Chapter 46: Within the Cycle of Reincarnation

This time, Qin Chengming was extremely capricious in his selection of people. He merely glanced at them a few times, didn't ask a single question, and chose two stewards, two guards, and two children from among them.

Among the candidates for steward, the two he picked weren't the most outstanding. He was relying entirely on intuition, not even bothering to inquire about their skills, making his choices in such a careless manner—simply selecting the two who seemed the most pleasing to his eye.

The two stewards, Lin Qiao and Song Yu, happened to divide neatly into an inner steward and an outer steward. The inner steward is responsible for everything within the residence, including social affairs. The outer steward manages all travel and external matters. Qin Chengming didn't specify who would take which role, leaving it up to them to discuss and decide.

As for the guards, he originally didn't want any. They were merely martial artists of the Earth level, whose combat ability was negligible. Even one of his mining puppets, slightly modified and fitted with a mid-grade spirit stone (from the Eighth Realm), could easily dispatch two Earth-level warriors. If not for Liu Gui's disapproving gaze fixed upon him, he would have refused them altogether. But for the sake of future peace, he randomly picked two who looked the most agreeable. Four would have been too many; economizing wherever possible seemed best.

Among the group of children, he found several pleasing, but this time he chose only two. Once selected, these children would become his trusted aides, people he needed to nurture carefully.

Currently, he was someone who only knew how to spend and not how to earn. Relying solely on the basic monthly stipend, if not for the families of his subordinates contributing extra funds, he wouldn't even be able to pay the monthly allowance, let alone afford to cultivate them.

Having fewer people would ease the burden. If he ever gained the ability, he could always add more later.

Even picking these six consumed half an afternoon for Qin Chengming. He didn't bother personally with the rough servants; those were chosen to handle menial tasks and might not be with him long-term. He simply handed the matter over to the inner steward and went back to revising his cultivation method.

Time without worries always passes quickly.

At the academy, since it wasn't the admissions period, many who needed outdoor training were not present within the family compound.

Today, only the alchemy and artifact forging instructors were in attendance. Even the talisman teacher, who rarely ventured outside, had taken the students out to familiarize themselves with materials for making talismans.

It wasn’t that the other instructors had any opinions about him; it was simply a matter of timing. According to his guide, the reason was that last night, a massive mountain suddenly appeared out at sea, and it was rich with resources. The surrounding families had all mobilized to seize those resources.

Thus, aside from the guards, only those with little martial power remained at home—like himself. Nearly everyone else was gone. Even the two Earth-level warriors he had just recruited were sent out to help.

The alchemy and artifact forging teachers stayed behind because they were still recovering from injuries sustained during their last expedition.

The academy was not far from where he lived, its steps higher than the surrounding buildings, visible from a distance without needing to approach. Its six grand doors suggested how many people it could accommodate within.

When Qin Chengming entered, it was rather quiet. On the left side of the hall sat a short, plump old man, whose legs seemed troubled; he was seated in a wheelchair, teaching another elderly man, gesturing at something on the table. Seventeen or eighteen children sat below, making the hall feel empty.

He didn't know either of the teachers on the dais, but he bowed politely in their direction. “Greetings, sirs! Today is my first day reporting in.” He hadn’t settled on the name he would use in the future, and wasn't sure whether he should introduce himself as Jiang Chengming, so he muddled through.

The old man on the right glanced at him, said nothing, and put his things back into the box on the table.

The short, plump elder smiled. “Rise, no need for formalities. Just call me Elder Qin. You’re the one registered under the second branch, right? You look decent enough, but I heard your spiritual root is lacking?”

Qin Chengming responded politely, “It is indeed lacking. When the Sound Gate recruited, I was tested. The first test said I passed, but the second declared I had all spiritual roots—too mixed to qualify.”

Elder Qin waved his hand. “What does it matter if your spiritual roots are mixed? As long as you have wood and fire, alchemy won’t be a problem. The other teachers are busy for now, so just follow me and learn the basics of alchemy. For any extra time, you can visit the library, look for a foundational cultivation method suitable for you, and see if you can draw Qi into your body to reach the ‘innate’ stage.”

Qin Chengming was puzzled. Isn’t drawing Qi into the body the start of the Qi Refining stage? Where did this ‘innate’ come from? But since the elder spoke so casually, it must be common knowledge here. Better not ask rashly; he could learn more later.

He asked another question instead. “May I go to the library? Do I need contribution points? As Elder Qin knows, I’ve just arrived and haven’t earned any points yet.”

Elder Qin smiled. “You only need basic knowledge right now; the first floor will suffice. The first and second floors of the library are open for family members to read freely. Only copying, taking books away, or accessing higher floors requires contribution points.

How about this: I have some matters today and can’t settle my mind to teach you. Take this detailed herbal guide home and memorize it. Come back the day after tomorrow at this time. If you wish to learn alchemy, you must know this book thoroughly. Even if you don’t, when venturing into secret realms or training, you’ll need this knowledge. Otherwise, if a celestial herb appears at your feet and you don’t recognize it, you’ll miss out on plenty. Am I right?”

He handed Qin Chengming a large stack of books. “See how considerate I am? I’ve prepared all the books for you, so you don’t need to spend contribution points printing them.”

Qin Chengming’s eyes nearly popped out. Was this a detailed herbal guide? It was a whole pile! With so many books, forget memorizing—he couldn’t even read through them all by the day after tomorrow! But of course, he couldn’t say that. It was his first day, and he needed to make a good impression for future interactions.

He silently took the books, bowed deeply—almost unable to straighten up under the weight—and forced out his thanks, tears in his eyes. “Thank you, Elder Qin! I will finish reading them as soon as possible.”