The path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties.

A slight misstep could lead to the end of one's journey, death being the final outcome.

Many cultivators find themselves unable to progress further and choose to seek an exit, gradually withdrawing from the path of cultivation to find peace of mind elsewhere.

Li Dahuo, who resides in the Seventeen Caves of the Soul Cliff, is such a cultivator. Approaching fifty years old, he has been stuck at the ninth level of Qi refinement for decades.

With no hope of breakthrough, Li Dahuo has turned to accumulating resources at the Soul Cliff as a means of retreat.

The sect tacitly acknowledges the presence of disciples like Li Dahuo, who choose to withdraw from active cultivation.

Many settlements at the foot of the mountain owe their origins to these retired disciples.

Allowing their existence also serves to nurture the future of the sect to some extent.

Moreover, disciples like Li Dahuo are extremely diligent in their work, striving for their future. They do not slack off, knowing they are working towards their own well-being.

These veteran disciples, with their wealth of experience and resilience, surpass ordinary disciples in every aspect.

For example, Li Dahuo has been active at the Soul Cliff for decades, becoming adept at exploring secret caves.

Therefore, Li Dahuo's work at the Soul Cliff is not as simple as it seems; he is saving for his retirement.

Li Dahuo and the former steward of the Soul Cliff reached an agreement: ten items for one extraction.

In other words, for every ten items he retrieves from corpses, Li Dahuo can extract one item for himself.

The profit from this arrangement is considerable!

Within a few years, Li Dahuo has accumulated dozens of spirit stones through his morbid endeavors.

Initially apprehensive upon hearing about the change in stewardship at the Soul Cliff, Li Dahuo eventually felt reassured after spending some spirit stones to establish connections.

Jiang Liang, a mere late Foundation Establishment cultivator with an unknown background, managed to secure such a lucrative position.

He must have wagered his entire fortune at the Soul Cliff, gambling to advance to the Core Formation stage!

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In that case, he needs me!

After all, although the Soul Cliff is a lucrative position, it also comes with quotas.

Since the establishment of the Great River Sect, strict rules have been in place. Even Core Formation Elders must abide by them.

If Jiang Liang fails to meet the sect's quotas, or worse, if he wants to profit from the venture, he'll need to collaborate with experienced hands like me.

I'm the only experienced hand left at the Soul Cliff.

Without my assistance, does Jiang Liang intend to manage on his own?

Li Dahuo can find a good place to go even if he leaves the Soul Cliff, but what about Jiang Liang?

Jiang Liang's fortune and life are staked on the Soul Cliff.

Contemplating this, Li Dahuo feels a sense of satisfaction.

Since he has already figured out Jiang Liang's weakness, shouldn't he exploit it?

Facing Jiang Liang's visit, Li Dahuo extends his palm.

His palm opens, then forms the gesture for five.

Five items for one extraction.

Faced with Li Dahuo's challenge, Jiang Liang simply walks away.

Five items for one extraction?

Li Dahuo! Aren't you afraid of losing your life!

Although resentful, Jiang Liang finds himself helpless.

Strictly speaking, Li Dahuo is not a member of the Soul Cliff; he is merely affiliated with it.

Otherwise, Li Dahuo wouldn't dare to provoke Jiang Liang like this.

Faced with Jiang Liang's departure, Li Dahuo remains unfazed.

Why should he panic?

There's nothing to panic about.

Jiang Liang will definitely come back to plead with him.

The next day, the situation with Yin Seventeen unfolds.

Even a fool could tell that Yin Seventeen is a fat lamb, which is why he's been assigned to the Seventeen Caves.

With his vast experience and skillful techniques, Li Dahuo is the perfect choice for this task.

However, faced with such a fat lamb, Li Dahuo hesitates and dares not make a move.

When the news reaches Jiang Liang, he smashes the table in anger.

How dare Li Dahuo!

Although he despises Li Dahuo, Jiang Liang can't afford to confront him openly at the moment.

The rules of the Great River Sect must be upheld, and Jiang Liang can't afford to alienate Li Dahuo completely.

Li Dahuo can offer soul stones to cover up his own inaction, but what about Jiang Liang?

As a steward of the Soul Cliff, if he fails to meet the established goals, how will the sect view him?

Does he really have to agree to Li Dahuo's five-for-one extraction?

Even if it were ten-for-one, Jiang Liang wouldn't agree.

He came to the Soul Cliff to make a fortune, not to lose money.

In this moment of hesitation, Jiang Liang thinks of the audacious disciple—Xia Ming.

That bold kid seems to be unusually fast at exploring...

Why not give him a try?

After some hesitation, Jiang Liang dispatches a patrol to arrange the matter.

Meanwhile, in the Seventeen Caves, Li Dahuo hears the news.

Quietly observing all this, a cold smile creeps onto Li Dahuo's lips.

Sending Yin Seventeen to the Thirty-Seven Caves?

A mere menial disciple?

Jiang Liang, oh Jiang Liang, are you so desperate?

Humph... Humph.

Jiang Liang, I'll be waiting for you to come back and beg me.

Clang.

Xia Ming sets down his slender dagger.

Looking at the scattered items on the tray, Xia Ming breathes a sigh of relief.

Yin Seventeen... he really is fat!

As he sighs, Xia Ming overhears a whisper outside the cave.

"Let's go, follow me to see Elder Jiang."

Entering the cave, glancing casually at the scattered items, the black-robed patrol's eyes narrow slightly.

Impressive!

This kid is no ordinary.

In just two hours, he's explored six caves, extracted items from five, and obtained twenty items.

Elder Jiang has truly struck gold this time.

If the patrol knew that Xia Ming had spent less than an hour, his jaw might drop in amazement.

Following the patrol's footsteps, Xia Ming ascends the winding stone steps, step by step.

Reaching the second level, Xia Ming glimpses a pair of sinister eyes in a dark corner.

Half of the figure is shrouded in darkness, resembling a lurking tiger.

Glancing up, Xia Ming sees three characters: Cave Seventeen.

Taking a deep breath, Xia Ming continues upward.

Arriving at the top level, stepping out into the open, the sky stretches wide.

The setting sun casts its warm glow on Xia Ming's face, and the gentle breeze stirs the young man's heartstrings.

Taking in a lungful of fresh air greedily, Xia Ming turns to look back at the winding path below.

He firmly clenches his fists, swearing that one day he will leave this place.

Waiting outside Elder Jiang's quiet chamber, lost in thought, Xia Ming absentmindedly notices his blood-stained fingers.

For a moment, Xia Ming drifts through memories.

Wasn't it not long ago that he couldn't even bring himself tokill a chicken?

And now, he's making a living this way.

It's undeniable that humans are incredibly complex beings.

For survival, for a better life, they can become terrifying.

...