The task quantity stipulated by the upper realm version of History Three had been completed, but due to the settlement period, Jun Changxiao could only wait while thinking about how to scheme against Empress Ling Yao.
Brand new sect missions refreshed regularly. In addition to cultivation, disciples continued to do them individually or in teams since completion would reward them.
“Sect Master.”
Li Qingyang said: “The martial resources in the vending machines can no longer benefit fellow disciples.”
Sect missions were actually disciple missions. Completion rewarded corresponding contribution points for purchasing items in the exclusive shop, but after coming to the upper realm, since it hadn’t been upgraded, it was essentially worthless.
“No rush, no rush.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Have everyone save their contribution points first. When the version upgrades later, they’ll definitely come in handy.”
Because the disciple shop hadn’t upgraded, he could only have everyone save contribution points. When it was enhanced to the strengthened version someday, they could freely spend them.
Trashy author, hurry up and strengthen it!
“Sorry.”
The system said: “The disciple shop requires Host to spend contribution points, achievement points, or reputation points to upgrade.”
“…”
Jun Changxiao roared: “Does this upper realm version system have any free features!”
“Yes, five free refreshes per month!”
“…”
The disciple shop was still at lower realm scale. The Qi Gathering Powder and other items sold inside had long fallen behind the times. New pills hadn’t been fully supplied yet, so the only solution was to upgrade.
The brand new upper realm version system—truly unable to move an inch without money.
However, the only consolation was that the disciple shop could be upgraded with achievement points without using contribution or reputation points.
“Sigh.”
Jun Changxiao shook his head: “I thought achievement points had lost their value, turns out they were waiting here.”
The system said: “To be precise, the upper realm version system places more emphasis on sect missions, not just limiting it to purchasing goods after completion, but allowing them to better participate in sect construction and thereby benefit themselves.”
“Makes sense.”
Back in the lower realm, when sect missions appeared, it was mainly to earn achievement points to improve construction and thereby gain more functions, but the activation condition required reaching full capacity, so disciples had a long blank period.
Now brand new sect missions refreshed at fixed times, seemingly representing endless work, which undoubtedly required disciples to work constantly and accumulate more achievement points.
For a sect to become strong, in the lower realm it might rely on a cheat user carrying everyone, but in the upper realm it required everyone working together.
“How much to upgrade the disciple shop?”
“Ten million.”
Jun Changxiao covered his forehead: “The achievement and contribution point systems have completely collapsed!”
The system said: “If Host thinks it’s too much, you can substitute with 10,000 reputation points.”
“Scram!”
Jun Changxiao roared.
…
Because the disciple shop required achievement points to upgrade, Jun Changxiao ordered that whenever there was time, they must do missions. He even considered whether to set a monthly task completion quota in the future.
“What are you thinking about?”
Hua Meigui walked in from outside.
Jun Changxiao came back to his senses. Just as he was about to speak, he heard her say: “I knocked. You didn’t hear.”
Fine.
Dog Sheng had to swallow the words “Why did you come in without knocking” that were on his lips, saying: “I was thinking whether to have disciples complete a sufficient task quota each month.”
“Has husband finally noticed?”
“Noticed what?”
Jun Changxiao looked confused.
Rose Empress said: “During my time at the Eternal Sect, I’ve felt it’s not like a sect, but more like a big family.”
“Right.”
Jun Changxiao said proudly: “This is what I’m happy to see.”
Whether it was the former Iron Bones Sect or the current Eternal Sect, he had never regarded it as a power, always treating it as a home—he was the parent, the disciples were the children, and he wholeheartedly nurtured their growth.
Hua Meigui said: “In this cruel world, disciples need to adapt to harsh environments and be brave enough to spread their wings and soar through the heavens, not forever stay at home living a life where food comes when you stretch out your hand and opens your mouth.”
“What are you trying to say?” Jun Changxiao frowned.
Hua Meigui walked over: “Are you interested in learning about my past?”
