Chapter 25: Fifth Senior Brother Is Fierce (Part 2)

When the camouflage cloth had been put up over the past two days, some villagers who had contracted the neighboring land had come over to look around. Once they saw that more than a meter of space had been left for their family, they happily left again.

Because of that, although surrounding the orange grove with camouflage cloth was strange, no one said anything.

Chen Yi entered the sect, and the air instantly became especially clean and fresh, with the effect of clearing the mind and sharpening the senses. The air sparkled bling-bling. Living in an environment like this, even without cultivating, could prolong one’s life.

Da Huang heard the movement at once and came all the way down from the Mountain Gate entrance to welcome him. This meant the children had already been brought back for their afternoon nap.

Ordinarily, if Chen Yi was free at this time, it was time for Technique Transmission. Da Huang also knew what was good for it. If Chen Yi forgot, it would even take the initiative to remind him.

When Captain Ye saw Da Huang, his gaze drifted, and he asked, “When you asked for five spots, did you count Da Huang?”

“That was the plan.”

“That’s a bit difficult.” Captain Ye pondered. “A Sect Master’s Personal Disciple, plus the Technique Transmission function… It’s understandable for the Sect Master to leave spots for his family, but Da Huang…”

“Just because it isn’t human?”

“Don’t put it so absolutely. All around the world, military dogs receive good benefits and respect. I’m the same. It’s just that there are only so many spots after all. You still have to let our Fifth Senior Brother bring something to the table.”

This “Fifth Senior Brother” clearly was not teasing. It was more like he was reminding Chen Yi that from the moment Da Huang joined the sect, it had become a different kind of demonic beast, one with an official position.

With an official position and benefits, naturally, there also had to be responsibility.

Worried that Chen Yi would not understand, Captain Ye said, “Forget it. Leave it to me to explain later.”

Then his old face creased into wrinkles. “Fifth Senior Brother, I’ll have to trouble you to cooperate with me later.”

“Woof!” Unexpectedly, Da Huang actually barked.

Captain Ye looked at Chen Yi in disbelief. “Has Fifth Senior Brother really become a spirit?”

Chen Yi smiled.

Da Huang had always understood human speech well. It took care of the children, guarded the sect, and was also the boss of the village dogs. After getting on in years, it was even more like a person, understanding everything. Even if one day it stood upright and cooked a meal, no one should be surprised.

This was also the reason Chen Yi had always wanted to give Da Huang a spot. In the original owner’s heart, they were family, and Chen Yi now thought the same.

As they spoke, they arrived at the sect.

The spirit field at the entrance of the sect had already been laid out over the course of this day. It was a full mu in size, and spirit seeds had already been scattered.

Spirit seeds were a staple food specially provided for cultivators in the cultivation world. Like rice grain, they could be made into cooked rice, so they were also called spirit rice.

It was said that eating one meal of spirit rice was equivalent to sitting down and cultivating for several days. However, digestion and absorption required time.

But in the book Chen Yi had transmigrated into, the protagonist appeared and immediately fought aberrations, then followed a lone-hero style of power-level progression all the way upward. Because of that, there had been no descriptions involving these kinds of livelihood matters.

In the end, whether the spirit rice grown here could increase cultivation with one meal would only be known after they ate it.

Old Huang and Old Zhang were crouched by the spirit field with their students, busy with work.

Cultivation, something everyone flocked toward, was not worth mentioning in their eyes. What they wanted to see even more was the day when the crops of the cultivation world matured.

Chen Yi did not disturb them. Instead, he headed toward the Sect Main Hall. Less than a minute later, Tang Qirui walked out from inside.

This Sect Main Hall was the first building issued after Chen Yi obtained the sect system.

It was very large and majestic, imposing and magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters. Yet the inside was empty. Apart from a cushion and a low table placed at the deepest point, facing the main door and representing authority and status, there was nothing else.

Chen Yi had sat on that cushion before, but he had not discovered any use for it. In addition, that position was too sensitive. After waiting to hand the sect over to the state, Chen Yi never went deeper inside again.

Now, on the side near the door, Chen Yi’s family still lived there. They had set up tents inside and made do with sleeping there.

At first, it had been because they were afraid there were still aberrations on North Mountain. Now, it was because the sect had abundant spiritual energy and a good environment. After growing accustomed to the environment here, breathing the air outside was practically like cutting one’s throat, so his parents no longer brought up returning home to live.

A little farther in was Tang Qirui’s office area.

Over these two days, some office desks and chairs had been moved in one after another, simply dividing the space into two large sections: a military area and an administrative area.

There were not many people in the sect now, but quite a few office desks and chairs had been brought in.

Today, they seemed to be setting up a local network for the computers. The sound of the generator could be heard faintly from afar.

Cultivation definitely was not only for battle. There would certainly be many livelihood-related spells, such as the dust-removal spell.

It was only that Chen Yi’s current cultivation was insufficient, and his understanding of the sect was even more like a single hair from nine oxen. For the time being, they still had to rely mainly on technological means.

