“An entire year!” Lu Zhiying’s eyes lit up in astonishment. “That’s amazing!”

“It is indeed amazing. Working in the mines, one can really go from rags to riches,” Zhao Yunxiao nodded. “However, do remember that things like that only happen to those who are blessed with extraordinary luck. It is best to just treat this as regular training of the mind and body.”

Unfortunately, Lu Zhiying appeared not to have heard him and simply kept looking at the rock in her hands.

“Thank you for your congratulations, fellow martial brothers and sisters,” Nie Hanchang clasped his fists towards the other disciples around. “As to your question on how I will be handling the grimiron ore, I have yet to decide on that, and would thus have to go back and think about it. I will take my leave for now!”

“Congratulations, Junior Martial Brother Nie!”

“Congratulations, Senior Martial Brother Nie!”

The disciples present continued to shower Nie Hanchang with their congratulatory messages as he left the tunnel, carrying the grimiron ore out with him on a pushcart.

“All right, we should get going t-” Zhao Yunxiao stopped short after seeing the dazed expression on Lu Zhiying’s face.

Is this little girl already dreaming of unrealistic riches?

“Remember, this is an extremely rare occasion. In fact, this is the first time I’ve ever seen such a large piece of grimiron ore!” Zhao Yunxiao reminded.

“Mm, mm.”

Lu Zhiying nodded in response, but her distracted reaction was enough to let Zhao Yunxiao know that she had not taken his words to heart.

“Come, let’s go,” Zhao Yunxiao casually grabbed the rock in Lu Zhiying’s hand and turned around.

“Hey, my ore!” Lu Zhiying cried out in surprise.

“Finally back to your senses?” Zhao Yunxiao snickered while tossing the rock back to Lu Zhiying. “Here, catch.”

“Be careful!” Lu Zhiying complained as she carefully caught the rock.

“What’s the big deal about that small piece of rock? You won’t be able to get any sect points even if you turn it in,” Zhao Yunxiao laughed. “Let’s just go back to the Outer Disciples’ Quarters so you can get the rest that you so wanted.”

“So what if I can’t get any sect points from it?” Lu Zhiying retorted with a pout. “This is the first piece of ore that I have ever mined, and it shall mark my first step towards glory in the sect!”

“Yes, yes, follow closely and don’t get lost.”

“Can’t you give a less patronising response?” Lu Zhiying grumbled. “And are we leaving already? But I haven’t seen you do any work?”

“This is the flexibility of working in the ore mines,” Zhao Yunxiao shrugged. “As long as you meet the monthly target, you can choose to work whenever you wish. I have something else to attend to today, so I’ll just make up for it next time. Damn it, come to think of it, I could have been the one to uncover the rare grimiron ore if I went to work today!”

Lu Zhiying sighed. “I guess hard work really means nothing if one is unlucky, eh?”

Zhao Yunxiao felt the corner of his lips twitch. “Anyway! I have an important matter to attend to, so you can return first. Do you recognise the way back to the Outer Disciples’ Quarters?”

“Oh? Important matter? What important matter is it?”

Zhao Yunxiao took a glance at that familiar look on the easily-excited Lu Zhiying’s face before deciding to satiate her curiosity. “Elder He’s annual work trip to the Origin Lake Sect is coming up soon, and they are currently conducting a sect-wide recruitment to select aides to accompany him on the trip. I am intending to go give it a try as well.”

“Oh? Is it a big thing?” Lu Zhiying quickly asked. “I want to go take a look too! Is that possible?”

“But it’s nothing interesting,” Zhao Yunxiao replied. “The interview will probably be held behind closed doors, so you won’t be able to see anything anyway. Why don’t you go look for Gu Qiansi in the meantime? She might have something interesting for you instead.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good idea, does it?” Lu Zhiying replied. “After all, Senior Martial Sister Gu seems to be handling an important issue.”

Lu Zhiying might be curious about what Gu Qiansi was doing, but she was sensible enough not to disturb others when they were handling serious matters.

“Don’t underestimate that Gu Qiansi,” Zhao Yunxiao shook his head. “I’m not sure what happened, but if it is a problem regarding her crops at the Herb Gardens, then it is very likely that she would have resolved the issue by now.”

“Does that mean Senior Martial Sister Gu is very skilled at tending to herbs?”

“There’s nothing good about her except that and her cooking skills,” Zhao Yunxiao shrugged.

“Ah but I still want to go take a look!” Lu Zhiying said. “I can always go look for Senior Martial Sister Gu after that! Is that okay? Or would it be a bother?”

“It’s not like it’s a big issue, but do manage your expectations. You really won’t get to see much there.”

“Understood! I will definitely manage my expectations! Thank you, Senior Martial Brother Zhao!”

***

The Inner Grounds.

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This was an area open to all inner disciples and above. This meant that without a valid reason, outer disciples were not allowed to enter freely.

However, today was an exception as numerous outer disciples entered the area for one common reason – to interview for Elder He’s aide on his upcoming work trip.

“There are so many people!” Lu Zhiying exclaimed.

“Indeed,” Zhao Yunxiao frowned. “I have expected there to be many people here, but this is more than I have expected! Looks like this is going to be tough...”

“I guess it’s only understandable though,” Lu Zhiying said. “It is an opportunity to go on a trip after all. Who doesn’t want to go out and have fun?”

