As they made their way toward the trading market, Chen Daoqing proved to be quite talkative. He could chat about anything and was refreshingly straightforward. Even though he had just met Wen Jiu, he was already reminiscing about childhood memories with him, occasionally poking fun at himself, as if he didn't care about his status as a third-generation cultivator.

During their conversation, Chen Daoqing mentioned the organizer of this gathering—it was none other than the youngest disciple of Peak Lord Ji. His name was Du Feng. Like Wen Jiu, he came from a mortal nation. Though he was an orphan, his spiritual root was extraordinarily high-quality. He possessed a top-grade single-attribute fire spiritual root, one of the strongest for combat among all elements. Because of this, two years ago, as soon as he entered Feixian Peak, Peak Lord Ji Qiubai secretly accepted him as a personal disciple.

It wasn't until Ji Qiubai's death that Du Feng gradually stepped into the public eye. Only then did people learn of this prodigy—who had reached Qi Refinement Level 1 in just six months and Qi Refinement Level 2 in another year and a half. While his rapid progress was undoubtedly aided by resources, his talent was undeniable. So even though Peak Lord Ji had fallen, Du Feng's strength, aptitude, and the support of a Grand Elder from the main peak made him a natural choice to organize this gathering.

"Qi Refinement Level 2 in just two years... so this is the power of a top-grade single-attribute spiritual root?" Wen Jiu couldn't help but marvel inwardly. Compared to inferior spiritual roots, which could take three years just to reach Qi Refinement Level 1—and for some, even Qi Refinement Level 2 might be their lifelong limit—this level of talent truly promised a bright future. If he remembered correctly, those with top-grade single-attribute spiritual roots were qualified to take a master from the main peak, weren't they?

After some contemplation, Chen Daoqing and Wen Jiu arrived at the best restaurant in the trading market—Wangshan Tower. They made their way upstairs, led by a working disciple from Feixian Peak, and stopped outside an elegantly decorated private room on the third floor.

Pushing the door open, they found more than a dozen people already seated inside. The moment they entered, the group stood up to greet them with polite enthusiasm. Chen Daoqing then began introducing Wen Jiu to the others—new disciples of Feixian Peak, all of whom had a high chance of passing the assessment and becoming main peak disciples.

But as soon as the introductions began, Wen Jiu found himself at a loss for words.

Everyone here was either second or third-generation cultivators.

Not a single ordinary person among them.

But that made sense. If not for Wang Nian's guidance, Wen Jiu would never have even known about this inside information—that newly inducted disciples who passed the assessment could enter the main peak. Ordinary people had no way of knowing this.

The fathers of these second- and third-generation cultivators had likely been planning for this moment ever since they learned of the opportunity. Carefully timing their children's entry into the sect to align with this crucial period.

Wen Jiu couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Just this one barrier of information was enough to completely cut off any upward path for ordinary people in cultivation. And yet, some ordinary disciples still looked down on unconventional paths. That made it even more frustrating.

With mediocre talent and no willingness to pursue alternative methods, how could they ever hope to rise?

No wonder organizations like the Bloodied Garment Tower existed.

Suddenly, Wen Jiu understood.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

After all the introductions, Chen Daoqing led Wen Jiu to the main table. Wen Jiu had initially intended to find a quiet corner to sit in, but he couldn't escape Chen Daoqing's insistence. However, as the conversations carried on, Wen Jiu simply listened in silence.

He didn't interrupt.

He didn't initiate any conversation.

At most, he occasionally responded with a brief remark.

The reason was simple—almost everyone here had ambitious goals, discussing grand plans for when they entered the main peak. From there, the conversation naturally turned into mutual flattery and exaggerated boasts.

They were just one step away from singing a brotherhood anthem and toasting each other.

At that moment, Wen Jiu started to regret coming. He would've been better off cultivating in a land of corpses and decay.

Before long, the core figure of the gathering, Du Feng, finally arrived—fashionably late.

Wen Jiu observed him for a moment. He was indeed an outstanding young talent, exuding a confidence that set him apart from ordinary disciples. Du Feng also glanced at Wen Jiu briefly, but his expression remained unreadable.

After some polite greetings, Du Feng revealed the true purpose of this gathering—forming an alliance.

Or, to put it bluntly—

"You hold onto my leg."

"I'll guarantee your safety."

It might seem selfless, but having lived two lifetimes, how could Wen Jiu not see through Du Feng's little schemes? He wanted to use the strength of the crowd to propel himself to new heights. After all, Ji Qiubai was already dead, and his greatest backer was gone. Even his grandmaster's situation was uncertain. So by tying these second- and third-generation immortals to himself, he would gain more resources.

Wen Jiu saw through it but didn't call it out.

During the banquet, he didn't follow the others in pledging support, but Du Feng didn't seem to mind. He simply clinked glasses symbolically, exchanging a few sips of wine and a nod, forming a casual acquaintance. Afterward, Wen Jiu focused on eating, and once he was full, he left Wangshan Tower with the others.

As they departed, Chen Daoqing noticed that Wen Jiu didn't seem eager to integrate into the group, so he didn't push further. He only left him with a parting remark, "Daoist Wen, see you at the assessment in a few days."

Back at his residence, Wen Jiu headed straight to the land of corpses.

The moment the dense yin energy, death aura, and blood stench hit him, he felt an unprecedented sense of comfort.

"This is more like it," Wen Jiu muttered before diving in, taking out his corpse-nurturing coffin and beginning the process of soul attraction and cultivation.

To his delight, the fledgling yin souls he had captured and sealed in the coffin had all leveled up. The ones that were originally at the equivalent of Qi Refining Stage One had, in just three days, advanced to Qi Refining Stage Two. The efficiency was terrifying.

However, as the Ghost Face Pagoda continued to release its spectral energy, its ghostly essence had weakened—it was no longer in liquid form as before.

This made Wen Jiu realize something—could he use the Ghost Face Pagoda to cultivate a soul puppet army? These soul puppets would be entirely under his command, and over time, they would essentially become a private legion of death warriors.

After the banquet, Wen Jiu had come to understand one truth: networking wasn't as simple as it seemed.

If you sought something from someone, they would undoubtedly seek something from you in return.

When push came to shove, no one could truly rely on anyone else.

So, why not cultivate a soul puppet army instead?

For now, however, the plan was unfeasible. The Ghost Face Pagoda required a massive amount of cultivator vitality—essentially, blood energy—to grow. But at least this path was now a possibility.

Wen Jiu then fed all thirteen newly cultivated yin souls to his black ghoul. Its aura surged instantly. When the daily progress was calculated, its experience had increased by a full 160 points—100 from ten yin souls at Qi Refining Stage One and 60 from three at Qi Refining Stage Two.

That was equivalent to seven or eight days of corpse cultivation in a single session.

"If this pace continues, I can evolve the black ghoul into a Three-Fiend Corpse before the assessment."

Wen Jiu was elated.

Normally, he preferred to keep a low profile.

But when it came to the assessment, he had to shine.

Of course, he would still conceal seven-tenths of his true strength and reveal only three-tenths.

Even so, the stronger his performance, the more likely he was to attract the favor of high-ranking figures. He had already tested and proven this strategy.

However, what excited him more than anything was the innate corpse technique that the black ghoul would awaken upon transforming into a Three-Fiend Corpse.

Would it be able to rip apart a Qi Refining Stage Five cultivator with sheer brute force the moment it stepped into the realm of animated corpses?

After all, that was the power of a divine ability.