Chapter 8, Idle Positions

The inscription on the sword sheath indicates that there should be two six-instant swords and one seven-instant sword. Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked, "Uncle Zhou, are these the only three? Surely you must have other stock, right?"

"Heavens, did I hear that wrong? The esteemed young master of the Ouyang family cannot afford the six and seven moment flying swords. Even if that miser Ouyang Yue is stingy, he wouldn't be so frugal with his son, would he? Ouyang Beichen is known for his extravagant spending, reportedly spending millions of Na Yuan each year. How could his own brother only buy flying swords below the third moment? What kind of world is this?"

Moreover, forging storage space consumes an immense amount of essence, so do not, like me, invest all your energy into this. In fact, since ancient times, everyone has fallen into a dead end; it is only in recent years that I have come to this realization. Before cultivating, one must first solidify the shape of the storage space. Most people choose a rectangular shape like a house, but that is not the best answer. Among all shapes, only a sphere has the largest volume for the same surface area. Although it is difficult to maintain the roundness of the sphere during the solidification process, as long as one persists, there will be substantial rewards. The reason I can store more than others is that I divided the original space into three equal parts and continued to supply essence for cultivation, naturally resulting in a space several times larger than others. Of course, the cost is not small; if I had solidified it as a sphere from the beginning, the division would have been much less affected. This is a secret not to be passed on; no one has told anyone, so consider yourself fortunate.

Compared to twelve years ago, Tian Maoping has become more reserved; however, a grand ambition has arisen within him to become a master of his own destiny. It is not surprising to have such thoughts, as he has been repressed for far too long. Once the clouds above him are cleared away, it is only natural for him to soar upward and strive to become a celestial being

No, one should not receive rewards without merit. I would like to purchase a few more. There are a total of 6 two-instant flying swords and 5 three-instant flying swords here. Please provide a price.

Zhou Qinghong, with a proud expression, casually drew out three flying swords, which were colored in purple-red, gold-green, and ink-black. Tian Maoping took them and weighed them in his hands, finding them quite substantial. The sword sheaths were extremely wide and thick, belonging to a mechanical creation. At best, they were simplified versions of flying boards, but the challenge lay in resonating with the weapon to achieve perfect compatibility. The skill that orthodox sect masters excel in is energy control, emphasizing the refinement of external objects to cleverly break through heavy obstacles, unlike the demonic path which focuses on refining physical strength, relying on sheer force to overcome multiple challenges.

Tian Maoping was quite pleased and bowed to the front-facing Zhou Qinghong, saying: "Ouyang Haotian, the one hundred thirty-fourth generation disciple of the Tianyi Sect, respectfully invites Master Zhou to transfer to Fengyuan Mountain City. I still have many uncertainties and earnestly request Master Zhou to generously impart your teachings."

At last, after twelve long years, the demonic affliction has been completely eradicated from within me. The joy of liberation ripples through every vein. I must express my gratitude to the ancestral elders of my family and the Pipa Old Ghost of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Regardless of the plans these two high-ranking figures in the demonic path may have, I owe them a significant debt of gratitude. Being dispatched to the Heavenly One Sect as an undercover agent is only to be expected.

Hearing your words is more valuable than reading for ten years. Tian Maoping felt a tumult of emotions; he had never considered that storage space could be split and cultivated, nor did he realize the significance of solidified forms. This invaluable experience is truly beneficial, and in the future, the forging of space will undoubtedly reap great rewards. It is a pity that we are in an adversarial relationship with the righteous path; otherwise, I would not hesitate to bow and pay my respects. I bow deeply and say: "I, as a junior, will never forget the teachings of my senior. If there is an opportunity in the future to repay this kindness, I will surely repay it with utmost sincerity."

