That day, Jiang Yi had just finished a round of cultivation.
Without great nourishing substances like copper sap and iron pills, his progress at the fourth level of Qi Refining immediately slowed.
Compared to his previous leaps and bounds, it was now practically like a tortoise crawling. Every sliver of improvement could only be accumulated drop by drop through slow, painstaking effort.
He finally understood why most outer-door menial servants found it difficult to persist in cultivation.
After months of bitter practice, it was still hard to see even the slightest progress. It truly wore down one’s will and left one discouraged.
Following the Heavenly Book’s guidance, Jiang Yi sat cross-legged in the snowy forest and slowly exhaled a breath of white vapor.
“Whoosh—”
The breath shot out like an arrow, actually piercing through thick tree bark and producing a crisp crackling sound.
His organs had been transformed and his viscera refined; his vital essence was flourishing, already beginning to show the might of “exhaling breath into thunder.”
If an ordinary person took that head-on, their skull would probably be shaken into a bloody pulp.
“I already had eighteen percent mastery before. I haven’t dared slack off these days, but it’s only risen to twenty percent. Relying on bitter cultivation alone really is difficult!”
Heat surged through Jiang Yi’s nose and mouth. Wisps of fiery radiance turned into clusters of bright flame sprouts, illuminating his seven orifices.
With a flicker of thought, he could shoot out several scorching lines of fire, greatly increasing his combat strength.
Even if several more Zhang Sans and Dong Sis came at him now, they might not necessarily be his match!
“Fortunately, my speed in refining spells hasn’t fallen behind. The Fire Commanding Art has reached minor completion and is nearing major completion.”
Jiang Yi was quite satisfied.
According to the division of orthodox lineages, spells had three stages of completion.
Once any Daoist art was cultivated to major completion, its power would surge dramatically.
“If I focus on refining it for a few more years, I might even surpass Grandpa.”
Jiang Yi pondered to himself. Could it be that his true talent actually lay in “refining spells”?
His thoughts wandered. Even a ninth-grade Qi Refining Daoist art passed down by the outer door of Chiyan Peak was already so extraordinary.
No wonder the Qi Refining village clans of Beiman Ridge, countless as ox hairs, all fought to send their direct descendants into lineages with “Sect” or “School” in their names.
“A lineage cultivator, even if only an outer-door menial servant, as long as his cultivation is a little deeper and he has mastered a Daoist art, is enough to lord it over an entire village.”
These village clans that had finally risen in the world and spread their branches…
They were probably all hoping to pour the blood and sweat of several generations into cultivating one promising talent!
As the saying went, “When one man attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.”
Placed within the world-governing orthodoxies of the four continents, it seemed especially fitting.
“I should look at the Heavenly Book. I’ve waited bitterly for two days for this opportunity…”
Jiang Yi put away his wandering thoughts, his eyes flickering.
That sheet of golden paper had already trembled several times, and dense lines of tiny tadpole-like characters had appeared upon it.
[The deduction results are as follows]
[Example One: In the Hundred Beasts Cave of the inner peak, there is a black snake egg. You may seek a method to devour and refine it…]
[Example Two: In the Heart-Seizing Forest of the inner peak, a Blood-Drinking Vine King has been nurtured. You may harvest its root seed…]
[Example Three: In the Soul-Falling Gorge of the inner peak…]
Jiang Yi read carefully and discovered that all these opportunities pointed to the inner peak, and were concentrated in several “industries” under the jurisdiction of the Qianji Sect.
Places like the Hundred Beasts Cave, the Heart-Seizing Forest, and the Soul-Falling Gorge were all important “material grounds” for the market, providing the main raw materials for the sect’s core products.
For example, the Hundred Beasts Cave raised large numbers of ferocious exotic beasts. Inner-peak disciples had to enter every month to hunt, take bones, and cut meat.
The Heart-Seizing Forest, on the other hand, was filled with buried corpses, accumulating yin and baleful qi. It was specifically used to cultivate Blood-Drinking Vines and Ghost-Faced Wood, which were harvested regularly to make ritual robes.
He had learned these “inside details” yesterday while chatting with Yang Xun.
“According to Grandpa, the foundation of a lineage lies in its ‘industries.’
It is precisely because the Qianji Sect controls material sites like the Hundred Beasts Cave and Heart-Seizing Forest that it can establish outer peaks and open a market.”
Jiang Yi thought it over.
The reason the workshops on the four outer peaks could operate was also because they were supported by these resources.
“Therefore, the first step for an outer-door menial servant to turn his fate around is to climb onto the supplemental roster of the inner peak. Only by entering the inner peak is it more convenient to obtain cultivation materials.
