I have a panel that reduces proficiency.

Chapter 11 Reorganizing the Battlefield

Fang Shi exclaimed in surprise, "Sure enough, when people are pushed to the limit, they're capable of anything."

Wu Tong shook his head and said, "Brother Fang, you're wrong. He's not a rogue cultivator."

Fang Shi asked, "Who is it?"

Wu Tong said, "They are the top disciples of the Three Plates Temple!"

……

In the center of Qiyuan Town, there is a side hall of the Sanpan Temple.

Zhou Yan sat on the high platform, with a huge landscape screen hanging behind him. The screen depicted the sea of ​​clouds and pine waves of Sanpan Mountain, with vigorous brushstrokes and a magnificent atmosphere.

Before him was a long sandalwood table, on which lay teacups, a token, several books, and a sheathed longsword.

The scabbard was pure white, with a faint shimmering light flowing through it.

Below the high platform, kneeling were six or seven stewards, all of whom were the heads of the stewards in Qiyuan Town.

They all lowered their heads and looked meek, not daring to utter a sound.

In the middle was Manager Tian, ​​who was in charge of rent.

Kneeling beside him was Wu, the steward in charge of household registration.

One of them managed the money, and the other managed the people. They colluded with each other, with one adding a few households to the list for the other and the other deducting a few for the other, to exploit the unaffiliated monks.

Then there was Steward Zhu, who was in charge of public facilities; Steward Sun, who was in charge of night patrols; and Steward Zhao, who was in charge of the allocation of spiritual energy...

In total, there were six or seven people who managed everything in Qiyuan Town, from rent to household registration, from road repair to night patrols, from irrigation canals to spiritual energy. They encompassed everything in Qiyuan Town.

They usually conspire together and do whatever they want, but now they're all kneeling here, strung together like a string of grasshoppers.

Zhou Yan asked, "They're all here?"

Steward Tian hurriedly replied, "Reporting to the Immortal Master, they've all arrived, they've all arrived."

Zhou Yan's gaze swept over the group of people, finally landing on Steward Tian's face. He asked, "Steward Tian, ​​do you have anything to say about Huang Yuanshan's matter?"

Manager Tian stiffened slightly, sweat trickling down his face and dripping onto the ground. His voice trembled as he said, "Immortal... Immortal Master, I truly know nothing about Huang Yuanshan's matter. Huang Yuanshan was sent by the temple; I was only in charge of renting out property, nothing else is my concern!"

Zhou Yan didn't say anything, just quietly looked at him.

Manager Tian could only kowtow heavily, his forehead hitting the brick floor with a dull thud.

Zhou Yan turned his gaze to Manager Wu and asked, "Manager Wu, what about you?"

Manager Wu trembled and said, "Immortal... Immortal Master, I am only in charge of household registration. I have never heard of Huang Yuanshan's matter..."

Zhou Yan smiled faintly and said, "Never heard of it? Good thing you don't know, good thing."

Manager Wu's body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, his forehead pressed tightly against the earth, barely daring to breathe.

Zhou Yan then looked at Steward Zhu, Steward Sun, and Steward Zhao, pointing to them one by one.

"Master, I only know how to repair roads and mend walls; I don't understand or know anything else!"

"My lord, please understand. I am only on night patrol and know nothing about what happens during the day, let alone about Huang Yuanshan..."

"Immortal... Immortal Master, I only manage the allocation of spiritual energy and never concern myself with anything else. As for Huang Yuanshan's matter... I... I truly know nothing about it..."

"..."

Zhou Yan said, "Then Huang Yuanshan was corrupt and embezzled excessively, breaking the rules of Sanpan Temple. He deserved to die. And you? You are all fair, honest, and incorruptible, right?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Steward Tian was the first to react, repeatedly kowtowing and saying, "Yes...yes! I am fair and honest, and would never dare to embezzle a single grain of spirit!"

Manager Wu quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes, I agree, I agree too!"

Manager Zhu, Manager Sun, Manager Zhao, and the others seemed to wake from a dream, and they all kowtowed and spoke at once.

