Name: Wei Zhong
Cultivation Base: Seventh Layer of Qi Refining (56%)
Technique: Azure Wave Art - Proficient (1%)
Lifespan: 127/137
The life of a cultivator was always monotonous. In the days following the death of his treacherous disciple, Wei Zhong maintained a low profile, diligently farming and cultivating to avoid raising suspicion.
Now, his Azure Wave Art had reached the Proficient level.
Its operational speed had significantly increased, and his efficiency in absorbing spiritual energy had improved severalfold. Wei Zhong's heart swelled with satisfaction as he watched his cultivation progress increase by ten points of proficiency.
At this rate, he estimated that he could return to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining in less than a decade, surpassing his previous progress of 46%.
If I were to regress again, wouldn't I gain another decade of lifespan? he mused. This endless cycle... could I achieve immortality through this?
Wei Zhong seemed to have stumbled upon a profound truth.
Overflowing with delight, he resumed his cultivation.
For the next six years, Wei Zhong continued his peaceful routine of farming and cultivating. Occasionally, distant relatives from the Yan Clan would visit, seeking to become his disciples, but Wei Zhong politely declined each time.
Seeing his unwavering resolve, the visits gradually ceased.
"Phew!"
Wei Zhong exhaled a breath of stale air.
He checked his status panel, a smile spreading across his face.
Name: Wei Zhong
Cultivation Base: Eighth Layer of Qi Refining (46%)
Technique: Azure Wave Art - Proficient (30%)
Lifespan: 133/137
Wei Zhong had finally returned to the cultivation level he possessed when he first transmigrated, his progress at the eighth layer of Qi Refining remaining at 46%.
Unlike before, he was no longer an old man with only three days to live. He was now an eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator with four years of lifespan remaining. Moreover, he stood a good chance of breaking through to the ninth layer within that time.
His proficient Azure Wave Art had significantly accelerated his cultivation speed. He wondered what it would be like if he could elevate it to the master level.
To be fair, the Azure Wave Art was merely a common Yellow-Tier technique, barely mid-grade in terms of quality, with a maximum cultivation level of mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
However, through Wei Zhong's tireless daily practice, his proficient Azure Wave Art now cultivated nearly as fast as a top-grade Yellow-Tier technique, though its upper limit remained a concern.
If he reached the master level, wouldn't its cultivation speed rival that of a Profound-Tier technique?
Gulp!
Wei Zhong's heart pounded with excitement.
Profound-Tier techniques were something loose cultivators like him could only dream of. He had only witnessed one such technique at an auction: the Fire Wheel Art, a low-grade, fire-attribute Profound-Tier technique.
It had sold for a staggering two thousand spirit stones.
The average loose cultivator couldn't earn even a hundred spirit stones from a year of farming. To afford such a technique, they would have to save for over twenty years without cultivating at all.
This demonstrated the exorbitant cost of Profound-Tier Techniques.
Having successfully cultivated his technique, Wei Zhong felt invigorated and stepped out of his small courtyard into the fields. In the distance, he spotted an elderly man and a young man approaching.
Strange, he mused. No one has visited in years. Why today's exception?
Farther away, Yan Wenbo pointed to the distant courtyard and said to the young man beside him, "Yan Yuan, that's his residence up ahead."
Yan Yuan glanced at the modest courtyard in the distance, a hint of surprise in his eyes. My clan elder said he was taking me to meet a renowned expert. I didn't expect it to be a mere Spirit Farmer in these fields.
"Don't underestimate him just because he's a Spirit Farmer," Yan Wenbo cautioned. "He possesses remarkable talent in Techniques. He has already mastered the Spirit Rain Technique to perfection, a feat unmatched by any Spirit Farmer in our Yan Clan. Even the Clan Leader has remarked that his Spirit Rain Technique carries the essence of a true master. If you can learn even a fraction of his skills, it will greatly benefit your future path of Spirit Cultivation."
Yan Yuan nodded solemnly.
"Fellow Daoist Wei, it's been a while. You look much healthier than before."
