As soon as the Night Patrol Division left, the group of grave diggers breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the incident had nothing to do with them, being interrogated by so many disciples of the Night Patrol Division still brought them immense pressure. After all, they were mere grave diggers at the bottom rung of society—if they were wrongfully accused or forced into a confession, it would be a dead end for them.
"Alright, everyone, disperse," Wang Nian spoke.
The crowd, feeling relieved, gradually scattered.
Then, Wang Nian patted Wen Jiu on the shoulder. "Kid, don't worry... You think he's the only one who knows how to play dirty? I've got my own backing too! My second uncle is Wang Qing, the steward of the Alchemy Hall under the jurisdiction of the Side Peak! If I really push it, I can cut off his supply of pills next month. Let's see who's tougher then."
Hearing this, Wen Jiu was momentarily stunned.
Good heavens.
So this guy was a privileged cultivator too.
He had never noticed it before.
"Thank you, Brother Wang," Wen Jiu expressed his gratitude once again, strengthening his resolve to cling tightly to Wang Nian's support.
Though he was still inexperienced in the ways of the world, Wen Ping understood that the path of cultivation involved many different crafts—Talisman Masters, Artifact Forgers, Alchemists, and more.
Corpse Nurturing was also considered one of these arts, but it was classified as an unorthodox practice.
As a result, it had an extremely low status among the various cultivation arts. Alchemists and Artifact Forgers, on the other hand, were different.
Both were essential to cultivators. Unless one expected to perish the next day, they would never be able to avoid relying on an Alchemist.
Since Wang Nian's second uncle held a high position in the Alchemy Hall, it seemed that if Wen Jiu wanted to climb up despite his unorthodox background, he would need to take advantage of this opportunity.
With his help, securing Wen Jiu's apprentice status would be much easier.
Looks like it was time to showcase some skills again.
Otherwise, an Alchemist wouldn't even spare him a glance.
Especially since he was walking an unorthodox path.
"Alright, head back. Here, take this signal talisman… If that brat Li Ye comes looking for you again, crush it immediately, and I'll be able to sense your location." Wang Nian pulled out a cloth bag containing thirty pounds of demon beast meat from his storage pouch, along with a talisman.
"Many thanks, Brother Wang."
Wen Jiu cupped his fists in gratitude, carefully storing away the talisman.
…
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
The Night Patrol Division was still investigating the deaths of Fang Zheng and the others, and they had begun collecting information on ghost cultivators within the Side Peak.
Ghost cultivators who manipulated yin spirits generally didn't dare approach within five miles of the Side Peak, as the area was densely populated with cultivators, creating a strong yang presence. Ordinary yin spirits wouldn't come here to feed; they were more likely to target mortal lands.
Therefore, the Night Patrol Division concluded that the culprit behind the deaths of Fang Zheng, the other two, and their own disciples was likely a ghost cultivator.
However…
They found no leads.
Even increasing the bounty yielded no results.
Meanwhile, inside a luxurious residence within the Side Peak's trading market, Li Ye was listening to his subordinate's report.
As he listened, his expression grew darker with anger.
"Enough, leave!"
Once he dismissed his men, he slammed his palm down, shattering the stone table beside him. The sudden noise startled the beautiful woman in thin clothing next to him.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
But in the next moment, she quickly pressed herself against him, her delicate hands stroking his chest.
"Husband… don't be angry. If you harm your health over this, it won't be worth it. Perhaps my brother was simply not fated for this path…"
Li Ye glanced down at the fair skin of the woman before him, and his expression softened slightly. However, his irritation didn't fade. "Who was it? Who just happened to ruin my plan, letting that unorthodox cultivator Wen Jiu benefit for nothing?"
He couldn't understand it.
It was too much of a coincidence!
Could it really be that his brother-in-law was simply not destined for this opportunity?
No.
He refused to believe it.
He had to continue investigating Wen Jiu!
"This won't do. I can't let that brat take advantage of this for nothing. I need to visit my master. If he speaks against Wen Jiu, that kid will never set foot in the Side Peak… Master despises unorthodox cultivators."
With that, Li Ye grabbed the woman's hand.
His smile gradually turned sinister. As long as he suppressed Wen Jiu, he could arrange for his own people to take the spot instead.
…
Xu Family Residence.
The news that Wen Ya had connections with the Justice Hall had already spread throughout the household.
That evening, when Wen Ya returned after delivering meals, several elegantly dressed noblewomen approached her.
Their figures were indeed graceful, but the ridicule and gloating on their faces made them look ugly, enough to evoke disgust.
No one dared show it, though.
Because these three women were concubines of Steward Xu.
In the Xu Family Residence, they were as good as royalty.
They blocked Wen Ya's path.
The nearby servants turned pale, looking on with concern.