Wang Erluo explained awkwardly, "This job is quite leisurely, and the income is somewhat meager, but I can guarantee that not even a single cent has been deducted. If it weren't for the fact that we truly cannot spare anyone to look after Warehouse No. 1, we wouldn't have added this position to the roster. In fact, during festivals or when other sects come to visit, we need extra hands to help out, and at that time, we can earn additional points. However, look at this disciple, dressed so well, unlike someone from a poor background. Now we are the ones suffering; where can we find help when we are busy?"

It seems this fellow is truly in a hurry. After giving Zhou Qinghong a heads-up on how to handle his ten large boxes of items, he hurriedly departed on his flying sword, no longer willing to concern himself with Ouyang Haotian

"Child, why do you need so many garbage flying swords? A good flying sword is sufficient with just one, and it can last for thirty to fifty years without issue. If the material is poor, once your cultivation improves, it will surely break under the output of true essence, which means you would have wasted time cultivating the sword's energy pathways. It is wise to listen to your uncle; buy this Wushun sword, it only costs 170,000 Na Yuan"

Tian Maoping thought to himself, "Goodness, even with a 50% discount, it still costs 170,000 Nayan. It's not that we are too stingy to spend this money, but rather that it is simply unnecessary. If one desires a high-grade flying sword, it is not difficult at all; one can forge it directly. The precious materials inherited from the Ouyang family are more than sufficient for this purpose. With a well-designed sword sheath and careful modifications, achieving a speed of nine moments is not a problem. The only challenge lies in the internal structure of the sword body, so I need to purchase several flying swords to disassemble and study them in detail. According to Zhou Qinghong's analysis, the energy pathways need to be cultivated, and one must consider the limit of true essence that the sword body can bear. I cannot claim expertise in everything, but I do have considerable insight into material research, having invested a great deal of effort into it. The study of mechanisms is indeed a broad field; ancient cultivators excelled in the manufacture of alloys, fine metals, secret metals, and magnetic alloys, among others. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to collect a damaged scroll from the folk, which recorded a method for synthesizing a certain precious metal. After diligent research, I reaped significant rewards, and now the Qingming Flying Shuttle used by the Tian family incorporates some of these secret techniques.

Ouyang Beichen patted Tian Maoping's shoulder with satisfaction and laughed, "The youth is teachable. If you succeed, my second brother will certainly benefit. I have important matters to attend to, so you may follow Master Zhou to Fengyuan Mountain City. Once you arrive at the treasury, present your waist token to the supervising senior brother, and you will be assigned to your designated work location. Make sure to cultivate diligently at Tianyi Gate! If anyone bullies you, come to Ge Qingyun's residence to find your elder brother. I cannot promise much, but gathering a dozen or twenty brothers to help you will be quite easy. It is getting late, so we shall part ways here for today"

Tian Maoping smiled, and he had his reasons for not wanting to purchase the high-end flying sword. He had never liked luxury and had developed a good habit of saving expenses. Moreover, after examining the Seven Instant Flying Sword, he realized that it was merely the rarity of the materials and slightly superior forging techniques that set it apart; the design of the scabbard was extremely ordinary. In the eyes of true connoisseurs, it was nothing more than a superficial ornament, and the actual offensive power ultimately depended on one's cultivation level.

After a few breaths, Zhou Qinghong sighed softly, "Well, I am a person resigned to fate, and things are not too bad now. In fact, these three questions are quite simple. First, our sect has a library built at the Twenty-First Place of Teaching, allowing disciples to browse, and there are designated teachers who go there to give lectures every month. With your current qualifications, you are only permitted to go to the Seventeenth Place to learn from Wu Yan, and there are annotations in the booklet. As for my suggestion? Try your luck at the most inconspicuous 'Lingxi Rock'. In the past, Ge Qingyun practiced here; he is your elder brother's direct master, and he is quite formidable. Second, there are many ways to obtain a flying sword. As long as you work for the sect for half a year, such as running errands or delivering goods, you can receive a standard flying sword, though those are quite useless and won't even reach a moment's worth. Disciples from slightly better-off families can contribute to the sect and, at most, receive a five-moment flying sword. The level of the flying sword is indicated on both the scabbard and the hilt, and it is not difficult to distinguish with a little care. As for swords above five moments, only those with extensive connections can obtain them. The nine-moment flying sword used by your elder brother was probably personally bestowed by his master. Nowadays, flying swords have almost become symbols of status and family background. Does Hao want to buy one? I still have some stock here"

