Chapter 280: Chapter 161 Miscellaneous Disciple The Gu Family Castle not only took a clear stand during the previous conflict with the Black Sand Gang, but later, Gu Xiaojiang leveraged Mo Chen to join the Red Cloud Guard. Now, the Gu Family Castle has become the model example that Liu Yuanhu has set up in the entire county. If someone in the Gu Family Castle were really to offend Lu Junyi, this situation would be difficult to manage. If the blame were to fall on him, what would he do! Cold sweat was pouring from Mo Chen at this moment. Although both of them held positions as imperial officials, in these chaotic times, the central court’s control over such distant regions was already very weak. Many prefectures were even in a semi-autonomous state. Given Lu Junyi’s strength and status, if he were to bring trouble to Mo Chen and Liu Yuanhu, the Governor Mansion wouldn’t jeopardize its relations with the Holy Pill Sect over the two of them. Instead, it would immediately arrange replacements and swiftly smooth over the matter. Seeing the beads of sweat flowing like a flood down the foreheads of Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen, Lu Junyi couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Why so tense? I was just casually asking." Lu Junyi slapped the Five-Colored Bird and flipped onto its back. Just as the Five-Colored Bird lifted off, he seemed to think of something and suddenly called it back to circle in the air. Retrieving a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, he tossed it to Liu Yuanhu: "I didn’t bring anything too valuable on this hurried trip. Consider this bottle of Bone Strengthening Pills compensation for the soldiers who were injured by my Little Cai earlier." Liu Yuanhu carefully caught the porcelain bottle and watched the Five-Colored Bird depart before impatiently opening the bottle cap. "Hiss! Elder Lu is so generous!" Seeing the porcelain bottle filled to the brim with Bone Strengthening Pills, Liu Yuanhu’s expression turned to excitement. Though the bottle was small, it was packed with over ten Bone Strengthening Pills! Bone Strengthening Pills may not count as particularly special medicinal pills in the Red Cloud Prefecture, something one could buy as long as one had money. But in Canghe County, it was entirely different. These things were ridiculously rare; even if you had the money, you might not be able to buy them! Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen immediately divided the bottle of Bone Strengthening Pills between themselves. As for those injured soldiers? Well, they’d just hand out extra silver at the end of the month. After this incident, Ge Qing became even more enigmatic in Liu Yuanhu’s mind. Upon returning to the courtyard on Cloud Saint Peak, Lu Junyi found Chen Ke guarding his door. Because Lu Junyi had activated a restriction, Chen Ke couldn’t enter or see what was happening inside and could only stand idle outside. Lu Junyi, now in a good mood, didn’t dwell on Chen Ke’s failure to stick to his duties. He lifted the restriction and entered the cottage. Seeing Lu Junyi return, Chen Ke didn’t dare follow him inside. He could only remain at the door, waiting for Gu Sheng to exit. Gu Sheng heard the commotion and rose from the chair. "Have you verified it?" Gu Sheng didn’t even need to think to know Lu Junyi had surely gone to Canghe County to find Ge Qing. After returning this time, Lu Junyi scrutinized Gu Sheng carefully before speaking, "Verified! From now on, you’ll remain in our sect as a menial disciple." "???" Gu Sheng’s mind was flooded with question marks upon hearing this. From Lin Miaomiao, he understood that the disciples of the Holy Pill Sect were divided into Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, and Core Disciples. But he’d never heard of menial disciples. Just hearing the word "menial" made it clear that the status must be lower than an Outer Sect Disciple! From the way Lin Miaomiao, Chen Ke, and even Lu Junyi himself initially reacted to the token given by Ge Qing, its worth should have been substantial. Gu Sheng had assumed that, worst-case scenario, he’d at least secure an Inner Sect Disciple status. Who could’ve anticipated such an enormous letdown! 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞 "Wait, is my token fake?" Gu Sheng asked in disbelief. Lu Junyi chuckled and shook his head: "Of course not! Don’t misunderstand. Our sect has a very clear disciple promotion system. Someone coming from outside like you can only start as a menial disciple. If I, as the Great Elder, were to directly promote you to Inner Sect Disciple or Core Disciple, how could I justify myself to the other disciples? Don’t worry! In our Holy Pill Sect, the promotion system is extremely transparent. As long as you meet the requirements, you can be promoted! Moving from menial disciple to Outer Sect Disciple isn’t difficult. Based on your abilities, I believe you’ll soon become an Outer Sect Disciple!" Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng’s face darkened and veered into disbelief. If not for Lin Miaomiao’s precedent as an example, he might have actually believed Lu Junyi’s words. Still, Gu Sheng had no other option in this situation. He couldn’t do anything—Lu Junyi was the Great Elder, after all. He resigned himself to the decision; otherwise, leaving the Holy Pill Sect might leave him without a clear direction. Gu Sheng was the sort to accept reality as it came. He calmed himself and asked, "What do I need to do to be promoted to Outer Sect Disciple?" Seeing how quickly Gu Sheng settled his emotions, Lu Junyi couldn’t help but view him in a higher regard. He silently acknowledged Gu Sheng’s temperament, admiring his calm and resilience. Such qualities, especially at his age, hinted at the capacity for great achievements! "The requirements for menial disciples to promote to Outer Sect Disciples are reaching the Blood Refining Realm before turning eighteen and earning one hundred sect contribution points. You’ve already met the cultivation requirement. Now, you just need to accept some sect tasks at the Merit Hall and accumulate enough contribution points to complete the promotion process!" With that, Lu Junyi lifted the restriction and called Chen Ke inside. "Chen Ke, take him to the menial disciples’ quarters." "Huh? Menial disciple?" Chen Ke was momentarily stunned, unable to process what he just heard. Based on Lu Junyi’s prior behavior, Gu Sheng’s background certainly appeared extraordinary. How could he end up as a menial disciple? In Chen Ke’s memory, just two years ago, an unrelated distant relative of Lu Junyi’s sent someone who had reached Blood Refining Realm Perfect at the age of twenty-three, and Lu Junyi had forcibly arranged for him to join War God Peak’s Inner Sect. Considering Gu Sheng’s age and cultivation level, being a Core Disciple wouldn’t even be out of place!