Immortality: Grinding Experience Starting as a Paper Craftsman

Chapter 70 A Bustling Crowd, Talking the Talk Show

Gu Yan got up very early.

It wasn't for the sake of diligent cultivation, but rather because if I didn't get up early, the mountain of visiting cards and gift boxes piled up at the entrance of my cave would probably block the road.

The saying goes, "When you're poor, no one cares even in the bustling city; when you're rich, even distant relatives come to visit."

The cultivation world has taken this proverb to its extreme.

Three days ago, Qingyunzi publicly announced that Gu Yan had been promoted to the inner sect and granted him the opportunity to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool.

This previously unknown handyman disciple suddenly became a hot new favorite in the Flowing Cloud Sect.

"Senior Brother Gu! This is a century-old ginseng that my family sent over, specially to help you nourish your body!"

"Senior Brother Gu, I offended you greatly in the servants' hall last time. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will forgive my petty offense..."

Outside the cave, several outer sect managers who had once bossed Gu Yan around were now standing there with fawning expressions, holding various gift boxes in their hands, their backs bent so low they almost wanted to touch the ground.

Gu Yan stood at the door, wearing a brand-new inner disciple's blue robe, which made him look tall and straight.

He wore a slightly apprehensive, honest smile as he accepted the gift, waving his hands repeatedly.

"Senior brothers, you're too kind. We're all from the same sect, why bring up the past? I feel unworthy of such praise, truly unworthy."

He said he felt unworthy of the gifts, but his hands moved quickly and skillfully, putting the gift boxes into his storage bag. Even his polite words were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.

After seeing the group off, Gu Yan's smile vanished instantly, and he rubbed his stiff cheeks.

"Wearing a smile to greet people is more tiring than killing a Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator."

He turned and went back to his cave, casually piling the messy gifts in a corner.

Among the pile of gifts, the Nourishing Essence Pill was of inferior quality, and there were even traces of poison in it; although the soft armor was made of golden silkworm silk, the weaving technique was rough, and it was obviously a defective product that had been stockpiled in the warehouse.

As for the rest, they are mostly flashy but impractical things, with very few that are truly worth looking at.

"Is this what they call camaraderie among fellow disciples?"

Gu Yan chuckled softly and shook his head.

These people used the pretext of giving gifts to see if this lucky guy with mixed spiritual roots had really latched onto a powerful figure.

If they find out he's a good-for-nothing, he'll probably change his tune completely.

However, this feeling of being fawned over gave him a more direct understanding of power and strength.

Just as he was about to activate the restriction and continue his research on paper-making techniques, another fluctuation came from the array outside the cave.

The person who came this time was not one of those sycophantic outer disciples, but rather a rather arrogant and spoiled young master.

Gu Yan scanned the area with his divine sense and raised an eyebrow.

The newcomer was a young man in brocade robes, with a handsome face and an innate sense of superiority between his brows.

He was followed by two followers who were pointing and gesturing at Gu Yan's cave.

"Is this Gu Changsheng? I heard he's a good-for-nothing with mixed spiritual roots, and he only climbed up the ranks by luck?"

"That's right, Senior Brother Zhao. I heard that the sect leader is going to open the Dragon Transformation Pool so that he can establish his foundation. It's such a waste."

The young man in brocade robes sneered. Unlike the others, he didn't present a visiting card, but instead announced loudly:

"Zhao Lingfeng, an inner disciple, has come to learn from Junior Brother Gu's recent advancement."

The sound, imbued with spiritual energy, pierced through the cave's restrictions, causing the cave walls to vibrate and hum.

Is this a test?

Gu Yan understood.

Within the inner sect, resources are limited.

As an outsider, his sudden occupation of the Dragon Transformation Pool, a top-tier resource, naturally aroused the dissatisfaction of the senior disciples.

Zhao Lingfeng is most likely the one who sticks his neck out.

In the past, Gu Yan might have chosen to swallow his anger or resort to underhanded methods to resolve the matter secretly.

But now, he has just accomplished a great feat and is at the height of his fame.

If you act too timidly, you'll be looked down upon and it might even cause you more trouble.

Thinking of this, Gu Yan straightened his clothes and strode out of the cave.