Wei Zhong recognized the elderly man before him as Yan Wenbo, the Yan Clan steward in charge of Spirit Field rentals. As veteran Spirit Farmers of the Yan Clan, they had exchanged greetings for decades and were well acquainted.
"Just cleared up some old ailments," Wei Zhong replied, then turned to the young man beside Yan Wenbo. "What brings you here today, Fellow Daoist?"
Yan Wenbo patted Yan Yuan on the shoulder, and the young man immediately bowed deeply, clasping his hands in a respectful salute. "Greetings, Elder Wei."
"I've brought my junior, Yan Yuan, to seek your guidance, Fellow Daoist," Yan Wenbo said.
Wei Zhong shook his head. "Brother Yan, you know I don't accept disciples."
Unfazed, Yan Wenbo replied, "Then let's forgo the formal master-disciple relationship. How about simply imparting your techniques to him? The boy has a natural aptitude for Spirit Cultivation. All you need to do is teach him the Spirit Rain Technique."
Spirit Cultivation? Wei Zhong recalled that practitioners of this path were essentially upgraded Spirit Farmers, responsible for cultivating and nurturing spirit medicines for the clan. He hadn't expected this young man to possess such talent.
After a moment's contemplation, Wei Zhong agreed. Yan Wenbo, as the Yan Clan's steward in charge of Spirit Field rentals, was not someone he could afford to offend lightly. Moreover, Yan Wenbo had offered ten spirit stones as an initial payment, with more to come if the instruction went well. It was a win-win situation.
After some pleasantries, Yan Wenbo departed, leaving Yan Yuan behind. Wei Zhong led the youth into the spirit fields, pointing at the plots as he began demonstrating and explaining the technique.
"The Spirit Rain Technique involves two key steps. First, you gather moisture from the air into a cohesive stream. Second, you capture the spiritual energy within that moisture and release it as a nourishing rain upon the spirit crops..."
After a thorough explanation, it was time for practical application. Wei Zhong watched Yan Yuan summon Spirit Rain over his Spirit Field, sipping his warm tea with leisurely contentment.
By conserving his spiritual energy, Wei Zhong could dedicate more time to mastering techniques and advancing his cultivation base. Even as he improved his skills, he refused to abandon his existing advantages.
"That's not quite right," Wei Zhong pointed out. "You're only focusing on gathering moisture from this area, neglecting to capture spiritual energy. Even if the spiritual energy here is depleted, why restrict the Spirit Rain Technique to this location? You should expand its range to capture spiritual energy from farther afield."
Following Wei Zhong's guidance, Yan Yuan's Spirit Rain Technique began to take proper form.
Three months passed in this routine of personal cultivation and teaching techniques. Yan Yuan successfully completed his training and departed, while Yan Wenbo paid the remaining ten spirit stones.
"Thank you for your guidance these past few months, Fellow Daoist Wei," Yan Wenbo said.
Wei Zhong accepted the spirit stones. "You're too kind, Brother Yan."
Yan Wenbo glanced at Wei Zhong's graying hair. "Fellow Daoist, are you aware that the Yan Family Market City will soon host an auction? I've heard there might even be a Longevity Pill available this time."
"An auction? A Longevity Pill!"
Understanding immediately dawned on Wei Zhong. He solemnly clasped his fist in gratitude. "Thank you, Brother Yan, for this advance notice. I must prepare thoroughly."
Wei Zhong had attended a Yan Clan auction many years ago, but his meager wealth had prevented him from securing any valuable items. Now, another auction was being held.
Wei Zhong wasn't particularly interested in the Longevity Pill. Given his limited resources, whether he could even afford one was uncertain. Even if he managed to win the bid, it would likely bankrupt him. Moreover, with his ability to exchange cultivation levels for lifespan, the Longevity Pill held little significance for him.
Perhaps Yan Wenbo assumed that Wei Zhong, nearing the end of his natural lifespan, desperately coveted the Longevity Pill.
"Fellow Daoist Wei, there's no need for formalities," Yan Wenbo said. "Given our years of friendship, I merely wanted to give you a heads-up. But what you said is true—you'll need to prepare thoroughly.
