At the moment, Wen Jiu had accumulated a total of ninety-four entry-level Soul-Seizing Talismans, one of which was of top quality. Naturally, he kept the top-quality one for himself and had no intention of selling it, but the remaining ninety-three could easily fetch at least two hundred low-grade spirit stones. Before obtaining the Three Malicious Corpse-Nurturing Technique, Wen Jiu might have considered two hundred spirit stones a considerable amount, but after acquiring this technique, he realized that two hundred spirit stones were far from enough.

The Three Malicious Corpse-Nurturing Technique not only required the crafting of a specialized corpse-nurturing coffin but also the preparation of three malicious materials. The coffin itself had to be of at least first-tier low-grade quality, and the higher the quality, the better—ideally, a first-tier mid-grade artifact. Typically, a standard first-tier low-grade artifact would cost around a hundred low-grade spirit stones, with slightly better ones going for two or three hundred. First-tier mid-grade artifacts were even more expensive, with the cheapest ones costing four to five hundred spirit stones, and if custom-made, the price would be even steeper. The corpse-nurturing coffin had to be custom-made, and if Wen Jiu wanted one of first-tier mid-grade quality, it would likely cost around five to six hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Had he not previously made a fortune at the Chen family's estate, he wouldn't have dared to attempt the Three Malicious Corpse-Nurturing Technique so recklessly. Fortunately, after that windfall, his storage bag now contained over five hundred spirit stones, and the other items he had accumulated were worth several hundred more.

Aside from the corpse-nurturing coffin, the technique also required three malicious materials. The first, Earth Malice Yin Qi, could be obtained for free through the Corpse-Nurturing Curse. However, the other two had to be purchased.

The first of these was Blood Malice Crystal, an entry-level spiritual material found in the Blood Malice Abyss. Wen Jiu had no idea where the Blood Malice Abyss was, but the Three Malicious Corpse-Nurturing Technique provided information on its price and where to buy it. One crystal cost ten low-grade spirit stones. The number of Blood Malice Crystals required for nurturing a Three Malicious Ghoul depended on the corpse itself—the stronger the corpse, the more crystals were needed. Judging by the case of a Black Ghoul, it was highly likely that he would need the maximum amount.

The second required material was Heavenly Malice Water, another entry-level spiritual material that could only be refined by experienced ghost cultivators. The refining process was unknown, but like the Blood Malice Crystal, the technique provided details on where to purchase it. Both materials could be bought in a place called Tianyin City, a mortal city that hosted an underground marketplace for rogue cultivators. This market only opened once a month and lasted for three days. Only rogue cultivators were allowed entry, and first-time visitors had to be guided in by someone familiar with the place; otherwise, they wouldn't be permitted inside.

However, Wen Jiu didn't immediately consider going to Tianyin City. Instead, he first checked the marketplace at Feixian Peak, only to confirm that neither of the two materials was available. Even though some ghost cultivators set up stalls there, they were only low-level Qi Refinement cultivators, usually at the first or second level. Let alone refining Heavenly Malice Water—they hadn't even mastered the basics of nurturing vengeful spirits.

Over the next few days, Wen Jiu had originally planned to visit the marketplace for rogue cultivators, but after Sikong Bai took over the Night Patrol Division, he not only refused to grant Wen Jiu any more leave but also assigned him an overwhelming number of night patrol duties. Every night, he had to patrol the Land of Mangled Corpses from nightfall until early morning, for a total of six hours, and he was the only one assigned to this task. If anything went wrong, he would be the first to be held responsible.

Of course, it wasn't Sikong Bai himself who was deliberately making things difficult for him—it was the people under him. Many of them knew that Li Ye had been transferred away from Feixian Peak because of Wen Jiu, and they held a grudge against him. Wen Jiu had no choice but to endure their hostility.

Did they really think Mu Canglong wouldn't be returning anytime soon? Or were they certain that he was never coming back?

When Wang Nian heard about this, he was furious. That very day, he sought out Wen Jiu and asked, "Kid Wen, how's your talisman drawing going? When do you think you'll be able to make first-tier talismans?"

"Brother Wang, why do you ask?"

"I just can't stand how the Night Patrol Division is treating you. Who the hell does Sikong Bai think he is? Back when Mu Canglong was around, did he even dare to fart in his presence? Now that Mu Canglong is out on a mission, he's already started oppressing his own people."

"It's fine, Brother Wang. I don't mind patrolling the Land of Mangled Corpses. It's actually good for my cultivation." To Wen Jiu, patrolling that area was no different from regular cultivation, and besides, as long as he was careful, he could slack off a bit at night without anyone noticing.

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"Good? You think it's good? They've assigned you to patrol that place alone at night, and if anything happens, you'll be the one held responsible. Do you realize what that means for your assessment? If you're found guilty of negligence, you won't even be allowed to take the assessment!"

"The Discipline Hall is stationed at Feixian Peak. Nothing major should happen." From Wen Jiu's perspective, after what had happened last time, if the Blood-Clad Tower still dared to operate in the Land of Mangled Corpses, they'd have to be complete idiots. Besides, just as he said, the Discipline Hall was actively hunting down members of the Blood-Clad Tower, leading large-scale search operations outside.

