Cultivation is just so scientific!

The tasks of a basic-level Array Master were mostly posted by Qi Refining cultivators, including requests to bolster the defense formations of their cave dwellings, to customize formations, and to address difficult array issues posed by other basic-level Array Masters.

The late-stage Qi Refining disciples who were able to post these tasks were the more powerful ones within the sect, possessing plentiful spirit stones and merit rewards.

Li Shiming also discovered that most of the rewards for these tasks were spirit stones, and there weren't many tasks offering merit rewards.

He didn't know if it was because the merit reward tasks had been taken first or if the Qi Refining disciples were reluctant to part with their merit rewards as compensation.

However, the difficult array problems posted by other basic-level Array Masters were all offering merit rewards.

In addition, there was a long-term sect mission to maintain the Sect Formation, which offered a generous five hundred merit rewards per month.

Considering that a junior Spirit Plant Cultivator could barely earn less than three hundred merit rewards after toiling away for a year, a basic-level Array Master could earn as much as five hundred merit rewards from just one monthly task, and this was a long-term mission.

If a basic-level Array Master was willing, they could amass a significant amount of merit rewards by continuously undertaking this long-term mission.

Li Shiming was almost indulging in a fantasy of possessing a vast amount of merit rewards and freely selecting exclusive items inside the Hidden Technique Pavilion.

But then, after seeing the exchange list available to basic-level Array Masters, his fantasy was shattered.

The knowledge and materials for arrays within the sect all required merit rewards to exchange, and considering the required amount, he suspected that the sect had intentionally increased the merit reward compensation for Array Masters; otherwise, no one could afford such exchanges.

Indeed, basic-level Array Masters earned a lot, but likewise, they spent a lot as well.

Unless they no longer wished to advance, they could certainly store up a large number of merit rewards, but once an Array Master was promoted to the intermediate level, their ability to earn merit rewards would further increase, as would their standing within the sect.

Which Array Master could resist such temptation, to not learn about so many formations and not purchase materials for practice?

Just as Li Shiming was contemplating which tasks to accept to earn some merit rewards, the defense formation was triggered.

He went to the triggered location and peered through the defense formation to see the situation outside.

On a Flying Boat, five Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators dressed in the robes of the Law Enforcement Hall stood; it was they who had triggered the defense formation.

"May I know what brings you, senior brothers?" Li Shiming kept his composure, as Law Enforcement Monks directly reported to the Sect Leader and were part of the organization that supervised all cultivators on Central Peak.

On normal days, Law Enforcement Monks were responsible for arresting cultivators who had violated the sect's laws, and they had little contact with ordinary cultivators.

"Open the island's defensive formation; we need to perform an inspection!" the leading Law Enforcement Monk declared sternly.

"According to the sect's laws, a cultivator's dwelling is his private property and must not be violated!" Li Shiming did not open the defense formation just because the other party was Law Enforcement Monks, but rather he responded firmly.

He had not spent his newcomer period in vain; he remembered the sect's laws quite clearly.

Even if they were Law Enforcement Monks, without an order from the sect, they had no right to demand entry into his dwelling.

A cultivator's dwelling was their most central sanctuary.

"This is an order from the Sect Leader; are you intending to defy it?" The Law Enforcement Monk took out a token icily as he spoke.

Li Shiming's eyes narrowed slightly; the other party clearly had a token but chose not to present it at the outset, showing that the Law Enforcement Monk was narrow-minded and malicious.

He said nothing more and immediately opened the defense formation.

Opposing a Law Enforcement Monk with a token was unwise, for if a conflict arose, he would be at a disadvantage.

"Hmph!" The Law Enforcement Monk jumped down from the Flying Boat and snorted coldly as he passed by.

Another Law Enforcement Monk followed suit, jumping down, while the remaining three stayed on the Flying Boat.

They were experienced Law Enforcement Monks, and if there were any real issues with Li Shiming, even if he had the means to instantly deal with two late-stage Qi Refining Law Enforcement Monks, the three on the Flying Boat could immediately report to the sect.

"We are conducting this search for your own good. A Qi Refining Peak Disciple from the Holy Ice Sect has gone missing. If he happens to be hiding with you, you could reap quite the reward upon discovery!" The following Law Enforcement Monk who seemed more approachable explained to Li Shiming.

How could Li Shiming believe such nonsense from the Law Enforcement Monk? He wasn't absent from the sect before, and with all the commotion with the Elder, it had to be a significant event.

When the Holy Ice Sect was mentioned by the Law Enforcement Monk, Li Shiming understood the background of Baili Jin Yan, and that Elder from the outer sect must have been an Elder of the Holy Ice Sect.

It was still unclear what relation the missing disciple of the Holy Ice Sect shared with Baili Jin Yan, but considering that the distance between the Holy Ice Sect and the Sky Sea Sect must be quite vast, it was remarkable for them to come all this way for a Qi Refining disciple.

The leading Law Enforcement Monk spotted the Spirit Bamboo as soon as he set foot on Eagle Beak Island.

It was obvious he recognized the Spirit Bamboo, and a glint of greed flashed in his eyes.

The Spirit Bamboo was still in its growth stage, yet when it fully matured, it would form a small bamboo grove.

Not to mention the other uses of Spirit Bamboo, just its leaves could provide an income of over five hundred spirit stones each month.

Five hundred spirit stones each month was a considerable sum for any Qi Refinement Realm cultivator. Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

If one did not wish to manage it personally, one could simply find a junior Spirit Plant Cultivator, offer some benefits to manage it, and then sit back to split the spirit stones each month.

As he thought about it, his gaze shifted to the spirit field above.