Vampire Cultivation Notes

"It's fine to inform the head steward, but we'll need to exchange it for a way to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage first."

Li Jieqing ignored the so-called words of promotion.

"This... is indeed easy." Chengming Daoist pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "I know the method you used. It's the heretical 'Blood Sea Freedom Secret Record' that I bought from Xingniang on the first floor of Wanbao Pavilion during the last beast tide. Just now, I saw you disregard the loss of your own essence and blood and forcefully kill the Yu family Daoist who was in the late stage of Qi Refining. It can truly be said to be extraordinary in power. Such a method is naturally of superior quality. After the cultivation is completed and the true qi you refine is qualified, you should be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Li Jieqing said, "But there is no method for breaking through on my cultivation technique jade slip."

Master Chengming laughed again and said, "That's for sure."

The reason this person was laughing was that Taiping Market was under the jurisdiction of the Ruyi Sect, which had always strictly controlled the advancement of independent cultivators. Since Wanbao Pavilion was opening a business on this land, it naturally had to abide by the rules of the Ruyi Sect.

Therefore, the original "Blood Heart Freedom Secret Record" was cut up, leaving only the cultivation of the Qi Refining Realm for sale.

This isn't the only one; there are many cultivation techniques controlled by the Ruyi Sect, which are kept secret from the rogue cultivators here.

The intention was to prevent independent cultivators from having unrealistic expectations, which would cause trouble for no reason, regardless of whether they succeeded in establishing their foundation or not.

Only Chengming Daoren and other high-ranking members of the market knew the original, unaltered cultivation method and how to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, all the resources of Taipingfang Market were used to support Master Baozhou's cultivation, leaving the others unable to break through despite guarding the method of breakthrough. In particular, Daoist Chengming had been stuck at the ninth level of Qi Refining for many years, and over time, resentment naturally grew in his heart.

That's why tonight's events happened.

Li Jieqing had previously only mingled among independent cultivators and couldn't understand it at first. But now, listening to Daoist Chengming explain it in detail, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dispelling the fog before his eyes.

So this is what the situation was like inside Taipingfang Market two hundred years ago.

The independent cultivators are in opposition to each other, and the upper echelons of the community are also in opposition to each other.

It really is true what they say: a cultivator is just a human being.

"I cannot refuse the steward's kind invitation. Since that is the case, I dare not decline."

Li Jieqing put down the Qingshui Sword and revealed that there was a hidden treasure cave in Wangyue Valley. He also mentioned that there was a spiritual medicine hidden inside, which both the demon tiger and Jiang Ping should have eaten.

However, Li Jieqing deliberately kept the specific symbol of that elixir, namely the Green Lotus Seed, a secret.

"So that's how it is." Daoist Chengming suddenly realized: "...I have heard that when the Ruyi Sect crossed the sea to come here, they reclaimed wasteland and built new markets. Their purpose was to find a historical site, but they have been searching for it for nearly two hundred years without success."

This was the first time Li Jieqing had ever heard of this.

No wonder, there have always been stories circulating that there are treasures outside the market.

"Where is that cave in Wangyue Valley?!" Chengming Daoist pressed, his tone becoming slightly hurried.

"So what if I have that technique?"

Li Jieqing asked in return.

Chengming Daoist then said, "To break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, you must complete three stages before your Qi and blood decline—first, you need to refine high-grade true Qi to perfection; second, your true Qi must undergo a transformation, changing from emptiness to reality; and third, you must open your sea of ​​consciousness in the Niwan Palace and give birth to divine consciousness. You are only at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and it is still too early for your true Qi to be fully refined. Why not switch to cultivation while you are still young? I can privately pass on the cultivation method to you, which includes methods on how to open the Niwan Palace and how to transform your true Qi."

After listening, Li Jieqing first nodded, then shook his head.

The nod was a sign of excitement at finally knowing how to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Shaking one's head means that one does not believe in the advice given by Daoist Chengming and does not want to practice the cultivation method he gave.