Sure enough, one of the women sneered, "Xiao Ya, if a mere servant girl like you wants to climb the social ladder, at least keep your eyes open. Our Xu family has a blood feud with the Justice Hall… and yet you dare to associate with them? The madam was furious when she found out!"
The other women joined in, snickering with schadenfreude.
Wen Ya's face changed slightly, but she didn't dare retort. The difference in status was too vast.
At the same time, she couldn't be bothered to argue back. Right now, all she wanted was to find the old madam and explain everything as soon as possible. If she was late, the consequences might be unimaginable.
However, just as Wen Ya was about to leave, someone blocked her path. "No need to go. The old madam doesn't want to hear your explanation right now."
But at that moment, the voice of the Xu family's old madam could be heard from the nearby corridor as she bid farewell to a guest. "Daoist Wang, do visit when you have time."
Wang Nian cupped his hands in salute. "Certainly, certainly."
"Thank you for your trouble today, Daoist Wang. If you hadn't personally come to explain, I might have wrongly blamed Xiao Ya."
"Even without me, I'm sure you would have figured it out," Wang Nian responded with a respectful gesture before taking his leave.
As soon as he left, the old madam's expression shifted slightly, her gaze landing on Wen Ya in the distance, carrying a hint of surprise in her eyes.
She had thought Wen Ya was completely alone at Deadman's Peak.
She hadn't expected Wang Nian to personally step in to speak on her behalf.
And who was Wang Nian?
He was none other than the grandnephew of Master Wang, an esteemed alchemist of the pill refining hall.
"Xiao Ya, come here… I've just brewed some Snow Orchid tea, a nourishing tonic that enhances beauty. Join me for a cup."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of several noblewomen around her shifted slightly.
Wen Ya, too, was taken aback, her face full of astonishment and confusion.
What was going on?
...
In the Forsaken Corpse Grounds, Wen Jiu was training his body while waiting for the daily settlement.
Once today's rewards were distributed, the Black Ghoul would reach the mid-stage.
What he was particularly curious about was whether he could obtain a ghost technique. Earlier in the day, he had come across a wandering wraith, one equivalent to a second-layer Qi Refining cultivator. However, the previous wraith he had captured hadn't granted the Black Ghoul any new ghost abilities.
If this one also failed, then it would prove that the Black Ghoul couldn't acquire ghost techniques from ordinary wraiths—it had to be from ghost cultivators or higher-level spectral beings.
Before long, midnight arrived.
The daily settlement began.
[Daily Settlement Panel Lv2 (21/1000)]
[Today's Settlement!]
[Chanting the Corpse Nurturing Mantra for two hours—Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Mantra experience +20.]
[Burying corpses for three hours, searching for wraiths for three hours, continuously absorbing corpse energy and death aura—Panel experience +1, Corpse Energy +12, Death Aura +12.]
[Using Yin energy and a large amount of fresh cultivator blood to nurture the corpse for twelve hours, devouring a first-rank lower-tier ghost cultivator—Panel experience +1, Corpse Mutation experience +36, +60, Corpse Nurturer experience +2, Blood Transformation Body experience +24, Death Aura +300.]
[Consuming two bowls of low-grade spiritual rice and two pounds of non-ranked demonic beast meat while using Earth Fiend Yin Energy to temper the body for two hours—Body Refinement experience +40.]
"I didn't obtain a ghost technique."
"Looks like my theory was correct."
However, the amount of Death Aura gained was substantial.
After the settlement bonus, it totaled an impressive three hundred points.
That was quite a lot.
Wen Jiu quickly checked his remaining Death Aura.
With today's three hundred points, plus the one hundred gained from the previous wraith, and the accumulation from the past few days, the total amount exceeded his expectations.
[Death Aura Balance: 956]
Next, he glanced at the experience progress of the Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Art.
[Technique: Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Art (First Layer 61/1000) +]
"If I wanted to…"
"I could immediately break through to the second layer of Qi Refining!"
Wen Jiu was thrilled.
To be honest, he was tempted to press the [+] button right away.
But he hesitated.
Would advancing too quickly attract unwanted attention?
Then again, with Li Ye watching him like a predator and the need to gain the recognition of Wang Nian's second uncle to secure a place at Deadman's Peak…
Perhaps breaking through to the second layer of Qi Refining was the best course of action.
With that thought, Wen Jiu made up his mind and decisively pressed the upgrade button!
In an instant, he stepped into the second layer of Qi Refining.
[Technique: Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Art (Second Layer 0/2000)]
[Death Aura Balance: 17]
But just as the breakthrough completed, Wen Jiu suddenly sensed a strange disturbance from the Forsaken Corpse Grounds—someone was digging up the Black Ghoul's burial site!
****
****
[ Read 50 Chapters ahead at patreon.com/DaoistMist ]