My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Yuan Zheng Taoist had his own intelligence network, one that operated independently of the various powers in the south. The largest part of this network was comprised of merchants from different regions.

In his letter, he told Wang Ping that a small village named Shuangqiao, located on the border of Ning’an Prefecture and Mozhou Road, had recently purchased a large quantity of elixirs designed to soothe the spirit. He had some members of the nearby Demon Race conduct a brief investigation and they discovered the aura of an Artifact Cultivator in the mountains north of the village—one who was at least in the Third Realm.

Through this Third Realm Artifact Cultivator, he had located one of ’First Day’s’ strongholds on Nanlin Road. He believed there was a bigger fish to catch and wanted Wang Ping to lend him some manpower. This also served as an indirect request for jurisdiction over the investigation.

Wang Ping watched Yu Lian fly down toward the river below. He took out a sheet of paper and first replied to Yuan Zheng Taoist’s letter, telling him to find Wenhai at the Daoist Palace and have him assist with the case.

After finishing the army’s training, Wenhai had returned to the Daoist Palace in Jinhua Prefecture City. He was responsible for coordinating logistics for the army at the True Yang Mountain front with the Chu Kingdom Court. Now that the incident at True Yang Mountain was concluded, he was about to become even busier. The army now needed to pacify the local populace, and the best way to do that was to distribute sufficient resources.

So, Wang Ping sent a letter to Wenhai as well.

Just as he was about to ponder the matter of Lishui Prefecture, Wu Quan and Ganxing arrived to see him.

Coincidentally, they had also come to discuss this very matter with Wang Ping. Lishui Prefecture had cut off two-thirds of Nanlin Road’s trade by sea. If this continued, it would be a devastating blow to all of their factions.

"According to my intelligence, the higher-ups in Lishui Prefecture haven’t taken a stance. This is likely the work of their subordinates acting on their own initiative."

Ganxing’s intelligence was varied and came from numerous channels. The problem was that it was often difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood, as the Loose Cultivator alliance was a motley crew. However, it was for this very reason that his network of contacts spanned nearly all of Zhongzhou.

"Not taking a stance could also mean they’re giving their tacit approval," Wu Quan voiced his own opinion.

Wang Ping didn’t comment. He looked toward Yu Lian, who was flying back. She had intended to land on his shoulder, but seeing the others in the courtyard, she elegantly settled herself on the eaves of the vine-covered hut instead.

"We can’t back down on this. If we concede once, they will force us to keep conceding." Ganxing’s stance was firm, and it had to be. A large portion of the Loose Cultivator alliance’s supplies depended on maritime trade.

"I agree. But since the higher-ups in Lishui Prefecture haven’t made a statement, it’s not appropriate for us to get directly involved. Let’s have our respective disciples handle it," Wu Quan stated his position.

"Alright, let’s do that. We’ll each send a letter to Fellow Daoist Zi Luan to make our position clear," Wang Ping declared, meeting their gazes.

"Alright!"

The three of them immediately took out paper, wrote their letters then and there, and sent them to Zi Luan using their own methods. Afterwards, Ganxing and Wu Quan hurriedly departed.

Yu Lian flicked her forked tongue and said in a human voice, "There isn’t a single living shrimp left in the river below." She looked up at the sky. ’Should I call down another heavy rain?’

The sound of clear footsteps nearby interrupted her thoughts. She swiveled her slitted pupils and saw it was Huaimo Taoist. Her body, draped over the eaves, instinctively coiled tighter.

"Fellow Daoist Changqing, Fellow Daoist Yu Lian."

Huaimo flicked the Duster in his hand and offered a polite, cupped-fist salute.

Wang Ping rose and walked to the courtyard entrance to greet him, returning the cupped-fist salute. "You’re too kind, Fellow Daoist."

After exchanging pleasantries, a brief silence fell between them. They had little in common to discuss and were not well acquainted.

"I’ve come to see you, Fellow Daoist, regarding the matter of Zhu Chen. I need to take his Spiritual Body back with me. The Ten Thousand Poison Banner has been given to Fellow Daoist Mountain Guard, while the two fire spirits were acquired by Fellow Daoist Zhi Gong and Fellow Daoist Ganxing."

