Chapter 3: Foundation Establishment White Ape

In the main hall atop Celestial Gate Mountain, Lechuan sat on the high seat. Hearing Fang Qingyuan’s alarmed words, he pressed his fingers to his temples and consoled him.

"Don’t worry. We’re short-handed these days, and there’s much to be done. For now, you can temporarily take the post of Sea Patrol, responsible for managing the tribes and clans south of Celestial Gate Mountain. When my disciples return from Zongshan, it won’t be too late for you to step down."

Tianshan Villa originally had only one Sea Patrol. Now, Lechuan wanted to add four more, stationing them around Celestial Gate Mountain. Fang Qingyuan was the one Lechuan had in mind for the new southern post.

Since Lechuan had put it that way, Fang Qingyuan didn’t dare refuse any longer. Besides, the post of Sea Patrol was quite a desirable one.

The Sea Patrol was responsible for investigating official matters and mediating disputes, a role somewhat like a police officer in modern society.

Previously, Tianshan Villa had a Sea Patrol, but the position had limited function and held little prestige. With the Wei Family situated right next to the villa, there were many matters that the Sea Patrol had neither the authority nor the ability to handle.

But now, the Wei Family had relocated to the Shandu Land Realm in White Mountain, leaving this vast territory in need of governance. As a result, the original Sea Patrol was no longer sufficient.

And so, Lechuan decided to add new Sea Patrols to lighten his burden. However, after searching high and low, he was shocked to find he had no one available for the posts.

In the past, the Sea Patrol positions had always been filled by Core Disciples. But now, the only ten or so Core Disciples were all tied up with duties on the three major peaks and couldn’t be spared.

Huo Hu, the Peak Master of Precepts Peak, was still recuperating at the former Wei Family estate and not handling any affairs. All his duties had fallen to three Core Disciples—and they were already thinking of asking Lechuan for more help.

The Peak Master of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak was dead, and a successor had yet to be chosen. Lechuan was saving the position for his own Direct Disciple and hadn’t appointed anyone, so Miscellaneous Affairs Peak was also relying entirely on Core Disciples to keep things running.

Only the Peak Master of Instructor Peak was still active, but the triennial sect-enrolment ceremony was in full swing, leaving them with no energy to spare for other matters.

That was the situation in a nutshell. Lechuan had no other choice but to pick someone from the Inner Sect Disciples to fill the post for the time being. In another three months, after his disciples had handled their affairs at Zongshan, they would lead their clan here. The situation would improve greatly then.

’This is an opportunity,’ Fang Qingyuan thought to himself. First, the benefits for a Sea Patrol were on par with those of a Core Disciple.

Core Disciples received a monthly stipend of fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones, access to higher-quality Elixir Pills, and other material benefits such as Daoist Robes and Talismans.

All told, the sect spent over one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones on each Core Disciple every month.

Second, a Sea Patrol managed people, and management meant there would be... unofficial perks.

’Compared to taking Yinbao out to run the ferry every day, the Sea Patrol post is a much better fit for me,’ Fang Qingyuan thought. ’Of course, it’s absolutely not because of the great benefits and potential kickbacks. I’m doing this purely to lighten the sect’s burden. My intentions are completely noble.’

Although Fang Qingyuan had made up his mind to accept, he still intended to angle for whatever advantages he could. He turned to Lechuan and said,

"I am honored by your faith in me, Villa Master. This disciple will certainly do his utmost to lighten your burdens. However, I am only at the Qi Refining Fourth Level. I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep those newly-affiliated clans in line."

Lechuan frowned. ’He has a point,’ he thought. In the past, Sea Patrols were all Core Disciples, every one of them at Late-stage Qi Cultivation. They were even accompanied by Spirit Beasts of the same level, so their safety was never a concern.

’But Fang Qingyuan is only at the Qi Refining Fourth Level and doesn’t have a War Beast or Spirit Pet. His combat prowess is a real concern. If a fight were to break out, wouldn’t he bring disgrace upon Beast Taming Mountain?’

After a moment of consideration, Lechuan said,

"Alright, here’s what we’ll do. Take my personal token and go to the Beast Cages to borrow an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Spirit Beast. It will serve as your War Beast for the time being. When you no longer hold the post of Sea Patrol, you will return it to the sect."