"Hehe, thank you, Uncle Zhou, for your support." Tian Maoping said with great joy, quickly taking out the jade bi to make the payment

Zhou Qinghong was evidently very familiar with this place, having parked the Cloud-Soaring Airship at the edge of the warehouse by the open dock. He and Tian Maoping headed straight for the eastern gate, occasionally greeted by disciples who called out "Master Zhou, Master Zhou's Ancestor" in a chorus. After all, the Tianyi Sect had generations of members gathered together, and it was not unusual to encounter elders of the great-grandmaster's generation.

Tian Maoping raised his eyebrows in feigned delight: "Uncle Zhou is still involved in the trading of flying swords? What grades do they have? Please take them out so that your nephew can appreciate them properly."

Tian Maoping nodded, finding it somewhat amusing as he thought: "No wonder this guy is so happy as if he has become a different person; it turns out he is harboring foolish ideas about infatuation. As a man, he spends all day thinking about how to please women, yet they don't even give him a glance. Back in the hometown of the Qinyang Star, such characters are referred to as shameless and spineless, akin to a big white potato with no blood or guts. I never believed there could be such a 'thick-skinned' person until today, when I have finally witnessed it."

As soon as the two arrived in front of a row of wooden buildings, someone rushed out and exclaimed: "Master Zhou, you have finally returned. That batch of medicinal materials is for assisting the delivery of the Xuan Wolf. The young lady of the sect leader is scheduled to solidify the beast patterns next month, so we cannot afford to be negligent. I have directly sent someone to the Cloud-Soaring Airship to retrieve the goods. There are no personal belongings of yours inside, right?"

Zhou Qinghong widened his eyes in anger and said: "What did you say? Only fifty points of salary distributed in three months, is this the minimum wage of our department? Moreover, it does not cover food or accommodation. Wang Er, you are being too unscrupulous; how much salary have you actually deducted?"

Hey, are you saying that these three flying swords are not good? To be honest, I find you quite agreeable, which is why I took out these treasures. Those ignorant and spoiled young masters wouldn't even dare to touch them.

In fact, Zhou Qinghong does not suffer much, at most he has no profit to speak of and merely acts according to the original terms. However, he feels gratified that Ouyang Haotian is not the type of arrogant young master from a prominent family; he speaks with the respect that is due, which is quite rare. It is important to note that although the Ouyang family is merely engaged in trade, Ouyang Yue's marriage to the granddaughter of an elder elevates their status significantly, allowing them to stand on equal footing with many prominent families.

Subsequently, Physician Chunyu arranged a clever identity for himself, that of Ouyang family’s young master, Ouyang Haotian. This young man had also endured great suffering over the past three years, and was even entangled in some secrets. Perhaps he had become too immersed in the role, or perhaps he empathized with the true Ouyang Haotian due to similar experiences, feeling pity for him. Unconsciously, their lives began to blur and overlap. The once rock-solid heart began to stir, always hoping to resist fate and no longer be bound by any constraints. To achieve this goal, the most fundamental requirement is to possess strength, the strength to break all shackles and unlock the chains of fate.

Gazing at the small valley beneath the airship, I could not help but express my sentiments: "No matter what, life in the Heavenly Gate will begin here, adhering to the four words I have always followed: 'The strong shall remain strong.' If someone from the Heavenly Demon Sect can single-handedly slay five imperial beasts with a unified blood period, then I, Tian Maoping, can certainly achieve the same. The ancestor's letter states that even after reaching the realm of Chaos Great Perfection, there is still room for advancement. It seems that the methods of righteous cultivation are also unfathomable. If one is to do something, one must strive to be the strongest, accumulating small steps to reach a thousand miles, gathering rivers to form an ocean, and becoming a pinnacle existence in both the righteous and demonic paths of cultivation." The ancestor's letter states that even after reaching the realm of Chaos Great Perfection, there is still room for advancement. It seems that the methods of righteous cultivation are also unfathomable. If one is to do something, one must strive to be the strongest, accumulating small steps to reach a thousand miles, gathering rivers to form an ocean, and becoming a pinnacle existence in both the righteous and demonic paths of cultivation.

