My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

At the entrance to the Mountain Peak Dojo.

Wang Ping was dressed in a formal, wide-sleeved blue Daoist Robe. His hair was done up with a green jade hairpin, and a White Jade Waistband was tied around his waist. Three jade tokens hung from the waistband. One represented his status as the Pacification Envoy of the Daoist Palace, another his status as a "True Man" of the Chu Country, and the last, his identity as a first-generation disciple of Qianmu Temple.

Yu Lian circled around him on her Tengyun cloud, surrounded by floating, cyan-colored ribbons. Her vertical pupils continuously scanned the white jade steps that stretched from the mountain gate all the way down the slope. The steps were lined on both sides with Inner Sect Disciples from the five courtyards, all of them also dressed in formal, wide-sleeved robes.

When the bell in the grand hall below the mountain tolled for 7:15 AM, two familiar figures came into Wang Ping’s view. It was Zhi Gong and Hu Yin. Led by Zhao Qian, the two of them were slowly walking up the mountain.

This was Zhi Gong and Hu Yin’s first time visiting Wang Ping on Qianmu Mountain, so naturally, Wang Ping had to receive them in his finest attire. This was not only a matter of etiquette but also a display for others to see, letting the outside world know that their relationship was amicable.

When Wang Ping saw Zhi Gong and Hu Yin, he walked very courteously down the steps to greet them.

When the three were still about five or six zhang apart, Zhi Gong cupped her fist and called out, "Fellow Daoist, it’s been a while! I trust you’ve been well?"

Following her, Hu Yin also cupped her fist. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"

Wang Ping stopped and returned the salute. "All is well, thank you for asking."

At that moment, Yu Lian deliberately shifted her body, her eyes fixed on Zhi Gong and Hu Yin. The two immediately cupped their fists toward Yu Lian as well. "Fellow Daoist Yu Lian, I trust you’ve been well."

"I am well, I am well. You two Fellow Daoists look as radiant as a painting. Has some good fortune befallen you?"

Yu Lian’s words were partly a polite courtesy, and partly a deliberate reminder for Wang Ping.

Upon hearing this, both Zhi Gong and Hu Yin smiled. Zhi Gong Daoist cupped her fist toward Wang Ping and said, "We were just about to discuss a matter or two with Fellow Daoist Changqing."

"As it happens, I have nothing but free time. Please!"

Wang Ping made an inviting gesture.

Naturally, another round of pleasantries was exchanged between them. Under the respectful gazes of the Inner Sect Disciples lining the path, they entered the Mountain Peak Dojo. Zhao Qian, who had led them up, tactfully stopped at the dojo’s entrance.

"Your Dao Field is quite a fine place, Fellow Daoist!"

Hu Yin praised sincerely as she entered the Dao Field, feeling the abundant Wood Spirit Qi within.

Wang Ping smiled humbly. "How could it compare to the beauty of your mountain forests on Ningzhou Road, Fellow Daoist? I heard from a grand-disciple of mine that your lands are covered in peach blossoms year-round."

Hu Yin also replied courteously, "I’ve been fond of peach blossoms since I was young. Later, after reading all sorts of books, I often came across the yearning of scholars and poets for a paradise beyond this world. Once I had achieved some success in my cultivation, I built a peach garden of my own. But it’s just an ordinary garden, a far cry from what you have here, Fellow Daoist."

After her explanation, she asked, "Is your grand-disciple also a member of my Demon Race?"

Yu Lian, who was beside them, answered, "Not only is she a member of the Demon Race, but she is also one of your own clan. Her name is Hu Xin."

Hearing this, Hu Yin met Yu Lian’s gaze and said, "Oh? I have indeed heard of her. In the last decade or so, she has made quite a name for herself on Ningzhou Road and even established her own tribe. I never would have thought she was a disciple under your tutelage, Fellow Daoist Changqing."

Yu Lian added, "Hu Xin has always been very ambitious. She likely didn’t want to rely on the reputation of Qianmu Temple."

"Our people are all very ambitious when they are young," Hu Yin said. "Especially right after they form a Fake Pill. They often cause some trouble, sometimes even sparking wars between several tribes."

"That’s not always the case," Yu Lian countered. "Qianqian has always been very quiet. She cultivated her Dao Rhyme back when she was still in the Qi Cultivation stage. She is Hu Xin’s master."

