Three Sins Against Heaven

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Ten days later, on the Spirit Treasure Platform, the cultivator receiving Ghost Guest looked at the dozens of porcelain bottles in front of him, a broad smile on his face.

"Junior Brother Ghost Guest, it seems your alchemy skills have improved again. Congratulations."

Envious glances were cast from all around. These days, Ghost Guest frequently visited the Spirit Treasure Platform, each time bringing dozens of bottles of pills, which he would then exchange for ingredients to continue refining pills.

At this rate of earning Spirit Stones, anyone would be envious.

After collecting the Spirit Stones, Ghost Guest smiled and nodded to those around him before leaving.

Although he hadn't fully deciphered the detailed alchemy manual, it had already improved his alchemy skills. Now, his success rate for refining Rejuvenation Pills was stable at about thirty percent.

On average, he could earn sixteen Spirit Stones from ten sets of ingredients. Currently, his storage bag contained over three hundred Spirit Stones.

In the coming days, he wouldn't need to continue refining pills and could focus on cultivation.

Even if the Extinct Spirit Seed consumed spiritual energy again, these Spirit Stones should be enough.

After returning to Dusk Mountain, Ghost Guest didn't go back to his courtyard but instead walked up the mountain path. Upon reaching the top, he respectfully clasped his hands in front of the grand building.

"Ghost Guest of Dusk Mountain seeks an audience with the Mountain Lord."

There was no response.

Ghost Guest pondered silently. Could it be that the Mountain Lord was still in seclusion?

Since he was here to visit, even if he wasn't received, he had to wait a bit longer to show his sincerity.

He waited for an hour.

Just as Ghost Guest was about to leave, John Wei leisurely walked out from the building.

"The Mountain Lord wants you to pay a year's worth of monthly contributions first."

Ghost Guest frowned and said in a deep voice, "I can pay a year's worth of contributions directly, but I want to know if Senior Brother will come to collect again in the future year?"

"That's not up to me. If the Mountain Lord tells me to collect, I collect." John Wei's eyes were filled with mockery.

Ghost Guest immediately handed over a year's worth of contributions and the benefits owed to John Wei for ten days' delay, totaling one hundred and forty Spirit Stones, and then turned to leave.

"Farewell."

John Wei looked at Ghost Guest's departing figure with contempt and spat on the ground. "Personal disciple? On Dusk Mountain, even if you're a dragon, you have to bow to me. And you're just an inferior talent waste!"

Ghost Guest hadn't gone far, so he naturally heard this clearly. He frowned slightly but soon relaxed.

Just some Spirit Stones, nothing significant. As long as one is alive, there will always be more Spirit Stones.

After breaking free from Mark Ye's constraints, he understood one thing.

One must not rush; patience is key.

Not long after turning a corner on the mountain path, he saw Douglas Situ standing outside the courtyard with a smile. He immediately clasped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Senior Brother."

"Come, let's talk inside." Douglas Situ grabbed Ghost Guest's wrist, pulling him into the courtyard to sit down. Flames emerged from his fingers, enveloping the copper stove on the table. The water boiled instantly, and he pushed the brewed tea to Ghost Guest. "I heard you've been frequenting the Spirit Treasure Platform lately. Seems like you've earned quite a bit of Spirit Stones. You just visited the Mountain Lord; I assume you handed over a lot of Spirit Stones?"

Ghost Guest nodded slightly and said calmly, "It's alright. I paid a year's worth, not too much. I'll earn it back with a few more pill refinements."

Douglas Situ laughed, "Indeed, wealth brings confidence. It's only been a few days, and Junior Brother speaks with such assurance."

Ghost Guest sincerely said, "It's all thanks to Senior Brother's help. I am deeply grateful."

"Small matter, not worth mentioning." Douglas Situ waved his hand slightly and pointed to the tea in front of Ghost Guest. "This is Mist Dew Tea I've grown for a long time. Have a taste."