This auction will be on a grand scale. Not only will cultivators from the Yan Clan and nearby Loose Cultivators attend, but we've also invited representatives from the Li and Chen Families, two of the Three Great Families."
"Oh?"
The more participants at the auction, the harder it will be to secure my desired items. And with representatives from other major clans attending, could the Yan Clan be offering something even they would covet?
Wei Zhong refrained from pressing further. Yan Wenbo had already shown him sufficient consideration by sharing this advance notice. It would be impolite to pry.
After seeing Yan Wenbo off, Wei Zhong gazed at the ceiling beams, lost in contemplation.
The Yan Clan's auction was a rare event that Wei Zhong couldn't afford to miss. He needed to venture out to exchange some of his possessions for spirit stones.
Afraid of being recognized if he sold his items at the Yan Family Market, Wei Zhong decided to head to a Loose Cultivator Market outside the clan's territory.
After packing his belongings, Wei Zhong left the Yan Clan's sphere of influence.
With a quick transformation, he adopted a completely different appearance.
Disguise Technique - Proficient (70%)
This technique, merely a minor skill circulating among martial artists, was hardly considered true immortal cultivation. Yet Wei Zhong had honed it to the point of proficiency.
By reshaping his bone structure and concealing his true form with spiritual energy, even ordinary Qi Refining cultivators would be unable to see through his disguise.
Thus, the Loose Cultivator Chu He reappeared in the cultivation world.
Looking at the stream, he could vaguely make out the figure of a burly middle-aged man with a jagged knife scar across his face, giving him a ferocious look.
This was Wei Zhong's former secret identity: an Eighth Layer Qi Refining cultivator with a considerable reputation among independent practitioners.
Wei Zhong effortlessly navigated his way to Ruyue Market, a gathering place for Loose Cultivators.
Located in a neutral zone between the territories of the Three Great Families, the market was jointly managed by three Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivators.
No one knew why this sizable market city had escaped suppression by the Three Great Families. In fact, each of the Three Great Families had established their own shops within its walls.
Among the loose cultivators, some speculated that the three individuals who managed the market were secretly backed by the Three Great Families, acting as their hidden representatives.
Wei Zhong, however, knew this theory to be utterly false. He had interacted with the three cultivators personally and learned they hailed from the Azurewood Sect, a major sect located thousands of miles away.
The Azurewood Sect, home to Core Formation cultivators, far surpassed the Yan Clan, which only had Foundation Establishment experts. Having thrived in the region for nearly a millennium, it was the undisputed dominant power.
This was one of the reasons Wei Zhong had come to Ruyue Market to dispose of his ill-gotten gains.
He headed straight for the Miscellaneous Spirit Pavilion, the largest shop in the market. As its name suggested, the pavilion bought and sold all kinds of spiritual materials, its immense influence ensuring no questions were asked about their origins.
Finding the shopkeeper, Wei Zhong handed over his Storage Pouch.
The shopkeeper chuckled. "Brother Chu, run into some troublemakers again, have you?"
Wei Zhong nodded. Chu He, the loose cultivator, was renowned throughout Ruyue Market for his formidable combat prowess, rivaling even Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivators. He had even cultivated connections with the market's three overseers.
Who would dare provoke such a figure? Only a reckless Robber Cultivator, blind to their own doom.
Wei Zhong sipped the shop's spirit tea, waiting only a short while before the shopkeeper returned.
"The items in Brother Chu's two Storage Pouches were quite disorganized, so it took a little longer to inventory them," the shopkeeper explained.
Wei Zhong waved dismissively.
"The total value of all the items is three hundred and seventy-two spirit stones. Does that seem fair to Brother Chu?"
Wei Zhong nodded. He had already pocketed the valuable items from the pouches, leaving only miscellaneous goods of limited use behind.
After securing the spirit stones, Wei Zhong turned to leave, but paused to ask, "What's the price of a bottle of your High-Grade Qi Nourishing Pills?"
"Two hundred spirit stones per bottle, containing ten pills. Since you're buying them, Brother Chu, I can offer you a further discount."
"I'll take a bottle."
"One hundred and ninety spirit stones, please."
"Safe travels, Brother Chu!" the shopkeeper called as Wei Zhong left.