Isn't This a Game? Why Are You All Cultivating for Real!

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Take Back Everything That Was Lost

Although there were ten Foundation Establishment Stage quests posted.

But Song Jiulai wasn’t worried anymore.

’We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. If the players don’t meet the requirements, they can’t play the game.’

’It’s a shame I can’t tell them about this mandatory quest from the system. Otherwise, I’d just post a quest in the Sect: if no one reaches Foundation Establishment in six months, the game shuts down completely.’

’Let’s see if the players try hard then!’

’How dare they slack off on me!’

The system had issued its rewards, but she couldn’t just hand out the mental methods directly like last time.

No rewards, no motivation.

Song Jiulai posted all 100 scrolls of Palm Thunder, setting the price at 500 points per scroll.

Each person could only redeem one scroll, and she also set it so they could be returned after being studied.

The point requirement wasn’t harsh. First of all, Palm Thunder was a High-level Technique rarely seen on the market. Even if players had money, they didn’t necessarily have a way to buy it. Now, they could get it just by joining the Longevity Sect.

Still, one had to be at the Qi Refining Middle Stage to practice it; redeeming it in the Early Stage would be useless.

By doing odd jobs and running errands for the Sect, most players had accumulated a few dozen points by now.

Not to mention that a single low-grade spirit stone could be exchanged for ten points, so 500 points was actually quite easy to get.

She needed to grow the sect, and she couldn’t have the players slacking off.

Dangling these carrots in front of them would make them more motivated.

As for those who still weren’t willing to put in the effort and insisted on being lifestyle players—well, they were just lucky to have gotten into the game at all!

Song Jiulai couldn’t exactly force them to join the rat race.

Fortunately, most of the current players were willing to put in the effort.

Song Jiulai posted all the Secret Techniques, keeping just one for herself. After all, once she finished learning it, she could just post it for sale as well.

Then there was the matter of the thirty new slots...

Song Jiulai considered it. ’Since the system already gave me these slots, it probably won’t be adding more people in the near future.’

’I might as well release them along with this major version update event.’

Reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage in six months was no small goal.

The system was being uncharacteristically generous this time, which made her even more excited to see what rewards would be given out for the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Song Jiulai first examined the rewarded Secret Techniques. It looked like the system had given her one basic Secret Technique for each discipline.

For example, there was the technique for making Jiezidai from Artifact Refining, the Spirit Grass Cultivation Spirit Liquid from the Medicine Sect, and a cultivation Secret Technique for Beast Taming.

The first two were the most important, as they were things the players desperately needed and that she couldn’t afford to procure in large quantities.

A Jiezidai was used for storage. The one she was currently using was a gift from Su Huanli and had a rather large internal space.

And both Artifact Refining and Alchemy required basic equipment.

Namely, a Fire Pool for Artifact Refining and a Furnace for Alchemy.

’Looks like a major procurement trip is unavoidable.’

’Hopefully, the players will be sensible and donate all their Spirit Stones.’

’That Palm Thunder and those Secret Techniques are just sitting there, looking so tempting.’

Song Jiulai eagerly set off back to the sect. Since entering the Qi Refining Middle Stage, she had fought quite a few Second-tier Demon Beasts on the First Mountain. Now, she felt as light as a swallow; traveling with her Spiritual Energy was much faster than before.

This time, it took her only a day to return to the Longevity Sect.

The first person Song Jiulai saw upon returning to the Longevity Sect was A Wu.

A Wu had spent this time in the Longevity Sect leading the junior disciples who hadn’t gone out to diligently plant Spirit Grass. Now, thanks to Chen Miaomiao’s foundational reforms, so much Spirit Grass had been planted that there were no barren spots left on all of Feique Mountain.

Because of this, the first thing A Wu said when he saw Song Jiulai was a small complaint: "Sect Master, there are even more Stealing Spirit Mice coming to steal the Spirit Grass now."

"Er... about that, when the group of junior disciples from the First Mountain returns, they’ll figure out a way to solve it."

’They’ve reached the Qi Refining Middle Stage. It would be strange if they didn’t raise a spiritual beast.’

’These Stealing Spirit Mice are being saved for them.’

Song Jiulai beckoned to A Wu. "Come here, I have something good for you."

A Wu walked over, his big eyes wide as he looked at Song Jiulai. "Sect Master, what is it?"

With a flip of her hand, two Jade Scrolls appeared in her palm, emitting a gentle glow—the Palm Thunder Technique and the Secret Method of Cultivating Spiritual Grass and Spirit Liquid. "This is the Initial-stage Palm Thunder and the secret method for the Spirit Grass Cultivation Spirit Liquid. I went to a lot of trouble to get these. Study them well."

A Wu’s eyes instantly went wide.

He cried out in excited disbelief, "Sect Master!"

’Palm Thunder!’

It was one of the most coveted Cultivation Techniques for the Qi Refinement Realm, something A Wu had only ever heard about. But it was far too expensive.

Even among the senior disciples of the Feique Sect, not everyone could practice it.

Amid his excitement, A Wu also felt a surge of panic. "You... you were gone for so long. What were you doing out there?"

’How could the Sect Master possibly get such an expensive Cultivation Technique?’

"Are you suggesting I went out and robbed someone?" Song Jiulai asked, amused. "Do you think with my strength, I’d be the one robbing others and not the other way around?"

A Wu scratched his head. "That’s true. At the Qi Refinement Realm, we’re the ones who get robbed."

Song Jiulai was speechless.

Song Jiulai said earnestly, "A Wu, just know that this Cultivation Technique was obtained through proper channels. Just focus on your own training."

A Wu had been in the Longevity Sect for many years, always diligently helping the Old Sect Master manage their small corner of the world, working hard without a single complaint.

’This kid is practically the Sect’s only true inheritance.’

’How could Song Jiulai not treat him a little better?’

’Besides, the system only specified that she couldn’t give things to non-Sect members.’

A Wu accepted the Jade Scrolls, extremely excited. "Don’t worry, Sect Master, I’ll definitely train hard!"

"Also, this Secret Technique is for the Spirit Grass Cultivation Spirit Liquid. It belongs to the Medicine Sect, so just study it in secret. Don’t reveal it to anyone."

’After all, the Longevity Sect was just a small sect. Bringing out too many good things would attract a lot of unwanted attention.’

A Wu nodded vigorously. "Mhm, Sect Master, I will."

A Wu was very obedient now. For instance, he wouldn’t question how Song Jiulai had obtained such things.

’Song Jiulai is the Daughter of Destiny. It’s only natural for her to have such amazing treasures.’

Meanwhile, the system posted an announcement on the official social media account about the thirty new slots and the version update, just as Song Jiulai had planned.

[Starting with a broken sect: Hello everyone! The game’s first no-wipe update, version 1.001, is about to begin. With this update, we are opening another thirty slots. Same rules as always: first come, first served!

The game would like to reiterate: There is no resurrection mechanic. We urge all players to cherish their one precious life.]

As soon as the post went live, the account’s followers immediately started complaining again.

[Freaking thirty slots? You release them like you’re squeezing toothpaste. Can’t you just be generous and launch the open beta already?]

[Do you want your sect to get bigger and stronger or not? If you do, then let us all in!]

However, some people who saw this message immediately became laser-focused.

"They’re opening up new slots. Everyone, get ready."

"Issue this as an urgent mission. Whoever manages to grab a slot gets in the game. They’ll submit a report afterward, and then we’ll finally know what’s going on."

"..."

Meanwhile, in his rented apartment, Zhen Qiang also saw the post.

His spirits soared instantly, and his eyes welled up with tears.

"This time, I will take back everything I’ve lost!"