"That's right, that's right! We subordinates are all fair and honest, and would never dare to break the rules of Sanpan Temple!"

"We know nothing about Huang Yuanshan's affairs, and we have absolutely no involvement in them!"

"Your Excellency, please bear witness! We are completely innocent and have not done anything wrong!"

For a moment, the hall was filled with the sounds of kowtowing and declarations of love, creating a chaotic scene.

Zhou Yan sat upright on the high platform, a half-smile on his face: "Alright, all of you, get up."

The group of people felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They kowtowed repeatedly, staggered to their feet, and stood hunched over, their legs still trembling.

Zhou Yan said, "In order to ensure that the array repair business in Qiyuan Town does not cause any more trouble, from today onwards, the matter of repairing arrays will be under my personal supervision."

The managers looked at each other, but none of them dared to utter a single word of dissent.

In the past, if someone from above came, they would only share some of the benefits and that would be it; direct intervention was a rare occurrence.

But this Zhou Yanxian, who even killed Huang Yuanshan without hesitation, what are these few people compared to him?

Manager Tian and the others bowed in unison and said, "We will obey the Immortal's command."

Zhou Yan added, "There is one more matter. In order to ensure future integrity and incorruptibility, I have decided to select a suitable person to be in charge of repairing the array. These days, some independent cultivators must have been repairing it for others in private. Go and make a list of those with outstanding skills, compile it into a book, and report it to me."

Upon hearing this, the managers assumed that Zhou Yan was going to arrange for his own people to take all the profits from the array repair and leave them with absolutely no chance to get involved.

Manager Tian immediately replied, "Immortal Master, rest assured, we will investigate as soon as we get back and report all the rogue cultivators with outstanding array-building skills."

Manager Wu, Manager Zhu, Manager Sun, Manager Zhao, and others chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes, we must find out! We must find out!"

Zhou Yan waved his hand and said, "Go."

The group felt as if they had been granted a pardon and bowed as they withdrew.

Once everyone else was in the side hall, a sinister voice suddenly echoed in Zhou Yan's mind, coldly saying, "You brat, why don't you let Huang Yuanshan loot all the spirit stones before you kill him? That way, the spirit stones are yours, and he gets the blame—wouldn't that be a huge profit?"

Zhou Yan remained calm and replied in his mind, "Senior, this method is inappropriate. Elder Xuanmu sent us here to clarify order and reorganize Qiyuan Town. Huang Yuanshan is corrupt, so killing him is justified. If we wait until he has amassed enough wealth before killing him, although the gains will be greater, it will offend Elder Xuanmu. If the elder finds out that I condone corruption and use killing to obtain wealth, I'm afraid I won't be able to save my own life. My life is a small matter, but ruining your important plans is absolutely unacceptable."

The sinister voice sneered, "You said it yourself, remember to retrieve what's buried under that formation as soon as possible. If you dare delay my important business, don't blame me for being impolite and taking your life."

Zhou Yan said, "Senior, rest assured, I will never forget this and will do my utmost to retrieve that item for you."

……

In essence, what happens in Sanpanguan is a struggle between the big shots.

But with a gust of wind and a crash of waves, it will eventually fall on the head of a rogue cultivator like Fang Shi.

What could he possibly do?

To file a complaint?

He didn't even know which way the gate of the Three Pan Temple faced.

Revolt?

He was just a lowly cultivator at the second level of Qi Refining, and he couldn't even beat Steward Tian.

Escape to the wilderness?

That's even more ridiculous—the spiritual energy outside the Great Wilderness is as impure as mud and sand, and there are many demonic beasts. Going there is not an escape, but a death sentence.

He could only tell himself that the Sanpan Temple was restoring order, and that killing Master Huang was to eliminate corruption, and that nothing else would happen.

So Fang Shi could only pretend nothing had happened, continuing to draw his talismans, eat his meals, and ponder when he could break through the "Little Water Cloud Technique".

