"The opportunity to reach the fourth stage within a year has been disclosed; it's a Cleansing Pill," Wei Zhusang said slowly, his gaze sweeping across the people in the room.

  They were gathered in their usual teahouse; this was the monthly place of the Mutual Aid Association. The group had twelve members in total, each from different backgrounds and divisions within the sect.

  "What's a Cleansing Pill, Brother Wei?" Qiao Mei asked sweetly, her eyes shining as she looked at him.

  'The scent of hormones is strong in this one,' Ning thought dryly as he watched the lovestruck girl flutter her lashes.

  At fifteen, it was only natural for such emotions to bloom, especially since Wei Zhusang was quite charismatic in his own right.

  Ning, of course, had little interest in such things. As the saying goes, "Love only slows the hand that draws the sword."

  He was far more focused on cultivation than fleeting emotions.

  Besides, with jade beauties being as common as grass in this world, why would he willingly step into such a cliché?

  "The Cleansing Pill is a top-tier first-grade pill," Wei Zhusang explained patiently. "It not only purifies the marrow and enhances the complexion but also removes impurities accumulated within the body."

  Before anyone could gasp, Zhang Feng added, "It's even more important because it clears away the residual impurities left behind from excessive pill use."

  "Moreover," he continued, "refining this pill requires skill far beyond that needed for other first-grade pills."

  Hearing that, several members audibly gasped. Even with careful refining, most cultivators couldn't eliminate every trace of pill residue from their bodies. Over time, these remnants could clog meridians and slow cultivation progress.

  Most importantly, a top-tier first-grade pill could even be used by late-stage Qi Refining disciples. Normally, low-grade first-tier pills were for early-stage refiners, mid-grade for mid-stage, and so on.

  With such a pill, even if one didn't consume it themselves, selling it could yield immense profit.

  "That's great. If only we could get one," Chen Mu from the Beast Taming Hall sighed. "But among us, only Senior Brother Wei, Brother Zhang, Sister Lang Rulang, and Brother Su Fan can even attempt that level."

  Those four had already reached the second stage of Qi Condensation. The rest were still in the mid to late first stage.

  Ning also sighed. Despite his diligence and the pills he'd taken, he was only nearing the peak of the first stage.

  "You get what you spend," Lang Rulang said coolly. Unlike the genial Wei Zhusang or the carefree Zhang Feng, Lang Rulang was sharp-tongued and blunt.

  'Alas, even reincarnation is a kind of skill,' Ning thought dryly, glancing at her.

  Those born under good fortune always had higher starting points. Ordinary people could toil for years and still not reach the lower limits of the blessed.

  After a month in the sect, Ning had already understood how the wealthy disciples cultivated.

  First came the pills that accelerated progress.

  Then, there were the arrays.

  The spiritual energy stored in spirit stones was too violent for direct absorption, but a Spirit Gathering Array could extract and refine it into a gentle, neutral form, similar to natural spiritual energy. The loss in conversion was minimal compared to the boost in cultivation speed.

  After that came medicinal baths to strengthen the body, allowing longer cultivation sessions without strain.

  Finally, there were countless accessories, special incense for clearer meditation, guidance from elders, and other costly aids.

  Of course, these conveniences came at a steep price. Even a simple Spirit Gathering Array required a hundred spirit stones. Add in the activation cost and the stones needed for operation, and the total became astronomical.

  Listening to the murmurs, Wei Zhusang smoothly deflected, "The most fortunate are those with top-grade spiritual roots. The sect fully nurtures them with the best pills, arrays, and incense. With proper support, they can reach Foundation Building in just five or six years."

  A wave of quiet envy swept the room. In a few years, most of them would still be struggling at mid-stage Qi Refining, while those elites would already be breaking into the next realm.

  Ning sighed inwardly but quickly brushed it off. It wasn't the first time reality had slapped him, and probably, it wouldn't be the last either.

  After those somewhat depressing thoughts, the group moved on to the second half of the meeting, sharing news, rumors, and information.

  This part of the meeting was usually lighthearted. The association met every fifteen days; some thought that was too frequent, but the short interval helped build camaraderie. Naturally, as disciples advanced in cultivation, the meetings would be spaced farther apart. Those who were too busy could always skip a session, like Su Fan, who rarely showed up.

  Most of the news was the same as usual, except for one bit from the Bee Husbandry division.

  Wong Zhi leaned forward. "This time, Xiao Fan found a rare three-striped bee that produces tri-colored honey. The manager tried to claim it as his own, but luckily, a Foundation Building elder sided with Xiao Fan and rewarded him. He's already reached the second stage of Qi Condensation, the fastest among the low-grade spiritual root disciples!"