“Is there something going on with Academician Li? I’m really too busy right now. We’re seriously short on manpower. I’ll go out immediately.” As soon as Tang Qirui saw them, he spoke.

Chen Yi stopped him. “No, it’s something else. Technique Transmission…”

Captain Ye suddenly spoke, interrupting Chen Yi as well. “Minister Tang, after Spiritual Energy Revival, aberrations appeared, and humans also developed supernatural abilities. Then what about animals? Is there any possibility they could become demonic beasts?”

Tang Qirui looked directly at Da Huang. “Of course.”

Captain Ye said, “At the same level, do you think humans are stronger, or demonic beasts?”

Tang Qirui frowned, waiting for Captain Ye’s next words.

Captain Ye said, “I’m also curious. Our Fifth Senior Brother is a big shot who can tear aberrations apart with his mouth. Shall we test it?”

“Now?”

“Now.”

Tang Qirui very obviously did not want to agree. He was so busy his heels barely touched the ground. It was not that he disrespected Fifth Senior Brother, but this kind of matter could be discussed later.

However, he knew even more clearly that Captain Ye was not a reckless person. Since he had come to discuss this with him, there had to be a reason.

He immediately nodded. “How do we compare?”

Captain Ye showed his teeth in a grin and crooked a finger at Pang Xiaolei, who had just changed shifts and was walking out from the Mountain Gate.

Seeing this, Tang Qirui nodded. “You want Captain Pang to compete with Da Huang? That works too. Captain Pang entered the sect earlier than all of us and has already reached first-stage Qi Refining. His strength ranks near the top among us. He should be able to reveal Da Huang’s strength.”

“This is Fifth Senior Brother,” Captain Ye reminded him. Then he looked at Pang Xiaolei and said, “Get ready. You and every member of your squad will fight our Fifth Senior Brother Da Huang. As for how you fight, as long as no one dies, arrange it yourselves.”

Pang Xiaolei was very shocked, but Tang Qirui was even more shocked.

Tang Qirui said in surprise, “They’re an entire special operations squad! Before coming here, they were either elites of the Criminal Protection Team or talents from special operations! Their individual ability is strong, their combat quality is high, and they also have coordinated tactics. Under the premise that injuries don’t matter, Da Huang… Fifth Senior Brother may be in great danger.”

Captain Ye glanced at Chen Yi, then smiled crookedly. “No, no, no. It won’t just be Pang Xiaolei and his squad. I will also join this confrontation. The six of us against Fifth Senior Brother.”

Tang Qirui’s brow tightened.

Even Chen Yi could no longer stay calm this time.

Yet Captain Ye chuckled with no proper seriousness. Before leaving, he even cupped his hands to Da Huang. “Fifth Senior Brother, please go easy on us.”

Da Huang looked at Captain Ye for two seconds. “Woof, woof.” It seemed to actually respond.

…

From the beginning, Chen Yi had known Da Huang was not weak.

Although Da Huang had not cultivated any cultivation technique even now, it had always lived in the sect space. Every time Chen Yi performed Technique Transmission, he would call it along. On top of that, in the aberrant painting scroll that day, it had eaten the aberration of a fake Zhong Kui. Da Huang’s cultivation speed was not weak at all.

Just ask, how could an ordinary rural mutt possibly grow larger than a giant Alaskan Malamute, looking like a small calf, easily carrying two three-year-old children up mountains and down fields as though walking on flat ground?

But once it truly began fighting, Chen Yi realized that the sect’s “number one fighter” was not the extraordinarily talented Captain Ye. It was this Da Huang, with sharp fangs and teeth, running like thunder, and thick fur that naturally carried defensive power.

Watching Da Huang easily dodge, pounce with perfect accuracy, lock onto throats with ease, and quickly shift positions to avoid all attacks before lunging at the next opponent, Chen Yi admitted that he had still far underestimated Da Huang’s combat strength.

With no hot weapons allowed, six special action team members including Captain Ye only managed to circle Da Huang for three minutes before they were all injured and forced out of battle.

Sharp fangs and teeth were Da Huang’s natural weapons. Its fur was its best protective gear. Add to that the innate animal nature of a canine, as well as Da Huang’s skills as the former boss of the village dogs, leading its dog brothers in group fights every night, and it was simply a beast-shaped killing weapon.

Moreover, Da Huang had opened its spirit. It knew this was only a spar and not a real battle, so it held back somewhat and stopped appropriately. Otherwise, these six people, Captain Ye included, would not have gotten away with just a few minor injuries.

Just now, when Da Huang pounced onto Pang Xiaolei and bit down on his neck, as long as those powerful, massive jaws had used just a little strength, Pang Xiaolei probably would have had to explain himself here today.

Pang Xiaolei rolled over and sat up, touching his own neck with a face full of shock. Even in his dreams, he had never imagined Da Huang would be this strong.

Too powerful!

Pang Xiaolei was even already imagining the scene of going on missions together with Da Huang in the future.

The sense of security would be maxed out!!

With its strength proven like this, when Chen Yi again proposed asking for five Personal Disciple spots, Tang Qirui could not say a single word.