He can't do anything else.

In the afternoon, the sun was beginning to set.

Fang Shi was walking the Seven Steps of Spirit Invocation in the courtyard, his steps following the seven star directions, three to the left and four to the right, advancing and retreating with measured steps. He slowly raised his hands, palms facing each other, as if holding a ball, and slowly drew the spiritual energy gathered from all around into his dantian.

The entire ceremony proceeded smoothly, much more so than it had two months ago.

[Seven Steps to Summon Spirits Proficiency +1]

【Seven Steps to Invoking Spirits (Beginner): 63/100】

Fang Shi stopped his attack and was about to go back to the house when he suddenly heard a knocking sound on the courtyard gate.

The way he knocked was neither hurried nor slow, but proper and orderly, unlike Wu Tong's hurried manner or the rude manner of those managers.

He stopped and went to open the door.

Standing outside the door was none other than Steward Tian.

Fang Shi was slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands and said, "Manager Tian, ​​what brings you here?"

Manager Tian seemed like a different person today. His round face was full of smiles, his mouth almost reaching his ears, his back was slightly bent, and even his voice was much softer: "Fellow Daoist Fang, are you busy? Sorry to bother you, sorry to bother you."

Fang Shi said, "Manager Tian, ​​you're too kind. May I ask what brings you here?"

Steward Tian took out a small cloth bag from his sleeve, held it with both hands and handed it over, saying, "Fellow Daoist Fang, these are four fragments of spirit essence. Please keep them safe."

Fang Shi took the cloth bag but didn't open it, saying, "Manager Tian, ​​what does this mean?"

Manager Tian smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, I overcharged you by four grains of rent these past two months. When I checked, I found that my subordinates had miscalculated. That's why I'm bringing them back to you to apologize."

Fang Shi remained expressionless and cupped his hands again, saying, "Manager Tian, ​​you're too kind. It's just a small matter, and you've gone to all this trouble."

Steward Tian said, "Of course, of course. Fellow Daoist Fang, there's one more thing—I've heard that you've repaired spirit-locking arrays for many fellow Daoists these days, and your skills are quite excellent. Is that true?"

Fang Shi said, "That's true. I was just helping out my neighbors. I wouldn't dare say my skills are excellent, but I managed to fix it."

Manager Tian said, "Fellow Daoist Fang is too modest. I came today to verify which fellow Daoists you have repaired arrays for, what arrays you repaired, and how many times you repaired them. Because of Huang Yuanshan's matter, the higher-ups are investigating, and the business of repairing arrays needs to be reorganized. If Fellow Daoist Fang has this skill, I will report it truthfully, and perhaps I can get a proper array repair job."

Fang Shi knew he couldn't hide these things anyway, so he immediately told her about the family formation he had been working on for the past month.

Manager Tian nodded as he listened, saying, "Very good, very good. Fellow Daoist Fang's skills are indeed outstanding. I will report this truthfully when I get back, and I will certainly not let Fellow Daoist Fang's abilities go to waste."

Fang Shi said, "Thank you for your trouble, Manager Tian."

Manager Tian said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, if you need anything in the future, please feel free to come to me. We are all old folks in Qiyuan Town, it's only right that we look after each other."

Fang Shi said, "Thank you, Steward Tian."

Manager Tian exchanged a few more polite words before taking his leave.

After closing the courtyard gate and returning to the courtyard, Fang Shi opened the cloth bag and found four fragments of spirit.

As for what Manager Tian said about "a proper job repairing the formations".

The Sanpan Temple is such a large sect, there must be countless disciples who know how to cultivate formations. If you randomly pick one of them, wouldn't he be better than a rogue cultivator?

If we need to find someone from outside, then Li Daoyuan and Huang Yuanshan, don't they both have connections and backgrounds?

He's just a nobody cultivator, why should it be his turn?

Thinking too much is pointless. I should first prepare dinner, finish drawing today's talismans, and practice tonight's cultivation technique.

