After returning to the Land of Mangled Corpses, Wang Nian no longer had Wen Jiu doing any work, as if he had completely forgotten their previous deal. His tone also changed accordingly, shifting from calling him "Wen kid" to "Brother Wen" instead. Before, although Wang Nian had treated him well and politely, there was always a hint of superiority in his demeanor. But now, that sense of condescension was completely gone.

Honestly, Wen Jiu had to admire this ability to adapt. Unfortunately, this was the cultivation world, not the workplace. Otherwise, with Wang Nian's emotional intelligence, he would undoubtedly thrive. Even if he lacked ability, he could still secure a leadership position with ease.

Wen Jiu didn't say much about it. No matter how Wang Nian changed, he would always remember his kindness. He would also keep their previous deal in mind. However, he definitely wouldn't be moving corpses anymore—otherwise, climbing upward would be meaningless. But capturing vengeful spirits was another matter. That was a mutually beneficial task, and one of the reasons he had stayed here.

Meanwhile, when the other corpse buriers heard from Wang Nian that Wen Jiu had officially become a Night Patrol Division trainee, they were filled with both shock and envy. None of them knew how long they would have to endure before getting such an opportunity. One year? Three years? Ten? Many of them couldn't help but sigh. The unconventional path they had once looked down upon had now left them far behind.

Unaware of their thoughts, Wen Jiu took his black ghoul and once again plunged into the Land of Mangled Corpses. This time, his mindset was completely different.

"Now that I've reached the second level of Qi Refinement, and my black ghoul has advanced to the mid-tier, plus my Blood Transformation Body is at the second level, I should be able to venture deeper into this place."

Last night, after observing the Land of Mangled Corpses from a high vantage point, Wen Jiu had already memorized the area where the Yin energy was densest. That was the true core of this land—the epicenter of the ancient battle. Those who perished there were all powerful cultivators, both enemies of Dead Man Peak and disciples of Dead Man Peak alike.

However, he wasn't in a hurry to go there just yet.

First, he would sweep through the outer perimeter. Once the vengeful spirits were cleared out, he could proceed at ease. Letting the spirits in that area cultivate a little longer wouldn't hurt either.

—

The next morning, before dawn, Wang Nian was already outside Wen Jiu's wooden hut.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Brother Wen, hurry up and get up! Today is your first day reporting to the Night Patrol Division—it's best to be early rather than late!"

Wen Jiu quickly opened the door. Truth be told, he hadn't slept much all night, feeling a slight sense of excitement.

The moment he opened the door, Wang Nian pulled out a Cleansing Talisman, activated it with a wave of his hand, and instantly purified Wen Jiu from head to toe. Then, he took out a set of slightly better-quality clothes and urged Wen Jiu to change.

"This was made by my wife. You and I have similar builds, so just wear it for now. Later, you can buy something better… You can't go to the Night Patrol Division looking too shabby, or you'll invite disdain."

"Oh, and if you run into people who look down on you for taking an unconventional path, ignore them. You are the first corpse burier in fifty years to be promoted through battle."

Hearing Wang Nian's advice, Wen Jiu smiled and nodded.

After changing clothes and leaving a note for his sister, Wen Jiu followed Wang Nian toward the Night Patrol Division.

Through forests and across mountains, they passed the marketplace Wen Jiu had seen before and headed straight for Flying Immortal Peak, five miles away.

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Although it was only seven or eight miles apart, the difference was like night and day. The burial grounds of the corpse buriers couldn't compare at all in terms of spiritual energy. Flying Immortal Peak, on the other hand, was lush with vegetation—every blade of grass and tree seemed imbued with spiritual energy.

After Wang Nian presented his identity token, the two of them ascended the stone-paved stairs, encountering cultivators all along the way. Most were at the first level of Qi Refinement, while quite a few were at the second level. Occasionally, someone would fly past overhead on a sword.

Before long, Wang Nian led Wen Jiu to the mountainside, where several towering ancient brown buildings came into view. Next to them stood an enormous stone monument engraved with the words Night Patrol Division.

When Wang Nian revealed his identity to the disciple guarding the entrance, the disciple immediately turned his gaze toward Wen Jiu. His expression was neutral as he sized him up from head to toe.