At this moment, how could the people from Bloodrobe Tower dare to show themselves? They weren't capable of doing so at their peak, and now, even less so.

Wang Nian shook his head helplessly and then said, "Kid, how are you so optimistic? But with your brother Wang here, don't worry—your qualification for the assessment won't be lost… I'll go find my second uncle and see if I can get you into the Talisman Hall as an apprentice. There must still be some First-Tier Talisman Masters looking for disciples."

"Brother Wang, let's just go with the flow. Steward Mu and the others will surely be back soon," Wen Jiu quickly stopped him.

If he really went to the Talisman Hall, what would happen to the Yin energy, death aura, and blood energy at the core of the Land of Remnants and Death?

Wang Nian had no choice but to let Wen Jiu push him back into his chair, though he was still visibly frustrated. Seeing this, Wen Jiu quickly changed the subject. "Brother Wang, aside from the assessment, is there any other way to reach the main peak?"

"Of course, but you definitely don't qualify."

"Why?"

"You'd need a mid-grade single-attribute spiritual root. Do you have one?"

"...Alright."

"There's another way—you could be personally chosen by one of the elders from the main peak. If that happens, you won't even need to take the assessment, and you could directly become an elder's disciple. But being noticed by an elder from the main peak is even harder than having a mid-grade single-attribute spiritual root."

"Why?"

"Because the elders on the main peak are all in the late-stage Qi Refining realm. Their strength is extraordinary, and countless geniuses want to become their disciples. Among them are even those with high-grade spiritual roots, high-grade single-attribute spiritual roots… Those with mid-grade spiritual roots don't even have the qualifications to be considered."

"...Alright."

Wen Jiu smiled helplessly.

It seemed that passing the assessment was the only way.

After chatting a bit more, Wen Jiu got up to see Wang Nian off. Since Wen Jiu was so insistent, Wang Nian had no choice but to give him some signal talismans, instructing him to crush one if anything happened that night.

Naturally, Wen Jiu accepted them all without hesitation.

As he escorted Wang Nian to the door, he suddenly heard the voices of two women outside.

They sounded familiar.

One was Sister-in-law Wang.

The other was his own sister, Wen Ya.

When he opened the door, he found the two of them chatting happily outside Wang Nian's house. Wen Ya seemed a bit reserved due to her status, but Sister-in-law Wang didn't mind at all. Instead, she warmly pulled Wen Ya inside.

"Sister, no need to be so formal. Your younger brother isn't an outsider to our family. Stay and have dinner with us tonight."

Sister-in-law Wang was extremely enthusiastic.

Seeing this, Wen Jiu exchanged a glance with Wang Nian and smiled.

He didn't object—letting his sister get to know Sister-in-law Wang would help expand her connections.

If he ever had to leave the sect, she'd have someone to rely on.

"Sis… Sister-in-law." Wen Jiu followed Wang Nian inside and greeted them.

As soon as Wen Ya heard his voice and looked up, she immediately saw Wang Nian.

She hurriedly stood up and bowed, not daring to delay.

"I greet Steward Wang!"

Wang Nian chuckled. "No need to be so formal, have a seat."

"Thank you, Steward Wang—" As Wen Ya bowed, she suddenly noticed that Wang Nian and her brother were walking side by side.

Their relationship seemed quite close.

At that moment, she suddenly understood a lot.

All the doubts she had been harboring in her heart were instantly resolved.

So Steward Wang had helped her before because of Wen Jiu!

Wang Nian, noticing her reaction, simply walked toward the kitchen. "You two siblings can chat—I'll go help my wife with dinner."

"Thank you, Brother Wang."

Wen Jiu responded casually and sat down, ready to enjoy the meal.

Between him and Wang Nian, being overly polite would only create distance.

To maintain their good relationship, he had to act naturally. True brothers weren't formal with each other—only ordinary friends maintained a respectful distance.

During their conversation, Wen Jiu didn't hide anything and directly told Wen Ya about his friendship with Wang Nian.

Wen Ya was both shocked and delighted, momentarily at a loss for words.

She was secretly astonished—how did her brother earn such fortune to be on brotherly terms with Steward Wang?

Back when Steward Wang visited the Xu family, they had treated him with nothing but respect ever since, never daring to make trouble.

This showed just how influential Steward Wang was.

Wen Jiu didn't elaborate on the matter, though. In his mind, he was already making plans—when Steward Mu Canglong returned, he'd find an opportunity to break into the third level of Qi Refining. Then, he could finally make a trip to the Xu family.

Before long…

After three rounds of drinks, five plates of dishes, and a hearty meal, Wen Jiu prepared to escort his sister home.

Before they left, Sister-in-law Wang gave Wen Ya a few finely made, valuable pieces of clothing, as well as a token from Wang Nian. With it, she would be free to move around Feixian Peak as she pleased.

Wen Jiu silently took note of this gesture.

But just as they were on their way back to the Xu family, he suddenly saw a cultivator flying overhead on a sword, passing right above them.

With just one glance, Wen Jiu immediately recognized him.

There was no way he could ever forget that face.

It was Li Ye.

"Is he returning for some task, or has he been reassigned to the Night Patrol Division?"

If it was the latter, that was definitely not good news.

After what had happened last time, Li Ye would surely hate him even more than before.