Chapter Ten: Sudden Upheaval

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In addition to learning about the distribution of power around the Earth Sect, He Song also discovered the details of how spells and cultivation methods were sold.

In the world of cultivation, cultivation methods were, in fact, not considered valuable. High-level cultivators could invent new methods at will and pass them down layer by layer, resulting in an abundance of techniques catering to every elemental attribute. Generally, the price for a standard cultivation method hovered around a hundred spirit stones, which was not expensive.

However, within the territories of the major sects and established families, the techniques belonging to their own sect or clan were offered at prices so low as to be almost unbelievable. For instance, the Earth Technique that He Song himself practiced was created by a powerful figure of the Earth Sect and could be cultivated all the way to the peak of the Golden Core stage. Yet within the domain of the Earth Sect, a version of this technique that could be cultivated up to the ninth level of Qi Refinement cost only a single spirit stone.

Such situations were not uncommon. Almost every sect adopted this approach within their own sphere of influence, as the benefits were numerous.

First, nearly all the techniques released by the sects or clans contained subtle restrictions beyond the late stages of Qi Refinement, requiring the purchase of unique resources from the sect itself for rapid advancement. Refuse to buy, and you would watch others progress swiftly while your own cultivation crawled at a snail’s pace. In this way, the sects could continuously extract spirit stones from the itinerant cultivators.

Second, once a rogue cultivator succeeded in reaching the Foundation Establishment stage using the sect’s techniques, joining that sect became the most logical choice. There was no need to switch to a new technique or uproot oneself; the sect would even bestow higher-tier methods upon them. This created a powerful incentive for rogue cultivators to seek Foundation Establishment within the sect’s fold.

Third...

Precisely because of these advantages, the Earth Technique was so cheap within the Earth Sect’s territory. Other methods in the Pavilion of Spiritual Arts, however, were all priced at one hundred spirit stones each, which was comparatively expensive.

As for spells, they were mostly monopolized by the sects and great families. The spells released for sale to rogue cultivators were naturally not advanced. Qi Refinement-level spells were fairly complete, simply because their power was limited. But at the Foundation Establishment level, the chances of obtaining such spells dropped sharply. Only by joining a sect or family could a cultivator acquire a full range of Foundation Establishment spells.

Even so, Qi Refinement spell jade slips contained prohibitions, making it impossible to pass on learned spells to others. This was also why Bin’er had not given any special instructions before leaving; the spells purchased could only be used by the buyer.

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He Song was soon deeply engrossed in the books before him. The common knowledge of the cultivation world flooded into his mind, granting him a deeper understanding of this realm.

For several days, apart from his daily visits to the spiritual fields to perform the Rainfall Technique, he spent all his remaining time in the Pavilion of Spiritual Arts, poring over the books. He grew ever more familiar with this world of cultivation.

This routine continued for several days.

On this particular day, bright lamps flickered to life around He Song, their pea-sized flames leaping softly and illuminating everything around him. Satisfied, he put down the book in his hands and turned to look.

By now, dusk had fallen outside. The Pavilion of Spiritual Arts was aglow with countless lamps, making the vast chamber as bright as midday.

Seeing this, He Song did not hesitate to leave at once. After several days of reading, he had finished all the books on cultivation lore in the pavilion. At this point, his knowledge of the cultivation world was no less than that of a family-trained cultivator or even a sect disciple.

Upon leaving, he found the market area outside nearly deserted, most of the cultivators who’d set up stalls having already departed. Though there was no curfew at Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, the dark and windy nights could conceal any manner of cutthroats. Even with the patrols of the enforcement squads, there were always blind spots. Staying indoors at night had become an unspoken rule among cultivators.

He hurried through the market, which was not far from his own lodging, and managed to reach his door before darkness had fully descended.

But just as he was about to open the door and step inside, urgent footsteps sounded behind him.

Tap tap tap!

The rapid footsteps drew closer.

He Song’s face changed instantly on hearing the sound. For several days now he had returned home at this hour without incident. At first he had remained vigilant every day, but today, at last, he had grown careless.

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He Song was filled with regret. He should always have remained alert!

The footsteps had come too suddenly, and judging by their angle, they were coming directly at him.

Though anxious, He Song did not panic. He just managed to pull out two crumpled Earth Talismans from his sleeve, but before he could activate them, the sound was already at his side.

A gust of wind swept past, and a sharp scent of blood hit He Song’s nose. He felt as if a wild beast had set its sights on him, and his eyelids twitched involuntarily. The faint spiritual pressure radiating from the newcomer made his hair stand on end.

This was not someone he could oppose!

Yet, just as He Song instinctively prepared to activate his talisman and buy time for the enforcement squad to arrive, a voice suddenly sounded at his side.

“Don’t panic, fellow Daoist He—it’s me, Lin Cong.” Lin Cong’s voice was weak, lacking the robust vigor it had held only days before.

But He Song did not relax in the slightest. Spiritual power surged within him, pouring into the talisman in his hand. In the blink of an eye, a yellow earthen barrier enveloped him completely.

This was the defensive shield produced by activating the Earth Talisman. Though it looked fragile, its defensive power was formidable; even a mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator would need some time to break through. For those at the earliest stage of Qi Refinement, it was nearly impenetrable.

With his safety momentarily secured, He Song finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned his gaze on the newcomer.

It was indeed Lin Cong—his burly neighbor, the formidable rogue cultivator who made his living hunting monsters.

Lin Cong’s figure was as imposing as ever, but his expression was now haggard and listless. Taking a closer look, He Song saw that Lin Cong was badly wounded. Blood, spattered like raindrops, covered his chest; the sharp scent of blood He Song had smelled must have come from this. Moreover, there was a sunken area in Lin Cong’s chest—though no fresh blood flowed from the wound, it seemed his internal organs had suffered damage.

Seeing the man’s dispirited state, He Song finally felt a weight lift from his heart.

Thank goodness—it wasn’t him Lin Cong was after.