"Fellow Daoist, please wait."
The speaker was a robust young man, and his every gesture and movement differed entirely from the plain demeanor of the many corpse buriers. There was a noble air about his brows, so even though he wasn't dressed lavishly and was somewhat unkempt, he didn't appear disheveled.
Wen Jiu didn't want to pay any heed, but he and another person directly blocked Wen Jiu's way out.
The one who had spoken earlier spoke again, his gaze landing on the handkerchief given by Wang Nian. "I am Fang Zheng; my brother-in-law is Li Liang, the Night Patrol Steward at Deadman Peak... I wonder what relationship you have with Steward Wang?"
"Anything you need?"
Wen Jiu didn't explain.
Because there was no need.
No matter what someone randomly says, he doesn't need to explain himself.
That would be too low.
Fang Zheng said, "Since fellow Daoist also has some background at Deadman Peak, why not join our Ju Yitang? Whether as a corpse burier or as an apprentice in the future, we can all look out for each other."
"Not interested." Wen Jiu shook his head.
He was about to bypass the two men.
Fang Zheng was persistent, and his last words were pronounced heavily, as if afraid others wouldn't hear, "If fellow Daoist is willing, Ju Yitang can offer a Trading House Steward position, paying one hundred taels of silver a month... equivalent to three years of a corpse burier's wages!"
"Our Ju Yitang has business spread over a hundred miles around the side peaks, cooperating with many Cultivation Clans. Once you join, you'll no longer lack connections. After becoming an apprentice, you can look out for each other and avoid being bullied by fellow disciples."
The other person beside Fang Zheng spoke up, too.
There was a certain pride in his speech.
Clearly.
The scale of Ju Yitang isn't small.
However, Wen Jiu still wasn't interested. Before fully understanding the situation of this side peak, he wouldn't join any group.
To avoid being used as a pawn.
"Excuse me."
Wen Jiu bypassed the two, and when he glanced around at the corpse buriers, he noticed they were all looking at him with envy.
Clearly, they all wanted to join Ju Yitang.
But lacked the qualifications.
Or were not invited.
This made Wen Jiu a bit curious about what this so-called Ju Yitang was all about.
It was unlikely that they were openly poaching talents from Deadman Peak; it was probably an organization formed by the disciples themselves.
After Wen Jiu bypassed the two and walked away, the third person, who had never spoken and appeared to be their leader, suddenly spoke.
His tone was deep.
He sounded like someone with experience, as if not joining Ju Yitang today would mean Wen Jiu was short-sighted.
"Fellow Daoist... going solo won't take you far in the path of cultivation; without friends, even in the Heterodox Dao, you won't be accepted. I can give you time to consider and inquire about Ju Yitang. You can seek us out once you've thought it through."
To this.
Wen Jiu pretended not to hear.
He walked away leisurely.
...
However.
After walking one or two miles.
Wang Nian suddenly descended beside Wen Jiu as if he'd been following him all along.
As expected.
Wang Nian's first words were about the recent events, "Wen, do you know that Ju Yitang was founded by several stewards of the side peak? Their business spans a hundred miles around the side peak, and they collaborate with at least ten or so Cultivation Clans. They're a considerable force within the side peak. Once you join, you'll have a strong backing."
"Has Brother Wang been following me just to tell me this?" To be honest, even if Wang Nian nodded, Wen Jiu wouldn't believe it at all.
Wang Nian laughed, "Of course not. I just came to remind you, kid... don't seek skin from a tiger. With your talent in the Heterodox Dao, there's already a proper path of advancement available at Deadman Peak. Although it's a bit tougher than for regular Qi Cultivators, you don't need to rely on those who collude together."
"Thank you, Brother Wang, for the reminder."
Wen Jiu saluted in thanks.
Although he wouldn't make hasty choices even without Wang Nian's reminder.
But for Wang Nian to come and give a heads-up.
He was grateful.
It also showed that Wang Nian was a decent person.
In a strange world, meeting a senior willing to care and guide was a fortunate thing.
...
Very soon.
Wen Jiu returned home.
After nightfall, he went as usual to chant the Corpse Nourishing Spell for the White Corpse. Perhaps it was because the corpse remains had been accumulating longer in the Land of Death, but while chanting, a fledgling Yin Soul was attracted, only to become food for the White Corpse.
That day.
The White Corpse gained 20 experience points.
Wen Jiu gained 100 Death Qi.