Ghost Guest picked up the teacup and took a slow sip. "Though I don't understand tea, this cup brings comfort to both body and mind. It's indeed good tea. Thank you, Senior Brother, for the hospitality."

Douglas Situ shook his head with a smile and continued to pour tea for Ghost Guest. "It's normal for the Mountain Lord to collect contributions in advance. It's not targeted at you, so don't take it to heart. The Mountain Lord is preparing to go into seclusion to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refinement, which naturally requires a lot of Spirit Stones. And it's not just Dusk Mountain; other mountains are the same. How much to collect and how to collect is entirely up to the Mountain Lord. Many cultivators have suddenly died, yet their contributions were paid for years in advance. I've seen it happen many times."

"Senior Brother need not worry about me overthinking. I understand the rules. Whatever the Mountain Lord asks for, I will pay." Ghost Guest remained calm and composed.

Douglas Situ sighed suddenly, "Cultivation is not easy. The higher you go, the more Spirit Stones you need. Besides having enough talent, you also need to use means to compete and seize. Though we must follow the rules, when you're just starting out, the more Spirit Stones you have, the better. If the Mountain Lord asks for too much in the future, come to me. I'll speak to the Mountain Lord; he will give me that much face."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Ghost Guest hesitated for a moment but decided to ask, "I just heard Senior Brother mention that some people suddenly died. Isn't it forbidden to kill fellow disciples? How can this happen?"

"Those are just the surface rules. If someone dies and the real culprit can't be found, naturally, there's no way to pursue it." Douglas Situ smiled mysteriously and then slowly said, "So paying more Spirit Stones might not be a bad thing. Even if someone pays to have you killed, the Mountain Lord will consider whether you give more or the person who wants you dead gives more. With your alchemy skills, as long as you pay the Spirit Stones regularly, I can't speak for other places, but on Dusk Mountain, the Mountain Lord will definitely protect you."

"Then how can one kill someone without leaving a trace?" Ghost Guest asked.

"Has someone offended Junior Brother Ghost Guest?" Douglas Situ asked in return.

Ghost Guest shook his head, "Just curious."

Douglas Situ lowered his voice, "These matters are understood without being spoken. It's inconvenient to say. But if someone does offend you, just tell me. You pay the Spirit Stones, and I'll find someone to deal with it."

"I stay behind closed doors all day and have no enemies." Ghost Guest smiled faintly, not revealing anything.

Douglas Situ laughed, "That's naturally the best. Have some tea."

"Does Senior Brother know where I can buy spices?" Ghost Guest suddenly asked.@@novelbin@@

"Spices?" Douglas Situ was taken aback, wondering if he had heard wrong.

He had joined the Demonic Extreme Sect at a young age and had been a cultivator longer than a mortal. If Ghost Guest hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have remembered such a thing.

Cultivators didn't need to eat and were mostly focused on cultivation, with few indulging in such desires.

"Spices, let me think." Douglas Situ pondered for a moment before giving an uncertain answer. "There's a private market five miles east of the Spirit Treasure Platform. They should have spices there. If you're interested, you can take a look. The private market sells a variety of things, and there are many good items. Compared to the Spirit Treasure Platform, the private market is cheaper, but you need a discerning eye. Once a transaction is completed, there's no going back."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Ghost Guest stood up and clasped his hands in salute. "Thank you for your hospitality today. I will visit again another day. Farewell."

Douglas Situ escorted Ghost Guest to the courtyard gate and watched him leave before returning inside, looking at the quiet building.

Elijah Shen slowly walked out from inside, sitting in the spot where Ghost Guest had been, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"He's very tight-lipped, showing no intention of joining. Seems your plan might fall through."

"Trust me, he will join." Douglas Situ smiled warmly.

"Oh?" Elijah Shen raised an eyebrow. "So confident?"

"Of course." Douglas Situ nodded slightly. "Because he has no other choice."

"So that's why you didn't tell him about that matter?" Elijah Shen asked with a smile.

Douglas Situ smiled without speaking, lifting his teacup to savor the tea slowly.