Chapter 33: Azure Bamboo Elixir

The tournament drew to a close, and three corpses lay flat in the martial hall of the Bamboo Grove Society, their lives ending as the curtain fell. To minimize casualties, the Society had decreed that as soon as one side conceded, the other must not press further. Yet, in true battles to the death, the outcome often balanced on a knife’s edge, leaving no room for surrender.

Warriors who had attained a ranking were already considered the elite among their peers. Whether employed as instructors for great families or joining escort agencies, they could secure a comfortable income and live free from want. Yet, driven by the desire for more, they gambled their lives away. But is that not the way of life? The greater your ability, the greater your ambition; the greater your ambition, the greater your ability. Only boundless ambition propels you forward and grants you the power to achieve greater things.

Whether one perishes or transforms into a legend, so long as the heart holds no regret, that is enough.

Ning Xiu gently shook his head, murmuring to himself that a man’s life ought to be thus.

One by one, the people departed the hall, and in the end, only the three newly chosen members remained, along with five others who chose to stay.

Yan Song’s gaze swept over those present, finally settling on the three. He smiled kindly and said, “Congratulations. From today onward, you are official members of the Bamboo Grove Society. On behalf of the Society, I welcome you. Your specific duties will be communicated to you tomorrow. Tonight, you may rest here at the branch. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Xiao Kuan, take them to their quarters.”

“Yes, Elder Yan!”

The young man who had led them earlier entered from outside, while Yan Song strode swiftly from the hall, as if urgent business awaited him.

Under Xiao Kuan’s guidance, Ning Xiu and the others toured the branch of the Society. Along the way, Xiao Kuan not only explained the layout but also shared the Society’s rules and anecdotes, his tone respectful, a far cry from the earlier arrogance.

Xiao Kuan, whose full name was Hu Kuan, lacked much martial talent. His place in the Society was earned through keen observation and tact, and among the menial staff, he fared quite well.

“Up ahead is your place of rest. The courtyard on the left houses ordinary disciples; each outer steward has their own courtyard,” Hu Kuan explained.

Several attendants in green robes walked by, leading away the five who had failed to be chosen. Hu Kuan continued to escort Ning Xiu and the others on a tour of the courtyards.

Ning Xiu selected the most secluded and tranquil courtyard, preferring solitude. Its remote location made it lonely, and it was evident no one had lived there for some time—even the bamboo seemed withered.

He cared nothing for this, and, taking the key Hu Kuan handed him, unlocked the door and entered.

The furniture inside was all made of South Sea rosewood, crafted with skill; each piece was worth at least a year’s wages for a commoner, if not more, attesting to the Society’s wealth.

Knock, knock, knock...

A rapping sounded at the door.

“Come in,” Ning Xiu called.

The door opened slowly, and an attendant in green robes entered, carrying a wooden tray. He spoke respectfully, “Sir, Steward Huang instructed us to deliver this.”

Steward Huang, whose full name was Huang Quan, had been introduced earlier by Hu Kuan; he managed all logistics for the branch and held real authority.

Ning Xiu nodded lightly. “Set it down. Give my thanks to Steward Huang.”

Creak~

The door closed softly.

Ning Xiu approached the eight-immortal table. The tray held many items, foremost among them the Society’s uniform.

He ran his hand over the smooth fabric, made of fine material, with three emerald bamboo stalks embroidered on the collar, signifying his status as an outer steward.

Setting the garment aside, Ning Xiu examined the other items. Besides the uniform, there was a jade-green token, likewise carved with three bamboo stalks. Beside it stood a bottle of pills.

Opening it, he found at least thirty pea-sized, bright green pills, fragrant and inviting.

“Name: Green Bamboo Pill.”

“Type: Elixir.”

“Grade: Half-star.”

“Note: Low-grade energy condensing pill, slightly increases internal strength.”

This was the appraisal from the Martial God System; the pills were not particularly precious, but as they were freely given, Ning Xiu had not expected much.

Though the system rated them only half a star, for most martial artists these Green Bamboo Pills were exceedingly valuable. The cost of the herbs alone for this small bottle was considerable, not to mention the expense of hiring someone to refine them—something independent wanderers could hardly afford.

This was why so many martial artists risked their lives to join powerful groups like the Bamboo Grove Society.

Moreover, large societies offered far better pay than smaller sects. The most enticing benefit, however, was the Society’s Martial Archive.

The Martial Archive housed a myriad of martial arts manuals, though access was not free. To motivate members, the Society established a merit system: for every service rendered, one earned merit points, which could be exchanged for access to the Archive, as well as for elixirs, silver, and legendary weapons.

From the rank of outer steward onward, in addition to wages, one received a bottle of Green Bamboo Pills each month for training, and a single access to the Martial Archive.

Where else could one find such high pay, excellent benefits, and elevated status? Aside from occasional encounters with dangerous disasters, it was nearly a perfect occupation.

For Ning Xiu, this opportunity was all the more perfect.

The next day, Yan Song returned to the branch, his face weary.

Ning Xiu glanced at him, puzzled; for a master of Yan Song’s caliber, a sleepless night should not have left him so fatigued.

The induction ceremony for outer stewards was supposed to be held at headquarters, but owing to urgent circumstances, all unnecessary formalities had been canceled.

The Society had recruited three new outer stewards because the original holders of those posts had died, leaving large territories without anyone to manage them. The disciples lacked the necessary strength, and no suitable candidates could be found, so this method was adopted.

What troubled Yan Song most was that last night, the last two remaining outer stewards of his branch also perished.

Yan Song looked at Ning Xiu and the other two, rubbed his temples, and his expression grew more exhausted.