Three Sins Against Heaven

In the lakeside pavilion, Kenneth Yi gazed intently at Ghost Guest, as if trying to see through him. "I was worried that your pill refining might delay your cultivation, but seeing your rapid progress, I'm relieved. You bought all the ingredients for first-grade pills. Are you planning to practice the Wood Spirit Technique?"

Ghost Guest nodded. "Senior Brother, you have sharp eyes. I wanted to familiarize myself with the ingredients to study the Wood Spirit Technique and understand their properties. After all, they will be useful in pill refining later."

If Senior Brother hadn't mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten that he had bought the Wood Spirit Technique earlier. Fortunately, the technique involves using spiritual energy to form plants and attack enemies, making his explanation plausible.

He also had a flying sword that he hadn't touched since he bought it. It seemed he needed to find time to study both.

Kenneth Yi didn't doubt him and smiled warmly. "It seems you are indeed suited for the Wood Spirit Technique. Show me next time. Let's start the lesson now."

After leaving the Jadeite Platform, Ghost Guest headed straight to the Spirit Treasure Platform to buy a large amount of ingredients, mostly for Rejuvenation Pills. However, he didn't buy much of the five ingredients that best enhanced the Wood Spirit Root, only a lot of seeds.

After talking with Senior Brother, he decided to be cautious. Although these five ingredients were effective, they couldn't be refined into pills together. Buying too much would arouse suspicion, so he decided to grow them himself.

Returning to Dusk Mountain, Ghost Guest went directly to visit Douglas Situ, who greeted him with tea as usual.

Ghost Guest quietly sipped his tea, enjoying the courtyard scenery, waiting for Douglas Situ to speak.

Douglas Situ smiled slightly but remained silent, continuously pouring tea.

They drank cup after cup, neither wanting to speak first, both waiting for the other to start.

After a long wait, Ghost Guest realized he didn't have the initiative. He stood up and cupped his fists in salute. "The Mountain Lord has ordered me to submit two years' worth of monthly contributions within five days. I need to go back and refine pills, so I'll take my leave."

"No rush, sit a while longer." Douglas Situ smiled, pressing Ghost Guest back into his seat and pouring more tea before speaking slowly. "Last time, you mentioned Master’s rules. Today, let's talk about these rules. Why do you think Master set them?"

"To protect newcomers?" Ghost Guest pondered for a moment and asked tentatively.

Douglas Situ's eyes flashed with insight, and he nodded. "Exactly. Every time new Spirit Slaves arrive, a group of talented disciples joins. There are about three batches a year. Without these rules, newcomers would either be killed for their Spirit Stones or enslaved to earn Spirit Stones. Master wants a steady influx of new blood to keep the sect lively, hence the rules. With these rules, newcomers are mostly safe."

Douglas Situ paused, turned his back to Ghost Guest, and continued, "But these rules aren't good for us older disciples. There are only so many cultivation resources, and no one likes more people sharing them. Master understands this, so these rules are just for show. As long as you handle things cleanly, no one will pursue it. Most of the cultivators who die each year are newcomers. Besides their low cultivation, it's mainly because they lack support. As Master's personal disciple, no one dares to kill you, but you can't avoid exploiting newcomers unless..."

"Unless I have a group of friends who help each other." Ghost Guest put down his teacup, stood up, and smiled at Douglas Situ. "So, I feel fortunate to have a friend like you, Senior Brother."

"You're too kind. We are fellow disciples and should help each other." Douglas Situ laughed heartily. Ghost Guest's words meant he was halfway to winning him over.

Ghost Guest suddenly asked, "I've known you for so long, but I still don't know your cultivation level, Senior Brother."

Douglas Situ released his aura completely, causing the light screen above the courtyard to ripple intensely, making it hard for Ghost Guest to breathe.

"Fifth level of Qi Refinement, twenty acupoint breakthroughs."

Ghost Guest cupped his fists. "Senior Brother's cultivation is profound. I am in awe. Once I refine the pills, I'll visit you again."

"Of course, I'll see you off." Douglas Situ retracted his aura, and the courtyard returned to calm. He smiled and escorted Ghost Guest out.

On the way back, Ghost Guest frowned in deep thought.

Douglas Situ's intentions were clear—he wanted Ghost Guest on his side.

The Mountain Lord was at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, and so was Douglas Situ. The two were rivals for resources, and Ghost Guest had to choose a side.

Neutrality was not an option; standing on neither side would lead to a quicker death.

Logically and emotionally, he should side with Douglas Situ. But doing so would completely offend the Mountain Lord, making his future on Dusk Mountain difficult.

He knew he had only one choice. In the Mountain Lord's eyes, he was already Douglas Situ's man.

He hesitated because if he chose wrong, when the Mountain Lord reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement, he would be doomed.

Forget it, let's endure a bit longer.

Five days later, Ghost Guest left the courtyard and handed two years' worth of monthly contributions to John Wei. Just as he was about to leave, John Wei smirked.

"The Mountain Lord wants you to submit another two years' worth within five days."

Ghost Guest nodded, his face darkening after John Wei left.

At this rate, he would have to refine pills day and night to meet the monthly contributions. How could he cultivate like this?

It was time to make a decision.

With that in mind, Ghost Guest headed straight for Douglas Situ's courtyard.

Douglas Situ was pleased with Ghost Guest's visit, serving him the best tea and smiling as he poured.

"Junior Brother Ghost Guest, is there something you need?"

"I have a favor to ask, Senior Brother." Ghost Guest stood up and cupped his fists.

"Feel free to ask. Your matters are my matters." Douglas Situ smiled, already knowing what Ghost Guest would say but maintaining a serious demeanor.

Ghost Guest said, "John Wei comes every few days to collect the monthly contributions. I am overwhelmed and need your help."

Douglas Situ laughed heartily. "No problem, follow me. I'll take you to see the Mountain Lord right now."

Ghost Guest didn't say anything to pledge loyalty, and Douglas Situ didn't want to hear it.@@novelbin@@

With their understanding of each other, saying such things would be counterproductive. As long as Ghost Guest asked for his help, they would be firmly tied together.

At the top of Dusk Mountain, Douglas Situ cupped his fists and called out.

"Douglas Situ requests an audience with the Mountain Lord."

A hearty laugh soon echoed from the tall building, and a plump young man flew out, landing gently before Douglas Situ, his face beaming with a smile.

"Brother Situ, calling me Mountain Lord is too formal. Come, come inside."

Ghost Guest carefully observed the man. Before coming, Douglas Situ had introduced him.

The Mountain Lord of Dusk Mountain, Jiang He.

Although Jiang He looked amiable, Ghost Guest remained cautious. To be a Mountain Lord, he couldn't be an easy person.

Douglas Situ shook his head with a smile. "It's nothing major, just a few words. I heard the Mountain Lord has been in seclusion, so I didn't want to disturb you."

Jiang He laughed. "Alright then, Brother Situ, speak."

Douglas Situ pointed to Ghost Guest beside him. "This is Junior Brother Ghost Guest, Master's personal disciple. The Mountain Lord must know him. Junior Brother Ghost Guest has been on Dusk Mountain for only two months but has already paid over three years' worth of monthly contributions. While paying in advance is fine, shouldn't we give him a break?"

"Oh?" Jiang He raised an eyebrow, finally looking at Ghost Guest. "Paid so much in advance, and I didn't even know?"