Getting recruited by a deacon—now that would be a straight shot to the top. Ordinary apprentices and regular disciples were on a completely different level compared to disciples under a deacon. It wasn't just about status; there were other privileges too. For one, regular overseers couldn't order around a deacon's disciples—because they belonged to the deacon. Trying to command them would be overstepping boundaries.

At this moment, Li Ye felt like he'd been slapped across the face. However, just as everyone expected Wen Jiu to accept the offer without hesitation, he merely bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"Many thanks for Deacon Mu's appreciation."

Having lived two lives, Wen Jiu knew one thing very well: if you were going to follow someone, you had to pick the right person. In the cultivation world, choosing the wrong backer didn't just make life difficult—it could bring endless trouble. And worse, it could cost you your life. That was no small matter.

So instinctively, Wen Jiu glanced at Wang Nian. As a third-generation immortal, Wang Nian had access to knowledge most people didn't. Take Deacon Mu Canglong, for example—Wen Jiu knew nothing about him, but Wang Nian certainly did.

Noticing Wen Jiu looking at him, Wang Nian felt a surge of joy. The few Soul-Calming Talismans he had spent weren't wasted after all. He grinned and said, "Hold on, kid. Let me ask my second uncle later and see if he needs more people."

The moment those words fell, Mu Canglong's expression darkened. He knew exactly who Wang Nian's second uncle was and understood the hidden message behind Wang Nian's words.

"In that case, I'll return tomorrow."

With that, Mu Canglong waved his hand, taking the female cultivator's corpse with him. All he left behind was a flash of dazzling sword light.

Before long, the crowd dispersed. Wang Nian led Wen Jiu back, flying on his sword while explaining along the way.

"Kid, don't get the wrong idea—I can't actually get you into the Alchemy Hall. That place has strict requirements. First off, you need a wood-attribute lower-grade spiritual root."

Realization dawned on Wen Jiu. "I get it now, Brother Wang."

"Talking to a smart guy saves me so much effort. Listen, Feixian Peak has seven divisions: Night Patrol Division, Alchemy Hall, Talisman Room, Weapon Refining Tower, Spirit Farmer Division, Demon Slayer Division, and Demon Suppression Division. Once word spreads that you killed a Qi Refining second-layer spy, they'll come recruiting you. What we need to do now is wait—see who offers the best deal."

Wang Nian flashed a sly grin, looking unusually excited, almost as if he were the one being recruited.

Meanwhile, Wen Jiu replayed Wang Nian's words in his mind. He hadn't realized Feixian Peak had so many branches. Alchemy Hall and Talisman Room made sense, but Demon Slayer Division? Demon Suppression Division? Were they specifically tasked with handling demons?

Setting aside his thoughts, Wen Jiu quickly expressed his gratitude. Having a good elder brother who could help bridge information gaps was invaluable. Without Wang Nian, he would have accepted the offer on the spot earlier.

"Thanks, Brother Wang."

"No need to be polite. You earned this. A mere apprentice breaking into Qi Refining second-layer and slaying an intruder all on his own? That hasn't happened in fifty years!" Wang Nian's tone was full of admiration and excitement.

—

The next morning, Wen Ya brought food again—this time, a much more luxurious meal than usual.

It was actually lower-grade spiritual rice, an expensive delicacy costing a hundred silver taels per jin. Regular people couldn't afford it; even true disciples of Dead Man's Peak could only barely manage to eat it.

As soon as she stepped into the house, Wen Ya eagerly shared the sudden improvements in their family's situation within the Xu Clan, particularly emphasizing the overseer who had spoken up on their behalf.

She had no idea who it was or why they had helped.

Wen Jiu, however, simply smiled without explaining.

This was one of his motivations for climbing higher—to give his family a better life.

Feeling grateful to Wang Nian, Wen Jiu dug into the spiritual rice with large bites. He had to admit, even lower-grade spiritual rice was rich in spiritual energy and had an incredibly smooth texture.

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—

Back at the land of corpses.

The grave diggers seemed unaware of what had happened the previous night. Though they regarded Wen Jiu with some respect, it hadn't reached the level of outright flattery.

Once Wang Nian arrived and finished counting the numbers, he quickly dismissed the workers and dragged Wen Jiu away in a hurry.

"Let me tell you, what you did last night has spread across the entire side peak. Even though you have an inferior spiritual root and practice an unorthodox path, someone has still taken an interest in you!" Wang Nian spoke, emphasizing six words heavily—"Demon Suppression Division, Monster Slayer Division!"

"Come on, come on, they're all waiting for you!"

With that, Wang Nian took to his sword and flew off, bringing Wen Jiu with him toward the administrative hall.

Before Wen Jiu could ask more questions, he was already hurriedly dragged inside.

Inside the hall, three people were waiting.

One of them was Steward Mu from the previous night.

The other two—one had wide, glaring eyes, a towering, muscular build, and wore a heavy crimson battle armor. Just one look at him was enough to instill fear.

