Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Planning an Escape Route

’No, perhaps it’s not just that.’

The original owner only managed this little bit of Skill Level in five years.

’If it were me now, I could make this kind of progress in a month or two.’

’It seems the panel forcibly adds one to my Skill Level every time I practice.’

Jiang Xu felt this was truly heaven-defying.

’I can get stronger every day just by grinding Skill Levels.’

’Why would I even need to interact with other Immortal Cultivators? I might as well just hide in some corner for a few decades and then re-emerge.’

But the thought alone made Jiang Xu laugh.

The path of Cultivation was fraught with hardship. How could one possibly succeed by simply working in isolation?

The requirements for the Foundation Establishment Realm alone were exceptionally harsh.

That wasn’t even mentioning the extremely precious Foundation Establishment Pill.

Just reaching the Qi Cultivation Great Perfection stage before the age of sixty was a hurdle that stumped countless Qi Cultivation Cultivators.

’Even so, what I need most right now is time.’

’With a period of quiet consolidation, I can raise my strength by several notches.’

’Only then will I be able to guarantee my own safety.’

Jiang Xu was just a bottom-tier servant. His only Attack Technique was the Beginner Level Small Cotton Needle Technique—which was merely a Spirit Plant Technique. It couldn’t even handle stronger pests, let alone other Cultivators.

"I remember I have some belongings around here somewhere. Where are they?"

Jiang Xu got up, left the kitchen, and headed for the main room.

...

The *Cangmu Skill*.

The *Spirit Rice Cultivation Manual*.

The *Dinghai State Chronicles*.

A Sound Transmission Talisman.

A Light Body Talisman.

This was all the original owner had left behind.

’So damn poor!’

Jiang Xu rolled his eyes.

The Sound Transmission Talisman was for exchanging messages with Nie Mengyun.

The Light Body Talisman was to get to her faster.

The other three books had been issued by the Sect to servants like him.

The *Spirit Rice Cultivation Manual* also came with two Magic techniques at the end: the Spirit Rain Technique and the Small Cotton Needle Technique.

These were the only two Magic techniques Jiang Xu possessed.

’If the Skilled Level Cangmu Skill significantly improves my meridians’ recovery, then I’ll use my remaining Spirit Stones to buy more Magic.’

Jiang Xu unrolled the ancient-looking scroll of the *Cangmu Skill*.

It was late at night.

Moonlight filtered through the partially drawn curtains, a sliver of it gently landing on Jiang Xu’s face.

By the faint moonlight, Jiang Xu began to read.

The scroll detailed basic knowledge like the Twelve Main Meridians, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, and the Acupoint Locations of the Whole Body. It was filled with diagrams of small human figures marked with circles and dots, all with detailed annotations. It even mapped out the Circulation Route for one’s Magical Power.

"It’s as detailed as a textbook. Following this is practically foolproof; anyone could start on the path of Cultivation. No wonder the Profound Origin Sect dares to be so hands-off with its servants."

Picking up the *Spirit Rice Cultivation Manual*, Jiang Xu saw the thick tome and understood just how much thought the Profound Origin Sect had put into it.

Sowing, fertilizing, weeding, watering, pest control, field management, harvesting, storage...

Every step was explained in excruciating detail, as if the Sect was terrified its servants wouldn’t be able to pay their dues on time.

The last book, the *Dinghai State Chronicles*, recorded local lore about Dinghai State, where the Profound Origin Sect was located. It also provided some introduction to the surrounding geography and the relationships between various Sects.

Jiang Xu didn’t pay much attention to the other two books, but he read this one with great concentration, practically studying it.

After a period of careful study, Jiang Xu had gained a basic understanding of his current location.

He was currently within the borders of the Great Qi Kingdom. The kingdom was divided into several State Domains, and the Profound Origin Sect was located in Dinghai State.

The Profound Origin Sect was adjacent to the wild and primitive Endless Forest, and its territory stretched over two hundred kilometers from north to south and over three hundred kilometers from east to west.

The book also described some of the local customs of Dinghai State, as well as the various Sects that were either on friendly or hostile terms with the Profound Origin Sect.

"This book isn’t very complete. It doesn’t even have a map. A rough one would have been better than nothing."

Jiang Xu felt a pang of disappointment.

The reason he was so interested in the book was that he hoped to find a way to safely escape the Profound Origin Sect.

In his original world, Jiang Xu had been taught a principle: ’When you enter an unfamiliar place or building, the first thing you must do is survey your surroundings and terrain, identify the escape routes, and ensure they are clear.’

It wasn’t that he was determined to leave the Profound Origin Sect right away, but he had to plan for the possibility.

Jiang Xu’s current strength was insufficient. If anything unexpected happened, running away would be his best option.

’Once I get a map and plan an escape route, I’ll need to scout it in person.’

As he continued planning in his mind, Jiang Xu read through the entire book again, committing it to memory to ensure he missed nothing.

...

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

[Cangmu Skill - Skill Level +1]

Jiang Xu ceased his cultivation, a pleased expression on his face.

"Good thing I didn’t spend Spirit Stones on Elixirs, or that would’ve been a waste!"

He called up his panel.

[Name]: Jiang Xu

[Lifespan]: 19/96 years

[Realm]: Qi Cultivation Second Layer: 99/100

[Cultivation Technique]: Cangmu Skill (Skilled): 1/200

[Skills]:

Magic: Spirit Rain Technique (Skilled): 7/200; Small Cotton Needle Technique (Beginner): 91/100

[Limit-Breaking Points]: 0.376

After his Cangmu Skill reached the Skilled Level today, Jiang Xu tried cultivating with it.

Not only had his ability to gather and absorb Spiritual Qi improved significantly, but the healing effects were also far more pronounced. It would now be enough to fully restore his meridians in just two weeks.

Once his meridians were healed, breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer would be a matter of course, given the Magical Power he had accumulated in his Qi Sea over the past few days and his Skilled Level Cangmu Skill.

"The only surprise is that leveling up my Cangmu Skill actually added two years to my lifespan. It seems the rumors weren’t entirely baseless."

The Limit-Breaking Points were also just as he’d expected: each day, they increased by one-thousandth of his maximum lifespan.

Jiang Xu just didn’t know what they were used for yet.

He had tried using them, but couldn’t find a way. He could only wait and see if the panel changed.

As for his Magic, the Skilled Level Spirit Rain Technique created a noticeable disturbance, so Jiang Xu only dared to practice it when he was sure no one was around. Consequently, its progress was slow.

On the other hand, the Small Cotton Needle Technique was his main focus for grinding Skill Levels over the past three days. The Magic was subtle, its area of effect was small, it consumed little Magical Power, and he could practice it indoors.

Just as Jiang Xu was about to continue his Cultivation, a red light drifted before him.

A voice then emerged from within the red light:

"Brother Jiang, I’ve been waiting and waiting these past few days, but I haven’t heard any news about your promotion to Outer Disciple. Did something happen? I’m still waiting to build our life together."

Jiang Xu took a closer look. It was the Sound Transmission Talisman, carrying a message from Nie Mengyun.

He scoffed.

’Build our life together? She’s just getting impatient waiting for her Spirit Stones.’

Jiang Xu grabbed the Sound Transmission Talisman, cleared his throat, and infused a trace of Magical Power into it. He then spoke, his voice deliberately hoarse:

"Mengmeng, come to the usual place. Let’s meet."