Zhou Qinghong felt somewhat indignant on behalf of Ouyang Haotian. Both were descendants of the Ouyang family, yet the disparity was so vast. He shook his arm and drew out sixteen flying swords in succession, all of which were below the level of five moments. However, even the least impressive ones were significantly better than the standard flying swords within the sect. Gritting his teeth, he said: "Child, feel free to choose any sword below three moments; your uncle will give you one for free. As for the flying swords of four and five moments, if you wish to purchase them, they will all be offered at a fifty percent discount. To be honest, the best one, the jet-black seven-moment flying sword, is indeed quite expensive, priced at one hundred and twenty thousand Na Yuan. This is being sold on behalf of someone else, so it cannot be discounted. As for the flying swords of four and five moments, if you wish to purchase them, they will all be offered at a fifty percent discount. To be honest, the best one, the jet-black seven-moment flying sword, is indeed quite expensive, priced at one hundred and twenty thousand Na Yuan. This is being sold on behalf of someone else, so it cannot be discounted. However, the other two six-moment flying swords are being sold for thirty-five thousand; this price should be within your means, right?"

Tian Maoping hurriedly shook his head: "Uncle Zhou has misunderstood. I am concerned that these flying swords are too expensive, and the Yuan points need to be used in many other areas. Do you have any flying swords that are below level 3? I will take them all."

One can see the bustling shops lining the streets of Fengyuan Mountain City, filled with the sounds of lively chatter. Occasionally, disciples descend from the sky on beams of sword light, heading towards the taverns and tea houses. Some female disciples gather in pairs, selecting knitted garments and cosmetics in the middle of the street, creating an extraordinary scene of activity. In the distance, tall and spacious warehouses form clusters, seemingly stretching endlessly into the horizon.

Zhou Qinghong nodded in satisfaction: "Hehe, it’s just a few pointers, did you really take it to heart, child? In the future, if you wish to purchase high-grade flying swords, don’t forget to patronize my little shop. It would be best to introduce a few wealthy patrons as well, so that Uncle Zhou can have the opportunity to enjoy a good life."

Zhou Qinghong's expression was displeased: "Go on, go on, always in such a hurry. Every time I see you, Wang Er, you bring nothing but bad moods. By the way, this child behind me is here to report for duty; he has been assigned to guard the old warehouse in Fengyuan Mountain City. Please check the specific location quickly. I want to send him there directly and ensure he receives more care in the future, otherwise I won't help you carry things back home."

In the airship, after a moment of silence, Tian Maoping sensed a hint of unwillingness in the other person's gaze. Perhaps in the eyes of others, forging storage space is a trivial matter, a minor skill, or even not worth investing too much effort into. However, for those proficient in mechanism studies, this ability is of great utility. Just imagine, if one can first create a few hundred mechanism beings with insane attacking power, even when caught in a crisis, there would still be a means of self-preservation.

"This is a piece of worthless junk from Ershun, consider it a gift to you, no charge at all." Zhou Qinghong, rarely generous, waved his hand to signal Tian Maoping to take it away

Zhou Qinghong's eyes revealed admiration as he praised, "As expected of the Ouyang family’s descendants, this business has even come to my doorstep. You make a valid point; for non-combat personnel like us, it is difficult to find opportunities to take action, unless we engage in a private duel with those troublemakers. Alright, I will grant your wish. Six two-instant flying swords, five three-instant flying swords, after a 50% discount, will total 43,000 Na Yuan. Let’s round it off, so it will be 40,000!"

