Demon Cultivator with Celestial Book-Chapter 48 - 35: Resources, Meeting

On this day, Jiang Yi had just finished a round of Cultivation.

Without tonics like the Copper Juice Iron Pill, his progress in the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer immediately slowed down.

Compared to his previous meteoric rise, his progress now was at a snail’s pace. Every sliver of improvement could only be gained through painstaking, gradual accumulation.

He finally understood why most of the Outer Sect’s Mortal Servants found it so difficult to persist in their Cultivation.

Months of arduous practice with barely an inch of progress was truly demoralizing and enough to crush anyone’s will.

Following the Celestial Book’s guidance, Jiang Yi sat cross-legged in the Snow Forest and slowly exhaled a puff of white air.

WHOOSH—

His breath shot out like an arrow, piercing through thick tree bark with a crisp CRACK.

With his organs and viscera refined through Refining the Internal Organs, his Primordial Essence had grown strong, and he was already showing the initial might of "Breath Thunder."

If an ordinary person were to take a hit like that head-on, their skull would likely be shattered to pieces.

’I was already at eighteen percent mastery before, and though I haven’t slacked off these past few days, I’ve only managed to reach twenty percent. Progressing through arduous practice alone is just too difficult!’

Heat surged from Jiang Yi’s mouth and nose. Wisps of Fire Attribute Radiance transformed into bright clusters of flame, illuminating his seven orifices.

With a mere thought, he could shoot out several searing lines of fire, greatly increasing his combat strength.

Now, even if several more men like Zhang San and Dong Si came at him, they would be no match for him!

’Fortunately, my speed in Refining Techniques hasn’t faltered. My Fire Manipulation Technique has reached the Mid-Stage and is approaching Great Success.’

Jiang Yi was quite satisfied.

According to the Daoist Lineage, techniques have three stages of mastery.

Once any Daoist Skill was cultivated to the Great Success stage, its power would increase explosively.

’If I focus on refining it for a few more years, I might even surpass Grandpa.’

Jiang Yi wondered to himself, ’Could my true talent actually lie in Refining Techniques?’

His thoughts wandered. A mere Qi Cultivation Ninth Grade Daoist Skill passed down in the Red Flame Peak’s Outer Sect was already this extraordinary.

No wonder the countless Qi Cultivation Clans of Beimang Ridge, as numerous as hairs on an ox, scrambled to send their Direct Lineage members into the Dharma Lineages of the Inner Sect and Branch Sects.

’A Dharma Lineage Cultivator, even if they’re just an Outer Sect Mortal Servant, can lord it over an entire village as long as their Merit is deep enough and they’ve mastered a Daoist Skill.’

These village clans had struggled to rise and expand.

They were probably all hoping to pour the efforts of several generations into nurturing a single talent worthy of shaping!

It was just like the old saying: "When one person achieves the Dao, their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."

In the ruling Daoist Lineages of the Four Directions Continent, this was especially true.

’I should check the Celestial Book. I’ve been waiting two long days for an Opportunity...’

Jiang Yi cleared his mind, his eyes flashing.

The golden paper had already vibrated several times, and dense, tadpole-like script had appeared.

[Divination results are as follows:]

[Case 1: There is a Black Snake Egg in the Inner Peak’s Hundred Beasts Cave. It can be devoured and refined... ]

[Case 2: The Inner Peak’s Heart-Stealing Forest has produced a Blood-sucking Vine King. Its root can be harvested and planted... ]

[Case 3: The Inner Peak’s Luohun Gorge... ]

Jiang Yi read carefully and discovered that all these Opportunities pointed toward the Inner Peak, concentrated in several "industries" under the Qianji Sect’s jurisdiction.

Places like the Hundred Beasts Cave, Heart-Stealing Forest, and Luohun Gorge were all important "Resource Lands" for the Marketplace, providing the main raw materials for the Sect’s core products.

For example, the Hundred Beasts Cave housed a large number of ferocious and exotic beasts, and Inner Peak Disciples had to enter it monthly to hunt, taking their bones and meat.

The Heart-Stealing Forest, on the other hand, was filled with buried corpses that accumulated Evil Yin Qi. It was specifically used to cultivate Blood-sucking Vines and Ghost-faced Wood, which were regularly harvested to make Magical Robes.

He had learned this "insider information" yesterday while chatting with Yang Xun.

’According to Grandpa, the foundation of a Dharma Lineage lies in its "industries."’

’It’s precisely because it possesses resource points like the Hundred Beasts Cave and Heart-Stealing Forest that the Qianji Sect can establish its Outer Peaks and open a Marketplace.’

Jiang Yi pondered.

