some kung fu cat with a higher cultivation than him, at most, he could just run away and abandon the task. After all, assignments with no specified time limit carried no penalties for non-completion.

Plus, the reward was really tempting…

“Three spirit stones is enough to cover most, if not all, of my basic formation practice expenses. The ten contribution points will also let me learn the next formula.”

After a brief hesitation, Bubai decisively plucked the task from the board. If that Elder Mo wants to trip him up, so be it. He still had Elder Ma behind him. WeiWei will also be there to warn him.

In the worst-case scenario, he hides in the Book Pavilion to copy books all day. He doesn’t believe the old Granny Shu wouldn’t protect a diligent worker like him!

Registration Pavilion. Front Desk.

Manager Qiao's gaze skittered up and down Bubai's frame with a scrutinizing intensity, sending a creepy shiver crawling down his spine.

“Manager Qiao, is there a problem?”

“No, not at all!” A dismissive wave of denial accompanied by an eerie smile played across Manager Qiao's face, “I do believe you have the capabilities of taking this task. In fact, it’s a good thing Brother Mo is trying it while he still can…”

Bubai to furrow his brows in suspicion. As expected, there was some secrets behind this task. No wonder the task was still posted every time he checks on the Task Pavilion. The task was probably not simple!

Maintaining a polite salute, Bubai leaned in, brushing a small mound of spirit rice, retrieved from his pouch, towards the man. “Manager Qiao, if there’s anything I should know, Bubai would be grateful for your advice.”

Manager Qiao blinked, swiftly swiveling his head around, scanning the hall to ensure their privacy before deftly swept the small pile of rice into the folds of his robe.

“Ahem,” Manager Qiao had a rather friendly smile as he leaned towards Bubai, “Brother Mo, there really is no need for this. Servants like us aren’t allowed to receive certain gifts… so, Brother Mo, don’t do this in the future.”

Bubai nodded, “Understood. Understood.”

The two exchanged a smile. Manager Qiao leaned back, once again assessing Bubai from head to toe. “An upright man like Brother Mo could easily find another task, there’s no need to struggle with this one.”

“Oh? Are there some difficulties?”

Upon hearing his words, Manager Qiao’s gaze finally lingered on Bubai's face, the earlier smile faltering slightly, “Uh… not really. It’s just that… this cat tends to be found by those with a relatively more…”

Manager Qiao then waved his hand over his own face.

Bubai’s lips twitched. Oh snap, even cats these days discriminate based on appearance.

However, he gleaned some info from Manager Qiao’s words. “This task has been completed before?”

Manager Qiao nodded, “Yes, multiple times in fact. After all, this is a recurring task. Elder Mo’s cat tends to like... running around.”

Oh, understood. This was the cliché cat that was doing its job to contribute to the sect’s GDP.

This was a good thing because it meant the task was not impossible. Eyeing the imageless task sheet, Bubai nudged it, wanting to get another hint.

“So, Manager Qiao, is there a picture of the cat? Or at least a description?”

The strange smile returned to Manager Qiao’s face as he replied in a nonchalant tone, “No, no, it’s very recognizable as it is the only cat in the sect. Brother Mo will not make a mistake if he meets her.”

Uh, so far, this is definitely not worth the spirit rice he spent!

“Then, is there any hints of her location, the usual areas she roams at least?”

Picking up the task sheet, Manager Qiao snickered as he stuffed it into Bubai’s hand, “Brother Mo, think about it. If there was, what do we need you for?”

“…”

Making his way toward the market, Bubai held the task sheet up to the sunlight, seeing if there were any hidden clues. Well... there was no change.

Bubai stuffed the task sheet into his spatial storage pouch, “Tsk. A cat that could be anywhere in this large sect. How am I even supposed to find it?”

It seems he could only complete this task if he bumps into it through sheer luck. He certainly won’t waste time running all over the sect and aimlessly searching for it, especially considering the recurring nature of the task.

Alas, this meant that this trip’s end result was still no new income source.

Sensing his the dwindling reserve of spirit rice within his personal spatial storage, Bubai wore a wry smile, “Bummer. At this rate, I won’t have any leeway for mistakes when learning the second formation…”

And this was without factoring in the portion of spirit rice earmarked for Xiao Lan. If he considered the necessity of providing food for his women as well, his funds will definitely be woefully insufficient.

“Soon, I’ll have to change my name to poor Bubai...”

Trouble. Will he really have to gamble everything and hope he becomes a formation apprentice before his rations run out?