Heading towards the trading market.
Chen Daoqing was quite talkative, able to chat about anything, and refreshingly candid. Upon meeting, he could immediately bring up childhood topics with Wen Jiu, occasionally joking about himself, as if he didnât care about his third-generation Immortal status.
Meanwhile, Chen Daoqing heard about the organizer of this small gatheringânone other than the youngest disciple of Peak Master Ji.
His name was Du Feng.
Like Wen Jiu, he also hailed from the mortal realm.
Though he was an orphan, his spirit root quality was quite extraordinary.
Top-grade single-attribute spirit root, and it was fire type, considered to have strong combat capabilities among the spirit root types, which is why two years ago he was secretly recruited by Ji Qiubai as a direct disciple upon joining Feixian Peak.
Until Ji Qiubaiâs death, Du Feng slowly emerged before everyone, and they only learned about this genius, who reached Qi Cultivation First Layer in half a year and then Qi Cultivation Second Layer in a year and a half as the peak masterâs direct disciple.
Although endowed with resources, his aptitude was undeniable, so even though Peak Master Ji had died, with his strength, aptitude, and having a Main Peak Elder as his teacher, it was natural for him to be the organizer of this gathering.
"Two years to Qi Cultivation Second Layerâthis is what top-grade single-attribute spirit root means?" Wen Jiu quietly pondered.
Compared to inferior spirit roots requiring three years to reach Qi Cultivation First Layer, and possibly seeing Qi Cultivation First and Second Layers as their lifeâs limit.
This top-grade spirit root truly promised a hopeful future.
If he remembered correctly, those with top-grade single-attribute spirit roots were all eligible to apprentice under Main Peak Elders, werenât they?
After Chen Daoqingâs musings, the two arrived at the best restaurant in the trading marketâMountain View Tower.
They ascended the stairs.
Guided by a working Feixian Peak disciple, the two stopped in front of a classic-style private room on the third floor.
Entering through the door, there were already a dozen people seated.
Upon entering, everyone stood up to welcome them, very courteous. Then, Chen Daoqing began introducing Wen Jiu to these new Feixian Peak disciples who were most likely to pass the examinations and become Main Peak disciples.
The introduction left Wen Jiu momentarily speechless.
All second-generation.
Third-generation!
No ordinary people at all.
But it was expected; if Wang Nian hadnât given him a leg up, revealing the kind of information no ordinary person could know, how would Wen Jiu have the chance to learn that new apprentice disciples could reach the Main Peak after passing the examinations?
The fathers of these second-generation and third-generation disciples likely began plotting for today as soon as they heard the news.
They deliberately timed their childrenâs entry into the sect.
To this, Wen Jiu couldnât help but lament inwardly that just this one information barrier completely blocked the upward path for ordinary people seeking immortality. Thinking about some ordinary disciples still looking down on heterodox Dao, Wen Jiu felt even more helpless.
With ordinary aptitude and not practicing heterodox Dao, they likely wonât have a chance to turn their lives around in this lifetime.
No wonder there are phenomena like the Blood Robe Tower.
Wen Jiu suddenly understood.
After introductions, Chen Daoqing led Wen Jiu to sit at the main table. Wen Jiu originally wanted to find a corner to sit quietly, but couldnât resist Chen Daoqingâs pull. Yet, while Chen Daoqing chatted casually with everyone, Wen Jiu just listened quietly.
Not interrupting.
Not speaking proactively.
Occasionally responding with agreement.
The reason was simple; most people set their sights high, dreaming about what they would do once they entered the Main Peak.
Then came flattery and boasts from all directions.
Almost a song between good brothers, followed by a toast.
At this moment, Wen Jiu suddenly felt he might have come to the wrong place. This was less worthwhile than cultivating in the Corpse Remains Death Land.
Moments later.
The leading figure, Du Feng, arrived late.
Wen Jiu observed him closely, indeed a young hero whose confidence differed completely from ordinary disciples. Du Feng also glanced at Wen Jiu, but his expression lacked any extra emotions.
After pleasantries, Du Feng revealed the true purpose of this gathering, which was alliance and cohesion.
In other words,
You cling to my coattails.
I protect your safety.
It looked selfless, but as someone reborn twice, how could Wen Jiu not see through Du Fengâs agenda?
He intended to leverage everyoneâs strength to help him rise quickly.
After all, Ji Qiubai had died, his biggest support was gone, and his teacherâs situation wasnât very clear.
So by tying these second-generation and third-generation disciples to himself, he gained more resources.
Regarding this.
Wen Jiu saw through it but said nothing.
As the drinking reached its peak, he didnât join others in expressing support, nor did Du Feng mind, but he did drink two symbolic cups and exchanged nods.
Afterwards, Wen Jiu focused on eating, and once he was full and satisfied, he left Mountain View Tower with everyone else.
Upon leaving, Chen Daoqing also noticed that Wen Jiu didnât seem eager to blend in, so he said little more, only leaving a sentence, "Fellow Daoist Wen, see you during the examinations in a few days!"
...
Back home.
Wen Jiu headed straight for the Corpse Remains Death Land.
As the yin, death, and blood energies attacked, Wen Jiu felt an unprecedented exhilaration.
"This environment suits me more." Wen Jiu plunged into it, taking out the Corpse Nurturing Coffin to start guiding souls, nourishing souls.
To Wen Jiuâs surprise, the early Yin Souls he had attracted and confined in the Corpse Nurturing Coffin had all upgraded; those that initially equaled Qi Cultivation First Layer Yin Souls broke through to Qi Cultivation Second Layer in just three days.
The efficiency was terrifying.
But the ghost energy pouring out from the Ghost-faced Butcher decreased, no longer in liquid form as before.
However, this made Wen Jiu immediately realize a possibilityâcould he cultivate the Ghost-faced Butcher to create a Soul Puppet army? These Soul Puppets would only listen to him, and over time, equate to raising a Death Warrior army.
After the recent banquet gathering, Wen Jiu also realized one thing: that building relationships arenât easy.
You seek something from him.
He certainly seeks something from you.
At critical moments, no one helps anyone.
Thatâs why itâs better to raise a Soul Puppet army.
However, this plan cannot be implemented currently because cultivating the Ghost-faced Butcher requires a large amount of cultivator vitality, which means blood energy.
But at least, it provided a possibility.
After having the Black Corpse devour all thirteen Yin Souls cultivated in the past few days, its aura surged tremendously, increasing by a total of one hundred sixty experience points upon daily settlement.
Ten Yin Souls comparable to Qi Cultivation First Layer yielded one hundred points.
Three Yin Souls comparable to Qi Cultivation Second Layer yielded sixty points.
Comparable to nurturing corpses for seven or eight days.
"If I continue at this efficiency, before the examination, I could cultivate the Black Corpse into Three Evil Corpses."
Wen Jiu was delighted.
While keeping a low profile usually.
During such examinations, itâs time to show off.
Of course, continue to hide seven, show three.
Even if showing just three, the better the performance, the easier it is to win the favor of higher-ups, which he had already verified.
Yet compared to this, Wen Jiu anticipated more the postnatal corpse techniques awakening after the Black Corpse transformed into Three Evil Corpses.
Could it actually tear Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer apart as soon as it entered the Walking Corpse Realm with just Lower Realm Corpse techniques?
After all, that would be Divine Techniques.
[Fellow Daoists, you are really cool... over two thousand reading followers, yet thereâs no chat in this Chapter.]