The workshops of the Outer Sect Four Peaks were only able to operate because they were supported by these Resources.

’Therefore, the first step for an Outer Sect Mortal Servant to change their fate is to climb up and secure a supplementary spot on the Inner Peak. Only by entering the Inner Peak can one more easily obtain Cultivation Resources.’

’The Qi Cultivation Clans at the foot of the mountain, aside from farming Spirit Fields and managing the Marketplace, probably don’t have many other ways to make a living. Thus, they can only survive by bowing to the whims of the Dharma Lineages and depending on the Major Sects.’

Jiang Yi was gradually beginning to understand how the world was run, with the Dao ruling and ennobling Dharma Lineages.

He also understood why the [Outer Dao] was considered a pest.

’I’m afraid every last bit of Resources in the Yanfu Vast Land has been gathered up by the Immortal Monarchs at the very top of the Daoist Lineages.’

’Only the many Dharma Lineages beneath them have the qualifications to "engage in production."’

Jiang Yi sucked in a cold breath, a sense of relief rising in his heart.

’Thank goodness I’m not a Loose Cultivator!’

No matter how miserable it was to be treated like Mortal Servants, like cattle and horses, at least he was part of the production chain of a Daoist Dharma Lineage.

If he became a Loose Cultivator, it would be the equivalent of being an "unregistered person" or a "criminal."

He could be struck down and killed on the spot at any moment!

’For now, I’ll commit these Inner Peak Opportunities to memory, just in case.’

Jiang Yi settled his Heart Spirit. With a thought, he erased the karmic ties.

As the tadpole-like script dissipated like smoke, the radiance of the golden paper instantly dimmed.

After a moment, the Celestial Book recovered, and only then did he ask another question.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me the gains I might obtain by heading to the Inner Peak today!]

[Subject of Inquiry: Personal Gains]

[Divination Time: One hour.]

Jiang Yi closed his eyes again, circulating his True Qi through his entire body.

Before long, the sun was high in the sky, brightly illuminating the vast Snow Forest.

A faint warmth fell on his shoulders. Jiang Yi opened his eyes, their depths reflecting a shimmering golden light.

After seven or eight breaths, he seemed to have finished processing the information. A smile touched the corners of his mouth.

"Not bad, there are indeed gains to be had. This trip to the Inner Peak will be worth it."

"It’s also a good time to finalize the partnership with Senior Brother Wang of Nourishing Soul Peak, exchange for a sum of talisman money as soon as possible, and use it to prepare for the ritual and build the Pool of Fire and Water."

Jiang Yi rose to his feet, brushed the powdered snow from his Daoist Robe, and calmly strode out of the Snow Forest.

He left a line of shallow footprints, leading straight into the distance.

...

...

「Four hours later, on Guanlan Peak.」

Jiang Yi leaped off a Flying Crane, landing steadily on the Bluestone Plaza.

A few gray-robed handymen were sweeping snow. He once again saw the vigorous and spirited old Daoist.

"Greetings, Senior," Jiang Yi said, bowing respectfully.

"You certainly get around," the old Daoist chuckled, clearly remembering him.

"The Inner Peak has been bustling with people coming and going lately. I wonder how many will actually get in come next spring."

His words carried the wistful tone of someone who had seen it all.

Jiang Yi just gave a bashful smile.

Perhaps because he had been tipped before, the old Daoist offered a casual piece of advice.

"Young man, if your Cultivation is decent, you might want to ask around and see if you can get in with some of the Inner Peak senior brothers and sisters. You could take on posted tasks for them and earn some resources."

"Cultivation in the Outer Sect is exceptionally difficult. Sometimes, if you don’t advance, you fall behind."

This warning was tinged with goodwill.

Jiang Yi’s eyelid twitched, as if surprised by the words "posted tasks."

Without any fuss, he smoothly slipped a bright red talisman coin into the old Daoist’s hand.

"I would be grateful for Senior’s guidance."

’This kid really knows how things work!’

The old Daoist smiled in approval and patiently explained in detail.

"Inner Peak Disciples must accept assignments from the sect every month, as many as seven or eight times, or as few as three to five. It’s just like you Mortal Servants reporting for work—you can’t refuse."

"There’s a red notice board in the Qi Gong Institute specifically for tracking the number of completed duties. But Inner Peak Disciples aren’t always free. Sometimes they’re at a critical point in their Cultivation or are tied up with other matters and can’t get away, so they have others handle the tasks for them."

It sounded a little familiar.

’Like outsourcing tasks?’

"Don’t you look down on it. The Hundred Beasts Cave and the Heart-Stealing Forest are important sect grounds. No one but Inner Peak Disciples is allowed to enter."