Equivalent to sixteen days of cultivation plus daily settlement gains.
It is worth mentioning that perhaps due to the Cultivator's Essence Blood, when the White Corpse attacked the Yin Soul, a faint blood glow appeared on its corpse body that hadn't been there when the Blood Transformation Body reached the First Layer.
Moreover, when the blood glow appeared, the faint blood energy and corpse energy from the White Corpse even made him feel somewhat fearful.
Even though he had already reached the Qi Cultivation First Layer.
While the White Corpse was still just a White Corpse.
So, Wen Jiu attempted to attack the White Corpse.
Originally, he didn't dare to use full power, considering he hadn't practiced any spells yet, but the magical power of a First Layer Qi Cultivator unleashed was still significant.
To Wen Jiu's surprise, even with his full power, he couldn't hurt the Blood Transformation Body of the White Corpse.
Couldn't even shake it.
However, the Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Record described that corpses wouldn't be this strong, even if they became a Black Corpse, which is only comparable to a Body Refining First Layer Body Cultivator at best.
A Body Refining First Layer Body Cultivator couldn't fully withstand a Qi Cultivator's full-force strike unscathed; at most, they could turn serious injuries into light injuries when hit by magic—no matter how strong they were.
But now, the corpse body of his White Corpse completely defied the conventions and rules noted in the Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Record.
"It seems to be the result of the Cultivator's Essence Blood... How strong will this creature become once it turns into a Black Corpse?"
Wen Jiu sighed.
Buried the White Corpse again.
After returning home.
Wen Jiu fell into a deep sleep.
That night, he slept extremely soundly.
No more restlessness of being a stranger in a foreign land.
Perhaps because he had reached the Qi Cultivation First Layer.
Perhaps because he witnessed the power of the White Corpse's Blood Transformation Body.
The following morning, as he headed back to the Burial Ground of the Land of Death, his mindset had undergone another significant change.
A bold idea spontaneously arose.
I want longevity!
I want to become an immortal!
One has to admit.
Truly bold.
However, upon arriving at the Land of Death, Wen Jiu noticed the atmosphere today was off, and there were many more people. Wang Nian, also different from his usual dilly-dally manner, had arrived earlier than most people.
From a distance, Wang Nian was talking with those Black Armored Cultivators, each word making Wang Nian furrow his brow further.
Moments later.
Wang Nian walked over to them.
"Wen, were you at the Land of Death last night?"
Wen Jiu nodded.
Because it was pointless to hide it.
The sound of the door opening and closing when leaving home at night was audible.
Moreover, he had previously mentioned when showcasing the White Corpse regained another trading opportunity that he would come to the Land of Death at night to nourish corpses.
Upon hearing Wen Jiu's words, Wang Nian instructed Wen Jiu to follow him, "Whatever they ask you later, just answer truthfully... Don't worry, it's not about you; they just want to ask you some questions."
"Mm-hmm."
Wen Jiu nodded.
When he reached the Black Armored Cultivators, the killing aura they unintentionally exuded made Wen Jiu's heart skip a beat, and their revealed auras also left Wen Jiu in awe.
Three of them had auras similar to Wang Nian's.
They should all be at Qi Cultivation Third Layer.
One of them even had an aura stronger than Wang Nian's.
Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation?
What on earth happened to attract a Mid-stage Qi Cultivation Cultivator here?
"Are you Wen Jiu?"
One of the Black Armored Cultivators asked coldly, making Wen Jiu worry the next moment he would get slashed.
Wen Jiu nodded.
The Black Armored Cultivator asked again, "What were you doing at the Corpse Remains Death Land last night?"
"Nourishing corpses, because I practice the Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Record, I need to come to the Burial Ground at 9:00 PM to chant the Corpse Nourishing Spell."
Wen Jiu answered truthfully.
The Black Armored Cultivator's gaze shifted to Wang Nian, who promptly nodded and mentioned he had seen that White Corpse.
Seeing this, the Black Armored Cultivator didn't doubt and continued to inquire, "Did you notice any noises last night?"
"Noises? No." Wen Jiu shook his head.
The Black Armored Cultivator seemed unwilling to trust Wen Jiu completely, coldly questioning again, "Think carefully. If it's later discovered that you are hiding something or deceiving, our Night Patrol Department has the authority to kill you on the spot!"
[Reached the top!
Seeking recommendation votes!
Monthly tickets!
Thank you, fellow Daoists!
So anxious...]