Fang Qingyuan’s face lit up with joy upon hearing Lechuan’s words. He hurriedly expressed his thanks.

"Thank you for your generosity, Villa Master! With a Foundation Establishment War Beast to assist me, I won’t have to worry about disgracing the sect."

Lechuan nodded, took out a Token, and tossed it to Fang Qingyuan, gesturing for him to leave. However, Fang Qingyuan lingered, shuffling his feet as if he had something else to say.

Noticing this, Lechuan stopped him.

"Is there something else?"

Fang Qingyuan said hesitantly,

"The southern region of Celestial Gate Mountain is vast and fertile, home to numerous Cultivation Clans and Loose Cultivators. I’m afraid I won’t be able to manage it all by myself. I humbly request a few junior brothers from you, Villa Master, to provide assistance."

Hearing Fang Qingyuan ask for manpower on top of everything else, Lechuan glared at him and snapped,

"I have no one to give you! Figure it out yourself. As long as you don’t come asking me for men, I don’t care how many you recruit on your own."

Seeing Fang Qingyuan still lingering, Lechuan waved his hand. A flash of Spiritual Power shot out and unceremoniously shoved Fang Qingyuan out of the great hall.

Outside the doors, Fang Qingyuan started down the mountain with a long face, but by the time he reached the Beast Cages, he could no longer hold back a joyful grin.

’With that one sentence from Lechuan, I have the authority to recruit as I please,’ he thought. ’This means I’m no longer a commander without a single soldier.’

’Going it alone and gathering a following each have their merits. But, heavily influenced by the thinking of his past life, Fang Qingyuan firmly believed that there was strength in numbers.’

Arriving at the Beast Cages, Fang Qingyuan found the senior brother on duty. He presented the token from Lechuan, stated his purpose, and was led into the deepest part of the facility.

"Junior Brother Fang, to be honest, our Tianshan Villa never had many Foundation Establishment Spirit Beasts in the Beast Cages to begin with. Factoring in the ones already on loan, there are only three left for you to choose from."

The speaker was a Core Disciple at Late-stage Qi Cultivation named Tian Ziyi, a look of helplessness on his chubby face.

All the good Foundation Establishment Spirit Beasts had been checked out by well-connected individuals, leaving only the problematic ones. Though they were officially on "loan," Tian Ziyi knew he’d never get them back unless Lechuan himself got involved.

Fang Qingyuan wasn’t particularly disappointed by this. ’Three is better than none,’ he thought. ’I’m lucky to have a choice at all.’

"Don’t worry about it, Senior Brother Tian," Fang Qingyuan said. "I’m acting on official business for the sect. As long as it’s a Foundation Establishment Spirit Beast, it will suffice."

Tian Ziyi’s expression faltered at Fang Qingyuan’s words. After a moment of internal struggle, he leaned in and whispered,

"When you go in, pick the ape."

A genial smile touched Fang Qingyuan’s lips after receiving Tian Ziyi’s tip, and he strode into the enclosures.

’From the very beginning, I could tell Tian Ziyi was an upright person,’ Fang Qingyuan mused. ’Or rather, "upright" is just a nice way of saying stubborn and inflexible. Otherwise, with his status as a Core Disciple, he wouldn’t have been relegated to watching over the Beast Cages.’

’A person like that won’t accept bribes like Spirit Stones. If I had tried to grease his palm, it would have only offended him.’

’The best approach was to be professional and stick to business. And look what happened—it earned me a valuable tip.’

Stepping into the enclosures, Fang Qingyuan saw three sections before him: the Python Garden, the Eagle Garden, and the Ape Garden.

He didn’t hesitate, heading straight for the Ape Garden on the left. Once inside, Fang Qingyuan saw a White Ape over two zhang tall sizing him up, its enormous eyes filled with a scrutinizing gaze.

Fang Qingyuan felt as if its gaze could see right through him, but his expression remained unchanged. He walked directly before the White Ape, performed a formal bow, and spoke.

"Inner Sect Disciple Fang Qingyuan, acting on the orders of the Villa Master, has come to request that Senior emerge and grant me protection."