### Chapter 212: The Path to Wealth
The first day of the representative role was finally wrapped up, and when Yun Zhonghe returned to his personal abode, most of the other disciples had already headed back hours earlier to start their self-guided cultivation.
There were many mundane tasks associated with being a representative, especially on the first day, which involved coordinating with numerous instructors.
Su Xiaoxiao insisted on staying to accompany Yun Zhonghe. Despite Yun Zhonghe suggesting she go back first, Su Xiaoxiao firmly stated that if she was going to share the two thousand spirit stones, she should also contribute her part.
Using Yun Zhonghe’s tactics against him, Su Xiaoxiao had made significant progress!
Yun Zhonghe chuckled; he didn’t decline. Working together increased efficiency and even strengthened their bond.
What a blissful arrangement!
Fortunately, Yun Zhonghe had previous experience as a junior master and thus was quite adept at management. Many tasks were handled without needing explicit instructions from instructors.
Their work was orderly and received praise from Wang Hao.
Given Yun Zhonghe’s outstanding performance as a representative on his first day, and considering they would be dealing with each other for a long time, Wang Hao gave Yun Zhonghe a token of appreciation—a treat!
It was a guidebook on spiritual energy!
“Though you have already established your foundation, the abilities you possess are extraordinary. I believe this guide can be extremely beneficial to you. Keep working hard, newcomer. I believe you’ll secure a place in the internal rankings!”
Wang Hao patted Yun Zhonghe on the shoulder, flashing a bright smile.
A guidebook on spiritual energy! And one that incorporates pure spiritual energy no less! The price of such books in the Xuantian Mansion shops could easily reach twenty to thirty thousand spirit stones!
Such generosity!
At this moment, Yun Zhonghe couldn’t help but admit that Wang Hao was indeed impressive.
Totally cool!
While the role of a representative was challenging, it offered ample rewards. Plus, there was still room for profit.
—
After parting ways with Su Xiaoxiao, Yun Zhonghe returned to his room, finding everything spotlessly clean and newly furnished, undoubtedly due to Tao Jiu’er’s handiwork.
Yun Zhonghe was eager to try out the new guidebook on spiritual energy now that he was alone.
Reading the guidebook while activating the Refining the Spirit Decree to actively absorb pure spiritual energy, Yun Zhonghe saw a virtual figure materialize in his mind. This little mentor shared its vast knowledge of spiritual energy cultivation directly into his memory. It transformed Yun Zhonghe’s initial understanding of spiritual energy, making him much more proficient.
The process was smooth. With a small tutor guiding him, Yun Zhonghe felt his spiritual energy condensing significantly faster, like water flooding a field of forty-five spiritual pearls.
The spiritual pearls became tougher and highly active, voraciously absorbing any leftover spiritual energy that usually seeped away.
It was simply not enough. The spiritual pearls gobbled every drop of energy, like hungry babies. After some training, all the spiritual energy in the guidebook was depleted. Yun Zhonghe estimated he had only advanced by about one percent.
Earlier, a shop attendant had mentioned that ten guidebooks would boost a beginner’s spiritual energy to the intermediate level. However, most cultivators only had one spiritual pearl, whereas Yun Zhonghe had forty-five, requiring approximately four hundred guidebooks. Yet today, just one guidebook had pushed him forward by one percent. Could he reach the late initial phase with ninety-nine more?
“It must be because I have so many pearls, so nothing goes to waste. And training with forty-five simultaneously should speed things up,” Yun Zhonghe reasoned.
Despite this, he felt a bit regretful about feeding over forty pearls that only boosted his power by a factor of four.
Once the guidebook was used up, relying solely on his own efforts again would be painfully slow.
Transitioning from frugality to luxury is easy; transitioning from luxury back to frugality is tough. Now, the slow pace felt intolerable after experiencing such rapid spiritual growth.
“What a waste to spend a few thousand spirit stones on a single guidebook,” Yun Zhonghe sighed. The sword called Snow Cloud could eat xuan iron for five thousand spirit stones a day. He hadn’t realized he was such a glutton.
In an effort to save time, Yun Zhonghe decided to focus on completing the missions instead of individual practice.
He opened the simplified spell manual he had picked out himself today. Among the elements, metal-based spells were far fewer than others. They were better suited for physical cultivation, whether as a body cultivator or a sword cultivator.
The book contained an enhancement spell for slightly improving attack power. For now, that small improvement wasn’t very significant.
