109: Chapter 109 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (57)

The voice gradually faded away, and Chu Shi's figure walked further and further along the bluestone mountain path, soon arriving in front of the External Affairs Hall.

Before the External Affairs Hall, disciples were hurrying back and forth, all appearing busy.

Chu Shi paid it no mind and immediately stepped into the hall.

He swept his gaze around; rows of wooden counters were neatly arranged, yet he did not see the figure of his uncle, Deacon Chu Feng.

He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of faint confusion passing through his eyes, then he slowly walked to an empty counter and tapped his well-defined fingertips lightly against the smooth wooden surface.

"Tap, tap."

As the light sound fell, the Outer Sect Disciple on duty behind the counter immediately looked up and caught sight of the Core Disciple attire on Chu Shi.

The robes were entirely purple, with dark golden Lieyang patterns embroidered on the hem, a unique symbol of the sect's Core Disciples.

The disciple's expression turned to shock; he quickly stood up and bowed, his tone respectful yet tinged with a hint of nervousness: "Disciple Jiang Tao greets Core Senior Brother!"

After finishing his salute, he cautiously raised his eyes, his tone becoming even more deferential: "I wonder what important matter brings you here, Senior Brother? If you have any instructions, this disciple will certainly do his best to carry them out."

Chu Shi raised his hand in a gesture to help him up, returned the salute gently, and said in a calm tone: "No need for such formalities."

He shook his head slightly, then nodded, stating his identity as he asked: "I am Chu Shi, a Core Disciple of Lieyang Peak. I came to the External Affairs Hall today; why is Deacon Chu Feng not on duty?"

Jiang Tao was even more shocked upon hearing this, a surge of reverence instantly rising in his eyes as he quickly replied: "So it is Senior Brother Chu! I have long admired your name! Deacon Chu Feng has taken leave from the hall for a few days due to personal matters and left specific instructions before departing. If you were to come, I was to inform you that everything has been settled, and you may go to his residence to find him."

After saying this, he quickly accompanied it with a smile, adding obsequiously: "If you do not know the location of Deacon Chu Feng's residence, Senior Brother, I am willing to lead the way for you. I would never dare to delay you for even a moment!"

Chu Shi suddenly realized; so his uncle had taken leave. He immediately waved his hand to decline: "No need to trouble yourself, Junior Brother. I know the way."

Having said that, he turned and walked toward the deacon's residences behind the External Affairs Hall.

Jiang Tao watched Chu Shi's tall, composed figure disappear around the corner of the hall entrance. His face was full of disappointment, but he dared not be the least bit negligent, remaining bowed and respectful for a long while before straightening up.

After standing up, he gazed in the direction the figure had departed, secretly envious in his heart: "A Core Disciple... that is likely a status I could never attain in my entire life. Truly boundless glory, power in hand. When will I ever be as impressive as Senior Brother Chu?"

A short while later, relying on the memory of his previous visit, Chu Shi walked familiarly to the outside of Deacon Chu Feng's courtyard.

This small courtyard was not large, but it was kept clean and tidy. Several low-grade, sun-tolerant spirit herbs were planted along the courtyard wall, exuding a faint sense of domestic life.

He raised his hand and pushed open the ajar wooden gate, immediately seeing into the courtyard. His uncle was organizing something with his cousin, Chu Ming; clearly, they were busy.

Deacon Chu Feng and Chu Ming looked up and saw Chu Shi entering the gate; they immediately put down what they were holding, faces instantly lighting up with joy.

Deacon Chu Feng stepped forward quickly, greeting Chu Shi with a few pleasantries, his face wearing a warm and confident smile. He then brought up the main topic: "Shi'er, I have fulfilled my mission. Our relatives from the Chu clan, as well as your childhood friend Li Hao, have all been properly settled in Jinwu City. I have arranged a decent-sized mansion for you in the city; the scenery is elegant, the courtyard is spacious, and everyone will live comfortably inside. They certainly won't be wronged in the slightest."

Chu Shi felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this, immediately recalling the reputation of Jinwu City. It was the city closest to the Lieyang Sacred Land, located just a few dozen miles from the foot of the mountain. The city gathered the vital energy and resources of three prefectures, and the cost of living was high; a decent mansion there was worth a fortune.

He immediately showed an apologetic expression and quickly said: "Thank you for your trouble, Uncle. You have spent a lot of money. Although I have never set foot in Jinwu City, I know that mansions there are worth a fortune. A courtyard of this scale must have cost a significant amount of silver. This expense should rightfully be borne by me. Please tell me the amount, and I will give it to you immediately."

Deacon Chu Feng heard this and immediately laughed, waving his hand, and quickly explained: "What are you saying, child? This wasn't purchased out of your uncle's own pocket; I wouldn't dare take credit for that. You might not know, but our Lieyang Sacred Land guards three prefectures and rules over hundreds of millions of living beings. Jinwu City is naturally a prosperous, massive city with a population of over a million. Furthermore, since this city is so close to the Sacred Land, it was built by the sect with great effort specifically to accommodate the families of outstanding disciples. Eight or nine out of ten residents in the city are related to the Lieyang Sacred Land. That's not something you can just buy with money; you need at least the status of an Inner Sect Disciple. However, as a Core Disciple of Lieyang Peak, you naturally have this authority. It just so happens that since you entrusted me with the matter of receiving your relatives, I went to the Lieyang Peak Deacon Hall the very next day to open a certificate in your name, preparing to purchase a mansion in Jinwu City. To my surprise, the deacon on duty heard it was you, and knowing you are the personal disciple of the Peak Master, he immediately said there was no need to pay out of pocket and approved the request directly. I took this note to Jinwu City to claim this mansion and spent several days getting it fully furnished. As it happens, our Chu family members and your childhood friend Li Hao arrived a few days ago, so I settled them all into this mansion. Everything needed for daily life is fully equipped, so you can rest assured."

Only then did Chu Shi suddenly understand. His heart was filled with gratitude for his uncle's painstaking efforts, and he gained a new understanding of the sect's welfare regulations. He immediately thanked Deacon Chu Feng solemnly.

Deacon Chu Feng smiled and waved his hand. Remembering that he still had sect chores to attend to, he pointed toward the direction of Jinwu City at the foot of the mountain and said to Chu Ming, who was beside him: "Ming'er, accompany your younger brother Shi down the mountain. Take him to the mansion in Jinwu City to familiarize himself with the place, guide him well along the way, and take the opportunity to tell him about the rules in the city."

Chu Ming quickly agreed aloud and immediately accompanied Chu Shi as they headed down the mountain from the Lieyang Sacred Land.

Since joining the sect, Chu Shi had been focused on closed-door cultivation and had never left the mountain. Now, as he walked along the path, everything he saw was new and novel.

On both sides of the road at the foot of the mountain were continuous stretches of spirit fields, where vast swathes of spirit crops grew lushly, suffused with a faint spirit energy.

Walking down the mountain path, his field of vision suddenly opened up.

In the distance, a towering and majestic massive city stretched across the land, extending for hundreds of miles. The city walls, built entirely of Azure Profound Rock, rose high into the clouds.

The walls were engraved with dense golden runes, and as the runes flowed, a faint, massive formation fluctuation permeated the air, clearly indicating that a city-protecting formation had been set up.