Steward Wang's aftermath was something Lin Changsheng no longer paid attention to. He only heard that after that day, the External Affairs Hall had a new manager.

As for Steward Wang, he had his legs broken and was thrown into the hardest and most exhausting mine in the Outer Sect to dig for ore.

For the rest of his life, he probably wouldn't be able to make a comeback. Lin Changsheng was quite satisfied with this outcome.

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Having resolved these minor troubles, his life returned to its usual calm.

Every day, he either went to the Scripture Library to read or returned to his small courtyard to "pretend" to cultivate.

His barren Spirit Field, under the "nourishment" of his Mind Power, gradually came back to life.

The Spirit Grain Seeds not only sprouted but also grew exceptionally well. The green seedlings were taller than those in other Spirit Fields.

This unusual phenomenon once again confirmed everyone's speculation that Lin Changsheng was a "Child of Fortune."

As a result, some disciples would even secretly bow a couple of times when passing by his Spirit Field, hoping to catch some good luck.

Lin Changsheng found this both amusing and exasperating. However, it was also beneficial. His image in everyone's mind became increasingly mysterious and unfathomable.

For him, this was an excellent layer of protection.

***

On this day, it was the sect's day to distribute the monthly stipend.

All Outer Sect Disciples could receive their corresponding monthly stipend based on their cultivation level.

Disciples at the first to third levels of Qi Refining could receive ten Low-grade Spirit Stones and a bottle of Qi Gathering Pill each month.

Lin Changsheng's "publicly known cultivation level" was at the first level of Qi Refining, so he was naturally included in the distribution.

He followed the crowd to the Outer Sect Square. A long line had already formed in the square.

The distribution of resources was handled by several Inner Sect senior brothers.

Each of them had a cold and arrogant expression, looking at these Outer Sect Disciples as if they were a bunch of ants.

"Name, cultivation level."

The process was exactly the same as when he first received his Spirit Field.

When it was Lin Changsheng's turn, he reported his information.

The Inner Sect disciple responsible for registration didn't even look up and directly tossed a Storage Bag over.

"Next." Lin Changsheng caught the Storage Bag and used his Divine Sense to probe inside.

Inside lay ten fingernail-sized stones emitting a faint spiritual aura.

There was also a small white porcelain bottle.

This was his cultivation resource for the next month. Lin Changsheng felt a bit emotional.

Back in the day, he would directly devour vast amounts of the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth for cultivation. Now, he had to stand in line for half a day for these mere ten Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Indeed, it's hard to go from luxury to frugality. He shook his head and prepared to leave.

Just then, a commotion arose from the back of the line.

"Make way for me!" an arrogant voice rang out.

Several burly, intimidating senior disciples pushed through the crowd and went straight to the front of the line.

Leading them was a hulking man with a face full of fierce features.

His cultivation level had reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, already stepping into the mid-stage of Qi Refining. "Senior Brother Li, you're here."

The Inner Sect disciple responsible for distributing resources showed a hint of apprehension upon seeing this man.

"Yeah, is this month's share ready?" Senior Brother Li asked nonchalantly.

"It's ready, it's ready." The Inner Sect disciple quickly nodded, picking up several pre-prepared Storage Bags from the side and handing them over.

Senior Brother Li took them, weighed them, and showed a satisfied smile.

Seeing this, the disciples in line dared not speak out despite their anger.

They all knew this Senior Brother Li. His name was Li Hu, a tyrant of the Outer Sect.

Relying on his high cultivation, he formed cliques and specialized in bullying new disciples.

Every month during the distribution of the monthly stipend, he would bring people to forcibly demand "protection fees."

Every newcomer had to hand over half of their Spirit Stones and Elixirs. Otherwise, they would be beaten up.

Even the Inner Sect disciples responsible for distributing resources turned a blind eye to them.

Because it was rumored that Li Hu had an Inner Sect elder backing him.

At this moment, after collecting the "tribute" prepared by the Inner Sect disciples, Li Hu turned his gaze to the newcomers who had just received their monthly stipend.

His lackeys immediately understood, grinning as they walked over.

"Hey, newbie, do you know the rules?"

One lackey blocked a disciple who had just received his resources and was about to slip away.

"Hand over half of your Spirit Stones and Elixirs!"

The disciple turned pale with fright, trembling as he took out five Spirit Stones and half a bottle of Elixirs from his Storage Bag.

"Smart move."

The lackey snatched them and then moved on to the next person.

Soon, they reached Lin Changsheng.

Because Lin Changsheng had been lost in thought, he walked a bit slower and was caught right on the spot.

"Kid, what are you looking at? I'm talking to you!"

A lackey with a sharp face pointed at Lin Changsheng's nose and said viciously.

"Hand over half of your monthly stipend."

Lin Changsheng looked at him, his expression calm.

"What if I refuse?"

He asked lightly.

"Refuse?"

The lackey seemed to have heard the funniest joke.

"Kid, you're quite bold. Do you know what happened to the last person who dared to refuse us?"

He pointed to a corner not far away, where a disciple lay beaten black and blue, still groaning on the ground.

"See that? That's your role model.

I advise you to behave, to avoid unnecessary suffering."

Their conversation attracted the attention of everyone around.

Even Li Hu, over there, looked over with interest.

"Oh? Someone with a death wish?"

He stroked his chin, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes.

He loved nothing more than crushing the spirit of these newcomers.

Lin Changsheng glanced at the unlucky fellow on the ground, then at the arrogant lackey in front of him, and finally at Li Hu, who was watching the show from a distance.

He sighed softly.

Why are there always so many reckless flies in this world?

He really just wanted to quietly cultivate immortality.

"I'll say it again, I won't hand it over."

Lin Changsheng's tone remained calm.

But his gaze made the sharp-faced lackey feel an inexplicable chill.

"Looking for death!"

The lackey was enraged by Lin Changsheng's gaze.

He roared and raised his hand to slap Lin Changsheng's face.

He wanted to humiliate this ignorant newcomer in front of everyone.

The surrounding disciples instinctively closed their eyes.

They seemed to have already seen the scene of Lin Changsheng being beaten to the ground.

However.

The expected slap sound did not occur.

Instead, there was a crisp "crack" and a piercing scream.

"Ah—! My hand!"

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan