《A second life, An Eternal journey to Immortality》


 Chapter 1_The Birth of an Obsession"

    Before Jiang''s rebirth, he was an ordinary man living an ordinary life, with a calm demeanor and a sense of maturity that belied his age. His appearance was undeniably handsome, a solid 88 out of 100, and he carried himself with an air of self-assuredness, though always cautious in his actions. As an orphan, Jiang had learned early on to rely on himself, but that didn¡¯t stop him from valuing the friendships he made along the way. His social circle consisted of university friends, work colleagues, and a few companions from the clubs he frequented to unwind and have fun


    Jiang had a penchant for reading novels, particularly those about immortals and cultivation. These stories served as an escape from the monotony of his everyday existence, where the protagonists grew stronger, defied the laws of nature, and achieved greatness. Sometimes, Jiang found himself envious of their limitless potential, imagining what it would be like to live forever, to wield power beyond comprehension, free from the constraints of his fragile human body.


    One Friday night, the club was alive with energy, the music pulsing from the speakers as Jiang and his friends navigated through the crowd. He was following his usual routine¡ªlaughing, enjoying the company of various girls, and immersing himself in the fleeting pleasures of youth. Yet, tonight felt different. There was an odd weight on his chest that he couldn¡¯t shake, but he pushed the feeling aside, determined to make the most of the moment.


    A girl named Li Mei approached him with a mischievous smile.


    Li Mei: "So, Jiang, what¡¯s it going to be tonight? Another round of shots, or shall we just dance and let loose?"


    Jiang (grinning): "Why not both? But no promises I won¡¯t steal a dance from you later."


    They both laughed, but Jiang¡¯s gaze lingered on Li Mei for a moment longer than he intended. For a brief second, he wondered what it would be like to live a life that wasn¡¯t bound by time. A life where moments like these never faded, never slipped away. He shook off the thought, diving back into the excitement of the night.


    Jiang: "You know, Mei, sometimes I wish life could be simpler. No worries, no rush¡ªjust endless fun."


    Li Mei: "Ha, you say that now, but you¡¯ll regret it when you¡¯re old and can¡¯t keep up with us anymore."


    Jiang (laughing): "I¡¯d rather have fun right up until I can¡¯t walk anymore. Immortality would be ideal for that, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    Li Mei (teasing): "Immortal? Maybe you should be careful what you wish for. That¡¯s one heavy burden to carry."


    They both laughed again, but deep inside, Jiang felt a pang of longing. Immortality seemed like an impossible dream, something far out of reach. Yet, it was a thought that lingered in his quiet moments, gnawing at him..


    And the days Goes by


    One day, Jiang sat at his desk, mechanically going through reports. He was a reliable employee¡ªdiligent, calm under pressure¡ªbut today, as his colleagues chattered around him, he felt strangely detached. His thoughts kept drifting to his favorite novels about immortals¡ªthose who transcended time, lived beyond the ordinary, and defied the rules of reality itself.


    Xu Wei (a coworker, casually): "Jiang, you¡¯re not yourself today. Everything okay?"


    Jiang (smiling faintly): "Yeah, just a little tired. The usual stuff, you know?"


    Xu Wei: "You¡¯ve been reading too many of those cultivation novels again, haven¡¯t you? You need a break from that fantasy world. Real life doesn¡¯t come with immortality, my friend."The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Jiang (chuckling softly): "You might be right. But sometimes, it feels like there¡¯s more to life than this... work, repeat, work, repeat."


    Xu Wei (raising an eyebrow): "You¡¯re not thinking about quitting, are you?"


    Jiang: "No, I enjoy the work. It¡¯s just... I don¡¯t know. The more I read those books, the more I wonder what it would be like to be more than just... normal. To not be bound by the same things everyone else is."


    Xu Wei: "Well, if you want immortality, maybe you should get started on being a monk. Who knows, maybe you¡¯ll get lucky in your next life."


    Jiang: "Maybe. But if I did get another shot at life, I¡¯d want to make it count."


    Xu Wei: "Let me know how that works out for you."


    Jiang smiled at the joke, but inside, his desire to break free of life''s constraints only deepened. What would it be like to live forever, to never have to worry about time running out?


    ... Time flies and the Years Goes by


    At 30, Jiang¡¯s life took an unexpected turn. He was struck with a mysterious illness¡ªone that no doctor could diagnose, no treatment could cure. His body began to deteriorate, slowly at first, but then with terrifying speed. The doctors delivered the grim news: Jiang didn¡¯t have long to live.


    His friends, though supportive, couldn¡¯t ease the growing despair that settled in his chest. Their visits, their kind words, and their attempts to cheer him up only deepened his sense of helplessness. As the days passed, Jiang¡¯s health continued to decline.


    The vibrant man who had once been full of life now lay in a hospital bed, frail and pale, surrounded by the sterile white walls that seemed to close in on him.


    His friends tried to offer comfort, but their smiles were strained, their words hollow.


    Liu Fang (a longtime friend, sitting by Jiang¡¯s side): "Jiang, I don¡¯t know what to say. The doctors¡­ they¡¯ve run out of options. We¡¯ve tried everything."


    Jiang (weakly): "I don¡¯t want to die, Fang. I don¡¯t want to leave all of this behind. There¡¯s so much I haven¡¯t done yet."


    Liu Fang (gripping his hand): "You¡¯re not alone in this. We¡¯re all here for you. You¡¯ll always be remembered. You¡¯ve made a difference in our lives."


    Jiang: "But what¡¯s the point of being remembered? I want to live. I want to keep experiencing, to see everything this world has to offer... But it feels like... it¡¯s all slipping away."


    His voice was barely a whisper now, but the fire in his heart burned hotter than ever.


    Liu Fang: "You¡¯ve done more than enough. You¡¯re a good person, Jiang. You¡¯re going to leave a mark on this world that no one can forget."


    Jiang: "I don¡¯t care about that... I care about being alive, about never having to say goodbye."


    As Jiang¡¯s health continued to decline, his obsession with immortality grew. He wanted to escape this fate, to defy the inevitable. If he couldn¡¯t achieve immortality in this life, then perhaps... somewhere, somehow, he could find another way.


    The pain in his body grew unbearable, but his mind became clearer with each passing moment. His friends had left, exhausted from the emotional toll of his decline. The room was quiet, save for the steady beeping of the heart monitor. Jiang lay there, his breath shallow and labored, staring at the ceiling, consumed by the burning thought of immortality.


    "I don¡¯t want to die," he whispered to himself. "I want to live forever. I want... immortality."


    For a brief moment, the silence of the room seemed to stretch into eternity. And then, Jiang¡¯s voice broke through the stillness, hoarse but filled with desperate intensity:


    "I want to become Immortal!"


    With those final words, Jiang¡¯s energy drained, and his body gave in to the inevitable, slipping into unconsciousness...


    Another week have passed and Jiang wake up again, As Jiang lay in that sterile hospital bed, his mind was a storm of emotions. The quiet beep of the heart monitor punctuated the silence, a constant reminder of his dwindling time. He couldn¡¯t remember a time when he felt so small, so fragile. Every movement, every breath was labored, as though his body itself was betraying him. The once strong and calm man now felt like a mere shadow of his former self.


    Jiang¡¯s thoughts were a whirlwind, trapped between the fear of death and an unyielding desire to defy it.


    "Why now? Why me? I still have so much left to experience... so much to see."


    His mind flitted between fragments of memories¡ªhis university days, the nights out at the club, laughing with friends, the joy of chasing fleeting pleasures. Yet, there was always that gnawing feeling of dissatisfaction, of knowing he was destined for something more, something grander than the life he led. He had always read about immortals¡ªbeings that lived beyond the limits of time, who could achieve unimaginable power, see centuries pass without a single wrinkle.


    "If only I could be one of them," he thought desperately. "If only I could live forever."


    His gaze wandered toward the window, where the sky was growing darker, as though the heavens themselves were mirroring his despair. The faintest flicker of light cut through the darkening sky. A flash of lightning. It illuminated the room for a split second, casting long shadows on the white walls.


    His heartbeat quickened, his breath shallow and erratic. Was it just the storm? Or was something stirring in the air? It felt... strange, like the world was holding its breath, as if it too were listening to his thoughts. The storm outside raged on, the sound of thunder rolling across the heavens like a deep, echoing growl, and a violent flash of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating everything with an eerie, almost supernatural glow.


    "I don¡¯t want to die."

 Chapter 2_"The Golden Eye: The Night the World Trembled"

    His thoughts became frantic, his pulse quickening in the face of impending death. His limbs felt like lead, and the darkness around him seemed to close in. But then, as the storm outside reached its crescendo, a surge of determination swelled within him, born of desperation.


    "No! I refuse to die!"


    Jiang''s body trembled with the intensity of his emotion, his desire to break free of the chains of mortality, to transcend death, to live forever. He could feel his very soul crying out, pulling against the inevitable.


    The air in the room seemed to shift. It thickened, and a deep hum filled the space, as if the universe itself was reacting to his anguished wish. The flashing lightning outside mirrored the intensity of his emotions, growing brighter, faster, as if time itself were bending to the will of his desire.


    For the first time in his life, Jiang¡¯s overwhelming need to live took over his rational mind. He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms, his chest heaving with the effort to force out the words.


    "I WANT TO BECOME IMMORTAL!"


    As Jiang¡¯s desperate cry for immortality echoed into the stormy night, something extraordinary occurred¡ªsomething the entire world would never forget.


    High above the hospital, the storm clouds churned violently, lightning illuminating the heavens like cracks in the fabric of reality. Suddenly, the storm went silent. No thunder. No wind. The rain froze mid-fall, droplets suspended eerily in the air.


    Then, it happened.


    A massive, golden eye opened in the sky, its gaze cold and merciless, like a deity observing insignificant ants. Its brilliance illuminated the entire planet, casting everything in an ethereal golden hue. The iris of the eye spun slowly, like the turning of celestial gears, and a low, bone-rattling hum filled the air.


    The entire planet trembled as an overwhelming force descended, blanketing the world in a crushing, invisible gravity. Buildings groaned under the weight, trees bent and cracked, and people collapsed to their knees, unable to stand.


    In a bustling metropolis, people looked up in terror, shielding their eyes from the blinding glow of the celestial eye.


    Man in the Streets (panicking): "What is that? Is it a god? A demon?!"


    Woman: "I¡­ I can¡¯t move! It feels like the air itself is crushing me!"


    Child (crying): "Mommy, I¡¯m scared! Make it stop!"


    The weight of the force was unbearable. Cars crumpled under the pressure, streetlights flickered and shattered, and skyscrapers swayed dangerously. Around the world, similar scenes played out.


    In a small village:


    An old man stumbled out of his home, his voice trembling as he stared at the sky.


    Old Man: "I¡¯ve lived through wars and disasters, but this¡­ this is no act of nature. This is divine punishment!"


    The village priest fell to his knees, clutching his prayer beads.


    Priest: "Oh, merciful heavens, spare us! Spare us! Forgive our sins!"


    A revered monk, sitting cross-legged atop a remote mountain temple, was streaming a sermon live when the golden eye appeared in the heavens. His calm demeanor shattered as he stared wide-eyed into the camera.


    Monk: ¡°This... This is not an omen of destruction¡ªit is a revelation! A divine entity has descended to rewrite the fates of mortals. Bow your heads and pray for mercy, for the balance of the heavens has been disturbed!¡±


    His voice cracked, and for the first time in his decades of teaching, his followers saw fear etched across his face.


    In a small observatory perched on a hill, a group of astronomers stared at their instruments in disbelief. One of them, a young woman in her late 20s, frantically typed on her keyboard.Stolen story; please report.


    Astronomer: ¡°This can¡¯t be possible! The gravitational anomaly... it¡¯s affecting the Moon¡¯s orbit! How is this happening globally and instantaneously?!¡±


    Another astronomer looked up from his telescope, his face pale. ¡°It¡¯s not just the Moon¡ªit¡¯s the stars. They¡¯re¡­ shifting. Whatever that thing is, it¡¯s altering spacetime itself!¡±


    In a high-tech command center:


    Military personnel scrambled as alarms blared, monitors displaying the enormous golden eye dominating the atmosphere.


    General: "What in God¡¯s name is that?! Is it an alien invasion? Get me the president, NOW!"


    Scientist (frantically analyzing): "The gravitational pull¡­ it¡¯s global! The eye isn¡¯t just an image; it¡¯s distorting the planet¡¯s very physics!"


    Soldier: "Sir, satellites are failing! Communication with orbital stations is down!"


    Inside a Crowded Apartment:


    A family of four huddled together, trembling as the oppressive force pressed them to the ground.


    Father (whispering): "Stay calm. We¡¯re going to be okay."


    Mother (clutching her child): "What is it? Is it the end of the world?"


    The eldest daughter, glued to her phone, stared in shock at social media feeds flooded with videos and live streams of the golden eye.


    Daughter: "It¡¯s everywhere¡­ People in Europe, Africa, Asia¡ªthey¡¯re all seeing the same thing."


    Outside Jiang¡¯s Hospital:


    Crowds gathered, their heads craned upward at the sky. Despite the suffocating pressure, they couldn¡¯t look away. A homeless man on the street screamed in delirium.


    Homeless Man: "It¡¯s judgment day! The gods have come to punish us all!"


    A nurse stumbled out of the hospital doors, gasping for breath.


    Nurse: "Is this real? Is this¡­ the end?"


    Above it all, the giant golden eye remained unmoving, its cold, unfeeling gaze fixed on Jiang¡¯s hospital room as if peering into his very soul. The hum grew louder, resonating deep within every living being, until it was impossible to tell if the sound was external or coming from within their own minds.


    The pressure come.


    The gravity wasn¡¯t just a weight; it was a presence. It felt like the entire planet was being pushed down by the gaze of a higher power. People struggled to breathe, their bodies trembling under the immense pressure.


    Animals howled and whimpered, their instincts screaming at them to flee. Birds fell from the sky, unable to resist the force that dragged them down. Rivers swelled unnaturally, waves crashing onto shores as if the ocean itself were rebelling against the phenomenon.


    Even the Earth seemed to groan under the strain. Cracks formed in the ground, fissures splitting roads and fields. Volcanoes trembled, their molten cores stirred by the planetary disruption.


    Global Conversations


    In a live news broadcast:


    The anchor, pale and sweating, clung to their desk as the studio lights flickered.


    Anchor: "We¡¯re receiving reports of this¡­ this eye appearing across the globe. Experts are unable to explain its origin. Stay indoors, remain calm, and¡ª"


    The broadcast cut off, replaced by static. Viewers around the world stared at their screens in growing dread.


    On social media:


    Posts and comments flooded platforms.


    "Is this a sign of the apocalypse?"


    "It¡¯s aliens! The government knew this was coming!"


    "That eye¡­ it feels like it¡¯s looking directly at me."


    The Moment Passes


    As the world trembled under the eye''s oppressive gaze, Jiang, lying frail in his hospital bed, felt a shift deep within him. While others across the globe were overwhelmed by fear and awe, Jiang felt an inexplicable connection to the golden eye, as though its gaze wasn¡¯t just upon him¡ªbut within him.


    The crushing gravity pressing down on his body was suffocating, yet Jiang''s mind remained strangely lucid. His heartbeat slowed, each beat reverberating like the toll of a distant bell. The sensation was surreal; his body felt like it was dissolving, merging with the universe itself.


    ¡°Why¡­ why does this feel¡­ familiar?¡± Jiang whispered weakly, his voice trembling. A faint golden light flickered in his dimming vision, as though it came not from the eye in the sky, but from somewhere deep within his chest.


    At that moment, Jiang realized he wasn¡¯t afraid¡ªnot anymore. Unlike the terrified masses who cowered under the eye¡¯s gaze, he felt something entirely different: a pull, an invitation, as though the eye were calling him, choosing him. It wasn¡¯t just a cosmic force; it was something sentient, something ancient, something...destined.


    Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the pressure lifted. The golden eye blinked once, its motion slow and deliberate, before vanishing into the stormy sky. The rain resumed, falling heavily as if to wash away the memory of what had just occurred.


    People across the planet gasped for air, their bodies shaking from the release of the oppressive force. Some fell to the ground in relief, while others stared at the sky, their minds racing with questions and fear.


    Man on the Street: "It¡¯s gone¡­ but what was it?!"


    Woman: "Are we safe now? Or is it coming back?"


    As the golden eye vanished and the crushing weight lifted, the beeping of the heart monitor slowed further. Jiang''s body, already frail, trembled as he struggled to speak.


    Nurse: "Jiang! Are you okay? Your vitals are dropping¡ªstay with me!"


    But Jiang¡¯s gaze was fixed on the window. His lips moved, barely forming the words, ¡°I saw it... It¡¯s real. Immortality... is real.¡±


    The nurse leaned closer, confused. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Jiang¡¯s voice, faint but filled with conviction, carried a strength that belied his dying body. ¡°The eye¡­ it wasn¡¯t looking at the world. It was looking at me. This¡­ this isn¡¯t the end for me.¡±


    The nurse looked at him, alarmed, as his heartbeat began to fade into a flatline. Tears streamed down her face as she called for help, but Jiang¡¯s last thoughts weren¡¯t of despair. They were of triumph.


    As the eye blinked and disappeared, a faint ripple spread across the sky, distorting the very fabric of reality. Those who dared to look at the sky saw something even more unnerving¡ªa faint outline of an enormous, celestial being standing behind the eye, as if observing from a higher dimension.


    The ripple wasn¡¯t just in the heavens¡ªit echoed across the entire planet, leaving behind faint, glowing symbols etched into stone, metal, and even skin. Some people collapsed in pain as strange marks appeared on their foreheads, glowing faintly before fading away...


    As Jiang¡¯s consciousness faded, he felt himself drifting¡ªnot into the void, but into a realm beyond comprehension. He wasn¡¯t afraid anymore. Instead, he felt a surge of clarity, a deep understanding that he was no longer bound by the same rules as the people around him.


    ¡°This is the beginning,¡± a voice echoed in his mind, deep and ancient. ¡°You sought immortality, Jiang. Now, earn it.¡±


    The world would soon return to its fragile normalcy, but the event had marked the beginning of something far greater¡ªa destiny that would transcend the bounds of mortality for Jiang, his journey was only just beginning.

 Chapter 3_"Not the Protagonist, Yet"

    Jiang Cheng¡¯s consciousness stirred sluggishly, as though it were trapped in a dense fog. His head throbbed with an unbearable pounding, like a celestial blacksmith had been hammering away at his skull without end. Groaning, he tried to move, only to realize his entire body felt like it had been run over by a celestial ox cart¡ªtwice.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± He winced, forcing his eyes open. Blurry shapes greeted him, slowly sharpening into an unfamiliar sight. Above him, a rickety roof sagged dangerously low, its beams cracked and gnawed at by time and perhaps rats. Shafts of dim light pierced through the holes in the roof, illuminating motes of dust lazily floating in the air. Beneath him, rough, broken straw poked at his back, leaving itchy scratches that added insult to injury.


    Jiang Cheng blinked. Then he blinked again. His mind struggled to catch up with reality, like a broken wagon trying to move uphill. ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡± he croaked, his voice hoarse and dry as if he hadn¡¯t had a drop of water in days.


    He tried to sit up, only to be greeted by a sharp, stabbing pain in his ribs that nearly made him scream. ¡°Ow! What the hell!¡± He collapsed back onto the straw, clutching his side. Every part of his body protested as if he¡¯d been beaten within an inch of his life¡ªor worse, spent a night partying and woke up with the hangover of the century.


    It was then that the three age-old questions surfaced in his mind like bubbles breaking through the murky waters of confusion: " Who am I? Where am I? And¡­ where the hell am I going? "


    As he lay there, staring blankly at the dilapidated ceiling, a creeping sense of unease began to take root in his chest. His memories were fragmented, scattered like shards of glass. Then, a horrifying thought struck him, making his heart skip a beat. His face twisted in disbelief. ¡°Wait¡­ did I transmigrate?!¡±


    His words echoed in the silence of the shack, and for a moment, Jiang Cheng simply stared into the void. Slowly, his mind began piecing things together, fueled by years of reading fantasy novels during his previous life. " The confusion¡­ the strange surroundings¡­ the mysterious injuries¡­ It all adds up! This is just like one of those transmigration stories!"


    Excitement flared in his chest as he sat up abruptly¡ªonly to immediately regret it. The pain in his ribs flared again, and he doubled over, hissing through his teeth. ¡°Damn it, can¡¯t I even have a proper protagonist moment?!¡±


    Leaning back against the wall, Jiang Cheng began inspecting his surroundings more carefully. The shack he was in looked like it was on its last legs¡ªor perhaps had already died and was now merely existing out of spite. The walls were made of warped wooden planks, riddled with holes that let the wind whistle through. The roof was more patchwork than solid, and a corner of the room was taken up by a crude clay pot filled with what appeared to be wet dirt.


    He glanced down at himself. His hands were rough and calloused, his fingernails dirty and chipped. The rags he was wearing could hardly be called clothes¡ªmore like strips of cloth stitched together in a desperate attempt to cover a body. His stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence, and he realized he was starving.


    The excitement from earlier quickly gave way to frustration. Jiang Cheng slapped his forehead, groaning. ¡°No divine artifact? No secret inheritance? Just¡­ this? What kind of crappy start is this?! Did I transmigrate into a beggar?!¡±


    He looked down at his scrawny arms, noting the bruises and scratches covering his skin. A wave of anger surged through him as his thoughts spiraled. " Whose unlucky body did I possess?! What kind of life was this guy living?! Did he roll around in a pit of rocks before dying?!"This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Grinding his teeth, Jiang Cheng cursed inwardly. ¡°You bastard! Whoever you were, what the hell were you doing with your life? Did you owe someone money? Did you steal their chickens? Why does it feel like you¡¯ve been beaten up by the entire village?!¡±


    As his stomach growled again, Jiang Cheng clenched his fists and glared at the ceiling. ¡°Thief God! Are you messing with me?! I was an average guy in my last life! I didn¡¯t ask for much¡ªjust food, sleep, and occasionally some entertainment. Was that too much to ask?!¡±


    His voice grew louder as his frustration boiled over. ¡°What did I do wrong? Was it because I downloaded pirated novels? Is this your punishment for me reading about cultivation for free?! Fine! I admit it! I¡¯ll buy them next time¡ªwait, no, there¡¯s no next time, is there?! Damn it all!¡±


    His voice grew louder, his anger pouring out like the very rain seeping through the roof. ¡°Look at this place! Look at me! I¡¯m wearing clothes that even beggars wouldn¡¯t want! I thought I¡¯d wake up as a chosen one, not a punching bag for the heavens!¡±


    As if in response, a loud crack of thunder roared across the sky.


    Jiang Cheng froze, his hands still mid-rant. His face went pale as his head slowly tilted upward to the patched roof.


    ¡°¡­I was kidding,¡± he muttered, his voice shaking. Another crack of thunder boomed, even louder this time, and Jiang Cheng dove under the rickety table, clutching his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry! I was out of line! Thief God, you¡¯re very fair and just! Please don¡¯t smite me!¡±


    The wind howled through the gaps in the shack, making it creak ominously. Jiang Cheng, still crouched under the table, peeked out nervously. ¡°I wasn¡¯t serious, you know. Just venting. Totally respectful. Let¡¯s not escalate this¡­¡±


    BOOM! A terrifying flash lit up the sky, illuminating the inside of the shack for a split second.


    Jiang Cheng yelped and scrambled further under the table, curling into a ball. ¡°Okay, okay! I¡¯ll stop complaining! Thank you for this¡­ uh¡­ enlightening experience, Thief God! Very educational! I¡¯ll be good from now on!¡±


    The thunder quieted down, and the shack seemed to calm with it. Jiang Cheng cautiously uncurled, peeking out from his hiding spot. The rain continued to drizzle through the roof, but the sky had gone relatively silent.


    Sighing in relief, he crawled back out and sat down on the straw, wiping his damp forehead. ¡°Note to self,¡± he muttered. ¡°Never insult the heavens. They take it personally.¡±


    But just as he finished his sentence, As if to mock him, a particularly large drop of water fell from the roof and landed square on his head. Jiang Cheng glared up at the ceiling, his fist trembling. ¡°You win this round, Thief God. But don¡¯t think I¡¯m giving up. One day, I¡¯ll stand above the heavens¡­ just as soon as I figure out how to get out of this mess.¡±


    The shack creaked ominously in response, as if mocking his plight. Jiang Cheng glared at the wooden beams. ¡°Don¡¯t you start with me. If you collapse, I swear I¡¯ll haunt you in the afterlife!¡±


    He sat there, fuming, until a sudden thought struck him. His expression froze, and a chill ran down his spine. "Wait¡­ what if I¡¯m not the protagonist? What if I¡¯m just a side character? Or worse¡­ cannon fodder?!"


    The realization hit him like a lightning bolt. Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes widened as he grabbed his head in despair. ¡°No, no, no! This can¡¯t be happening! I¡¯m supposed to be the son of the plane! The chosen one! Not some unlucky bastard who gets killed off in chapter two to make the villain look cool!¡±


    His imagination ran wild, conjuring images of himself being crushed underfoot by some arrogant young master or incinerated by an evil sect leader. The thought made his blood run cold.


    ¡°No! I refuse to be cannon fodder! Even if the heavens want me to be a stepping stone, I¡¯ll carve my name into that stone and turn it into a monument!¡± He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes.


    But just as quickly as the fire ignited, it fizzled out. Jiang Cheng slumped against the wall, sighing deeply. ¡°Who am I kidding? Look at me. I¡¯m starving, covered in bruises, and living in a shack that might collapse at any moment. Protagonists don¡¯t start out like this. This is the setup for a tragic background character!¡±


    He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. " Alright, Jiang Cheng. Calm down. Think this through. Maybe this is just the heavens testing me. Yeah, that¡¯s it. The real plot hasn¡¯t started yet. This is just the prelude¡­ probably."


    His stomach growled again, louder this time, snapping him out of his thoughts. Jiang Cheng grimaced. ¡°First things first. Food. I can¡¯t rise above the heavens on an empty stomach.¡±


    Forcing himself to his feet, Jiang Cheng winced as his body protested. Every step he took felt like walking on knives, but he gritted his teeth and stumbled toward the door. The moment he opened it, a blast of cold wind hit him, making him shiver.


    He stepped outside, only to freeze in place. The world before him was bleak¡ªfields of dry, cracked earth stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with patches of stubborn weeds. A gray sky loomed overhead, threatening rain.


    ¡°¡­Where the hell am I?¡± Jiang Cheng muttered, his confusion returning full force.


    He glanced back at the shack, then at the desolate landscape. His shoulders slumped. ¡°Alright, Jiang Cheng. One step at a time. Let¡¯s just¡­ survive today first.¡±


    And so, his journey began¡ªnot with the glory of a chosen hero, but with the grumbling of a starving man, cursing the heavens under his breath.

 Chapter 4_"A Hero’s Journey Begins… In His Own Mind"

    After a few minutes, Jiang Cheng finally calmed down. The chaos of transmigrating, the rundown shack, and his desperate curses at the heavens¡ªall of it now felt like a bad dream. He sat down on his glorious bed (a pile of straw that looked like it had been through a famine) and let out a long sigh. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s figure out what¡¯s going on.¡±


    Closing his eyes, he concentrated on his memories, hoping to make sense of this new life. It wasn¡¯t long before a tidal wave of information crashed into his mind¡ªa deluge of memories that didn¡¯t belong to him. The sheer intensity of it made his head feel like it was being split apart by a thousand celestial swords.¡°F-Fuck!¡± Jiang Cheng groaned, clutching his head in agony. The pain was so intense that his vision swam, right before his vision went black, and he fainted on the spot.


    Three hours later, Jiang Cheng woke up with a pounding headache, groaning as he clutched his temples. ¡°Great¡­ transmigrated into a broken body and got the memory migraine deluxe package. Thanks, Thief God. Really generous of you.¡±


    Jiang Cheng sat motionless for a moment, processing the tragic tale of his predecessor. His lips trembled as he whispered, ¡°This¡­ this can only be described in eight words: "terrible, life hanging by a thread.¡±


    The unlucky original owner of this body also went by the name Jiang Cheng. Born in a mortal country under the Qinglin Sect¡¯s jurisdiction, his knowledge of the world was pitifully limited. He knew the name of the world¡ª Tianmin ¡ªand that his location was in the Eastern Region, under a sect that ruled over countless miles with its Golden Core ancestor as the strongest local cultivator. Beyond that? A big, yawning void of ignorance.


    As for the poor guy himself, his life was a tale of woe. The original owner of this body was a casual cultivator¡ªa term that sounded almost romantic, like a free-spirited wanderer, but in reality, it was code for ¡®no background, no resources, no future.¡¯


    In this world of immortal cultivation, territories rich in spiritual energy were fiercely guarded by major sects, like lions jealously guarding their kills. Independent cultivators like Jiang Cheng were left to fight over scraps¡ªor worse, had to sell themselves out as glorified servants to the sects, working tirelessly for a few cheap spirit stones.


    Jiang Cheng cringed as more memories poured in. The The original Jiang Cheng¡¯s story began in the Dali Kingdom, a mortal nation that fell under the jurisdiction of the Qinglin Sect. This sect wasn¡¯t a behemoth by any means, but it did have a Golden Core ancestor, which made it a major player in the region. Its territory stretched tens of thousands of miles, dotted with immortal cities and markets. The big cities had several Foundation Building cultivators guarding them, while the smaller ones having one.


    At the age of 20, the original Jiang Cheng¡¯s luck briefly turned when he stumbled upon a hidden cave belonging to a deceased casual cultivator. Inside, he found:


    A spirit bag with two square meters of storage space (small, but better than nothing).


    200 low-grade spirit stones (a fortune for someone like him at the time).


    A cultivation manual called Changchun Kung Fu (a low-grade Qi Refining technique).


    A magic sword (which was more like a glorified toothpick compared to the weapons of real cultivators).


    And a bunch of miscellaneous junk¡ªbooks, clothes, and odds and ends that were probably worthless.


    For the first time, Jiang Cheng felt like the heavens were smiling on him. He used the manual to sense spiritual energy and successfully drew Qi into his body a year later, officially beginning his cultivation journey.


    The day the original Jiang Cheng first succeeded in drawing Qi into his body was the day he began to see the world through a completely different lens¡ªone filtered through his newfound delusions of grandeur.


    As the faint wisp of Qi coursed through his meridians for the first time, the sensation filled him with an intoxicating sense of power. His muscles felt stronger, his senses sharper, and his confidence¡­ well, his confidence skyrocketed into the heavens.


    Standing in the middle of his small home, Jiang Cheng clenched his fists, letting out a long breath. He looked at his hands like they were now capable of splitting mountains. ¡°This is it! I¡¯ve stepped onto the path of immortality! From now on, those so-called martial artists in the rivers and lakes are no better than ants before me!¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    He picked up his low-grade sword¡ªthe one with more dents than he cared to count¡ªand swung it a few times, nodding in satisfaction. ¡°With my strength, I could probably take on ten bandits at once. No, twenty! From this moment on, the world shall know my name!¡±


    With his mind filled with fantasies of glory, the original Jiang Cheng packed his belongings and set out toward the immortal market. His journey was filled with high spirits and the swagger of a man who believed the heavens themselves were watching over him.


    It was on this journey, as he walked along a dusty road surrounded by rolling hills, that he spotted a commotion up ahead. A mortal caravan was under attack by bandits, their crude weapons gleaming in the afternoon sun. The merchants were shouting in panic as the bandits demanded their goods, and a few guards were already lying on the ground, groaning in pain.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes lit up. This was it¡ªhis chance to shine! Drawing his dented sword, he strode forward with what he thought was an air of majesty and righteousness.


    ¡°Stop this injustice at once!¡± he bellowed, his voice echoing across the hills.


    The bandits turned to look at him, momentarily stunned. A single man with a sword, walking toward them with such confidence? Could this be¡­ an immortal?


    Jiang Cheng didn¡¯t wait for them to recover. With a loud battle cry, he charged forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight. His movements were clumsy, his footwork unpolished, but the bandits were already unnerved by his aura and quickly scattered, unwilling to risk their lives.


    The merchants and guards stared in disbelief as Jiang Cheng stood there, breathing heavily and pointing his sword at the retreating figures.


    ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± he said, trying to steady his voice. ¡°Your savior has arrived.¡±


    The merchants quickly fell to their knees, their faces filled with gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you for saving us!¡±


    One of the older merchants even started crying. ¡°We were doomed for sure, but you came to save us like a divine hero descending from the heavens!¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s chest swelled with pride. He tried to keep a stoic expression, but the praise was clearly getting to him. He waved his hand dismissively, as if saving caravans was just another day¡¯s work for someone like him. ¡°Rise. It was nothing. Merely a duty for someone walking the path of immortality.¡±


    Watching this unfold from the depths of the original Jiang Cheng¡¯s memories, the current Jiang Cheng almost couldn¡¯t believe it. Is he serious? he thought. He can barely swing a sword properly, and now he¡¯s acting like some sort of legendary hero?


    The scene only got more ridiculous.


    A few maids from the caravan stepped forward, their wide eyes filled with admiration. They whispered among themselves, glancing shyly at at Jiang Cheng.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t he so handsome? Look at his robes¡ªthey¡¯re so elegant!¡±


    ¡°An immortal master, and so young, too! I wonder which great sect he¡¯s from¡­¡±


    Hearing their whispers, Jiang Cheng straightened his back even more, deliberately adjusting his robes to appear dignified. He nodded slightly, pretending not to notice their gazes.


    ¡°I only did what anyone would do,¡± he said with an air of false modesty, waving his hand again as if brushing off invisible dust. ¡°The path of immortality is not about fame or fortune, but about upholding justice.¡±


    Jiang Cheng, the current one, nearly choked on laughter. Justice? This guy barely managed to scare off a bunch of low-level bandits, and now he thinks he¡¯s a righteous hero?


    But the original Jiang Cheng didn¡¯t stop there. One of the merchants approached him with a pouch of silver, offering it with trembling hands. ¡°Immortal Master, please accept this humble token of our gratitude.¡±


    Jiang Cheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded graciously. ¡°Very well. I shall accept this, not because I desire wealth, but to ensure your safety in the future. Use it to strengthen your defenses.¡±


    As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a puddle by the side of the road. He paused, admiring how majestic he looked with his sword in hand, the sun casting a golden glow on his figure.


    ¡°I truly do look like a hero,¡± he muttered to himself before continuing on his way, his head held high.


    Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng, the current one, couldn¡¯t help but mock him in his mind. You look like a rooster strutting around the yard. If only those maids knew how ridiculous you really are.


    After the caravan had finally left, Jiang Cheng walked a few paces, his feet light with pride. He had managed to save the day with a flick of his sword¡ªwell, at least that¡¯s how it felt to him. The merchants were undoubtedly talking about him, singing his praises all the way to the next market. Of course, they are, he thought smugly. Who else could have done what I just did?


    He took a step further, then paused, his hand flying to his chest dramatically. He turned back around, his head tilted upward, his tattered, low-grade gray robe flapping in the breeze like a flag of victory. He looked toward the sky, a broad, self-satisfied grin spreading across his face.


    This is it. This is my moment, he thought. I¡¯ll show them what true strength looks like.


    Raising one hand to the heavens as if challenging the entire world, Jiang Cheng¡¯s chest puffed out, and he yelled with all the arrogance he could muster, ¡°Who else?!¡± His voice echoed in the stillness of the road, a booming declaration of his newfound greatness.


    His expression was full of defiance and grandeur, his chin lifted as if the heavens themselves were looking down on him in awe. His posture, too, was impeccable¡ªhis shoulders squared, his chest out, one arm flung wide as if the world itself had to answer his call.


    But as Jiang Cheng posed like a true hero, his tattered robe billowed in the wind, looking more like a patchwork of desperation than a symbol of glory. It was barely held together in some places, and the faded fabric seemed a far cry from the majestic robes of a true cultivator.


    And that¡¯s when it happened. From a distance, the original Jiang Cheng¡ªnow fully aware of the absurdity of his actions¡ªsaw this entire spectacle unfold. His face turned as red as a lobster, and he nearly choked on his own breath from laughter.


    The sight was so ridiculous that Jiang Cheng could barely keep himself upright. He laughed so hard that tears started welling up in his eyes. How could someone be this clueless?


    In the end, as the original Jiang Cheng''s laughter echoed in his mind, the new Jiang Cheng stood there oblivious to it all, still gazing at the sky, waiting for the universe to acknowledge his greatness.


    After his bold proclamation and self-indulgent pose under the heavens, the original Jiang Cheng¡ªstill trying to recover from his laughter¡ªwatched as his host continued his journey with an air of exaggerated grandeur.

 Chapter 5_"The Shameless Adventures of an ‘Immortal Master’\"

    The original owner traveled across the many cities and towns of the Dali Mortal Country, his heart filled with excitement and his stomach with the finest foods he could afford.


    Although his pockets weren¡¯t deep, he couldn¡¯t resist indulging in the delicate local delicacies wherever he stopped.


    In one city, the bustling riverside town of Lishui, he sat at a street-side food stall and wolfed down bowls of fragrant rice topped with crispy roasted duck glazed in sweet plum sauce. The chef even gave him a free bowl of herbal soup, claiming it was to thank an "Immortal Master" for blessing the town with his presence.


    Jiang Cheng, of course, kept his act going, nodding solemnly and saying, ¡°You are welcome. A cultivator like me must uphold justice wherever I go.¡± Meanwhile, the real Jiang Cheng mocked him mercilessly in his mind. Justice? You¡¯re just here for free food,


    aren¡¯t you?


    In another lively trade hub called Qinghe City, he found himself marveling at the towering wooden bridges built over shimmering rivers.


    The markets here sold exotic wares, from glittering gemstones to fragrant medicinal herbs, and even some low-grade talismans and artifacts that casual cultivators could afford.


    The original Jiang Cheng had nearly cried laughing as the owner bought a suspicious-looking "spiritual talisman" for two spirit stones, only to find out later it was just a decorative piece of painted bark.


    Along his journey, he made friends among the martial artists of the rivers and lakes¡ªwandering swordsmen, mercenaries, and even a few petty thieves. These men and women admired his "mystical aura" and the vague yet grand way he spoke about cultivation. Over drinks in a dimly lit tavern in Fangyuan City,


    The memory was absolutely priceless, a scene so ridiculous that Jiang Cheng almost fell off his bed laughing. It happened when the original owner was still a beginner, having barely reached the first level of Qi Refining.


    Back then, he had just started his journey and was already brimming with misplaced confidence, strutting around with his rusty sword like he was a celestial being descending to grace the mortal world.


    One day, while passing through a bustling market square, he had joined a group of young swordsmen gathered around a street performance.


    They had been chatting about cultivation, martial arts, and daring adventures. Spotting the original owner¡¯s tattered robes and slightly disheveled but ¡°mysterious¡± appearance, one bold young swordsman couldn¡¯t help but approach. Bowing respectfully, he asked, ¡°Immortal Master, what realm have you reached?¡±


    The original owner froze for a moment. A drop of cold sweat slid down his back. He was only at the first level of Qi Refining¡ªnot even strong enough to intimidate a group of angry chickens, let alone look like an "Immortal Master." But his pride couldn¡¯t allow him to admit it.


    After all, he had just been enjoying the admiration of the crowd, and to reveal his real cultivation level would shatter the illusion entirely.


    So, with the smooth confidence of a professional liar, he straightened his back, stroked his chin as if he were contemplating the mysteries of the cosmos, and said, ¡°Oh, my realm? It¡¯s not something mortals can easily comprehend.¡± He clasped his hands behind his back, tilted his head slightly to the sky, and added in a calm yet condescending tone, ¡°But if you must know, I¡¯ve just broken through to the¡­ uh, eighth level of Qi Refining.¡±


    Jiang Cheng, witnessing this memory, burst out laughing. Eighth level of Qi Refining?! You¡¯re barely out of the starting gate, and you¡¯ve already promoted yourself seven levels? He couldn¡¯t believe how shameless the original owner was.


    The young swordsman¡¯s eyes widened in awe. ¡°The eighth level!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°That¡¯s incredible! No wonder you carry yourself with such confidence. Truly, an immortal among mortals!¡±


    The original owner, emboldened by the flattery, waved his hand dismissively as though such praise was beneath him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really,¡± he said, his face as serene as an ancient sage, even though his heart was pounding like a war drum.


    ¡°Cultivation is merely a path of perseverance. You too can achieve this level if you work hard¡­ and have a bit of luck.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The surrounding swordsmen nodded solemnly, completely buying into the act. ¡°Immortal Master, you are truly an inspiration!¡±


    The scene grew even more ridiculous when one of them begged him to demonstrate a divine technique. The original owner, panicking internally, quickly made an excuse.


    ¡°Ah, unfortunately, this humble one¡¯s divine arts are too profound for ordinary eyes. If I were to display them here, I fear it might disrupt the balance of the surrounding spiritual energy.¡±


    Jiang Cheng was dying at this point. Disrupt the balance of spiritual energy? You¡¯d be lucky to light a candle with the Qi in your body!


    As the original owner made a hasty escape, still basking in their praises, he couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to himself, clearly thinking he had just pulled off the greatest performance of his life.


    Jiang Cheng, however, was laughing for entirely different reasons. If shamelessness were a cultivation technique, this guy would¡¯ve been a Grandmaster by now.


    And while he was exploring the many cities of Dali, marveling at the scenery and savoring fine delicacies, he inevitably found his way into several brothels, justifying it in the most laughable way possible.


    ¡°Even cultivators must comprehend the myriad facets of human experience,¡± he had declared confidently the first time he crossed the red lantern-lit threshold of a high-end brothel in Lishui.


    Jiang Cheng, observing through his memories, nearly choked. Oh, so this is about comprehension, huh? You¡¯re studying the Dao of Poor Decisions, I see.


    The original owner always went in with a self-righteous air, pretending to pity the "poor, unfortunate girls" who worked in such places. ¡°How tragic,¡± he¡¯d murmur sadly to himself, shaking his head as if mourning their plight.


    But within minutes of sitting down, he was grinning ear to ear, surrounded by a group of beautiful women pouring wine, laughing at his stories, and complimenting his ¡°handsome¡± face and ¡°otherworldly¡± bearing.


    Jiang Cheng had to admit, though the original owner¡¯s face was passable (his body did have an 90 point charm, after all), his tattered robes and secondhand sword weren¡¯t exactly screaming "Immortal Master." Yet, to the brothel girls, he was a rare catch¡ªan "immortal cultivator," even if he was barely hanging onto the first level of Qi Refining. And the original owner ate it all up, puffing out his chest with pride as if he were a revered elder of a major sect.


    There was one particularly ridiculous moment in a brothel in Yanzhou City, where the girls referred to him as ¡°Immortal Hero¡± after he bought a round of drinks for everyone. One of the younger women asked, ¡°Immortal Master, what divine arts have you learned?¡±


    The original owner coughed, stroked his chin thoughtfully (as if he even had a beard), and replied, ¡°Ah, the arts I practice¡­ are too profound for mortals to comprehend. But worry not, fair maidens! My path is one of righteousness.¡± Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t stop laughing as he watched the memory unfold. The only ¡°path¡± you¡¯re on right now is the one to bankruptcy, my guy.


    Ah, the original owner¡¯s visits to the brothels¡ªthose moments were both hilarious and baffling, leaving Jiang Cheng shaking his head in disbelief. The man truly thought of himself as some celestial benefactor,


    descending from the heavens to bless these poor girls with his "magnificent" presence. Every time he entered one of these establishments, he carried himself with the air of a saint on a divine mission.


    Clad in his tattered, low-grade robe that barely made him look respectable, let alone immortal, he would walk in with his head high and a ¡°serene¡± expression, as if he were gracing the establishment with something holy.


    In reality, the sight of him often caused the girls to exchange amused glances, trying not to giggle at this "immortal master" who smelled faintly of sweat and dust after his long travels.


    ¡°Ah, my presence here today is no coincidence,¡± he would say, stroking his chin as if he were solving the mysteries of the universe. ¡°Fate must have brought me here to bring light to your lives. I am but a humble cultivator, here to share the blessings of my celestial Qi with you.¡±


    The poor girls, trained to entertain even the most eccentric of customers, would nod enthusiastically. ¡°Yes, Immortal Master,¡± they¡¯d say, their voices dripping with fake reverence. ¡°We are so honored that someone of your stature would grace us with your presence.¡±


    Jiang Cheng, witnessing this memory, nearly fell over laughing. Blessings? You¡¯re barely able to bless yourself with a proper bath, let alone anyone else!


    As if things couldn¡¯t get worse, the original owner would adopt an air of self-sacrifice, as if visiting these brothels was a noble act on his part.


    ¡°Ah,¡± he¡¯d sigh dramatically, ¡°it pains me to see such beauty trapped in such a cruel world. But worry not¡ªyour Immortal Master is here. My presence will surely brighten your spirits.¡±


    To make things even more absurd, he genuinely believed the girls were in awe of his ¡°handsome and majestic¡± demeanor, despite the fact that his robes were patched in places, and his cultivation aura was weaker than the local tea merchant¡¯s. He would sit there, pretending to be aloof, while the girls entertained him.


    One particular scene left Jiang Cheng howling. The original owner had leaned back in his chair, waving his hand dismissively at a group of young women. ¡°No need to thank me,¡± he said, even though no one had thanked him. ¡°Your Immortal Master¡¯s heart is broad and compassionate. I cannot bear to see suffering in this world. Consider my presence here today a gift.¡±


    Jiang Cheng wiped tears from his eyes, laughing so hard his sides hurt. Gift?! The only gift you¡¯re giving them is a good story to laugh about later!


    The funniest part? The original owner was convinced he was leaving a lasting impression on the hearts of these women, believing they would remember him as a mysterious, otherworldly figure long after he left. In reality, they probably remembered him as ¡°that weird, broke cultivator who couldn¡¯t stop talking about his own greatness.¡±


    The most absurd incident happened in Fangyuan City. The original owner had spent the evening enjoying the company of two charming sisters who worked in the brothel, basking in their praises and even reciting a few lines of poetry he¡¯d stolen from some cheap book.


    As he was leaving, still drunk on compliments, he turned back dramatically and said, ¡°If anyone dares to bully you, just shout my name¡ªJiang Cheng! I¡¯ll appear like the wind and strike them down!¡±


    Still, it wasn¡¯t all just a joke. The girls seemed genuinely fond of the original owner, not because of his cultivation or his boasting, but because he treated them with kindness and respect.


    For all his foolishness, he never acted arrogantly or mistreated anyone. He had a way of bringing laughter wherever he went, even if it was often at his own expense.

 Chapter 6_"From Grand Delusions to Spirit Farmer: The Humbling of a Cultivator"

    Wherever he went, the original owner made it a point to inquire about the nearest immortal market or city. He asked traveling merchants,


    Barkeepers, and even fortune-tellers. His most memorable stop was in Yanzhou City, famous for its golden pagodas and fragrant lotus ponds.


    There, an elderly tea shop owner told him about the Qinglin Sect''s immortal market¡ªa grand place filled with cultivators from all walks of life, where one could trade, buy treasures, and even hear news of the wider cultivation world.


    The original owner¡¯s excitement was palpable. His eyes sparkled as he imagined himself walking through the immortal market, admired by everyone as a rising star.


    But to Jiang Cheng, his excitement was laughable. You¡¯re going to show up in those tattered robes, with that ridiculous sword, and expect people to take you seriously? Oh, this is going to be good.


    Despite all his boasting and posturing, the journey wasn¡¯t entirely without charm. The original owner was genuinely moved by the beauty of the mortal world.


    He stood in awe beneath the cascading waterfalls of Baiyun Gorge, strolled through the endless fields of blooming peach blossoms in Chunfeng Valley, and even climbed the famed Emerald Ridge, where he watched the sunrise paint the skies in hues of gold and crimson.


    Though naive and a little foolish, the original owner found joy in the simple pleasures of life¡ªa joy that even Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t help but appreciate in quieter moments. For all his faults, the man had a way of marveling at the world that was almost¡­ endearing.


    One fateful evening, while resting at a shabby little inn in one of the cities along his journey, the original owner sat at a dimly lit table, munching on some stale bread and sipping watered-down wine.


    It was then that he overheard a conversation from a group of locals sitting near the counter. Among them was an old man with a long, wispy beard, his face lined with the marks of age and wisdom¡ªor so it seemed.


    The old man turned toward the original owner, having noticed his somewhat shabby yet overly confident appearance. ¡°Young man,¡± the old man said, stroking his beard. ¡°You seem to be on a journey to the Immortal Market, yes?¡±


    The original owner, trying to appear dignified, sat up straighter and cleared his throat. ¡°Indeed, old sir. I am traveling to further my immortal path,¡± he said in a tone that was supposed to sound mysterious but instead came off as overly theatrical.


    The old man chuckled and shook his head. ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, I¡¯ll give you that. But you should know, the path to the Immortal Market is no simple stroll. The road is filled with treacherous mountains, raging rivers, and creatures that would devour a mortal¡ªor a low-level cultivator¡ªwithout a second thought.


    Not to mention the evil cultivators and bandits who would happily relieve you of your life and belongings.¡±


    Hearing this, the original owner¡¯s expression stiffened. While he tried to keep his calm, Jiang Cheng¡ªwatching all this through the memories¡ªcould tell the panic bubbling just under the surface.


    Oh, this is going to be good, Jiang Cheng thought, already amused by the original owner¡¯s growing unease.


    The old man continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. ¡°Fortunately, a Cloud Boat will be descending in the capital in a few days. It¡¯s a safe and reliable way to travel to the Immortal Market.


    Though it¡¯s not free, it¡¯s worth it to avoid certain death on the road. You¡¯d best head there if you value your life, young man.¡±


    The original owner¡¯s expression softened as he exhaled in relief. ¡°A Cloud Boat, you say?¡± he asked, feigning calmness. In truth, he was mentally calculating how many spirit stones he had left and whether he could afford such a luxurious mode of transport.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± the old man replied with a nod. ¡°But make no mistake, the fee isn¡¯t cheap. And even if you manage to board it, don¡¯t go causing trouble. Those who operate the boat are cultivators of considerable strength. They wouldn¡¯t hesitate to toss a troublemaker overboard mid-flight.¡±


    The original owner nodded seriously, trying to look like someone who could easily afford the trip. But Jiang Cheng, observing this memory, was already rolling with laughter in his mind.