Yes, yes, rest assured, my dear brother. Whenever there is an opportunity, I will pay attention. Please give me and the library a few months to familiarize ourselves with the environment, and I will certainly run errands for you in person at that time

At this moment, no one can understand Tian Maoping's complex emotions. Too many events have occurred in the past three months, leaving him with almost no time to catch his breath

Ouyang Beichen sat down to speak: "You are truly fortunate, my younger brother. In the future, I might even ask you for some assistance. Ten miles east of the Qing Tian Lang Huan blessed land lies Fengyuan Mountain City. This mountain city is quite extraordinary; it is specifically responsible for the internal supply warehouse of the Tian Yi Sect. All daily necessities transported from the outside world must be registered and stored there, so that they can be distributed uniformly according to the needs of various places within the sect. The disciple who was in charge of the old warehouse was just transferred three days ago, so this opportunity has fallen to you. It is said that this position is relatively relaxed, requiring only a routine inspection every half month. My second brother, you must remember to maintain good relations with several managing uncles. When delivering goods to the Lang Huan blessed land, help your elder brother by bringing in some small gifts, or if you can directly secure this position, that would be splendid."

Hello, Haotian, what are you thinking about? Did you hear what I said? You must help your elder brother with this task; our Ouyang family cannot lose to that little brat, He Xiling.

Ouyang Beichen did not take long to return, coming back with a beaming face half an hour later. Upon entering the airship, he rubbed his hands and said: "I did not expect that Father had already made quite a few arrangements in advance. The supervisor of personnel, my master, issued the waist token for the one hundred thirty-fourth generation disciples on the spot. With this token, one can go to the Seventeenth Division to learn from Wu Yan. This is a booklet of information, which also contains many rules and regulations of the sect. Haotian, you must study it thoroughly; there are certain forbidden areas that are not allowed to be entered. The punishment may be minor, but losing one's life is not worth it. Remember this."

Zhou Qinghong laughed, nearly losing his breath from the laughter. After a long while, his mood dipped again as he tapped his pipe and said: "What profound skills are you talking about? It was merely a childish idea that sprouted suddenly in my youth. Haotian, you have seen it; I am shorter than others, so I vowed to forge a storage space greater than anyone else's. After years of hard work, I may have succeeded, but the cost has been immense. The only regret in this life is not having become a direct disciple. If I had received a few words of guidance from my master back then to help me let go of my obsessions, I would not be as obscure as I am today." Haotian, you have seen it; I am shorter than others, so I vowed to forge a storage space greater than anyone else's. After years of hard work, I may have succeeded, but the cost has been immense. The only regret in this life is not having become a direct disciple. If I had received a few words of guidance from my master back then to help me let go of my obsessions, I would not be as obscure as I am today.

Having made up his mind, he looked up and said: "Uncle Zhou, I appreciate your kindness, but what use do I have for such fine flying swords while managing the storeroom in Fengyuan City? I only wish to use them as a means of transportation. The reason I bought a few extra is that if I encounter any junior disciples in need of flying swords, I might be able to sell them for a little profit. We are in business, after all, so this expense is necessary."

After receiving the badge and the booklet, Tian Maoping quickly flipped through it, imprinting the content in his mind. He was particularly interested in the map depicted within, which covered approximately three-quarters of the territory of the Tianyi Sect. Although not detailed, it marked seven blessed lands, twenty-one preaching sites at Wuyanshan, eighteen mountain cities, and many residences of renowned elders from various sects. It also briefly introduced the small Qing Tian Lang Huan blessed land mentioned by Liu Wushuang, where most of the 132nd generation female disciples engaged in quiet cultivation resided. In other words, it was a place for those who had not married or were unwilling to be bound by marital ties, which sent a chill down his spine.