As for the Qi Refining village clans below the mountain, aside from farming spirit fields and managing the market, they probably don’t have many means of livelihood. That’s why they can only rely on the lineages and attach themselves to great sects and schools.”
Jiang Yi gradually realized how the orthodoxies ruled the world and conferred status upon lineages.
He also understood why [unorthodox practitioners] were regarded as parasites.
“Every bit of material in the vast land of Yanfu is probably gathered and held by the Immortal Lords at the very top of the orthodoxies.
Only the many lineages under the orthodoxies possess the qualification to ‘engage in production.’”
Jiang Yi sucked in a cold breath, and a trace of relief rose in his heart.
Thank goodness he was not a wandering cultivator!
No matter how miserable it was to be an ox or horse of a menial servant, at least he was part of the production relations within an orthodox lineage.
If he became a wandering cultivator, that would be equivalent to being an “unregistered vagrant” or a “criminal.”
He could be killed on the spot at any time!
“For now, I’ll record the inner-peak opportunities in case they’re needed later.”
Jiang Yi steadied his mind. With a thought, he erased the cause and effect.
As the tadpole-like characters scattered like smoke and clouds, the light of that golden sheet of paper dimmed in an instant.
After a short while, once the Heavenly Book recovered, he posed another question.
[With reverence, I ask the Heavenly Book to show me what gains I may obtain by going to the inner peak today!]
[Matter investigated: Personal gains]
[Deduction time: Half an hour]
Jiang Yi closed his eyes again, circulating his true qi through his hundred bones.
Before long, the sun hung high at noon, illuminating the boundless snowy forest.
A faint warmth fell upon his shoulders. Jiang Yi opened his eyes, golden light shimmering within them.
After seven or eight breaths, he seemed to have finished digesting the information. With a smile at the corner of his mouth, he said,
“Not bad. There are indeed gains to be had. This trip to the inner peak will be worthwhile after all.
It just so happens that I can finalize the cooperation with Senior Brother Wang from Yanghun Peak and exchange for a sum of talisman-money as soon as possible, to prepare the ritual and build the water pool and fire marsh.”
Jiang Yi rose to his full height, brushed the powdery snow from his Daoist robe, and walked off calmly, leaving the snowy forest.
Behind him remained a string of shallow footprints, leading straight into the distance.
……
……
Two hours later, Guanlan Peak.
Jiang Yi leapt down from the flying crane and landed steadily on the bluestone plaza.
Several gray-robed servants were sweeping snow, and he once again saw that hale and hearty old Daoist.
“Greetings, Senior.” Jiang Yi saluted.
“You certainly come and go often.” The old Daoist chuckled, clearly still remembering him.
“During this period, people have been coming and going from the inner peak in endless streams. Who knows how many will be able to enter when spring comes next year.”
There was a trace of the emotion of one who had been through it before in his words.
Jiang Yi only smiled shyly.
Perhaps because Jiang Yi had given him benefits before, the old Daoist casually offered a hint:
“Little brother, if your cultivation is passable, you might as well ask around and see whether you can find a connection through the senior brothers and sisters of the inner peak, take postings on their behalf, and do tasks for them. That way, you can exchange for some resources.
Cultivating in the outer door is exceptionally difficult. Sometimes, if you do not advance, you will instead regress.”
There was some goodwill in this warning.
Jiang Yi’s eyelid twitched, as though he were surprised by the words “take postings.”
Without the slightest trace of fuss, he slipped a bright red talisman-money to the old Daoist.
“May I trouble Senior to enlighten me?”
This kid really knows how things work!
The old Daoist smiled approvingly and patiently explained in detail:
“Inner-peak disciples must accept assignments from the sect every month. At most seven or eight times, at least three or five, just like you menial servants reporting for work. They cannot refuse.
There is a red board in the Merit Initiation Courtyard specifically used to inspect the number of duties performed. But inner-peak disciples are not free at all times. Occasionally, they may be at a crucial point in cultivation, or entangled in miscellaneous affairs and unable to get away, so they will have others handle the assigned tasks on their behalf.”
It sounded somewhat familiar.
Like outsourcing missions?
“Don’t underestimate it. The Hundred Beasts Cave and Heart-Seizing Forest are both important grounds of the sect. Those who are not inner-peak disciples are not allowed to enter at all.
The materials obtained from within, whether for personal use or resale, are worth quite a lot.
Quite a few direct descendants from outer-door village clans attach themselves to a certain senior brother or sister, help manage matters, and in just a few short years earn a generous fortune.”