    You¡¯re about to bankrupt yourself just to avoid walking! And here you thought you were ready to conquer the world. Look at you, scared of a few monsters and bandits.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    As the original owner left the inn, he couldn¡¯t help but look to the horizon with determination. ¡°A Cloud Boat¡­ yes, that¡¯s how I shall make my grand arrival at the Immortal Market,¡± he said to himself, clutching the hilt of his poor-quality sword. His tattered robe fluttered slightly in the evening breeze, giving him an air of an Expert¡ªat least in his own mind.


    Jiang Cheng shook his head in disbelief. Brother, you¡¯re one step away from being mugged by a squirrel in these woods. Let¡¯s see how you handle yourself once you¡¯re on this so-called Cloud Boat.


    A few days later, the original owner arrived at the bustling square outside the capital where the Cloud Boat was set to descend.


    It was a rare sight, and a small crowd had already gathered, some looking excited and others nervous. The original owner stood tall¡ªor at least tried to¡ªamidst the mortals and low-level cultivators.


    The sound of rushing wind suddenly filled the air, and a massive Cloud Boat, glowing faintly with runes, descended slowly from the heavens. It was a majestic sight, with its sleek design and shimmering surface that looked as though it were carved from clouds themselves. The boat emitted a faint spiritual pressure,


    causing the mortals in the crowd to bow their heads in awe.


    The original owner straightened his back and held his tattered sword close, pretending to be unfazed by the grandeur.


    However, Jiang Cheng, observing from the sidelines of his memories, could feel the excitement and awe bubbling within him.


    When the boarding fee was announced¡ª10 low-grade spirit stones¡ªthe original owner¡¯s face twitched ever so slightly. He reached into his small spirit pouch, his heart aching as he counted out the stones.


    "Ten spirit stones... a little expensive," he muttered under his breath. Though he still had some left from his "glorious" journey, having already spent fifty on his extravagant meals, brothel visits, and flashy displays, the cost still stung.


    He handed over the spirit stones, his fingers gripping them tightly for a moment before finally letting go. "This better be worth it," he muttered, trying to maintain his composure as he climbed aboard.


    The journey was surprisingly short, lasting only a few hours. The Cloud Boat glided smoothly above forests and rivers, its passengers gazing out in awe at the scenery below. Even the original owner, with his inflated sense of self, couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the view.


    When the boat finally began to descend, Jiang Cheng was struck by the breathtaking sight of the Immortal Market.


    Nestled between towering mountains, the market stretched 50 miles long and 10 miles wide, its borders glowing faintly with the light of Qi-gathering arrays.


    From above, it looked like a hidden gem of the heavens, the spiritual energy within it forming a misty shroud that made the entire area seem ethereal.


    The original owner stood at the edge of the deck, his eyes wide with wonder. "So this... is the Immortal Market," he whispered, his voice filled with awe.


    As the Cloud Boat touched down at the market¡¯s entrance, the original owner stepped off with as much poise as he could muster, despite being slightly overwhelmed. The entrance was bustling with cultivators of all kinds, from low-level Qi Refining cultivators to high levels.


    When the original owner first set foot in the Immortal Market, he was brimming with excitement and an air of self-importance. With his head held high, his tattered low-grade robes fluttered wildly in the breeze as though he were a legendary figure returning from a victorious campaign.


    He struck a bold pose, hands clasped behind his back, and looked toward the horizon with an exaggerated sense of grandeur. Taking a deep breath of the pure spiritual energy, he declared loudly to no one in particular:


    "Who is responsible for the ups and downs of this vast land? Only I, Jiang Cheng!"


    Nearby cultivators and mortals turned their heads, confused by the sudden outburst, while Jiang Cheng''s internal self¡ªnow an unwilling spectator in this body¡ªwas nearly choking with laughter. ¡°This guy really thought he was the protagonist of a legendary tale!¡± Jiang Cheng mocked in his mind.


    Undeterred, the original owner strutted through the market¡¯s bustling streets. His excitement only grew as he passed stalls selling talismans, alchemy pills, weapons, and array disks.


    The sight of cultivators ranging from low-level Qi Refining to the high level experts left him both awed and nervous.


    Still riding high on his delusions of grandeur, the original owner confidently made his way to the sect''s recruitment pavilion, his heart brimming with dreams of becoming a peerless cultivator.


    When he reached the Outer Elder in charge of testing recruits, he was greeted with a neutral yet slightly amused gaze.


    The original owner proudly stepped forward, holding his head high as he said, "I am here to test my talent. Prepare yourselves to witness greatness!"


    The Outer Elder raised an eyebrow but said nothing, motioning for him to place his hand on the crystal ball that measured spirit roots. The ball emitted a faint flicker of light, dim and uneven, as a voice intoned:


    ¡°Pseudo five-element spirit root detected.¡±


    The Elder''s expression immediately shifted to one of disdain. "Pseudo spiritual roots? Hmph. You¡¯re already over twenty and have such poor aptitude.


    You¡¯re dreaming if you think you¡¯ll ever reach the Foundation Building Realm. At most, you¡¯ll muddle through the Qi Refining stages until your lifespan runs out."


    The original owner¡¯s face turned stiff, but he stubbornly retorted, ¡°Outer Elder, isn¡¯t talent secondary to hard work and determination? I believe I can achieve great things with effort!¡±


    The Elder sneered. ¡°Great things? With that kind of spiritual root, you¡¯d be lucky to break through to the third level of Qi Refining in your lifetime. You want to join our sect? Stop wasting my time and go back to farming spirit rice.¡±


    The harsh words were like a dagger to the original owner¡¯s chest. His once high spirits deflated like a punctured balloon, but he refused to show defeat.


    He straightened his back and left the recruitment pavilion, muttering to himself, "What do they know? They¡¯ll regret underestimating me!¡±


    Meanwhile, the real Jiang Cheng, witnessing this entire scene from within, was shaking with silent laughter.


    ¡°What a performance! I think the Elder nearly choked holding back laughter himself,¡± he thought. The sight of the original owner puffing up his chest in defiance, only to be mercilessly humbled, was almost too much for him to bear.


    Refusing to give up, the original owner spent fifty spirit stones on two bottles of Qi Gathering Pills. Four months of hard practice saw him break through to the second-level peak of Qi Refining.


    But just as he was basking in his "success," the harsh reality of bankruptcy hit him. With no spirit stones left, he was forced to join a group of cultivators venturing into nearby mountains to hunt spirit beasts for coin.


    For two years, he scraped by, risking his life hunting beasts and selling their materials for meager sums. Each encounter with death chipped away at his delusions.


    Jiang Cheng, reflecting on these memories, noted how the once-idealistic fool slowly turned cautious and pragmatic.


    Eventually, the original owner saved enough to buy a beginner''s talisman set, hoping to master the art and change his fate. But a year of grueling practice yielded nothing but failure, forcing him to abandon yet another dream.


    Finally accepting his limits, the original owner became a spirit farmer, renting three small fields to grow spirit rice. Though mundane, the work was safe, and it brought a steady, if modest, income.


    Jiang Cheng sighed as he watched the original owner settle into his new life. From delusions of grandeur to a farmer of rice... What a fall.

 Chapter 7_"A Promise to the Fallen: Jiang Chengs Rebirth and Revenge"

    Jiang Cheng sighed as the memories of the original owner''s journey played out in his mind. From a young man full of fiery ambition and delusions of grandeur to a steady, cautious spirit farmer¡ªwhat a transformation it had been.


    After abandoning his dreams of rising in the cultivation world, the original owner spent the next three years in quiet toil, farming spirit rice on his small rented plots.


    Surprisingly, he excelled at it. The once-naive and reckless youth became a diligent farmer, mastering the delicate balance of spiritual energy needed to nurture his crops.


    In time, he built a modest but stable life for himself. His neighbors were mostly other spirit farmers, mortals, or low-level cultivators like him. Though their relationships were superficial, there was a sense of camaraderie that came from living simple lives and facing the same daily struggles.


    He would occasionally share a drink with Old Liu, a fellow farmer who had more wrinkles than teeth, or chat with Auntie Zhang , who often scolded him for not finding a wife.


    But even this peaceful life was not without its burdens. Farming spirit rice was backbreaking work. The taxes demanded by the pavilion owner overseeing the farmland were steep, leaving little room for indulgences.


    Still, the original owner accepted his lot, finding contentment in the small victories¡ªa bountiful harvest, a rare sunny day, or the satisfaction of paying off his dues.


    That contentment, however, was shattered on one fateful evening.


    ...


    The memory unfolded vividly in Jiang Cheng¡¯s mind. It was just yesterday. The original owner had spent the entire day harvesting his crops under the scorching sun, carefully storing the spirit rice before delivering his taxes to the pavilion overseer. By the time he returned home, his body was aching, and his mind was clouded with exhaustion.


    He didn¡¯t even bother to light a lamp. Collapsing onto his simple straw bed, he let out a heavy sigh. His tattered robes still clung to his sweat-soaked skin, and his hands were calloused and rough from years of toil. Within moments, sleep claimed him.


    But that sleep would be his last.


    Somewhere in the darkness, a faint figure crept into his small hut. The memory blurred slightly, but Jiang Cheng could sense the malicious intent lingering in the air.


    A faint, sickly sweet smell¡ªpoison¡ªwafted through the room, and the original owner¡¯s breathing grew labored. He stirred briefly, but the exhaustion weighing down his body was too great.


    By the time the sun rose, the original owner¡¯s life had already ended.


    As Jiang Cheng fully absorbed the memories of the original owner, he couldn''t help but feel a strange unease creeping up his spine. His mind buzzed with the knowledge of how the original owner had died, poisoned in his sleep.


    Wait a minute, Jiang Cheng thought. " Who would waste precious poison on someone like him?


    The original owner had been poor, simple, and utterly unremarkable. Not even a mouse would bother to nibble at his meager meal, let alone some high-level cultivator who''d go through the trouble of poisoning him.


    This is ridiculous, Jiang Cheng mused, still in disbelief. A poor ghost like him? Who would even waste a drop of poison on someone who doesn''t even have a decent sword or a few good clothes? This guy¡¯s a walking cautionary tale. His best weapon was his ability to pull off the world¡¯s least impressive "I am the hero" speech!


    He couldn''t help but chuckle and then Jiang Cheng¡¯s laughter abruptly died when a sudden thought hit him. He glanced toward where the original owner¡¯s spirit pouch should have been. His brows furrowed as he searched the tattered bed and even patted himself down.


    Nothing. The spirit bag was gone.


    ¡°Wait... no way,¡± Jiang muttered, his face darkening. He leapt to his feet, searching the room frantically. But as the memories of the original owner fully sank in, a realization hit him like a slap to the face.


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    Someone robbed him. And half the spirit rice he harvested yesterday? Gone.


    Jiang Cheng sat back down, rubbing his temples. ¡°Let me get this straight,¡±


    he muttered, voice dripping with sarcasm.


    ¡°Someone poisoned him, killed him silently, and robbed him of¡ªwhat? A couple of spirit stones, some cheap rice, and... that garbage sword?!¡±


    His lips twitched, a mix of irritation and disbelief. He could almost imagine the thief sneaking into the shabby hut, shaking their head at the lack of valuables, and muttering, ¡°What a waste of poison.¡±


    But as Jiang started piecing things together, his mind began to calm. Based on the use of poison and the silent approach, it was clear that the thief wasn¡¯t very strong.


    If they had been a powerful cultivator, they wouldn¡¯t have needed to go through the trouble of poisoning the original owner.


    ¡°So,¡± Jiang Cheng said aloud, leaning back with a sigh of relief, ¡°the thief is either weaker than this poor sap or about the same level. At least they weren¡¯t confident enough to fight him directly.¡±


    That thought brought some comfort, though there was still a small worry nagging at the back of his mind. What if the thief came back to finish the job¡ªjust in case?


    Jiang grimaced and muttered, ¡°I hope they¡¯ve had their fill of rice and broken dreams, because that¡¯s all they¡¯re getting from me!¡±


    His gaze drifted toward the door, his thoughts racing. He¡¯d have to stay alert and tread carefully. After all, whoever had killed the original owner clearly didn¡¯t like loose ends.


    Suddenly, a memory flickered in Jiang Cheng¡¯s mind¡ªa faint recollection from the original owner. His eyes widened, and he sprang to his feet.


    Without hesitation, he moved to a corner of the shabby room, knelt down, and began digging into the dusty ground with his bare hands.


    After several moments of frantic digging, his fingers hit something hard. His heart raced as he pulled out a small wooden box, caked in dirt. Jiang opened it eagerly, and his face lit up with relief.


    Inside were 150 spirit stones, neatly stacked, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªa worn manual titled "Introduction to Talisman Crafting" .


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s grip tightened on the manual as he let out a deep sigh. ¡°At least I didn¡¯t start from zero,¡± he muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips. The original owner, for all his flaws and naivety, had left him something valuable¡ªa foundation to rebuild from.


    He sat back for a moment, looking at the dusty ceiling. ¡°Thank you, Original Jiang,¡± he said softly, his tone sincere. ¡°I¡¯ll avenge you and reach the heights you could only dream of. That¡¯s my promise to you.¡±


    As the words left his lips, a strange feeling washed over him¡ªlike a weight he hadn¡¯t noticed before had suddenly lifted.


    His body felt lighter, his thoughts clearer. It was as if unseen shackles had been undone, binding him fully to this new life.


    Startled, he glanced up and froze. There, hovering quietly in the dimly lit room, was the translucent figure of the original owner. His expression was calm, almost serene, as he looked at Jiang Cheng.


    Jiang¡¯s throat tightened as he instinctively stood and bowed deeply. The original owner gave him a slight nod of acknowledgment, his form flickering faintly before fading into a soft light.


    As the figure disappeared completely, Jiang Cheng felt a sense of closure, as if the lingering resentment and regrets of the original owner had finally dissipated.


    Straightening his back, Jiang Cheng looked at the now-empty corner with determination. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, fellow Taoist,¡± he said firmly, his voice steady. ¡°I¡¯ll fulfill my promise. Your dreams won¡¯t be buried with you.¡±


    With that, he picked up the manual and spirit stones, his resolve growing stronger by the second. This wasn¡¯t just a second chance for him¡ªit was a legacy to carry forward. And Jiang Cheng had no intention of wasting it.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s stomach growled loudly, interrupting his deep thoughts. His eyes darted around the room, and with an exaggerated sigh, he muttered, ¡°Well, before I avenge anyone, I suppose I should eat something. Can¡¯t go on a grand revenge spree with an empty stomach.¡±


    He shuffled over to the kitchen, where the remnants of the original owner¡¯s simple dinner awaited. There was a small plate of cold, congealed rice and a few dried vegetables.


    Jiang Cheng winced. ¡°Ugh, I¡¯d call this a meal, but even a stray dog would turn its nose up at it,¡± he muttered, spooning the rice into his mouth with less enthusiasm than he had hoped for.


    After a few bites, he pushed the plate aside, grimacing. ¡°This is not good,¡± he muttered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°No wonder this poor guy didn¡¯t make it past thirty. If I had to eat this every day, I¡¯d drop dead too.¡±


    His gaze turned toward the crumbling walls of the shabby little house. The roof had more holes than a sieve, and the wooden floorboards creaked like they were about to collapse at any moment.


    He stood up dramatically, throwing his arms wide. ¡°This is not a house! This is a dog hole ! What kind of place is this for a human to live?!¡± he shouted at the empty room, as if the walls were personally insulting him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I have to live here! A mere mortal would deserve better! The great Jiang Cheng should not dwell in a shack like this!¡±


    He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. ¡°No, no, I¡¯m going to rebuild this place. I¡¯ll turn this...this...hovel into something that humans live in! Not this thing that only someone who¡¯s given up on life would even consider calling a home!¡±


    Jiang Cheng paused, then looked around once more. ¡°I¡¯ll need to go to the market first. I need a robe. A decent one, not one that makes me look like I¡¯m hiding from the authorities. And a Detoxifying Pill. I can still feel that poison in my system, sneaking up on me like a rat in the dark.¡±


    He let out an sigh, leaning against the doorframe, his hand on his chin as he stared into the distance. ¡°And while I¡¯m at it, I need a lot of things. A weapon, some decent food, a place that doesn¡¯t smell like moldy rice... I need everything! Oh, and I need some actual offensive spells. How did the original owner survive in this cruel world without even a single '' attack '' spell? Not even a slap or a punch spell?!"


    He looked down at the floor and shook his head. ¡°This guy was too honest for his own good. He was a walking target. He couldn¡¯t even defend himself properly.


    He didn¡¯t even have a little trick up his sleeve, like summoning a puff of smoke to distract an enemy. No, he just relied on his ¡®honesty.¡¯ In a world where immortals reign and human lives are as fragile as grass, honesty doesn¡¯t get you far.¡±


    Jiang Cheng paused again, glancing at the ceiling with a sigh. ¡°It¡¯s not an injustice that you got killed, if you don''t die, who will..


    Meanwhile in the under world the original owner "_"


    "Wait... he... did he just... mock me?


    He floated around in a small circle, muttering to himself in indignation. ¡°No wonder I never got anywhere! I could never even defend myself from a simple poisoning... No wonder my luck was so bad. But mocking me now? Seriously? Maybe I''ll find some way to pull his leg in the next life!¡±


    Then, with a sigh, he floated off into the void, muttering, ¡°I was a good person... Why do the good guys always get the short end of the stick...¡±


    So Jiang Cheng straightened up, determination in his eyes. ¡°This world is ruthless, but I¡¯m going to do it differently. No more simpleton life for me.¡±


    And so, with no idea he had just enraged his own spirit, Jiang Cheng continued plotting his grand transformation into the greatest cultivator this world had ever seen.


    Little did he know, the original owner was in the underworld, probably plotting some passive-aggressive revenge.

 Chapter 8_"The Heavens Smile: Jiang Cheng’s Journey to Immortality"

    Jiang Cheng stood up slowly, his body still feeling slightly stiff from the poison''s lingering effects. He clenched and unclenched his fists, examining his hands and limbs carefully.


    "Not bad," he murmured to himself, his voice calm yet laced with curiosity. The memories from the original owner of this body had started to settle in, bringing with them fragments of basic spells.


    Jiang activated the Spirit Cleansing Technique, letting the Qi circulate through his pores, removing the stickiness of sweat and leaving behind a refreshing sensation. His body felt lighter, rejuvenated.


    With a faint smile, He raised his hand and muttered the incantation for the Dust Removing Technique. A faint shimmer of Qi spread over his body, lifting the grime and dust from his clothes and skin. His once-dull robe now looked clean, almost fresh. He gave a satisfied nod.


    Next, he tried the Fabric Freshening Art. A subtle breeze, infused with the wood element, swept through his robe. The faint floral scent it left behind was soothing, even uplifting. "Much better," he mused, enjoying the slight elegance it added to his otherwise handsome appearance.


    He then turned his attention to his long black hair, disheveled from days of neglect. The Hair Tidying Spell was simple yet effective. His unruly strands aligned neatly, flowing down his back like a glossy waterfall.


    With a few loose strands tucked neatly behind his ear, Jiang inspected himself in a small, cracked mirror hanging by the wall.


    He tilted his head slightly, studying his reflection. His pale complexion from the poison had started to fade, revealing sharp, handsome features.


    His deep, dark eyes held a calm yet piercing look, and the faint floral scent only added to his charm. He smirked. "Just one word¡ªhandsome."


    Satisfied, Jiang stretched his body lightly, feeling far more presentable than before. "If nothing else, at least I can look decent.


    As Jiang Cheng tested each spell, something peculiar caught his attention. The techniques he cast felt far too natural, as if his body instinctively knew what to do.


    The Qi in his dantian flowed smoothly, obeying his every whim without resistance. His brows furrowed for a moment before realization dawned on him¡ªhis understanding was terrifyingly high. He wasn¡¯t just casting these spells; he was mastering them on his first attempt!


    "How could it be this easy?" Jiang muttered to himself. He vividly recalled the fragmented memories of the original owner struggling with even the most basic techniques, often failing multiple times before getting them right.


    Yet here he was, casting them as effortlessly as breathing.


    Then, as he finished the last spell, a sudden and strange sensation rippled through his body. It was subtle at first, like a faint vibration deep within his bones. But within moments, he felt it clearly¡ªa shackle breaking apart.


    A surge of energy coursed through him, warm and invigorating. His Qi, previously sluggish and unremarkable, now felt vibrant and alive.


    His eyes widened as he inspected his dantian and meridians. The once-limited flow of Qi had become wide and unrestricted. It was as if a barrier had been lifted.


    More astonishingly, Jiang Cheng felt a strange certainty¡ªa confidence that he could break through to the next level of Qi Refining with ease.


    It felt so natural, so effortless, it was almost laughable.


    "This... this is impossible!" he murmured, clenching his fists. The original owner''s pseudo spirit roots should have made cultivation a nightmare, with slow progress and countless obstacles.


    Yet now, it felt as simple as drinking water or eating rice. "Don''t tell me..."


    A sly grin crept onto Jiang Cheng''s face, his mind racing. "Hahaha!" He nearly laughed out loud but quickly covered his mouth, forcing himself to remain calm. "Could it be that the original owner had some kind of terrifying physique hidden within his body? Some supreme treasure, maybe? And he die like that, what a waste of natural resources, He probably didn¡¯t even realize what he had!"Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    His eyes sparkled with excitement as another thought struck him. "Or maybe..." He glanced down at his hands, clenching and unclenching them.


    "When my soul traveled through time and space, those high-level cosmic energies must have awakened this hidden potential. Hahaha! It seems the heavens have finally smiled upon me!"


    Jiang paced around the room, trying to suppress his giddy excitement. His grin, however, was impossible to hide. "This is no ordinary second chance. No, this is fate bending to my will!"


    He struck a dramatic pose in front of the mirror, hands clasped behind his back and a mock-serious expression on his face. "They say fortune favors the bold. This young master destined to become a Great Emperor"


    The more he thought about it, the more smug he became. He couldn¡¯t resist letting out a quiet chuckle.


    "Hahaha! To think this body¡ªno, my body is destined for greatness. Whatever physique this is, I''ll uncover its secrets. And when I do, this world will tremble beneath my feet!"


    As he regained his composure, Jiang Cheng took a deep breath, his excitement simmering beneath the surface. " Alright," he muttered to himself. " First things first. Let¡¯s confirm if this newfound strength is real. After all, the heavens may smile on me, but I¡¯m not about to take their blessing for granted."


    With his head held high and a mischievous gleam in his eye, Jiang Cheng strode toward the door.


    The market awaited, and he had a sudden urge to test his luck and maybe flaunt his newfound confidence. "Let¡¯s see what the world has to offer someone destined for immortality!"


    He opened the door cautiously, his earlier arrogance dissipating like smoke in the wind. Jiang Cheng chuckled to himself.


    "A genius who grows arrogant dies young," he muttered, recalling countless tales from the novels he had read in his past life. Those so-called "heavenly prodigies" often met tragic ends, victims of their own hubris.


    "I won''t be one of them," he promised himself. "Stay low, act cautious, and let others think you''re ordinary. A tiger that hides its claws lives longer. "


    Reaching for his belongings, Jiang picked up the broken straw hat lying by the door. It was old and battered, with frayed edges and a crack that let the sunlight peek through.


    Still, it served its purpose¡ªhiding his face and keeping unwanted attention away. Placing it on his head, he adjusted it slightly until his face was obscured in shadow.


    Satisfied, Jiang stepped out into the sunlight, letting the gentle breeze sweep across his freshly cleaned robes. The road stretched ahead, winding through a few scattered houses and fields before disappearing into the distant market.


    "A mile away," he murmured to himself, gauging the distance. His steps were steady, his gaze alert as he moved.


    Though he looked calm, his heart remained guarded. After all, the original owner had been poisoned¡ªhe couldn¡¯t rule out the possibility of danger lurking nearby.


    As Jiang Cheng walked along the dirt path, enjoying the fresh morning air and the faint floral scent lingering on his robes, he suddenly heard a familiar, shrill voice calling out.


    ¡°Jiang Cheng! Jiang Cheng, you lazy boy, wait up!¡±


    His heart sank immediately. Turning his head, he saw Aunt Zhang, the neighborhood busybody, waddling toward him with surprising speed for someone her age. Her round face was red from exertion, but her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm¡ªthe kind of enthusiasm that always spelled trouble.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Jiang muttered under his breath. ¡°Not her¡­ Anyone but her!¡±


    Before he could make a hasty retreat, Aunt Zhang had already closed the distance, grabbing his arm with the grip of a spirit beast.


    "Where do you think you''re going, young man? Off to the market, eh? Planning to waste more money on useless nonsense, aren¡¯t you?"


    Jiang forced a polite smile, trying to tug his arm free without being too obvious.


    "Ah, Aunt Zhang. What a pleasant surprise! Just going to buy some essentials, nothing extravagant."


    Aunt Zhang squinted at him, her expression skeptical., "Essentials? Hah! You call buying those useless talismans and herbs ''essentials''? What you need, Jiang Cheng, is a wife!"


    Jiang froze. "A... wife?"


    Aunt Zhang nodded vigorously, her cheeks jiggling with excitement. "Yes! A wife! Someone to keep you in line and make sure you stop wandering around like some aimless rooster! Lucky for you, I¡¯ve already found the perfect match!"


    Jiang¡¯s polite smile cracked. "Perfect match? Aunt Zhang, I¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t interrupt your elders, boy!" she scolded, wagging her finger in his face. "Her name is Mei Ling, the hunter''s daughter.


    Sweet girl, hardworking, and knows how to cook! And best of all, she¡¯s not picky! Even someone like you, with your patchy straw hat and poor cultivation, stands a chance!"


    Jiang¡¯s eye twitched. "Even someone like me? Aunt Zhang, I¡ª"


    "Oh, stop being so shy," she said, waving his protests away as if they were flies. "I already spoke to her parents, and they¡¯re open to the idea. Why don¡¯t you come by for dinner tonight? I¡¯ll make the introductions!


    Mei Ling even said she doesn¡¯t mind that you¡¯re a bit... uh, how do I put it? Unremarkable."


    Jiang felt a vein throb in his forehead. "Unremarkable? Aunt Zhang, with all due respect¡ª"


    "Oh, don¡¯t act so proud!" she interrupted again, her voice louder now. "You¡¯re not getting any younger, and let¡¯s face it, your looks won¡¯t carry you forever!


    If you don¡¯t settle down soon, you¡¯ll end up like Old Liu¡ªliving alone with only a chicken for company!"


    At this point, Jiang could barely suppress his laughter. Aunt Zhang¡¯s words were as sharp as ever, but he couldn¡¯t help finding the situation absurd. Taking a deep breath, he decided to play along.


    "You¡¯re right, Aunt Zhang," he said, nodding solemnly. "I¡¯ve been so foolish, wasting my time on trivial things when I should be thinking about my future. Mei Ling, you say? A fine name. I¡¯ll consider it."


    Aunt Zhang¡¯s face lit up with triumph. "Now that¡¯s the spirit! I¡¯ll tell her parents to prepare a feast tonight. And don¡¯t you dare run off, Jiang Cheng, or I¡¯ll hunt you down myself!"


    As she bustled away, muttering excitedly about dowries and wedding dates, Jiang shook his head with a wry smile. "Matchmaking aunties¡ªtruly the most fearsome creatures in any world."


    With a chuckle, he adjusted his straw hat and continued toward the market, feeling lighter than before. Life in this new world might be full of dangers, but moments like these reminded him that it could also be unexpectedly entertaining.


    ______________________

 Chapter 9_"A Quiet Beginning"?

    ________________


    After some time, Jiang Cheng finally arrived at the market. Though a sense of unease lingered¡ªthis was no longer Earth, but a new world¡ªhe tried to suppress the nerves bubbling in his chest.


    Everything he knew about this place came from the memories of the original owner and the novels he had read.


    He walked through the bustling market with a calm demeanor, though his mind raced. The streets were crowded with cultivators and mortals, all hurrying to their various destinations.


    Stalls selling spirit herbs, low-grade spirit tools, and cultivation manuals filled every corner. The smell of medicinal herbs and sizzling skewers filled the air, mixing with the faint hum of voices.


    ¡°Hey, fresh herbs! Only a few left!¡± one vendor shouted as a group of cultivators crowded around his stall, their robes flowing in the wind as they haggled for the best price.


    Nearby, a group of casual cultivators muttered to each other about the latest breakthrough in cultivation methods, boasting loudly about their own progress. Their voices blended with the hum of the market, but Jiang kept his distance.


    He didn¡¯t waste his time with the casual cultivators or their subpar goods. The fragmented memories of the original owner told him the Qinglin Sect¡¯s stores were reliable, offering decent quality.


    He found the shop soon enough, its entrance marked with the Qinglin Sect¡¯s insignia. The shop was orderly and professional, a sharp contrast to the chaotic street outside.


    As he stepped inside, the scent of sandalwood and soft light from spirit stones greeted him. To his surprise, a young girl greeted him warmly. She was probably no older than sixteen or seventeen, her bright eyes and soft smile giving her an aura of kindness.


    Her blue robe bore the Qinglin Sect¡¯s emblem, and Jiang immediately sensed she was at the Early Stage of Qi Refining, just like him.


    "Welcome, esteemed customer," she said with a polite bow, her voice sweet. "Please, take your time. Let me know if you need anything.".


    Jiang couldn¡¯t help but blink in mild surprise. In all the novels he had read, shop assistants always seemed to have a knack for looking down on protagonists, especially when they wore cheap robes and looked like losers.


    He glanced down at his own simple, plain robes and the battered straw hat resting on his head. ¡°Wait, shouldn¡¯t she be sneering at me by now? Maybe calling me ¡®trash¡¯ or saying something like, ¡®With your appearance, can you even afford to shop here?¡¯¡±


    His gaze shifted back to the girl, who continued smiling politely without a trace of disdain. ¡°Huh. No mocking? No humiliation? Maybe she missed her script¡­¡±


    Suppressing the urge to laugh at his own thoughts, Jiang cleared his throat and returned her smile.


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m looking for a middle-grade robe¡ªpreferably white ¡± Jiang said, his tone calm.


    The girl nodded and immediately walked over to a shelf, selecting several robes. ¡°This one is ten low-grade spirit stones. It¡¯s a simple white robe with self-cleaning properties, reducing damage by 10%.¡± She picked up a blue robe with silver embroidery


    ¡°This one is fifteen spirit stones. It offers 15% damage reduction and resists minor elemental attacks.¡± Finally, she picked a dark gray robe.


    ¡°This one costs twenty spirit stones. It¡¯s a stealth robe¡ªabsorbs light to make you harder to detect and offers 10% damage reduction.¡±


    Jiang¡¯s eyes lingered on the gray robe. It was simple yet practical, perfect for his needs.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the dark gray one,¡± he said. The girl wrapped it up and handed it over with a smile.


    ¡°That will be twenty spirit stones, please.¡±


    Jiang handed over the stones. ¡°How much for a small storage pouch?¡±


    ¡°Fifty spirit stones,¡± the girl replied, her tone still polite.


    Jiang hesitated for a moment but then shrugged. It¡¯s a bit much, but I don¡¯t have a choice. ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± he said, handing over the required amount.


    He continued, ¡°What about detoxification pills?¡±


    She smiled again. ¡°A basic-grade bottle costs 30 spirit stones, or 50 for a middle-grade one.¡±


    Jiang raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do you sell them individually?¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    She nodded. ¡°Yes, a single basic-grade Detoxification Pill is 5 spirit stones, and a middle-grade one is 10 spirit stones.¡±


    Jiang thought for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll take one middle-grade Detoxification Pill,¡± he said, handing over the spirit stones.


    ¡°And a middle-grade Healing Pill?¡± he added.


    ¡°That¡¯s 15 spirit stones,¡± she replied, taking out a small bottle and handing it to him.


    He nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take it.¡±


    Then Jiang¡¯s gaze shifted. ¡°Give me a low-grade Spirit Pen for talismans and twenty sheets of paper. The paper is three sheets for one spirit stone, correct?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± the girl confirmed, ¡°and the pen is 7 spirit stones.¡±


    Jiang paid for both items, then added, ¡°And five kilos of rice.¡±


    ¡°Of course, that¡¯ll be 5 spirit stones,¡± she said.


    After finishing the transaction, Jiang gathered his items and prepared to leave.


    ¡°Goodbye, and thank you,¡± he said as the girl smiled and wished him well.


    ¡°Come back again!¡± she called after him.


    As he stepped back into the busy market, Jiang¡¯s mind wandered. He still had a few things to do. His stomach rumbled slightly, so he moved toward the butcher¡¯s stall.


    After a quick exchange, he purchased some spirit beast blood to use as ink for talismans, then made his way to a mortal vendor, where he bought the night clothes he¡¯d requested.


    With everything gathered, Jiang Cheng returned home.


    ...


    Once inside, Jiang closed the door behind him with a quiet sigh of relief. The familiar scent of his small, humble abode greeted him.


    His hands ached slightly from the bags, but he ignored the discomfort. He placed the items down beside him as he sat cross-legged on the floor of his room.


    Time to meditate.


    He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in deeply. I¡¯ve done everything I can for now. No need to rush this. It¡¯s better to progress slowly, make sure I¡¯m solid in this stage before pushing forward. One wrong move could undo all my efforts.


    He took another deep breath, his body relaxing with each inhale.


    " I can¡¯t afford to make mistakes. This world¡­ it¡¯s dangerous. Too many unknowns, too many people who¡¯d try to take advantage of me."


    He reached into his bag and retrieved the Detoxification Pill, swallowing it with a practiced motion. Almost immediately, warmth spread through his body, and the lingering traces of the poison in his system began to dissipate.


    The cool sensation of the pill worked quickly, and his Qi felt smoother, more refined.


    The healing pill followed soon after, further repairing any hidden injuries or strains. He allowed the sensation of rejuvenation to wash over him as he felt his body returning to its optimal state.


    His thoughts shifted to his cultivation. " I¡¯m at the peak of the third level, just a step away from breaking through to the middle stage of Qi Refining. The pills have helped, but now... it¡¯s up to me."


    With a quiet exhale, Jiang focused his mind entirely on his dantian, picturing the swirling vortex of Qi within. He visualized the Qi gathering,


    circulating through his meridians in perfect rhythm. The pressure built, but Jiang remained steady, feeling the flow of energy with increasing clarity.


    With a deep breath, he focused on pushing through the barrier.


    The moment the pressure reached its peak, Jiang¡¯s body trembled slightly as the surge of Qi broke through, pushing him into the middle stage of Qi Refining.


    A satisfied smile tugged at his lips. I¡¯ve done it. This is just the beginning.


    Jiang Cheng stood up, stretching his limbs with a satisfied sigh. The breakthrough had been successful, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.


    It was a modest step, but it was the beginning of something much greater. His heart felt lighter as he looked out of the small window, the evening sky painted in soft shades of orange and pink.


    He glanced at his surroundings, the simplicity of his humble home serving as a reminder of how far he had come¡ªand how far he still had to go.


    Making his way to the small kitchen area, he opened a wooden cupboard, pulling out the rice, It wasn¡¯t a grand feast, but it would do. He carefully measured out the rice, rinsing it and setting it to cook.


    The small pot hissed softly as he cast a small spell called flowing water technique to Summons a small stream of water to flow in a controlled manner with the rice.


    While the food simmered, Jiang leaned against the counter, his thoughts wandering. The steady rhythm of his breathing calmed his mind. This was the first time since arriving in this new world that he could relax without worry.


    "Not a bad start," he muttered, his fingers tapping on the wooden counter.


    "The road ahead won¡¯t be easy, but at least now I know I can walk it."


    The food began to take on a rich, savory scent, and Jiang smiled, satisfied with the progress he was making¡ªnot just in cultivation, but in adapting to this new life.


    His destiny had changed, and now, with each passing moment, he was shaping it into something entirely his own.


    Once the spirit rice had cooked, its rich aroma filling the small room, Jiang Cheng took the pot off the stove and carefully dished out a generous serving.


    He carried the steaming bowl to his simple wooden table, settling down to eat. The rice had a satisfying, earthy taste, and he ate his fill, savoring the warmth and satisfaction that came with a small victory in his cultivation journey.


    As he finished, Jiang leaned back in his chair, his stomach content. A small grin tugged at the corner of his lips. Despite the simplicity of the meal, it felt like a celebration. A quiet one, but a celebration nonetheless.


    Finishing his meal, Jiang stood up, stretching and wiping his hands on his robes. The room, while cozy, had accumulated some dust over the past few days.


    With a quick wave of his hand, he muttered the incantation for a Dust Vanishing Spell.


    A faint shimmer of energy pulsed from his fingers, and the room instantly seemed fresher. Dust and grime lifted from the wooden floors and furniture, swirling in a delicate dance before vanishing into the air.


    The spell was simple, but effective, and the small space now felt cleaner, more welcoming.


    The faint light from the outside dimmed as the evening approached, casting long shadows across the room. The last traces of daylight faded, leaving the room bathed in soft moonlight that filtered through the small window.


    Jiang Cheng walked over to his bed, a thin mat on the floor, and lay down. He pulled the covers over himself, his thoughts quieting as his body sank into the warmth of the bedding.


    The events of the day played through his mind¡ªhis purchases, the breakthrough, and the simple meal. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough.


    "Tomorrow," Jiang murmured softly, his eyes drifting shut. "I¡¯ll prepare for the next step."


    With that, the exhaustion from the day¡¯s efforts overtook him, and he quickly fell into a peaceful sleep, the promise of the future lingering in his dreams.

 Chapter 10_"Crafting Success: Jiang Chengs First Steps in Talisman Making"

    Jiang Cheng returned to his small home, the morning¡¯s meditation leaving him refreshed and invigorated.


    His stomach growled in protest, and he quickly set a pot of rice on the stove. The warm scent of steaming grains filled the air as he sat at his modest table, savoring the simple meal.


    Once finished, he washed up, cleaned his workspace, and turned his attention to the tools of talisman-making:


    a bottle of talisman ink, twenty talisman paper, and a delicate talisman pen. These had been purchased yesterday by Jiang Cheng, plus the original owner failed attempts and theoretical notes.


    Today, Jiang Cheng resolved to turn theory into practice.


    Sitting at his desk, Jiang Cheng opened the ink bottle, the rich, slightly metallic scent wafting out. He spread out a sheet of talisman paper, its surface smooth and unblemished, and carefully picked up the talisman pen.


    Closing his eyes, he silently recalled the steps from the introductory chapter of the Art of Talismans. In his mind, the image of the Minor Shield Talisman took form¡ªa protective charm meant to absorb a single strike. The strokes were intricate, demanding precision and a steady flow of spiritual energy.


    After a long moment of mental preparation, Jiang Cheng steadied his breathing and began.


    As the talisman pen touched the paper, a series of mysterious patterns flowed forth, each line carrying a faint glow of spiritual power. His movements were steady and fluid, a single unbroken stroke from start to finish.


    When the last mark was drawn, the talisman paper emitted a brief flash of light, and Jiang Cheng felt a tug within him as the talisman absorbed a portion of his spiritual power.


    He placed the pen down and stared at the talisman. The glowing patterns gradually stabilized, forming a completed low-grade Minor Shield Talisman.


    ¡°It worked...¡± Jiang Cheng muttered, disbelief and excitement flickering in his eyes.


    The original owner of this body had failed countless times, yet Jiang Cheng had succeeded on his first try. Was it luck? Or perhaps a combination of the original owner¡¯s theoretical foundation and his own methodical approach?


    Regardless, the success filled Jiang Cheng with newfound confidence.


    Encouraged, Jiang Cheng decided to attempt a second talisman. He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and began again.


    This time, however, as he approached the final strokes, the spiritual power at the tip of his pen wavered. The talisman paper fizzled, and the glow abruptly vanished.


    ¡°Failed...¡± Jiang Cheng sighed, shaking his head.


    Not discouraged, he analyzed the mistake. ¡°The spiritual power at the tip of the pen wasn¡¯t steady enough. I need to refine my control.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    After a brief rest, Jiang Cheng tried again, only to fail once more. This time, it was a moment of hesitation in his brushwork that caused the talisman to lose its integrity.


    "I thought I was a talent for making talismans, but I didn''t expect that the first time was just a blind cat catching a dead mouse. The second and third times are the true manifestation of my ability."


    Jiang Cheng admitted, chuckling wryly. But instead of feeling disheartened, he poured himself a cup of tea, letting the warm liquid calm his nerves.


    After failing to draw the talisman twice, Jiang Cheng needs to calm down and avoid getting too excited.


    He is naturally cautious and rarely gets carried away.


    But we have to be on guard.


    Sitting at the desk, Jiang Cheng drank cup after cup of tea as the sun gradually set outside the window.


    He sat silently for a long time, his eyes closed as he visualized the process in his mind.


    The output of spiritual power.


    The depiction of the pen strokes.


    The brushwork is done in one go.


    And most importantly, a stable state of mind.


    Making talismans is never easy and requires a lot of time for error correction and practice.


    This time, when Jiang Cheng picked up his pen, he was ready.


    The talisman paper lay before him, pristine and unmarked. He dipped the pen in ink, adjusted his breathing, and began to draw. Each stroke was deliberate yet smooth, a seamless flow of spiritual power guiding the pen.


    Minutes passed in silence, the only sound the faint scratching of the pen against paper.


    Finally, as the last stroke fell, the talisman paper lit up once more. A rush of energy flowed from Jiang Cheng into the talisman, and he felt it stabilize.


    He set the pen down and leaned back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. In his hands was another low-grade Minor Shield Talisman, as flawless as the first.


    Jiang Cheng examined the talisman, the intricate patterns glowing faintly under the dim light. His earlier failures now seemed like necessary steps toward mastery.


    ¡°Making talismans is harder than I thought,¡± he admitted, ¡°but it¡¯s also incredibly rewarding.¡±


    Continue drawing.


    Jiang Cheng''s eyes were focused, and his pen moved quickly, and lines of talisman patterns appeared on the talisman paper.


    And with the final stroke of the pen.


    The talisman paper in front of him suddenly flashed with light.


    Immediately, Jiang Cheng felt that some of the spiritual power in his body was absorbed by the talisman paper in front of him.


    When the talisman paper no longer absorbed spiritual energy, the talisman paper in front of Jiang Cheng successfully turned into a low-grade minor shield talisman worth five spiritual stones.


    Feeling the spiritual power in his body decreasing, a flash of joy appeared on Jiang Cheng''s face.


    The fifth talisman making.


    It worked again!


    "three successes, two failures, sixty percent chance? No, that can''t be calculated that way. We''ve only drawn five times. Only when the number is increased can we truly calculate the probability."


    Looking at the low-grade minor shield talisman in front of him, jiang Cheng shook his head and put aside the complacent mentality in his heart.


    Low-grade minor shield talisman, market price is five spirit stones.


    But the materials for making it, talisman ink and talisman paper, the cost of the two together is two spirit stones.


    If the loss of the talisman pen is taken into account, the cost will be even higher.


    However, the talisman pen can be used for a long time and generally speaking, it will not break down quickly.


    Therefore, although the talisman pen is expensive, the cost is actually relatively low.


    In the following period of time.


    Jiang Cheng used up all the remaining six materials for making talismans.


    But in the end, out of twenty sets of materials for making talismans, only eight were successful.


    Jiang Cheng glanced at the stack of wasted talisman papers and let out a small groan. ¡°If failure were an art, I¡¯d be a grandmaster by now.¡± He shook his head, pouring himself another cup of tea.


    Got eight low-grade minor shield talismans.


    Such a result made Jiang Cheng secretly happy.


    It seems that because I


    have the advantage of my soul, I am more suitable for making talismans than ordinary cultivators.


    The first attempt at making the talisman, the success rate reached over 40%.


    With such a chance, if I spend more time to continue to comprehend the introductory chapter of the Art of Talismans, supplemented by slow practice, I''m afraid I will be able to increase my success rate in making talismans to more than 50% soon.


    Placing the talismans carefully into a wooden box, he sat back and poured himself another cup of tea. His thoughts drifted to the future, to more advanced talismans, and to the possibilities they held.


    ¡°One day,¡± he murmured, staring at the glowing talismans, ¡°I won¡¯t just be a talisman maker. I¡¯ll be the talisman master.¡±


    And with that, Jiang Cheng blew out the lantern and retired for the night, the faint glow of his completed talismans a quiet reminder of what determination¡ªand a touch of luck¡ªcould achieve.


    __________________

 Chapter_ 11 "Awakening the Power of Dreams

    ______________________


    As Jiang Cheng slept, he found himself in a strange state¡ªnot quite a dream, yet not entirely reality. He stood in a vast, empty space, surrounded by nothingness. No sky, no ground, just an infinite void stretching in every direction.


    His eyes widened in alarm. "What the hell?!"


    His heart pounded as he spun around, looking for an exit, a door, anything. Cold sweat formed on his back. Had he been kidnapped? Was this some kind of high-level illusion technique?


    ¡°WHO DARES TO ABDUCT ME?!¡± he bellowed, his voice echoing endlessly in the void. ¡°Which senior expert is playing tricks on me?! I swear, I have no treasures! I¡¯m dirt poor! If you¡¯re looking for a ransom, you¡¯re wasting your time! If this is about some secret technique, I don¡¯t have one! I can barely afford food!¡±


    He clutched his tattered robe, his mind racing. Was this karma? Had he unknowingly offended some grandmaster? Or¡ªwait, was he dead again?


    ¡°No way! I refuse! I just got a second chance at life!¡± He clenched his fists, determined. ¡°At least let me enjoy some riches and beauties before you send me off to reincarnate a third time!¡±


    For a moment, he considered trying to wake himself up by slapping his face. But before he could, a sudden realization struck him¡ªmemories of a strange knowledge flooding his mind.


    His eyes flickered with understanding.


    ¡°¡­Wait. This is my own power?¡±


    The panic vanished in an instant. His expression froze.


    A long silence stretched in the void.


    Jiang Cheng awkwardly rubbed his neck. ¡°Ahem.¡± He looked around, pretending that no one had witnessed his embarrassing outburst.


    "Right¡­ So I wasn¡¯t kidnapped¡­ This is just my ability¡­"


    He coughed and straightened his robe, trying to salvage his dignity¡ª even if he was the only one here .


    With forced composure, he muttered, ¡°I knew that all along¡­ I was just, testing the acoustics of this place. Very echoey. Good to know.¡±


    Deciding to ignore his own embarrassment, he quickly turned his attention to his newfound ability


    " Endless Dreams "


    With a mere flicker of intent, the void shifted. Shapes formed, dissolved, and reassembled at his will.


    A shiver ran down his spine as the knowledge surfaced in his mind. This ability allowed him to enter dreams, shape them, entrust dreams to others, and even¡ªif he dared¡ªkill within them.


    "Striking at a soul through dreams is dangerous," he muttered. "The backlash alone could be fatal."


    The strength of one¡¯s soul wasn¡¯t something to trifle with, and recklessly wielding Endless Dreams could invite disaster. But the true value of this power lay elsewhere.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s mind raced with possibilities. He could construct a dream world to refine elixirs, craft talismans, forge weapons, and more¡ªall without using real resources.


    Unlike yesterday, when he had wasted twelve precious sheets of talisman paper¡ªa costly mistake¡ªthis power would allow him to practice endlessly, free from material loss.


    "With this... I can perfect my skills before ever lifting a pen in the real world," he murmured, excitement flickering in his eyes.


    Eager to test his newfound ability, Jiang Cheng wasted no time constructing his dream space. With a mere thought, a desk appeared before him, followed by talisman paper, ink, and a pen¡ªeach detail crafted to perfection.


    Without hesitation, he began drawing talismans nonstop. Stroke after stroke, his movements were fluid, precise, and unrestrained by material limitations.


    Hours passed in an instant.


    Suddenly, an overwhelming fatigue washed over him. His vision blurred, the dream world trembled, and the carefully constructed space dissolved into darkness.


    Only then did he realize¡ªhe had overused his soul power. Unable to resist the exhaustion, he sank into an even deeper sleep.


    ...


    The next morning, Jiang Cheng woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed.


    A good mood lingered as he stretched, recalling the events of the night before. His mind was clear, his energy replenished, and most importantly¡ªEndless Dreams was real.


    In the kitchen, Jiang Cheng moved with a newfound sense of purpose. He brewed a pot of tea, the familiar ritual grounding him as he planned his next steps. The steam rose in gentle curls, carrying the subtle aroma of jasmine, and he took a slow sip, savoring the warmth.


    As he ate, his mind wandered back to the talismans he had drawn in the dream space. Each stroke had felt natural, almost instinctive, as if the knowledge had been etched into his very soul. But the fatigue that had followed was a stark reminder of his limits. He couldn¡¯t afford to lose control like that again. He needed to understand the rules of Endless Dreams¡ªhow far he could push himself, what the costs were, and how to harness its power without risking his well-being.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    After finishing his meal and cleaning up, Jiang Cheng sat down to meditate for a few hours, restoring his focus and stabilizing his energy.


    Once he felt ready, he stood up, carefully placing the eight completed talismans into his space pouch. With a cautious mindset, he set off toward the market, keeping an eye on his surroundings.


    As he walked, his gaze drifted toward the spiritual fields near his home. He suddenly halted.


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡± he muttered, rubbing his forehead. ¡°I almost forgot¡ªI¡¯m still a spiritual farmer.¡±


    His five acres of spiritual fields lay before him, untouched since his last harvest. The neatly tilled soil awaited new seeds, a silent reminder of his other responsibilities.


    For a moment, he hesitated. Should he head straight to the market or take care of the fields first?


    Jiang Cheng thought for a moment before making his decision.


    "I¡¯ll handle the farming later," he muttered. "Selling the talismans comes first¡ªplus, I need to restock some daily necessities."


    With that in mind, he continued toward the market.


    On the way, Jiang Cheng ran into his neighbor¡ªOld Man Liu. The elderly farmer, dressed in simple robes, carried a well-worn spiritual hoe over his shoulder. His wrinkled face lit up with a warm smile as he spotted Jiang Cheng.


    ¡°Jiang boy! Where are you off to?¡±


    Jiang Cheng returned the smile. ¡°Just heading to the market to sell a few things, Old Liu. How¡¯s the harvest this time?¡±


    Old Liu¡¯s face darkened slightly. ¡°Tch, some damn insects and pests got into the spirit rice again,¡± he grumbled, shaking his head. ¡°Left a bit of damage, but overall, not too bad.¡±


    Just as Jiang Cheng was about to reply, Old Liu¡¯s expression suddenly shifted. His eyes narrowed, and a lewd grin spread across his face.


    ¡°Speaking of the market¡­¡± He leaned in, lowering his voice. ¡°Jiang boy, I heard there¡¯s a new girl at the Drunken Flower Pavilion¡ªfresh arrival, young and full of life. You wouldn¡¯t happen to be stopping by there, would you?¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°Old Liu, aren¡¯t you a little too interested in these things?¡±


    ¡°Hah! What do you know, boy?¡± Old Liu wagged his finger. ¡°Cultivation is important, but so is enjoying life! You can¡¯t spend all your days buried in books and spirit fields. A man needs to unwind now and then! Back in my prime¡ª¡±


    Jiang Cheng quickly cut him off before he was forced to hear a long-winded tale of Old Liu¡¯s youthful escapades. ¡°I¡¯ll pass. I have business to take care of.¡±


    Old Liu sighed ¡°Ah, youth wasted on the cautious¡­ Well, suit yourself. But if you ever change your mind, just let this old man know¡ªI have connections.¡± He winked before hoisting his hoe back onto his shoulder.


    Jiang Cheng shook his head with a chuckle and continued on his way, leaving Old Liu behind, still muttering about "wasted opportunities."


    After a few minutes, Jiang Cheng arrived at the market, where the streets were packed with people moving in all directions like a swarm of ants on a sugar high. The air buzzed with energy¡ªloud chatter, the clinking of spiritual stones, and the rich scent of roasted meat and medicinal herbs filled his senses. It was as if the market itself was alive, a chaotic symphony of sights, sounds, and smells.


    As he strolled through the market, merchants called out to potential buyers, each trying to outshout the other like a competition for who could be the most obnoxiously enthusiastic.


    "Fresh spirit fruits! Sweet and juicy, straight from the mountain orchards! If you don¡¯t buy them, my wife will make me eat them, and I¡¯m allergic!"


    "High-quality talisman ink! One drop, and your inscriptions will glow for days! Two drops, and they¡¯ll glow so bright you¡¯ll blind your enemies! Three drops, and¡ªwell, let¡¯s not get carried away!"


    "Spirit beast meat! Cook it right, and it¡¯ll strengthen your vitality! Cook it wrong, and it¡¯ll strengthen your ability to visit the outhouse all night!"


    A burly man waved a giant fish with shimmering silver scales, its tail slapping him in the face as he struggled to hold it up. "Golden Spirit Carp! Nourishes the soul! Just caught from the Azure Lake this morning!


    Nearby, a wrinkled old woman sat behind a stall filled with strange-looking roots and dried flowers. She cackled as she crushed a dried herb between her fingers, releasing a sharp, bitter aroma that made Jiang Cheng¡¯s nose wrinkle. "Boy, this is Seven Star Grass! Brew it in tea, and it¡¯ll clear your meridians!


    ¡°Spirit beast eggs! Hatch one today, and in ten years, it might call you dad¡ªor eat you! No refunds!¡±


    Jiang Cheng watched the chaos unfold before him and couldn''t help but think that, despite the presence of cultivators, this market was no different from a mortal one¡ªeveryone was shouting, bargaining, and trying to get the best deal.


    He glanced at the street stalls where monks were selling elixirs, talismans, and various trinkets. The thought crossed his mind¡ªif he set up a stall himself, he could probably sell his talismans at a higher price. But after a moment¡¯s consideration, he shook his head.


    Selling in the open meant wasting a lot of time and drawing unnecessary attention. Talismans were valuable, and attracting the interest of the wrong people¡ªwhether thieves, greedy cultivators, or competitors¡ªwas not worth the risk. It was better to sell through an established store, even if it meant earning slightly less.


    With that decision made, Jiang Cheng trotted toward the store where he purchase his clothes that time


    As Jiang Cheng stepped into the store, the familiar scent of ink and parchment filled the air. Behind the wooden counter stood the same young woman from yesterday¡ªdressed in a light blue robe, her dark eyes sharp yet carrying a hint of amusement.


    She recognized him immediately and smiled. "Oh? You¡¯re back already. That was quick. Did you come to return faulty talismans?"


    Jiang Cheng chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I¡¯m here to sell some."


    Her eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, but she remained composed. "Sell? You mean¡­ you made them yourself?"


    Jiang Cheng took out the eight low-grade Minor Shield Talismans and placed them on the counter. The faint glow of spiritual energy in the patterns proved their effectiveness.


    The young woman¡¯s gaze flickered with interest as she picked one up, examining the strokes. "Hmm¡­ the structure is stable, the spiritual energy is evenly distributed, and there¡¯s no excess leakage." She gave him a curious look. "Not bad at all. You¡¯re either a talisman master or a hidden genius."


    Jiang Cheng remained cautious. He waved his hand dismissively. "I¡¯m just a beginner. I got lucky a few times."


    She let out a soft laugh. "A beginner, huh? Most beginners fail dozens of times before succeeding even once. But sure, let¡¯s go with ¡®lucky.¡¯"


    Jiang Cheng changed the topic. "How much are you offering for these?"


    The girl tapped the counter, thinking for a moment. "Normally, low-grade Minor Shield Talismans sell for five spirit stones each. But since we need to make a profit, we buy them at four spirit stones apiece. That¡¯s the standard rate."


    Jiang Cheng had already expected this, so he nodded. "Fair enough. I¡¯ll sell all eight."


    She quickly calculated the amount. "That¡¯ll be 32 spirit stones in total." She retrieved a pouch and placed the spirit stones inside before handing it to him.


    Jiang Cheng took the pouch and then said, "I also need more talisman paper. How much for thirty sheets?"


    The girl smiled. "We sell them at one spirit stone for three sheets, so for thirty, that¡¯ll be ten spirit stones."


    Jiang Cheng handed over ten spirit stones without hesitation. The young woman efficiently packed the papers into a bundle and handed them over.


    "Not a bad deal for a ¡®beginner,¡¯" she said with a teasing smile.


    Jiang Cheng simply nodded, not wanting to reveal too much. "Thanks."


    As he turned to leave, she called out, "If you make more, feel free to sell them here. And maybe next time, tell me your name, "Mister "


    Jiang Cheng chuckled lightly but didn¡¯t reply, stepping out of the shop with his newly acquired supplies.


    Jiang Cheng walked through the bustling market, eventually stopping at a street stall displaying an assortment of freshly butchered monster meat. The seller was a burly man with thick arms and a scar running across his cheek, likely a former hunter who had retired to selling his spoils.


    "Fresh monster meat! Strengthens the body, replenishes vitality! Two pounds for just one spirit stone! You won¡¯t find a better deal!" the man hollered, his voice booming over the market noise.


    Jiang Cheng approached the stall and casually inspected the meat. The cuts looked fresh, some still faintly emanating traces of spiritual energy. He nodded in approval. "Give me four pounds."


    The seller grinned. "A fine choice, young man." He quickly wrapped the meat in clean parchment and handed it over.


    As Jiang Cheng passed over two spirit stones, he glanced at the man and asked, "Any news from the Endless Mountains lately? I hear the beast tides have been unpredictable this year."


    The seller snorted. "Unpredictable? More like downright strange. Normally, the beast tides follow a pattern¡ªsmall surges every few years, with a big one every few decades. But lately, monsters have been acting erratic. Even weaker beasts are growing restless, attacking villages closer to the foothills."


    Jiang Cheng frowned. "That¡¯s unusual. Could it be a territorial dispute between monster clans?"


    The seller scratched his chin. "Possible, but unlikely. The real problem is that some hunters claim to have seen unfamiliar creatures¡ªbeasts that don¡¯t match any known records. That¡¯s what¡¯s got people worried. When something new appears in the mountains, it usually means trouble."


    Jiang Cheng nodded thoughtfully. The Endless Mountains , a vast and dangerous region filled with countless spirit beasts, were crucial to the cultivation world. They provided rare resources, but they also harbored terrifying dangers. If new, unknown creatures were emerging, it could spell disaster for nearby sects and towns.


    "Thanks for the info," Jiang Cheng said, securing his meat in his storage pouch.


    The seller waved a hand. "Just be careful if you¡¯re planning to head that way. These days, even experienced cultivators are treading cautiously."


    Jiang Cheng gave a slight nod before blending back into the market crowd, his mind already processing the implications of what he had just learned.

 Chapter 12 "The Cultivator’s Daily Grind"

    _________________________


    As Jiang Cheng walked through the crowded market, his mind still churned with the new information he had gathered.


    The strange beasts and unpredictable monster tides from the Endless Mountains weren''t to be taken lightly. His instincts told him that something was amiss, and he couldn¡¯t ignore the warning signs.


    But for now, his priorities lay elsewhere. He needed to return to his spiritual fields and tend to his crops. The idea of letting his responsibilities slip by because of some far-off dangers felt irresponsible.


    Besides, it had been some time since he last took a good look at his spiritual rice, and the soil could always benefit from a little extra care.


    Jiang Cheng made his way home, the pouch of spirit stones gently swinging at his side. When he arrived at his fields, his gaze fell on the five acres of fertile land.


    The once-pristine rows of crops were now overgrown with wild grass, and a few pests lurked about, seemingly mocking his neglect.


    After placing his spiritual meat and the stack of talisman paper inside his humble house, Jiang Cheng once again made his way to the spiritual field he was responsible for.


    He rolled up his sleeves, grabbed his trusty hoe, and stared down at the overgrown mess.


    ¡°Alright, you overgrown weeds and freeloading pests,¡± he muttered, gripping the hoe tightly.


    ¡°Prepare to meet your maker.¡± The battle was fierce. Jiang Cheng swung his hoe like a seasoned warrior, hacking away at the weeds with the precision of a master cultivator.


    The pests, however, were not going down without a fight. A particularly bold beetle charged at him, its tiny legs moving at an impressive speed.


    ¡°Oh, you want a piece of me?¡± Jiang Cheng said, raising his hoe like a sword. ¡°Come at me, you six-legged menace!¡±


    The beetle, perhaps sensing the futility of its actions, turned tail and fled. Jiang Cheng smirked.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±


    After hours of backbreaking labor, the field was finally clear. The weeds were uprooted, the pests vanquished, and the soil was ready for planting. Jiang Cheng wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed.


    ¡°I swear, farming is just combat with dirt.¡±


    With the field prepped, Jiang Cheng scattered the spiritual rice seeds with the care of a doting parent. Then, he stood in the center of the field, closed his eyes, and began the Spirit Rain Technique.


    His hands moved in fluid motions, drawing spiritual energy from the air and condensing it into a fine mist that showered the field.


    For half an hour, he maintained the technique, his focus unwavering. When he finally opened his eyes, he inspected the field carefully.


    The seeds had taken root , their faint spiritual glow a sign of healthy growth. Satisfied, he nodded.


    ¡°Not bad for a day¡¯s work.¡±


    Jiang Cheng returned to his humble house, exhaustion weighing down on him despite the relatively simple tasks he had completed.


    With the field cleared and the seeds thriving under the Spirit Rain Technique, his work for the day was done.


    Once inside his house, Jiang Cheng immediately shed his outer robes, feeling the weight of the day settle into his bones. The physical labor, though routine, never failed to tire him, Jiang Cheng stretched his stiff limbs and groaned.


    His back ached, his legs felt like lead, and his arms were sore from tilling the spiritual fields earlier.


    Collapsing onto his wooden bed, he let out a long, suffering sigh.


    "I was working like a cow and a horse in my previous life, and I¡¯m still working like a cow and a horse in this life¡­"


    He rubbed his temples. "Did I offend some deity? Is my fate to be a farm animal for eternity?"


    Just as he was about to close his eyes, a thought struck him. His gaze drifted to the corner of his house, where a mirror stood.


    With an exhausted shuffle, he forced himself up and walked over, staring at his own reflection. His once-sharp features now carried the look of a man who had seen too much hardship.


    Dark circles under his eyes, straw sticking out of his messy hair, and his robes wrinkled beyond saving.


    "...I look like a beggar," he muttered.


    Just as he was about to collapse into his well-earned rest, a knock at the door interrupted his peace.


    "Jiang boy! Are you home?"


    It was Old Liu.


    Jiang Cheng groaned, but he dragged himself to the door and opened it slightly, peeking out.


    Old Liu immediately frowned. "What the hell happened to you? Did you lose a fight? Or did you fall into a pigsty?"


    "...Neither." Jiang Cheng sighed. "Just farming."Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Old Liu smirked. "You look like someone stole your life savings."


    "They did. It was called ¡®hard labor.¡¯"


    The old farmer cackled. "That¡¯s why you should go to the Drunken Flower Pavilion! A little wine, a little company¡ªworks wonders for the spirit!"


    Jiang Cheng stared blankly at him.


    "...Old Liu, do you see me? Do I look like I have the energy to even walk to the pavilion, let alone ¡®enjoy¡¯ myself?"


    Old Liu clicked his tongue. "Such a shame. Youth wasted on exhaustion."


    Jiang Cheng shut the door.


    With a tired flop, he fell back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.


    "Maybe in my next life¡­ I¡¯ll just reincarnate as a potato."


    After a simple meal, the sun had set, casting a warm orange glow over the horizon.


    Jiang Cheng, still weary from the day''s labor, lazily waved his hand and cast a simple Dust-Free Technique, instantly cleaning the dirt and sweat from his body.


    "At least magic saves me from taking a bath," he muttered, stretching his sore shoulders.


    With renewed focus, he sat at his desk, spread out the thirty talisman papers, and dipped his brush into the ink.


    Each stroke had to be precise. The flow of spiritual energy needed to be controlled perfectly. A single mistake, and the talisman would be wasted.


    Time passed unnoticed as he worked tirelessly, his hands moving with growing confidence.


    One talisman¡­ two¡­ five¡­ ten¡­


    He continued, pushing himself until his mind blurred with exhaustion.


    By the time he finished, the moon hung high in the sky, casting a cold silver light through his window.


    Jiang Cheng exhaled deeply, staring at his results¡ªtwenty successful talismans out of thirty.


    "Not bad¡­" he mumbled, rubbing his temples. The constant focus had drained him both physically and mentally.


    His head wobbled, his vision swayed, and before he could even clean up properly, he stumbled toward his bed.


    With a heavy sigh, he flopped onto the mattress and closed his eyes.


    Within seconds, he was out cold, snoring softly.


    Early the next morning, Jiang Cheng woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside his window. He yawned, stretched his limbs, and reluctantly pulled himself out of bed.


    He splashed cold water on his face, trying to shake off the remnants of his deep sleep, before changing into his usual clothes. Afterward, he sat in a quiet corner of his house for an hour of meditation to steady his mind and restore his energy.


    Once he felt centered, Jiang Cheng made his way to the spiritual fields, his footsteps light. The sun had barely risen, and a cool morning breeze swept through the air.


    He took a deep breath and surveyed the fields carefully. To his relief, there was no sign of pests or any other issues.


    ¡°Looks good,¡± he muttered, nodding to himself. The spiritual rice seemed to be growing well, and the soil was healthy. Nothing out of the ordinary.


    Satisfied, he returned to his house for a quick breakfast¡ªjust some rice porridge and pickled vegetables, nothing fancy.


    It was all he needed to get through the morning.


    Afterward, Jiang Cheng set off for the market, his spirit bag filled with the talismans he had crafted the night before. The market was already buzzing with activity as he arrived.


    The familiar sights and sounds greeted him¡ªthe bustling crowd, the colorful stalls, and the air thick with the smell of street food and incense.


    He made his way through the crowd, bypassing the usual distractions, and arrived at the store he frequented to sell his talismans.


    As soon as he stepped inside, the same young woman, still wearing her light blue robes, looked up from behind the counter. She gave him a slight smile as recognition flickered in her eyes.


    ¡°Back so soon?¡±


    she asked, her tone light and teasing. ¡°Did you forget something, or are you here to sell more of your lucky talismans?¡±


    Jiang Cheng smirked, setting the pouch of talismans on the counter. ¡°I¡¯m here to sell. No returns this time, I promise.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, inspecting the pouch with mild interest. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got this time, Mister. ¡±


    With a casual flick of her wrist, she opened the pouch and began pulling out the freshly made talismans. Her eyes briefly scanned each one.


    ¡°These look decent,¡± she muttered, nodding with approval as she flipped through them. ¡°You¡¯ve improved since last time.¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°I told you, I¡¯m just lucky. No need to get all impressed.¡±


    She rolled her eyes but smiled. ¡°Lucky, huh? I¡¯ve never met anyone who gets lucky so often.¡±


    She reached for the small pouch of spirit stones and quickly calculated the total. ¡°twenty Minor Shield Talismans, four spirit stones each. That¡¯ll be eighty spirit stones.¡±


    Jiang Cheng took the spirit stones without hesitation, a satisfied smile creeping onto his face. ¡°Thanks. I also need more paper. Sixty sheets this time .¡±


    She was already preparing the bundle. ¡°One spirit stone for three sheets. That¡¯ll be twenty spirit stones for thirty.¡±


    Jiang Cheng handed over the coins with a smile. ¡°You know, you really should offer a discount to regulars. You might just get more customers that way.¡±


    She looked up, feigning shock. ¡°You want a discount? From me? Dream on !¡±


    Jiang Cheng shrugged. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m just looking out for myself.¡±


    She grinned as she handed over the bundle of talisman paper. ¡°You¡¯ll have to work for it, Mister Lucky. Don¡¯t expect discounts just because you¡¯re a frequent flyer.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± he said, taking the bundle and stuffing it into his pouch.


    As he was about to leave, the young woman called out, ¡°By the way, have you had any thoughts on telling me your name? I¡¯m starting to think you¡¯re deliberately keeping it a secret.¡±


    Jiang Cheng paused, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it. Maybe when you start giving me those discounts.¡±


    She gave him a playful glare. ¡°Hmph impossible.¡±


    Jiang Cheng chuckled, the banter lightening his mood, and left the store with his new supplies.


    As Jiang Cheng made his way deeper into the market, his thoughts turned to practical matters. He still needed to restock a few essentials, and his stomach had been growling ever since he left his house.


    At a nearby stall, he spotted a burly man with a thick beard and muscular arms, holding up a large chunk of monster meat.


    The scent of roasted meat wafted through the air, making Jiang Cheng¡¯s mouth water.


    The man caught his eye and bellowed, ¡°Fresh monster meat! Full of spirit energy, perfect for strengthening your body! Only one spirit stones per two pounds !¡±


    Jiang Cheng approached the stall, his stomach rumbling in agreement. ¡°I¡¯ll take eight pounds,¡± he said


    With the monster meat and rice secured, Jiang Cheng made his way through the bustling market, the weight of the spirit stones in his pouch comforting him. The streets were still lively, with merchants shouting over each other, trying to attract attention to their goods.


    But Jiang Cheng''s mind was on other matters¡ªprimarily how he was going to make good use of his purchases.


    He passed by a few more stalls, his gaze briefly flicking over them, but he didn¡¯t stop. His feet carried him back toward his home, where the peaceful solitude of his small abode awaited him.


    Upon arriving, he set the bags of monster meat and spirit rice down in the kitchen, taking a moment to appreciate how much he had accomplished in just one day.


    He quickly set about preparing a simple but hearty meal: some of the freshly purchased rice and monster meat cooked together, the savory aroma filling the house as it simmered.


    After finishing the meal, he leaned back, full and satisfied. "Good food, good progress... I guess life as a farmer and talisman maker isn''t *all* bad."


    With his stomach full and the evening drawing near, Jiang Cheng made his way to the small desk where his talisman papers were neatly stacked. As he sat down, he briefly considered the weight of his next steps.


    His mind was tired from the day¡¯s work, but there was still something to be done. The idea of stockpiling spirit stones for a weapon lingered in the back of his mind. After all, despite his abilities, he was still just a beginner¡ªhaving something to defend himself with in the future might be wise.


    With a quiet sigh, he set to work again, determined not to waste any time.

 Chapter 13_ A Fortune Hard-Earned

    ________________________


    Time had flown by in the blink of an eye. Days blurred into one another as Jiang Cheng settled into a steady routine¡ªwaking up at dawn, washing his face, meditating for an hour, checking his spiritual field, eating a simple meal, and spending hours crafting talismans before heading to the market to sell them.


    With each passing day, his skills improved, his success rate in making talismans increased, and so did his earnings.


    And now, after half a month of relentless effort, he finally had something to show for it.


    Jiang Cheng sat in his humble home, a small wooden box open before him. Inside, neatly stacked spirit stones gleamed under the candlelight.


    "Eight hundred and fifty-five spirit stones!"


    He grinned, barely suppressing his excitement. His fingers ran over the cool, smooth stones, the weight of his hard-earned wealth filling him with satisfaction.


    "Finally, hard work pays off!" He couldn''t help but laugh.


    Just a month ago, he had been scraping by, worrying about every single purchase. Now, he was rich


    Well¡­ not truly rich¡ªeight hundred spirit stones weren¡¯t enough to shake the foundation of a cultivator¡¯s world¡ªbut for someone like him, who started with nothing, this was a fortune.


    Jiang Cheng leaned back, exhaling in relief. "I should reward myself¡­"


    For half a month, he had been living frugally¡ªonly buying necessities like food, talisman paper, and a few other essentials. Now, with a comfortable amount saved up, he could afford to spend a little without guilt.


    He tapped his chin thoughtfully.


    "A better weapon? Some defensive artifacts? Maybe even a proper cultivation technique¡­"


    Jiang Cheng smirked. "Guess I¡¯ll be making a trip to the Treasure Pavilion tomorrow."


    He carefully stored the spirit stones away, making sure they were well hidden. Just because he was rich now didn¡¯t mean he could be careless.


    Jiang Cheng washed up and changed into the original owner¡¯s old clothes¡ªsimple, slightly worn, and entirely unremarkable.


    He doesn''t have any disguise techniques, nor could he alter his facial structure. The best he could do was avoid standing out.


    For the past half month, he had been careful, deliberately selling his talismans to different stores to avoid drawing too much attention. He wasn¡¯t strong enough yet to deal with potential trouble, and wealth always attracted greed.


    After making sure his appearance was as plain as possible, Jiang Cheng stepped out, first making his way to his spiritual fields.


    As usual, he checked the crops carefully, ensuring there were no issues. Satisfied, he performed the Spirit Rain Technique, letting the gentle mist of spiritual energy nourish the soil.


    Once everything was in order, he didn¡¯t linger.


    Jiang Cheng navigated through the bustling market with focused steps, ignoring the colorful stalls that lined the streets. His mind was set, and today, his goal was clear:


    to purchase the remaining supplies he needed to further his cultivation and ensure his future success. The sounds of street vendors calling out, the smell of sizzling food, and the vibrant energy of the market seemed to fade into the background as he moved with purpose.


    He made his way past familiar faces and busy merchants, his thoughts solely on the task ahead. As he approached his destination, he could see the building ahead, its wooden frame tall and sturdy, with signs of age but well-maintained.


    The Qinglin Pavilion.


    It had become a familiar spot over the past few weeks, and today, Jiang Cheng hoped that with his newfound wealth, he could acquire the final pieces needed for his next phase of cultivation.


    He quickened his pace, determined to finish his business and return home to his spiritual fields.


    Pushing open the door, the familiar scent of incense and the soft murmur of the Pavilion¡¯s quiet atmosphere greeted him. Ruan Xue was at the counter, her head slightly tilted as she glanced up when he entered.


    "Back again, fellow Daoist Jiang ?" she said, her tone light but amused.


    Ruan Xue led Jiang Cheng to a quiet corner of the Qinglin Pavilion, where a simple wooden desk sat waiting. The soft glow of paper lanterns illuminated the space, and the faint scent of incense lingered in the air. She gestured for him to sit as she poured him a cup of hot tea, steam curling lazily upward.


    ¡°Please, take a seat, fellow Daoist Jiang,¡± Ruan Xue said with a knowing smile. ¡°You seem like someone with a lot on their mind.¡±


    Jiang Cheng took the offered tea, savoring the warmth before placing it gently on the desk. "Thank you," he said, his tone earnest.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    He was feeling the weight of his recent purchases and decisions, and now that he had the means to move forward, he needed guidance.


    ¡°I need some basic skills,¡± Jiang Cheng began, his voice steady, ¡°and some understanding of the world of cultivation. I¡¯ve been going about things mostly on my own, but I realize I lack crucial knowledge. It¡¯s time to fill in the gaps.¡±


    Ruan Xue¡¯s expression softened. She placed the teapot down and leaned forward slightly. ¡°Ah, so you seek the foundation¡ªthe fundamentals. I can certainly help you with that.¡±


    After waiting for a while, Ruan came to Jiang Cheng again with a tray.


    Dozens of jade slips were quietly placed on the tray, looking very attractive.


    Putting down the tray in her hand, Ruan Xue''s picked up a jade slip from the tray and began to introduce it.


    "This is the Spirit Eye Technique. It can check other people''s cultivation at any time to avoid provoking strong people."


    "This is the Fireball Technique. It condenses a fireball to kill the enemy. It is extremely powerful."


    "This is the sound transmission technique. It is the first choice for Qi training cultivators to communicate with their friends over long distances.


    The speed of flying cranes is extremely fast and it is basically impossible to be intercepted. If it is intercepted, the information will self-destruct. It is extremely safe."


    "This is a light body technique that can increase walking speed. It is essential for long-distance travel and escape."


    "This is the Breath Containment Technique. It can restrain one''s own aura and make it no different from a stone. It will basically not be noticed by others."


    Jiang Cheng was amazed by these simple spills and decided to take them all


    One is the art of spiritual vision.


    One is the art of sound transmission.


    One is the art of restraining breath.


    The Spirit Eye Technique can tell other people''s cultivation level with just a glance, thus avoiding provoking powerful enemies.


    And because the Spirit Eye Technique can only detect cultivation level and cannot obtain other information, it will not be as annoying as a scan by spiritual consciousness.


    The spiritual eye technique is different from the spiritual sense scan. It is like the qi-seeing technique. It can only see the other party''s level of cultivation and will not be annoying.


    But spiritual scanning is like touching with your hands. Who would like to be touched suddenly by a stranger?


    Therefore, in the world of immortal cultivation, everyone is accustomed to using the spiritual eye technique and does not take it seriously, but using spiritual consciousness to scan the other party is a taboo.


    The art of sound transmission, after exchanging breath with a friend, you only need to release paper cranes or flying birds to contact the other party through this technique.


    It is the preferred spell for Qi training monks to communicate over long distances.


    Of course, if the opponent is in a defensive formation, or has used the Breath-Concealing Technique to conceal his own breath, the Sound Transmission Technique will not be able to find the opponent and will only stay where the opponent''s breath disappears.


    Exchanging breath with friends is like two people adding each other as a friend, and they can use this breath to contact each other.


    There is no need to worry about this trace of breath being tracked.


    If there is a special spell that can change one''s own breath, the sound transmission spell will be ineffective.


    At the same time, once the sound transmission technique is intercepted, the information on it will instantly self-destruct, and the person who performed the sound transmission technique will also know it.


    The Breath-Containing Technique is a method of restraining one''s own aura so that others cannot detect it. It is the best choice to avoid disasters and misfortunes.


    Of course, the Breath-Suppressing Technique can only block perception. If you see it with the naked eye, you can still see the existence of this person.


    The Breath-Containing Technique is only about restraining one''s own breath, it is not an invisibility technique.


    Therefore, when you use the Breath-Concealing Technique and don''t want others to discover you, it is best to hide and avoid being seen.


    However, when using the Spiritual Eyes Technique to observe someone who is practicing the Breath-Containing Technique, the Spiritual Eyes Technique is unable to detect the other person''s cultivation level.


    When the opponent is not using the Breath-Containing Technique, one can see the opponent''s cultivation level with just a glance using the Spiritual Eye Technique.


    "Each of these spells only requires twenty spirit stones. Which ones do you need, Fellow Daoist Jiang ?"


    After introducing all the spells on the tray, Ruan looked at Jiang Cheng and asked softly.


    Every spell sold in the Spiritual Skills Pavilion is contained in a jade slip, so there will be no situation where there are no spells that cannot be practiced or there are no missing words or pages.


    After purchasing it, just stick the jade slip directly to fully receive all the tricks of this spell.


    In addition, our predecessors also have insights and experiences regarding these spells.


    It is enough to help people who are practicing this spell for the first time avoid many detours.


    Such a comprehensive service will not be cheap.


    However, instead of looking for those inexpensive handwritten versions in the stalls outside, Jiang Cheng prefers to buy the original authentic products in Qinglan Pavilion.


    Not for anything else.


    Just because I''m afraid of being cheated.


    "I need three spells: the Spirit Eye Technique, the Breath Containment Technique, and the Sound Transmission Technique. Thank you very much, fellow Taoist."


    Nodding towards Ruan Xue , Jiang Cheng took out sixty spirit stones from his sleeve and handed them to Ruan .


    He took the spirit stone handed over by Jiang Cheng


    Ruan Xue picked out three jade slips from the tray and handed them to Jiang Cheng .


    "Just stick the jade slip on your forehead."


    The gentle female voice came again.


    Jiang Cheng didn''t say anything else. He just took the jade slips and randomly picked one and put it on his forehead.


    The next moment.


    All the information about the Breath-Containing Technique was firmly imprinted in Jiang Cheng''s memory.


    Almost in an instant, Jiang Cheng had completely understood how to practice the Breath-Containing Technique, as well as the various effects of the Breath-Containing Technique after it was practiced.


    Jiang Cheng did the same with the remaining two jade slips. After learning all three basic spells, he finally opened his eyes.


    I have to say.


    Using jade slips to learn spells is indeed very effective.


    Jiang Cheng , who had just learned three basic spells, did not feel tired at all. Instead, he felt energetic. The memory of the three basic spells in his mind seemed to be deeper.


    "If you need anything else, feel free to call me. The books on common sense of cultivating immortals are on the bookshelf over there. You can browse them at will. I have something else to do, so I''ll leave you now."


    "Thank you, sister Ruan ."


    Bowing to Ruan who was walking away, Jiang Cheng suppressed the urge to go home immediately to practice the three magic spells.


    Walking to the bookshelf nearby, Jiang Cheng picked up a book and began to read it silently.


    "Record of Spiritual Plants,


    Record of Spiritual Mines,


    Diagram of Monsters,


    Classification of Realms of Cultivators,


    Classification of Powers Surrounding Qinglin Sect


    Jiang Cheng glanced at book after book, which gave him a general understanding of the world of cultivation he was in.

 Chapter 14_"Jiang Cheng and the Perils of Night Markets"

    ___________________


    Jiang Cheng was currently in Qinglin  Sect, a Jindan-level sect with considerable influence over the surrounding region.


    Under its jurisdiction were four immortal cities, each overseeing three to four immortal markets.


    At this moment, Jiang Cheng resided in Pushan Immortal Market, one of the many trade hubs governed by Pingyuan Immortal City.


    The Qinglan Immortal Pavilion, where he had been frequenting, was guarded by foundation-building disciples of the Qinglan Sect, ensuring a safe and regulated environment for commerce.


    Beyond Qinglin Sect¡¯s influence, four other Jindan-level sects existed nearby:


    Pure Sword Sect ¨C A sword cultivation sect, known for its sharp and precise sword techniques, in the east


    Flower Yin Sect ¨C A sect specializing in spiritual arts and dual cultivation techniques, in the south


    Qionghua Sect A scholarly sect renowned for their alchemy and formations, in the west


    Blood Moon Sect demonic sect infamous for its brutal cultivation methods, in the North


    While the first three were considered orthodox sects, the Blood Moon Sect was an infamous demonic faction that often clashed with its neighbors.


    As Jiang Cheng continued reading in the Qinglan Immortal Pavilion, he discovered valuable insights about cultivation techniques and spells.


    In the world of immortal cultivation, skills¡ªmeaning cultivation techniques¡ªwere not as rare as one might think. High-level cultivators frequently created new techniques, passing them down through sects, families, and factions. This resulted in an abundance of techniques with varying attributes and effects.


    The average price of a basic cultivation technique was around 100 spirit stones¡ªnot particularly expensive. However, sects and aristocratic families often sold their own techniques at significantly lower prices within their sphere of influence.


    For instance, Qinglan Jue, the technique Jiang Cheng practiced, was originally created by a powerful cultivator of Qinglan Sect. It could be cultivated to Golden Core Perfection, yet within Qinglan Sect¡¯s territory, a Qi training-level Qinglan Jue only cost one spirit stone .


    This was not out of generosity¡ªit was a calculated strategy.


    Why Do Sects Sell Techniques So Cheaply?


    1. Resource Dependency ¨C The more one advanced in a sect¡¯s technique, the more reliant they became on the sect¡¯s exclusive cultivation resources. Without these, progress would slow to a crawl.


    2 Recruitment ¨C Casual cultivators who reached the Foundation Establishment stage would find joining the sect to be the best option. Their cultivation method was already tailored to the sect¡¯s resources, making it easier to integrate.


    3. Monopolization of Higher-Level Spells ¨C While basic Qi training-level techniques were cheap and widely available, more powerful techniques and spells were tightly controlled by sects and aristocratic families.


    Jiang Cheng learned that spells were even more restricted than cultivation techniques.


    While basic Qi training spells could be purchased freely, Foundation Establishment-level spells and beyond were rarely sold to outsiders. Only those affiliated with sects or aristocratic families could acquire complete sets of high-level spells.


    Moreover, purchasing a spell was a strictly individual transaction. The jade slips were enchanted to prevent knowledge from being passed down or copied.


    This explained why Ruan Xue had left without further instruction¡ªshe knew the jade slips¡¯ restrictions ensured that only Jiang Cheng could use what he had bought.


    For several days, Jiang Cheng followed a steady routine.


    - Each morning, he tended to his spiritual field, casting the Spirit Rain Technique to nurture his crops.


    - He visited the Qinglan Immortal Pavilion, reading through books on cultivation history, sect politics, and spiritual resources.


    As he absorbed more knowledge, he deepened his understanding of the cultivation world¡ªits power structures, hidden rules, and economic strategies.


    Despite his growing awareness, he did not forget his primary source of income¡ªselling talismans.


    After finishing everything, Jiang Cheng walked into the Qinglan Immortal Pavilion, where Ruan Xue was behind the counter, her head slightly tilted as she appeared lost in thought.


    "Fellow Daoist Ruan," Jiang Cheng called out, a light smile on his face. "I¡¯ve finished all the things I need."


    Ruan Xue looked up, blinking as if coming out of a trance. She smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling. "Congratulations fellow Daoist Jiang"


    Jiang Cheng clasped his hands. ¡°Thank you, fellow Daoist, for your help these past days.¡±


    Ruan Xue waved her hand dismissively. It¡¯s just a small matter. Don¡¯t mention it.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Jiang Cheng chuckled, then said, ¡°I almost forgot! Fellow Daoist, do you have any high-grade spirit weapons for sale? Preferably a sword¡ªone imbued with elemental properties, if possible.¡±


    Ruan Xue raised an eyebrow and smirked.


    "Brother Jiang, are you preparing to overthrow a sect? Or perhaps you¡¯ve been hired as an elder¡¯s bodyguard?"


    Jiang Cheng coughed. "I''m just¡­ preparing for the future."


    Ruan Xue rested her chin on her hand, looking at him with mock seriousness. "I see, I see. ¡®Preparation.


    She loughed and led him to a section filled with various spirit weapons.


    Ruan Xue picked up a curved blade.


    This is the Stormfire Saber¡ªa dual-element sword imbued with wind and fire energy. Its slashes leave behind burning gales."


    She moved to another.


    "This is the Frost Edge Sword, containing ice spiritual energy. Striking an opponent slows them down."


    Then, she lifted a sleek, glowing sword.


    "And this is the Thunderstrike Blade, infused with lightning essence, delivering electrified strikes."


    As Jiang Cheng looked around, a simple, shadowy sword caught his eye. It was unremarkable, its low-profile design making it stand out among the flashier weapons.


    Jiang Cheng picked it up, sensing its mysterious aura. He could tell this was no ordinary sword.


    Ruan Xue¡¯s eyes lit up.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good one, Brother Jiang. That sword was refined by a Foundation Establishment Elder in Qinglin Sect.¡±


    Jiang Cheng was intrigued. ¡°How much?¡±


    Ruan Xue grinned.¡°It¡¯s 560 spirit stones, but since you¡¯re my friend, I¡¯ll give it to you for 530 spirit stones.¡±


    Jiang Cheng thought for a moment. He still had 1,118 spirit stones left. "I''ll take it, Sister Xue."


    Then he added, ¡°Also, give me two Thunderstrike Talismans and two Heavenly Shield Talismans.¡±


    Ruan Xue handed them over. "That will be 260 spirit stones¡ªfifty for each Thunderstrike Talisman and eighty for each Shield Talisman.¡±


    Jiang Cheng clenched his teeth and paid. ¡°It¡¯s worth it for protection.¡±


    "Also, give me three bottles of Qi Condensation Pills."


    Ruan Xue nodded. "That will be 150 spirit stones"


    Jiang Cheng then asked, ¡°Do you have any sword techniques that match this sword?¡±


    Ruan Xue smiled. ¡°I recommend the Thunderclap Sword Art¡ªit allows the sword to move as fast as lightning, striking multiple times in the blink of an eye. But it¡¯s expensive¡ª100 spirit stones.¡±


    Jiang Cheng skimmed the jade slip and, after a moment, bought it directly.


    As Jiang Cheng bid farewell to Ruan Xue, the sky had already darkened, and the chill of the evening air brushed against his skin. He stepped out of the Qinglan Immortal Pavilion, feeling the weight of his purchases in his storage ring. The Thunderstrike talismanes , the Thunderclap Sword Art, and the Qi Condensation Pills felt like solid gains, yet as he looked up, the sky had shifted to a dusky twilight.


    By now, night had fallen.


    His heart sank a little. "How did it get so late?" he muttered to himself, realizing the night had already fallen completely. "I should have left earlier..."


    A sense of regret washed over him. If he''d been more mindful of the time, he could''ve made it home before the streets turned desolate and dangerous. But now, wandering the streets alone, a growing sense of unease settled in his chest. He could practically hear the ominous rustling of the wind in the empty stalls around him.


    As he started to walk down the alley, trying to avoid drawing attention, his footsteps echoed too loudly in the silence. It felt like the night itself was mocking him.


    ¡°Why the hell did I spend 530 spirit stones on a sword and forget to buy a simple stealth talisman?¡±


    Jiang Cheng almost slapped himself. He had Thunderstrike Talismans, Heavenly Shield Talismans, and even a whole-ass Qi Condensation Pill stash¡ªbut not a single escape or invisibility talisman.


    ¡°I had over a thousand spirit stones! I could¡¯ve bought a Concealment Talisman for 50 stones! But nooo, I had to be fancy.¡±


    He clenched his jaw. If he died tonight, his gravestone should read:


    "Here lies Jiang Cheng, robbed and stabbed in an alley, clutching an expensive sword he never got to use."


    He suddenly felt like a fool, walking around like a walking bank account with no withdrawal protection.


    The stall area outside was nearly deserted, with most cultivators having packed up and left.


    Though Pushan Market had no official curfew, the dark and windy streets made night travel dangerous. Who knew what kind of murderers lurked in the shadows?


    Not going out at night has almost become an unspoken rule for the monks.


    He quickened his pace, but suddenly remembered that he was still wearing his new robe¡ªit was lavish, and he didn''t want to attract unnecessary attention. In a moment of panic, he turned down a narrow alley, where he ducked behind a dingy storefront to change into his old, tattered robe¡ªthe one belonging to the original owner of this body.


    The robe was barely more than a collection of patched cloth, with one sleeve that seemed to have been sewn on backwards and the smell of stale sweat lingering on it. As he pulled it on, Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He had never been one for fashion, but this was a bit much even for his standards.


    "What am I doing..." he muttered to himself, feeling like a clumsy beggar. There was a brief moment where he considered going back to the Qinglan Immortal Pavilion just to buy a new robe¡ªmaybe something at least half-decent¡ªbut then he remembered he had just spent a fortune on talismans and pills.


    With a sigh, he looked at his reflection in a small puddle. His hair was a bit unkempt, and his robe seemed to have aged ten years since its last wear. His reflection made him want to hide in a hole and never come out.


    As he started to walk down the alley, trying to avoid drawing attention, his footsteps echoed too loudly in the silence. It felt like the night itself was mocking him.


    Then, out of nowhere, he heard voices. Low, menacing laughter echoed from deeper in the alley. He froze.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s heart almost leaped out of his chest when he got a good look at the rogues.


    Sitting around a low-burning fire, their gleaming eyes reflected the dim light like hungry wolves in the dark. A few of them had their hands lazily resting on rusty swords, their postures relaxed¡ªbut their aura was anything but friendly.


    Three of them were at the middle stage of Qi Refining. The rest were at the early stages.


    Jiang Cheng felt his stomach drop.


    Oh, God Lord, I¡¯m done for."


    Cold sweat formed on his back as panic surged through him. He had no idea how strong they were in actual combat, but he wasn¡¯t about to test his luck. He instinctively activated the Breath-Holding Technique to its absolute limit, shrinking his presence to that of a weak chicken at the first level of Qi Refining.


    Then, with all the dignity of a man about to wet himself, he buried his head slightly, hunched his shoulders, and walked like the most forgettable background character in existence.


    His goal? Blending in so well that they wouldn¡¯t even register his existence.


    One of the rogues glanced his way, his eyes sharp and assessing.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s heartbeat hammered in his ears. He was one wrong move away from becoming a ghost under the night sky.


    The rogue¡¯s gaze lingered a second too long. His brows furrowed, and his lips parted slightly as if about to speak.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s stomach twisted. Shit. Did he recognize me? Do I look too clean to be a beggar?


    He subtly hunched his shoulders further, trying to shrink into himself. The air felt thick, every second stretching unbearably long.


    The rogue furrowed his brows slightly, but then¡ª


    ¡°Tch.¡±


    With an annoyed grunt, he turned away and spat on the ground. ¡°Just another poor bastard.¡±


    A third one chuckled lazily, shaking his head. "Must be one of those trash cultivators who can¡¯t afford to eat. Probably selling scraps for spirit stones."


    Jiang Cheng had never been so insulted in his entire life.


    But he wasn''t about to correct them.


    ¡°Yes. Yes, exactly. I am a poor, pitiful, weak cultivator. So weak. So insignificant. Please continue ignoring me.¡± He chanted this in his head like a mantra, forcing himself to keep walking at a normal, casual pace.


    The rogues barely spared him another glance before returning to their fire, laughing among themselves.


    Jiang Cheng resisted the urge to run for his life and forced himself to walk normally until he turned the corner.


    The moment he was out of their line of sight, he broke into a silent sprint, his legs moving so fast they barely touched the ground.


    When Jiang Cheng finally stumbled through the door of his humble home, he slammed it shut behind him, pressing his back against the wooden frame like a man who had just escaped from the jaws of death.


    "I live! I actually live!"


    He gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly, and after a moment, he collapsed onto the rickety wooden stool, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.


    "Thank you, Heavens! Thank you, Breath-Holding Technique!" He clasped his hands together in a sincere prayer of gratitude.


    It was no wonder he was terrified.


    Any normal person would have peed their pants in his situation!


    Back in his past life, he had lived in a modern society with laws and police, where disputes were settled with words and lawsuits, not fists, blades, or soul-devouring techniques.


    Hell, he had never even killed a chicken, and now he was in a world where people slaughtered each other for spirit stones!


    And worst of all¡ªhe was a nobody.


    No background, no powerful master, no mysterious inheritance, no heaven-defying cheat system.


    Just a poor, weak, easy-to-bully bastard in a world where the strong preyed on the weak.


    At any moment, he could be robbed, enslaved, or used as a human cauldron for some twisted cultivation method. And let¡¯s not forget¡ª


    The original owner of this body was murdered.


    By who? No idea.


    Why? Still no idea.


    And the killer was still out there.


    Jiang Cheng shivered. If he had any delusions about the world of cultivation being a magical paradise of flying swords and divine arts, tonight had beaten those fantasies out of him with a rusty club.


    He was a sheep surrounded by wolves.


    And if he didn¡¯t get stronger fast, he wouldn¡¯t even make it past next month.

 Chapter 15 _ "I Just Want to Survive, Not Become a Villain!"

    ______________________


    Jiang Cheng sat on the rickety wooden stool, still catching his breath. The weight of tonight¡¯s near-disaster clung to his skin like a cold sweat. He was alive¡ªsomehow. The rogues had dismissed him, but the way one of them had lingered, eyes narrowing slightly, made his stomach twist.


    If another noise had come from him. If he had breathed just a little too loudly. If they had simply been more suspicious¡­ he would be dead.


    This is not Earth anymore.


    Jiang Cheng rubbed his temples, exhaling slowly. He still thought like an Earthyan, like someone living in a world with laws, security, and a place where caution meant checking both sides before crossing the road, not dodging life-or-death encounters with killers.


    That ended now.


    He needed a plan, a new way of living. A cultivator¡¯s way.


    Jiang Cheng took out a piece of paper and a brush, writing down the key points of his new plan.


    First, Stop attracting attention.


    Selling talismans every day in the market was suicidal. It was only a matter of time before someone noticed his growing wealth and made a move on him.


    Instead, he would limit his sales to once a week. He would sell at least 180 talismans per trip, distributing them across different stores so no single merchant became too familiar with him. After that? Straight home. No detours. No unnecessary conversations.


    Second, Train in the Endless Dreams.


    The simulation space was his greatest advantage. Since he hadn¡¯t seen real monks fight, he couldn¡¯t simulate actual opponents yet.


    But that didn¡¯t mean he couldn¡¯t practice combat skills against imaginary enemies. He would drill swordsmanship, dodging techniques, and talisman combat until his reflexes became instinctive.


    Third . Master spell casting.


    Spells in this world were powerful, but if he had to chant an incantation for five seconds while an enemy was charging at him, he¡¯d be dead before he could finish.


    He needed to train his existing spells until he could cast them instantly. At the same time, he had to buy more spells and expand his arsenal Like what I saw at Qinglin pavilion Fireball Technique, Water Needle Technique and the like. although expensive but for my life it worth it


    Fourth, mastering the art of drawing the Fireball and Water Blade Talismans¡ªnot just to sell, but to use in combat when the time came.


    And finally¡ªbreaking through to the fifth level of Qi Refining within six months.


    With his current resources, this was ambitious but achievable. The Qi Condensation Pills in his possession would help, but cultivation wasn¡¯t just about swallowing pills and hoping for the best.


    He needed to refine his Qi properly, strengthen his foundation, and ensure stability. Rushing could lead to unstable progress or even crippling setbacks.


    Jiang Cheng exhaled slowly, staring at his plan.


    It was solid. It was realistic.


    And most importantly¡­


    It was a path to survival.


    A slow grin spread across his face.


    The next five months passed in the blink of an eye.


    Jiang Cheng fully committed to his training.


    Every day, he meditated for hours, refining his Qi and strengthening his foundation.


    Every night, he entered the Endless Dreams, battling imaginary foes, dodging invisible strikes, and sharpening his instincts.


    Every week, he visited the market only once, selling his talismans in bulk before disappearing back into seclusion.


    He trained spellcasting until his Fireball and Water Blade Talismans became as natural as breathing.


    He experimented with new techniques, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding¡ªbut always learning.


    As the months passed, he felt the difference.


    His movements grew sharper, faster.


    His Qi became denser, more refined.


    His mind felt calmer, more focused.


    He was no longer the naive fool who had almost died that night.


    And then, finally¡­


    Inside his room, Jiang Cheng sat cross-legged, deep in meditation. His breathing was slow, steady. Before him lay the last Qi Condensation Pill.


    His body was at its limit. His Qi had reached a bottleneck, teetering on the edge of transformation.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    This was it.


    He swallowed the pill.


    A surge of powerful energy exploded inside him. His meridians burned as the medicinal essence spread through his body, fusing with his Qi. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain.


    Then¡ª


    BOOM!


    A powerful aura burst from his body, causing the air around him to tremble. His Qi surged, expanding, stabilizing¡ªascending.


    His eyes snapped open.


    The candlelight flickered as a newfound strength coursed through his veins.


    He had done it.


    Jiang Cheng let out a long breath, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk.


    He was now at the fifth level of Qi


    Feeling the surge of power coursing through his body, Jiang Cheng clenched his fists, sensing the refined Qi flowing smoothly within him. His cultivation had taken a solid step forward.


    Name : Jiang Cheng


    Realm : Middle stage Qi refining


    Spirit roots : pseudo five element spirit roots. Earth, water, fire, Gold, metal.


    ( Hidden : five Element body)


    Spells


    cleaning techniques ( perfection)


    Cooling Breeze Spell (Mastery)


    Cooking Spells ( Grandmaster)


    Illumination Orb ( perfection )


    Spirit Sprout Spell ( mastery)


    Spirit rain technique ( Grandmaster)


    Earth Shaping Technique ( Proficient)


    Wood Plank Refinement Spell (Proficient)


    Wall Reinforcement Art( Proficient)


    Roof Mending Spell ( Grandmaster) etc..


    Martial arts


    Shield technique ( mastery)


    Breath-Holding Technique (Grandmaster)


    Wind Step Technique (perfection )


    Water Needle Technique ( mastery)


    Fireball Technique ( Grandmaster )


    Mist Veil ( Grandmaster)


    Inferno Wave ( Perfection)


    Thunderclap Sword Art ( Mastery )


    Thirteen way Sword pose ( mastery)


    First grade middle talisman master


    Talismans :


    Soundproofing Talisman Water Blade Talismans, Fireball Talisman, Soundproofing Talisman, Cleansing/Healing Talisman, Protective Talisman or shield talisman. Etc..


    The difference was like heaven and earth. Five months ago, he was just a weak, clueless newcomer in this world, fumbling his way through survival. Now, he had refined his Qi, mastered multiple spells, improved his combat awareness, and built a foundation that could finally be called solid.


    Jiang Cheng sat cross-legged in his small room, feeling the powerful surge of spiritual energy coursing through his meridians. He clenched his fist, marveling at his newfound strength.


    ¡°With my current strength and mastery of spells, I could crush my previous self with one hand!¡± he thought smugly.


    But then, his expression turned serious. ¡°Still¡­ I must not get arrogant. Caution is key. I won¡¯t go outside looking for death.¡±


    Unlike those reckless protagonists in cultivation novels who always sought revenge or fought across levels like lunatics, Jiang Cheng was different. He had no desire to be the strongest. He just wanted to survive, become immortal, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªnot die.


    ¡°Leave all that ¡®fighting against the heavens¡¯ nonsense to the real protagonists. As for me¡­¡± he suddenly grinned wickedly. ¡°I like bullying the weak with a high level! Jejejeje¡ª¡±


    A sinister, chilling laugh echoed through the tiny house.


    Outside, Old Liu, his elderly next-door neighbor, was just about to take a sip of tea when he heard it. His hands trembled, nearly dropping the cup.


    ¡°What the hell is that!?¡± Old Liu¡¯s eyes widened in horror. ¡°Did Jiang boy go crazy from loneliness?! I told him to go with me to the bro¡ª¡±


    He stopped himself just in time, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s practicing some demonic cultivation,¡± Old Liu muttered, backing away from Jiang Cheng¡¯s door. ¡°I should stay away for a while. Don¡¯t want to be turned into a human sacrifice¡­¡±


    Meanwhile, inside, Jiang Cheng was still lost in his own delusions of grandeur.


    ¡°Yes¡­ YES! The path of survival! The path of bullying the weak! Kuahahahaha!


    Old Liu, now halfway down the street, broke into a run.


    ¡°This kid is definitely possessed, I need to inform the neighbors.


    Early the Next morning, Jiang Cheng stretched lazily as he stepped outside, carrying his Wooden straw hat, to the spirit fields . The fresh air felt nice after a long cultivation session. But just as was about to cast the spirit rain, he suddenly sensed something¡­ off.


    Not far away, Old Liu was standing stiffly, peeking at him from behind a tree like a thief. His body was half-hidden, but his bald head gleamed under the sunlight, completely giving him away.


    Jiang Cheng frowned. ¡°Old Liu? What are you doing?¡±


    Old Liu flinched. ¡°Hah! Y-you¡¯re talking normally?¡± he muttered to himself, as if confirming something.


    Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m talking normally. What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Old Liu hesitated, then took a careful step forward¡ªonly to suddenly take three steps back again. His expression was full of wariness, like someone facing a dangerous beast. ¡°Jiang boy¡­ it¡¯s still you, right?¡±


    Jiang Cheng was confused. ¡°Who else would I be?¡±


    Old Liu squinted at him. ¡°Hmph! Last night, I heard some sinister, demonic laughter coming from your house! Not once, not twice¡ªbut many times! You were cackling like an evil spirit in the middle of the night! Do you have any idea how terrifying that was?!¡±


    Jiang Cheng choked. Oh¡­ that, embarrassment flash on his face


    Seeing his stunned expression, Old Liu gasped. ¡°So it¡¯s true! You were possessed! I knew it! I was ready to call the Law Enforcement to exorcise you!¡±


    Jiang Cheng almost spat out blood. ¡°What exorcism!? I was just excited about my cultivation progress!¡±


    Old Liu wasn¡¯t convinced. He stroked his chin, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Excited¡­? No, no, no. That wasn¡¯t normal excitement. That was villainous laughter. The kind you hear before someone starts a massacre.¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°I¡ª¡±


    Old Liu suddenly took another step back, his expression turning solemn. ¡°Tell me honestly, Jiang boy¡­ have you joined the demonic path?¡±


    Jiang Cheng felt a vein pop on his forehead. ¡°No!!¡±


    But Old Liu still didn¡¯t look convinced. He reached into his robe and pulled out a dried talisman, shaking it threateningly. ¡°Then why were you talking about ¡®bullying the weak¡¯?! Hah?! Do you think I didn¡¯t hear that?! Are you planning to oppress us honest villagers?!¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s face darkened. ¡°¡­You eavesdropped on my self-reflection?¡±


    Old Liu puffed up his chest. ¡°Of course! When a potential demonic cultivator appears, it¡¯s my duty as an elder to investigate! I even gathered the neighbors to discuss whether we should move away for safety!¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s expression froze. ¡°The¡­ the neighbors?¡±


    At that moment, a window from the house next door creaked open. Auntie Zhang peeked out, her face full of concern.


    ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re really not planning to sacrifice us?¡± she asked hesitantly.


    Jiang Cheng: ¡°¡­¡±


    Jiang Cheng took a deep breath. Stay calm. Stay calm.


    In the end, he could only rub his temples and sigh. ¡°I swear, I am not a demonic cultivator.¡±


    But Old Liu still looked doubtful. ¡°Hmm¡­ Fine. But if I hear that laughter again, don¡¯t blame me for calling the law Enforcemen team !¡±


    Jiang Cheng groaned. ¡°You¡ª!!¡±


    "How did I go from breaking through in seclusion to being investigated for demonic cultivation overnight?"


    And so, a perfectly normal morning turned into a neighborhood crisis, with half the village keeping a cautious eye on Jiang Cheng for the next few days.

 Chapter 16_ being watched.

    __________________


    A week passed in the blink of an eye, and today was the day of the spirit rice harvest.


    The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and ripened grain. A soft mist lingered over the fields, dissipating slowly as the golden sunlight spread across the land. Today was the spirit rice harvest.


    Jiang Cheng adjusted his straw hat and stepped onto the narrow dirt path leading to his small plot. The spirit rice swayed gently in the breeze, their golden-green stalks shimmering faintly with spiritual energy.


    Unlike mundane crops, spirit rice absorbed the essence of the land, making it far more nourishing¡ªbut also far more delicate to harvest.


    This wasn¡¯t a task that could be rushed.


    He bent down, gripping the base of a stalk with his left hand while wielding a crescent-shaped spirit harvesting sickle in his right. With a smooth, controlled motion, he sliced through the stalk, ensuring minimal loss of spiritual energy.


    The blade glowed faintly, enhanced by a simple Qi circulation technique that preserved the essence within the grains.


    With practiced efficiency, Jiang Cheng gathered the cut stalks and set them aside to dry. The process had to be done with care¡ªtoo much force would disrupt the Qi within the rice, lowering its potency, while harvesting too slowly could let the energy leak away.


    Nearby, his neighbors were hard at work in their own plots, moving methodically through their fields. Old Man He, an experienced farmer with over sixty years of harvesting behind him, worked at a steady pace.


    His hands, weathered by time and labor, handled the rice stalks with the precision of a craftsman. His grandson, Little He, trailed behind him, clumsily mimicking his movements.


    "Careful, boy," Old Man He grunted.


    "Don''t cut too high¡ªleave the roots intact. Spirit rice grows stronger with each season if you harvest it properly."


    Little He wiped the sweat from his brow. "Yes, Grandpa!"


    Further down the field, Widow Li worked alongside her son, the two chatting as they bundled the stalks into neat sheaves. She glanced up and caught sight of Jiang Cheng, her eyes narrowing slightly.


    "Look at Jiang boy," she murmured to her son. "Steady hands, precise cut, He¡¯s not bad you should learn from him.


    Her son, a young man in his early twenties, chuckled. "You mean he''s not just a secluded mad cultivator?"


    Widow Li loughed . "He might still be, but at least he''s useful."


    Jiang Cheng twitched. His hearing had sharpened considerably with cultivation, and while he had grown used to the occasional gossip, it still annoyed him.


    On the other side of the field, Auntie Zhang was helping to tie up the harvested rice, chatting animatedly with Old Liu, who¡ªdespite claiming he was too old to work¡ªwas keeping a sharp eye on everything.


    "I still say there''s something strange about him," Old Liu muttered, stealing a glance at Jiang Cheng. "That laugh of his last week¡­ gives me goosebumps just thinking about it."


    Auntie Wu snorted. "Let it go, Old Liu. If he were really a demonic cultivator, do you think he''d be out here harvesting spirit rice with us?"


    Old Liu crossed his arms. "Maybe it''s just a cover."


    Jiang Cheng, standing just a few feet away, let out a sigh and straightened up, brushing off the bits of husk stuck to his robe. "Old Liu," he called out.


    The elderly man jolted slightly but quickly covered it up with a cough. "What?"


    Jiang Cheng gave him a lazy smile. "You¡¯ve got so much energy for gossip. How about putting some of it into the harvest? Your plot looks untouched."


    Old Liu huffed. "Bah! My back isn¡¯t what it used to be!"


    Auntie Wu snickered. "His back is fine when he¡¯s running his mouth, though."


    The surrounding neighbors chuckled, and Old Liu grumbled under his breath, pretending not to hear.


    Jiang Cheng shook his head and got back to work. As much as his neighbors loved to talk, they were still good people. He had grown accustomed to their presence, their quirks, and even their endless curiosity about his affairs.


    By the time the sun had climbed higher into the sky, the harvest was nearly done. Bundles of spirit rice lay neatly stacked, ready to be transported back to their homes for further drying and processing.


    Jiang Cheng stretched, feeling the ache in his muscles¡ªnot from exhaustion, but from the steady, repetitive movements of the harvest. It was a different kind of training, one that required patience and care rather than brute strength.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    He glanced over the field, watching as his neighbors wrapped up their own work, exchanging jokes and lighthearted complaints about aching backs and sore knees.


    Jiang Cheng stood before the neatly bundled stacks of spirit rice, his expression darkening as he calculated his earnings¡ªor rather, the lack of them.


    all the spiritual plants you grow will be purchased by the market at 50% of the market price.


    The market price of spiritual rice is ten spirit stones per hundred pounds , but the purchase price in puchan Market will be five spirit stones per hundred pounds.


    With such a commission, even if the spiritual rice yield per mu is very high, reaching a two thousand pounds, after half year of hard work, the spiritual farmer can only earn himself 500 spiritual stones at most from five mu of spiritual field.


    The annual income of five hundred spirit stones could be mostly covered by the rent of one hundred and twenty spirit stones if one lived in the market town.


    After working hard for half year, after deducting the rent, cultivation resources,there will nothing left .


    This is really a way to make money in the market and spend it in the market. I want to take it home as soon as I leave.


    But even so, if one wants to stay in the market, the profession of spirit plant husband is still very popular.


    Not for anything else.


    One reason is that there are Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed in the market town, so it is very safe.


    Jiang Cheng let out a bitter chuckle. "They really want to squeeze us to death, huh?"


    At this rate, he would barely have enough profit to make it worth the effort. This was the fate of small-scale farmers. He had heard the older farmers complain about it plenty of times, but now that he was experiencing it firsthand, the frustration hit differently.


    He clenched his jaw. This is the last time I work as a farmer.


    Cultivation required resources¡ªherbs, pills, equipment. If he continued wasting time in the fields, he would never progress fast enough. There had to be a better way.


    A few of the neighboring farmers were also finishing up their harvest, and Jiang Cheng could hear their grumbles.


    "After all this work, what do we get? Barely enough to last the season."


    "We slave away from dawn till dusk, but the sect elders and merchants take all the profits."


    "As Jiang Cheng straightened from his work, he heard Old Liu¡¯s familiar grumble drifting through the fields.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, boy, hard work doesn¡¯t mean fair pay,¡± the old man muttered to Little He.


    ¡°Back in my father¡¯s day, at least they pretended to give us a fair price. Now? They just cut it however they please.¡±


    Jiang Cheng gave a quiet chuckle, brushing off his hands. ¡°You say that every season, Old Liu, but you¡¯re still here.¡±


    old Liu give him a look, crossing his arms. ¡°And where else would I go, huh? The sect¡¯s got the land, the sect¡¯s got the market, the sect¡¯s got the spirit stones. We¡¯re all just spinning in circles.¡±


    Little He, wiping sweat from his brow, glanced at Jiang Cheng. ¡°You¡¯re leaving, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    The question hung in the air. The neighbors nearby slowed their work, ears perking up.


    Jiang Cheng exhaled slowly. ¡°Yeah. This is my last harvest.¡±


    Auntie Zhang clucked her tongue. ¡°Figures. You¡¯re too sharp for a life of dirt and sweat. But don¡¯t think those talismans will be any easier, boy.¡±


    Jiang Cheng was surprised that they know he was a talismane master, then he smiled. ¡°At least I won¡¯t be at someone else¡¯s mercy.¡±


    Old Liu looked at him and said jokingly "don''t forget about us boy"


    Jiang Cheng loughed " how can I forget an old man like you haha"


    The neighbors burs in lougher.


    Jiang Cheng sigh, The system was rigged.


    And he had no intention of playing a losing game.


    He dusted off his hands, looking at the vast fields one last time. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden hue over the land.


    It was beautiful.


    But beauty didn¡¯t fill a cultivator¡¯s storage bag with wealth.


    Then Jiang Cheng made his way through the busy market, his heart heavy with thoughts of the future. The day was warm, and the faint scent of earth and spirit herbs filled the air. He could feel the weight of the spirit rice, neatly stored in his storage bag, but it didn¡¯t ease his mind. His thoughts were consumed by his decision to leave the fields for good.


    As he arrived at the Qinglin Spirit Plant Pavilion, the familiar structure loomed ahead, an imposing building that seemed to breathe with the pulse of the land. The garden around it was filled with rows of spirit plants, and the scent of vibrant herbs mixed with the earthy smell of the soil.


    Jiang Cheng had come here countless times before, but today felt different.


    He approached the pavilion''s entrance, and sure enough, an old man sat in the shade, engrossed in a book. His name was Lin Zhihao, an accomplished cultivator who had reached the seventh level of Qi Refining. One of the pavilion''s managers under the jurisdiction of Puchan Square, Mr Lin was responsible for overseeing spiritual plant farmers and managing the distribution of spirit rice and golden bamboo seeds.


    Jiang Cheng had met him before, but today, he was not just another farmer coming to sell his crop. Today, he had made his decision.


    Jiang Cheng bowed respectfully, his hands clasped in front of him.


    "Mr. Lin, junior has collected the spirit rice of this season. Today, I have come to sell it all to you and, at the same time, pay the rent. This will be the last time I will be working here."


    the old man on duty was holding a book and reading it with a great interest, he put dawn the book when he saw someone coming .


    "It¡¯s you. You came here half a year ago. I see you¡¯ve been diligent in your work. The rice looks well-cultivated."


    Jiang Cheng nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Lin. I¡¯ve done my best."


    Lin Zian picked up a ledger and began recording the details of the spirit rice. As he worked, he asked without looking up, "Why are you quitting? The work of a spiritual farmer is stable and provides a steady income."


    Jiang Cheng replied calmly, "I¡¯ve learned some knowledge about talismans and wish to pursue that path instead. It¡¯s a better fit for my skills."


    Lin Zian paused for a moment, then nodded. "Talismans are a specialized field. If you¡¯ve made up your mind, then that¡¯s your decision." He finished recording the details and handed Jiang Cheng a receipt. "Here¡¯s the payment for the spirit rice and the remaining balance after deducting the rent."


    Jiang Cheng took the receipt and checked the numbers. "Thank you, Mr. Lin."


    Lin Zian glanced at him briefly. "If you ever decide to return to spiritual farming, you know where to find me. The pavilion always needs reliable workers."


    Jiang Cheng nodded. "Understood. Thank you for your time."


    With that, Jiang Cheng turned and left the pavilion. Lin Zian watched him go for a moment, then returned to his book.


    As Jiang Cheng left the pavilion, stepping back into the crowded market streets, the feeling struck him again¡ªan almost imperceptible shift in the air, the weight of an unseen gaze pressing against the back of his neck. He didn¡¯t turn immediately, keeping his steps even, his posture relaxed. But his pulse quickened. Someone was watching him.


    He walked casually past a row of stalls, pretending to examine a bundle of spirit herbs while discreetly scanning his surroundings. A figure, draped in an ordinary brown robe, stood at the edge of the crowd, half-hidden behind a wooden post. The moment Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes flicked in their direction, the figure melted away into the shifting throngs of people.

 Chapter 17_ Killing or Being Killed.

    ______________________


    While Jiang Cheng trembled in place, a thin man stood concealed in the shadows of a nearby alley. He was draped in a dull brown robe, its fabric worn and frayed at the edges, a sign of frequent travel. His face was sharp and gaunt, with sunken cheeks and narrow, calculating eyes that gleamed with malice.


    A long sword hung loosely at his waist, its scabbard old but well-maintained, the handle wrapped in black silk that had faded from years of use.


    The man¡¯s gaze locked onto Jiang Cheng, his expression darkening with disbelief.


    "Isn¡¯t this the man I killed half a year ago?" His fingers twitched over the hilt of his sword as his mind raced. "I made sure he was dead. There was no mistake. So how the hell is he still alive?"


    A chill crawled down his spine. Could it be that some old monster had taken over the body? The thought made his blood run cold.


    If a powerful cultivator had seized this corpse, then confronting him would be no different from courting death.


    His eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his fingers, he activated the Spirit Eye Technique¡ªa secret method that allowed him to peer into another cultivator¡¯s spiritual essence. His pupils gleamed with a faint silver light as he scanned Jiang Cheng¡¯s Qi fluctuations.


    A moment later, his shoulders relaxed, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    "Still only at the early stages of Qi Refining. If an old master had taken over, his cultivation would have skyrocketed¡­"


    His initial fear turned into something far more dangerous¡ªgreed.


    "A treasure¡­ It must be some kind of supreme artifact protecting his soul!"


    His thin lips curled into a sinister smirk. The longer he thought about it, the more convinced he became. Some high-grade spiritual treasure must have saved Jiang Cheng¡¯s life and concealed its presence.


    "Hahaha¡­ The heavens are helping me!"


    For an instant, a flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. His grip on his sword tightened before he slowly loosened it again.


    No, not here. Attacking in broad daylight would cause too much commotion. Even if Jiang Cheng was weak, he still had the protection of the marketplace.


    Patience.


    His fingers drummed lightly against his sword hilt as a plan formed in his mind.


    "I¡¯ll visit him in the middle of the night. No witnesses, no interference."


    Although he was at the fourth level of Qi Refining¡ªfar stronger than Jiang Cheng¡ªit was always better to act with caution. A clean kill, a silent disappearance. That was the way of a true hunter.


    He took one last glance at Jiang Cheng before retreating into the shadows, his presence vanishing into the ebb and flow of the bustling market.


    Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night


    As Jiang Cheng browsed the market stalls, he faintly sensed a flicker of killing intent. It was subtle, like the sharp edge of a blade hidden beneath silk, but for a cultivator, such intent was not noticeable if the cultivator was in higher realm but since the opponent is weaker and directed his killing intent toward Jiang Cheng, he noticed immediately.


    "Trouble."


    His face remained calm, showing no signs of alarm, but deep down, his heart tensed for a brief moment. Then, realization struck him, and a low chuckle escaped his lips.


    "Isn¡¯t this the life I wanted? If I can''t even overcome such a minor hurdle, how can I ever talk about immortality?"


    A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, his expression turning sharp.


    "A fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator. If he had come for me half a year ago, I would have been in real trouble. But now¡­"


    A slow grin crept onto his face.


    "Since you''re courting death, don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless."


    Without hesitation, he turned and made his way toward a stall run by casual cultivators, a section of the market where rogue cultivators sold all manner of unregulated goods¡ªrare herbs, dubious talismans, and most importantly, poisons.


    The stall was manned by an older cultivator named Mo San, a wiry man with a crooked smile and eyes that gleamed with the sharpness of a viper. His robes were stained with the scent of bitter herbs and strange powders.


    Jiang Cheng approached, his tone casual. "I need something that leaves no traces. A poison that eliminates corpses."


    Mo San¡¯s smile widened knowingly. "Ah¡­ a fine request. I have just the thing."


    He reached under his stall and pulled out a small jade bottle, the surface etched with ancient sealing runes. He placed it gently on the wooden counter.


    "This is called Bone-Eating Powder. Dissolve it in water, and within an hour, the body will dissolve into a black sludge that seeps into the ground. No bones, no flesh, nothing left behind." He tapped the bottle.


    "But be careful¡ªthis stuff is expensive and extremely potent. One drop can rot flesh instantly."


    Jiang Cheng picked up the bottle and studied it. The faint scent of decay lingered around the seal.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "Price?"


    "Ten spirit stones," Mo San said with a grin.


    Jiang Cheng tossed a small pouch onto the counter. Mo San weighed it in his hand, nodding approvingly.


    "Pleasure doing business with you," he said with a chuckle.


    Jiang Cheng tucked the poison into his storage bag and left without another word.


    Tonight, the hunter would become the hunted.


    As evening fell, Jiang Cheng returned home, his expression calm but his mind alert. He knew that tonight would not be peaceful.


    The first thing he did was reinforce his defenses. Moving quietly, he arranged several hidden traps near the entrance and around the perimeter of his dwelling. They weren¡¯t designed to cause serious harm¡ªjust subtle, silent triggers that would alert him if anyone trespassed. A tripwire laced with a faint spiritual thread,and pressure-sensitive tiles near the entrance¡ªeach placed meticulously in areas that were difficult to detect.


    Once satisfied with his precautions, he let out a slow breath and headed toward the kitchen.


    A simple meal was in order.


    Jiang Cheng washed a handful of spirit rice, watching as the grains glowed faintly under the lantern light. They shimmered like polished jade, infused with spiritual energy. Using sweet spring water from the nearby mountains, he set the rice to cook in a clay pot over a controlled flame.


    Soon, a rich, enticing fragrance filled the entire cave.


    The unique aroma of spirit rice was unlike ordinary grains. It carried a subtle, rejuvenating scent that instantly made one''s mouth water. Even the nearby mice, usually hidden in the shadows, scurried closer, their noses twitching greedily.


    Jiang Cheng chuckled, lifting the pot¡¯s lid.


    Inside, the spiritual rice had become translucent, each grain glistening like tiny gems. The steam rose in soft, curling wisps, carrying with it a warm, invigorating scent.


    He scooped himself a bowl of steaming rice and took a bite.


    The texture was soft, yet firm, with a delicate sweetness that lingered on the tongue. Every mouthful released a gentle warmth, spreading through his body like a mild current of spiritual energy.


    "It truly is a spiritual food," Jiang Cheng mused, savoring each bite.


    "Though it can¡¯t compare to spiritual medicine or elixirs, it¡¯s far more affordable. If eaten consistently, the effects over time won¡¯t be much different."


    By the time he finished his meal, his body felt light and refreshed, his Qi circulation subtly enhanced.


    Without wasting time, he returned to his quiet room, sat cross-legged, and began meditating.


    Closing his eyes, he initiated the Qinglan Technique, guiding the residual spiritual energy from the meal into his meridians. A faint blue glow flickered around him as he focused, his breathing deep and steady.


    Outside, the night deepened¡ªand somewhere in the darkness, a shadow was waiting.


    The night had fallen silently.


    Jiang Cheng sat cross-legged in meditation when¡ªsnap.


    His eyes snapped open, a cold glint flashing within them. One of his traps had been triggered.


    Outside, a shadow moved. The thin man in the brown robe, his face twisted with greed, stood just beyond the entrance. With a practiced motion,


    he uncorked a small jade vial and tipped it forward. A thin, colorless mist poured into the room¡ªSilent Death Powder. A poison designed to kill without sound, suffocating its target in their sleep.


    He waited. Five minutes passed.


    No movement.


    A cruel smirk crept across his face. "Dead already?" he whispered to himself.


    Silent as a phantom, he pushed the door open, his lips curling into a smirk. "Too easy." The fool had fallen for the poison without resistance. "A supreme treasure¡­ and now, it will be mine." He stepped forward, savoring the moment.


    Inside, Jiang Cheng¡¯s still form lay on the bed, shrouded in the dim glow of moonlight.


    The intruder stepped forward, sword in hand, his movements cautious but deliberate. As he approached the bed, he leaned in to inspect it more carefully¡ªonly to find it empty.


    "Not good!" he muttered, his voice tinged with alarm.


    But before he could activate the shield talisman he was reaching for, it was already too late. Jiang Cheng, who had been lying in wait, didn¡¯t waste time with words. From behind, he unleashed his technique¡ªThunderclap Sword Art¡ªaiming directly for the intruder¡¯s neck.


    The man panicked, raising his arm in a desperate attempt to block the attack. But the blade with lightning sliced through flesh and bone with ease, severing his arm in an instant. Blood sprayed across the floor as the intruder staggered back, clutching the stump where his arm had been.


    "Fifth level of Qi Refining?!" the man gasped, his voice trembling with shock and pain. He stumbled backward, his face pale as he tried to placate Jiang Cheng. "Fellow Daoist, this is a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"


    But Jiang Cheng¡¯s heart was pounding in his chest, a mix of fear and adrenaline surging through him. He didn¡¯t hesitate.


    Before the intruder could even reach for another talisman from his spirit bag, Jiang Cheng was already upon him, his sword moving with lightning speed.


    The intruder didn¡¯t stand a chance. Jiang Cheng¡¯s blade flashed like lightning, slashing through flesh, bone, and desperate screams. One cut. Two. Three.


    The man hit the ground with a gurgling choke. Jiang Cheng didn¡¯t stop.


    By the time his sword finally stilled, the corpse was just meat on the floor.


    Only then did Jiang Cheng stop, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. His hands trembled, and his sword felt heavy in his grip. He stared down at the mangled body, his mind racing.


    "You deserve to die," he muttered under his breath, his voice shaky but filled with a strange sense of vindication. "You deserve to die."


    But as the adrenaline began to fade, a wave of nausea hit him. His stomach churned, and he doubled over, retching violently. The metallic smell of blood filled his nostrils, and the sight of the gruesome scene before him made his head spin.


    This was the first time he had killed someone.


    The realization hit him like a tidal wave. His legs felt weak, and he sank to his knees, his sword slipping from his grasp. His hands were stained with blood¡ªboth the intruder¡¯s and his own, from the force of his strikes.


    A mix of emotions overwhelmed him: relief that he had survived, disgust at what he had done, and a deep, gnawing fear of what this meant for him. He had taken a life. The weight of that act settled heavily on his shoulders, and for a moment, he felt as though he couldn¡¯t breathe.


    But then, a strange clarity emerged. This was the world of cultivation¡ªa world where survival often meant killing or being killed. The intruder had come to harm him, and Jiang Cheng had done what he had to do.


    Jiang Cheng stood over the mutilated corpse, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. The stench of blood filled the small room, thick and metallic, clinging to his clothes, his skin. His hands trembled, still locked around the hilt of his sword, its blade drenched in crimson.


    He staggered back, his stomach churning. The world seemed to spin¡ªhis breath hitched. Then, without warning, he doubled over and vomited onto the floor.


    His body heaved, the mixture of fear, adrenaline, and nausea overwhelming him. His mind screamed at him¡ªthis was real. Not a sparring match, not a fight where the loser could get up and walk away.


    He had killed.


    The corpse¡ªor what was left of it¡ªlay in a twisted mess at his feet. The man¡¯s face was unrecognizable, his body nothing more than shredded flesh. Jiang Cheng¡¯s own hands were stained deep red, his sleeves soaked in blood.


    A sudden chill crawled down his spine. His fingers twitched, gripping the sword tighter as if letting go would make him fall apart.


    His first kill.


    He had told himself he was ready. That he would kill if needed. But standing here, looking at what he had done, a strange numbness crept into his chest.


    Guilt? Fear? Relief? Satisfaction?


    He didn¡¯t know.


    His thoughts swirled in chaos. What if I hesitated? What if he was stronger?


    Then he would be the one lying in a pool of his own blood.


    Jiang Cheng wiped his mouth with a shaking hand. This was the path of cultivation.


    If he wanted to survive, if he wanted power¡ªhe had to be ruthless.


    The bile still burned in his throat, but he forced himself to straighten. He looked down at the lifeless heap, his heart hammering against his ribs.


    Then, he took a deep breath, and his trembling stopped.


    "You deserved to die." His voice was hoarse but steady.


    He turned away from the corpse, but not before grabbing a bag from the remains. If this man had come to kill him, then he had no right to keep his treasures.


    A cultivator''s world was cruel.


    And he had just taken his first step into it.

 Chapter _18_" leaving "

    ______________


    After a few minutes, Jiang Cheng finally calmed down. He took a deep breath, steadying his trembling hands, then turned his gaze toward the gruesome remains on the ground. His expression twisted in disgust.


    Without hesitation, he retrieved a small jade bottle of Bone-Eating Powder from his spirit bag and carefully uncorked it. A faint, acrid scent drifted into the air. He poured the fine, dark powder over the mangled corpse, watching as it reacted instantly.


    The flesh sizzled and melted away, dissolving into a thick, inky sludge. Within moments, bones, organs¡ªeverything¡ªhad been reduced to nothingness. All that remained was a small pile of black residue, barely the size of a fist.


    Jiang Cheng frowned. "Even this is too much."


    With a flick of his fingers, he cast a basic Fire Incantation, sending a small but intensely hot flame to consume the remaining residue. It burned quickly, leaving behind only a faint trace of ash, which he scattered with a casual wave of his sleeve.


    Still, he wasn¡¯t done.


    Moving with precise, practiced motions, he activated a Cleansing Spell, sweeping away every last drop of blood, every lingering trace of death. He repeated the process multiple times, ensuring no spiritual remnants of the battle remained. The metallic stench of blood, the faint aura of conflict¡ªeven the disturbed air from the fight¡ªvanished completely.


    By the time he was finished, his surroundings were exactly as they had been before the intruder arrived. The room was pristine, undisturbed¡ªsilent.


    It was as if nothing had ever happened.


    Jiang Cheng took a step back and surveyed his work. The air was clear, the floor spotless. Not a single drop of blood remained. The hesitation, the trembling¡ªgone. He had taken a life, erased the evidence, and accepted what needed to be done.


    "This is the world of cultivation," he murmured to himself. "Only the strong survive."


    Stepping outside into the cool night air, he glanced up at the moon, which hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the distant marketplace. From here, it looked so peaceful, so ordinary¡ªblissfully unaware of the life-and-death struggle that had just unfolded.


    He reached into his robe and pulled out the spirit bag he had taken from the dead man. It was simple, made of worn gray cloth, but he could sense the spiritual energy sealed within. Without hesitation, he injected a thread of Qi into it, breaking the previous owner¡¯s imprint and binding it to himself.


    The bag trembled slightly before submitting, its contents now fully under his control.


    Jiang Cheng didn¡¯t waste time. He opened it and peered inside.


    Two thousand spirit stones, a few bottles of low-grade healing elixirs, a middle-grade Earth Shield Talisman, a spare robe¡­ and then¡ª


    His brow furrowed as he pulled out a pair of women¡¯s pants and socks.


    Jiang Cheng blinked.


    ¡°¡­The hell?¡±


    Shaking his head, he tossed them aside and continued searching. His fingers brushed against something hard and cold¡ªan ancient jade slip. He plucked it from the bag, scrutinizing it for any hidden dangers before pressing it against his forehead.


    Information flooded his mind instantly.


    Jiang Cheng sat cross-legged on the floor, his hands trembling¡ªnot from fear or exhaustion, but from sheer excitement. His eyes gleamed as he absorbed the knowledge from the jade slip, a grin slowly stretching across his face.


    "Bloodforge Body Art?!"


    He clenched his fists, feeling his heart race. A technique that used the blood of spirit beasts to refine the body? The stronger the beast, the more terrifying the power? By the first level, he could lift 100,000 kilograms with a single hand? By the second, a million? And the third stage¡ªhe hadn¡¯t even finished reading, but he could already tell it was monstrous.


    His fingers tightened around the jade slip, his breath growing heavy.


    Then, all of a sudden¡ª


    "I''m rich! Hahaha!"


    Jiang Cheng threw his head back, laughing like a man possessed. He clutched the jade slip to his chest as if it were a priceless treasure.  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Just moments ago, he had been overwhelmed by guilt, shaken by his first kill. But now? Now he wanted to thank the guy!


    Turning to where the assassin had once stood, he clasped his hands together and gave a deep, respectful bow.


    "Senior Brother, you have done me a great service!" he said solemnly. "If not for your generosity, how would I have obtained such a heaven-defying technique?"


    He straightened up, rubbing his chin in thought. "Now that I think about it¡­ Didn¡¯t you also bring me two thousand spirit stones, some elixirs, and even dozens of Earth Shield Talismans? Such kindness! Such selflessness!"


    His expression turned serious. "I¡­ I misjudged you. You weren¡¯t an assassin¡ªyou were a courier! A delivery boy sent by the heavens!"


    He picked up the spare robe from the assassin¡¯s belongings, holding it in both hands. "Senior Brother, I shall cherish this in your memory."


    But as he shook it open, a pair of women¡¯s undergarments fluttered to the floor.


    Jiang Cheng froze. His triumphant expression slowly crumbled.


    A long, awkward silence filled the room.


    His eye twitched.


    "What the hell were you into¡­?"


    A deep sigh escaped his lips. He quickly shoved the questionable items back into the bag, shaking his head. "Forget it. Let¡¯s just pretend I never saw that."


    Still, as he looked at the pile of treasures before him, his grin returned.


    "Assassins should come knocking more often," he muttered, chuckling to himself.


    The morning sun cast a warm golden hue over the small farming village. Jiang Cheng stood outside his humble dwelling, gazing at it for one last time. The place had sheltered him through his weakest days,


    With a deep breath, he adjusted his pack and began walking toward the market.


    As Jiang Cheng walked down the familiar dirt path leading out of the village, he heard a familiar voice behind him.


    "Boy Jiang, wait up!"


    Turning around, he saw Old Liu hurrying after him, his sturdy frame carrying a large woven basket filled with freshly harvested spirit herbs. Despite his age, the old man still moved with surprising agility.


    Let¡¯s go together," Old Liu said, falling into step beside Jiang Cheng. "I¡¯m heading to the market anyway, and it¡¯s the same path. No harm in having some company, eh?"


    Jiang Cheng smiled. "That sounds good, Old Liu. It¡¯s been a while since we walked together like this."


    The two of them strolled along the winding path, the cool morning breeze rustling through the trees. Birds chirped in the distance, and the faint scent of damp earth lingered in the air.


    Jiang Cheng was walking peacefully when Old Liu suddenly sighed softly. ¡°Ah, life is hard, boy.¡±


    Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s wrong, Old Liu?¡±


    Old Liu patted his heavy basket and grinned. ¡°I have to sell these spirit herbs for some spirit stones then go to the inner city .¡± Then, suddenly, his expression changed¡ªhis eyes narrowed, his lips curled into a knowing smirk, and he stroked his scruffy beard like a sage contemplating the mysteries of the universe.


    Jiang Cheng immediately sensed danger.


    ¡°And then¡­¡± Old Liu lowered his voice, glancing around as if someone might overhear, ¡°I have to visit Moonlit Blossom Pavilion to see Sister Su Su. She and I need to¡­ discuss the ways of life.¡±


    Jiang Cheng almost tripped over his own feet. ¡°¡­Discuss the ways of life ? ¡±


    Old Liu nodded solemnly. ¡°A man must pursue wisdom, boy. The Dao of Cultivation is vast, but the Dao of Pleasure is equally profound! Sister Su Su is a saint in that regard, guiding lost souls like myself on the path of enlightenment.¡±


    Jiang Cheng coughed. ¡°Enlightenment ? ¡±


    Old Liu sighed wistfully. ¡°Ah, you wouldn¡¯t understand, boy. Sister Su Su has a way with words¡­ and hands¡­ and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Alright, stop.¡± Jiang Cheng quickly cut him off before his imagination went somewhere it shouldn¡¯t.


    Old Liu ignored him, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. ¡°You know, Jiang boy, if you ever feel lost on your cultivation journey, you should visit Moonlit Blossom Pavilion too. A young man like you needs experience! Can¡¯t let your sword techniques be the only sharp thing about you!¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s face twitched. ¡°I think I¡¯ll pass.¡±


    Old Liu scoffed. ¡°Tsk, tsk. So young, yet so serious. One day, you¡¯ll understand.¡± He patted Jiang Cheng¡¯s shoulder like an elder imparting life-changing wisdom. ¡°When that day comes, remember Old Liu¡¯s words: ¡®A true man cultivates both the body and the heart¡­ in the company of beautiful women!¡¯¡±


    Jiang Cheng sighed. ¡°Old Liu, are you sure you¡¯re not just wasting spirit stones?¡±


    Old Liu gasped in mock offense. ¡°Boy, how dare you! Do you think enlightenment is free? Wisdom comes at a price! A very expensive price! But one that is worth every spirit stone.¡±


    Jiang Cheng shook his head, exasperated. ¡°Alright, alright. Go pursue your¡­ ¡®wisdom.¡¯ Just don¡¯t come crying to me when you¡¯re broke.¡±


    Old Liu laughed heartily. ¡°Hah! Boy, I¡¯ve never regretted a single spirit stone spent on the Dao !¡± Then he sighed dramatically. ¡°¡­Though I do regret not having more spirit stones.¡±


    Jiang Cheng smirked. ¡°Then sell more herbs, Old Liu.¡±


    Old Liu sighed again. ¡°Yes, yes¡­ the cycle of life. Earn spirit stones, spend them, earn more, spend again¡­ Ah, truly, this is the ultimate Dao.¡±


    Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. ¡°Alright, pervy old man, let¡¯s hurry up. The market isn¡¯t getting any closer.¡±


    And with that, the two continued on their way¡ªone looking for cultivation resources, and the other seeking ahem enlightenment.


    Jiang Cheng and Old Liu arrived at the bustling market, where the air was thick with the scent of rare herbs, roasted demon beast meat, and the faint metallic tang of freshly forged weapons.


    The streets were packed with cultivators haggling, street vendors shouting out their prices, and the occasional flash of spiritual light from a demonstration of a talisman or magic tool.


    Jiang Cheng suddenly remembered something. ¡°Old Liu, let¡¯s exchange contact talismans. If there¡¯s news or danger, we can warn each other.¡±


    Old Liu chuckled. ¡°Boy, you¡¯re finally learning! Good, good. Can¡¯t be too careful these days.¡±


    The two quickly exchanged their jade communication slips, linking their divine senses to them. " Alright, take care, Old Liu.¡±


    ¡°Heh, don¡¯t die too soon, boy.¡± With that, they separated¡ªOld Liu heading towards a herb shop, while Jiang Cheng began exploring the market.


    All around him, vendors were shouting:


    ¡°How to sell this Spirit-Gathering Pill?¡±


    " A bottle of ten Spirit-Gathering Pills for only twenty low-grade spirit stones! High-quality, personally refined by a master alchemist!¡±


    ¡°No, no, too expensive!¡±


    ¡°Fellow Daoist, if you think it¡¯s too costly, make a counteroffer. Everything is negotiable!¡±


    Another stall caught his attention.


    " What kind of monster meat is this?¡± a cultivator asked.


    ¡°Four-Horned Demon Beef! Rich, juicy, and excellent for body refinement! Fellow Daoist, buy a few kilograms to try it! Just one low-grade spirit stone for three kilograms!¡±


    Jiang Cheng walked through the stalls, his eyes widening at the sheer variety of goods. Although he maintained a calm and composed exterior, inside, he was still a little overwhelmed. He had lived as a low-level spirit farmer for years¡ªhe had never seen such an array of treasures before.


    However, his curiosity did not go unnoticed.


    A sneaky figure stepped in front of him, blocking his way.


    Jiang Cheng immediately became alert, fingers twitching towards his spirit bag. He discreetly prepared his Dark Light Shuttle, a Flying Sword Talisman, and a Fireball Technique, just in case.


    The man in front of him wore a gray robe, his face sharp and slightly sinister. Yet, he smiled warmly and cupped his hands. ¡°Fellow Daoist, is this your first time in Puchan City?¡±


    Jiang Cheng snorted coldly. ¡°That has nothing to do with you.¡± He turned and walked away, keeping his guard up.


    Despite his attempts to blend in, it was clear that experienced eyes could still pick him out as a newcomer. He cursed inwardly¡ªhe had to be more careful.


    ¡°Hey, Fellow Daoist, don¡¯t be so cold!¡±


    The gray-robed man quickly caught up to him, speaking eloquently. ¡°You must have noticed that Puchan Immortal Square is rich in spiritual energy¡ªa great place to cultivate and live. But, of course, the cave dwellings inside are absurdly expensive, far beyond what we casual cultivators can afford.¡±


    Jiang Cheng remained silent, only listening.


    ¡°But worry not! Many of us have built comfortable houses just outside the square. They are also suitable for cultivation and living, and the price is dozens of times cheaper than the cave residences inside.¡±


    The man smiled cunningly. ¡°Fellow Daoist, you should take a look! For just five hundred low-grade spirit stones, you can own a house of your own!¡±


    Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow. " Oh? And why are you offering me such a ¡®great deal¡¯ out of the kindness of your heart?¡±


    The gray-robed man let out a dry laugh. ¡°Hehe, Fellow Daoist must be joking. We are all struggling cultivators, are we not? Helping each other is the way of the world!


    Besides, a home outside the square is far better than sleeping in the open or wasting money on inns.¡±

 Chapter _19 No Discounts, No Distractions, Only the Dao

    _____________________


    Jiang Cheng turned a deaf ear and walked faster.


    When he entered Puchan town , he saw some shaky-looking courtyards that could barely be called residences. They were probably the peripheral houses described by the gray-robed Taoist.


    If someone really buys a house, I''m afraid they will be trapped in a trap.


    These houses are located in the most aura-poor area on the outskirts of Puchan City. Not only are their environments extremely poor, they are not much different from the shantytowns in their memories. Moreover, no one knows Qinglin Sect''s attitude towards these houses.


    Once the Qinglin Sect was dissatisfied with this and renovated these houses, there would be no place to cry.


    These houses were demolished without compensation.


    Even if Qinglin Sect directly demolished it, no one among the casual cultivators would dare to say anything wrong.


    "What a pity. He''s a smart man."


    The gray-robed Taoist looked at Jiang Cheng leaving and shook his head.


    Immediately, he put on a smile again and started looking for the next target to deceive


    After getting rid of the gray-robed Taoist who was selling the house, Jiang Cheng thought for a while.


    " Let''s rent a cave first."


    Chu Chen has plans for the future in his mind, and will stay in Puchan town for a while.


    Puchan town is built on the mountain. There is a six-story building at the top. The sign of Qinglin Sect is hung at the door. It is the Qinglin Sect''s office in Puchan town .


    Every monk who comes in and out of the office, no matter how high their cultivation level is, even those who are on the peak level of Qi training, is cautious.


    Because the foundation-building elders sent by the Qinglin Sect to garrison Puchan City usually sit here.


    Go into the first floor.


    The pattern made Jiang Cheng feel like he was dreaming back to his past life.


    A row of counters with more than a dozen clerks were waiting for casual cultivators who came to do business.


    However, the clerk''s attitude was even colder.


    Understandable.


    After all, these clerks are all disciples of the Qinglin Sect. With the support of the giant Qinglin Sect, it is natural for them to be arrogant.


    " Daoyou, can I rent a cave here?"


    Jiang Cheng came to a counter and smiled at the cultivator at the counter and bowed.


    "Register your information first, name, gender, background, and skills."


    The blue-clothed cultivator at the counter didn''t even look at Jiang Cheng , and threw out a jade slip.


    Jiang Cheng didn''t care about the other party''s attitude. There was no need to conflict with the other party for a momentary anger.


    It doesn''t matter if you have no background when you first arrive. Once a conflict occurs, you will only suffer in the end.


    Jiang Cheng picked up the jade slip, stuck it to the center of his eyebrows, injected his mental power into it, and left a message.


    "Jiang Cheng , male, Da Yan casual cultivator, good at drawing talismans."


    The Qinglin Sect only wants to cut the leeks of the casual cultivators... No, it should be said that the Qinglin Sect is not interested in the origins of the casual cultivators, and registering their names is only for the convenience of management.


    The blue-robed monk injected spiritual power, glanced at the information in the jade slip, then took out a bronze waist plate, engraved the words Jiang Cheng on it, and then threw the waist plate to Jiang Cheng .


    "Thank you, fellow Taoist."


    Jiang Cheng took the waist plate and thanked him hurriedly.


    "What level of cave do you want to rent? A fourth-class cave costs thirty low-grade spirit stones a year, a third-class cave costs three hundred low-grade spirit stones a year, and a second-class cave... forget it, you can''t afford it."


    The blue-robed monk glanced at Jiang Cheng casually and said.


    Jiang Cheng hurriedly said, "Third-class cave."


    Although the fourth-class cave is cheap, it is located on the outskirts of Puchan town, It is not much different from the house sold by the gray-robed Taoist, except that there is no risk of forced demolition.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    The rental price of a third-class cave is ten times more expensive, but it is located near the central area of ??Puchan town , and the spiritual energy is more abundant


    "Pay the rent once a year and pay it in spiritual stones, or do you want to be a spiritual farmer ?"


    The monk in blue asked again.


    "Spirit stone payment."


    Jiang Cheng took out a bag of spiritual stones that he had prepared in advance and handed it to the monk in blue.


    There are three hundred and ten low-grade spiritual stones in it.


    "Let''s see, which cave do you want to rent?"


    The monk in blue took the spirit stone, swept away his mental power, and felt a little more energetic, with a smile on his face.


    He took out a jade slip with a lot of cave information written on it, handed it to Jiang Cheng , and gave some casual instructions:


    "Except for the caves that have been rented out, among the remaining third-class caves, Cave No. 61 and No. 67 have the most spiritual energy."


    "Cave No. 61, please."


    Jiang Cheng looked around and randomly selected a cave.


    "This is the key to the cave. Remember to pay the rent on time every year. Otherwise, the cave will be forcibly taken back and everything in it will be confiscated."


    The monk in blue nodded, took out a jade key from his arms and handed it to Jiang Cheng , and gave a few more instructions.


    "Thank you, fellow Taoist."


    Jiang Cheng held up his hands again and thanked the monk in blue.


    Leave the office.


    Following the map in his identity badge, he walked out of the central area where the shop was located and walked a few miles further, finally finding Cave No. B61.


    A cave.


    Compared with the caves where I was before , the size is no different, and the layout is reasonable. There are several rooms in it, including bedrooms, study rooms, kitchens, and quiet rooms.


    The surrounding caves are also separated by hundreds of feet, so privacy is guaranteed and each other will not be disturbed.


    " the area is not small. However, the place where there are really many people is the central area where shops are concentrated. The area where the cave is located pays more attention to the privacy of practice."


    Jiang Cheng was very satisfied with this.


    Enter the cave and use the jade key to activate the defensive formation inside the cave.


    Qinglin Sect has set up a defensive formation outside each cave. The power of the formation varies depending on the level of the cave.


    The defensive formation outside the third-level cave can withstand attacks from ninth-level Qi-training monks.


    "Tidy up the cave."


    Like always, Jiang Cheng used the cleaning talisman to clean up the entire cave.


    Then, some traps were arranged throughout the cave that were difficult to detect.


    then.


    Jiang Cheng went to the kitchen next door and cooked a pot of spiritual rice.


    The rich aroma makes people salivate instantly.


    After finishing one bowl, Jiang Cheng scooped up another large bowl of spiritual rice.


    Finished eating.


    He immediately returned to the quiet room, meditated, practiced the longevity skills, and digested the spiritual energy contained in the spiritual rice.


    As soon as he activated the longevity skill, countless spiritual energy swarmed in and merged into his body.


    The concentration of spiritual energy far exceeds seven or eight times that of a small spiritual land, coupled with the spiritual energy contained in spiritual power, creating an unprecedented speed of practice.


    This speed is much faster than directly absorbing the spiritual energy from low-grade spiritual stones.


    At this speed, coupled with the pills such as the Spirit Gathering Pill and other cultivation-increasing pills, I may be able to break through the sixth level of Qi training in a four months at most "


    Jiang Cheng ''s heart was filled with ups and downs, but this was only when he had enough Spirit Gathering Pills and Spirit Rice.


    There is not much Spirit Gathering Pill left in him, so he either needs to learn alchemy to refine it, or buy the Spirit Gathering Pill directly.


    The former is better because the price is relatively cheap, and in the same time you can earn a lot of money, but it requires renting an alchemy room in the city to make alchemy which is also expensive, and also time to practice making alchemy.


    It''s not easy thing to do


    The latter is more direct, and the direct finished elixir is relatively more expensive.


    Either way, it''s a big expense.


    Besides, there is also the rent of the cave and spiritual rice, which requires a large amount of spiritual stones.


    he had already spent four hundred low-grade spiritual stones. If the development continued at this rate, the remaining spiritual stones would not be able to withstand several years of hard work.


    He also wanted to buy the sword control method and the flying sword.


    "We can''t just sit back and have nothing. Tomorrow morning we will go to the market to sell talismans."


    Jiang Cheng decided immediately.


    Not all monks are aloof and aloof from the world. Most of the low-level casual cultivators are not much different from ordinary people in the world. They are mediocre and work all day long for spiritual stones.


    In other words, if the casual cultivators at the bottom do not work hard to create value for Qinglin Sect, how can the disciples of Qinglin Sect concentrate on their practice and break through the foundation building stage and even the golden elixir stage?


    The next day.


    Chu Chen took the Water Blade Talismans, shield talisman, light body talisman, and concealment talisman that he had practiced in the past, followed the example of a group of casual cultivators, and found an open space to set up a stall in the street market to sell talismans.


    "Looking at the quality of the water blade Talisman, it is quite Good compared to ordinary Water Blade Talismans."


    Soon, customers came to the door.


    On Jiang Cheng''s stall, the Water Blade Talismans that was most frequently displayed was the one that was refined in the past.


    "Although the quality of my Water Blade Talismans is a little defective , it''s also much cheaper. It only costs five spirits per piece."


    Chu Chen explained with a smile.


    He specifically inquired about the price of the Water Blade Talismans yesterday. The price of an ordinary Water Blade Talisman was probably between twenty and seventeen low-grade spiritual stones.


    The Water Blade Talismans he refined with his spiritual energy was Quite strong , but there is a little problem with it, but the price was also little cheap.


    "Five spirits ?"


    The customer''s eyes suddenly lit up and he quickly said: "Bring me five."


    A middle-aged cultivator, dressed in patched robes, squatted next to Jiang Cheng¡¯s stall, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    "Five spirit stones per talisman? Too expensive!" He waved a hand dismissively. "I bought a Water Blade Talisman yesterday for four spirit stones!"


    Jiang Cheng remained calm.


    "Then, fellow Daoist, you should go buy from that other stall."


    The man scoffed but didn¡¯t move. "Hmph, I checked, and he¡¯s out of stock. How about this¡ªthree spirit stones each, and I¡¯ll take ten!"


    Jiang Cheng sighed and pointed at the sign.


    "The price is five. No more, no less. The The Dao of business is also a path¡ªone must not waver."


    The cultivator clicked his tongue. "Stubborn kid." He grumbled but eventually tossed five spirit stones on the stall and snatched a talisman.


    Jiang Cheng smiled inwardly.


    ¡ªPeople always try to bargain, but in the end, quality sells itself.


    The street market was bustling with cultivators shouting prices, the clinking of spirit stones filling the air as deals were struck. Jiang Cheng sat cross-legged behind his small stall, carefully arranging his talismans when a shadow loomed over him.


    A soft, sweet voice followed.


    "Daoyou, how much for the Water Blade Talismans?"


    Jiang Cheng looked up and nearly choked on his own breath. The woman standing before him was a stunning female cultivator clad in a flowing lavender robe. Her long, silky black hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes shimmered like autumn lakes. She leaned forward ever so slightly, her delicate fingers playing with the edges of his talisman papers.


    Jiang Cheng immediately knew something was off.


    ¡ªWarning ! Charm Technique Detected!¡ª


    She pouted, her voice dripping with honey.


    "I¡¯m just a poor, helpless cultivator, struggling to make ends meet. How about giving me a little discount? I promise I¡¯ll remember this favor..."


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s expression remained neutral, but inside, his mind roared to life.


    ¡ªThe flesh is temporary. The Dao is eternal. Amitabha! Amitabha !¡ª


    He could practically hear the chanting of ancient Buddhist monks in his head, trying to purify his soul.


    The woman sighed softly and placed a hand on her chest, subtly pushing it up.


    "Really, Daoyou, it¡¯s just a few spirit stones¡­ Surely you wouldn¡¯t be so heartless as to refuse a weak, delicate woman?"


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s face twitched.


    ¡ªThe skin is an illusion. Desires are but chains to the mortal world. The only true path is self-restraint! Om mani padme hum ! ¡ª


    With an air of righteous indignation, he clasped his hands together as if in prayer. "This Female Donor , The poor monk does not dare tarnish his virtue for mere spirit stones. The heavens are watching!"


    The female cultivator blinked.


    The merchants nearby turned to watch. Someone in the crowd snickered.


    Jiang Cheng, keeping a perfectly serious expression, gestured toward the sign. "The price is five low-grade spirit stones. No exceptions. The Dao does not discriminate between beauty and ugliness, man or woman, rich or poor. One must abide by the market price!"


    The woman¡¯s lips twitched.


    She huffed, shot him a glare, and tossed five spirit stones onto the stall before snatching the talismans. "Ugh, men like you are the worst!"


    As she walked away, Jiang Cheng exhaled, wiping imaginary sweat off his forehead.


    A nearby merchant laughed. "Brother Jiang, that was impressive! You resisted temptation like a true ascetic!"


    Jiang Cheng sighed. "A cultivator must guard his mind against all distractions."


    The merchant smirked. "Guarding your mind? Brother, your face turned red the moment she leaned in!"


    Jiang Cheng: "¡­"


    ¡ªAmitabha! This world is full of trials.¡ª


    And so, with a steadfast heart, he continued selling his talismans, a beacon of righteousness in a world full of temptations.


    When the sun went down, Jiang Cheng closed the stall with satisfaction.


    It¡¯s been a busy day, but it¡¯s been a productive day.


    Many casual cultivators can draw low-level talismans such as shield talisman, light body talismans, and concealment talismans, but no one will buy them.


    But the Water Blade Talismans was quite popular. Because the price was relatively cheap, a hundred Water Blade Talismans were sold in a whole day, in exchange for 500 low-grade spiritual stones.


    Before returning to the cave, he bought a batch of talisman papers that could be used to refine the Water Blade Talismans, as well as a complete collection of middle and high level talismans.

 Chapter 20_"A Day in the Life of a Talisman Maker"

    __________________________


    Things in the world of cultivating immortals are really expensive.


    One medium-grade talismans cost thirty low-grade spiritual stones. A book of talismans is even more ridiculously expensive. It cost me a full 1000 low-grade spiritual stones, which is equivalent to 3 years rent "


    Jiang Cheng looked through a stack of talisman papers and a book in his hand and couldn''t help but complain.


    After setting up the stall, he went to a shop selling talismans and bought a thousand pieces of middle-grade talisman paper that could be used to draw middle grade talismans.


    He also went to the Qinglin Pavilion in Puchan town and bought a "Complete Collection of middle and high Talismans".


    One thousand pieces of mid-grade talisman paper is equivalent to 500 low-grade spiritual stones.


    In addition to the 1000 low-grade spiritual stones purchased from the middle and high talisman collection, the total expenditure is 1500 low-grade spiritual stones.


    In other words, after working all day today, not only did he not earn any spiritual stones, he actually lost a thousand low-grade spiritual stones.


    But that¡¯s not how the accounts work out.


    Talisman paper is necessary for drawing talismans, and the middle grade talismanes encyclopedia allows Jiang Cheng to learn how to draw new talismans.


    The middle talismanes collection contains a total of six talismans, including the advanced water blade talisman, the invisibility talisman,


    the wood entanglement talisman, the Earth Escape talisman, the fireball talisman, and the immobilization talisman.


    "The best-selling mid-level talisman in Puchan town is undoubtedly the Fireball Talisman, followed by the water blade Talisman, the Earth Escape, the Invisibility Talisman, etc."


    The mana required to activate the Fireball Talisman is less than using the Fireball Technique directly, and it is also less than activating the water blade Talisman.


    In the case of equal mana, the number of fireball talismans that a monk can activate is twice that of the water blade talisman. Naturally, the monks are more inclined to purchase the fireball talismans.


    Moreover, the power of the Fireball Talisman is not inferior to that of the water blade Talisman, and the price is almost the same.


    "Learn to draw the fireball talisman first. After selling out the water blade talisman , I will sell the fireball talisman."


    Jiang Cheng changed his mind and set his next goal.


    Make money, not shabby.


    Compared with the water blade Talisman, the Fireball Talisman is easier to sell and easier to earn spiritual stones.


    "You also need to learn the immobilization talisman and the water blade talisman and other talismans."


    if you can learn high-level talismans, both the power of the talismans and the market will be greater."


    Jiang Cheng felt a little sorry.


    certainly.


    He was just thinking about it. he would not try to draw high-level talismans for the time being.


    For the middle grade talismans, he only knew one type of advanced water blade talisman and lacked experience. Forcibly drawing high-level talismans would only end in failure.


    It''s better to play it slow, practice with intermediate talismans first, and then draw advanced talismans when you have enough experience.


    "Compared with other Talisman Masters, I have another advantage."


    If an ordinary talisman master wants to try to practice a new talisman, he not only needs a lot of time to practice, but also consumes a lot of talisman paper to practice drawing the talisman.


    But Jiang Cheng didn''t have this learning cost.


    He practices the magical power of endless dreams and can practice it continuously in dreams without worrying about wasting talisman paper.


    Fellow Taoist, are you there?"


    Just when Jiang Cheng was about to enter the dreamland and try to refine the fireball talisman, a voice came from outside the cave.


    "who?


    Jiang Cheng ''s expression tightened and he took out his spirit sword and stuffed four fire balls talismanes in his chest, then he checked who''s coming .


    Outside the cave, stood an old Taoist with white beard and hair who looked to be in his seventies or eighties.


    The old Taoist''s aura is not overpowering, it is about the sixth level of Qi training.


    you must be the new neighbor! I¡¯m Taoist Yan, from the cave next door. Thought I¡¯d come over and introduce myself¡ªalways good to know who¡¯s living beside you, don¡¯t you think?"


    The old Taoist said with a smile on his face,If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Taoist Brother Yan! My apologies, I should have been the one visiting you first. I¡¯ve been so busy setting up my stall that it slipped my mind. Please, forgive my poor manners."


    Jiang Cheng thought for a while, opened the magic circle outside the cave and walked out.


    No, it''s me who''s causing trouble."


    Taoist Yan glanced at Jiang Cheng , who was blocking the cave and showing no intention of inviting him in, and the corner of his mouth twitched.


    However, he didn''t pay too much attention to it. The monk''s cave is a very private place. Generally, people who are not close relatives and friends will not let people enter the cave at will.


    When they were not familiar with each other, even if Jiang Cheng invited them, he would not enter Jiang Cheng ''s cave at will.


    "We are all neighbors, and I hope we can take care of each other in the future."


    Taoist Yan put a smile on his face again, and as he spoke, he handed over a pot of home-brewed spiritual wine.


    "It''s natural."


    Jiang Cheng nodded, took the spirit wine, and handed over five spirit-gathering pills as a return gift.


    The two chatted for a while, and Jiang Cheng gained a lot from what Taoist Yan said about Puchan town


    Taoist Yan also mentioned some recent events in Puchan town : "I heard that a casual cultivator came to market today to sell defective water blade talismans. A water blade talisman only costs five low-grade spiritual stones, but its power is relatively small."


    Is there such a thing?"


    A look of surprise appeared on Jiang Cheng''s face at the right time.


    "That''s right. If I were there, I would have bought a few. Unfortunately, this person''s behavior has caused dissatisfaction among many talisman masters in the market. Some talisman masters said that if this person appears again tomorrow, they will teach him the rules of the market."


    Oh?"


    Jiang Cheng''s fingers tightened slightly around the spirit stone pouch, but his voice remained steady. "I wonder what rules this person broke?"


    The Taoist Yan stroked his beard and let out a small chuckle. "Oh, you must be new here. The talisman business? It¡¯s not as simple as just setting up a stall. The market is controlled by a few established masters, and they don¡¯t take kindly to newcomers undercutting their prices. Let¡¯s just say¡­ rules aren¡¯t written down, but you¡¯d better follow them.


    "I see."


    Jiang Cheng nodded in understanding.


    The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and Taoist Yan found a reason to leave.


    "Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and Puchan Market is no exception."


    Back in the cave, Jiang Cheng ''s expression instantly became solemn.


    He had expected this situation, but he didn''t expect it to come so soon.


    "Fortunately, I disguised myself when I went to set up the stall today."


    Out of caution, Jiang Cheng disguised himself a lot when he went to set up the stall.


    After the stall was over, he deliberately walked around the market for a few times to confirm that no one was following him before returning to the cave.


    "I can''t set up the stall tomorrow."


    Jiang Cheng had a headache. If he couldn''t set up the stall, he might not be able to support it for too long with his current savings.


    "It seems that I can only sell all these defective water blade talismans to the talisman shops in the market."


    Early the next morning


    Miaofu Pavilion.


    "Shopkeeper, do you want to collect the water Blade talisman?"


    Jiang Cheng , who was disguised, walked into Miaofu Pavilion and approached the shopkeeper of Miaofu Pavilion.


    "Of course I''ll accept it, but I have to check the quality first."


    The shopkeeper of Miaoyin Pavilion wears a green Taoist robe. He is thin, tall and has a goatee. It is said that his surname is Wang. Few people know his specific name, so everyone calls him shopkeeper Wang.


    It''s natural."


    Jiang Cheng took out a water blade talisman from his arms and handed it to Shopkeeper Wang.


    Shopkeeper Wang picked up the talisman, squinting as he ran his fingers over the markings. He clicked his tongue.


    "Hmm¡­ Not bad, but I can tell this wasn¡¯t drawn by a seasoned talisman master. The lines are a bit shaky, and the power is...


    well, let¡¯s just say it¡¯s not at full strength. I¡¯ll give you two low-grade spiritual stones for it."


    Shopkeeper Wang had a vicious eye, and he could see through the water blade Talisman with just one glance.


    "The power of this talisman is roughly equivalent to a full-strength strike from a fourth -level qi-training monk. It is a defective product."


    Two low-grade spiritual stones ."


    Shopkeeper Wang made a few belittling remarks and finally set the price.


    "Jiang Cheng frowned, tapping his fingers on the counter. "Shopkeeper Wang, you wound me. Two low-grade spiritual stones? At that price, I might as well be giving them away."


    Jiang Cheng frowned, a little dissatisfied with the price.


    For two low-grade spiritual stones, the price was suddenly three less than when he set up the stall yesterday, and the price dropped by more than 50%.


    "Several Talisman Masters in Puchan town have made it known that no one else is allowed to sell defective water blade talismans. I have to bear certain risks when purchasing your water blade talisman."


    Shopkeeper Wang explained.


    Hearing this, Jiang Cheng understood that the so-called risks were just shopkeeper Wang''s reason for lowering the price.


    Every store in Puchan town should not be underestimated. Except for the store with the Qinglin brand, every store has a good background.


    How could several Talisman Masters in Puchan town threaten Miao Talisman Pavilion?


    But what can he do?


    Just accept it.


    Compared with the other two talisman shops in Puchan town , the prices at Miaofu Pavilion are already very reasonable.


    The shopkeepers of the other two talisman shops took advantage of the situation and directly offered a price for one and a half low-grade spiritual stones, or even a low-grade spiritual stone and a water blade talisman.


    "Two low-grade spiritual stones, just two low-grade spiritual stones."


    Jiang Cheng said helplessly.


    As he spoke, he took out fifty more water blade talismans from his arms.


    When he was in seclusion to practice his skills and Technique, he drew a total of more than a hundred Water Blade talismans. He spent some of them over the half year. He sold a hundred of them yesterday and still has these left.


    "There are fifty-one water blade talismans in total, and a total of one hundred and two low-grade spiritual stones."


    Shopkeeper Wang took the water blade Talisman with a flash of surprise in his eyes, but didn''t say much.


    Then, he handed Jiang Cheng a bag containing spiritual stones.


    "Thank you, shopkeeper."


    Jiang Cheng took the spirit stone with some heartache, cupped his hands and thanked him.


    Each water blade talisman earns three less low-grade spiritual stones, and fifty-one water blade talismans, a total of 153 low-grade spiritual stones are lost.


    This amount of spiritual stone can buy more than fifty spirit-gathering pills, or more than two hundred kilograms of low-grade spiritual rice, which is enough for him to practice for one or two years.


    He could only make a note in his heart secretly.


    Those Talisman Masters in Puchan town , don''t let him find the opportunity, he will definitely take revenge.


    Leave Miaofu Pavilion.


    After Jiang Cheng made sure that no one was following him, he changed his disguise and went to set up a stall again.


    However, this time he was selling the normal version of the water blade Talisman, priced at twenty low-grade spiritual stones.


    Business suddenly plummeted.


    Compared with yesterday''s hot business, Jiang Cheng ''s business today seemed particularly deserted.


    Throughout the whole day, only seven or eight customers came forward to inquire about the price, and only two customers purchased a total of three water blade talismans.


    After all, there were too few types of things on Jiang Cheng''s stall. Apart from the water blade talisman, there were only low-level talismans such as minor shield talisman and light body talisman, which few people bought.


    "It''s not bad. With three water blades talismans, I earned a total of 60 low-grade spiritual stones."


    Jiang Cheng was very satisfied with this result.


    Again, as long as you can make money.


    As long as he has enough time, he can not only accumulate the spiritual stones needed for his own cultivation, but also accumulate a large number of spiritual stones that he can squander at will.


    ¡­


    Back home, Jiang Cheng went to the kitchen to cook a pot of spiritual rice, and had a delicious meal of spiritual rice with the mice.


    Then, practice began.

 Chapter 21_Tales from the Drunken Immortal"

    __________________________


    After completing the Longevity Technique, and the body Refining Technique, he immersed himself in dreams, trying to draw fireball talismans, or practice fireball spells and other spells.


    Jiang Cheng once again lived a regular life, one line at two o''clock every day.


    Time passes like this day by day, and the days are dull but fulfilling.


    Occasionally, I will draw the water blade talisman to keep the water blade talisman on my body sufficient.


    Setting up a stall every day, I came into contact with many monks, not only customers, but also some monks who set up stalls together.


    In addition to communicating with Taoist Yan next door from time to time,


    Two months passed in quiet routine. Jiang Cheng practiced talisman crafting, honed his spells, and ran his stall. He occasionally chatted with Taoist Yan and gathered bits of information about the world. But life in Puchan Town remained simple¡ªuntil one night at the Drunken Immortal pavilion.


    In the Drunken Immortal Pavilion one of the most famous teahouses in Puchan Town¡¯s inner city,


    A magnificent building the waiters caming in and out, The tables were made of dark mahogany, their surfaces polished to a mirror-like sheen. Each table was adorned with a small vase of spirit orchids, their petals glowing faintly with a soft, ethereal light.


    The walls were decorated with intricate tapestries depicting legendary cultivators and mythical beasts, their threads shimmering with embedded spirit stones that caught the light.


    The air was filled with the gentle clinking of porcelain cups and the low hum of conversation. Occasionally, a burst of laughter would rise above the murmur, echoing through the spacious hall.


    In the corner, a zither player plucked at the strings of their instrument, the notes weaving through the room like a gentle breeze. The melody was soothing, yet carried an undercurrent of spiritual energy that seemed to resonate with the patrons.


    Jiang Cheng sat in a quiet corner, savoring the warmth of a cup of spirit-infused tea. The air was thick with the aroma of roasted spirit nuts and aged wine, the gentle hum of conversation weaving through the cozy space.


    Across from him, Old Man Liu stretched lazily, rubbing his graying beard. "Two months, and you still haven''t gotten sick of this tea? I thought you''d have moved on to something stronger by now."


    Jiang Cheng smirked. "Not everyone drinks like you, Old Liu. Some of us prefer to keep our heads clear."


    "Bah!" Old Liu waved a dismissive hand. "A clear head is overrated. Besides, this place has the best wine in Puchan Town. You should try it at least once."


    Jiang Cheng shook his head but said nothing. The two of them sat in comfortable silence, listening to the chatter around them.


    The teahouse was packed as usual, a mix of merchants, rogue cultivators, and local sect disciples gathered around, exchanging stories and news.


    Then, the door creaked open, and a figure stumbled inside.


    The Drunken Gourd Immortal , as he was affectionately called, was a well-known casual Foundation Establishment cultivator in Puchan Town. His real name was lost to most¡ªpeople simply called him Old Gourd because of the oversized wine gourd he carried everywhere. A man of unshakable cheer, he was rarely seen sober and even more rarely seen angry.


    Tonight was no different. His robes were slightly disheveled, his cheeks flushed with drink, and his steps wobbly but steady enough that he never truly fell. He plopped down at a nearby table and waved a hand at the waiter.


    "More wine! And food! Lots of food! I drink, therefore I eat!" he declared, slurring slightly, much to the amusement of those around him.


    As he was halfway through his meal, a table of young cultivators near the center of the room caught his attention.


    you don¡¯t understand," one of them, a cocky-looking youth, said. "Puchan Town is the largest settlement in the Periphery! Beyond it is only wilderness and a few scattered families ."


    Another nodded. "The world is vast, you don''t know what out there. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Old Gourd, mid-bite, suddenly burst into laughter. A loud, unrestrained, belly-shaking laugh that made his entire table shake.


    Jiang Cheng had just lifted his teacup, savoring the warmth, when a sudden, thunderous lougher exploded through the teahouse like a spirit beast¡¯s roar. Jiang Cheng was Startled by the voice, His instincts kicked in before his brain could process the situation. he was about to blast Old Liu in front of him with a water blade talisman in fright fortunately he held his hand back.


    Old Gourd hiccupped, wiped his mouth, and leaned back in his chair, a grin on his face.


    You little frogs¡­ sitting at the bottom of a well, thinking the sky above is the whole world.¡±


    The teahouse fell silent, all eyes turning to the drunken Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even Jiang Cheng found himself leaning forward, intrigued.


    One of the young cultivators frowned. Senior, what do you mean?¡±


    Old Gourd let out a chuckle, then leaned forward, lowering his voice as if revealing a great secret. ¡°You think Puchan Town is big, That it¡¯s the center of civilization? Bah! This is just a speck, the last outpost before the unknown.¡±


    A few of the young monks exchanged uncertain glances. One scoffed. ¡°Senior, you¡¯re exaggerating. Beyond the town is only the Endless Monster Mountains. We all know that.¡±


    Old Gourd slammed his gourd onto the table, making several cups rattle. ¡°And do you know what lies beyond the Endless Monster Mountains?¡±


    Silence.


    Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes. This was what he had been seeking¡ªtrue knowledge of the world.


    Seeing the room¡¯s anticipation, Old Gourd grinned and raised a finger. ¡°The Endless Mountains are exactly that¡ªendless. They stretch from one edge of the Eastern Continent to the other, splitting the land in two. For thousands of years, even Golden Core true lords have ventured in and never returned.¡±


    A murmur ran through the room.


    A cautious voice piped up. ¡°But¡­ isn¡¯t the Eastern Continent the entire world?¡±


    Old Gourd burst into laughter, slapping his knee. ¡°Hah! You think this continent is all there is? This continent is vast, but it¡¯s only one part of the world. Beyond the Endless Sea, there are lands we cannot even imagine. Realms where cultivators walk the skies like immortals, where ancient beings slumber beneath the waves, where entire cities are built on the backs of spirit beasts the size of mountains!¡±


    The teahouse was completely silent now.


    Old Gourd sighed, taking another long drink. His voice turned somber. ¡°And even here, in this half continent, we are nothing. There are Nascent Soul Sects that rule entire domains¡ªnot towns, not cities, but vast territories hundreds of thousands of miles wide or millions .  Each domain ruled by a Nascent Soul ancestor whose strength could shatter mountains with a flick of their sleeve, this is just the half we are in. There is other half...


    One of the listeners swallowed hard. ¡°Nascent Soul ancestors¡­ like the Taiyi Sect?¡±


    Old Gourd nodded. ¡° Yes . The Taiyi Sect rules the Taiyi Domain, bordering the Endless Monster Mountains. They are the guardians of the frontier, their Taiyi Heavenly Scripture allowing their disciples to harmonize with the nine elements. But they are not the only ones.¡±


    He raised a finger. ¡°The Golden Snake Sect, masters of taming monstrous beasts, ruling the Monster Taming Domain.¡±


    Another finger. ¡°The Everfrost Sect, lords of the Frostveil Domain, where even the rivers freeze with spiritual energy.¡±


    A third. ¡°The Scarlet Moon Sect, rulers of the Bloodshade Domain, masters of forbidden blood arts.¡±


    The tension in the room was thick.


    Jiang Cheng felt his heart pound. He had known the world was vast, but this¡­


    Old Gourd sighed again, shaking his head. ¡°And these are just the domains I know of. There are others. Hidden sects, lost legacies, places so ancient that even Nascent Soul ancestors dare not tread.¡± He took another long sip of wine before muttering, almost to himself, ¡°Even the greatest sects of today are nothing before the true powers hidden in history¡­¡±


    A young monk gulped. ¡°Then¡­ why don¡¯t these great sects rule everything?¡±


    Old Gourd¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Because even Nascent Souls have things they fear. The world is not as simple as you think.¡± He hesitated, then added,  ¡°There are things older than sects. Older than history itself.¡±


    The room was deathly silent.


    Then, as if the weight of his words was too much, Old Gourd suddenly laughed and waved a hand dismissively. ¡°But bah! What does it matter? Whether we live in a great sect¡¯s domain or a little market town, in the end, all we really need is good food and strong drink!¡±


    Laughter erupted, breaking the tension.


    Old Gourd groaned as he picked himself up from his sit . He looked around at the stunned faces of the juniors, their eyes still burning with excitement from all the secrets he had just spilled. The weight of his mistake fully settled in.


    His drunken mind scrambled for a solution. And then¡ªbrilliance struck.


    He straightened his posture, smoothed out his robe, and put on the most dignified, righteous expression he could muster. He clasped his hands behind his back and nodded solemnly.


    "Ahem." He cleared his throat. "Well¡­ I wasn''t actually supposed to tell you all that."


    Silence.


    The juniors leaned forward expectantly, waiting for some kind of retraction, some clarification.


    Instead, Old Gourd gave them a wise, knowing look and declared with absolute sincerity:


    "Forget everything that happened tonight."


    Silence stretched for a long, awkward moment.


    Old Gourd nodded sagely. "Yes. Forget. Wipe it from your minds. It never happened." He made a vague mystical gesture with his hands, as if casting a mind-erasing spell. Poof. Gone.


    Then he fly away swaying with the wind.


    After Old Gourd¡¯s dramatic exit, the teahouse erupted into laughter and chatter, the tension of his revelations dissipating like smoke. Jiang Cheng sat back in his seat, his teacup forgotten. His mind raced with the images Old Gourd had painted¡ªvast domains, Nascent Soul ancestors, and ancient powers hidden in the shadows.


    He glanced at Old Liu, who was already pouring himself another cup of wine, seemingly unbothered by the weight of the conversation. ¡°Do you think he was telling the truth?¡± Jiang Cheng asked quietly.


    Old Liu shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. ¡°Truth or not, it makes for a good story. But if you ask me, the world¡¯s always been bigger than Puchan Town. Whether you¡¯re ready to face it is another matter.¡±


    Jiang Cheng nodded slowly, his gaze drifting to the window, where the moon hung high in the sky. For the first time in months, the quiet routine of his life felt¡­ small. And yet, the thought of stepping into that vast, unknown world filled him with both excitement and dread

 Chapter 22_ Preparation

    ______________________


    A month had passed since the night at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. ¡°Life in Puchan Town resumed its usual rhythm, yet for Jiang Cheng, something had shifted, a quiet anticipation simmering beneath his everyday activities.¡±


    Today marked a significant milestone¡ªhe had finally mastered the theoretical knowledge of the Bloodforge Body Art to the Proficient level. This was the highest stage he could achieve in the Qi Refining Realm before stepping into Foundation Establishment.¡±


    From the moment he obtained the jade slip, he had practiced its movements daily. The techniques, once awkward and strenuous, now flowed through him like second nature. His body had undergone a subtle yet undeniable transformation¡ªhis muscles were denser, his tendons like coiled steel, and his bones carried a faint resilience beyond the ordinary. Even the circulation of his blood felt stronger, pulsing with newfound vitality.


    Now, he had reached the next crucial stage of cultivation¡ªthe medicinal bath phase.


    Reaching into his storage pouch, Jiang Cheng took stock of his finances. Over the past three months, through careful spending and a steady talisman business, he had accumulated five thousand spirit stones. The Middle Fireball Talismans had proven especially popular among casual cultivators who ventured into the Periphery to hunt ferocious beasts. He also still had over two hundred Water Blade Talismans in reserve¡ªmore than enough for emergencies.


    However, today would be an expensive day.


    Yesterday, he had placed an order for various rare materials and monster blood essences, key components for the Bloodforge Body Art¡¯s medicinal baths. The blood essence, extracted from spirit beasts with vigorous vitality, would refine his physique, further reinforcing his progress.


    Jiang Cheng exhaled, casting a Cleaning Spell to freshen up. Then, without hesitation, he executed a Light Body Technique.


    His feet barely touched the ground. With each step, he crossed tens of meters, moving like a shadow flitting through the streets. The wind rushed past him, and before long, the familiar sight of the bustling market center came into view.


    Without breaking stride, he headed straight for the Qinglin Treasure Pavilion.


    The storefront was as refined as ever, with elegant carvings and spirit-infused lanterns glowing softly at the entrance. Inside, shelves lined with rare materials, jade slips, and magical artifacts reflected the wealth of the establishment.


    Jiang Cheng stepped into the Qinglin Treasure Pavilion, the scent of aged sandalwood and rare herbs greeting him as he crossed the threshold.


    Behind the counter, Ruan Xue looked up from a jade slip, her eyes lighting up as she saw him approach. But instead of greeting him normally, she let out a long sigh, her delicate shoulders drooping as if burdened by sorrow.


    She placed a hand over her chest and gave him a pitiful look. "Brother Jiang, She lamented sadly . ¡°You always seem to visit when you need something. Don¡¯t you ever miss me just a little?¡±


    Jiang Cheng blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What?"


    She shook her head, letting out a second, deeper sigh for good measure. "Every day, I wait by the counter, hoping you¡¯ll visit. But no! Unless you need talisman paper, monster blood, or something expensive, you don¡¯t even glance this way. Truly, my heart cannot take such coldness."


    Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes. "You wait by the counter because it¡¯s your job."


    Ruan Xue gasped, clutching an imaginary wound in her chest. "How cruel! Do you hear yourself? How can you just expose my suffering like this, you piece of wood.


    Jiang Cheng sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, alright. Next time, I¡¯ll come just to see you. No purchases."


    Instantly, Ruan Xue¡¯s pitiful expression vanished, replaced with a Righteous face.


    "Absolutely not! If you¡¯re coming, you better be spending spirit stones. What kind of shopkeeper would I be otherwise?"


    Jiang Cheng let out a dry chuckle. "Ah, there it is. The real Ruan Xue."


    She smirked, resting her elbow on the counter. "I have to eat, you know. And spirit stones don¡¯t grow on trees. Now, what rare and expensive materials are you throwing money at today?"


    Shaking his head, Jiang Cheng reached into his storage pouch and placed a heavy bag of spirit stones on the counter. "The monster blood and medicinal materials I ordered. They should¡¯ve arrived by now."This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Ruan Xue tapped her chin. "Hmm¡­ Should I give them to you? Or should I hold them hostage until you buy something extra? ¡°A fine spirit tea set might help you enjoy your bath to the fullest. How about it?¡± she said shamelessly with a smile


    Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. "I think I¡¯ll survive without one."


    She chuckled, finally pulling out a wooden storage box from beneath the counter. The faint scent of blood essence and spiritual herbs leaked from the seals, confirming its authenticity.


    Jiang Cheng opened the wooden storage box, and immediately, a dense, iron-rich scent filled the air. Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes widened as the rich scent of iron filled the air. He inhaled deeply, tasting the potent, feral energy that clung to the blood essences.


    The blood essence inside had been carefully sealed in jade bottles, their surfaces etched with spirit-locking runes to prevent the energy from dissipating. The thick, dark red liquid within shimmered with a faint glow, evidence of its potency and the ferocity of the creatures it had been extracted from.


    Inside the box, several types of blood essence stood out


    Black Python Blood Essence, Giant Black Python, a vicious beast known for its crushing strength and resilience


    and Crimson Tiger Blood in Essence almost molten-looking fluid filled another bottle. This came from a Crimson Flame Tiger, a beast infamous for its explosive speed and violent temperament. This essence would stimulate blood circulation, increasing reaction speed and combat instinct.


    Storm Eagle Wing Bones ¨C Among the contents of the box lay a set of ashen-gray wing bones, still faintly charged with residual spiritual energy. These were from a Storm Eagle, a high-speed aerial predator capable of breaking the sound barrier in flight. Grounded cultivators often used them to refine leg strength and agility, mimicking the bird¡¯s wind-speed movement.


    One-Legged Ironhoof Beast¡¯s Foot ¨C A massive, thick-scaled beast¡¯s foot wrapped in a talismanic cloth. The One-Legged Ironhoof Beast was known for its terrifying stomping power,


    Nestled beside the blood essences and beast materials, several stalk of precious medicinal herbs rested within the box, their fragrances mixing with the lingering scent of beast blood.


    Dragon Marrow Grass, Blood-Forging Lotus ¨C A deep crimson lotus flower with veins pulsating like actual blood vessels. When used in a medicinal bath, it greatly enhanced blood vitality and Qi absorption,


    Thunderroot Vine ¨C A set of coiled, crackling vines that still held traces of lightning energy. This would help stimulate nerve responses,


    Jiang Cheng closed the box with a sense of anticipation. With these materials, his Bloodforge Body Art would reach a whole new level.


    He looked at Ruan Xue, who had been watching his reaction with a smirk. "Satisfied?" she teased. "Or do you need me to throw in some scented candles to set the mood for your bath?"


    Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. "I think I¡¯ll pass ."


    "Here you go," she said, pushing it toward him. "Though if you ever do feel guilty about breaking my heart, feel free to buy something extra next time."


    Jiang Cheng took the box and smirked. "How about this¡ªI¡¯ll think about it¡­ the next time I actually need something."


    Jiang Cheng reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a heavy leather pouch, the clinking of spirit stones inside a familiar sound. He placed it on the counter with a soft thud and slipped away.


    Ruan Xue gasped again, but before she could launch into another dramatic monologue, Jiang Cheng turned and walked away, leaving her shaking her head with a smile.


    "What a heartless fellow ."


    After his visit to the Qinglin Treasure Pavilion, Jiang Cheng made his way down a narrow alley, heading toward another area of the town where strange weapons and artifacts were sold.¡±


    . This area was famous for its strange and rare weapons, armor, and artifacts, all displayed in small, cluttered stalls that lined the cobblestone path. The air here smelled of burnt metal, sharpening stones, and a faint trace of spirit essence as weapons were constantly being refined and honed.


    The street was filled with the clang of hammers striking anvils, the buzz of excited buyers inspecting weapons, and the murmur of sellers bragging about the quality of their goods.


    In one corner of the street, a grizzled old man with a long, salt-and-pepper beard was hunched over a workbench, his calloused hands expertly adjusting the hilt of a glistening sword. This was Old Man Song, a weapons refiner known for creating not just ordinary blades but a collection of strange and unconventional weapons.


    Around him, piles of odd-looking weapons were displayed. There were spiked maces with chains, glaives that seemed to pulse with a mysterious energy, and strange contraptions that looked more like mechanical beasts than tools of combat.


    The sellers here often carried a smug air, knowing their creations were highly sought after by cultivators with eccentric tastes or those looking for something unique. The buyers, meanwhile, came in a variety of shapes and sizes¡ªrogue cultivators, adventurers, and sect disciples, all hoping to find something rare to aid them in their journeys.


    Some were examining the weapons with great interest, while others were already negotiating, arguing over prices with the vendors.


    Jiang Cheng knew exactly where he was headed¡ªOld Man Song''s stall.


    "fellow Taoist Song!" Jiang Cheng called out, raising his hand in greeting.


    Old Man Song looked up with a grunt. His weathered face broke into a grin as he recognized the young cultivator. "Ah, Jiang Cheng! You always show up when I¡¯m least expecting it. What brings you here today?"


    Jiang Cheng shook his head with a smile. "Not today, Old Song. Actually, I''m looking for something a bit different. Do you have a big cauldron, something sturdy enough for refining and training with body techniques?"


    Old Man Song scratched his chin, looking thoughtful. "A big cauldron, huh? I think I might have just the thing. Been sitting in the back collecting dust. You planning to cook up some trouble?" He chuckled, but there was a knowing glint in his eye.


    Jiang Cheng chuckled back. "Something like that. Just need it for practice. It has to hold up to some rough use."


    "Ah, I see," Old Song grinned. "Follow me, I¡¯ll show you what I¡¯ve got."


    Jiang Cheng had built a relationship with Old Man Song over time. When he first started his talisman business, Song, a weapons refiner, had become a regular customer, buying talismans¡ªespecially Water Blade Talismans¡ªin bulk to enhance his creations. In return, Jiang Cheng would occasionally give him discounts as a gesture of goodwill, and Song would offer a few tips on weapon forging.


    Their interactions became casual, built on a mutual understanding. Jiang Cheng admired Song¡¯s craftsmanship, while Song appreciated the quality and utility of Jiang Cheng¡¯s talismans. Over time, they developed a familiar rapport¡ªno longer just a customer and vendor, but acquaintances who exchanged knowledge and resources when needed.


    The two of them moved to the back of the stall, where Old Song rummaged through a stack of old equipment, muttering to himself.


    He leaned over to the side, pulling away a heavy cloth that had been covering a massive giant cauldron.


    The cauldron was black, with intricate runes carved into its surface. It looked ancient but sturdy, made of some sort of spiritual metal that glimmered faintly in the light.


    "This is a Blood-Refining Cauldron, made specifically for cultivators who practice body techniques or want to enhance their physical abilities." Old Man Song gestured to the cauldron. "It¡¯s meant for medicinal baths, but unlike most, this one can absorb spiritual energy and reinforce the blood. It¡¯ll help you refine your body much faster, especially with the beast blood you¡¯ve got."


    Jiang Cheng eyed the cauldron, impressed. "It looks heavy. Do you think I¡¯ll be able to move it around?"


    Song grinned. "I know what you''re thinking. But this cauldron is designed to be lightweight when activated, as long as you channel your Qi into it. It''s all about the refinement, boy."


    Jiang Cheng nodded slowly, appreciating the craftsmanship. It wasn¡¯t just an ordinary cauldron¡ªit was special.


    "How much?" he asked, already reaching for his spirit bag.


    Old Man Song raised an eyebrow. "For you, since you always come around for business, I¡¯ll give it to you for a thousand spirit stones. A fair deal, wouldn¡¯t you say?"


    Jiang Cheng considered it. The price was steep, but for a Blood-Refining Cauldron that could enhance his practice, it was worth it. "Deal," he said, handing over the spirit stones.


    With the cauldron in hand and the conversation wrapped up, Jiang Cheng gave a final wave to Old Man Song. "I¡¯ll come back when I need something else.


    Song laughed heartily as Jiang Cheng left his stall." Jiang Cheng! Take care of that cauldron!"


    Thanks, Old Song" Jiang Cheng said, his voice filled with appreciation. He placed the giant cauldron into his spirit bag and left, the bustling streets of Puchan Town awaiting him."

 Chapter 23_ "Baptism of Blood and Fire"

    _________________


    A few minutes later, Jiang Cheng made his way to the area where butchers and hunters sold the meat and blood of fierce beasts.


    He spent another eight hundred spirit stones across various stalls, carefully selecting additional blood essences and materials to enhance his medicinal baths.


    Of course, such a large expenditure did not go unnoticed.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s senses tingled as he passed the butchers¡¯ stalls, his instincts telling him something wasn¡¯t quite right. He felt the weight of prying eyes on his back.


    The moment Jiang Cheng spotted the flicker of a shadow in the corner of his eye¡ªa rogue attempting to blend into the crowd¡ªhe knew he was being followed.


    A few rogue cultivators began following him, their gazes lingering on his storage bag.


    Jiang Cheng smirked inwardly but remained calm. Instead of confronting them directly, he took a series of turns through the winding alleys of Puchan Town, gradually shaking them off.


    He made a large detour around the market, occasionally blending into the crowd and altering his pace until he was certain no one was tailing him.


    Only then did he leave the outer market, heading toward the inner town where his secluded cave residence awaited.


    ...


    Back at his secluded residence, Jiang Cheng placed the Blood-Refining Cauldron on the ground with a heavy thud. Even though it was designed to be lightweight when infused with Qi, its sheer size and density made it clear that this was no ordinary tool. The intricate runes along its surface shimmered faintly, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy.


    Jiang Cheng took a deep breath. This was it¡ªthe final stage before he could truly push the Bloodforge Body Art to its limits in the Qi Refining Realm. The medicinal bath was more than just a refinement process; it was a trial, one that would test his endurance, willpower, and ability to withstand pain.


    Just remember the benefits, he told himself, though a knot of unease formed in his stomach. The end result will be worth it.


    He retrieved the wooden storage box from his storage pouch and carefully laid out the materials on a low table.


    The various beast blood essences, powerful medicinal herbs, and the remnants of spirit beasts each contained an aura of fierce vitality. It was a fearsome sight¡ªone that made Jiang Cheng momentarily reconsider his decision.


    But no! He had made it this far. There was no turning back.


    With precise movements, he began the preparations.


    According to the ancient prescription recorded in the jade slip ? things Jiang Cheng bought were enough for three medicine baths.


    First, he filled the cauldron with pure spring water drawn from a nearby spiritual well¡ªclean and rich in natural essence. Next, he carefully uncorked the jade bottles and poured the blood essence in one by one.


    The Black Python Blood Essence seeped into the water like ink, dark and viscous. It carried the Python¡¯s infamous resilience, meant to strengthen bones and increase overall durability.


    Then came the Crimson Tiger Blood Essence, swirling in streaks of red, burning slightly as it mixed with the python¡¯s essence. It was meant to stimulate the heart and speed up blood circulation, reinforcing reaction speed.


    Jiang Cheng then took the Storm Eagle Wing Bones, crushing them into fine powder before adding them into the mix. Sparks of residual lightning danced across the surface before vanishing.


    This was to refine his nerve response and agility, enhancing his ability to move with speed and precision.


    Lastly, he added the One-Legged Ironhoof Beast¡¯s Foot, which required a moment of chanting as he activated the talismanic cloth sealing its essence.


    Once unwrapped, a heavy, iron-like substance melted into the cauldron, reinforcing the toughness of his tendons and muscles.


    With all the beast blood added, it was time for the medicinal herbs.


    He carefully placed the Dragon Marrow Grass, the deep red stalks dissolving slowly as they released their marrow-rich nutrients into the liquid. Next came the Blood-Forging Lotus, its pulsing veins spreading outward as if breathing life into the mixture.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Finally, Jiang Cheng added the Thunderroot Vine, watching in both awe and horror as the crackling energy from the vine caused the entire cauldron to shudder violently.


    Bolts of weak lightning arced across the surface, flickering in jagged streaks like the cauldron was being possessed by some chaotic spirit.


    Jiang Cheng stepped back, his heart racing. The air around the cauldron grew thick with a crackling tension that sent goosebumps up his arms. What the hell did I just do?


    His eyes widened as the dark liquid inside the cauldron began to bubble more furiously, the surface frothing like a boiling cauldron of doom. The blood essences now seemed to hiss and writhe as if alive, swirling around in an angry, chaotic dance.


    Oh no,¡± Jiang Cheng muttered under his breath, his legs weak as he took another cautious step backward. ¡°Why does it feel like I¡¯ve just summoned a cursed beast?¡±


    A flash of lightning crackled right above his head, making him flinch so violently that he nearly tripped over his own feet. What if it explodes?!


    He began to tremble, his mind racing as the cauldron continued to crackle ominously. Did the ancestors try to deceive me with this prescription?


    After a few hours of burning, he Then turn off the fire and looked at the dark liquid in the cauldron still boiling but not like the first time . He breath a sigh of relief


    Jiang Cheng inhaled deeply, his face twisted in a poor expression of full of despair. ¡°Today... today, the poor Taoist priest will risk his life for the greater good of the world,¡± he said, voice dripping with mock seriousness, as though about to ascend to the heavens. ¡°I implore the heavens, the gods, and Buddha himself to show mercy upon this poor soul!¡±


    He raised his hands toward the sky, though realistically, there wasn¡¯t much sky to see in his cave


    " If I fall here, let it be in the name of righteousness, a noble cause, and definitely not because I¡¯m too stubborn to back out¡­¡±


    Heavens " __ "


    Gods " __ "


    The cauldron bubbled menacingly, completely unfazed by his theatrics.


    Jiang Cheng, trembling like a leaf in the wind, quickly threw his clothes aside, and with one last breath, he jumped into the cauldron¡ªnaked as a newborn.


    The moment his body hit the boiling liquid, every nerve in his body screamed in agony. It felt like a thousand needles had just been driven into his skin, each one burning with an unholy heat. His muscles clenched, his breath caught in his throat, and for a brief, terrifying moment, he thought he might just combust.


    "AHHHHH!!" he yelped, his voice high-pitched as he instantly regretted every life choice that led him to this moment. The cauldron was like a giant, living furnace¡ªeach inch of his body seemed to be on fire, the heat seeping into his very bones. His skin felt as though it was being roasted alive, the burning sensation crawling deeper with every passing second.


    "Why does this feel like I''m being cooked alive?!" he screamed his body spasming uncontrollably. The cauldron definitely didn''t feel like a healing bath, eyes wide with panic.


    "The ancestors definitely deceived me!" he wailed,


    The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a conspiracy. They probably gave me the worst ingredients on purpose,


    I should''ve listened to Ruan Xue and just bought the spirit tea set," he muttered bitterly, trying to make light of the situation as his body continued to convulse.


    Jiang Cheng slipped and fell fully into the cauldron, swallowing several mouthfuls of the burning liquid.


    "FUCK!" he screamed, choking as the molten-like liquid scorched his throat. His stomach twisted in agony. "Why did I think this was a good idea?" he groaned, barely keeping his head above the surface as the pain intensified.


    As Jiang Cheng''s body contorted in agony, the relentless burning sensation seeping deep into his bones, a familiar thought began to creep into his mind.


    Why did I think I was ready for this?


    Every pulse of pain reminded him of his own limitations. He had always prided himself on his determination, but this was beyond anything he had experienced before.


    Was he truly prepared to take on the trials of cultivation? Was he capable of surpassing the limits of his mortal body?


    The thought made him grit his teeth, fighting back tears and the urge to give up.


    No. I¡¯ve come this far. The path of cultivation isn''t easy, but if I stop now, what was the point of everything I''ve endured?


    For a fleeting moment, Jiang Cheng allowed himself to acknowledge his vulnerability. He was terrified, yes, but he wasn''t going to quit. He had no other choice but to keep going. With each wave of pain, his willpower strengthened, and his resolve became more unshakable.


    "Pain is but a fleeting shadow, and I am the one who will outlast it! I will rise from this cauldron like a dragon from the depths!" he muttered to himself, almost defiantly.


    The medicinal bath continues for quite a while, and slowly, Jiang Cheng''s frantic screams faded into gritted teeth and clenched fists. The pain still roared through his body, but his mind began to sharpen as the power of the medicine slowly seeped in.


    At first, it felt like his very soul was being ripped apart, but gradually, the fiery torment began to blend into something more... bearable. He could feel the power of the beast blood, the herbs, and the spiritual essence working their way through his muscles, strengthening his tendons, and fortifying his bones. His body slowly started to adjust, like a blacksmith''s hammer forging steel.


    Slowly, Jiang Cheng began to actively devour the energy within the black liquid.


    his body seemed to hum with power, and the pain that had once overwhelmed him began to fade. Instead, a deep, satisfying warmth spread throughout his entire being. He felt his muscles stretch and strengthen, tendons becoming like steel, and his very bones felt unbreakable.


    As the energy surged through him, his power grew at a terrifying rate. His Qi flowed more smoothly, and his body seemed to expand, absorbing the immense vitality from the medicinal bath.


    It was as though he was being remade from the inside out, and he could feel himself getting stronger, faster, more formidable, "The ancients didn¡¯t deceive me," he loughed for a while before he calmed down.


    Jiang Cheng remained in the cauldron for three full hours, his body absorbing every drop of energy the black liquid had to offer. The pain, once unbearable, had long faded into a strange, almost euphoric feeling of growth and strength.


    His body now thrummed with power, each breath deeper, more controlled, as if he had just unlocked a hidden reservoir of energy within himself.


    Finally, the once-vibrant black liquid began to lose its intensity, gradually turning a dull gray, devoid of any life or energy. The cauldron, now just a hollow vessel, seemed to exhale a soft hiss as the last of its power faded away.


    Finally, Jiang Cheng felt the last remnants of energy drain from the cauldron. He let out a long sigh of relief, his body still tingling with residual power. "It''s finally over," he muttered to himself, feeling a strange mixture of triumph and exhaustion. His blood seemed to boil with energy, and for a moment, he actually thought he could crush a Golden Core monk with one hand if they dared show up in front of him.


    "Yeah, right," he chuckled to himself, shaking off the ridiculous thought. His mind was just a bit too clouded with newfound strength, but it felt good to dream.


    Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion hit him like a hammer, and his eyelids fluttered. The energy that had once surged through him now seemed to drain away in an instant, and all he could think about was sleep. Without any more strength to resist, he slumped back into the cauldron, his body sinking into a deep, uncontrollable slumber.


    Jiang Cheng slipped into a deep sleep, his body sinking into the warm embrace of the cauldron. In his dream, he found himself seated on a throne of golden jade, surrounded by thousands of ethereal beauties. They showered him with praises, each more extravagant than the last.


    He basked in their adoration, grinning like a fool. This is the life, he thought, eyes half-lidded as they fed him fruits and whispered sweet words.


    Just as he was about to declare his eternal reign, a loud growl echoed through the dream. His stomach grumbled, ruining the perfect illusion.


    "Not now," he mumbled, eyes still closed as the girls around him offered more food, unaware of his very real hunger.

 Chapter 24_"The way of Gou Dao "

    ....


    Early the next morning, Jiang Cheng¡¯s stomach rumbled again, pulling him from his delusions of grandeur. His dream palace flickered, the beautiful attendants vanishing like smoke. With a groggy groan, he stirred, his body sore yet thrumming with newfound strength.


    His eyelids fluttered open, revealing the inside of the now-drained cauldron. The thick medicinal residue clung to his skin, leaving behind a faint crimson sheen. He flexed his fingers, feeling a surge of power run through his limbs. His entire body felt denser, stronger¡ªlike tempered steel wrapped in flesh.


    "So this is what it means to be reborn through suffering, huh?" he muttered to himself, stretching his arms. His joints cracked like thunder, a testament to the strengthening of his bones and muscles. Even the lingering exhaustion couldn¡¯t overshadow the satisfaction of his progress.


    But first¡ªfood.


    His body had burned through an immense amount of energy, and now it demanded sustenance. He climbed out of the cauldron, stumbling slightly as he adjusted to his enhanced physique. He reached for his storage bag, retrieving a roasted spirit beast leg he had prepared earlier. Without hesitation, he tore into it, savoring the rich, Qi-infused meat.


    As he ate, he closed his eyes, focusing inward.


    The results of the medicinal bath were beyond his expectations. His Qi channels felt wider, his muscles more compact, and his bones... almost unbreakable.


    He clenched his fist tightly, feeling the surging force within. Based on his estimation, each of his arms now carried a strength of at least a thousand kilograms. If he were to strike a Second Stage Qi Refining cultivator, a single punch would shatter them into pieces.


    The thought sent a shiver of excitement through him.


    " Although I¡¯m not a fan of fighting, if some blind bastard provokes me this time¡­ I will definitely¡ªahem¡ªkeep an even lower profile and try not to stand out from the crowd.


    What are you expecting from me? To go wild and fight enemies everywhere? To cut down arrogant young masters left and right?


    No, no, that is not our path!


    As long as we act cautiously and always adhere to the essence of Gou Dao¡ªthe Way of the Hidden Dog¡ªsooner or later, we will rise to the top!


    With a solemn and righteous expression, Jiang Cheng placed his hands behind his back, nodding sagely as if he had comprehended the ultimate truth of the universe.


    Then he to take a dignified step forward to the market to sell the talisman that he still has with him


    Then, with renewed determination (and only a slightly bruised ego), Jiang Cheng took a dignified step forward toward the market to sell the talismans he still had with him.


    As he walked, he muttered to himself, "From the 5,000 spirit stones I had yesterday, only a thousand and a few hundreds remain¡­ I need to make more money."


    His eyes flickered with ambition.


    "The Foundation Establishment Pill¡­ I¡¯ll need one sooner or later. Although, with my qualifications, I could break through easily¡­"


    He slowed his pace, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    "But just to be safe¡­ who knows what could happen, right? What if some heavenly tribulation decides to make my life difficult? Or worse¡ªwhat if I get stuck at the last moment and become one of those cultivators who fail at the threshold of Foundation Establishment and turn into wandering drunks?"Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    A shiver ran down his spine at the thought.


    "No, no, that won¡¯t be me. I¡¯ll prepare everything in advance! Resources, pills, safety precautions¡ªI¡¯ll leave nothing to chance!" Jiang Cheng thought in his way


    Normally, with his income from running a stall, if he saves a little, he can have a lot of spirit stones left in a year. It''s just because Jiang Cheng has to buy talismans, spirit rice, spirit gathering pills, monster meat etc., it costs too much, so he doesn''t. It can save spiritual stones.


