Zhang Feng and the others were currently inside a tavern in Shangshan City. Although their tasks went smoothly so far, they were unhappy. This was because Zhao Hai hasn’t returned for a month. They were very worried.

By this point, Zhao Hai no longer gave everyone tasks. So teams needed to choose their own tasks to take. However, Zhao Hai’s tasks already gave everyone a template on which tasks to accept. Additionally, with Zhang Feng being a gang leader, a task analysis team was soon set up to analyze all kinds of tasks. This way, the base could tell everyone which tasks to take and which ones to avoid. Because of this, the tasks done by the Great Realm of Cultivation went very smoothly. There had been no accidents.

Nevertheless, Zhao Hai has already been an integral part of the base. Although Zhao Hai hasn’t been with them for a long time, he already gave the team a huge help. The safe base as well as the template to analyze tasks were all given to them by Zhao Hai.

Although they weren’t worried that something would happen to Zhao Hai in the past month, his absence still had a huge impact on the base’s morale.

This kind of thing shouldn’t have happened. Zhang Feng and the others were high-level members of their respective sects. Zhang Feng himself was a gang leader who managed an entire sect. If there was any problem, they knew very well that they couldn’t rely on other people. But not seeing Zhao Hai for a long time made them feel empty.

As he drank his wine, Zhang Feng let out a long sigh and said, “We’ve done a lot of good tasks lately. I reckon we’re already used to the environment of the Soaring Dragon Realm. It should be time for us to take on more difficult tasks. What do you think?”

Everyone was a bit hesitant when they heard this. They were indeed used to the environment of the realm, but at the same time they understood how dangerous it was. To be honest, they were afraid to take on more difficult tasks.

Zhang Feng looked at everyone’s expression and was about to say something when a voice was heard, “Haha. So everyone is having drinks. Let me have a few cups too.” Everyone turned their heads and saw Zhao Hai.

Seeing Zhao Hai, Zhang Feng’s mood immediately lifted as he said, “Little Hai, you’re out!”

Zhao Hai smiled faintly and greeted everyone before sitting down. Then he looked at them and asked, “What were you discussing?”

Zhang Feng smiled bitterly and said, “We’re talking about taking on more difficult tasks. We’ve been doing quite well in our tasks, so I thought we should be prepared to face more difficult tasks. But we also know how dangerous the Soaring Dragon Realm is. So we’re still not sure if we should go through.”

Zhao Hai looked at everyone and said, “So it’s this? Actually, it’s not that complicated. Everyone should be doing more difficult tasks. You should all know that everyone in the Soaring Dragon Realm are potential disciples of the True Spirit Realm sects. The tasks we’re doing right now are the easy tasks. Although we still get impression points this way, impression points are just one aspect of our records. The sects would also look at the tasks we’ve completed. If we won’t even dare take difficult tasks, then how can we face the much harder trials in the True Spirit Realm? Casualties would happen no matter what, but tasks needed to be done. Uncle Tie and the others sacrificed a lot of lives so that we can gain a stable footing in the Soaring Dragon Realm. Then we can work on getting recruited by the sects of the True Spirit Realm. If we won’t even take harder tasks, then how would we get recruited by the sects?”

As soon as they heard Zhao Hai, everyone became enlightened. Zhao Hai was right. If they always did easy tasks, then no sect would pay attention to them.

Zhao Hai looked at everyone and knew that they understood his points. But he still added, “I know that everyone are elders with high positions back in the Great Realm of Cultivation. Although the abrupt change in status upon arriving in the Soaring Dragon Realm is uncomfortable, I hope that everyone can adjust to the situation. Otherwise, you will never get the chance to enter the True Spirit Realm. In the Soaring Dragon Realm, you are no longer elders. You returned to being juniors that need to grow. Think about the time you were at the qi refining stage and had just embarked on the road of cultivation. A qi refining cultivator isn’t working hard to gain status, it was to gain strength. Moreover, danger and benefits go hand in hand. The more danger there is, the more rewards one could get. If you don’t believe me, take a look at this.” Then Zhao Hai waved his hand and took out the unofficial disciple token of the Tyrant Blade Sect.

Everyone looked at the token that Zhao Hai took out. The token was very simple. It was made with jade and had an engraving of a blade. Then below the blade were the three characters of the Tyrant Blade Sect. Then on the back of the token were the words ‘unofficial disciple’.

Although they haven’t seen an unofficial disciple token before, they understood what it meant judging by the words on it. If they still didn’t know what the token implied, then they would be idiots.

A smile bloomed on Zhang Feng’s face as he said, “Little Hai, you became the Tyrant Blade Sect’s unofficial disciple?”

Zhao Hai nodded. He took out the unofficial disciple token of the Tyrant Blade Sect in order to inspire everyone. He knew that if they couldn’t adjust their mentality, then their future progress would be affected greatly.

Zhao Hai said, “Everyone knows that Mister Feng Lingyun told me that I’m being observed. Those people are from the Tyrant Blade Sect. They have been paying attention to me for quite a while. After I finished my seclusion, the people of the Tyrant Blade Sect called me over and made me an unofficial disciple. When I gain enough experience, I will be officially recruited to the Tyrant Blade Sect.”

After talking up to here, Zhao Hai paused. Then he continued, “Everyone, don’t think that I’m already a disciple of the Tyrant Blade Sect. There are people who have been observed by the Tyrant Blade Sect but failed to be recruited in the end. Very few people can get recruited to a sect. This is because most of those people failed to adjust their mentality and couldn’t help but return to their own realms.”

