WDMJST 09

Chapter 9

The Food Pavilion and the Straw Hut

Before long, a bamboo-built pavilion came into view.

On the door were written two large characters — “Food Pavilion.”

Outside, there were small bridges and flowing water, scenes of a mortal world. From within the house, waves of fragrance drifted out.

However, in Su Ling’er’s eyes, none of this was simple.

Could it be that they wanted to use such appearances to conceal some evil truth within?

She absolutely refused to believe that a demonic sect would have such a normal place for eating meals.

Lin Qingfeng saw that his junior sister once again stopped at the doorway, lost in thought, and helplessly waved his hand in front of her face:

“Junior Sister? Junior Sister? Come back to your senses!”

—So this was what they called a “high-intelligence NPC”?

A “high-intelligence” that could get stuck while walking a few steps?

Su Ling’er suddenly returned to her senses and hurriedly cupped her hands toward her senior brother, saying:

“Your junior sister was raised in the mortal world, having seen many facets of the world’s vulgarities, yet has never before seen such an elegant dining establishment. For a moment I forgot to speak—please forgive me, Senior Brother.”

Lin Qingfeng muttered inwardly — why did that sound like she just made it up on the spot?

Could it be that the program just generated that line?

Still, he nodded slightly, accepting her explanation.

“No need to mind, Junior Sister. You’ll be coming here often from now on.”

And so, the two stepped over the threshold of the Food Pavilion.

Behind the door, a wave of heat mixed with oil smoke and human voices surged toward them.

Beneath their feet was the most chaotic “Mortal Food Area.” Hundreds of disciples crowded here, using mortal iron pots and firewood to cook grains and vegetables soaked with worldly impurities.

Impurities!

Although cultivators were not entirely forbidden from eating grains, after eating they had to spend spiritual power to expel the impurities from their bodies.

If the impurities accumulated over time, it would harm their cultivation rather than benefit it.

Those disciples with good aptitude or wealthy family backgrounds had long begun to take Fasting Pills and severed themselves from mortal food entirely.

Yet here, eating mortal food was actually the norm.

Did they not find it troublesome to expel impurities each time?

Su Ling’er’s gaze passed beyond a screen toward the “Spiritual Food Area.”

There, disciples were cooking strange flowers and spiritual herbs, and even meat from demonic beasts.

The prices written on the wooden boards hanging on the wall made her instantly step back.

A single portion of [Steamed Dragon-Saliva Fish] actually cost eighty low-grade spirit stones!

That’s outright robbery!

At Qingxu Temple, her monthly allowance was only three spirit stones. She’d have to go without food and drink for more than two years just to afford one dish here.

As her gaze moved deeper into the space, she saw a few private rooms carved from “Demon-Repelling Divine-Thunder Bamboo.”

Just then, one of the doors opened, and a disciple hurriedly walked out.

At the instant the door opened and closed, she caught a glimpse of the guests inside—their clothing so luxurious that they were clearly not ordinary disciples of the Gui Xi Sect.

Could these people be the sect’s secret enforcers?

Or perhaps major cultivation clans colluding with demonic sects?

This couldn’t possibly be an ordinary dining hall!

This was obviously a training ground!

The “Mortal Food Area” was a quagmire meant to wear down low-level disciples’ cultivation paths—forcing them to spend energy each day expelling impurities, so that senior disciples never had to fear being surpassed by newcomers.

And the “Spiritual Food Area” was the bait hanging above their heads—using exorbitant prices to tempt those in the Mortal Food Area.

Forcing them to labor like donkeys for the sect, all for a single bite of spiritual food that could advance their cultivation!

She thought back to her time at Qingxu Temple, when she had begged in vain for a single Blood-Congealing Grass.

For inner disciples, they only needed to complete a mission to obtain it. But for outer disciples like her, those missions could mean nine deaths for every life.

Moreover, the sect would never assign such missions to low-aptitude outer disciples in the first place.

Even if they survived, such spiritual herbs were not meant for those of inferior talent—it would be a waste to give them any.