    The spiritual farmers in Puchan town is really miserable. He has worked hard for a year to farm, and the harvested spiritual rice is sold to Qinglin Sect, which is barely enough to pay for the rent of a fourth-class cave, so he can barely survive.


    This was despite the spiritual farmer working hard day and night to cultivate the land. If he slacked off a little and didn''t collect enough spiritual stones, he might be expelled from the cave.


    Therefore, many farmers moved to the shantytowns sold by the gray-robed Taoist priests and rented caves in the shantytowns. The spirit stones needed were much less, and they could save a lot of it.


    At first, most monks were waiting and watching, worried that the Qinglin Sect would take action to rectify the shanty town.


    But as time went by, the Sect had no intention of taking care of these shantytowns.


    All the spiritual farmers couldn''t wait to move to the shantytowns. Many even spent all their savings to buy cave houses in the shantytowns.


    "I always feel that Qinglin Sect is going to make a big move."


    Jiang Cheng had a vague guess in his heart.


    Qinglin Sect did not rectify the shantytowns at this time, perhaps because it felt that leeks were not enough.


    How can one or two leeks be as good as cutting a large wave of leeks?


    When he passed by Taoist Yan cave, he saw him waiting for him.


    "Fellow Daoist Jiang , I have been waiting for a long time."


    Back at the cave, Taoist Yan was waiting at the door with a pot of spiritual wine.


    Spiritual wine is similar to ordinary medicinal wine. The monks mix various spiritual medicines with various spiritual waters according to secret recipes, seal them for months or years, and ferment them.


    Taoist Yan is good at brewing spiritual wine. The cold spring nectar he brews has a unique taste. It has a sweet and long aftertaste and can also increase the monk''s magic power.


    In Puchan Town, it is quite popular, with a price tag of fifteen low-grade spiritual stones per pot.


    It is precisely because of this craft that Taoist Yan can live a comfortable life in Puchan town.


    "Fellow Taoist Yan , is there cold spring nectar in your hand?"


    Jiang Cheng''s eyes lit up when he saw the specially made wine flask in Taoist Yan''s hand.


    This kind of special wine pot is only used by Taoist Yan to hold cold spring nectar.


    Taoist Yan smiled and said, "I have important matters to discuss with fellow Taoists, naturally I don''t dare to neglect them."


    "That being the case, why don''t we discuss it in detail at Seihong Residence ?


    Jiang Cheng ''s expression changed and he immediately invited.


    "Fellow Taoist, please !"


    The smile on Taoist Yan''s face became even wider.


    Seihongju is a restaurant in Puchan City. There is a spiritual chef in charge. The spiritual food cooked can also nourish the monk''s body and increase his mana.


    The two of them went to Seihong Residence together, and Jiang Cheng spent more than a dozen low-grade spiritual stones to set up a table of spiritual delicacies.


    In the private room, Jiang Cheng and Taoist Yan were eating and drinking while talking about the recent events in Puchan .


    The atmosphere in the elegant room quickly heated up as the glasses were exchanged.


    Seeing that Taoist Yan never mentioned the purpose of looking for him, Jiang Cheng happily chatted with Taoist Yan and asked about some things that he didn''t know.


    Over the past three months , under Jiang Cheng ''s deliberate management, he got along well with Taoist Yan .


    From Taoist Yan''s mouth, I learned many secrets.


    Taoist Yan couldn''t help it and broke the deadlock: "I have a business here. If it succeeds, I can earn a lot of spiritual stones. Fellow Taoist, are you interested in participating?"


    "what business?"


    Jiang Cheng ''s expression remained unchanged and he asked.


    "Fellow Taoist, have you ever heard about the fifth-class caves that have opened outside Puchan town in the past two years?"


    Taoist Yan sold a pass.


    There are only four levels of caves rented and sold in Puchan town . In the shantytowns that have arisen outside of Puchan Town, the caves among them are jokingly called fifth-level caves due to environmental problems.


    "Have heard a little bit."


    This business is related to these caves. Several Taoist friends and I plan to purchase all the remaining fifth-class caves and then sell them to those spiritual cultivators at a higher price."


    Taoist Yan lowered his voice and said mysteriously.


    "..."


    Jiang Cheng was speechless for a moment, calling him a good guy in his heart.


    Isn''t this just real estate speculation?


    Taoist Yan asked: "Fellow Taoist, are you interested in participating?"


    "To be honest with you fellow Taoist, I also want to participate. However, I have been trying to refine the fireball talisman recently. It costs a lot of money. I am a little nervous and I am really powerless."


    Jiang Cheng looked helpless and annoyed.


    This business was not reliable no matter how you looked at it.


    First, the "fifth-level cave" in the shantytown was at risk of being demolished at any time. Once problems occurred with the spiritual stones invested by Taoist Yan and others, they might be wasted.


    Moreover, the real estate speculators would not have a good death!


    This kind of business was inherently harmful to others and not beneficial to oneself, and it was very easy to offend those spiritual plant farmers .


    If any spiritual plant farmer was not happy and attacked from behind, he might be caught by mistake and lose more than he gained.


    He did not need to get involved in this matter.


    "That''s a pity. You missed a chance to make a fortune."


    Taoist Yan saw that Jiang Cheng ''s expression did not seem to be fake, and felt sorry for Jiang Cheng.


    The two continued to chat for a while, and after sweeping away the spiritual food and cold spring nectar, they ended the party and said goodbye.


    "I wonder how many unlucky people will be this time?"


    Looking at Taoist Yan who left in a hurry and seemed to be looking for partners, Jiang Cheng shook his head.


    Then he continues in his way to the stalls area, after saying hello to the monks in the area, he sit up a stall and sit across legged, A meal of spiritual food, plus a pot of cold spring nectar, he stored a lot of spiritual energy in his body, which must not be wasted.

 Chapter 25_ "Whispers of the Ominous Void"

    __________________


    For the next month, Jiang Cheng returned to his ordinary life¡ªdrawing talismans, selling them, buying pills, eating monster meat, cultivating, and generally enjoying life.


    At dawn, he would set up his stall in the marketplace, exchanging his meticulously crafted Middle Fireball Talismans for spirit stones. By midday, he¡¯d already be counting his earnings while chewing on a roasted beast leg. Then, in the afternoon, he¡¯d either focus on cultivation or head out to procure materials for more talismans.


    It was a comfortable routine, and his wallet was finally starting to recover from the medicinal bath expenses.


    Today marked a full month since Jiang Cheng¡¯s last medicinal bath. Without hesitation, he prepared his materials, arranged everything meticulously, and then¡ªlike a seasoned veteran¡ªjumped into the cauldron once more.


    The scalding medicinal liquid surged through his body, igniting a familiar burning pain. However, unlike the first time, Jiang Cheng quickly adapted. His muscles tensed, but he remained composed. His tolerance had grown, and his body had become accustomed to the process.


    Three hours passed.


    He emerged from the cauldron, casting a cleaning technique over himself to remove the lingering medicinal residue. Then, with a practiced efficiency, he devoured a hearty meal of spirit beast meat, replenishing his energy.


    Feeling the surge of Qi within his body, Jiang Cheng returned to his quiet room, sitting cross-legged as he entered deep meditation.


    This time, as he absorbed the medicinal effects, he could sense the subtle but profound transformations taking place within him. His meridians had widened even further, his muscles carried an explosive strength, and his bones felt sturdier than ever.


    The spiritual energy in the void stirred, converging toward him like rivers flowing into the sea. Threads of pure Qi poured into his meridians, nourishing his flesh, bones, and dantian.


    Four months had passed since his last breakthrough.


    With the continuous support of spiritual rice, spirit-gathering pills, and the dense energy within his cave, his cultivation had advanced steadily. Now, he stood at the precipice¡ªthe peak of Qi Training Fifth Level.


    He estimated that tonight would be the night he finally stepped into the Sixth Level of Qi Training.


    As time passed and night fell, Jiang Cheng¡¯s breathing deepened. His body trembled slightly as the energy within him began to surge violently, like a dam about to burst.


    Then¡ª


    BOOM!


    A surge of spiritual energy erupted within his dantian, spreading through his meridians like a raging river breaking through its banks. The room trembled slightly, and the lingering medicinal energy from his past baths activated, reinforcing his breakthrough.


    Qi Training Sixth Level¡ªachieved!


    Jiang Cheng struck while the iron was hot, running the Longevity Technique several more times to stabilize his cultivation. His spiritual energy circulated smoothly, settling into a more refined and controlled state.


    After what felt like an eternity, he slowly opened his eyes.


    A sharp light flickered in his gaze, full of confidence and hidden power.


    "My cultivation has reached the sixth level of Qi training, my spiritual strength has deepened, and¡­" He clenched his fist, feeling the terrifying force within.


    "My body¡­ has changed again. My arm strength has reached nearly seven thousand kilograms."


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Jiang Cheng exhaled a breath of turbid air, feeling the transformation in every fiber of his being. His muscles felt compact and full of explosive force, his bones sturdy like tempered steel.


    Putting aside the increase in mana, this was what satisfied him the most.


    A true foundation for power.


    Jiang Cheng sat in quiet contemplation, feeling the newfound power coursing through his body. His Qi was denser, his muscles tougher, and his strength had surged to a terrifying level.


    But despite his satisfaction, a sense of regret lingered in his heart.


    "Sigh¡­ if only I had a proper soul cultivation technique."


    Although his physical body had been greatly enhanced through medicinal baths and his cultivation progress was steady, his soul remained stagnant with his level . He had read many records about the importance of soul strength¡ªwithout it, even the most powerful body would eventually hit a bottleneck.


    A strong soul could enhance divine sense, mental resilience, and even allow techniques that affected the mind. In battles against more advanced cultivators, a weak soul meant an easy defeat.


    Even in daily life, a powerful soul had benefits.


    Faster comprehension of techniques.


    Greater resistance to soul attacks.


    Enhanced ability to refine talismans and artifacts.


    But soul cultivation techniques were rare and extremely valuable. Even in the Qinglin Sect, only inner disciples or those with great merit had access to them.


    Jiang Cheng sighed again and shook his head.


    "No point dwelling on it now. If I don¡¯t have one, I¡¯ll just have to find a way to get one!"


    He clenched his fist, determination flickering in his eyes.


    For now, he would continue strengthening his foundation, earning more spirit stones, and looking for opportunities. A soul cultivation technique¡­ sooner or later, he would get his hands on one.


    However, there was no rush.


    Jiang Cheng glanced outside, noticing the sun already high in the sky. "Time flies so quickly when you''re meditating," he sighed. Rising from his seat, he stretched and made his way to the kitchen for a meal. After satisfying his hunger, he returned to his desk, prepared a fresh stack of talisman paper, and settled down again.


    "The time Has came, he murmured to himself, a sense of anticipation rising within him. "Today, I¡¯ll attempt to create a new talisman¡ªPiercing Wind talisman, one of middle grade, infused with the attributes of wind, Fires an arrow of compressed wind at high speed.


    It had been a journey of countless errors and mistakes, each one a lesson in itself. But at last, after much trial and error, Jiang Cheng felt the stirrings of success. The wind element was notoriously difficult to manipulate, but he had succeeded. His success rate in drawing the talisman had reached a solid 70%.


    "Seventy percent is enough, you can try to draw the fireball talisman."


    Peace of mind.


    Calm.


    After reciting the Calming Mantra silently several times to put his body into a state of stillness, Jiang Cheng began to draw the Piercing Wind talisman.


    I have experience in drawing in dreams, and the first piercing wind symbol was drawn successfully.


    Taking advantage of the hot state, successfully drew piercing wind symbols one after another.


    For the next period of time, Jiang Cheng was immersed in drawing the piercing wind talisman.


    ....


    Meanwhile, Taoist Yan''s real estate speculation business had taken off with astonishing speed.


    He forged influential connections and attracted several monks from prominent families. Together, they snapped up all the remaining fifth-class caves outside Puchan Town.


    Then, with a cunning strategy, they raised the prices¡ªmerely one to two hundred low-grade spirit stones above the norm¡ªand resold the cave houses to spiritual farmers, casual cultivators,


    And only for sale, not for rent.


    At first, spiritual farmers and the low-level casual cultivators had a big fight with Taoist Yan over this.


    But because most of Taoist Yan and others are tyrannical, some of them are related to the law enforcement team of Puchan Town .


    The only people who will suffer in the end are the spiritual farmers and the low-level casual cultivators.


    In addition, Taoist Yan and others'' pricing is very clever. The price of each fifth-level cave is only one to two hundred lower-grade spiritual stones higher than the normal price.


    Spiritual farmers and the low-level casual cultivators gritted their teeth, but they were still able to get together.


    Although they were unwilling to do so, they could only admit it by pinching their noses and handed the spirit stones into the hands of Taoist Yan .


    A fifth-level cave house can earn one or two hundred low-grade spiritual stones. Once the number is large, Taoist Yan and others will naturally make a lot of money.


    Relying on this business, Taoist Yan bought the third-class cave where he now lives.


    This shows how much money he made.


    Taoist Yan lamented for Jiang Cheng more than once, saying that if Jiang Cheng had been involved, he would have bought the cave he now lives in just like him.


    Jiang Cheng just smiled and didn''t care too much.


    ...


    A month later, Jiang Cheng had successfully drawn three hundred and seventy-five Piercing Wind Talismans, with his success rate still hovering around 70%. It seemed incredibly difficult to improve any further.


    ¡°I think once I break through to the late stage of Qi Refining, my success rate will improve beyond 70%,¡± Jiang Cheng thought to himself, his brow furrowed in contemplation.


    As night fell, Jiang Cheng sighed, "I''m a little tired. Time to rest. Tomorrow, I''ll go sell my new products." With a smile on his face, he settled into bed and drifted off to sleep, feeling content.


    ...


    Beyond the Tianmin world, far beyond countless galaxies, in the uncharted reaches of the universe, lies the fabled Void Sea¡ªa place where even the mightiest stars fade into insignificance, swallowed by an eternal abyss. Here, the cold silence of the cosmos reigns supreme, an endless expanse where time itself loses meaning. Space twists and fractures unpredictably, giving birth to storms of void energy that ripple across the endless dark, consuming all in their path.


    In the infinite abyss of the Void Sea, where light dared not tread and space itself howled in silent agony, ten monstrous figures stood amidst the churning darkness. Their divine thoughts wove together, forming a sinister chorus that reverberated through the void like the tolling of a funeral bell.


    "We have waited for tens of thousands of years," one of them murmured, his voice like a whisper from the grave, seething with anticipation. "Finally, the moment has come. The Sovereign of Life walks alone. This time, we will slaughter her in one fell swoop!"


    A second voice, colder than the emptiness between dying stars, followed. "The Sovereign of Life is the right hand of the Celestial Monarch of Stars , the foundation upon which the devine Court stands. Once she falls, the pillars will crack, and the heavens themselves will tremble."


    A low, guttural chuckle echoed through the void, dripping with malice. "Hahaha¡­ if the Empress of Life, the creator of the human race, perishes, her dear sister, the Empress of Earth, will be driven mad! The devine Court will be plunged into chaos. War will follow. Blood will stain the cosmos."


    A fourth entity, its form shifting like an eternal nightmare, let out a chilling sigh, almost wistful. "Poor little Empress of Earth¡­ Do you think she¡¯ll come seeking vengeance?"


    "Let her come," a voice rumbled, thick with contempt. "If she dares to step into my domain alone, I will delight in tearing her apart¡ªpiece by piece¡ªuntil she joins her sister in oblivion."


    The surrounding darkness seemed to pulse in agreement, a silent, eldritch heartbeat.


    The Void Sea trembled, and the universe itself seemed to hold its breath. Something was about to change.

 Chapter 26_"Piercing the Market"

    ...


    Jiang Cheng woke up early in the morning, feeling refreshed after a good night''s sleep. Today was a big day¡ªhe was finally going to introduce his Piercing Wind Talismans to the market.


    After a hearty breakfast of roasted spirit beast meat and spirit rice, he packed up his goods. Alongside his usual Middle Fireball Talismans,


    he carefully stored several stacks of Piercing Wind Talismans, making sure they were properly sealed to prevent any accidental activation.


    As he made his way to the bustling marketplace, he noticed a slight change in the atmosphere. There were more cultivators than usual, and a few unfamiliar faces were scattered throughout the crowd. Something was going on.


    Jiang Cheng set up his stall, placing a small wooden sign next to his talismans:


    New Product! Piercing Wind Talisman ¨C Middle Grade Fires a high-speed wind arrow, capable of piercing through defenses.


    Before he could even settle in, a curious cultivator stopped by. "Piercing Wind Talisman?" the man muttered, picking one up. "Never seen this before. How strong is it compared to a Fireball Talisman?"


    Jiang Cheng smiled calmly. "The Middle Fireball Talisman is better for explosive damage, but the Piercing Wind Talisman is faster and more precise. It can penetrate protective barriers and even some low-tier defensive talismans."


    The man¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest. "How much?"


    "Twenty-two low-grade spirit stones each," Jiang Cheng replied.


    The cultivator frowned. "That''s two spiritual stones more than a Fireball Talisman."


    ""It''s more precise, has a longer range, and is harder to dodge," Jiang Cheng said confidently.


    Just then, a large flying monster bird soared through the sky above the marketplace. It was a common sight¡ªthese creatures often scouted for scraps or weak prey.


    Jiang Cheng''s lips curled into a slight smile. "Let¡¯s test it in action. Fellow Daoists, see for yourselves."


    He stood up, flicked his wrist, and activated the Piercing Wind Talisman.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of compressed wind shot through the air like a lightning-fast arrow. Before the bird could even react, the wind projectile pierced its body.


    Boom!


    The creature exploded into a blood mist , scattering remnants of flesh and feathers across the sky.


    The crowd fell silent.


    A few moments later, an awed murmur spread among the cultivators.


    "Incredible speed!"


    "It didn''t even have a chance to dodge!"


    "it has the power of a full blow of middle stage Qi refining"


    "A direct kill¡­ this is even deadlier than a Fireball Talisman!"


    Jiang Cheng remained composed, folding his arms as if this outcome was only natural. "Now, do you see its value?"


    The hesitating customers from before immediately stepped forward, their eyes burning with newfound excitement.


    "I¡¯ll take five !"This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Give me seven !"


    "four for me!"


    Jiang Cheng smiled as spirit stones piled up in front of him. Business was thriving.


    Not far from Jiang Cheng¡¯s stall, a group of talisman masters stood watching the spectacle unfold. Their faces twitched slightly as they observed the rush of customers eagerly buying his Piercing Wind Talismans.


    One elder, dressed in a dark blue robe with ink-stained fingers, clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Hmph. A mere middle-grade talisman, and yet he¡¯s selling it like it¡¯s some grand treasure. The audacity."


    A younger talisman maker beside him, arms crossed, frowned. "But you saw it yourself! That speed¡­ that power¡­ even a defensive talisman wouldn¡¯t block it in time. It¡¯s not just hype."


    Another old talisman master let out a long sigh. "That¡¯s the problem! The damn thing works too well! His success rate must be at least seventy percent¡­ Do you know how hard it is to make a stable wind-element talisman?"


    The man in blue scoffed. "Tch. Maybe he¡¯s got some secret technique. Or a high-grade wind-attribute brush¡­"


    The youngest among them muttered bitterly, "Or maybe¡­ he¡¯s just better than us."


    Silence.


    The older masters exchanged glances, their pride wounded.


    The elder in blue snorted, then turned away. "Hmph. Let¡¯s see how long he can keep this up. Talisman making isn¡¯t just about one good product. Let¡¯s see if he can maintain that success in the long run."


    Still, as they left, none of them could deny it¡ªJiang Cheng had shaken the marketplace today.


    Jiang Cheng stayed in the market until noon, and by the time he was ready to leave, he had sold forty-four Piercing Wind Talismans. With a total of 1,034 spirit stones earned today, his wallet was finally feeling full again.


    Satisfied with his success, he packed up his stall and made his way toward a nearby restaurant to celebrate¡ªnot only for his earnings but also for his recent breakthrough to the Sixth Level of Qi Training.


    However, as he walked through the bustling streets, a few shadowy figures lurking in the alleys had already set their eyes on him.


    __


    In a dimly lit corner of the market, several rough-looking cultivators whispered among themselves. Their leader, a wiry man with a scar across his cheek, licked his lips greedily.


    "Did you see that? That kid made over a thousand spirit stones in just one morning." His voice was full of desire. "That¡¯s not a cultivator¡ªthat¡¯s a walking fortune!"


    A bald man beside him grinned maliciously. "A fat fish indeed. He¡¯s alone, doesn¡¯t seem to have any backing, and he¡¯s just a talisman maker. If we take him down, we can live comfortably for months."


    A younger rogue cultivator chuckled. "And don¡¯t forget, he still has a bunch of talismans with him. We can resell them for even more spirit stones!"


    The scarred leader nodded. "We have numbers on our side. Plus, our gang has three brothers at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining. Once we surround him, he won¡¯t even have a chance to react¡ª"


    BOOM!


    Before he could finish his sentence, an overwhelming wave of Qi burst forth from Jiang Cheng¡¯s body.


    The air trembled slightly.


    The rogues instantly froze in place as they felt the pressure of a Sixth Level Qi Refining cultivator radiating from their supposed "fat fish."


    "Shit!" The bald man cursed .


    The young rogue cultivator¡¯s face turned white as a sheet. "He¡¯s at the Sixth Level?! Just like Us three brothers !"


    The scarred leader¡¯s expression twisted and spat in the Ground cursing "He¡¯s not just a Sixth Level cultivator¡ªhe¡¯s also a Talisman Master!"


    For a moment, they stood rooted to the spot, their minds racing.


    Then, realization dawned.


    "Even if we have numbers, so what?" The bald man swallowed hard. "Three of us are at the Sixth Level¡­ but so is he! And unlike us, he has who knows how many talismans with him. Do you really want to fight a Talisman Master head-on?"


    "This isn¡¯t a fortune¡ªthis is a Murderer waiting for us !" the younger rogue blurted out.


    The scarred leader¡¯s greed turned to fear in an instant. "Damn it! Retreat!


    Without hesitation, the group turned around and left , vanishing into the alleys as fast as their legs could carry them.


    "Idiots," he muttered to himself before shaking his head and continuing toward the restaurant.


    Today was a day for celebration, not for wasting time on small fries.


    _


    Jiang Cheng stepped into the familiar Seihong Residence, a well-known restaurant frequented by cultivators and merchants alike. The rich aroma of braised spirit beast meat and spiced wine filled the air, mingling with the lively chatter of customers.


    Instead of requesting a private room, he chose to sit at a regular table on the second floor, where he could listen to the various conversations happening around him. Information was as valuable as spirit stones¡ªsometimes even more so¡ªand a place like this was perfect for gathering rumors about the world beyond his own small circle.


    He waved over a waiter. "A pot of Cloud Mist Wine and a plate of roasted spirit beast ribs."


    "Right away, sir!" The waiter quickly scurried off.


    Jiang Cheng continued sipping his wine, casually listening as the conversation at a nearby table took an interesting turn.


    ¡°Have you heard?¡± a rough-looking cultivator said in a hushed yet excited voice. ¡°Another casual cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining just stumbled upon an inheritance in a city nearby, in the Mortal County. This time, he even got a Foundation Building Pill!¡±


    A burly man next to him grunted in envy. ¡°Tsk, I heard about that too! They say a Golden Core ancestor was the one who left the inheritance. Lucky bastard.¡±


    ¡°Hah, these things happen all the time,¡± another man sighed. ¡°There¡¯s always some lucky ones stumbling into opportunities. Meanwhile, we struggle for every single spirit stone.¡±


    A more experienced cultivator stroked his beard and said, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s not surprising. Most cultivators who break through to Foundation Building¡ªespecially the older ones¡ªleave behind inheritances in various places. Cave dwellings, secret chambers, or hidden ruins¡­ but these resources are almost always meant for Qi Refining


    The burly man nodded. ¡°Yeah, they probably do it as a form of karma, helping younger generations. But it¡¯s rare to find any that leave behind Foundation Building-level techniques or pills. Most only leave some low-grade spiritual herbs, talismans, or manuals.¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s ears perked up as the conversation at the next table took a more intriguing turn.


    A thin cultivator shook his head and muttered, ¡°I don¡¯t understand why these seniors leave behind inheritances so openly. No tricks, no traps, not even restrictive techniques¡­ even the demonic sects do the same.¡±


    A middle-aged man with a tired expression sighed. ¡°Who knows? Maybe they just don¡¯t care. Or maybe they have their own reasons.¡± He took a sip of his drink before adding, ¡°Then again, in this region, we¡¯re basically living in a backwater world. Information is scarce, resources are lacking¡­ even spiritual energy was mysteriously depleted a century ago for no reason.¡±


    The burly man from before grunted. ¡°Yeah, and it¡¯s only now starting to recover. But for a hundred years, this place was nothing but a barren wasteland for cultivation.¡±


    Another cultivator leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the depletion of spiritual energy only happened here, in this region. Other places weren¡¯t affected.¡±


    ¡°No wonder,¡± someone scoffed. ¡°This explains why most cultivators here are so weak. How many Foundation Building cultivators are even willing to stay in this place? Almost none.¡±


    ¡°I heard that even in the Mortal Countries outside this region, their spiritual energy is just as abundant as ours!¡± A man sneered. ¡°Hah, isn¡¯t that a joke? A so-called ¡®cultivation region¡¯ that¡¯s no better than a land of mortals.¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s fingers tapped rhythmically against the table. Spiritual energy depletion?


    He had never paid much attention to history, but now that they mentioned it¡­ the low number of Foundation Building cultivators, the weak cultivation standards, and the scarcity of resources in this area suddenly made more sense.


    A century ago, something must have happened to drain the spiritual energy from this land.


    And now, it was slowly recovering.

 Chapter 27_ "Market Secrets and Silent Schemes"

    __


    Another table nearby was occupied by a group of casual cultivators, their voices filled with gossip.


    "Have you heard? The price of Evil Suppressing Talismans is skyrocketing again! Those damned shopkeepers and talisman masters in the stall area are hoarding them and driving up the prices!" one of them grumbled, taking a sip of his drink.


    "Yeah, I heard about that. But there''s something else," another chimed in. "A casual cultivator at the Fourth level of Qi Refining was found dead in an alley just a few miles from here."


    The conversation shifted as another cultivator, a slightly older man with a scar on his cheek, leaned in and whispered, "Word from the law enforcement team is that it was the work of a ghost cultivator¡ªa woman who had disguised herself in human skin and snuck into the market. Her strength was about the sixth level of Qi Training."


    The others exchanged wary glances.


    "Ghost cultivators, huh" one muttered. "Evil spirits that have learned to practice cultivation... They¡¯re twisted, full of resentment and hatred, and they prey on souls. I heard they like to devour cultivators."


    the scarred cultivator nodded grimly. "That''s exactly what happened. That poor guy had his soul ripped out and devoured by her."


    Jiang Cheng''s mind flickered with a fleeting thought. A ghost cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Training... it¡¯s not a serious threat.


    A subtle sense of relief washed over him. At least this time, the danger was manageable.


    A ghost cultivator at the sixth level of Qi training can''t shake the stability of the market, at least it doesn''t pose much of a threat to the cultivators living in the third-class caves and above


    Jiang Cheng nodded slightly, thinking to himself that the market¡¯s stability wouldn¡¯t be threatened by such an entity. Especially not for cultivators like himself.


    He knew that a defensive formation around a third-class cave could easily hold off any attack from a ninth-level cultivator. And besides, he was confident in his ability to crush any sixth-level ghost cultivator without breaking a sweat.


    But then he thought about the dead cultivator. The man had probably fallen victim to the ghost''s allure, tricked by the beauty of the ghostly woman.


    Another one who died chasing skirts.¡±


    ¡°Sigh¡­ He must have thought he was the chosen one of some romantic encounter. Turns out, he was just a walking meal.¡±


    ¡°Heh, if she was really that beautiful, wouldn¡¯t you have fallen for it too?¡±


    A skinny cultivator shivered. ¡°Hell no! If a woman this gorgeous shows up out of nowhere and approaches me, that¡¯s when I know it¡¯s time to run, how can such a Good thing happen to me "


    Laughter erupted at the table, but deep down, every man there made a silent vow¡ªnever trust a mysterious beauty appearing alone in an alley.


    "Ah, poor guy. But let this be a lesson to all of us. Never let your lower body make decisions for you!"


    " haha, your right in this"


    Jiang Cheng sitting behind them chuckles and shake his head


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s attention was drawn to a more intriguing conversation happening at another table, where a few mortals and martial artists were discussing the latest gossip in town.


    "Have you heard?" one of them began, his voice low but urgent. "Lately, it seems that several girls in Yanzhou City have been defiled by a flower thief, causing all the women there to lock themselves indoors. They¡¯re too scared to even step out into the streets anymore."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Another grim-faced martial artist nodded, his expression hardening. "Yeah, I heard about that too. It seems it was an immortal cultivator behind it. And not only did he defile the girls, but he also tortured them to death¡ªcutting off their breasts and everything. It''s beyond cruel. The guy¡¯s a monster."


    The third man, his voice filled with disgust, added, "The city lord¡¯s mansion was furious. They put out a huge reward and sent a whole group of warriors and detectives to find him, but they ended up with nothing. It¡¯s like he vanished into thin air."


    One of the martial artists leaned in, lowering his voice as if revealing something forbidden. "I heard the immortal cultivators sent by the Qinglin Sect to capture him were always unsuccessful. The guy¡¯s slippery. He even fled to other cities, changed his face, and went right back to his sick business a few months later."


    "Yeah," another man muttered, shaking his head, "It¡¯s said he has a super disguise technique¡ªso good that even the sect disciples can¡¯t track him down. The guy¡¯s a ghost. A real nightmare."


    At this point, one of the men waved his hand dismissively, as if trying to shake off the dark conversation. "Alright, let¡¯s stop discussing this. It¡¯s making me sick just thinking about it."


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he mulled over the disturbing information. It was clear to him that the man in question wasn¡¯t some random rogue, but someone who had likely stumbled upon a cultivation cave or some other opportunity. The mention of the disguise technique raised a few red flags. Such a rare technique was not something that a simple cultivator could easily obtain.


    It was possible that this person¡¯s potential had been limited in his cultivation or stuck, causing him to leave the cultivation world and instead go to the mortal world to sow chaos. The more Jiang Cheng thought about it, the more it made sense. The man had a special technique¡ªsomething that could make him nearly untraceable¡ªand perhaps other items or skills tucked away. If he had truly found such an inheritance, it was worth pursuing.


    Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t help but feel excited as his thoughts swirled. If he could get his hands on that disguise technique, he would be like a fish in water, able to slip in and out of places unnoticed, setting him up for many lucrative opportunities.


    Finishing his drink and meal, Jiang Cheng stood up, his mind already shifting to his next steps. The night had begun to cover the market, and he knew it was time to prepare.


    Back in his cave, Jiang Cheng immediately made his way to the meditation room. He swallowed a Qi Gathering pill and sat down, focusing his mind as the medicinal effect took hold. Hours passed, and when he finally stood up, he felt the surge of energy going through him.


    Satisfied, He made his way to his bedroom, ready to rest, but tonight, he had other plans.


    As he settled into a deep sleep, he entered the dream world, where he would continue his practice of magical spells and techniques. This had become a routine since he¡¯d first traveled through time and space.


    Over the course of his training, he had improved rapidly, mastering his techniques at an astonishing rate. Tonight was special, however. He was on the verge of raising his Eye Technique to the Grandmaster level, and perfecting his Fireball Spell.


    He was thrilled as he felt the magic take root. "I seem to be a natural genius at practicing magic and spells," he thought with pride.


    After basking in his moment of self-admiration, he focused on his Grandmaster-level Spirit Eyes technique. With a mental snap, he shattered the dream world and rose from his


    meditation. It was still the middle of the night, but that didn¡¯t concern him¡ªcultivators could see just as well in the dark.


    He quickly activated the spell and, to his astonishment, his vision expanded beyond anything he had ever imagined. He could now see through walls and even dozens of meters underground. And can see traces of energy in around.


    He marveled at the clarity with which he could detect the faintest of movements.


    And can Even catch the flow in the Formation although it''s just a low level protection formation but it''s Still a formation and he is not involved in this domain but now he can see something from it, if he wants to destroy it quickly he can do it easily even if he still in the middle stage of Qi refining stage.


    __


    Name : Jiang Cheng


    Realm : Middle stage Qi refining


    Spirit roots : pseudo five element spirit roots. Earth, water, fire, Gold, metal.


    ( Hidden : five Element body)


    Spells


    cleaning techniques ( perfection)


    Cooling Breeze Spell (Mastery)


    Cooking Spells ( Grandmaster)


    Illumination Orb ( perfection )


    Spirit Sprout Spell ( mastery)


    Spirit rain technique ( Grandmaster)


    Earth Shaping Technique ( Proficient)


    Wood Plank Refinement Spell (Proficient)


    Wall Reinforcement Art( Proficient)


    Roof Mending Spell ( Grandmaster) etc..


    Martial arts


    Shield technique ( mastery)


    Breath-Holding Technique (Grandmaster)


    Wind Step Technique (perfection )


    Water Needle Technique ( mastery)


    Fireball Technique ( perfection )


    Eyes technique (Grandmaster)


    Mist Veil ( Grandmaster)


    Inferno Wave ( mastery )


    Thunderclap Sword Art ( Grandmaster )


    Thirteen way Sword pose ( mastery)


    First grade middle talisman master


    Talismans :


    Soundproofing Talisman Water


    Blade Talismans, Fireball


    Talisman, Soundproofing


    Talisman, Cleansing/Healing


    Talisman, Protective Talisman or shield talisman. Etc..


    __


    "Looks like the flower thief''s luck has finally run out," Jiang Cheng mused, his grin growing sinister.


    "With this Eye technique at Grandmaster level, plus the Breath Suppressing technique to cover my presence, he won''t be able to escape my grasp. Jejejeje."


    Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t help but laugh aloud, his voice echoing eerily in the stillness of the night. His laughter was so loud and sudden that it would have startled anyone within earshot¡ªexcept there was no one to hear it,


    of course with the formation around No one will hearwill his sinister lough


    Jiang Cheng looked up at the night sky, a devilish grin spreading across his face.


    "Flower thief, your belongings are destined for this young master," he chuckled, his voice laced with satisfaction. He imagined the thief''s inevitable downfall, all but certain in his mind.


    Jiang Cheng, feeling the mental exhaustion from his earlier excitement and planning, decided to return to his bedroom.


    He stretched his arms, letting out a sigh, and sank into his bed, the soft mattress offering a welcome relief from the tension in his muscles.


    Despite his mind racing with thoughts of the flower thief, the weariness soon took over.


    He closed his eyes, the rhythmic pulse of his breathing lulling him into a deep, peaceful sleep. The night was quiet, and Jiang Cheng allowed himself to drift off, his dreams filled with the images of powerful magic and impending victories.

 Chapter 28_ "preparation before the Hunt"

    __


    As the first light of dawn crept over Puchan Town, Jiang Cheng stirred awake, his body feeling refreshed from the previous night¡¯s cultivation. Stretching lazily, he exhaled a breath of spiritual energy before rising from his bed.


    Casting a cleaning technique on himself and a Cooling Breeze Spell in the room , he prepared a hearty breakfast¡ªpan-seared spirit beast meat with a side of steamed spirit grains. The aroma filled the cave, invigorating his senses. Each bite was packed with energy, nourishing both body and mind.


    Satisfaction in life starts with a full stomach.


    Once he finished his meal, Jiang Cheng didn¡¯t rush out. Instead, he settled into his meditation posture, circulating his spiritual energy and refining his state to perfection. The hours slipped by in quiet focus until he finally opened his eyes, feeling his condition reach its peak.


    "Alright, time to get to business."


    He stood up, straightened his robe, and left his cave, heading toward the bustling market.


    A few breaths later, The streets were already lively with cultivators and merchants setting up their stalls.


    The scent of incense, roasted spirit beast skewers, and medicinal herbs mixed in the air. Talismans, pills, and magical tools were displayed openly, with buyers haggling over prices.


    Jiang Cheng paused for a moment, his mind weighing the risks. Since he was heading to the mortal city for his first real hunt, it was only natural to be cautious.


    Though the flower thief had been eluding capture, there was always a chance he was stronger than expected.


    Better to be overprepared than underprepared.


    With that thought, he decided to pay a visit to Qinglin Treasure Pavilion to restock on some crucial supplies.


    _


    Stepping into the familiar treasure pavilion, Jiang Cheng expected to see the quirky Ruan Xue at the counter. Instead, a different girl stood in her place.


    She glanced at him before offering a polite smile. "Welcome, honored guest. How may I assist you today?"


    Jiang Cheng blinked in mild surprise. Where¡¯s Ruan Xue?


    His curiosity got the better of him. "Where is the girl who was usually here?"


    The shop assistant¡¯s expression brightened. "Oh, you must mean Senior Sister Ruan Xue. She was recently promoted¡ªshe''s now a manager of the shop."


    Just as Jiang Cheng processed that information, a familiar voice drifted from behind him.


    "Brother Jiang, long time no see."


    Ruan Xue appeared silently, like a ghost materializing from the shadows. There was a noticeable change in her presence¡ªher aura had grown significantly stronger.


    The pressure she gave off was unmistakably that of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.


    Jiang Cheng turned to her with a smile. "Congratulations, fellow Daoist Ruan, on your breakthrough to late-stage Qi Refining."


    Jiang Cheng was about to respond when Ruan Xue suddenly raised her chin high, her expression filled with haughty arrogance.


    Her aura surged, spreading across the pavilion like an invisible tide. A moment later, she floated a few meters into the air, her robes fluttering dramatically as if caught in an unseen wind.


    With a gaze full of pity and disdain, she looked down at Jiang Cheng like an exalted celestial overlooking a mere ant.


    "Praise me, mortal!" she declared, her voice filled with mock grandeur. "Kowtow before this Empress Ruan and thank me for bestowing my presence upon you! Hmph!"


    Jiang Cheng blinked.


    The shop assistant at the counter nearly choked on her own saliva.


    A few other customers turned to stare, unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.


    Jiang Cheng rubbed his temples, sighing. "I see success has gotten to your head. One breakthrough and suddenly you think you''re an empress?"


    Ruan Xue crossed her arms, still floating. "Hmph! You wouldn¡¯t understand. This Empress has transcended her past self! From now on, the people of Qinglin Market shall sing songs of my brilliance!"


    Jiang Cheng speechless . "I¡¯ll pay someone five spirit stones to spread rumors about how ridiculous you look right now."


    Ruan Xue staggered midair, nearly losing her balance. "You¡ª! You wouldn¡¯t dare!"  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Jiang Cheng smirked. "Try me."


    The shop assistant coughed awkwardly. "Manager Ruan, please come down¡­ you¡¯re scaring the customers."


    Ruan Xue huffed but gracefully descended back to the ground, flipping her sleeves dramatically. "Hmph. This Empress will forgive your ignorance this time. Now, what do you want to buy?"


    Jiang Cheng chuckled. "I need a Spirit armor , preferably a high level


    Ruan Xue raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Going somewhere dangerous? Don¡¯t tell me¡­ you¡¯re finally going on a grand adventure? A heroic journey? A fateful encounter with a goddess?!"


    Jiang Cheng''s lips twitched. "¡­I¡¯m going to beat up a pervert."


    She studied Jiang Cheng closely, her eyes narrowing with a knowing gleam.


    "Wait, are you talking about that monk who''s been wreaking havoc in the Mortal Country? The one who¡¯s been using his cultivation to make trouble with cultivators and mortals alike? He¡¯s been a thorn in the side of a lot of people in the area, especially with his constant escapes."


    " that right do you know something about it fellow Daoist "


    Ruan Xue blinked, then grinned mischievously. " This Empress will give you a piece of information about that pervert"


    Ruan Xue leaned in slightly, her voice low but filled with intrigue. ¡°He¡¯s not just some lowly criminal. The Qinglin Sect sent people after him multiple times, but he keeps slipping away. The guy is a peak Sixth Level Qi Refining cultivator, and his specialty is escape techniques. If you want to take him down, you¡¯ll have to ambush him when he least expects it.¡±


    Jiang Cheng felt his eyelid twitch.


    Peak Sixth Level?


    He had assumed this so-called flower thief was nothing more than an opportunistic rat¡ªa coward running from stronger cultivators. But this? This was different.


    Jiang Cheng stroked his chin, his mind rapidly calculating.


    So he''s slightly stronger than me¡­ and has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.


    A difficult opponent.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s determination wavered for a moment.


    Should he really go through with this?


    What if this pervert turned out to be stronger than expected? What if he had some trump card that allowed him to turn the tables?


    He could already imagine the scene¡ªhim getting overpowered, tied up, and the next thing he knew, his belongings would be stolen instead.


    His hard-earned talismans, his spirit stones, his dignity¡ªgone.


    Jiang Cheng shuddered.


    Ruan Xue watched him with an amused expression. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Brother Jiang? You¡¯re not getting cold feet, are you?¡±


    Jiang Cheng snapped back to reality, his face calm. ¡°Hmph. Of course not.¡±


    Ruan Xue smirked. ¡°Oh? Your expression just now looked like you were seriously reconsidering your life choices.¡±


    Jiang Cheng scoffed. ¡°Nonsense. I was merely¡­ formulating a strategy.¡±


    Ruan Xue rested her chin on her hand, giving him a teasing look. ¡°Oh, really? Then tell me, great strategist, what¡¯s your plan?¡±


    Jiang Cheng opened his mouth¡ª


    ¡­Then closed it.


    He had no plan.


    Yet.


    Ruan Xue burst into laughter. ¡°Hahaha! So you really are hesitating!¡±


    Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth. ¡°I¡¯m just being cautious. Unlike some people, I don¡¯t rush into things without a proper plan.¡±


    Ruan Xue grinned. ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re not an impulsive hothead who likes to take risks?¡±


    Jiang Cheng: ¡°¡­¡±


    He suddenly had the urge to seal her mouth with a talisman.


    Taking a deep breath, Jiang Cheng straightened up, his gaze turning sharp. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll go. But first, I need to make some extra preparations.¡±


    Ruan Xue clapped her hands in delight. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit! Now, let¡¯s talk business. Since I just gave you valuable information, naturally, there¡¯s a fee.¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I should¡¯ve known.¡±


    ¡°Relax, I¡¯ll give you a discount! Only fifteen spirit stones for this priceless intelligence~¡±


    ¡°¡­Ruan Xue, do you think my money falls from the sky?¡±


    She giggled. ¡°If it did, I¡¯d set up a formation and collect it all~¡±


    Jiang Cheng massaged his temples. Why do I keep coming to this place?


    Ruan Xue thought for a moment before saying, "Since you''re one of my few friends, and you''re heading into a serious hunt, you¡¯ll need armor that suits you. I¡¯ll be magnanimous and recommend this piece to you."


    She stood up, and Jiang Cheng followed her to the weaponry section.


    She gestured toward a cloak. "This is the Phantom Shadow Cloak, made from Nightshade Spider Silk and Shadow Essence. It''s weak in direct combat but excels against detection techniques. It can conceal your aura and presence, making ambushes much easier."


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes lit up. This cloak was practically made for him.


    He reached out, brushing his fingers against the fabric. It was impossibly light, yet there was an eerie sensation¡ªlike his hand was slipping through a shadow.


    Ruan Xue smirked. ¡°See? Even the cloak recognizes you as one of its own. It¡¯s practically begging to be yours.¡±


    Jiang Cheng ignored her teasing, his gaze fixed on the craftsmanship. The dark silk shimmered faintly, absorbing light rather than reflecting it. The Shadow Essence woven into it pulsed with a barely perceptible Qi fluctuation, making the cloak feel as if it existed half a step outside reality.


    ¡°This is perfect,¡± he muttered, already picturing how he¡¯d use it. With his Breath-Holding Technique, this cloak would make him nearly undetectable. The pervert wouldn¡¯t even realize he was being hunted until it was too late.


    ¡°How much?¡± Jiang Cheng asked, trying to keep his excitement in check.


    Ruan Xue tapped her chin, pretending to think. ¡°Hmm¡­ since this Empress is in a good mood today, I¡¯ll give you a discount. 950 spirit stones.¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°Ruan Xue, are you robbing me?¡±


    She crossed her arms, looking smug. ¡°Oh? You think that¡¯s expensive? This is a treasure that even Qi Refining late-stage cultivators would kill for! With your sneaky nature, this cloak is practically an investment!¡±


    Jiang Cheng sighed. He had money, but he hated spending it. Still, he couldn¡¯t deny that this cloak was the perfect tool for his mission. After a moment of internal struggle, he reluctantly handed over the spirit stones.


    Ruan Xue grinned as she took the payment. ¡°A wise choice, Brother Jiang! May your enemies never see you coming¡­ until it¡¯s too late.¡±


    Jiang Cheng draped the cloak over his shoulders, and instantly, his presence seemed to fade. Even standing right in front of her, Ruan Xue had to focus her spiritual sense to track him properly.


    She whistled. ¡°Not bad. You look even more like a villain now.¡±


    Jiang Cheng cursed inwardly, resisting the urge to snap at her. He quickly turned and left, trying to avoid any unnecessary conflict. Behind him, he could hear her laughter echoing through the pavilion, but he refused to turn around.


    Ruan Xue sigh " Well, have a safe journey brother Jiang"


    The Girl behind her was curious " who is that brother, senior sister Xue?"


    Ruan Xue smile a little " he is an interesting person"


    __


    Once outside, Jiang Cheng made his way to the stall area, scanning the various vendors. He wandered through the bustling market until he spotted the monk who had sold him poison the previous time.


    He quickly approached him, a sense of purpose in his step. "Fellow Taoist," Jiang Cheng greeted. "Do you have any poison that can take down a high-level cultivator if it strikes them?"


    The monk looked up from his stall, his expression calm as always, though his eyes sharpened slightly at the mention of poison. He scratched his chin thoughtfully before replying, "Ah, I see you''re not looking for the usual stuff. You''re in need of something... potent."


    He reached beneath his stall and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. With a careful hand, he opened it, revealing several vials containing a thick, dark liquid that shimmered ominously.


    "This," he said, his voice lowering, "is the Soul-Devouring Venom. It¡¯s not just for weaklings. This poison is crafted to penetrate even the strongest cultivators'' defenses if it hits the bloodstream. It¡¯s especially effective against those in the late stages of Qi Refining or higher."


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes gleamed as he inspected the vials. The liquid seemed to ripple with a faint, ethereal glow. He could feel the faintest pressure emanating from it, as if the poison itself were alive, waiting to strike.


    He frowned slightly, considering the risks. "How much for one vial?" he asked, his voice steady.


    The monk gave a small, calculating smile. "For you, fellow Daoist... two hundred spirit stones per vial. But be warned, this poison is not something to use lightly. If it¡¯s not handled carefully, it could be just as deadly to the user as the target."


    He exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing.


    Two hundred spirit stones... for each vial. His thoughts raced. The price was steep, but if the poison worked as promised, it could give him an edge over his much stronger opponent. Still, the risks were high.


    What if it backfired? What if it got into his own bloodstream somehow¡ªwhat would be the point of all this preparation if he ended up poisoning himself in the process?


    The monk, seemingly reading the hesitation in his expression, gave a slight chuckle. ¡°You seem like a cautious one, fellow Daoist. Trust me, the price is well worth it if you know what you''re doing."


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s gaze shifted from the vials to the monk¡¯s calculating smile. His fingers twitched, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. I¡¯ve come this far. I can¡¯t afford to be cautious now. But I¡¯ll need to be careful.


    He reached into his pouch, fingers brushing against the cold spirit stones. The faintest flicker of doubt passed through his mind, but he steeled himself.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take two,¡± he said, his voice steady.


    As the monk handed over the vials, Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the true test would come the moment he actually used them. But for now, there was no turning back.


    The monk raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t protest. He handed over the vials with a knowing smile. "Very well, fellow Daoist. May your hunt be successful¡ªand may your enemies fall swiftly."


    With the vials secured, Jiang Cheng gave a brief nod and turned to leave. He was now better equipped for the dangerous hunt ahead. The anticipation of the chase, mixed with the thrill of having such potent tools at his disposal, sent a rush of excitement through him.


    His eyes burned with determination. The flower thief wouldn¡¯t know what hit him.

 Chapter 29_ " on the way"

    __


    Jiang Cheng bought everything he could think of, such as armor, pills for restoring spiritual energy, The Qi recovering Elixir, along with his various Talismanes plus the two Thounder talisman that He still have from before.


    As he was walking, he spotted a mortal vendor selling mundane items. Among the goods were clothes, gold, and silver, which could be exchanged for spiritual stones at a rate of one spirit stone for ten gold bars.


    After thinking for a moment, he decided to approach the vendor.


    He exchanged ten spiritual stones for gold and silver, then purchased a set of simple martial arts clothes. Once his business was concluded, he made his way out of the town.


    The moment he stepped beyond the protective formation that covered the market, he felt the spiritual energy plummet.


    Though it made him feel somewhat uncomfortable, the sensation was bearable. He quickly adapted and performed the perfected Wind Step Technique, propelling himself forward at incredible speed.


    He swept across countless miles in just a few minutes. "The perfection of this technique is truly remarkable," Jiang Cheng thought smugly to himself. "It consumes so little spiritual energy, and the results are incredible. Even if a peak Qi Refining stage monk were to chase me, they''d never catch up."


    As he zipped through the terrain, the landscape unfolded before him¡ªlush rivers, tranquil lakes, towering mountains, and the occasional low-level monster appearing in the distance. Each scene felt like a painting, vibrant and alive.


    "What an amazing view," Jiang Cheng murmured, his thoughts drifting for a moment as he marveled at the world around him. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of awe at the raw beauty of nature. His journey, though fraught with danger, also held moments of wonder that reminded him why he sought power in the first place.


    After a few hours, as Jiang Cheng neared the border between the world of cultivating immortals and the secular realm, he decided to put away his magic power. He subtly circulated his blood, activating the power within him, and then dressed himself as a warrior. With this simple yet effective disguise, he was ready to enter the secular world.


    In the mortal realm, warriors were a common sight in many cities. The flower thief had likely been hiding out in Yanzhou City for some time, and Jiang Cheng knew he would need to be cautious¡ªstrangers, especially those with unusual appearances, would quickly draw attention.


    If he dressed up as a weak scholar, a strange scholar, he would be the most likely to arouse suspicion from others. It was normal for a martial artist who traveled far and wide.