“What are you thinking about?” Zhao Yunxiao shook his head in disapproval. “While going on such trips does widen one’s horizons and is useful for both satisfying one’s wanderlust and providing valuable learning experience, the amount of work involved more than makes up for it. It’s just that apart from leisure, going on such trips also increases visibility and allows for networking to pave roads for any future needs. If you look at it from that perspective, the benefits definitely outweigh the costs.”

“Hmm, is that why everyone is here?” Lu Zhiying rubbed her chin in contemplation.

“Well, maybe some of them are here solely for the travelling experience, but that is a myopic way to view such a precious opportunity,” Zhao Yunxiao replied. “I’m going in then. Be good and wait for me outside.”

“How about I go in too?” Lu Zhiying asked. “I’m a member of the Black Tortoise Sect too. Can I go for the interview as well?”

“Unfortunately for you, registrations have already closed,” Zhao Yunxiao said with a smirk. “Try again next time!”

“Fine...” Lu Zhiying could only stand there sulkingly and send off Zhao Yunxiao with her eyes.

Zhao Yunxiao could not help but smile after seeing Lu Zhiying’s sulking face.

Indeed, having a good-looking face was like cheating in life. Even a sulking expression like that could make others smile just by looking at her.

If he possessed such an advantage, it would surely be much easier for him to pass the upcoming interview!

Unfortunately, he had no choice but to rely on his own abilities...

Ahem!

No, that’s not right.

He would like to think this his face was not too shabby as well. But surely the seniors conducting the interview would not be so partial towards something as shallow as looks?

Yes, they would very likely be judged solely based on their capabilities!

Zhao Yunxiao calmed his heart before walking towards the interview location – the Myriad Fields Pagoda.

Boasting a height of nine levels, the grand Myriad Fields Pagoda was a famous location within the Inner Grounds known not just for its superior architecture, but also for its primary function as a testing ground for disciples.

“Disciple Zhao Yunxiao, reporting for my interview appointment,” Zhao Yunxiao went up to the disciple standing in front of the gate.

“Let me see...” the disciple looked through a list of names. “I see your name, Outer disciple Zhao Yunxiao. It is not yet time for your appointment though? Hmm but time is about to be up and we do have one last empty slot left. You know what, just head on in.”

“Thank you, senior martial brother.”

Zhao Yunxiao opened the door and entered as instructed, arriving at the front lobby of the Myriad Fields Pagoda where a group of disciples had already gathered.

“That’s the last among this wave of interviewees. I will be shutting the door now,” the disciple who was at the door announced, and the door closed with a loud thud.

Zhao Yunxiao took a slight glance at the closed door before turning back towards the front.

Clap-!

A single clap of hands drew everyone else’s attention over as well.

“All right, everyone, give me your attention now,” a man announced from the other end of the room.

Every disciple present immediately recognised the man standing before them.

Rui Tang – the famed administrative deacon of the Myriad Fields Pagoda.

Considering the fact that the Myriad Fields Pagoda’s primary function was a testing ground for disciples, it was only expected that the administrative deacon would be feared by all disciples alike.

However, the feelings that arose within the disciples when they saw Rui Tang was not one of fear. Instead, they felt nothing but respect and awe for this man standing before them, and for good reason as well.

Because among the numerous deacons of the Black Tortoise Sect, Rui Tang was the one known as the strongest of them all!

“I believe that everyone is here for the interview to go with Elder He on his work trip,” Rui Tang said. “Before the interview proper, I will be giving everyone a little test to see your capabilities. If there is anyone who isn’t here for the interview, or is having second thoughts, this is your last chance to step out.”

His words did not result in anyone stepping out. On the other hand, it only caused them to firm their resolve further.

Everyone understood that this little test that Rui Tang spoke of was essentially the first part of the interview.

Among them, Zhao Yunxiao closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Good,” Rui Tang said with a nod. “Now then, good luck.”

Despite having his eyes closed, Zhao Yunxiao could feel the world origin energy around him fluctuate for a moment.

The next moment when Zhao Yunxiao reopened his eyes, his surroundings were no longer the same as before.

Instead of the front lobby of the Myriad Fields Pagoda where he had been standing in, Zhao Yunxiao now found himself in a vast grassland.

The grass around him was even slightly taller than he was, swaying under the pull of strong winds to create a beautiful scenery, one that was painted in gold under the blazing sun above.

He had been pulled into an illusion.

Then again, this was to be expected.

After all, the Myriad Fields Pagoda was a place known to be packed with illusion arrays.

Just the fact that they were holding the interview here was enough of a warning, letting everyone know that they would likely have to go through an illusion this time.

Grr-!

The tall grass in front of Zhao Yunxiao parted slightly, and a large figure appeared before him.

It was a beast that resembled a green fox, only that it had three tails instead of one. Its bright red eyes had their gaze fixed upon Zhao Yunxiao as it bared its fangs in menace.

A fox demon.

Fox demons were widely known to have their strength being proportional to the number of tails they possessed.

Of course, there would be some occasional exceptions, but that was the general trend.

Those with a large number of tails were usually fearsome existences that even powerful cultivators dared not provoke.

While three tails might not be considered a large number, Zhao Yunxiao hardly fell under the category of powerful cultivators either.

When faced with a three tailed fox demon, Essence Gathering realm cultivators like Zhao Yunxiao would typically have to turn tail and run.

They could already be considered fortunate if they managed to escape from a three tailed fox demon, not to mention beating it in combat.

If Zhao Yunxiao had encountered such a situation outside, he would have instantly started to plan for his escape.

However, this time was different.

Despite having come face to face with a growling three tailed fox demon, Zhao Yunxiao did not panic.

Instead, a confident smile slowly started to spread across his face.