Starting from iron smelting

Chapter 42: Nanny Sun

Lu Xiuyuan thought: Not being bound by one thing, not being burdened by any technique, doing whatever one wants, creating the strongest and most suitable path for oneself, this is the essence of cultivating immortals.

Just as Lu Xiuyuan was lost in thought, Nanny Sun's voice rang out: "This is our new outsourced disciple Lu Xiuyuan from the firewood room. You must work together harmoniously in the future, help each other, and avoid conflicts."

After hearing Nanny Sun's introduction, the monks around him cast curious glances at him. Lu Xiuyuan felt a little more pressure, but he still stood tall and smiled slightly, indicating that he was capable of doing the work in the firewood room and would not hold everyone back.

Nanny Sun continued, "I will explain the work of the firewood room to the newcomer Lu Xiuyuan. The firewood room is mainly responsible for providing various firewoods for the sect. Some firewood is used for lighting fires, some for construction, some for cultivation, and even some for alchemy. Each type of wood has its specific use. Everyone must classify it properly and there must not be any mistakes. Do you understand?"

"We understand!" The monks responded in unison, expressing their deep agreement with Madam Sun's guidance. Lu Xiuyuan also nodded to show his understanding, and in his mind he had a preliminary understanding of the uses of various types of wood and the work of the woodshed.

Nanny Sun's tone revealed a trace of concern: "I know that you are all talented. Working in the firewood room is just a stopgap measure. When your cultivation level improves, you will definitely be transferred from your current position. So everyone must seize the time to cultivate. As long as you complete the prescribed quota every day, I will not ask you to do anything else. You must seize the time to cultivate diligently."

Hearing these words, Lu Xiuyuan felt Nanny Sun's expectations and concern for them. He secretly made up his mind to make full use of his spare time to improve his cultivation and strive to reach a higher level of cultivation as soon as possible.

Aunt Liu then added: "Lu Xiuyuan, you and Brother Liu Meng will form a team to go to the back mountain to cut wood. Be careful not to cross the line, and also stay away from the people in the Spiritual Pharmacy. Don't let them snatch away the good stuff if you see it."

"Disciple understands." Lu Xiuyuan and Liu Meng responded in unison, saying that they would perform their duties conscientiously and try their best to complete the work.

Lu Xiuyuan followed Liu Meng to the equipment storehouse. They each took an axe and carried a backpack. They left the woodshed and set foot on the path leading to the back mountain.

Lu Xiuyuan looked at the sturdy man leading the way. He was a head taller than him, with a voice like a bell, a solid body, and a beard standing upright like steel needles. His arms were so sturdy that you could see the veins. He was wearing the green clothes of an outer sect disciple, and the axe in his hand and the backpack on his back were like toys to him.

Along the way, the mountain wind blew, bringing with it the scent of flowers. Lu Xiuyuan couldn't help but look at the surrounding mountains and rivers, feeling the wonder of this place of cultivation. He seemed to be able to hear the birds singing in the mountains and feel the pulse of nature.

Soon, they came to the back mountain, where the air was fresher and more humid. Lu Xiuyuan followed him, not knowing what kind of person he was or what his temper was, so he could only tentatively say, "Brother Liu Meng, I'm Lu Xiuyuan. I'll have to trouble you to take care of me in my future work."

Liu Meng waved his hand and said, "Why talk about caring for me? After all, we work together, so we are a team. We should take care of each other. If you have any experience in cultivation, don't keep it secret. Let's communicate more."

"Okay, Brother Liu Meng." Lu Xiuyuan answered happily. He found that Brother Liu Meng looked fierce and silent, even a bit like a door god, but he didn't expect that he had a cheerful personality and was warm and friendly. This made Lu Xiuyuan feel relieved when he first entered the sect, knowing that he had a companion he could trust.

Brother Liu Meng suddenly stopped, turned around, smiled and said to Lu Xiuyuan: "In fact, the most important thing on the road to immortality is brotherhood. You and I are both disciples of the sect, so we should support each other and make progress together. If you have any difficulties in the future, don't hesitate to ask me for help at any time."

"Thank you, Brother Liu Meng," Lu Xiuyuan replied. He felt that Liu Meng was not a bad person and had a good heart. He did not look like the kind of person who would secretly plot against others. Having a partner who supports each other like this in the sect is very beneficial not only for work but also for cultivation.

Lu Xiuyuan said: "Brother, I really have something I want to ask you."

Liu Meng said: "It's okay to tell me. I will tell you everything I know."

Lu Xiuyuan said: "I just started practicing, and I don't know the levels of these practices, nor do I know the techniques. Can you tell me about them?"

Liu Meng said, "That's fine. Even if I don't tell you, you'll figure it out in a couple of days. As for the level of cultivation, I don't know too much about the powerful ones. For example, our Juling Sect, the leader is Dugu, a great man in the Jindan stage who never shows up. His skills are unfathomable. He fought alone against monsters on the northern frontier. His sword was so powerful that it could chill nineteen states. His sword was as powerful as a million teachers. He founded the Juling Sect with just one man and one sword."

Lu Xiuyuan was paying full attention and listening attentively.

"Of course, these are all old news. Sect Leader Dugu has been in seclusion and has not appeared for hundreds of years. Now the three elders who maintain the operation of the sect are Xuanjizi, Xuanmiaozi, and Xuanhuanzi." Liu Meng said.

When Lu Xiuyuan heard that they were talking about his master, he stopped and listened attentively.

Liu Meng continued, "Xuanjizi is the chief elder, who is mainly responsible for the operation of the inner courtyard of the sect. He is a Jindan-stage cultivator. Xuanmiaozi is the second elder, who is mainly responsible for assisting the chief elder in carrying out various matters of the sect. He is equivalent to the executive deputy head of the sect. However, I heard that Elder Xuanmiaozi's sect encountered an accident when fighting against monsters. Elder Xuanmiaozi was devastated and his hair turned white overnight. Now he doesn't care about the affairs of the sect anymore."

Lu Xiuyuan felt very distressed when he heard what happened to his master. He sighed to himself and then asked the question that concerned him the most: "Brother Liu Meng, where is Elder Xuanhuanzi?"

"Speaking of Xuanhuanzi, um..." Liu Meng no longer had the high spirits, excitement and knowledge he had just now. Instead, he became cautious, treading on thin ice and silent as a cicada.

Lu Xiuyuan noticed the changes in Brother Liu Meng beside him, so he asked, "What's wrong, Brother Liu Meng? Is there something that cannot be discussed here?"

After hearing this, Liu Meng said, "It's not that I can't tell you. This matter... How should I tell you... You know... Anyway, this matter... It's not that I won't tell you... It's just... Oh, forget it, I'll tell you, put your ear close to me, and I'll tell you."