They could only save spirit stones painstakingly to buy them from the cultivation market, or secretly from inner disciples.

At this thought, she even felt that these demonic sect disciples, though like donkeys chasing a carrot, at least had a carrot to chase.

Compared to Qingxu Temple—where they couldn’t even see the carrot…

But no matter where one went, new disciples like her were always at the very bottom of the ladder, being exploited.

Just as her thoughts were surging, a miserable scream came from a corner.

A disciple suddenly collapsed, frothing at the mouth and convulsing violently.

The cook beside him did not panic—instead, he rushed over excitedly.

While recording the man’s condition, he pulled out a few spirit stones and tossed them to the fallen disciple:

“Thanks, Junior Brother. This is your payment. I’ll come find you next time I have a new recipe.”

The fallen man twitched as he picked up the spirit stones, mumbling, “Thank you… Please come again next time…”

Su Ling’er was dumbfounded.

They were using living people to test the effects of poisonous dishes?!

And the man actually sold both his dignity and life for a few spirit stones?!

If he dies, how will he continue cultivating?

Does this sect have any moral bottom line at all?

Lin Qingfeng looked around, calculating inwardly.

This NPC’s aptitude is too poor. If I invest too many spirit stones and she doesn’t yield returns, it’d be a loss.

The Mortal Food Area was cheap—maybe he’d even get a pleasant surprise.

He smiled and said, “Junior Sister, observe. Our sect is carefree and at ease.

Here, fellow disciples may spar and discuss the Dao while eating, exchanging insights.

Though accidents occasionally happen, they’re still a part of cultivation.”

Cultivation?

You call this cultivation?!

Using your own sectmates as poison testers counts as cultivation?!

Su Ling’er screamed internally, but on the surface she squeezed out an expression of yearning and bowed respectfully:

“So that’s how it is—this little sister has been enlightened. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother.”

Senior Brother, please, for the sake of my poor aptitude, don’t make me eat mortal food as punishment…

But reality was cruel.

Lin Qingfeng led her past the Spiritual Food Area, ignoring the luxurious private rooms, and went straight toward the Mortal Food Area where someone had just been “poisoned and collapsed”!

Even someone with my poor aptitude is being targeted like this?!

This demonic sect is too ruthless!

“Come, Junior Sister. The dishes here are the most abundant—order whatever you like. It’s my treat.”

Su Ling’er understood instantly—this was intimidation!

He wanted to force her, in front of everyone, to eat this impurity-filled mortal food and ruin her cultivation!

He was using her to set an example for all the low-level disciples!

If someone of poor aptitude could break the rules, how could the others continue to endure their suffering?

Moments later, a plate of glistening braised pork was placed before her.

Though it looked appetizing, in her eyes it was no different from pig slop.

She pressed her lips together and sat motionless.

Lin Qingfeng looked puzzled.

Did she think that, now that she’d entered an immortal sect, she was above mortal food?

That was understandable—but he couldn’t just spend a fortune to feed a low-aptitude NPC with spiritual food, right?

If she couldn’t handle the medicinal power, what if something went wrong?

Thinking of this, he went to the sample counter and brought back two trays.

On the left tray sat a white jade bowl filled with translucent soup exuding immortal aura — [White Jade Dew Soup].

On the right tray was a quivering lump of flesh, as if a living creature’s brain — [Brain of Abyssal Writhing].

[White Jade Dew Soup]

Buff: “Heart of Ice Technique (Beginner)”
Duration: 10 minutes
Effect: Increases mental focus.
Possible side effects for low cultivation levels.

Su Ling’er instantly understood.

This wasn’t a treat — this was blatant coercion!

The White Jade Dew Soup was a reward for obedience, while that writhing lump was a warning for defiance!

She tentatively reached toward the white jade bowl, but saw Lin Qingfeng’s brows furrow slightly.

He didn’t want her to eat that one?

Her heart tightened. She slowly shifted her hand toward the writhing black dish instead.

And at that moment — her senior brother’s face revealed… a satisfied smile!