When Gu Yan came out, Zhao Lingfeng's contempt deepened.

In his view, Gu Yan was at the eighth level of Qi Refining, but his aura was weak and unstable. It was obvious that he had built his foundation with pills and had no real foundation.

"Senior Brother Zhao, it is an honor to have you here. I am deeply sorry for not being able to greet you properly."

Gu Yan cupped his hands in apology, "However, I am injured and it is truly inconvenient for me to engage in martial arts. If Senior Brother Zhao wishes to offer guidance, perhaps we could arrange for another day?"

"another day?"

Zhao Lingfeng pressed on, "I think you're scared, aren't you? Since you know your own limitations, you should understand that a place like the Dragon Transformation Pool isn't a place just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can enter. If you give up your spot now, I, Zhao Lingfeng, will protect you in the inner sect from now on."

It turns out it was for a spot at the Dragon Transformation Pool.

Gu Yan sneered inwardly, but his face showed a troubled expression.

"This is a gift from the sect leader... Junior brother really dares not disobey."

"Don't try to intimidate me with the sect leader's name!" Zhao Lingfeng said angrily. "I'll just ask you one question: will you give in or not?"

Just then, Gu Yan's face suddenly turned pale, and his body swayed violently, as if an old injury had relapsed and he could not stand steadily, taking a step back.

But in that retreat, his toes accidentally brushed against the ground.

A subtle fluctuation of spiritual energy traveled along the ground.

"Ouch!"

Just as Zhao Lingfeng was about to step forward and force his way out, he instinctively felt his feet go soft, and the originally hard stone slab turned into a swamp.

Before he could react, a thin, transparent paper strip, as thin as a hair, had somehow wrapped around his ankle, giving him a slight jolt.

A dignified inner sect elite in the early stage of Foundation Establishment actually lost his balance like an ordinary person in front of everyone, falling face-first into the ground in front of Gu Yan.

"Smack!"

The fall was solid; even his front teeth hit the bluestone slab.

The entire room fell silent.

The followers were dumbfounded, and Zhao Lingfeng himself was also stunned.

"Oh dear! Senior Brother Zhao! Why are you doing this to yourself!"

Gu Yan rushed forward in alarm, wanting to help, but then seemed too frightened to extend his hand. "I told you I was injured and unable to spar, how could you possibly perform such a grand gesture!"

Zhao Lingfeng's face flushed red as he got up from the ground. Just as he was about to lash out, he discovered that the thing that had tripped him had vanished without a trace. His divine sense swept across the ground, and he found only a few fallen bamboo leaves.

This is bizarre! Absolutely bizarre!

He glared at Gu Yan, feeling a deep sarcasm hidden beneath the boy's seemingly innocent expression.

"You just wait!"

Zhao Lingfeng knew he had lost face big time today, and that continuing the argument would only make things worse. He left with a harsh remark and slunk away with his followers.

Watching the group leave in a disheveled state, Gu Yan patted the dust off his sleeves, and the fear in his eyes instantly vanished.

"Young man, you can't even walk steadily, yet you want to seize opportunities?"

He turned and went back to his cave, activating all the restrictions to avoid being disturbed by the flies again.

After this little incident, his mood actually improved a lot.

Arriving at the stone table, Gu Yan spread out a piece of white paper with a special texture.

Those were talisman papers specially made from the hides of second-tier demon beasts, which were tough and had excellent spiritual energy conductivity.

He picked up the talisman brush, dipped it in spiritual ink, and began to sketch on the paper.

The brushstrokes are fluid and unpredictable, with intricate and strange lines.

This isn't drawing talismans; it's painting a mask.

A mask that could perfectly fit his skin, simulating the normal flow of spiritual energy, while concealing the devouring phenomenon within his body.

This was his last line of defense for his trip to Hualongchi tomorrow.

"When paper-crafting reaches the master level, anything can be crafted." Gu Yan murmured to himself as he watched the pattern gradually take shape.

Outside the window, the rain has stopped and the sky is clear.

A bright moon broke through the clouds, casting its gentle light upon the sky.

Gu Yan put down his pen and looked at the piece of paper that shimmered faintly in the moonlight, his eyes filled with anticipation.

All is ready except for the opportunity.