    Moreover, in the eyes of a cultivator in the middle stage of Qi Refining, a martial artist was nothing at all. Even if he was in the innate realm, he could not withstand the powerful power of magic.


    With his disguise in place, Jiang Cheng activated the light body technique that came with his Bloodforge Body Art, moving swiftly along the path.


    As he continued on his way, he encountered a group of bandits lying in wait, hoping to ambush any travelers passing by. The moment they spotted him, they moved in for the attack, thinking he was an easy target.


    The bandit leader, a burly man with a scar across his face, stepped forward and swung a large sword menacingly. "Hand over your valuables, stranger," he growled, "or you won¡¯t live to see another day."


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s expression remained cold and unflinching. Without a word, he closed the distance in an instant. The bandit leader barely had time to register what was happening before Jiang Cheng¡¯s fist struck with brutal force, slamming into his chest with such power that the man¡¯s ribs cracked like dry wood.


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    The force of the blow sent the leader flying backward, his body hitting the ground with a sickening thud. His sword clattered uselessly to the side as he gasped for breath, blood spilling from his mouth. The life drained from his eyes almost immediately, his final moments filled with nothing but the weight of Jiang Cheng¡¯s lethal precision.


    Without even pausing to look back, Jiang Cheng turned to the other bandits, his cold gaze locking onto them. They could already feel the terror seeping into their bones.


    Jiang Cheng moved swiftly, methodically. The remaining bandits, stunned by the brutal demise of their leader, hesitated for a moment. But hesitation was their fatal mistake.


    Without a second thought, Jiang Cheng surged forward, his movements fluid and precise. One by one, he struck them down, his strikes like lightning. His fist crushed skulls, his palm shattered spines, and his kicks sent bodies flying, broken beyond recognition. They had no time to react, no chance to fight back.


    The last bandit, trembling with fear, attempted to draw a blade, but Jiang Cheng closed the distance before he could even raise it. With a single, efficient motion, Jiang Cheng snapped the man¡¯s neck with his bare hands, silencing any last cry for mercy.


    Once the bloodshed was over, Jiang Cheng surveyed the scene. The once-vibrant forest was now eerily silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves. The bandits¡¯ corpses lay in grotesque piles, their lives snuffed out in an instant.


    Although Jiang Cheng feel a little uncomfortable, but the world was like this and he have to get used to it, he forced himself to look directly at the result of his actions and finally he feel relieved.


    "This is the evil cause they planted with their deeds, leading them to their effect¡ªdeath at my hands," Jiang Cheng muttered coldly, his expression hardening as he looked over the carnage. "No hard feelings. Even if it wasn¡¯t me, someone else would¡¯ve come. They were destined to die."


    The cause of their violent lives¡ªtheir choices to prey on the weak¡ªhad now led to this irreversible effect: their annihilation. To Jiang Cheng, it was a harsh but simple truth.


    With a cold, unfeeling gaze, Jiang Cheng waved his hand, using his spiritual energy to burn the bodies to ash, erasing any trace of their existence. There was no need to leave evidence behind.


    Jiang Cheng wiped the blood from his hands expressionless, The world was brutal, and so was he. There was no need for remorse, no room for hesitation. "Those who kill will always be killed," he muttered under his breath, the weight of his words settling in his chest.


    With a final glance at the remnants of the bandits, he turned and continued on his way, the unease now replaced by an unwavering focus on the path ahead.


    To avoid drawing attention to his true identity as a cultivator and to conserve his spiritual energy, Jiang Cheng slowed his pace, blending in with the mundane world around him.


    As he was still a day away from Yanzhou City, he noticed a caravan heading toward Yanzhou City. Seeing an opportunity to blend in, he quietly used some of his tricks to sneak aboard the caravan, which had a number of martial artists accompanying it.


    The journey was not without its dangers. Along the way, the caravan was ambushed by bandits, but Jiang Cheng remained calm. He did not use any of his cultivation techniques, instead relying solely on his Qi and blood to fight off the attackers.


    Despite the threats, his true strength remained hidden as he fought alongside the martial artists, presenting himself as nothing more than another skilled warrior. The caravan reached its destination safely, with Jiang Cheng''s presence still concealed under the guise of a simple martial artist.


    One day later, the caravan successfully arrived at Yanzhou City, the bustling metropolis where traders and travelers alike gathered. The caravan leader paid the warriors who had accompanied them, and Jiang Cheng , along with the others, received his due¡ªa generous ten taels of silver. For an ordinary civilian in the secular world, that amount could sustain them for several years, making it a small fortune in their hands.


    As Jiang Cheng pocketed the silver, a middle-aged warrior from the group patted him hard on the shoulder, his grin wide and mischievous. "Old Zhang, that was a thrilling journey, wasn''t it? You saved me back there. How about we head to the land of flowers and moons now, have a good time and blow off some steam?"


    The middle-aged warrior''s eyes glinted with excitement as he spoke, clearly eager for some indulgence after the dangerous journey. His tone was lighthearted, as if the violent confrontations along the way were nothing more than a minor inconvenience in the face of the rewards waiting for them in the city.


    When Jiang Cheng joined the caravan, he gave himself a very ordinary name: Zhang Yunsong. He dared not use his real name¡ªtoo much risk. Who knew if the flower thief had heard of it, or if someone recognized him as the original owner of this body? He couldn¡¯t afford such a failure. His every move had to be calculated, his identity buried beneath layers of caution.


    "Brother Wang, you go ahead. I want to find an inn to rest. This journey has left me exhausted," Jiang Cheng said, shaking his head in refusal.


    The middle-aged warrior, Wang, looked disappointed but shrugged. "Well, suit yourself. I¡¯m heading to the Flower Moon Land. You¡¯re missing out," he said with a wink before walking off into the crowd of bustling streets.


    Jiang Cheng didn¡¯t mind. He had his own mission. Based on the intel he¡¯d gathered, the flower thief¡¯s targets weren¡¯t the courtesans and prostitutes in the Flower Moon Land. No, the thief sought girls from respectable families. It made sense; a man who thrived on thrill and excitement wouldn¡¯t settle for easy prey. The rich, the innocent¡ªthose were the true prizes.


    Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t afford to waste time on frivolous distractions. His priority now was to gather intelligence, figure out the flower thief¡¯s next moves, and pinpoint the range of his attacks.


    After a moment, he sighed, making his way toward a nearby inn to rest. Once settled, he asked the innkeeper for directions to the busiest restaurant in town. It was time to hear the latest gossip, to find the patterns in the city¡¯s rhythm. He couldn¡¯t afford to miss a single piece of crucial information.


    This restaurant wasn¡¯t the most luxurious in Yanzhou City, but it was known for its affordability and the quality of its food and wine. Its reputation had spread far and wide, drawing in a mix of warriors, merchants, and civilians alike. The atmosphere was always lively, filled with chatter and the clinking of mugs and plates.


    For Jiang Cheng, this was the perfect place to blend in and gather information. In a setting like this, rumors flowed freely, and the noise of the crowd would drown out any suspicion. Warriors who¡¯d been on the road for days, civilians with a thirst for gossip, and merchants keen to stay informed¡ªeveryone in here had something to say.


    As Jiang Cheng sat down at a quiet corner table, he ordered some food and settled in, his ears sharp for any conversation that might provide a clue about the flower thief or other matters of interest. He knew that in places like this, even the most casual exchanges could lead to vital pieces of information. His patience was key¡ªhe didn¡¯t need to rush, just listen carefully.

 Chapter 30_ " Investigation"

    ___


    Jiang Cheng carried a long sword, which was also the standard for warriors. He did not choose a more elegant and handsome sword, because most of the immortal cultivators mainly used swords.


    They played with magic swords in the Qi Refining period and played with flying swords in the Foundation Building period. The highlight was the word "handsome".


    He was no exception. Though he had no use for a magic sword in the Qi Refining stage, he knew that once he reached Foundation Establishment, he would undoubtedly cultivate the art of sword control and claim a flying sword of his own.


    But now, in the secular world, he needed to remain inconspicuous. Carrying an eye-catching sword could easily attract unwanted attention, particularly from the flower thief. If the Bastard was as cunning as the rumors suggested, he would be watching for anomalies¡ªwarriors who didn¡¯t quite fit, people whose presence raised silent questions.


    After arriving at the restaurant called Xiang Ju, Jiang Cheng quickly realized that the waiter¡¯s recommendation was accurate¡ªit was indeed a lively place. The restaurant had everything a traveler might need, including a stable for horses and even a service to watch over their goods. This was a common stop for warriors, merchants, and all manner of wanderers.


    Jiang Cheng walked in slowly, his long sword hanging at his waist. His face, along with the exposed parts of his skin, had been carefully altered to give the appearance of a man who had spent years on the road¡ªweathered, unremarkable, just another traveler passing through.


    As he stepped inside, no one paid him any special attention. To the patrons, he was just another martial artist, one of many who came and went through Yanzhou City. However, as a cultivator, Jiang Cheng¡¯s senses were far sharper than an ordinary warrior¡¯s. Almost immediately, he noticed a pair of eyes locked onto him.


    He didn¡¯t react. He didn¡¯t turn his head. To be a warrior was to be accustomed to the gaze of strangers¡ªsome sizing you up for a fight, others merely curious. A man too wary would only raise suspicion.


    To deceive a fox, one had to be flawless. Jiang Cheng couldn''t afford to leave any loose ends. If he was going to play the role of a simple martial artist, he had to embody it completely, without a single crack in the facade.


    Jiang Cheng understood the unspoken hierarchy that existed between cultivators and mortals. Many cultivators, even those barely stronger than common warriors, carried a sense of superiority, looking down on those who relied on mere muscle and steel. Some rogue cultivators in Yanzhou City even went so far as to bully martial artists, seeing them as nothing more than ants beneath their feet.


    But Jiang Cheng showed none of that arrogance. He carried himself as an ordinary man, blending seamlessly into the atmosphere of the bustling restaurant. As he looked around, he even licked his dry lips at the sight of food being served, just like any hungry traveler would.


    Just then, a waiter approached with a polite but apologetic expression. "Sir, you¡¯re just in time, but unfortunately, all our tables are occupied. Would you mind sharing a table with other guests?"


    "Of course," Jiang Cheng replied with a nod.


    The waiter quickly led him to a table by the window, where two warriors were already seated.


    Jiang Cheng clasped his fists in greeting and bowed slightly. "Sorry to bother you."


    The square-faced warrior among them smiled warmly and waved his hand. "No need for formalities, brother. Have a seat."


    The other warrior, however, remained silent, his expression cold as he focused on his meal.


    Not minding the indifference, Jiang Cheng settled down and turned to the waiter beside him. "Hey, I heard from the waiter at the inn that your restaurant is affordable and delicious. Let''s have a few signature dishes and a pot of wine." Jiang Cheng said to the waiter beside him.


    The waiter nodded enthusiastically and hurried off to place the order, leaving Jiang Cheng to settle into his surroundings.


    Jiang Cheng lifted the wine pot and poured himself a generous glass, then raised it in a respectful gesture toward the two warriors at the table. "You two, please," he said, his voice smooth. Without hesitation, he drank the entire glass in one go, the liquid burning slightly as it went down.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The square-faced warrior raised his glass in return, grinning. "Brother Zhang, you have a good tolerance for alcohol. But I must say, you seem a bit unfamiliar. I don''t recall seeing you in Yanzhou City before." After finishing his drink, the warrior''s gaze lingered on Jiang Cheng, his curiosity evident.


    Jiang Cheng calmly met the man¡¯s gaze, his mind already processing the situation. As the warrior spoke, he noticed the eyes of others around the room subtly turn his way, some seemingly more interested than others. One pair of eyes, in particular, had been focused on him since he walked in¡ªthe same pair he had sensed earlier when entering. They were only two tables away, watching him carefully.


    Without missing a beat, Jiang Cheng leaned back slightly, a casual air about him. "I¡¯ve been taking missions in Kaozhou City and Xisha City," he explained, his voice steady. "The environment there wasn¡¯t ideal, so I decided to come to Yanzhou City. It¡¯s closer to the Immortal World, and I thought maybe I could earn some spirit stones here."


    The square-faced warrior nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer, though his eyes remained watchful. "I see. Yanzhou City is indeed the place for opportunities." He gave a short laugh. "And those spirit stones are hard to come by these days. You¡¯ll need to be resourceful to earn them."


    Jiang Cheng smiled slightly, taking another sip of his wine, his senses alert to the subtle shifts in the room.


    Jiang Cheng had done his homework before arriving in Yanzhou City. While traveling, he made sure to memorize details about the cities under Qinglin Sect¡¯s jurisdiction, including famous restaurants, entertainment districts, and other places frequented by warriors. Information was a weapon, and in his line of work, it was best to be well-armed.


    The square-faced warrior chuckled as he observed Jiang Cheng¡¯s rough, sun-worn features. "Indeed, Xisha City is close to the desert. Just look at Brother Zhang¡¯s face¡ªit¡¯s cracked from the sun." His tone was friendly, but there was a sharpness in his gaze, as if he were still evaluating Jiang Cheng.


    Before Jiang Cheng could respond, another voice chimed in from across two tables. A fair-skinned man, dressed in rather elegant warrior robes, smiled and said, "Oh? Brother Zhang is from Kaozhou City? I heard there''s a courtesan there who plays the zither beautifully. What was her name again¡­?"


    Jiang Cheng feigned a look of surprise, then shook his head with a sigh. "Ah, you must be talking about Xiangqin. She¡¯s famous for her zither skills. As beautiful as a fairy, they say. But it¡¯s a pity¡ªshe only sells her art, not her body. No one can get close to her." His expression was filled with just the right amount of regret, perfectly mimicking the disappointment of a wandering martial artist who had once hoped for a romantic encounter.


    The fair-skinned man laughed and nodded knowingly. "Yes, that¡¯s the one! It¡¯s a shame, but that only makes her more mysterious, doesn¡¯t it?"


    As soon as the topic of courtesans and beautiful women was brought up, the restaurant¡¯s atmosphere became even livelier. Warriors, merchants, and travelers all joined in the conversation, sharing tales of enchanting courtesans, elegant dancers, and flirtatious widows they had encountered in their travels.


    Jiang Cheng subtly observed the fair-skinned man as he took another sip of his wine. The moment the warriors started talking about the wealthy businessman Liu and his beautiful daughter, the man''s expression shifted¡ªhis eyes gleamed with sudden interest, and he leaned in ever so slightly, as if to catch every word.


    Got you.


    Jiang Cheng kept his face neutral, pretending to be amused by the crude jokes around him. But inwardly, he was already piecing things together. The flower thief targeted girls from good families, not courtesans or brothel women. If this fair-skinned man was connected to the thief¡ªor was the thief himself¡ªthen this sudden interest in Liu¡¯s daughter was a strong lead.


    One of the warriors smirked and added, "Heh, these noble ladies act all high and mighty, but who knows what they really think behind closed doors?" His comment was met with laughter and knowing looks from some of the men at the table.


    Jiang Cheng, however, paid more attention to the fair-skinned man¡¯s reaction.


    The man didn''t join in the laughter. Instead, he swirled his cup of wine thoughtfully, a faint smirk on his lips. It wasn¡¯t the crude amusement of the other warriors¡ªit was more calculating, as if he were already making plans.


    Jiang Cheng made a mental note. This guy is suspicious.


    Now, he needed to keep the conversation going without drawing too much attention to himself. Casually, he leaned forward and asked, "This businessman Liu¡ªwhat''s his background? Moving into Yanzhou City isn¡¯t easy for a wealthy merchant."


    The warrior who had first mentioned him chuckled. "Oh, he made his fortune in salt trade. Moved here a month ago, bought a big courtyard in the western district. They say he dotes on his daughter like a pearl in his palm¡ªguards everywhere, doesn¡¯t let her step outside much."


    Jiang Cheng nodded, feigning only mild interest, but from the corner of his eye, he saw the fair-skinned man smirk again.


    Interesting. So you¡¯re interested in the daughter of a wealthy man who keeps her well-guarded? That makes you even more suspicious.


    Jiang Cheng didn¡¯t react. He simply poured himself another drink and waited, letting the conversation flow, knowing that the more they talked, the closer he¡¯d get to the truth.


    "Hey, have you heard? Recently, it seems that several girls in Yanzhou City have been defiled by flower thieves, causing the girls in Yanzhou City to dare not come out."


    "The immortal cultivator sent by Qinglin Sect to our Yanzhou City as the garrison immortal master seems to have been dispatched, but he was not captured."


    "I heard that he fled here from other cities, and the garrison immortal master seems to have reported it to Qinglin Sect. Maybe after a while, other immortal cultivators will come to capture him."


    "Okay, let''s stop discussing this. Maybe the flower thief is hiding among us. If we offend an immortal cultivator, our lives will be in danger."


    An older warrior waved his hand and said, and everyone immediately became afraid. They stopped talking and started drinking.


    After drinking enough, some people left the restaurant, including the fair-skinned man.


    Jiang Cheng had no intention of following him. This guy was too obvious. He was not the flower thief he was looking for. Instead, he seemed to be deliberately released as fish food to lure the immortal cultivators of Qinglin Sect.


    If analyzed in this way, this person must have a certain relationship with the flower thief.


    At the same time, the news that the daughter of the rich businessman surnamed Liu was beautiful and pure seemed to have been deliberately spread by the warrior. It should be a strategy of Yanzhou City. The situation seemed a bit chaotic.


    While drinking, Jiang Cheng thought about it and decided on the subsequent action plan. According to the logic of ordinary flower thieves, there must be an ambush on the side of the rich businessman surnamed Liu, so it was a good time to harm other girls.


    However, for a cultivator of immortal cultivation in the middle stage of Qi Refining, he would definitely go to any place that stimulated him, so he thought that the battle would definitely take place on the side of the rich businessman surnamed Liu.


    The warrior who revealed the news about the rich businessman''s daughter did not take the initiative to say where he lived. When someone asked, he just smiled, drank for a while, and left the restaurant.

 Chapter 31_"Shadows in the Night"

    __


    At this time, Jiang Cheng saw several curious drinkers. After the warrior stood up, they also stood up, as if they wanted to follow quietly.


    One of them happened to pass by his table. He flicked his fingers lightly, continued to drink, and inadvertently snapped his fingers toward the window.


    Once the group had left the restaurant, Jiang Cheng finished his meal at a leisurely pace before making his way back to the inn.


    At noon, he set his plan into motion.


    He spent some time capturing several common birds, selecting the most intelligent among them. Then, with careful precision, he placed low-level control talismans on them¡ªsmall, unassuming seals that subtly influenced their instincts without producing any spiritual fluctuations. After all, in the mortal world, any technique carrying the slightest hint of spiritual power could attract unwanted attention.


    Jiang Cheng tested the effectiveness of the talismans by issuing simple commands. The birds responded well, circling above and following his silent directions. Satisfied, he released them to gather intelligence across the city, using their natural presence to scout without raising suspicion.


    For the rest of the day, he stayed in the inn, drinking tea by the window and occasionally closing his eyes to meditate. He remained patient, waiting for nightfall.


    Late at night, Jiang Cheng made his move.


    Dressed in dark, unassuming robes, he activated the Breath Containment Technique, erasing any trace of his presence. Then, pulling the Phantom Shadow Cloak over his shoulders, he blended seamlessly into the shadows. To ordinary eyes, he was nothing more than a whisper in the wind.


    Above, several of his controlled birds circled lazily in the sky, guiding him toward his destination¡ªthe residence of the wealthy businessman Liu.


    As he moved through the silent streets, he remained hyper-aware of his surroundings. In a city like Yanzhou, where warriors and rogue cultivators mingled freely, it was best to assume that danger lurked in every shadow.


    __


    Jiang Cheng quietly observed the surroundings, his sharp senses picking up on several faint presences hidden in the darkness. Among them were the steady breaths of warriors lying in wait¡ªbut more importantly, he detected three weak traces of spiritual power.


    Though subtle, these fluctuations carried the distinct signature of the Breath Containment Technique. To ordinary cultivators, they would have been nearly undetectable, blending seamlessly into the night. But to Jiang Cheng, at the sixth level of Qi Refining, such tricks were as obvious as candlelight in the dark.


    A faint smile tugged at his lips. As expected, this was a trap.


    The mayor of Yanzhou City must have lost patience waiting for the Qinglin Sect¡¯s appointed cultivator and had instead taken matters into his own hands. Hiring independent cultivators wasn¡¯t cheap¡ªit must have cost him a small fortune.


    Among the three spiritual traces, one likely belonged to the garrison immortal master, the official Qinglin Sect cultivator assigned to the city. The other two? Perhaps hired rogue cultivators, mercenaries with just enough ability to make them useful in this operation.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. The situation was becoming more interesting.


    This wasn¡¯t just a random hunt for the flower thief. Someone had orchestrated this trap carefully¡ªperhaps even baiting the true target into action.


    Based on what he knew about the garrison immortal masters stationed in mortal cities by the Qinglin Sect, the requirements were straightforward.


    A minimum cultivation level of the fifth level of Qi Refining.


    - A stationing period ranging from one to three years.


    - A starting merit reward of one thousand points, increasing with longer service.


    - Regular distribution of elixirs as compensation.


    However, the tradeoff was severe¡ªa stationed immortal master had little time to cultivate properly, relying almost entirely on elixirs to maintain their progress.


    Jiang Cheng found this arrangement reasonable. After all, in the event of a crisis be it a rogue cultivator incident or the emergence of a spiritual disciple¡ªthe garrison immortal master¡¯s primary duty was to send an emergency transmission talisman or a jade slip to the sect as quickly as possible. Their role was not to fight but to serve as the city¡¯s direct link to Qinglin Sect.


    Given Yanzhou City¡¯s proximity to the sect, the cultivation requirements for its stationed immortal master were likely on the lower end. If the flower thief had been difficult to catch, it could mean one of two things


    - The garrison immortal master was weak, unable to handle even a Qi Refining cultivator with some stealth abilities.


    Of course, it was also possible that he was afraid of death and was dawdling.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Generally, the disciples who chose to stay in the mortal world either had poor qualifications and it was dangerous to complete other tasks, or they wanted to earn more merit points and prepare for long-term retreat and cultivation.


    The primary advantage of this assignment was safety. In the mortal world, an immortal cultivator at the mid-stage of Qi Refining was nearly unstoppable. There was little to no real danger. If a threat did arise, they could simply retreat into defensive formations and wait for the sect¡¯s reinforcements.


    This meant that while these stationed disciples might not be ambitious or powerful, they were rarely in true peril. The flower thief¡¯s continued escape wasn¡¯t a reflection of his strength¡ªit was more likely due to the garrison immortal master¡¯s reluctance to act.


    Jiang Cheng hid in a big tree not far away, his whole body seemed to merge with the night, and no one noticed his movements.


    However, nothing happened that night, but instead, news of a decent woman being defiled spread from other parts of Yanzhou City.


    Upon hearing the news, Jiang Cheng did not lose his footing and continued to squat here at the wealthy businessman surnamed Liu.


    The aura and spiritual power fluctuations of the surrounding warriors did not change either, as if they also saw through that this was a feint to the east and attack to the west by the flower thief, deliberately attracting attention.


    Then, on the third night, a figure darted toward the estate of the wealthy businessman Liu, the faintest of spiritual ripples marking their presence.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes sharpened. The figure¡¯s aura was weak, almost insignificant, suggesting they were trying to conceal themselves. The thief¡¯s movements were cautious, but deliberate, and Jiang Cheng could sense they were being watched from all directions.


    As expected, the figure was soon spotted. A flurry of activity erupted as a few of the nearby warriors rushed toward the estate, but their efforts to catch the intruder were in vain. Two powerful spiritual auras remained rooted in their positions, watching carefully but making no move to intervene.


    After a moment, a new figure crept into the estate, even more elusive than the last. The spiritual fluctuations in the area shifted dramatically¡ªwhat had been weak, almost imperceptible waves suddenly intensified, surging toward the figure with alarming speed. The intruder, sensing the threat, exhibited a sudden surge of spiritual power, and fled in a frantic, desperate escape.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s senses locked onto the scene. The three warriors, cultivators from Qingshi City, were clearly at the fifth level of Qi Refining. The fleeing figure, too, was likely of the same level¡ªeither at the fifth or sixth level¡ªmatching the mission¡¯s intelligence.


    However, Jiang Cheng remained unmoving, watching the events unfold with measured calm. Despite the apparent display of power from the fleeing figure, something didn¡¯t add up.


    He could sense it¡ªthe spiritual fluctuations coming from the figure weren¡¯t consistent. They flickered erratically, as though the figure¡¯s cultivation was fluctuating, like a flickering candle in the wind. Some of the energy felt real, while other parts were hazy and feigned.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s lips tightened in thought. This wasn¡¯t what it appeared to be.


    At that moment, only two or three warriors remained stationed at the door of the Liu family estate. The rest had taken off in pursuit of the mysterious figure.


    A shadowed figure silently slipped into the estate, so subtly blending with the night that Jiang Cheng almost missed it entirely. If he hadn¡¯t been so focused, the intruder would have passed by unnoticed.


    Jiang Cheng, however, remained still, his gaze sharp. From the information he had gathered, the flower thief had a twisted habit¡ªbefore leaving any city, he would abduct a woman of high standing, torment and degrade her, then discard her lifeless body to provoke the city, leaving chaos in his wake.


    Jiang Cheng''s eyes narrowed. This was likely the final act before the thief departed from Yanzhou City. After such an audacious move, he wouldn¡¯t be able to stay in the city much longer.


    Moments later, the figure emerged from the Liu estate, a sack slung over his back, disappearing into the darkness, heading towards the outskirts of Yanzhou City.


    At this moment, the two immortal cultivators who had gone to chase him also rushed back. The figure that seemed real or fake was probably not real, but was just a trick to lure the tiger away from the mountain.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. A clever trick, but he had already anticipated it.


    With deliberate calm, he activated his Wind Step Technique, the soft breeze of his movements barely disturbing the air as he quietly followed the man, maintaining a careful distance.


    During this eight months since he traveled trough time here , Jiang Cheng had devoted some of his time to perfecting the Wind Step Technique, which allowed him to move with almost no sound or disturbance to the air. It was difficult to master, but when perfected, it would make him nearly invisible to anyone nearby.


    Combined with the Breath Containment Technique, which suppressed his spiritual presence to the point of blending him into his surroundings, Jiang Cheng could move like a shadow through the night."


    With the hidden effect of the Phantom Shadow Cloak   his perfection is equivalent to nothing, so when he used the wind energy in his body, there would be no fluctuations.


    In this way, Jiang Cheng followed the figure all the way to the forest outside Yanzhou City. He hid in the bushes and brought the effect of the Great Perfection Breath Containment Technique to the extreme.


    There was a piece of rock here, and there was no clue. At this time, the man with fair skin had already fled here.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes narrowed as he observed the man. The flower thief had begun an unusual gesture. He placed a hand on his body, and with a swift motion, he transformed into a thin paper figure, which he carefully folded and placed into his storage bag.


    Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t hide the surprise on his face. Even with his sixth-level Qi Refining senses, he could still detect a faint trace of life within the paper figure. How could something that looked so artificial still carry the breath of a living person?


    "Heh, a bunch of idiots, trying to catch me." The flower thief sneered. At this time, the sack suddenly moved twice, and the person inside seemed to wake up and was struggling.


    He gently stroked the sack, his expression contorting into something disturbingly sick. His smile was not one of joy, but of someone who reveled in the suffering of others, as though each moment of torment brought him closer to an inexplicable, perverse satisfaction.


    The way his hands lingered on the sack spoke not of urgency, but of deep, obsessive pleasure¡ªan act far darker than mere cruelty."


    His eyes flickered with obsessive delight, and there was a momentary flicker of madness in his gaze, as though his very sanity was slipping away with each touch. It was as if the act of handling the sack¡ªthis tangible symbol of his twisted desires¡ªwas infinitely more satisfying than the act of capturing or torturing the woman within.


    and his nose lay on it and sniffed it hard for a few times. "The fragrance of virginity is really intoxicating. Girl, don''t worry, I will definitely let you enjoy real happiness." After


    saying that, the flower thief picked up the sack and flicked his finger. A hole appeared in the rock in front of him. After he entered, the hole disappeared.

 Chapter 32_ Enlightened Pervert

    ...


    The flower thief, carrying his sack, flicked his finger nonchalantly. A subtle crack appeared in the rock before him, and he slipped through the opening with ease. As he passed, the hole sealed up instantly, leaving no trace of his passage.


    Jiang Cheng remained still in the bushes, observing intently, every muscle tense. He didn¡¯t move a single inch, his breathing controlled. Moments later, the flower thief reappeared at the rock''s edge. His sharp gaze swept the area, scanning the surroundings as if sensing something. A smirk twisted his lips, and he muttered to himself, "It seems no one''s following. Time to enjoy myself."


    At that moment, Jiang Cheng caught a clearer glimpse of the thief. His features were shrouded in disarray¡ªwild, unkempt hair and a greasy demeanor. There was an unmistakable air of perversion about him, a stark contrast to the discipline Jiang Cheng had come to respect in true cultivators.


    When the thief seemed satisfied there was no danger of pursuit, he disappeared once more into the cave, vanishing into the rock. Jiang Cheng waited, hidden, until the thief was out of sight. With careful precision, he made arrangements around him, ensuring no disturbance could betray his position.


    Once satisfied with the security of his location, Jiang Cheng swiftly moved to the opposite side of the rock. Employing the Breath Containment technique, his presence became a whisper in the air. His eyes narrowed as he focused, silently activating the Spiritual Eye technique. The faintest ripple of spiritual power barely stirred the air as his gaze pierced through the hidden formation.


    With the full strength of his Sixth Level Qi Refining and the perfected Spiritual Eye, the formation barely slowed him down. It dissolved before his keen senses. True enough, behind the concealed rocks lay a hidden cave¡ªwell-hidden, but not impervious. ¡°A cunning rabbit, indeed,¡± he muttered under his breath, then he Aranged some Fire balls talismanes Under the Ground in the hidden Exit of the Cave, then return to the entrance.


    He examined the surroundings thoroughly, ensuring there were no additional hidden exits. Satisfied, he retraced his steps back to the first entrance. There was no time to waste. With a grim determination, Jiang Cheng pulled out his stack of Fireball Talismans. He activated them with a flick of his wrist, launching them straight at the concealed formation.


    The talismans exploded in rapid succession, sending fire and sparks licking at the edges of the formation, unraveling it entirely.


    ¡°Flower thief!¡± Jiang Cheng¡¯s voice rang out, coldly . ¡°Come out and die.¡±


    The flower thief, who had just dragged the girl out of the sack and was slowly flirting with her and taking off her clothes, heard Jiang Cheng¡¯s voice and the sound of the cave being attacked, and his face changed drastically.


    He knocked the woman in front of him unconscious without hesitation and threw her out of the cave entrance, while he fled to another cave entrance.


    Jiang Cheng noticed the woman tossed from the cave but didn¡¯t spare her a glance. His goal was clear¡ªhe couldn¡¯t afford distractions.


    He accelerate his speed like lightning in the dark forest after him to to the other side from the his spiritual eyes always fixed on the flower thief the moment the flower thief was about to step on the talismanes Buried in the Ground, Jiang Cheng smile " Got you" he make them Explode,


    The flower thief barely had time to react before a deafening blast sent him flying. He tumbled across the ground, coughing blood, his robes scorched. Though the talisman was powerful, a single explosion wasn¡¯t enough to kill a Sixth Qi Refining cultivator outright. His body, tempered by spiritual energy, clung stubbornly to life.


    When they arrived at the entrance of another cave, the flower thief had already escaped from the trap set by the fireballs talismanes . He saw Jiang Cheng in the sky, a light flashed in his eyes, and he sneered and said, "You? A mere sixth-level Qi Refiner dares to hunt me? You''re courting death!"Stolen story; please report.


    Jiang Cheng wasted no time. Channeling his spiritual power, he unleashed ten Water Blade Talismans that surged forward, relentlessly bombarding the flower thief.


    "You have no martial ethics!" the flower thief howled, cursing Jiang Cheng¡¯s ruthless methods, and for not respecting the Old people . In desperation, he sacrificed a paper-man substitute, throwing it into the path of the attack while he dashed in the opposite direction.


    But how could Jiang Cheng grant his wish?


    Under the Spiritual Eye Technique, everything was in his grasp. With a single step, he closed the gap by hundreds of meters, following close behind. Another ten Piercing Wind Talismans flew out, their sharp gusts howling through the air before shattering the thief¡¯s defense shield and tearing into his flesh.


    "Despicable! Shameless!" The flower thief shrieked, rolling on the ground, blood spilling from his wounds. "Fight me fair if you dare!"


    Jiang Cheng stopped a few steps away, looking down at the half-dead man with an indifferent gaze.


    "I''m fighting you fair and square. How dare you lie with open eyes? And you, a sick pervert, dare talk to me about fairness?" Jiang Cheng¡¯s tone was cold and righteous, though deep down, he was justifying his shameless sneak attacks and extravagant talisman-spamming. He muttered under his breath, "I''m rich, so why waste my spiritual energy?"


    The flower thief, upon hearing this, felt his blood pressure spike. He coughed violently, his face turning red with rage. But when Jiang Cheng officially labeled him a "sick pervert," his anger reached critical mass¡ªhe directly vomited blood and almost exploded on the spot.


    "Sick pervert?" The thief staggered, trying to push himself up from the ground. Despite his injuries, his face twisted with indignation. "Boy, you insult me! I am no mere sick pervert¡ªI am an enlightened pervert! A connoisseur of beauty! A man of refined taste, I am A visionary exploring the limits of human appreci¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Jiang Cheng¡¯s fingers crushed a high-level Thunder Talisman.


    CRACK!


    A bolt of lightning obliterated the flower thief on the spot.


    Jiang Cheng crouched down, staring at the twitching man. "You were saying something about¡­ enlightenment?"


    Jiang Cheng watched the charred corpse for a moment before shaking his head.


    "So much nonsense. Villains really do die from talking too much."


    The flower thief weakly raised a trembling hand. "Y-you¡­ you despicable rich Bastard ¡­!"


    Then he died in The spot.


    After confirming that the flower thief was completely dead, he landed and searched a storage bag from him. There were not many spiritual stones in it, only more than a thousand pieces, and some elixirs.


    However, there was a jade slip of Dharma transmission that was full of cracks and about to break, as well as the paper man, and two books.


    In addition, there was a blood-stained cloth bag and some women''s clothes. He opened the cloth bag and took a look, and instantly withdrew his spiritual sense. There was evidence of the flower thief''s crime.


    Jiang Cheng put all the other things in the storage bag into his own storage bag. In the flower thief''s storage bag, only this blood-stained cloth bag was left.


    Jiang Cheng stood amidst the charred remains of the flower thief, the scent of burnt flesh lingering in the air. Just as he was about to leave, a surge of spiritual power fluctuations rippled through the forest.


    His eyes sharpened.


    Within moments, three figures descended from the sky like hunting falcons, their robes fluttering against the wind. Their eyes locked onto the corpse beneath him, excitement flashing across their faces.


    The leader, a triangular-eyed cultivator, stepped forward, his tone laced with arrogance. "Fellow Daoist, did you kill this flower thief? He was our prey. We had already chased him to his last breath. You merely finished what we started. Thank you for the effort, but you may hand over his storage bag now."


    Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow but said nothing.


    Another man, wearing the inner disciple robes of Qinglin Sect, stepped up, his tone slightly more measured but no less imposing. "Fellow Daoist, I am Feng Yucheng, the immortal master stationed in Yanzhou City on behalf of the Qinglin Sect. As this criminal was being pursued under sect jurisdiction, his belongings belong to us. Please return the storage bag¡ªwe will express our gratitude appropriately."


    Jiang Cheng remained silent. Then, without hesitation, he tossed the storage bag toward them.


    Feng Yucheng¡¯s eyes gleamed with triumph as he reached out to snatch it, the other two watching eagerly.


    But in that very instant¡ª


    SHING!


    A blinding arc of light flashed through the night.


    Splat!


    Feng Yucheng¡¯s head flew into the air, a fountain of blood erupting from his neck. His body stood still for a brief moment, as if unable to process what had just happened, before collapsing to the ground like a felled tree.


    The triangular-eyed cultivator barely had time to register the shock before Jiang Cheng¡¯s sword slashed again¡ªswift, precise, and ruthless.


    "ARGHHH!"


    His right hand was cleaved clean off, the severed limb spinning through the air before landing with a dull thud. Blood sprayed wildly as he stumbled back, clutching his stump in horror.


    The third cultivator¡¯s face drained of all color. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Then, instinct kicked in¡ªhe turned, preparing to flee.


    Too slow.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s five Piercing Wind Talismans shot forward like a storm of death.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    The escaping cultivator was shredded instantly, his body torn apart by the slicing wind. He didn''t even have the chance to scream.


    Silence fell.


    The triangular-eyed cultivator, now kneeling in a pool of his own blood, trembled violently. "F-Fellow Daoist¡ªNo, senior! Please spare me! It was that immortal master who forced us to do this! I had no choice!"


    Jiang Cheng gazed down at him, his expression calm, indifferent¡ªmerciless.


    He took a slow step forward.


    The triangular-eyed cultivator''s face contorted with fear. "Senior, please! I¡ª"


    SHING!


    One clean stroke.


    His head rolled away, eyes still wide with terror.


    Jiang Cheng exhaled slowly, sheathing his sword. A long sigh of relief.


    "Greed promises a banquet of dreams but serves a meal of bitter regret

 Chapter 33_"Surviving the Protagonists Plot Armor"

    ... Jiang Cheng stood amidst the blood-soaked battlefield, his robes fluttering slightly in the night breeze. Three corpses lay around him¡ªone beheaded, one shredded into pieces, and one missing a hand but no longer needing it.


    Jiang Cheng let out a breath, his gaze indifferent as he looked at the bloodied corpses around him.


    "It¡¯s not that I¡¯m being ruthless," he muttered to himself, brushing nonexistent dust off his sleeve. "But if I had let them off, they would''ve just teamed up and gotten rid of me along with the flower thief."


    His expression remained calm, but his mind was sharp.


    "The human heart is fickle. Trusting them would¡¯ve been the real mistake."


    He glanced at his sword, still gleaming with fresh blood, and sighed. "Rather than waste time fighting them head-on and making unnecessary noise, isn¡¯t it much easier to send them west before they even react?"


    With that, he flicked his sleeve and continued looting the corpses, as if nothing had happened.


    Jiang Cheng chuckled as he admired his handiwork. "Now that the job is done, trouble is bound to come knocking soon. That Qinglin Sect disciple¡¯s death won¡¯t go unnoticed. Better clean up before nosy people start sniffing around."


    He took a deep breath, scanning the battlefield. "The fight with that damn flower thief covered a whole mile¡­ We need to be quick."


    His gaze fell upon the three corpses strewn across the ground. With a flick of his wrist, he activated a spell he had learned from studying the Art of Spiritual Farming¡ªthe Corruption Technique. It was a technique designed to infuse the land with vitality by using corpses as fertilizer.


    The result?


    The three bodies vanished instantly.


    In their place, the surrounding spirit grass grew wildly, lush and vibrant, as if they had just received the blessing of heaven itself.


    Jiang Cheng admired the thriving greenery, then casually cast a few cleaning spells to erase any lingering traces of battle.


    Fifteen minutes later, the scene was completely pristine. Birds chirped, the wind rustled gently through the grass, and the area looked like it had never been touched by violence.


    Jiang Cheng nodded in satisfaction. "Even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator comes to investigate, it¡¯ll be useless. They¡¯ll probably just blame the flower thief for being reckless and attacking a sect disciple."


    He laughed, rubbing his chin. "What a good person that flower thief was! Not only did he leave me his inheritance and skills, but even in death, he¡¯s taking the blame for everything! Rest in peace, fellow Daoist¡­ Enlightened Pervert!"


    He clasped his hands together solemnly, putting on a face of righteous mourning.


    Meanwhile, deep in the underworld¡ª


    The flower thief, who had just arrived in the afterlife, watched this scene unfold from the void.


    His eyes bulged, his body trembled, and his breath hitched.


    "PUAH!!"


    He spewed blood violently, his soul nearly exploding from anger.


    "Shameless Villain"


    Before he could curse any further, his vision darkened, and he fainted on the spot.


    _


    Jiang Cheng dusted off his hands, "Now that everything¡¯s cleaned up, let¡¯s see what treasures our dear Enlightened Pervert left behind."


    With a light step, he vanished into the distance.


    A few breaths later, he arrived at the entrance of the cave. His gaze briefly flicked toward the unconscious woman lying on the ground nearby


    Her breathing was steady. Too steady.


    Jiang Cheng smirked. Still pretending to be unconscious?


    He ignored her.


    Without hesitation, he stepped into the cave.


    Inside, a mess of scattered spiritual stones and pills littered the ground. It was clear that the flower thief had been living in luxury¡ªat least by Qi Refining standards. Among the items, a faint glow caught his eye.


    A jade slip.


    Jiang Cheng picked it up and probed it with his divine sense.


    A moment later, his eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. "A first-grade formation inheritance? Not bad. Sure, you can buy something like this in the market, but getting it for free? That¡¯s a lot of spirit stones saved."


    With a satisfied nod, he finished looting the place, then casually destroyed the cave, reducing it to a pile of rubble. Now, if anyone came looking, it would seem like nothing more than an abandoned ruin.


    Finally, he turned his gaze back to the woman.


    Jiang Cheng fell into deep thought.


    Jiang Cheng stood still, his gaze fixed on the  woman. His mind weighed the situation with cold precision.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    What should I do with her?


    If he let her go, everything he had done to cover his tracks would be meaningless. The flower thief had a long history of murder¡ªthere was no reason for him to have spared her. If she suddenly reappeared unharmed, claiming that someone attacked the cave before she lost consciousness, it wouldn¡¯t take much for people to put the pieces together.


    Trouble would come knocking.


    A flicker of killing intent flashed through his eyes.


    "Should I kill her?"


    Jiang Cheng took a step forward. Then another. His movements were slow, deliberate, his presence growing heavier with each step. The night air was still, save for the distant rustling of leaves in the wind. The moon cast a pale glow over the forest floor, illuminating the woman¡¯s fragile figure.


    Meanwhile, Liu Ying, who had barely woken up moments ago, lay frozen in terror.


    In the heart of the Dali Dynasty, She had been raised in the peaceful city of Shangyun, where her parents had showered her with warmth and love. Though her spirit root test had revealed her to be a mere mortal, they had never blamed her¡ªeveryone had their own destiny.


    For fourteen years, her life had been simple, eating and drinking and playing with maids and having fun, free of fear.


    That all changed when her family fell into financial ruin and was forced to move to Yanzhou City. There, dark rumors circulated like a plague¡ªwhispers of the "flower thief," a monster who preyed on noble daughters, abducting, defiling, and murdering them.


    Fear had driven her into seclusion, but fate had not been kind.


    Desperate to rid the city of the menace, the local lord had struck a deal with her family. In exchange for his aid in capturing the criminal, her parents were pressured into offering her as bait. They had resisted with all their might, but in the end, circumstances had swallowed their protests whole.


    And so, she had been taken. She remembered the flower thief¡¯s chilling laughter, the suffocating scent of incense in the cave, the feeling of cold iron shackles against her skin. She had thought it was the end.


    But then¡ªchaos.


    The cave had erupted in violence. A battle raged. Explosions. A sharp pain. Darkness.


    And now¡ªthis.


    She was lying half-naked on the cold ground, the rough dirt clinging to her skin. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the approaching footsteps. She didn¡¯t dare move, didn¡¯t dare open her eyes.


    The presence was near. Overwhelming. Suffocating.


    Was it the flower thief? Or¡­ someone worse?


    Liu Ying barely cracked her eyes open, her vision blurry with fear. Under the pale moonlight, she saw a man standing before her, his dark robes flowing slightly in the night breeze. A long sword hung at his waist, his hand resting lightly on its hilt¡ªready to strike at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. Was he going to kill her?


    A lump formed in her throat, and her breath came in shallow gasps. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring the already shadowed figure before her. She wanted to scream, to plead, to run¡ªbut her body refused to move.


    Then, his voice cut through the silence, low and indifferent.


    "Still pretending to be unconscious?"


    Cold. Uncaring.


    Liu Ying''s blood ran cold.


    Liu Ying trembled, her breath uneven as she stared up at the man before her. The dim moonlight barely illuminated his face, but she could feel his piercing gaze locking onto her like a predator sizing up its prey.


    Her throat was dry, but she forced herself to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°P-P-Please¡­ d-don¡¯t kill me¡­¡±


    Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow, his grip still resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. His lips curled slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.


    "Oh? You can talk now? I thought you were unconscious."


    Liu Ying flinched, her fingers clutching at the torn fabric of her dress. "I-I¡­ I just woke up¡­"


    Jiang Cheng let out a small chuckle, his voice carrying a trace of mockery. "Really? That fast? It¡¯s almost as if you were awake the whole time."


    Liu Ying¡¯s face turned pale. "N-No! I swear! I-I just¡ª"


    Jiang Cheng took a slow step closer, and she let out a small squeak, shrinking back. Her wide, tear-filled eyes made her look like a frightened rabbit caught in a hunter¡¯s trap.


    He tilted his head, watching her tremble.


    "Are you afraid of me?" he asked, as if genuinely curious.


    Liu Ying furiously nodded, her shoulders shaking. "Y-Yes!"


    Jiang Cheng let out a low chuckle, finding her reaction somewhat entertaining. "Good. That means you''re smart." He crouched down slightly, leveling his gaze with hers. "Now, tell me¡ªwhy shouldn¡¯t I kill you?"


    Liu Ying¡¯s heart nearly stopped. "W-Wait! I-I won¡¯t tell anyone! I-I didn¡¯t see anything! I don¡¯t even know who you are!"


    Jiang Cheng smirked. "Oh? But you did see me. You even know I was the one who attacked the cave. Sounds like trouble to me."


    Liu Ying frantically shook her head, her hands waving in desperation. "N-No, no! I-I¡¯ll forget everything! I swear! I-I don¡¯t even remember what happened! I-I hit my head¡ªyes! I don¡¯t remember anything!"


    Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t help but chuckle again. This girl¡­ she was truly hopeless at lying. But watching her stammer and tremble was oddly amusing.


    He sighed, straightening up and tapping his sword hilt. "Relax. If I really wanted to kill you, you¡¯d already be dead."


    Liu Ying blinked, her breath hitching. "T-Then¡­ y-you won¡¯t¡­?"


    Jiang Cheng exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "Depends. If you¡¯re useful, I won¡¯t. If not¡­" He let the sentence hang in the air, watching as she gulped audibly.


    Liu Ying nodded so fast she nearly made herself dizzy. "I-I¡¯ll be useful! I can do anything! J-Just tell me what to do!"


    Jiang Cheng gave her one last glance before turning around. "We''ll see about that. For now, get up. Unless you like lying there half-naked in the cold?"


    Liu Ying immediately scrambled to her feet, clutching her torn dress tightly around her. Her face burned with embarrassment, but she dared not complain.


    ....


    After a while, Jiang Cheng cast a glance at Liu Ying, intending to assess her condition while also taking a careful look at her.


    She was a young girl with long, flowing silver-white hair that cascaded down her back and over her shoulders. Her hair had a silky, smooth texture, with a few strands falling in front of her face. She had striking red or pink-tinted eyes, a soft expression, and slightly flushed cheeks, giving her a gentle yet alluring look.


    Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t help but sigh. "What a beautiful little girl."


    But suddenly, his eyes narrowed.


    "Huh?"


    A faint ripple of spiritual energy pulsed within her body¡ªweak, almost imperceptible, but undeniably present. He focused his senses, sharpening his perception to the limit. As he peered deeper, his gaze pierced through her mortal shell, tracing the delicate currents of energy within.


    What he saw left him slightly surprised.


    "This isn¡¯t just some defective spirit root¡­ It¡¯s the Void?"


    As he peered deeper, the faint trickle of spiritual energy within Liu Ying¡¯s body became clearer. Unlike normal spirit roots, which were tied to elements¡ªfire, water, earth, wind¡ªhers had no distinct presence. Instead, it was an eerie emptiness, a quiet abyss that devoured rather than generated energy.


    The weak strands of qi inside her didn¡¯t flow like a stream, nor did they pulse like a flame. Instead, they flickered in and out of existence, as if trapped in a cycle of appearing and vanishing. It was as if her meridians were pathways leading into an endless void, swallowing the spiritual energy that tried to nourish them.


    "A Heavenly Void Spirit Root¡­"


    Jiang Cheng had heard of it before¡ªan extremely rare and mysterious constitution. Unlike elemental spirit roots, which harmonized with the world¡¯s qi, the Void Spirit Root rejected it. It didn¡¯t cultivate by drawing in energy but by consuming it, eroding all forms of external qi into nothingness before reshaping it into its own.


    This kind of spirit root was both a blessing and a curse. If awakened, it granted terrifying power¡ªan affinity for spatial techniques, void arts, and even laws beyond mortal comprehension. But if left dormant, it remained a useless husk, an empty shell that could never cultivate.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s smile deepened as he pieced it together.


    "A delayed awakening, huh?"


    Some rare and heaven-defying spirit roots didn¡¯t manifest at birth. Instead, they required a dramatic turning point¡ªan event that forced the body and soul into transformation. A near-death experience, extreme emotional turmoil, or the realization of a grand truth¡ªonly under such circumstances could they awaken.


    Liu Ying had lived a peaceful, sheltered life. No hardships, no desperate struggles¡ªnothing to ignite the potential slumbering within her. But now? She had been kidnapped, thrown into terror, and was staring death in the face.


    Jiang Cheng could already sense faint fluctuations within her meridians, as if the Void Spirit Root was beginning to stir, reacting instinctively to the crisis.


    Jiang Cheng stroked his chin, his gaze deep in thought as he looked at the trembling girl.


    "This girl was deemed a mortal¡­ yet she carries the foundation of something extraordinary. If she had been born in a proper Sect, Or In a developed area, she would have been revered, held up as a saintess. In a prestigious holy land, people would be fighting to take her as a disciple. Where would that pervert have gotten the chance to lay his filthy hands on her? Or my turn to rescue her


    His thoughts turned sharper.


    "Maybe she¡¯s a Daughter of Destiny, like those clich¨¦ heroines in the old records. Even if I wasn¡¯t here, some passing expert would¡¯ve taken notice of her. Or perhaps, in the moment of true despair, she would have been teleported away by some hidden power buried deep in her bloodline. Maybe, the moment that flower thief touched her, her power would have erupted, instantly obliterating him.


    and his spiritual stones and techniques would have conveniently become her starting capital for cultivation."