He smiled!

He actually smiled?!

Was he going to make her, before everyone’s eyes, eat this deadly poison and enjoy watching her writhe in pain?!

In that instant, her fear turned into overwhelming indignation.

I am a righteous cultivator, born beneath heaven and earth with a clear heart — how could I suffer such humiliation?

Even if I die, I’ll die with dignity!

At least before death, I’ll taste spiritual food once!

That soup looked ethereal — even if it wasn’t true spiritual food, it must be the finest mortal delicacy. I’ve never eaten anything like it in my life!

So, under Lin Qingfeng’s stunned gaze, she pulled the White Jade Dew Soup in front of her.

With the tragic resolve of a hero marching to his death, she scooped up a spoonful of crystalline soup and swallowed it.

The moment it entered her body, a piercing chill exploded from her dantian!

Her face turned as pale as paper.

She understood instantly.

Both were poison!

One was instant death, the other a slow corrosion!

No matter which she chose, she couldn’t escape his poison!

“Junior Sister, why did you stop eating?”

Seeing that she’d only taken one bite, Lin Qingfeng pushed the Brain of Abyssal Writhing toward her again:

“This one, though… challenging in appearance and lacking color, aroma, and taste, is absolutely beneficial for you!”

Looking at the writhing black horror, Su Ling’er resisted violently inside.

To prove that she only wanted to live quietly and posed no threat, she suddenly pointed to the first dish of braised pork and began devouring it frantically!

“Mm… so delicious, Senior Brother! Thank you, Senior Brother!”

With her mouth full, she mumbled, “This is enough for me—I really can’t live without this!”

Lin Qingfeng was completely baffled. But not wanting to waste the buff, under Su Ling’er’s gaze he stuffed the writhing black object into his mouth.

A faint light flashed across his body.

Su Ling’er sensed his aura instantly grow stronger again!

He ate that poison, yet was unharmed—and even advanced in cultivation?!

Was he telling her that, before him, she was nothing but an ant to be crushed at will?

Lin Qingfeng sighed at the sight of this NPC once again lost in thought.

He quoted some “chicken soup for the soul” he’d read on the player forums and said gently:

“Junior Sister, you must understand—what’s past is but a prologue; what’s ahead is the grand path.

As long as you remain in our Gui Xi Sect, your cultivation path will be smooth and prosperous.

You’ll eat like this every day. Think carefully—staying here will be the best choice of your life.”

What’s past is a prologue, and the future is the grand path?

Was he saying that only by staying in this demonic lair, as a puppet to be controlled, could she survive?

The meal left her shaken. She could bear it no longer and asked tremblingly,

“Senior Brother, I… I feel a bit tired. Could you take me to my lodging to rest?”

Lin Qingfeng thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright. I’ll settle you in first. You can get familiar tomorrow.”

He led her out of the noisy Food Pavilion.

Outside, the moon hung high.

A cool night breeze blew past.

The two walked along a bluestone path. Occasionally, other Gui Xi disciples flew by. Upon seeing the new junior sister, they all stopped to look.

“Senior Brother! Is this the new junior sister who just joined?!”

“Our sect truly has a bright future ahead!”

Faced with their enthusiasm, Su Ling’er only lowered her head further.

They passed through an area of exquisite buildings—splendid cave dwellings hidden among emerald bamboo and spirit trees.

Su Ling’er’s heart began to stir.

Perhaps… this demonic lair wasn’t all torment after all?

She recalled the plain stone huts of Qingxu Temple—clean, yes, but utterly simple.

Any one of these cave dwellings here was a hundred times more luxurious than her former sect leader’s abode.

Even if she was a new disciple, since she’d been personally brought in by the senior brother, her living quarters shouldn’t be too bad, right?

A faint spark of hope rose in her heart.

But Lin Qingfeng did not stop before any of the beautiful caves.

He led her straight through the immortal mist area and deep into the sect’s interior.

The bluestone path vanished, replaced by bare dirt.

He stopped.

They stood before a barren plot of land, starkly divided from the opulent area behind.

