Liu Lili was really short on money.
Short on copper coins, gold, silver, and spirit stones.
So short she almost forgot how to write the word "shortage".
Ever since her master was blown up by the Heaven Respecting Overlord Demon-Slaying Sword Array he researched, Liu Lili fell into the abyss of financial trouble.
Because of her master's failure, she too temporarily lost her livelihood.
Recently, hearing that the Sect Leader's youngest daughter was engaged in Thousand Mechanism Technique at the Seventh Sword Pavilion, she eagerly signed up and ran over here.
Of course, she was the only one who came.
The other Thousand Mechanism Artisans in the Main Pavilion had heard about Chen Qin's reputation, feeling that this young miss was just messing around.
Lily came, but after staying at the Seventh Sword Pavilion for a month, she hadn't caught a glimpse of the young miss.
Whether at the Main Pavilion or the Seventh Sword Pavilion, the sect would provide basic living needs and some spirit stones to Liu Lili as a Thousand Mechanism Artisan.
But Liu Lili's own research in Thousand Mechanism Technique was a bottomless pit.
When her master was around, things could barely hold together, but now that her master was gone, she was long since unable to make ends meet.
Surviving on a Grain Avoidance Pill with cold northwest winds for a month, Liu Lili felt she couldn't go on like this.
To avoid starving, she had to go to the task hall to see if there were any tasks that could prolong her survival.
However, standing in the task hall, Liu Lili was close to tears.
Because it was nearing the end of the month, there were hardly any tasks left in the task hall.
The remaining ones were troublesome or unconventional or long-term tasks.
And most of these unconventional tasks were issued by the Demon Race who settled and registered in the East Continent.
For example, the task posted by the Snake Demon sisters, known as the "Green and White Sisters".
These sisters have a special hobby.
They enjoy dragon dancing.
But not dancing below, they transform into their original form as dragons, get dressed up, and have people lift them up and sway them around.
However, recently there was an issue.
The sisters simultaneously fell in love with a scholar and both got pregnant, but a snake demon's pregnancy requires seven years to deliver.
Having them not transform into dragons for seven years was more painful than death.
So the sisters sought help from various righteous sects in the Qin State for spells.
Spells concerning embryo stabilization or uterine protection.
If worse comes to worst, they considered spells for rapid childbirth.
This ridiculous task had been posted for four or five months, but still, no one accepted it.
According to rumors, the two sisters plan to go to the Medicine King Valley hoping to obtain spiritual pills.
If Medicine King Valley has none, then they'll go to Beast Taming Sect.
And they've already submitted reports to the Seventh Sword Pavilion, planning to set out soon.
Liu Lili felt this task was extremely unconventional from aspects of ethics, morality, humanity, and demon nature.
Other non-unconventional tasks also had a hint of oddity.
Like this task.
A male fox said he wanted to repay his benefactor.
He's seeking an immortal herb that can make his urine fragrant, tasty, and soothe the throat while tonifying and nourishing the blood, to help his benefactor improve their health.
Liu Lili didn't know if this was his enemy who killed his father or his benefactor who saved his life.
In any case, these demons have value and life views different from humans and dare write anything.
Apart from these unconventional and odd tasks, the remaining ones were rather difficult.
Primarily tasks suitable for disciples at the Golden Core Stage within the Inner Sect.
"A sinkhole has appeared at Xiuyu Mountain, requiring Golden Core Stage disciples or above to investigate, reward 3000 contribution points."
"Wanted: Vice Helm Leader of Blood Lion Helm, Blood Tooth Taoist. Reward 500 contribution points for providing exact whereabouts. Demon Exterminator reward 5500 contribution points. Recommended for Golden Core Stage cultivators."
Liu Lili pondered, considering her skills at the Qi Cultivation Peak and an empty stomach having eaten nothing for a month, she'd likely be taken down by Blood Tooth Taoist at the first encounter.
Then...
Forget it, better not think further, or it'll become too inappropriate.
After skipping over a few more unconventional tasks like helping the weasel raise chickens, Liu Lili finally found a task that wasn't so odd.
Task initiator, Qiao Lezhi
Task content.
Help his clever and heroic little junior find an equally clever and heroic Thousand Mechanism Cultivator.
Requirements.
1. Passionate about Thousand Mechanism Technique and open to new things.
2. Has some understanding of array design and drawing, with their own insights into Thousand Mechanism Technique.
3. Loves developing Thousand Mechanism Tools, with flexible thinking, responsibility, and teamwork spirit.
4. Hardworking and able to bear some work pressure.
5. Offers high remuneration.
Although this task's requirements seemed odd and strange, Liu Lili didn't mind.
She was entirely attracted by two terms.
High remuneration and Thousand Mechanism Cultivator.
No one ever called her a cultivator, as people only referred to them as artisans.
"I want to take this task!"
Unfortunately, right after saying so, Liu Lili fainted from hunger.
When she woke up again, she found herself lying in a bed, veils and gauze, a faint scent of sandalwood.
It was a bed she could never afford in her life.
In front of her was a graceful young gentleman, holding a book scroll and pondering deeply.
The gentleman looked up and walked towards her.
"What does he want to do? Will he mercilessly strip me and harshly throw me onto the bed..."
"No, I'm already on the bed now..."
Liu Lili regretted reading that weird book called "Abnormal World Cultivation Laws" a few days ago.
Her mind was endlessly replaying the scene about being thrown on the bed.
Zhang Ze put down his copy of "Abnormal World Cultivation Laws", looking bewildered at this Thousand Mechanism Cultivator named Liu Lili.
He couldn't understand why this woman on the bed was twisting like some planks of Senior Sister Qiao's door, unable to twist out anything intricate.
Forget it, can't comprehend it, so better not try.
"Sister Mei'Er, Chen Qin, she's awake."
After a short while, Sister Mei'Er and Chen Qin came in.
Liu Lili was no longer thinking about being thrown onto the bed.
All she saw now was chicken, the chicken in the food box Sister Mei was holding.
...
"Is she alright?" Chen Qin asked softly.
"Let her give it a try first, anyway she's the only Thousand Mechanism Cultivator in the Seventh Sword Pavilion now." Zhang Ze whispered.
After Liu Lili devoured the third chicken leaving no bones behind, she let out a satisfied belch.
"Thank you three benefactors for saving my life. I still have a task to complete, and once I receive the reward, I will return to repay."
"What other task do you have?" Zhang Ze asked.
"A task posted by a Senior Sister named Qiao Lezhi."
"Help his clever and heroic little junior find an equally clever and heroic Thousand Mechanism Cultivator."
Liu Lili patted her flat chest, "I am that clever and heroic Thousand Mechanism Cultivator."
Zhang Ze clenched his fists, never mind.
Currently can't handle Qiao Lezhi.
In the future, definitely won't let this woman post tasks on his behalf.
"I am that clever and heroic little junior." Zhang Ze pointed to his nose.
"Ah, pleased to meet you, pleased to meet you..."
After a round of awkward self-introductions, Liu Lili finally understood what Zhang Ze wanted.
Zhang Ze wanted her to upgrade this prototype tool made by Chen Qin, allowing it to be adapted for various weapons.
Also, to recompose new special effects based on the various arrays and cultivation techniques Zhang Ze dismantled.
And then start selling.
Sell within the Sword Sect and also to markets outside the sect.
Liu Lili held the small Sword Guard, thinking she would never be financially troubled again, never again.