"What a pity, then, that Hu Xin didn’t learn the essential part from her master."

"Haha, Hu Xin has been a headache for Qianqian since she was little."

At this, Zhi Gong, who was listening beside them, chimed in, "Every disciple is a headache for their master. When I first took on a disciple, I went to great lengths just to ensure they could reach Foundation Establishment smoothly."

For cultivators of their realm, who often have no direct family, their disciples are their only source of familial affection. When the topic of disciples came up, every cultivator had endless stories to tell.

They walked into the small courtyard without realizing it, then began brewing tea and chatting idly. Before they knew it, it was already Noon.

Wang Ping instructed the young attendants in charge of his Dao Field to bring out some pastries and snacks. After partaking of the food, they chatted for a while longer about cultivation matters, sharing their respective insights.

As they discussed cultivation, the conversation naturally turned to Xiao Shan Lord’s promotion. Yu Lian then recounted the events of the Shangjing City incident for them.

"So you’re saying that you don’t know Xiao Shan Lord’s whereabouts either, Fellow Daoist?" Hu Yin’s tone held a hint of suspicion.

"Hiding Xiao Shan Lord’s whereabouts would be of no use to me!" Wang Ping met Hu Yin’s gaze. "If you don’t trust me, Fellow Daoist, you can go and ask Fellow Daoist Zi Luan and Friend Xiu Yu."

Zhi Gong quickly interjected, "You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist. Hu Yin can be considered a nominal disciple of Xiao Shan Lord. The survival of her branch of the Demon Race on Ningzhou Road was largely thanks to Xiao Shan Lord’s protection. Now that his whereabouts are unknown, Hu Yin is simply a bit overly worried."

After saying this, she changed the subject. "However, you can rest assured, Fellow Daoist. Although Xiao Shan Lord’s whereabouts cannot be traced, we can confirm that he was not assimilated or killed during his promotion. It’s just that his condition is likely not very good. My master told me this herself."

Zhi Gong Daoist’s master was Wan Zhi Daoist. Wang Ping knew that for her to have told Zhi Gong Daoist this, there must be a deeper meaning. So, upon hearing her words, he didn’t rush to speak, but instead waited for what would come next.

"According to established custom, this region of Southern Zhongzhou is the Preaching Area of your Taiyan Sect. After Xiao Shan Lord, a Taiyan Cultivator should have been chosen to inherit the Southern Daoist Lineage. Originally, Daoist Zhiyuan’s master, Elder Chongxing, was supposed to come. However, that old gentleman did not wish to leave his Dao Field in the Eastern Continent. Therefore, True Monarch Yuan Wu sought my master’s opinion and asked her to oversee the Southern Cultivation Realm."

Zhi Gong Daoist stated the matter plainly.

Master Zhiyuan was one of the five founding elders of the Daoist Scripture Hall, and his master, Chongxing Taoist, was a northern Taiyan Cultivator as famous as Yuxiao. However, for the last two thousand years, he had been single-mindedly devoted to Profound Cultivation and never concerned himself with outside affairs, so his name was known to very few. Wang Ping himself had only learned of these matters after being promoted to the third seat of the Daoist Scripture Hall.

As Zhi Gong’s words fell, Yu Lian sent a message into Wang Ping’s Spirit Sea, ’No wonder her consciousness was so jubilant when I saw her this time. So it was because of this good news!’

"Qianmu Temple will naturally give its full support to Wan Zhi Daoist!"

Wang Ping stated his position without any hesitation. To him, having Wan Zhi Daoist in charge was a hundred times better than having Wu Ma Daoist. ’As for the inheritance of the Taiyan Sect’s Daoist Lineage,’ he thought, ’I now possess the complete Taiyan Talisman Secret Technique, as well as most of Xiao Shan Lord’s cultivation memories. That’s far more useful than territory.’

Zhi Gong Daoist was very satisfied with Wang Ping’s attitude. She then smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you’ve misunderstood my meaning, and my master’s as well. My master has no intention of taking the Southern Daoist Lineage, nor could she even if she wanted to. She is merely helping to watch over it for a time. If a disciple from your lineage manages to cultivate to the Taiyan Fourth Realm, my master will return the Southern Daoist Lineage to you at the first opportunity."