But since it was a mission, Yun Zhonghe knew he had to learn it.
Simplified manuals were thicker than standard ones, packed with content despite the abbreviation. Otherwise, carrying eight hundred books would require assistance.
This was Yun Zhonghe’s first time learning a spell, but with his spiritual energy already at the preliminary stage, the simplification made it easier to understand.
Within just one hour, he fully grasped the spell.
With a flick of his fingers, the spell worked! Yun Zhonghe noticed a faint golden wave wash over him—the spell’s visual effect.
His physical strength slightly increased, though not dramatically. The good news was that this type of buff spell consumed energy only once, not constantly.
“Huh? Something feels off.”
As he pondered, Yun Zhonghe suddenly sensed a change in his spiritual energy. It seemed to have increased minutely, different from right after his spiritual energy practice.
Perhaps zero point one or half a percentile increase.
Could it be that learning a new spell improves spiritual energy?
Startled, he pulled out another spellbook from his storage ring.
Being a representative came with perks. In the academy, almost every disciple had spare copies of the chosen spellbooks, and so did Yun Zhonghe.
He started learning another metal-based spell, this time focusing on enhanced sword attacks.
With his previous experience, the learning process was smoother. The spell was successfully cast.
When Yun Zhonghe checked, his spiritual energy had risen again—a tiny but noticeable amount.
Ecstatic, he felt he had discovered a shortcut!
“As a spellcaster, stronger spiritual energy allows casting of higher-tier spells. Hence, gaining new spells should naturally boost spiritual energy!”
Little bugs of excitement crawled within him.
He couldn’t contain his curiosity. There were countless simplified spell manuals in his storage ring. If he learned them all…
How much money could he save?!
One guidebook could only raise progress by one percent. So, learning ten spells was like acquiring a free guidebook. That’s a couple thousand spirit stones saved!
d*mn! Thinking like that, he could make a fortune!
Unfortunately, he had only reported learning one spell. Once submitted, it couldn’t be changed. Otherwise, he might have earned commendation points.
“Let it be. Who would’ve thought learning spells boosted spiritual energy anyway. At least I’m not losing anything.”
Rubbing his hands together, excitedly, Yun Zhonghe took out every metal-based spellbook from his storage ring.
Time to learn! I love learning! Learning makes me happy!
—
“N-No more, Master, I really can’t take it anymore.”
From inside the cave of the Daoist Mystic Moon Lady in Xuantian Peak, came a plea.
Mu Jixue clutched her head, lying on the ground. She hadn’t had proper sleep in days, forcing herself to learn countless spells.
“Oh~”
The Mystic Moon Lady shook her head with a sigh, “My disciple, you requested rigorous training. It’s just been a few days, how soon did you complain?”
“But….”
Jixue pleaded pitifully, truly feeling overwhelmed.
The lessons were so tedious and boring.
Seeing Yun Zhonghe’s battered appearance, she resolved to close herself off and train rigorously, only to find it unbearably hard. The Mystic Moon Lady was strict indeed.
“Well, if you’re worn out, there’s no need to force yourself. Sleep well tonight and resume tomorrow.”
Compassionately, the Mystic Moon Lady allowed Jixue the respite.
Jixue gratefully collapsed into sleep.
Growing teenagers needed plenty of rest. Catching up on sleep was crucial for height and health.
Jixue would turn fifteen soon, then sixteen next year. Next year, she’d undergo the coming-of-age ceremony. Missing this time to sleep meant she’d never grow properly.
Observing Jixue sound asleep, the Mystic Moon Lady slipped quietly out of the cave—not wanting to disturb her.
She wandered outside, enjoying the tranquility of the night. Trees filtered moonlight, air was fresh, crickets sang in the background.
Mystic Moon Lady aimlessly walked, lost in space with her blue-ice eyes distant.
Jixue had decent talent but lacked patience. Under strict guidance, she found it too arduous.
She had volunteered for intensive training but gave up in just days.
No suitable student seemed to appear lately.
Many noble families had recommended their scions.
All were evaluated. Most were incompetent, only seeking the prestige of apprenticing under her Transformation God status. None suited.
Of course, some prodigies stood out. But none met the ideal.
Mu Jixue was somewhat promising. She was sent by the master since she lacked students herself.
Still, Jixue fell short.
Recently, however, she encountered someone truly inspiring.
From the first glance, she felt an instant connection.
Whether talent or character, he excelled.
Smiling, the Mystic Moon Lady soared toward the outer gates on her magic sword.
