As far as Wen Jiu knew, the Dead Man's Peak was divided into a main peak and numerous side peaks. There was only one main peak, but the side peaks numbered in the hundreds. The place where he lived, the Land of Remnant Corpses, and this marketplace all belonged to one of the side peaks under the jurisdiction of Lianwu Mountain.
However, despite all being under Lianwu Mountain, ordinary corpse buriers and mortal laborers were not allowed to enter a cultivator's marketplace at will. So when Wen Jiu arrived at the market, everywhere he looked, all he saw were cultivators.
There were male cultivators soaring through the air on swords.
Female cultivators strolling leisurely on spirit beasts.
Various mystical creatures resting around the market.
It was a world entirely different from where Wen Jiu lived—the bleak land of remnant corpses.
"This isn't like how they show it in dramas." Wen Jiu gazed around excitedly, finding even a single blade of grass fascinating.
Soon, under the lead of a middle-aged steward, more than a hundred corpse buriers were guided from a small side path along the main road to the entrance of the marketplace.
As they got closer, Wen Jiu noticed that outside the towering archway, nearly three zhang high, golden mystical runes continuously surged from the ground, rising in an orderly fashion into the sky, merging into a massive, faintly glowing barrier.
From afar, it was invisible to the naked eye, only becoming clear up close. Just as Wen Jiu was wondering what it was, the middle-aged steward spoke in a deep voice, "This is the Market Protection Killing Array. Without a disciple's token, stepping inside means death! If you don't want to die, stand still and behave yourselves… Anyone who moves recklessly, don't blame me for revoking your qualification for cultivation."
As soon as he said this, the group immediately stiffened, not daring to glance around anymore. But Wen Jiu noticed that while most people were either stunned or ecstatic at the words "qualification for cultivation," some of the corpse buriers had an expression of eager anticipation rather than surprise.
Clearly… some of them already knew.
"Corpse buriers can cultivate?" Wen Jiu felt a surge of excitement.
But also some doubt.
He wouldn't believe it unless he saw it with his own eyes.
Could someone who wasn't a disciple of an immortal sect still practice cultivation?
Moments later, the three-story ancient building at the edge of the market, known as the Law Transmission Pavilion, slowly opened its doors. From within, an elderly man with white hair and a long robe stepped out. As soon as he appeared, the once-fierce middle-aged steward suddenly abandoned his usual harsh demeanor.
He even fawned over the old man, lowering himself respectfully. "Elder Chen, I've brought all the corpse buriers under my charge."
"Mm." The white-haired elder gave a slight nod, his gaze indifferent as he swept over the group before turning back toward the building. "Bring them in. Let them choose quickly and leave… Don't disturb my cultivation."
"Yes, Elder Chen."
The middle-aged steward bowed his head, but the moment he turned back to the group, his expression once again became fierce and menacing.
"Follow me inside in an orderly fashion. You have three hundred breaths of time to choose a foundational cultivation method… I know that many of you have already made up your minds and know the rules, but I'll remind you again—cultivation methods are not to be shared lightly. If the technique in your hands is leaked, you will bear the consequences."
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With that warning, the middle-aged steward stepped into the building. Those who had long yearned for this opportunity hurried to follow.
Wen Jiu was overjoyed and quickly trailed after them.
At last, he understood why his sister had told him to do his job well.
Being a corpse burier was grueling work. Spending years in the land of death, if one was too heavily tainted by its yin and death energy, they would inevitably perish.
So why did she tell him to do it well?
Wouldn't it be wiser to avoid danger in such a place?
Now, he finally understood—corpse buriers could cultivate!
…
After entering the building—
The towering bookshelves came into view, each filled with countless volumes, reaching a height of thirty feet and stretching all the way to the ceiling. There were at least ten thousand books, if not more.
Once everyone had entered and stood in place, the middle-aged steward spoke in a deep voice, "You have three hundred breaths to make your selection."
The white-haired elder then added, "What cultivation method you choose here is your own fate and cannot be changed. Also, let me remind you—one year from now, the top three in cultivation will be allowed to become apprentices ahead of schedule and join Dead Man's Peak. So, consider your choice carefully."
Upon hearing this, the crowd of over a hundred erupted in joy.
Becoming an apprentice ahead of time—this didn't just mean escaping nine years of hardship, it also meant receiving the peak's guidance and training much earlier.
It was a chance to become an immortal master sooner.
This was precisely the dream that had driven them to sign the indenture contract and become corpse buriers. Now that there was hope of realizing it ahead of schedule, how could they not be excited?
Once the white-haired elder nodded, the crowd surged forward like a tidal wave, rushing toward the bookshelves.
But Wen Jiu didn't immediately follow.
He had no interest in the bookshelves labeled with basic Qi refining techniques. Instead, he wanted to find a method specifically for corpse caretakers. His daily settlement panel had granted him the role of a corpse caretaker and given him secret techniques.
But it hadn't provided him with a complete cultivation method.
He had to find that himself.
Yet searching blindly was pointless.
He needed to ask the white-haired elder.
If he got no answer, he wouldn't lose anything.
But if he did, it would save him a lot of trouble.
So, with a thick skin, Wen Jiu respectfully stepped forward and said, "Greetings, venerable immortal master."
"You have only three hundred breaths," the white-haired elder said coldly.
Wen Jiu asked, "This junior wishes to find cultivation methods related to corpse refinement and corpse caretaking. I humbly seek your guidance, immortal master."
"Corpse refinement?" The elder looked surprised, and a trace of displeasure flickered across his face. "You come to my Transmission Hall only to seek heretical paths?" Still, after a moment of thought, he pointed the way. "Go straight ahead. In the dusty area, you'll find the heretical techniques."
"Many thanks, immortal master."
Wen Jiu cupped his fists in gratitude, also bowing to the middle-aged steward before swiftly bypassing the dazzling array of books and running toward the bookshelves at the end of the corridor, as the elder had directed.
Moments later, he reached the dusty area.
Piled there were books on corpse caretaking, corpse refinement, and even gu cultivation—various heretical techniques. The dust was as thick as the book covers themselves.
Clearly, no one had touched them for a long time.
Wen Jiu immediately began flipping through book after book, eventually finding a comprehensive volume: The Yinzhou Corpse Refinement Record.
Not only did it contain methods for refining and caring for corpses, but it also included cultivation techniques specifically for corpse caretakers.
The two combined—exactly what Wen Jiu needed most at the moment.
But even after securing what he wanted, Wen Jiu didn't rush to leave. Instead, he continued browsing other books.
The more he could read, the better.
The more he could remember, the better.
In the blink of an eye, three hundred breaths had passed. The deep voice of the white-haired elder rang out, and only then did Wen Jiu step back.
However, just as he was about to leave the ancient hall, the elder's gaze lingered on him for a few moments before he sneered, "A shortcut seeker. Ignoring the grand and righteous path of Qi refinement, yet choosing the heretical ways instead!"
Wen Jiu pretended not to hear.
But as he passed by the elder, the old man spoke again, "Boy, heretical cultivation may bring rapid progress, but you live in a land of death, exposed daily to the invasion of Yin energy. Now you seek to cultivate corpse caretaking techniques, constantly surrounded by Yin and deathly energy. I fear that the day you achieve mastery will also be the day you meet your end… So even if you rank first in cultivation a year from now, no one will choose you as an apprentice of Dead Man's Peak."
Hearing this, Wen Jiu was momentarily stunned.
But before he could react, the white-haired elder yawned, turned around, and walked away, giving him no chance to respond.