“Not interested!” Jun Changxiao said.
“Duplicitous guy.”
Hua Meigui took another step forward. Regardless of whether he agreed, she directly used the Soul Clan secret technique to merge with him.
It’s here, it’s here!
Jun Meigui!
This time when the two merged, Jun Changxiao’s hair didn’t turn green. Instead, his soul seemed to pass through layers of spacetime, arriving in a dark place resembling a cliff where many children around ten years old were fighting desperately.
Their strength wasn’t high, but they fought madly.
In the central area was a high platform displaying much food, indicating only those who made it there could obtain it.
Jun Changxiao transformed into a soul body standing in place, observing as a bystander until he discovered a disheveled girl in a corner. Though not tall and still childish, her appearance was extremely similar to Hua Meigui, so he blurted out: “Her daughter?”
“That’s me in my youth!”
“…”
Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched: “You brought me into your childhood memories?”
“Right.”
“…”
Jun Changxiao was speechless.
You want to indulge in reminiscing, why drag me into it!
The system said: “This chapter is going to be called padding again.”
Jun Changxiao kept staring at young Hua Meigui, who seemed isolated from the entire world: “Feels like there’s not much difference between youth and adulthood.”
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
The youths had gone crazy for food. They fought for a long time until exhausted before stopping.
“Still no winner?”
A cold voice came from above: “Then it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
“Whoosh!”
The food on the stone platform vanished.
Next, the memory fast-forwarded. Jun Changxiao remained standing in place, his eyes constantly showing youths fighting in the dark place. Though occasionally someone obtained food, more often they went hungry.
“Too cruel.”
“If they can’t survive here, how can they face even crueler reality?”
“Fine.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Why do you keep standing in the corner?”
“Because I wasn’t hungry.”
“…”
This reason left Dog Sheng unable to refute.
However, after experiencing several more battles, young Hua Meigui finally made her move.
Don’t underestimate her being one of the few girls in the trial—when she fought, she was more ruthless than boys her age, with techniques like eye-gouging and crotch-kicking coming naturally.
“…”
A chill ran up Dog Sheng’s spine as he thought: “I need to be careful not to let her scheme against me!”
Because young Hua Meigui performed extremely dominantly, she achieved final victory in the food争夺战.
Next.
The memory fast-forwarded again.
Whenever she participated in battle, it always ended in victory.
“Whoosh!”
To avoid forcibly padding word count with reminiscing, Hua Meigui separated from Jun Changxiao’s body. The latter immediately returned to reality, and after brief silence, asked: “How long did you train there?”
“One year.”
“What if you couldn’t get food?”
“Death.”
Jun Changxiao fell silent again briefly, then turned to look at her: “You showed me your memories to tell me that people living in this world must experience cruel torment?”
“Survival of the fittest, natural selection—an eternal law.”
“…”
“Husband cares too much about the disciples, worrying they’ll encounter danger. But if they don’t experience wind and rain, how can they grow in the upper realm?”
“…”
“You just asked me whether to have disciples complete a certain task quota monthly. After seeing my childhood memories, you should already have an answer in your heart.”
“I do.”
Jun Changxiao said seriously.
A smile appeared on Hua Meigui’s face.
“However.”
Jun Changxiao paused: “I won’t cultivate disciples according to your Soul Clan’s methods, because falling into desperate straits isn’t the only way to truly grow—there are actually many gentler methods that can achieve the same effect!”
Hua Meigui said: “I was just having husband reference it.”
With that, she turned to leave.
“Wait.” Jun Changxiao called her back. After pausing for a long while, he finally said: “Actually… you were quite cute as a child.”
Hua Meigui froze at the door. After a moment, she looked back with a smile: “Is husband praising me?”
Where is he!
Where is he!
Jun Changxiao had already disappeared from the study, now in the great hall covering his flushed face, roaring internally: “How could I say such an embarrassing thing out loud!”
—