……

The next morning, Fang Shi was cooking porridge in the kitchen when he suddenly heard someone knocking on the courtyard gate.

Upon opening the door, two young Taoist boys stood outside, dressed in the gray robes of the Sanpan Temple, with wooden plaques tied around their waists and holding a booklet in their hands.

The slightly older young Taoist on the left spoke up: "Is this Fellow Daoist Fang Shi?"

Fang Shi cupped his hands and said, "Indeed. May I ask what brings you two celestial children here?"

The boy said, "By order of Dean Zhou Yan, Fellow Daoist Fang is invited to a meeting at noon today in the side hall of the Sanpan Villa. This is the invitation."

As he spoke, he took a piece of paper from the booklet and handed it over with both hands.

Fang Shi took the paper and saw that it had a few lines of text on it, which was to invite him to a side hall of the Sanpan Villa for a chat. At the end of the letter was a vermilion seal with the four characters "Sanpan Villa".

Fang Shi said, "Thank you, two celestial children. I will certainly go then."

The two young Taoist boys nodded and turned to leave.

Fang Shi closed the door, stood in the courtyard, and looked at the invitation again.

What does Sanpan Bieyuan ask me to do?

He recalled what Steward Tian had said yesterday about "a proper job of array repair," and couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Could it really be true?

At noon, Fang Shi changed into a clean blue Taoist robe, tucked the invitation into his pocket, locked the courtyard gate, and headed towards the Sanpan Villa.

After crossing two streets and turning onto the bluestone avenue, you can see the magnificent gatehouse in the distance.

After the young Taoist priest at the entrance inquired about his purpose, a special person led him inside.

After passing through the first courtyard and the second courtyard, we turned towards the east side hall.

Upon reaching the entrance of a hall, the young Taoist priest who had led the way stopped and said, "Fellow Taoist Fang, we have arrived. Please wait here for a moment."

Fang Shi looked up and saw that there were already eight people standing in the hall, all of whom were rogue cultivators who knew how to build formations.

When they saw him come in, those who knew him nodded and greeted him, while those who didn't watched him coldly.

Fang Shi nodded in response, and the audience's expressions were...

Some independent cultivators looked expectant, feeling that this was an opportunity to rise to the top in one step.

Some disagreed, believing that Sanpanguan would not hand over such a lucrative position to outsiders.

Some remained calm and composed, showing no emotion.

Suddenly, a loud voice announced from outside the door: "Dean Zhou has arrived!"

The unaffiliated monks in the hall unconsciously straightened up.

A young Taoist priest, about twenty years old, walked in through the door. He was handsome with delicate features, wearing a turban and an apricot-yellow Taoist robe. A gold sash with a three-colored cloud pattern embroidered on it was tied around his waist, which was the mark of a disciple of the Sanpan Temple.

Zhou Yan walked to the grand chair in the center of the hall and sat down. He glanced at the rogue cultivators present, smiled slightly, and said, "Fellow Daoists, there is no need to be nervous. My surname is Zhou, and my given name is Yan. I have invited you here today for no other reason than that the array cultivator camp in Qiyuan Town has run into some trouble and needs to be reorganized."

"You have all probably heard about Huang Yuanshan's matter. Sanpan Temple has always been honest and upright, and has dealt with him according to the sect rules. From now on, I will personally oversee the array cultivation affairs in Qiyuan Town, and I will never allow such deception to happen again."

"As for the selection of people to repair the array, after much thought, I've decided that instead of sending people from the temple, it would be better to use local talent. You are all elders of Qiyuan Town, familiar with the array formations here, and you understand the difficulties faced by independent cultivators better than outsiders. Therefore, I have decided to select suitable individuals from among you to be in charge of repairing the array."

"Monthly fee: 100 spirit coins."

"As for the method of assessment, those spirit-locking arrays, you've lived in Qiyuan Town for so many years, you can all handle them with your eyes closed, that won't test your true abilities. I will test you with a new array, one that I've never seen before. Whoever recognizes it quickly, understands it deeply, and uses it accurately will be selected."