Huaimo was explaining the division of the spoils from Zhu Chen’s death. "Additionally, the bounty on Zhu Chen is quite high. It can be exchanged for a number of the Yuqing Sect’s elixirs and Secret Techniques. Do you have any specific requests, Fellow Daoist?"

At this question, Wang Ping found himself at a loss. He had no idea what kind of elixirs and Secret Techniques the Yuqing Sect had to offer.

Huaimo seemed to guess Wang Ping’s thoughts. After a moment of silence, he proposed, "I’ve heard you can craft a Thunder Law Altar, Fellow Daoist. However, the true power of a Thunder Technique lies in its spell construction. I can request a Magic Array for you. With this Magic Array, you would no longer need to rely on an altar to use your Thunder Technique."

Wang Ping was tempted at first, but on second thought, it seemed of marginal use. Spells were ultimately useless, no matter how good they were. For a cultivator, the most important thing was one’s own level of cultivation.

"Can a Mystic Sect Cultivator form a Yuqing Sect Golden Core?" Wang Ping asked.

"Theoretically, yes. The energies of a Spirit Vein and a Golden Core can be merged, but it is extremely difficult. I would not advise you to attempt it at your current level, Fellow Daoist."

This answer gave Wang Ping pause.

"When would be a good time to try?" he asked.

"At least wait until you have advanced to the Fourth Realm. If you truly wish to accomplish something with it, it would be best to wait until the Realm of True Monarch. Of course, this is all just my speculation. You needn’t take it too seriously, Fellow Daoist."

Huaimo let out a long breath. "Every Cultivation Method in this world is incomparably profound. Your *Taiyan Talisman*, Fellow Daoist, is already a technique that seizes the very essence of creation. Even if you were to cultivate a Yuqing Sect Secret Technique to the same level you’ve achieved with your *Taiyan Talisman*, it wouldn’t be of great help to your overall cultivation. You would merely learn a few more types of Magic."

"It would be better to focus solely on your *Taiyan Talisman*. The Five Elements Yin and Yang of heaven and earth—when cultivated to its apex, any form of energy becomes the Great Dao. There is no distinction between better or worse."

From this and other recent events, it was clear that Huaimo held the Mystic Sect and the Celestial Sect in the highest regard, while being utterly dismissive of all other Cultivation Techniques.

Wang Ping nodded in agreement with Huaimo’s assessment. He then changed the subject. "I’ve heard the Yuqing Sect has a large supply of Sacred Heart Pills. I’ll take those as my reward."

Just as Huaimo was about to agree, a blood-red pillar of light suddenly erupted from the mountain range east of True Yang Mountain.

Wang Ping’s Primordial Spirit immediately emerged. The next moment, he sensed a thick, sanguine aura. It felt incredibly familiar, yet he couldn’t immediately recall where he had encountered it before.

"It’s the aura of that Magical Artifact from beneath Bin Pass."

Yu Lian landed on Wang Ping’s shoulder, communicating with him through his Spirit Sea.

Huaimo spoke up. "Such a thick, sanguine aura, and it carries the power of the Demon Race bloodline... It’s the ’Demon Gathering Banner’. It must have been taken from Bin Pass by the Demon Race army of Yunjiang Road. I thought their leader would use it on True Yang Mountain, but then it vanished without a trace. And now it has suddenly reappeared. How strange!"

"Let’s go see what’s happening."

Wang Ping tossed his identity token into the air. As he shot into the sky, Zhi Gong, Wu Quan, Hu Yin, and others transformed into streaks of light and appeared by his side.

Wang Ping then took the lead, flying toward the source of the blood-red light in the direction of Lishan.

The long, narrow defensive line outside True Yang Mountain flashed by in his periphery. The vast forest receded below. In just a few moments, he appeared near the Lishan encampment. The instant he steadied himself, he cast his gaze toward the source of the blood-red light. It was a wide riverbed, and both banks showed clear signs of being scorched.

The water in the river was parted by the blood-red light. At the center of the glow stood a Shrimp Demon. Viscous blood oozed from his entire body, and within the blood, profound and mysterious runes were clearly visible.