    Jiang Cheng couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the thought.


    "People with great luck and destiny never die in such unknown ways. And if I¡¯m right¡­ those books I looted earlier definitely contain something related to space or void techniques. I might have just stumbled upon a walking treasure trove."


    Jiang Cheng though for a moment


    Since she¡¯s suspected to be one of those ¡°chosen ones¡± with plot armor thicker than a dragon¡¯s scales, I definitely can¡¯t kill her. I¡¯ve read enough novels in my past lives to know how this goes. If I so much as lay a finger on her, the heavens themselves will probably throw a tantrum and smite me with the most ridiculous, over-the-top karma ever. I mean, I could choke on my own saliva while eating a grape, or a random divine chicken might fall from the sky and peck me to death. Or worse¡ªsome OP expert passing by might glance at me, decide I look ¡°too evil,¡± and slap me into the next dimension for absolutely no reason. Who knows? The universe has a sick sense of humor when it comes to messing with people who mess with the protagonists.


    Nope, nope, nope. I¡¯m not risking it. I¡¯ve seen how this plays out in " Reincarnated as the Villain¡¯s Goldfish and I Accidentally Killed the Heroine and Now the World is Ending. Spoiler alert: it never ends well for the guy who tries to off the lucky one. Instead, I¡¯ll play it smart. I¡¯ll befriend her, laugh at her jokes (even the bad ones), and maybe even help her out when she¡¯s in trouble. That way, when she inevitably becomes the most powerful being in existence, she¡¯ll remember me as the ¡°nice guy who didn¡¯t try to murder her¡± and not the ¡°idiot who got turned into a toad for his troubles.¡±


    Besides, if I play my cards right, I might even get a slice of that protagonist luck. Maybe I¡¯ll stumble upon a hidden treasure or accidentally invent bubble tea. Either way, it¡¯s a win-win. No choking on saliva, no random slaps of doom¡ªjust good vibes and maybe a few free meals. Destiny¡¯s a fickle thing, and I¡¯d rather ride its coattails than get run over by its karma bus.

 Chapter 34_"Veil of Trust"

    __


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s gaze sharpened as he looked at Liu Ying, his earlier detachment replaced by a calculating focus. He had been lost in thought, weighing the risks and rewards of keeping her alive, but now he was fully present, his eyes piercing as they locked onto hers. The girl, still trembling and clutching her torn dress, seemed to shrink under his scrutiny.


    ¡°Little girl,¡± he began, his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority, ¡°what should I do with you now? The flower thief is dead, and the monks who followed him are also gone. You have two options.¡±


    He raised a single finger, his expression softening slightly, though the warmth in his smile didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes.


    ¡°Option one,¡± Jiang Cheng¡¯s voice was low, almost too smooth, ¡°You follow me, for a time. When this is over, I¡¯ll send you back to your parents. Everything will go back to normal. You¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    Liu Ying hesitated. His words sounded kind, but something in his tone¡ªa calm, unsettling certainty¡ªmade her wonder just how much he controlled her fate. What would he want in return? She couldn¡¯t afford to ask. Her gaze flicked to his eyes, cold and unyielding. Was she really safe? Was anyone ever safe in a world like this?


    For a moment, he seemed almost kind, like someone who could offer protection and stability. But there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes, a reminder that this man was not to be trusted entirely.


    Then, in a fluid motion, he raised a second finger, and his demeanor shifted. The warmth in his smile vanished, replaced by an icy coldness that sent a shiver down Liu Ying¡¯s spine.


    ¡°Option two,¡± he continued, his voice dropping to a low, deliberate tone, ¡°I¡¯ll send you to the west, where the flower thief and those monks from the Qinglin Sect have gone. And that... will be the end .


    The night air around them seemed to still as the weight of his words settled over Liu Ying. Her chest tightened, and her throat felt dry, as if she couldn¡¯t breathe.


    She had no idea who this man truly was or what he wanted from her, but his presence felt suffocating¡ªominous. The faint crackling of leaves underfoot and the distant rustling of unseen creatures in the underbrush seemed like distant echoes in her mind, a reminder that she was not safe.


    Liu Ying stood frozen, her heart racing in her chest. Fear and confusion warred within her, but something else began to emerge as well¡ªa strange, reluctant trust in the man before her.


    He had killed the flower thief, spared her life. Was this protection, or something darker? She had seen enough cruelty to know that kindness could often be a mask.


    Still, her only choice was to go with him. The thought of being alone in this world again terrified her more than the idea of following this enigmatic figure.


    The mention of her parents made her heart ache, but the coldness in Jiang Cheng''s eyes when he spoke of the second option sent a chill down her spine. It felt like an abyss was opening before her.


    She tried to steady her breathing, the chill of the night air biting at her skin, as though the very world around her was waiting for her to decide.


    After a long pause, she swallowed hard, her voice trembling but determined, "I... I¡¯ll go with you."


    Jiang Cheng smile. " Good"


    .....


    Liu Ying stumbled behind Jiang Cheng, her bare feet bruised and bleeding from the rough terrain. Every step was a fresh wave of agony, the jagged rocks and thorny underbrush tearing at her skin. But she didn¡¯t dare stop.


    She couldn¡¯t afford to¡ªhe was her only chance at survival. Her small frame trembled with exhaustion, but she pressed on, her eyes fixed on his back, even as the sharp, biting cold of the night air numbed her limbs.


    Jiang Cheng, however, couldn¡¯t ignore the faint sound of her labored breathing or the occasional wince she tried to suppress. He glanced back briefly, his sharp eyes catching the sight of her bloodied feet and the way she struggled to keep up.


    For a moment, a flicker of guilt stirred unexpectedly. It was the kind of feeling he usually shut down without a second thought¡ªempathy was a weakness, a luxury he could not afford. But as Liu Ying winced with every step, his mind flashed to his younger years, when he had once been a helpless child, suffering alone in the streets, when he was on earth.


    for a moment he was anoyed.


    He stopped abruptly, causing Liu Ying to nearly stumble into him. She froze, her heart racing as she braced herself for his anger. But instead of scolding her, Jiang Cheng turned around, his expression unreadable.


    Too slow,¡± he said slowly, his voice low but not unkind. ¡°Come closer to me.¡±


    Liu Ying blinked, startled by his sudden command. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she had heard him correctly, but when he didn¡¯t move, she cautiously stepped closer.


    Before she could react, Jiang Cheng reached out and scooped her up with one arm, lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing.


    Liu Ying let out a small gasp, her hands instinctively clutching at his robes for balance. Her breath caught in her throat, her wide eyes staring up at him in confusion, Before she could process what was happening,Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Jiang Cheng didn¡¯t offer any explanation.


    He adjusted his grip and moved without hesitation, his body shifting into fluid motion.


    Without warning, Jiang Cheng¡¯s feet blurred, his body almost a shadow as he executed the Wind Step Technique. The air vibrated with an invisible pulse, like a surge of energy pushing him forward.


    His movements became a streak of motion¡ªtoo fast for her to follow. The forest around them seemed to blur into a whirl of dark shapes, the ground beneath his feet barely touched. Liu Ying clutched his robes, her breath caught in her throat as the wind howled in her ears, the world spinning with dizzying speed. It was as though they were no longer running, but flying.


    As they shot through the trees, Jiang Cheng subtly extended his energy, enveloping Liu Ying with a protective shield. The force of the wind¡ªsharp and biting¡ªseemed to vanish entirely as the invisible barrier of his power cocooned her, keeping the rushing air from harming her fragile form.


    The sharp branches, the jagged rocks¡ªnone of them touched her. She remained shielded, though the speed at which they moved made her stomach churn.


    Jiang Cheng navigated the terrain with an ease that spoke of years of training, his focus razor-sharp as he cut through the underbrush. The forest blurred around them, trees and shadows flashing by in an unrelenting stream, but his movements were controlled and precise, his feet barely touching the ground as he shot forward like a phantom.


    The dense canopy above them filtered the moonlight into uneven patches of silver light, but the forest seemed almost endless in its vastness, its haunting silence broken only by the soft crunch of their footsteps on the forest floor.


    The trees loomed like silent sentinels, their towering trunks and gnarled branches casting eerie shadows. The night felt alive with creatures lurking just out of sight, their eyes glinting in the dark.


    Liu Ying clung to him instinctively, her small body pressed against his chest, her breath coming in short bursts from both the shock and the speed at which they were traveling.


    Her legs hung limply as he carried her effortlessly, her trembling hands clutching at his robes for balance. The rush of air and motion sent a vertiginous wave through her, but the protective energy shielded her from any true discomfort.


    As they sped through the trees, Liu Ying couldn¡¯t help but feel a strange mix of emotions. The roughness of his actions¡ªthe way he carried her like a sack of grain¡ªwas far from gentle, but it was also the first time since her ordeal began that someone had shown her even the slightest bit of care.


    She buried her face against his shoulder, hiding the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. The gravity of everything she had been through¡ªthe kidnapping, the fear, the uncertainty of her future¡ªweighed heavily on her heart, but she didn¡¯t dare let it show.


    Jiang Cheng, for his part, remained silent as he moved. He didn¡¯t look at her or offer any words of comfort. His focus was on putting as much distance as possible between them and the scene of the battle.


    But deep down, he couldn¡¯t shake the faint sense of guilt that had prompted him to carry her in the first place. He told himself it was purely practical¡ªshe was slowing him down, and he couldn¡¯t afford to waste time. But the truth was, he had seen the pain in her eyes and the way she endured it without complaint, and it had struck a chord he hadn¡¯t expected.


    As the forest blurred around them, Liu Ying clung to him, her small hands gripping his robes tightly. She didn¡¯t know where they were going or what would happen next, but for now, she allowed herself to feel a tiny glimmer of safety in his presence¡ªeven if it was fleeting.


    Jiang Cheng, meanwhile, pushed aside his thoughts and focused on the path ahead. He had made his choice, and for better or worse, Liu Ying was now his responsibility. Whether she would become an asset or a liability remained to be seen, but for now, he would keep her close and see where this strange turn of events would lead.


    After a few hours, Jiang Cheng had put several hundreds of miles between them and their previous location. The first hints of dawn began to lighten the sky, but the journey continued without pause, the moon barely slipping below the horizon.


    ...


    They finally came to a small town called Jade River Town, a bustling trade hub known for its river that flowed with jade-colored water, giving the town its name.


    The river attracted merchants and traders from all corners, eager to do business by its shores. Despite the early hour, the town was still awake, though the streets were quieter now, the dark sky hinting at the approaching dawn.


    The town was waking up, though slowly. The sounds of the night still lingered¡ªstray dogs barking in the distance, the soft clatter of a blacksmith preparing his forge, and the low murmur of voices from those few who had stayed awake.


    The distant mountains, cloaked in shadow, towered above, their jagged peaks standing in stark contrast to the gentle flow of the jade river below. Their looming presence gave the town an air of quiet isolation, a reminder that beyond the hustle of trade, nature¡¯s vastness and danger were never far away.


    Jiang Cheng moved with purpose, his steps soundless on the stone-paved streets, his cloak a shadow that merged seamlessly with the darkness. He wrapped Liu Ying in the shadow robe, the fabric swallowing any stray light that dared to touch them.


    As they passed through the town, Liu Ying could barely hear the world around her. Every step felt like a step into the unknown, her mind heavy with the weight of the night¡¯s events, the pounding of her heart the only thing keeping her anchored.


    They reached the inn¡ªa humble, unassuming structure tucked away from the main thoroughfare. It was simple but practical, a small sign swaying gently in the wind, creaking with each gust.


    The air around it smelled faintly of wood and fresh paint, mingling with the scent of roasted meat from a nearby stall. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior. The warmth inside was a stark contrast to the chill of the night air.


    The innkeeper, a tired-looking woman with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, nodded at Jiang Cheng, her gaze flicking curiously over Liu Ying¡¯s still form.


    Jiang Cheng rented a room for a few days, his voice low and steady as he spoke to the innkeeper. After receiving the key, he moved swiftly through the narrow hall, his eyes scanning the space for any potential threats.


    He was always alert, always ready for danger¡ªeven in a place as seemingly peaceful as Jade River Town.


    The room was simple, with a small bed covered in a plain quilt, a small wooden table, and a single window that let in a faint sliver of moonlight. The moon¡¯s glow was pale, casting soft shadows against the walls.


    The room felt quiet¡ªalmost too quiet, as though the world outside had fallen into a deep sleep. Yet, Liu Ying could sense the quiet hum of activity from the town beyond the walls¡ªmerchants preparing their wares, the faint clink of coins changing hands, the subtle promise of the bustling day that was to come.


    He set her down gently on the bed, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible while still being mindful of her injuries.


    He pressed the healing pill into her hand, watching as she swallowed it. Almost instantly, Liu Ying felt a warm current flood through her veins.


    It was as if a fire had been lit within her, starting at her core and spreading outward. The pain in her limbs began to ebb away, but the exhaustion remained, weighing her down like a heavy fog. Her mind felt thick, the events of the night a blur of fear, action, and escape.


    Liu Ying¡¯s eyelids fluttered, her thoughts slipping away as her body succumbed to the deep, overwhelming need for rest.


    Her lips parted slightly, a quiet "thank you" escaping her before sleep claimed her entirely.


    Jiang Cheng watched her for a moment, a soft chuckle escaping him as he shook his head. He carefully covered her with a blanket, ensuring she was warm and secure.


    Then, his attention turned to the rewards he had gained from his journey. A sense of excitement bubbled within him as he began to assess his spoils, though he remained mindful of the quiet figure resting nearby.


    Jiang Cheng sat down with a deep breath, focusing on the spoils from the bags of the two casual cultivators and the Qinglin Sect disciple. He opened the bags with a practiced hand, his eyes scanning each item carefully.


    From the two casual cultivators, he found a decent cache of spirit stones¡ªeight thousand in total. Enough to sustain him for a while. There were also four bottles of Qi Condensation Pills, which would help him advance his cultivation.


    Fire Talismans, Escape Talismans, and Evil Suppressing Talismans filled his hands, each one a small tool in his ever-expanding arsenal..


    Next, Jiang Cheng turned his attention to the bag of the Qinglin Sect disciple. As he sifted through the contents, his expression darkened slightly.


    Disappointment crept in as he found only a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills and two thousand spirit stones¡ªmuch less than he had hoped. He¡¯d expected something more substantial from a disciple of a well-known sect, but this was all that remained.


    There was also a robe with the insignia of the Qinglin Sect, which Jiang Cheng tossed aside, uninterested.


    A jade token caught his attention, but upon closer inspection, he crushed it with a flick of his wrist, not wanting any chance of being traced back to this location. It seemed to be a communication device¡ªuseful, but dangerous to keep.


    The final item in the bag was a technique scroll¡ªLongevity Fire, a Qi Refining stage technique with a focus on the fire attribute. Jiang Cheng unfurled it, reading the contents carefully.


    It seemed like a decent technique for someone focused on fire, but not something he would use. Still, the knowledge could be useful for his future endeavors, so he tucked it away for now.


    Jiang Cheng felt a spark of excitement as he turned his attention to the Spirit bag of the flower thief. If his suspicions about Liu Ying were correct, then this could be the moment where everything changed for her.


    He could feel the weight of the opportunity in his hands, and he opened the bag with a sense of anticipation.

 Chapter 35_Jiang Cheng Cursing the poor Author

    __


    Jiang Cheng first took out the paper figure, which seemed to be made of some animal skin, not paper. The face of the fair-skinned man was depicted on it, which was very lifelike, and there were some mysterious patterns, which seemed to be more complicated than the talisman.


    It was incredible that this paper figure could become like a living person.


    If he used the Greatmaster of the spiritual eye technique, he should be able to check the clues, but in the secular world, those warriors and ordinary people naturally could not tell the truth from the false.


    He did not use spiritual power casually, but put it into the storage bag and took out two books.


    The first one seemed to be a notebook, recording the women that the flower thief had defiled, and even detailed torture plots, including some stimulating torture methods he had researched.


    Jiang Cheng roughly flipped through it, and there was also information written by the flower thief himself. This person was named Wang Shaoming. It seemed that he was abused by his master for a long time, which led to psychological distortion. In the end, he found the enemy of his master and tortured his master to death with the help of the enemy.


    There was no other useful information in it, such as his master''s skills.


    He shook his head to make sure there was nothing else in it, and burned the book to ashes. Being abused by his master, he abused others crazily, and recorded it as fun. It was really not a pity to die.


    Jiang Cheng then took out the second book. This one looked more worn out, as if it was often read. After reading it, he was immediately refreshed. The content of this book turned out to be the secret of making paper figures.


    However, it required the foundation-building stage to make it, and both the skin of the paper figure and the paint on it were very special materials, some of which he had never even heard of.


    And the patterns on it were very complicated, more special than the object-


    receiving talisman. It might not be so easy to learn. Jiang Cheng decided to put this book in the storage bag first, and consider learning it when he reached the foundation-building stage. Being able to be like a living person is equivalent to a puppet clone.


    Finally, there was only a jade slip of Dharma transmission that was about to break. He gently took it out of the storage bag and held it in his hand. The cracks on it indicated that he could only transmit the Dharma once more at most.


    If he guessed correctly, this should be the clone spell of the flower thief. It can create an identical clone phantom, and even the cultivation level is not much different. It can be said to be very special.


    In the Qinglin Sect''s Dharma Hall, such a spell will definitely never appeare. From this paper figure, it can be seen that the master of the flower thief should be mainly based on strange techniques. The clones


    are one after another, with paper figures and spells. This is really a life-saving artifact.


    Jiang Cheng thought about it and decided to try to learn it. If it is the clone phantom secret technique of the flower thief, it would be great. He can learn it directly in the Qi Refining Stage.


    If it is a spell or skill that requires a higher realm to learn, then there is no big problem. You can receive the knowledge first and then learn it when the realm is reached.


    Spells or skills that are higher than one''s own realm cannot be checked after being taught. They can only be unlocked when the realm is reached.


    Jiang Cheng first activated the evil-repelling talisman and pasted it on the jade slip of the Dharma transmission. After finding no movement, he picked up the jade slip and pasted it on his forehead, while activating it with spiritual power.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Suddenly, a lot of knowledge flooded into his mind. He looked at the content and showed joy on his face. It was indeed the secret technique of the virtual shadow of the clone, called the Divine Shadow Technique.


    As the name suggests, it can create a virtual shadow like the real body to confuse the enemy. When it is refined to the extreme, it can even turn the virtual into the real and the real into the virtual.


    He carefully comprehended it and found that it was not a spell, but a secret technique similar to the method of cultivation.


    After receiving all the knowledge, Jiang Cheng slowly opened his eyes, and the jade slip of the Dharma transmission on his forehead also shattered.


    [Divine Shadow Technique]


    Jiang Cheng couldn''t help but shake his head and smile. It seems that this special spell still needs to be comprehended hard before it can be successfully activated.


    However, judging from the fact that the flower thief was able to learn it, it should not be difficult for him.


    Jiang Cheng looked at the broken jade slip and felt that this mission was worth it.


    thousands of spirit stones were nothing. The problem was that he got the strange paper figurine making technique. The higher the cultivation level, the more the paper figurines made looked like living people, which would be very useful in the future.


    After sorting through his spoils, Jiang Cheng leaned back with a satisfied grin. His first real adventure was a complete success. Spirit stones, pills, talismans¡ªit was a proper haul.


    But...


    His smile gradually stiffened.


    Where¡¯s the treasure for the Daughter of Destiny?


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s brows furrowed. Could it be... fake? Were the countless novels he read in his past life¡ªon pirate websites, all lies? Did those authors just make stuff up to sell more chapters? . Was that all fake?


    Were those authors lying to him?


    ¡°No... impossible...¡± Jiang Cheng muttered, shaking his head like a man who just realized his favorite noodle shop had been serving instant ramen all along


    He dove back into the spirit bag rummaging through piles of junk¡ªbroken talismans, half-eaten dry rations, and a moldy spirit herb.


    Just as he was about to give up, his hand brushed against something odd. He pulled out a strange book¡ªbarely holding together, its pages yellowed and crumbling, like it had survived a thousands of years... and possibly a few water spills.


    Excited, Jiang Cheng held it up like a holy artifact.


    This is it! The Daughter of Destiny¡¯s treasure!


    He opened the book with trembling hands... only to find nothing.


    The pages were completely blank.


    Jiang Cheng blinked. Flipped through again. Blank.


    He squinted, tried tilting it under the moonlight. Still blank.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a hidden inheritance?¡± He poured his spiritual power into it.


    Nothing.


    Maybe it needed blood? He bit his finger and smeared some blood.


    Still nothing.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s face darkened. He tried tearing the book apart¡ªnothing happened. He tried burning it¡ªnothing. He even tried peeing on it (just a little in the corner)¡ªstill nothing. The book was indestructible, but also completely useless.


    His hands trembled.


    ¡°The hell is this?!¡± he exploded.


    A terrifying thought crept into his mind.


    Could it be... only if you have plot armor that you can receive the blessings?


    His soul turned cold.


    Which means... I¡¯m just a background character?!


    His face went pale as he pictured the classic plotline:


    _ Daughter of Destiny stumbles upon this very book.


    _ Book lights up in divine radiance.


    _ Boom! Heaven-defying inheritance unlocked.


    _ Jiang Cheng? Just a supporting actor, a stepping stone who dies tragically to motivate her growth.


    He could already see his death scene:


    "Senior Brother Jiang! NOOO!" ¡ª Cue tragic montage with slow-motion petals falling, a cheap flute soundtrack, and then she breaks through to Foundation Establishment the next day like she just drank a protein shake.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s hands tightened into fists. ¡°No... impossible...¡±


    He could even imagine his name being mentioned offhandedly in the later chapters:


    ¡°Back then, a senior brother sacrificed his life... what was his name again?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Jiang... something. Anyway, let¡¯s go fight the Demon Lord!¡±


    His breathing quickened.


    No way. Hell no.


    ¡°I refuse to be a tragic stepping stone!¡± Jiang Cheng shot up, veins popping on his forehead.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sacrificing myself for this ¡®main character halo¡¯ bullshit! Whoever wants to die for motivation, go ahead! I¡¯m out!¡±


    He was so angry he nearly vomited blood, clutching his chest .


    Looking up at the sky with bloodshot eyes, he screamed:


    ¡°Author, you blind bastard! Why didn¡¯t you make ME the Protagonist?!¡±


    Somewhere in the void, the Author: ¡°...¡±


    Jiang Cheng collapsed onto his bed, covering his face.


    ¡°Damn it... am I just an NPC...?¡±


    He glanced at the strange book on the table.


    It just sat there, blank and smug, like it knew.


    Jiang Cheng raised his fist... then sighed.


    ¡°Forget it... Maybe I¡¯ll use it as a pillow.¡±


    And thus, the Heaven-Defying Inheritance Tome was demoted to a very expensive nap cushion.


    For now.


    But deep down, Jiang Cheng knew... this wasn¡¯t over.


    He wasn¡¯t about to accept his fate as some nameless stepping stone. If the heavens wouldn¡¯t grant him the protagonist¡¯s halo, he¡¯d steal it. If fate dared cast him as a background character, he¡¯d write himself into the main plot with his own blood if necessary!


    He clenched his fist, eyes burning with determination.


    ¡°Just you wait, Dog Author,¡± he muttered under his breath, glaring up at the sky like a lunatic. ¡°I¡¯ll break the fourth dimension wall of reality if I have to!¡±


    ...


    Somewhere in the void...


    The Author, sipping tea while brainstorming future plot twists, suddenly choked violently.


    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat?!¡±


    Tea sprayed all over the celestial manuscript. The Author frantically wiped it down, eyes twitching.


    ¡°Who gave this side character sentience?! Security! SECURITY!¡±


    ...


    Back in his room, Jiang Cheng smirked, feeling a strange satisfaction in his heart¡ªlike he¡¯d just struck a blow against an unseen enemy.


    But his eyes soon turned cold. This wasn¡¯t just about proving himself. This was war.


    He would rise to power, he would dominate the cultivation world... and then, he would find a way to reach the void where the Author resided.


    He would drag that bastard down from his celestial chair, break his immortal pen, and force him to write the words ¡®Jiang Cheng, the Eternal Protagonist¡¯ in bold, golden ink!


    ¡°I hope your plot armor is thick, Author,¡± Jiang Cheng whispered darkly, eyes glinting with madness. ¡°Because when I ascend... we¡¯re settling this like men.¡±


    Then Jiang Cheng fall asleep using the priceless inheritance book as a pillow, muttering: "Damn protagonist-exclusive loot¡­"


    __


    Earth plane .


    The Author felt a sudden chill run down his spine.


    Looking around nervously, he muttered, ¡°...I should¡¯ve just written a romance novel.¡±

 Chapter 36_" mentor and friend "

    The next morning, Liu Ying woke up feeling refreshed, her body still tender but the pain from her injuries had subsided somewhat. The warmth of the blanket surrounding her provided a rare sense of comfort and security, a feeling she hadn¡¯t experienced in days. She rubbed her eyes and took a careful look around the simple room.


    Her gaze settled on Jiang Cheng, who was seated cross-legged on the wooden floor, his eyes closed in deep meditation. His breathing was steady, and the way he sat made him appear as though he had melded with the surroundings, exuding an aura of tranquility and strength.


    Not wanting to disturb him, Liu Ying sat quietly with her knees drawn to her chest, waiting patiently. After a few moments, Jiang Cheng¡¯s eyes fluttered open. His gaze was calm, but there was a sharpness beneath it that made Liu Ying instinctively tense.


    She lowered her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Immortal Master¡­ What should I do now?¡±


    Upon hearing the words ¡°Immortal Master,¡± Jiang Cheng froze for a moment. Memories of the original owner¡¯s golden days in the city surged back¡ªdays when he was respected and revered, walking proudly through the streets, admired by ordinary people and brothels girls . Those days seemed so far away now.


    After a brief pause, Jiang Cheng waved his hand awkwardly. ¡°Don¡¯t call me Immortal Master. Just¡­ call me Young Master.¡±


    Liu Ying looked at him with her red-rimmed eyes, a little flustered. ¡°Yes, Young Master.¡±


    Jiang Cheng gave a slight nod of approval, his expression softening for a moment. Then, after a beat, he asked, ¡°By the way, little girl, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    Liu Ying hesitated, then whispered, ¡°My name is Liu Ying, Young Master.¡±


    Jiang Cheng repeated her name, ¡°Liu Ying... Liu Ying... That¡¯s a good name.¡± He smiled gently at her.


    The soft praise made Liu Ying¡¯s cheeks flush a light shade of red. ¡°Thank you, Young Master.¡±


    Jiang Cheng glanced at her tattered and dirty clothes, his gaze turning thoughtful. ¡°Are you hungry? And... what else do you need?¡±


    Liu Ying hesitated for a moment before answering timidly, ¡°Yes, Young Master. I¡¯m a little hungry... and... I need some clothes... These... can¡¯t be worn anymore.¡±


    Jiang Cheng nodded. He had already noticed the poor condition of her clothing last night, but he hadn¡¯t wanted to embarrass her by mentioning it. Now that she brought it up herself, it made things easier.


    He stood up, stretching his limbs after a night of meditation. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    Looking at Liu Ying, who was clutching the blanket tightly around her, he added, ¡°You stay here and rest. Don¡¯t open the door for anyone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Young Master,¡± Liu Ying replied quickly.


    With that, Jiang Cheng picked up his storage bag, pushed the door open, and stepped out into the bright morning light.


    The town was beginning to stir, with vendors setting up their stalls and the aroma of freshly steamed buns wafting through the air. Jiang Cheng squinted slightly, adjusting to the sunlight, before heading toward the market to get food and some suitable clothes for Liu Ying.


    He knew that the cultivation world was cruel. If Liu Ying was left alone again, her fate might be even worse than before. Besides... having someone to take care of small matters might not be a bad thing in the long run.


    With that thought, Jiang Cheng¡¯s steps became lighter as he blended into the crowd, the gears of his next plans already turning in his mind.


    ...


    After leaving Liu Ying at the inn, Jiang Cheng made his way to the bustling market in the mortal part of the town. He had no intention of buying anything extravagant; he simply wanted to get her some clean, practical clothes.


    He approached a modest clothing shop run by an elderly woman. The shelves were filled with simple yet sturdy garments¡ªperfect for a young girl to wear daily. Jiang Cheng selected a few sets:


    A light blue cotton dress with long sleeves, modest and comfortable.


    A plain white inner garment set.


    A warm outer coat made from coarse wool, suitable for chilly mornings.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    A pair of soft cloth shoes.


    A few undergarments, though he awkwardly picked them with minimal words.


    After paying with a few silver taels, Jiang Cheng left the shop carrying a small bundle of neatly wrapped clothes. He also stopped by a food stall to buy two meat buns and a bowl of warm rice porridge.


    With everything in hand, he returned to the inn, ready to provide Liu Ying with the essentials she needed.


    ....


    Back in the inn, Jiang Cheng stretched out on a nearby chair, eyes closed, enjoying a brief moment of calm.


    Liu Ying looked at him cautiously as he opened his eyes. ¡°Young Master, what should I do now?¡±


    He raised a hand, his voice calm. ¡°Come closer.¡±


    Liu Ying stiffened but obediently took a few steps forward, clutching the edge of her new dress nervously. As she stood before him, Jiang Cheng raised his finger and lightly pressed it to her forehead.


    A surge of spiritual energy flowed from him into her, carrying with it the foundational principles of the Bloodforge Body Art.


    The knowledge flooded into Liu Ying¡¯s mind¡ªthe intricacies of breathing techniques, meridian paths, and how to temper her body.


    She gasped as the information overwhelmed her senses, her eyes widening, and her breathing quickening.


    Jiang Cheng withdrew his hand, watching her closely.


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to practice this technique. Cultivating your body is the foundation for everything.¡±


    Liu Ying looked up, her face a mixture of awe and disbelief.


    "But, Young Master¡­ they said I¡¯m not suitable for practicing immortality¡­ The elders checked my spirit root. They said I¡¯m a mortal¡­" Her voice trembled, the insecurities she had buried deep within resurfacing.


    Jiang Cheng smiled softly, though his eyes twinkled with humor. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that. Just follow my teachings. Leave the rest to me.¡±


    He leaned back, adopting the regal posture of an ancient, enigmatic cultivator. ¡°You will succeed. Trust me.¡±


    Liu Ying watched him, feeling a sense of calm despite her doubts. ¡°I¡­ I understand. I will work hard, Young Master.¡±


    Jiang Cheng nodded, though inwardly, he was amused by how well he was playing the role of a hidden expert. Hah¡­ it feels good to be seen as someone powerful for once.


    He glanced up at the sky, the sun still hanging high. He thought for a while and then decided to train this little girl himself and guide her in her practice, this way it will be much faster and the same time to pass the time since the spiritual energy here is poor


    ...


    Days passed, and as Jiang Cheng continued to guide Liu Ying in her physical training, their dynamic slowly shifted. The tension from earlier began to fade as Liu Ying became more at ease around him. The quiet, nervous girl gradually transformed into someone more confident, her enthusiasm growing with every day of practice.


    One morning after an intense training session, Liu Ying wiped the sweat from her brow and let out a playful laugh as she stretched. ¡°Young Master, I didn¡¯t know training could be this exhausting! My muscles feel like they¡¯re on fire!¡±


    Jiang Cheng smirked, his tone softening.


    ¡°The Bloodforge Body Art is no walk in the park, but it¡¯s the foundation of everything. You¡¯ve got to toughen up.¡±


    Liu Ying tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in playful challenge.


    ¡°So it never gets easy, huh?¡±


    Jiang Cheng chuckled, the glint in his eye becoming sharper.


    ¡°Not easy, but it gets easier. Persistence is the key. You¡¯ll get there¡ªjust keep pushing through.¡±


    Liu Ying waved a small fist in the air, determination shining in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Young Master! I will work hard!¡±


    Jiang Cheng couldn''t help but laugh, the lighthearted moment breaking through his usual composed demeanor.


    The sight of Liu Ying, so serious yet so endearing, melted away the weight of his usual thoughts. "You¡¯re quite the character, little girl," he said with a grin. "Trying to look all tough with that face?"


    Liu Ying, realizing how she must have looked, flushed a little, and quickly dropped her fist, her expression shifting into a shy smile. "I-I¡¯m just trying to stay motivated! A little encouragement wouldn¡¯t hurt, right?"


    she mumbled, her voice soft but full of sincerity.


    Jiang Cheng shook his head with a chuckle, his amusement clear. "Alright, alright. Keep up that spirit. You¡¯ll do just fine, as long as you stay focused and keep pushing forward."


    Her face brightened, her earlier embarrassment melting away. "Thank you, Young Master!" she said eagerly, her eyes sparkling with renewed determination.


    Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Don¡¯t thank me just yet. You still have a long way to go."


    But Liu Ying only nodded with even more enthusiasm. "I know! I won¡¯t let you down!"


    The playful banter became a regular part of their routine, and over the next few months, Liu Ying made rapid progress. She adapted to the physical challenges faster than Jiang Cheng expected, and soon, he found himself praising her more than he had anticipated.


    Two and a half months flew by, and their time together became more comfortable, filled with laughter and companionship. Liu Ying had transformed from the shy girl who feared Jiang Cheng into someone who now felt like an equal¡ªsomeone he could talk to as a friend.


    Just like that time passed and the two of them practice the Bloodforge Body Art and made rapid progress Jiang Cheng Often goes to a Nearb immortal Square called Shining Lotus City a dazzling, ethereal town known for its breathtaking beauty and serenity. Nestled within a vast valley surrounded by towering, jade-colored mountains, the Town is built around a massive, tranquil lotus lake.


    The lake is said to possess healing properties, with its glowing lotus blossoms said to bloom only under the most auspicious celestial alignments.


    He often goes there to purchase resource for both of them to practice the body art and for himself pills To practice even without spiritual energy


    ....


    Finally today he called Liu Ying to him with a serious expression.


    " now that you body is strong and vigirios, I will teach you the common sense of Cultivation Immortal since and about your situation and why you couldn''t practice before"


    Liu Ying¡¯s eyes widened slightly, a mix of curiosity and uncertainty flickering across her face. She stepped forward, instinctively feeling the importance of this moment.


    "Why couldn¡¯t I practice before, Young Master?" she asked, her voice quiet but full of anticipation.


    Jiang Cheng cleared his throat, settling into his role as a mentor. ¡°In the cultivation world, there are two types of humans. Those without spirit roots¡ªmortals¡ªcan¡¯t practice immortality. They can, however, practice martial arts, which is a little difficult and incompetent road, and there are different realms they can progress through.


    But then, there are those with spirit roots¡­¡±


    As Jiang Cheng explained the different grades of spirit roots¡ªlow, medium, high, and heavenly-grade¡ªLiu Ying listened intently, her eyes wide with fascination.


    ¡°Then, Young Master,¡± she asked eagerly, ¡°what kind of spirit root do I have?¡±


    Jiang Cheng turned his gaze to her, his lips curling into a rare, mischievous smile. "You have a Heavenly Void Spirit Root,"


    Liu Ying blinked in disbelief, her expression a mix of shock and excitement. "A Heavenly Void Spirit Root?" Her voice was almost a whisper as the words sank in. Then, her eyes lit up as realization hit.


    "So, I¡¯m a genius, right, Young Master? I could even surpass you one day! Maybe I¡¯ll beat you up when I grow up and take revenge for scaring me the first time we met!"


    she said, laughing and making a playful face at him.


    Jiang Cheng froze for a moment, his expression hardening into anger. "What? Surpass me?" he asked, narrowing his eyes in feigned indignation. "How dare you betray your benefactor, you little brat!"


    Before she could respond, he sprang to his feet and lunged after her, his laughter mixing with hers as she darted away, trying to escape.


    ¡°Stop! You¡¯re cheating!¡± she cried between giggles.


    Jiang Cheng caught her by the wrist and scolded her playfully. ¡°You little brat! First you talk about surpassing me, then you beat me up "


    Liu Ying, still laughing, pulled her hand free, grinning mischievously. "I¡¯m just joking, Young Master. But if I really do surpass you, I¡¯ll make sure to take care of you when you¡¯re old and weak!"


    Jiang Cheng laughed, finally giving in, though secretly pleased by her playful spirit. ¡°Hmph, dream on! This Young Master is destined to become a Great Emperor!¡±


    Jiang Cheng stood up looking at the sky with a light smile.


    Liu Ying, impressed, stood up next to him and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll become the Great Emperor of the Void too.¡±


    The two of them shared a look, and both burst into laughter, the bond between them growing stronger with every passing day.

 Chapter 37_The Voids Chosen

    _____


    After a few minutes of silence, Liu Ying¡¯s curiosity got the better of her. ¡°But, Young Master, you still haven¡¯t told me why they said I have no spirit roots,¡± she asked softly, her eyes searching his for an explanation.


    Jiang Cheng paused, his gaze drifting as he considered her question. Finally, in a measured tone he replied, ¡°You see, some of the rarest, most defiant spirit roots don¡¯t manifest at birth. They require a dramatic turning point¡ªa moment that forces both body and soul into transformation. It might be a near-death experience, extreme emotional turmoil, or simply the absence of the right technique that prevents their appearance.¡±


    Liu Ying listened intently, her expression thoughtful as she absorbed his words.


    ¡°And don¡¯t forget,¡± Jiang Cheng added, his tone lowering slightly, ¡°we¡¯re in a backward area. We still lack the proper tools and methods to detect these subtle changes.¡±


    "Alright, enough chitchat," Jiang Cheng said, his tone firm but calm. "Sit in front of me and focus. Close your eyes and try to feel the spiritual energy around you. Let it flow through you, connecting you to heaven and earth."


    Liu Ying nodded, her expression serious as she settled into position. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her mind reaching out to sense the subtle currents of Qi in the air.


    And just like that, after only fifteen minutes¡ªyes, fifteen whole minutes¡ªJiang Cheng was about to head out to the brothel to "chat" with Sister Lin about the "history of the world" when he suddenly froze mid-step. His fan tumbled from his hand with a loud clatter as a surge of spiritual energy rippled through the room.


    His jaw practically hit the floor. "She succeeded? Already?!" he blurted, his voice cracking like a teenager¡¯s on his first date. "What the hell is wrong with the world?! Didn¡¯t they say this takes months¡ªmaybe even a year? Some people train their entire lives for this, and she just... poof?!"


    He glared at the sky, shaking his fist like an old man scolding a stubborn cloud. "This is so unfair, you dog author! Are you even trying to make this realistic, or are you just handing out plot armor like free dumplings at a festival?!"


    Meanwhile, Liu Ying slowly opened her eyes, now glowing with newfound power, and, with innocent curiosity, asked, "Did I do it right? It felt kind of... easy."


    When Jiang Cheng heard Liu Ying casually say, ¡°It felt kind of... easy,¡± he clutched his chest as if he¡¯d been stabbed by a thousand tiny daggers of inadequacy¡ªeach one engraved with the words ¡°You¡¯re a failure.¡± His face turned as pale as a ghost who¡¯d just seen its own funeral, and he swore he could taste blood rising in his throat. Almost vomited blood? More like almost died on the spot.


    His mind raced back to the original owner of this body¡ªthat poor, delusional soul who had spent an entire year just to sense a flicker of spiritual energy.


    And even then, that guy had strutted around like he was the chosen one, the protagonist of some grand destiny. Jiang Cheng wanted to laugh, cry, and maybe throw himself off a cliff¡ªall at the same time.


    Maybe I should¡¯ve stayed in my old life as a broke Office worker. At least there, the only thing I had to worry about was instant noodles and debt.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s inner voice exploded with indignation:


    What even is this plot armor?! Am I suddenly the comic relief while she¡¯s the dazzling heroine? Dog author, if you¡¯re out there, may you stub your toe every day!


    Meanwhile, Liu Ying tilted her head, completely oblivious to Jiang Cheng¡¯s existential crisis.


    ¡°So... what¡¯s next?¡± she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°Do I get a cool sword? Or maybe a flying mount? Oh! Can I shoot fireballs now?!¡±


    Jiang Cheng stared at her, his eye twitching. Shoot fireballs? She¡¯s already thinking about fireballs?! He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside him.


    ¡°No,¡± he said through gritted teeth. ¡°First, you learn control. Otherwise, you¡¯ll blow yourself up¡ªor worse, blow me up.¡±


    Liu Ying pouted. ¡°But that sounds boring. Can¡¯t I just... skip to the fun part?¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s eye twitched harder. Skip to the fun part?! He was about to unleash a lecture that would make her regret ever being born, but then he stopped.


    A sinister thought crossed his mind. What if I just... don¡¯t tell her? Let her figure it out the hard way. Yeah, that¡¯ll teach her.


    With a meaan smile, he said, ¡°You know what? You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s skip to the fun part. Here, try channeling learning how to cast this technique ¡± He handed her a fire ball technique to try


    Liu Ying beamed, clearly thrilled. ¡°Finally! Something exciting!¡± She closed her eyes, focused her Qi, and a few minutes she shot a Fireball from her hand.


    The wall exploded in a puff of smoke, leaving Jiang Cheng covered in in smoke


    Jiang Cheng, now covered in soot and looking like a chimney sweep, stared in utter disbelief. ¡°You... succeeded? This is impossible! Absolutely impossible!¡±


    He raged silently, his Taoist heart nearly collapsing under the weight of cosmic injustice.


    Is this the true meaning of the Heroine of Destiny? Is this the terrifying talent of the Daughter of Luck? No, I can¡¯t do it. I can¡¯t stand it!


    Liu Ying, startled by Jiang Cheng¡¯s wild expression, tried to speak. ¡°Young Mast¡ª¡±


    NO!¡± Jiang Cheng interrupted, waving his hands frantically. ¡°Don¡¯t call me Young Master! I don¡¯t dare claim that title! Just... call me Fellow Taoist. Or Brother Jiang. Or literally anything else. Just not that.¡±


    He was genuinely terrified. The hell with ¡°Young Master¡±! I thought I could silence her back then in the crime scene, but now I¡¯m afraid the moment I lay a finger on her, I¡¯ll get slapped by her from the long river of Time.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Or worse, some karmic disaster will fall from the sky and crush me like a bug. This is exactly like those trashy novels I¡¯ve been reading!


    As Jiang Cheng drowned in his delusions, Liu Ying blinked at him, utterly confused. ¡°Uh... Brother Jiang? Are you okay? You¡¯re muttering about karmic disasters and time-slapping...¡±


    Jiang Cheng snapped out of it, forcing a shaky smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Perfectly fine. Just... contemplating the meaning of life. You know, as one does.¡± He glanced at the smoldering ruins of the wall and sighed. ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s... uh... clean this up before someone thinks we¡¯re under attack.¡±


    Liu Ying grinned. ¡°Or we could just say it was a training accident?¡±


    Jiang Cheng groaned. ¡°Great. Now she¡¯s learning to lie too. What¡¯s next? Is she going to start forming a harem of overpowered love interests while I¡¯m stuck here as the token grumpy mentor? Dog author, I swear, if you¡¯re listening, I¡¯m coming for you!¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s mind spiraled further into chaos. I¡¯m afraid when she surpasses me in strength, she¡¯ll bully me¡ªthe poor Taoist priest! He imagined a future where Liu Ying, now a powerhouse of unimaginable talent, would force him to carry her bags, fetch her tea, and maybe even polish her shoes.


    is this my fate? To be the comic relief punching bag for the main character?


    Liu Ying, oblivious to Jiang Cheng¡¯s internal meltdown, looked around and said, ¡°Brother Jiang, now that I¡¯m at the first level of the Qi Refining stage, but I don¡¯t have any techniques. What should I do?¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s mind raced as he recalled the mysterious book he¡¯d found in the Flower Thief¡¯s spatial bag. It was that nameless tome with blank pages¡ªcompletely empty, or so it appeared.


    If these Novels I read is correct then that book is definitely contain some shocking inherent , but in his hands, he would never receive it so It better to cheat this silly girl with it .


    If I spin a good enough story, maybe she¡¯ll be so grateful she¡¯ll never bully me. Heck, she might even take me flying on her future spirit beast!


    With a sad sigh, Jiang Cheng adopted a sorrowful expression, his eyes glistening with unshed tears (or maybe it was just dust¡ªhard to tell). He pulled the book from his spatial pouch and held it reverently in front of Liu Ying.


    ¡°This,¡± he began, his voice trembling with emotion, ¡°is no ordinary book. This is a relic of my ancestors, passed down through generations. It is a testament to their blood, sweat, and tears. A symbol of their sacrifices.¡±


    Liu Ying¡¯s eyes widened, her curiosity piqued. ¡°Really? What kind of sacrifices?¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s face darkened as if recalling a painful memory. ¡°Many years ago, my great-great-grandfather, the legendary Jiang Tianming, ventured into the Forbidden Abyss to retrieve this very book. He fought against demonic beasts, braved soul-crushing illusions, and even sacrificed his favorite pair of Immortal shoes to cross a river of molten lava.¡±


    Liu Ying gasped. ¡°He sacrificed his Immortal shoes? That¡¯s so brave!¡±


    Jiang Cheng nodded solemnly. ¡°Indeed. But the greatest sacrifice came when he reached the heart of the Abyss. There, he faced the Guardian of Eternal Sorrow¡ªa monstrous creature with a thousand eyes and a voice that could shatter mountains. My ancestor fought valiantly, but in the end, he had to make the ultimate sacrifice.¡±


    Liu Ying leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°What... what did he sacrifice?¡±


    Jiang Cheng paused for effect, his voice dropping to a mournful whisper. ¡°His... favorite Immortal teapot.¡±


    Liu Ying¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°His immortal teapot?!¡±


    Jiang Cheng nodded, a single tear rolling down his cheek. ¡°It was a priceless artifact, passed down through our family for centuries. But he knew that the knowledge contained in this book was worth more than any material possession. And so, with a heavy heart, he offered it to the Guardian in exchange for this tome.¡±


    Liu Ying¡¯s eyes filled with admiration. ¡°Your ancestor was so selfless! I can¡¯t believe he gave up his teapot for this book.¡±


    Jiang Cheng sighed, clutching the book to his chest. ¡°Yes, it was a dark day for the Jiang family. But his sacrifice was not in vain. This book contains the secrets of unparalleled cultivation techniques, ones that will help you reach heights you¡¯ve never dreamed of.¡±


    Liu Ying¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°Really? Can I see it?¡±


    Jiang Cheng hesitated, his expression pained. ¡°I... I don¡¯t know if I can part with it. It¡¯s the last connection I have to my ancestors. But...¡± He looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and sorrow.


    ¡°If you promise to cherish it as they did, to honor their sacrifices, then... perhaps I can entrust it to you.¡±


    Liu Ying nodded fervently. ¡°I promise, Brother Jiang! I¡¯ll treat it with the utmost respect!¡±


    Jiang Cheng smiled softly, though inwardly he was fist-pumping in victory.  Yes! She¡¯s eating it up! Now she¡¯ll be so grateful she¡¯ll never bully me. Maybe she¡¯ll even let me ride her future flying treasure!


    He handed her the book with a dramatic flourish. ¡°Then it is yours. May it guide you on your path to greatness.¡±


    Liu Ying took the book, her hands trembling with excitement. ¡°Thank you, Brother Jiang! I won¡¯t let you down!¡±


    Liu Ying eagerly flipped through the book, her eyes sparkling with curiosity¡ªuntil her face froze. She held up the book and waved it in front of Jiang Cheng like a piece of trash. ¡°Brother Jiang... why is it empty?¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s heart nearly leapt out of his chest. His brain short-circuited. How the hell would I know?! I¡¯m not the author!


    But his face remained a picture of forced wisdom and calm. He stroked his chin like an old Daoist master.


    ¡°Ah... that¡¯s... that¡¯s because... it¡¯s a test!¡± he declared with the conviction of a scam artist cornered by debt collectors. ¡°Yes, a test of your talent! This is no ordinary book. You must channel your spiritual energy into it. Only then will the ancient secrets reveal themselves!¡±


    Inside, he was praying like his life depended on it. Please work please work


    Liu Ying gasped in awe. ¡°So mysterious! Your ancestors were amazing, Brother Jiang!¡±


    Jiang Cheng let out a shaky laugh, his smile stiff. Ancestors? If they heard this nonsense, they¡¯d probably crawl out of their graves and beat me with their walking sticks.


    The moment Liu Ying channeled her spiritual energy into the book, Jiang Cheng felt the temperature in the room plummet. His smile froze. His heartbeat quickened. Before he could even blink, the book in her hands shone with an eerie, otherworldly light¡ªthen vanished into thin air.


    His pupils shrank. Gone?! What do you mean gone?!


    But before he could panic properly, Liu Ying¡¯s expression shifted. Her eyes closed, and her delicate face became cold and ruthless¡ªso ruthless it sent shivers down his spine. The gentle, silly girl from before was gone. In her place sat someone, something, terrifying.


    A suffocating aura erupted around her. It was ancient¡ªprimal, like it had existed before the heavens and earth were formed. The air itself seemed to freeze in fear. Jiang Cheng stumbled backward, his breath caught in his throat.


    Then she spoke.


    Low, chilling words seeped from her lips, like whispers from a forgotten void.


    ¡°The Void reflects all things yet retains nothing. What enters is lost, what leaves is forgotten.


    Before all things, there was the Void. It is neither light nor darkness, neither presence nor absence.


    It is the source and the end, the cradle of existence and the tomb of creation.¡±


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s legs went weak. His back hit the wall, but he barely noticed. His ears buzzed. His vision blurred.


    ¡°Space bends before the one who understands its nature. Form is an illusion; distance is a lie.


    To step into the Void is to step beyond fate, beyond time, beyond self.¡±


    The ground trembled beneath them.


    Outside, the sky darkened unnaturally, like dusk had fallen at midday. The wind howled, and spiritual energy surged from every direction¡ªlike rivers, torrents from dozens of miles away, all madly converging toward her.


    Jiang Cheng¡¯s scalp went numb.


    ¡°What... what the hell is this book?!¡± His voice cracked, barely a whisper.


    He pressed himself against the wall, cold sweat drenching his back. His chest tightened. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to move. He was like a mortal staring into the abyss¡ªno, staring at the abyss staring back.


    His thoughts spiraled out of control. Did I just dig up some ancient taboo? Is this the start of a world-ending calamity?


    He imagined black-robed cultivators descending from the sky, divine tribulations striking down from the heavens, or some terrifying Void Lord clawing his way into their world¡ªall because of a single book.


    And worst of all... he gave it to her.


    I just wanted to scam a silly girl... not summon the end of days!