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "So lucky!" someone muttered in awe.

  Ning narrowed his eyes.

  When Xiao Fan pulled off things like this, it was hard not to think of him as the chosen one.

  'Alas,' Ning thought, 'I really need to speed up my cultivation.'

  Since Xiao Fan was clearly the chosen one, it was only natural that trials and upheavals would follow in his wake.

  Like the sudden appearance of this "great opportunity" for Foundation Building, right after Xiao Fan joined the sect.

  Coincidence? He thinks not.

  In the growth of a protagonist, a storm was inevitable. If he didn't want to be swept away, the only choice was to run with the current.

  Soon, the meeting ended and everyone dispersed.

  ...

  Whenever he went outside, Ning walked with caution. That habit had served him well so far; he had never encountered trouble.

  But today was different.

  Ning was on his way back from an association meeting when two large figures stepped into the narrow stone path ahead of him.

  Both were broad-shouldered and thick-necked, the sort of men who had relied on physical intimidation long before entering the sect.

  One cracked his knuckles.

  The other folded his arms.

  "You seem quite rich," one of them said. "How about lending us some money?"

  "Me?" Ning blinked, momentarily speechless as the classic cliché unfolded before him.

  "Yes," the other added smugly. "We'll safeguard your spirit stones for you."

  Ning studied them calmly.

  Green robes. Peripheral disciples. Calloused hands. Slight instability in their breathing, a clear sign that their qi circulation was not yet smooth.

  Newbies.

  Anyone with more than a few months in the sect would have read the rules carefully. Extorting fellow disciples was not merely frowned upon; it was punishable.

  Which meant these two hadn't thought this through.

  Ning clasped his hands behind his back.

  "I'm poor," he said calmly.

  The two froze.

  "…What?"

  "I'm poor," Ning repeated.

  They stared at him.

  Though he wore the same peripheral robes as everyone else, he carried himself with quiet confidence. From their past observations, this was clearly someone who had money.

  "Stop joking," the shorter one snapped.

  "I'm not joking," Ning replied evenly. "If you can find even one spare spirit stone for me, I will thank you."

  He spread his arms slightly.

  "Search me."

  The two exchanged glances.

  "He's bluffing," the taller one muttered.

  "Search him," the shorter insisted.

  They stepped forward and patted him down.

  Sleeves.

  Waist.

  Boots.

  Inner lining.

  Nothing.

  Not even a copper coin.

  The taller one frowned. "Where are they?"

  "Where are what?" Ning asked politely.

  "Your spirit stones!"

  "I don't have any," Ning replied truthfully. "In fact, I'd like to join you in searching for some myself."

  That part was also true.

  He never carried spirit stones outside. The moment he obtained them, he converted them into resources. If a robber were to target him, they would essentially be practicing.

  "You clearly look wealthy," one of them muttered. "So why are you so poor?"

  Ning shrugged lightly. "Innate temperament, I suppose."

  Of course, that wasn't entirely true. Walking like you had something, even when you didn't, was a skill he had cultivated in his previous life. It carried over quite well.

  "Let me give you some advice," he continued calmly. "If you intend to collect protection fees, at least read the sect rules properly first."

  Their expressions shifted.

  "Extortion among peripheral disciples is punishable," Ning added gently. "Especially during the first year."

  The shorter one swallowed.

  The taller one frowned stubbornly. "We're not afraid-"

  "You should be," Ning interrupted lightly. "Anyone who has spent more than two weeks reading the rules would know that."

  Silence settled between them.

  They were big but not particularly bright.

  "Besides," Ning continued casually, "if you're truly looking for wealthy disciples, you should look for those with storage pouches."

  "Storage pouches?" one asked.

  "They cost thousands of spirit stones," Ning said calmly, unable to suppress a faint note of envy. A portable storage space was something he genuinely desired.

  "Thousands?" The taller one sucked in a breath.

  "That's a lot…"

  While they pondered this new information, Ning stepped aside and slipped past them.

  His current strength might not have been inferior, but there was no need to fight over something so trivial.

  As he gained some distance, he suddenly heard raised voices again behind him.

  Curious, he glanced back.

  Two familiar large figures were now blocking another disciple.

  Xiao Fan.

  Ning immediately understood how this would develop.

  'It seems I have contributed to maintaining the order and stability once again.' So, Ning walked away, hiding his fame and fortune.

  ...

  Thanks for reading~