The old Daoist spoke cheerfully, his tone seeming to carry a trace of envy.
“Many thanks, Senior.”
Jiang Yi gave another Daoist salute. Yang Xun had never mentioned the matter of taking postings in the inner peak to him.
He thought it over carefully, and a look of realization surfaced in his eyes.
Yang Xun’s own son seemed to have lost his life in the Hundred Beasts Cave.
That was what had given him the opportunity to “take advantage of the opening”!
Whether in reason or sentiment, that Grandpa would never want Jiang Yi to risk himself by running dangerous errands for inner-peak disciples.
“With the Heavenly Book in hand, when I have time another day, I might as well go search for opportunities.”
Jiang Yi considered it. After this period of steady practice, he had already understood one principle.
The more bitterly one cultivated in a demonic-path lineage, the harder it was to stand out.
Especially for those born from humble origins, whose starting point was already low.
If one wanted to catch up to the direct descendants of village clans and noble scions of Daoist clans…
One had to “rub up against opportunities,” “bump into fortuitous encounters,” and “meet benefactors”!
“As the saying goes, hide the fangs and sheath the claws while enduring, just like a fierce tiger lying low on a barren hill…”
After parting from the old Daoist, Jiang Yi arrived at the Merit Initiation Courtyard.
The middle-aged Daoist guarding the gate today was not dozing off. Seeing Jiang Yi dressed in an outer-door Daoist robe, he waved lazily. “Go register your name over there.”
Jiang Yi silently walked to the side, lifted the brush, and registered.
Just then, several more people arrived outside the courtyard.
“Junior Brother Wang! Senior Brother Lu!”
The middle-aged Daoist abruptly stood up, his whole person becoming alert. “Eh! Senior Brother Xiao, how do you have the time to come today?”
He greeted them one by one, his back bending lower and lower.
Jiang Yi found it strange in his heart. The gatekeeping Daoist of the Merit Initiation Courtyard was equivalent to being part of the “security department”; there was no need for him to show pleasant faces to outer-door menial servants.
After he finished registering and turned around to look—
Whoa!
They were all familiar faces!
“Junior Brother Jiang…”
Wang Heng was somewhat pleasantly surprised and hurried forward.
“What true fate!”
He spoke excitedly to the “Senior Brother Xiao” whom the middle-aged Daoist respected the most:
“He is the Junior Brother Jiang Yi of Chiyan Peak whom I’ve often mentioned to Senior Brother recently! Fourth level of Qi Refining, outstanding talent, and especially insightful when it comes to cultivation.”
“Oh? For Junior Brother Wang to admire you so, you must certainly be no mediocre talent.”
The young man called “Senior Brother Xiao” had sword-like brows and starry eyes, with a high, straight nose. He could be called imposing and dignified.
Even merely standing there, he had an invisible aura lingering around him, giving others a sense of deep stillness and towering presence.
Fifth level of Qi Refining?
Jiang Yi’s gaze contracted slightly, and he cupped his hands.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Xiao.”
Xiao Tongquan’s tone was indifferent, but his smile was warm:
“Junior Brother Jiang, there is no need to be too distant. For you to reach this step from the position of mere grass and weeds, I admire you from the bottom of my heart.
In a demonic-path lineage, talent is valued above all. When the inner peak next supplements its quota, there will surely be a place for you.”
Then he looked toward the middle-aged Daoist of the Merit Initiation Courtyard and said in a deep voice:
“Junior Brother Jiang is an intimate friend of mine, Xiao Tongquan. In the future, don’t trouble him with registering back and forth.”
The middle-aged Daoist hurriedly agreed:
“Understood, understood! This humble one will remember!”
When he looked at Jiang Yi again, his gaze was already entirely different.
This kid was dressed so ordinarily, yet he had actually climbed into Senior Brother Xiao Tongquan’s circle!
As they were speaking, two more people entered the Merit Initiation Courtyard.
Li Ruohan arrived gracefully and openly:
“Today truly is a fine day. All the senior brothers are gathered here! Allow this little sister to make an introduction. This is Luo Tong from the forging room of Chiyan Peak… Junior Brother Luo, quickly pay your respects to the senior brothers!”
Luo Tong puffed out his chest and greeted them one by one. When he reached Jiang Yi, he froze slightly.
Senior Brother Jiang? Could this person be the one under Elder Sister’s skirt?
He didn’t look like a toad lusting after swan meat!
P.S. With reverence, I ask the esteemed reader lords to bestow monthly tickets and help me break through to the fifth level of Qi Refining~
P.S. 2: If you have any thoughts, feel free to leave a comment. The Heavenly Book will record them~