Before this, he definitely would have fought for it. After all, there were only so many spots. One more spot could cultivate one more pillar of strength. What was the meaning of giving one to a dog? Even if it was Fifth Senior Brother, that still would not do.

Now, Tang Qirui could not refuse, and he also thoroughly understood Captain Ye’s intention in deliberately arranging this.

Clap, clap, clap!

Lou Ting, who had watched the show, applauded. “Fifth Senior Brother truly lives up to the name! Too amazing!!”

“Hah, hah, hah!” Da Huang panted with its tongue out. Looking at its eyes and stance, there was quite a bit of pride there. Finally, it walked to Chen Yi’s feet, lay down, and rested.

Da Huang’s action reduced Tang Qirui’s final trace of concern.

Demonic beasts were still beasts after all. After being cultivated to become powerful, could they still stand on humanity’s side? It was always something one had to guard against.

But when Da Huang lay down by Chen Yi’s feet, it let Tang Qirui see Da Huang’s loyalty, and it also let him see Chen Yi… He believed that no matter how strong Da Huang became, Chen Yi, as the Sect Master, would be able to keep it under control.

If it were another person’s demonic beast, even if it were also a dog, Tang Qirui would not agree.

Now he nodded. “All right. These five spots are settled, then. I’ll discuss the remaining five with the higher-ups before making a decision.”

Captain Ye said, “Ahem! Cough, cough, cough!”

He winked and made faces.

Tang Qirui ignored him and asked Chen Yi instead, “As for the other personnel appointments and removals, may I understand them as well?”

“Yes.”

Chen Yi took out a dagger from himself and began drawing on the ground.

Tang Qirui and Captain Ye crouched down and looked closely.

This was their first time understanding the so-called “system” in detail.

It was not that they were not curious. It was just that matters had priorities. Under the threat of life and death, solving the aberration incident first was more important.

Besides, as a special function Chen Yi had obtained, the system carried a certain amount of privacy. When Chen Yi did not want to speak in detail, in order to maintain their own sincerity, they also could not pry too much.

Since Chen Yi had spoken of it today, Tang Qirui naturally had to ask clearly.

Chen Yi used the peachwood dagger to roughly draw the appearance of the water mirror on the ground, then wrote out the catalog for each of the pages behind it.

During this process, Tang Qirui asked questions while taking photos.

When he saw Disciple Aptitude Inquiry, Captain Ye asked, “What aptitude do I have?”

Chen Yi said, “As rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. So far, apart from my son and daughter, you have the highest aptitude.”

After hearing this, Captain Ye’s brows danced with delight.

“Ahem! Cough, cough, cough!” He winked and made faces at Tang Qirui again.

Tang Qirui then also looked curiously at Chen Yi.

Chen Yi gave a dry cough. “Minister Tang’s aptitude is relatively ordinary.”

More than ordinary. It was on the same level as his mother, called “congenitally deficient.” Chen Yi had already secretly sworn that he would find a way to solve this congenital deficiency. He refused to believe that such a vast cultivation civilization would have no records of it.

Tang Qirui was naturally very disappointed when he heard this, but he quickly adjusted himself and nodded. “Personal Disciples can enjoy the Technique Transmission ability, so they must be the most outstanding group in terms of combat strength. Taking aptitude as the selection criterion is the most appropriate choice. This batch of team members can form combat strength in a short time and become the pillars of the various provinces and regions.”

In the end, Tang Qirui still said it. “Aberration incidents are starting to appear frequently. Aside from the people here, almost no one has any means to deal with them. You’ve also seen the use of aberrant tools, Sect Master Chen. These ten spots are very important.”

But Chen Yi shook his head. “I don’t want to argue with you about anything, but if I can’t even protect my family, then I might as well not be this Sect Master.”

Tang Qirui looked deeply at Chen Yi, saw the firmness in his eyes, and secretly sighed, expressing understanding. Then he changed the subject. “Fortunately, once they enter cultivation, they can come into contact with aberrations. After this mission is completed, standard weapons can also be issued. The combat strength of this batch of team members should be able to hold up.”

“Thank you for understanding, Minister Tang.”

“We’re the ones who should thank you. If not for your appearance, the current situation still could not have changed. People are just like this. They can never help wanting more, even when things are clearly already very good now.”

Chen Yi smiled and did not want to continue discussing the matter. Since he had gained an advantage, he still had to act properly grateful, so Chen Yi said, “Elder, steward, or hall master. Would you like to try one?”

Tang Qirui lowered his eyes and thought about it. Without much hesitation, he said, “Give me a steward position first.”

Chen Yi gave Tang Qirui the position of inner sect steward.

Tang Qirui waited blankly for five seconds, then asked in confusion, “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

The two looked at each other, both very disappointed.

Although they did not say it outright, in truth, they had both been silently hoping that after a personnel appointment or removal, there would be a “sub-system.”

The reality was that nothing had happened.

But before they could be disappointed for long, a special training team member suddenly ran over from the Sect Main Hall and reported, “Reporting, Captain. Just now, a change occurred inside the Sect Main Hall.”

“What?” The three of them looked at one another. After realizing something, they immediately stood.

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