"The Resources obtained from there, whether for personal use or for resale, are incredibly valuable."

"Many of the Village Clan Direct Lineage members from the Outer Sect latch onto a senior brother or sister, help them manage their affairs, and make a hefty fortune in just a few short years."

The old Daoist said this cheerfully, his tone tinged with envy.

"Thank you, Senior."

Jiang Yi bowed again. Yang Xun had never mentioned this business of taking on posted tasks from the Inner Peak.

He thought it over carefully, and a look of realization dawned in his eyes.

Yang Xun’s own son had apparently died in the Hundred Beasts Cave.

That was how he’d had the opportunity to "fill the void"!

For both emotional and logical reasons, Grandpa would never want Jiang Yi to take risks and run dangerous errands for Inner Peak Disciples.

’With the Celestial Book in hand, when I have some free time, I might as well go seek out some Opportunities.’

Jiang Yi considered this. After this period of steady practice, he had come to understand a certain truth.

In the Demon Dao Dharma Lineage, the more one relied on arduous practice, the harder it was to get ahead.

This was especially true for those of humble origins, whose starting point was already low.

If you wanted to catch up to the Direct Lineages of village clans and the noble scions of the Dao Race...

You had to "leech off Opportunities," "stumble into fortunate encounters," and "meet powerful patrons"!

’As the saying goes, bide your time with hidden fangs and sheathed claws, like a mighty tiger crouching on a barren hill...’

After bidding farewell to the old Daoist, Jiang Yi arrived at the Qi Gong Institute.

The middle-aged Daoist guarding the gate today wasn’t dozing off. Seeing Jiang Yi in an Outer Sect Daoist Robe, he waved lazily. "Go over there and sign in yourself."

Jiang Yi silently walked to the side and picked up a brush to register.

Just then, several more people arrived outside the courtyard.

"Junior Brother Wang! Senior Brother Lu!"

The middle-aged Daoist shot to his feet, suddenly full of energy. "Eh! Senior Brother Xiao, what brings you here today!"

He greeted them one by one, his back bending lower and lower.

Jiang Yi found it strange. The gatekeeper of the Qi Gong Institute was equivalent to a member of the "security department," so why would he need to be so deferential to Outer Sect Mortal Servants?

When he finished registering and turned around...

Whoa!

They were all familiar faces!

"Junior Brother Jiang..."

Wang Heng looked pleasantly surprised and hurried forward.

"What a coincidence!"

He turned excitedly to the "Senior Brother Xiao" who was being treated with the utmost respect by the middle-aged Daoist.

"This is the Junior Brother Jiang I’ve been telling you about, Senior Brother—Jiang Yi from Red Flame Peak! He’s at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer with outstanding talent, and he has profound insights and understanding when it comes to Cultivation."

"Oh? For Junior Brother Wang to admire him so, he must be no mediocrity."

The young man called "Senior Brother Xiao" had sword-like brows and star-like eyes, with a high-bridged nose. He was the very picture of imposing confidence.

Even just standing there, he was surrounded by an invisible aura, giving one the impression of a deep abyss or a towering mountain.

’Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer?’

Jiang Yi’s pupils contracted slightly. He cupped his hands and said,

"Greetings, Senior Brother Xiao."

Xiao Tongquan’s tone was mild, but his smile was friendly.

"Junior Brother Jiang, there’s no need to be so formal. I admire you from the bottom of my heart for having come this far from such humble beginnings."

"The Demon Dao Dharma Lineage values talent above all else. When the Inner Peak adds new members in the future, there will surely be a place for you."

Immediately, he looked at the middle-aged Daoist of the Qi Gong Institute and said in a heavy voice,

"Junior Brother Jiang is a close and trusted friend of mine, Xiao Tongquan. From now on, don’t trouble him with signing in and out."

The middle-aged Daoist hurriedly agreed.

"Understood, understood! I’ll remember that!"

The way he looked at Jiang Yi was now completely different.

’This kid is dressed so plainly, yet he managed to latch onto Senior Brother Xiao Tongquan!’

As they were speaking, two more people walked into the Qi Gong Institute.

Li Ruohan arrived with natural grace, moving with an elegant air.

"Today is truly a fine day, all the senior brothers are here! Allow your little sister to make an introduction. This is Luo Tong from the Red Flame Peak Forging Room... Junior Brother Luo, quickly, greet the senior brothers!"

Luo Tong puffed out his chest and greeted them one by one. When he came to Jiang Yi, he paused for a moment.

’Senior Brother Jiang? Could this be the guy who’s fawning over my big sister?’

’He doesn’t look like a toad trying to eat swan meat!’