Tian Maoping hurriedly handed over the badge, and Wang Er glanced at it, affirming: "No need to check, it's Ouyang Haotian, right? You have been assigned to Warehouse No. 1 in the Cold Mountain Gorge of the Western District. It is quite a distance from the main warehouse and is the oldest building in Fengyuan Mountain City. In fact, it should have been demolished long ago, but the warehouse stores Tianyi heavy water underground, which is an essential coolant for refining flying swords, hence it still holds some value. It is best to patrol the area every half month, and you can utilize the remaining time as you wish. We do not manage your food, clothing, housing, or transportation. You will come every three months to collect fifty points of Na Yuan. The warehouse door is locked, and it is said that the last disciple responsible for guarding it built a small wooden house, which barely counts as a residence."

Zhou Qinghong was amused and remarked, "The way this little mouth speaks is just like performing in a grand play. I, Old Zhou, have indulged them casually, but I absolutely detest being called 'old' by the younger generation. Privately, my disciples all call me Uncle Zhou, and I don't even like to engage with those who call me Uncle. Don't stand on ceremony. That rascal Ouyang Beichen is full of tricks; he must be off to find those dubious friends of his, and he didn't even see his own brother off, which is quite ungrateful. Haotian, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I am the one who knows this Tianyi Sect best."

With so many flying swords, you won't be able to carry them. Later, Uncle Zhou will directly send you to your residence via airship. First, let me answer the question you just raised. Each mountain city affiliated with the Heavenly Gate has its own shops and markets, offering a wide variety of food, necessities, and entertainment. However, to purchase additional supplies, especially flying swords, potions, and cultivation manuals, you must go to the Nameless Valley on the second day of each month. This place is not far from your Fengyuan Mountain City; you just need to fly two hundred kilometers southwest and cross a stone forest to get there. Remember, people will only be present on the night of the second day, much like a market day. Most of the goods are actually spoils or trophies obtained from other sect disciples. It is advisable not to show the items you purchase too easily, to avoid trouble from the relatives of the deceased. In the future, you will understand the rules behind this.

The first two questions seem to have some merit, but the third one appears to be somewhat out of touch. However, this is precisely the effect that Tian Maoping hopes to achieve, as he has discovered that Zhou Qinghong possesses exceptional abilities, particularly in the art of forging storage spaces, which far surpasses that of ordinary individuals. Although the generation of storage space is directly related to the amount of energy invested, encountering a bottleneck means that no amount of consumption will necessarily be effective. There must be certain tricks involved; if an expert provides some guidance before the training, it is believed that one will avoid many detours. Although the generation of storage space is directly related to the amount of energy invested, encountering a bottleneck means that no amount of consumption will necessarily be effective. There must be certain tricks involved; if an expert provides some guidance before the training, it is believed that one will avoid many detours

Wang Er, in his thirties, slightly hunched, said apologetically: "It is all due to the urgent pressure from above, Master Zhou, I hope you can understand. This disciple requests the waist token, and I will go check immediately"

Tian Maoping was not surprised by the price of one million for the Seven Instant Flying Swords. He did not directly answer Zhou Qinghong's question; instead, he stepped forward to carefully stroke the sword sheath, pressed the spring to gently draw out the sword body, flicked it with his fingers while listening closely to the sound. After examining all of them, he pointed to the heaviest flying sword and said: "Uncle Zhou, how much would you sell this flying sword for? I truly cannot afford that much in currency."

The disciple has only three questions. First, where should I go to learn the methods of this practice? Do you have any good suggestions for the disciple? Second, how can I obtain a flying sword, and where should I spend to purchase the additional materials needed? Third, I greatly admire your profound ability to store external objects; could you teach the disciple?

Time was short as the cloud-hopping airship slowly entered a small town built against the mountains. The vehicles coming and going in this area were numerous, most of which were four-horse-drawn floating cargo trucks. These cargo trucks were divided into three sections, with a total length of 33 meters, making them suitable for travel in mountainous regions. However, their speed was slow, requiring the input of energy units to support the anti-gravity array, which is why they were rarely seen outside of major sects like the Tianyi Sect of the Ziwei Star.