"What does the head steward think about helping me retrieve the original copy of the 'Blood Heart Freedom Secret Record' from Wanbaoge?"

Chengming Daoist said, "Your cultivation technique is not under my jurisdiction, and obtaining it is not easy. How about this, I only need one Foundation Establishment Pill to aid in the transformation of my true energy, and I will have a chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. You first help me find that cave and retrieve the treasure. Before I break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, I will swallow my pride and retrieve the original cultivation technique for you. At the same time, you will also get a share of the spoils from that cave."

They were all elderly people who frequented Taipingfang.

Chengming Daoist did not say anything about waiting until he broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage before helping him retrieve the cultivation method from Wanbaoge.

Instead, he proposed to finalize the deal before he could break through.

In Li Jieqing's opinion, this was quite sincere.

Not to mention that the conditions for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage had already been revealed in advance.

Of course, the circumstances are also a factor.

Cheng Mingdao used his influence in the community to thoroughly investigate the identity of "Zhao Zhengqing" beforehand. He not only knew about his connection with the Jiang family, but also knew who he had purchased the cultivation technique from several years ago. He was truly well-prepared.

The reason I'm speaking politely now is simply because I'm willing to lower myself for the sake of my goal.

If the request fails, that flying shuttle will probably reappear in the next instant.

"Next time, I'll just lie low for a few more years before coming out of seclusion..."

Li Jieqing gave himself a silent warning, and then sighed softly.

Wonderful! What a remarkable Cheng Ming Daoist! For just a sliver of hope for a breakthrough, he was willing to wait patiently for an entire year. He is truly capable and a talented individual.

"Chief Steward, the cave's route is complex, and exploring for treasure will take more than a day. If the White Tiger is still alive, we should kill it first to prevent future trouble!"

Li Jieqing sheathed the Qingshui Sword under his black robe and bowed slightly.

He has made his decision to cooperate with this high-ranking and powerful steward.

Last year, the rabble of independent cultivators left the scene, but this year, the newly accomplished Daoist Chengming joined the group, allowing the exploration of Wangyue Valley to be restarted smoothly, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

The saying "You may plant flowers with care, but they may not bloom; you may plant willows without intention, and they may thrive" probably describes this situation perfectly.

Upon hearing this as an affirmative reply, Chengming Daoist was overjoyed and quickly made a gesture of respect, bowing his head in return, saying, "This humble Daoist bows in greeting."

"In order to facilitate the foundation building, I hope Fellow Daoist Zhao will lend a hand. Whatever needs are made by people in the community, I will do my best to fulfill them."

What a fine Taoist priest!

The way you're saying that makes it sound like you weren't the one who launched the sneak attack.

Li Jieqing's eyes flickered, and he used his magic to pull the human skin mask from the ground back to cover his face.

"The White Tiger is difficult to eliminate, and we must not let Master Baozhou know about it. If the head steward is not confident, the day of exploring the cave will probably be far away."

"This is easy. What power does that mere white-haired beast possess?"

Chengming Daoist laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist, behold my skills!"

Now that the two had reached an agreement on cooperation, Chengming Daoist was also eager to seize the opportunity. He immediately asked Li Jieqing to fly together towards Wangyue Valley.

Li Jieqing wanted to decline, but since the "tool" had already arrived, he would naturally continue to stay in the market.

However, due to the fact that this was the first time the two parties had cooperated and that Chengming Daoist was urging them, they had no choice but to go. They brought a high-grade Vajra Talisman and followed from a distance, planning to just take a look at the edge of Wangyue Valley when the time came.

One after the other, the two figures disappeared into the wilderness.

On the spot, only the remnants of thunder and fire slowly faded away, and no one knew that a member of the Yu family at the seventh level of Qi Refining had died here.

It was past midnight.

A tiger roared in Wangyue Valley.

Cheng Mingdao and Li Jieqing fled in panic, flying towards the market without looking back.

Both sides had a very good plan.

Unfortunately, they couldn't win.