"Also, didn’t you say the Celestial Venerable whispered to you that someone offered blessings? That’s me! Now the Celestial Venerable has blessed you; I must keep my word. Otherwise, what if the Celestial Venerable doesn’t bless you next year?"

"???." Chen Han was even more confused.

His words were just nonsense; the Demon-Vanquishing Celestial Venerable never whispered that someone offered blessings. How did Xiaomi get involved?

Seeing his expression, Xiaomi quickly said, "Come on, don’t look like that. Your sect doesn’t forbid marriage, and besides, isn’t cultivation about dual cultivation partners?"

"Uh! Dual cultivation partners probably don’t mean what you think," Chen Han said, bewildered.

"Anyway, you understand what it means!" Xiaomi snorted charmingly.

"Clearly, I understand." Chen Han said, somewhat embarrassed, "But since you apprenticed under Auntie, doesn’t that make you my Martial Aunt? Dual cultivation that way would be defiance, and it’s not permitted!"

"Ah??" Xiaomi was stunned upon hearing that. It seemed... a bit... confusing...

Chen Han could only suggest, "Don’t apprentice; follow Auntie’s practice, and be a Daoist Layman. Laymen can be dual cultivation partners."

"So, does dual cultivation partner mean that?" Xiaomi suddenly asked sweetly.

"..." Chen Han.

The two left the room and proceeded together to the Demon-Vanquishing Celestial Venerable Hall, where they met Auntie.

"Patriarch!" Auntie greeted him respectfully.

Seeing Auntie, Chen Han politely said, "Auntie, I have something to discuss with you. Xiaomi is very interested in the Taoist Sect’s cultivation and wishes to follow you in practice. I hope you will guide her."

Auntie looked at Xiaomi in surprise; she naturally knew this young lady. Xiaomi had helped the Chen Family greatly, and many in the clan were grateful to her.

Now, with the Patriarch personally bringing her, there was no way to refuse; Auntie said, "I shall oversee Xiaomi’s formal initiation."

Formal initiation and the Threefold Refuge are also basic prerequisites for cultivation in this sect. Once initiated, one becomes a Daoist Layman.

As long as the Chen Family provides the necessary documentation, a Daoist Layman certificate can be processed.

Threefold Refuge requires time and processes, so Chen Han left Xiaomi to Auntie’s care and returned to the courtyard. Once seated, some notifications suddenly appeared:

{"Congratulations, the Cloud Barrier Cauldron has been successfully restored, with new functions!"}

Chen Han immediately checked the warehouse; indeed, the restoration runes flashing on the surface of the Cloud Barrier Cauldron had disappeared, and the cauldron’s body showed some differences. The cracks were fewer than before, and the color was deeper.

Some runes now had a brilliant sheen. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

This was likely the side effect of restoration.

Thinking about it, he immediately examined the Cloud Barrier Cauldron’s notes, which had indeed changed.

{"Cloud Barrier Cauldron: A life-saving Magical Treasure equipping some disciples from the Yin Mountain Sect, possessing special functions. It can refine Cloud Barrier Pills, which, once released, instantly generate a fog covering several kilometers, confusing enemies and buying escape time. If the Cloud Barrier Cauldron self-destructs, it can instantly produce fog covering dozens of kilometers as a shield.

Damaged: Due to self-destruction by Demon Sect Demons, engraved runes were damaged, and attributes of refined Cloud Barrier Pills are incomplete. Specific attributes of Cloud Barrier Pills depend on the refinement’s outcome.

Restrictions: 1. Daily Basic Refinement Count (ordinary) 1/1 (needs Spiritual Qi replenishment to refine again, with different consumption levels for Basic and Intermediate Refinements!). 2. Daily Refinement Count (refined) 1/1 (spend 50,000 reputation to refine an ordinary Cloud Barrier Pill, enhancing the Shadowy Demons effect to confuse enemies!).

Intermediate Restoration: 1,000,000 reputation!

Cloud Barrier Pill Refinement Materials: Demon Beast Fat, Smoke-producing Spirit Flowers and Herbs!"}

Chen Han finished reading the notes, being first drawn to the intermediate restoration cost of 1,000,000 reputations—not just basic repair, then intermediate repair, and possibly high-level repair afterward?

This game-like, money-grubbing design—must the system mimic it?

Plus, even if they charge, is it this excessive—demanding 1,000,000 reputations?

Even greedy capitalists aren’t this merciless.

However, he soon saw the new functions of the Cloud Barrier Cauldron, dividing into Basic and Intermediate Refinements. Clearly, the Intermediate refinement’s Cloud Barrier Pills cover a larger area.

Yet, he was primarily attracted to the added daily refined refinement count.

Spending 50,000 reputations to enhance the Shadowy Demons effect to confuse enemies—it should be just as he imagined?