"Follow me."

Wen Jiu was just about to step forward when Wang Nian stopped moving. Instead, he said, "Go on in. I can't accompany you any further—this is restricted to Night Patrol Division members only."

"Thank you, Brother Wang!"

Wen Jiu bowed in gratitude, then turned and followed the Night Patrol Division disciple inside.

Passing through corridors and halls, he finally stopped in front of an ancient building guarded by a fierce, crouching tiger. Wen Jiu glanced at it and his expression changed abruptly—the aura of this massive tiger was actually no weaker than Wang Nian's.

So this is a spirit beast? Wen Jiu mused, not daring to act recklessly.

Soon, a man walked out from the ancient building—it was none other than Manager Liu of the Night Patrol Division, whom he had met last time.

"Come in. Steward Mu is waiting for you."

With that, Manager Liu turned and entered the building. Wen Jiu quickly followed, making sure to walk on the side opposite the crouching tiger.

Upon entering, Wen Jiu was led up to the fifth floor, where he finally met Mu Canglong.

"Your robes and identity token have been prepared. From today onward, you are an apprentice disciple of the Night Patrol Division."

"Many thanks, Steward Mu!" Wen Jiu promptly bowed in gratitude.

Mu Canglong continued, "Since you've chosen to stay in the Land of Restless Corpses, you will accompany Manager Liu Xiao on night patrols around the perimeter. He will handle your assignments. If you need anything in the future, you can come here directly."

Wen Jiu nodded. "Understood."

Night patrol in the Land of Restless Corpses… In theory, it shouldn't be too dangerous now. After all, they had already killed two infiltrators and captured another—anyone else seeking the Yin Fiend Blood Curse would have to be an utter fool not to lay low.

Mu Canglong added, "As for your stipend, although you're only an apprentice, I'll grant you the pay of a second-layer Qi Refining disciple—three low-grade spirit stones per month. Additionally, you may choose any location outside Feixian Peak to settle in, and labor disciples will construct a residence for you."

"Thank you, Steward!" Wen Jiu responded promptly.

Mu Canglong said no more. As promised, he handed over the next part of the Yin Province Corpse Nurturing Method to Wen Jiu.

Opening it, Wen Jiu found that the technique had a total of five layers. The portion he had just received covered the third to the fifth layers—if he mastered it fully, he could reach the sixth layer of Qi Refining.

Delighted, Wen Jiu carefully examined the manual.

This version contained far more than just corpse-nurturing techniques—it also included methods for refining corpses. Compared to the incomplete version he had obtained from the Transmission Hall, the difference was like night and day.

"You can retrieve a corpse tool and a corpse-nurturing pearl from the vault with Manager Liu Xiao," Mu Canglong said before leaving the room. He neither gave any additional instructions nor left any warnings.

After Mu Canglong departed, Liu Xiao spoke up, "Kid, the Yin Province Corpse Nurturing Method is ultimately an unorthodox path. You must not rush your cultivation or try to force progress. If you reach the fourth layer of Qi Refining, it's best that you transition to a proper Qi Refining technique instead. The art of corpse nurturing is not a lasting path—it harms both the spiritual body and lifespan."

With that warning, Liu Xiao said no more and simply led the way.

From his perspective, Wen Jiu's talent for unorthodox cultivation was indeed impressive, but such methods were ultimately not sustainable. While they might not cause much harm at his current level, the risks would only grow as he advanced. Worse, this path could easily give rise to inner demons.

Liu Xiao had seen many unorthodox cultivators lose themselves to madness or die sudden, violent deaths. He didn't want Wen Jiu to follow in their footsteps—after all, Wen Jiu was the first Burial Disciple in fifty years to be promoted through combat.

Had he not chosen an unorthodox path, the other divisions would have fought tooth and nail to recruit him.

Still, Liu Xiao wasn't about to push the issue.

Everyone had their own fate.

If Wen Jiu chose not to change his path, then so be it.

"Follow me. You may choose any first-grade, low-tier corpse tool and a low-grade corpse-nurturing pearl from the Night Patrol Division's vault. However, be cautious—most corpse tools were confiscated from demonic cultivators, so choose wisely."

With that, Liu Xiao strode forward, leading the way.