At the center of the wasteland stood a lone… straw hut.

A shabby shack made from withered yellow straw and a few crooked wooden poles.

Wind leaked from all sides; the mud plaster on the walls had mostly fallen off, exposing the uneven branches underneath.

Su Ling’er stood frozen.

She turned back to glance at the brightly lit cave dwellings in the distance.

Then looked again at the dilapidated straw hut before her.

The contrast burned her cheeks.

【NPC Initial Residence】
【Description: The lowest-level dwelling automatically generated for new native NPCs in the sect; provides only basic shelter.】
【Upgrade Condition: NPC can improve residence by completing sect tasks, increasing contribution, or renovating independently.】

Lin Qingfeng glanced between the sect’s management panel and Su Ling’er’s dumbfounded face, sighing inwardly.

The first native NPC recruited by the Sect Guild, and the system gives her the most miserable straw-hut template… what a blow to the sect’s image!

We players get to live in luxurious caves, but she—how will she ever feel a sense of belonging?

No, he had to make it sound better somehow!

“Cough… Junior Sister, do you find this place… too simple?”

“The Great Dao has three thousand paths—what is true essence?”

“People chase after luxurious caves and dense spiritual energy, forgetting that cultivation is about the heart, not external things.”

He gestured toward the magnificent caves in the distance, his expression solemn and transcendent.

“Look at them.

Dwelling on warm jade, bathing in spiritual springs, indulging daily in external comfort.

Their Dao hearts have long been bound by vanity—lost their edge, forgotten what is true.

When the heart is clouded, even living in palaces of jade is but a beautiful prison.”

“As for this place—”

He turned and pointed solemnly to the shabby straw hut.

“This is not a thatched hut. It is our Gui Xi Sect’s special ‘Place of Returning to Truth.’”

Place of Returning to Truth?

Are you serious?

Su Ling’er blinked.

Lin Qingfeng spoke earnestly:

“Though your aptitude is poor, you are still an unpolished gem.

The sect does not wish for you to be corroded by comfort too early.

May you wash away vanity and temper your Dao heart here.

Within this small space, you will comprehend the profound meaning of ‘the Great Dao is simple, returning to one’s true self.’

When you succeed in the future, you will understand the sect’s good intentions today.”

Place of Returning to Truth?

I believe you—like hell I do!

You’re just telling me that all the good places are for your kind, while I, an outsider, deserve to live in a pigsty!

From the mountain gate to the contract, from the Food Pavilion to the lodging—every step a trap!

This demonic sect’s way of “welcoming newcomers” was truly refined.

But she knew that resistance was useless now.

Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her thoughts.

When she raised her head again, her face wore a smile.

“Senior Brother’s teaching is right!

This foolish disciple almost failed to appreciate the sect’s good intentions!”

Lin Qingfeng saw her “sudden enlightenment” and nodded approvingly.

“Excellent. Such understanding shows a clear Dao heart.

Do not underestimate this small place.

Go now—your cultivation path begins here.”

After painting another big pie of empty promises, he finally turned away, humming off-key as he disappeared around the path.

When his figure vanished completely, the smile faded from Su Ling’er’s face.

She turned toward the shack whose door didn’t even have a latch.

After a long silence, she went inside.

The room was empty.

In one corner lay a pile of straw, damp and moldy—barely a bed.

She began circulating spiritual energy, intending to cleanse the impurities from the mortal food earlier.

Yet upon inner inspection, her spiritual sea was calm—no trace of worldly impurities at all.

The mortal food here… didn’t produce impurities?

Could it be… she misunderstood Senior Brother?

Was his heart good or evil?

Her mind tangled with confusion, but her body was too weary to fight it.

She lay down on the straw, and sleep claimed her.

At the same time, elsewhere—

Gui Xi Sect, “Breeze Comes and Goes Residence.”

Lin Qingfeng pushed open the door to his own cave dwelling. Thick spiritual energy surged inside.

He leapt into the spiritual hot spring, steam rising all around, and