Having said this, Zhao Hai sighed and said, “Some time ago, back in the Great Realm of Cultivation, I met someone who was about to enter the Soaring Dragon Realm. It was during the realm assessment of the Soaring Dragon Realm. That person is a participant from another realm. To be honest, that person was quite talented. He broke through to the immortal stage while we were fighting. I can say that he’s quite a genius. I met him again not too long ago. But this time, he became an ordinary immortal cultivator. His wild nature has mellowed out. He became normal. If he couldn’t regain his nature, he would never be able to join a True Spirit Realm sect. A genius has been turned average by the Soaring Dragon Realm.”

Zhao Hai let out another sigh, “We cultivate to challenge the heavens and pursue the supreme dao. In this pursuit, we should be scholars and be willing to move forward. Otherwise, we would be left behind by the dao. If we don’t change our mentality, we will not succeed. By that time, there would be no difference between dying early and dying late. Do you understand?”

Everyone nodded. Among them, Zhang Feng’s feelings were the most affected. He was there when Zhao Hai joined the Black Tiger Gang. He was able to see Zhao Hai’s growth. Then finally, both of them entered the Soaring Dragon Realm. Moreover, Zhao Hai was now at a higher position than him. Although Zhao Hai was a genius, his mentality was the main driving force of his rapid progress. He was the type that would never be satisfied. He always pursued higher and higher goals.

The others also realized that their drive to pursue the dao had dulled compared to before they reached the immortal stage. Their fearless attitude was beginning to be eroded. They were always prepared to go all out but now they were afraid of difficult tasks.

Zhao Hai’s words hit them hard, waking them up. Everyone took a deep breath and stood up. Then they bowed towards Zhao Hai and said, ““Mister, thank you for teaching us. We will never forget this.””

Zhao Hai waved his hand and said, “I hope that everyone can reach farther in their cultivation. Even if I leave, you must pass my words to the others so that they can understand what they need to do in the Soaring Dragon Realm.”

Everyone nodded. Then after Zhao Hai asked them all to sit down, he said, “After finishing the newcomer tasks, you can take on more difficult tasks. Although it’s better to be safe, you shouldn’t be afraid of danger. Casualties are always unavoidable. To enter the higher realms, one needs to make sacrifices. Now that I became an unofficial disciple of the Tyrant Blade Sect, I will have to take on more difficult tasks. I can only take on tasks on my own. It’s too dangerous for you to follow me.”

Everyone nodded. Zhao Hai’s task to harvest nine core lotus seeds was already very dangerous. Not to mention now that he became an unofficial disciple. His tasks would become more and more dangerous. It was no longer a good idea for them to follow Zhao Hai.

Seeing that everyone understood, Zhao Hai nodded and said, “Alright, since everyone agrees, you should pass on to the others what I told you. We should take on more tasks and acquire more money. This way, those who will enter the Soaring Dragon Realm in the future will have a better life.”

Everyone laughed. They agreed to Zhao Hai’s words. Although their days were better than before, they couldn’t just think of themselves. They also need to think about the others who would come later.

Zhao Hai looked at everyone and said, “I might spend less time on the base in the future. Although I’m still an unofficial disciple of the Tyrant Blade Sect, I have been allocated my own courtyard in Hengdao City. I will be staying there in the future. If you need anything, just go there and find me. You can also stay there for a while. It’s very safe in the city.”

Zhang Feng smiled and said, “It’s fine. The base is very good. There’s no need for us to go to your place to stay. Also, we can’t always rely on you. Otherwise, we would look like freeloaders. You don’t have to worry, we will manage the base well. And our base is very safe in the first place.”

Zhao Hai nodded. Their current base was excellently hidden. He could even say that it was safer than Hengdao City. Once in a while, Hengdao City would be under attack by beast tides. On the other hand, the base would never be detected by the beasts.

Zhao Hai nodded and said, “That’s also good. But if you have any need for me, don’t hesitate to approach me. I haven’t joined the Tyrant Blade Sect yet.”

As soon as they heard Zhao Hai, everyone laughed. Then Zhang Feng said, “I think we should notify the realm about this matter immediately. Little Hai will definitely be recruited by the Tyrant Blade Sect. This is a first for the Great Realm of Cultivation. If they heard that someone has joined a top sect, everyone would be happy.”

Nobody opposed this idea. Zhao Hai joining the Tyrant Blade Sect was a very good thing for them. If Zhao Hai really entered the Tyrant Blade Sect, the Great Realm of Cultivation would benefit a lot. The artifacts that would be given to the realm would definitely increase the realm’s overall strength.

Seeing everyone’s expressions, Zhao Hai didn’t stop them. He wasn’t someone who would forget his roots. If he joined the Tyrant Blade Sect, he would certainly lend a helping hand to the Great Realm of Cultivation.

After drinking in the tavern for some time, Zhao Hai left with everyone. Instead of taking a task, he returned to the base to take a look. The base was doing quite well. Because they have the money, there were additions to the base. The most eye-catching one was the purchase of a high-grade defensive formation. Not only could it defend against attacks, it also shielded the base from spiritual force. Even Lin Ling wouldn’t be able to find the base.

Seeing the base’s current state, Zhao Hai was relieved. While he was in the base, he chatted with Li Mu and the others before returning to Hengdao City. In the future, Zhao Hai will be staying in the city. He would also take tasks there.

Zhao Hai already has a general understanding of the affairs in Hengdao City. However, he didn’t go to the branch halls of the sects to accept tasks. For tasks, he could just go to the branch hall of the Tyrant Blade Sect. This will also allow him to be observed more by the sect. Moreover, tasks that he completed will benefit both him and the Tyrant Blade Sect. After all, he was now considered as someone from the Tyrant Blade Sect.

When Zhao Hai entered the branch hall, the people in the counters immediately recognized him. They couldn’t help it. When he came and rented a residence, a lot of people saw him. Naturally, his image was imprinted in their minds. However, Zhao Hai didn’t care. He continued to look at the wall, looking for tasks that he could do.