The other was dressed in a blue robe, much smaller in stature, yet the faint aura he exuded was just as intimidating.

If Wen Jiu hadn't lived two lives and seen his share of grand occasions, just the sheer presence of these two men would have made him drop to his knees on the spot.

"Not bad. Your aura is stable and restrained. It seems that practicing the Corpse Cultivation Technique hasn't drained too much of your lifespan or foundation." Before Wen Jiu could even bow in greeting, the burly man with glaring eyes spoke first. Then, he added, "Kid, how about joining my Demon Suppression Division? I'll personally teach you a top-tier Qi-cultivation technique—Demon Suppression Art—and grant you one year of training in the Infernal Flame Cavern!"

"You sure are generous..." The blue-robed cultivator followed up, unwilling to fall behind. "I am Li Qing, an enforcer of the Monster Slayer Division, here on its behalf. If you join us, I'll teach you the top-tier Monster Slaying Art and grant you three years of training in the Spirit Pool—perfect for compensating for the damage caused by your unorthodox cultivation."

As soon as he finished speaking, the two men locked eyes.

Tension sparked between them.

Wen Jiu gave a helpless smile, quickly cupping his fists in gratitude. "Thank you both for your kind offers. I am deeply honored... but I have one question. What exactly do the Demon Suppression Division and Monster Slayer Division do?"

"Slay monsters!" Li Qing answered immediately.

The burly man with glaring eyes followed proudly, "Eradicate demons, eliminate heretical cultivators, and maintain peace across the land and within Fei Xian Peak!"

Wen Jiu cupped his fists again.

Then, his gaze landed on Mu Canglong, the ever-silent enforcer from the Night Patrol Division.

To be honest—he didn't want to join either faction.

He had no idea how valuable the rewards they offered were or how beneficial the Infernal Flame Cavern and Spirit Pool were for cultivation.

But monster slaying? Demon suppression? He had absolutely no interest.

He just wanted to quietly raise his corpses.

And peacefully wait for his daily settlement rewards.

Mu Canglong noticed his gaze, the coldness on his face softening slightly. The corners of his mouth even curled into a faint smile. "I can't offer you a prime training ground like the Infernal Flame Cavern—our Night Patrol Division has no such place... but I can grant you the advanced techniques of the Yinzhou Corpse Cultivation Method, along with a lower-grade corpse weapon and a lower-grade corpse-nurturing bead."

Before Wen Jiu could respond, Li Qing scoffed, "Mu, you won't even offer him the Night Wind Art from your division?"

The burly man also chimed in, "Stingy bastard!"

Mu Canglong shot them both a cold glare. "You two might be generous, but what does it matter? His talent lies in unorthodox cultivation, yet you want him to abandon it. Don't forget, he has an inferior spiritual root… If you're recruiting disciples, you should at least know how to teach them accordingly!"

The next moment—

The three began arguing.

Wang Nian quickly pulled Wen Jiu aside, away from the battlefield.

A quarter of an hour later, their faces were red from shouting before they finally stopped.

Seizing the moment, Wen Jiu interjected, "Steward Mu, may I ask one thing? Can I continue staying in the Corpse Wasteland?"

"You want to keep raising corpses?" Mu Canglong asked, still red-faced.

Wen Jiu nodded.

Mu Canglong immediately agreed. "Of course. As long as you want, you're free to go anywhere within Fei Xian Peak!"

"Many thanks, Steward Mu." Wen Jiu bowed deeply, then turned to the other two and continued, "I greatly appreciate your recognition, but I understand my own limits. I can only cultivate through an unorthodox path, so I choose the Night Patrol Division!"

The other two still wanted to argue.

But Mu Canglong swiftly cut them off, taking control of the conversation and forcibly ushering them out, leaving no room for debate.

Left with no choice, Li Qing and the burly man could only leave.

After seeing them off, Mu Canglong left Wen Jiu with a parting remark before taking his leave as well. "Come to the Night Patrol Division tomorrow."

As soon as Mu Canglong departed—

Wang Nian excitedly patted Wen Jiu's shoulder, brimming with joy.

Yet, he was also confused.

"Do you even know how precious the Infernal Flame Cavern and Spirit Pool are? Regular disciples have to make huge contributions just to get in, yet you outright refused!"

Wen Jiu said nothing.

But at this moment, his resolve only strengthened.

In a sect—

One must stand out when needed.

To climb higher.

To gain more resources.

To secure a better position.

To change one's circumstances.

But when it was time to cultivate steadily, one must choose stability.

Standing out was for rising up.

Stability was for survival.

The Demon Suppression Division and Monster Slayer Division undoubtedly offered great benefits, but slaying demons and monsters surely came with heavy casualties.

Cultivation, the path to immortality—

Wasn't survival the key to becoming immortal?

With his daily settlement rewards, why take unnecessary risks?