Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Zhang Fan had already reached this cultivation rank long ago.

Above Technique Apprentice is Profound Master.

If you have mastered twelve Small Skills, you can be awarded the title of ”Profound Master.”

Ever since leaving Zhenwu Mountain, Zhang Fan had worked tirelessly and, with constant opportunities, had cultivated quite a few mystical techniques.

Such as the Northern Emperor’s Celestial Pig Technique, Taiyi Life-saving Skill, Grand Sect Law—Appearance and Spirit Divergence, Spirit Void Talisman Drawing—Mountain-breaking Shock, Doumu Technique—Celestial Mother Heart Curse, and so on.

Although he had not yet reached twelve Small Skills, every magic Zhang Fan had cultivated was extraordinary. Their requirements for Primordial Spirit’s strength and True Yang were far beyond those of ordinary Small Skills.

Take the Celestial Mother Heart Curse for example—even seasoned Profound Masters could not withstand the power of this technique with their Primordial Spirit, not to mention its True Yang consumption could be drained dry in an instant.

Thus, Zhang Fan’s strength now nearly surpassed any Profound Master.

Above Profound Master is Spirit Department.

Only by mastering a Great Skill like the Five Thunders Righteous Method can one be awarded the Spirit Department rank.

”If the Fire Dragon Pill Sword is mastered, it won’t be weaker than the Five Thunders Righteous Method.” Zhang Fan pondered thoughtfully.

This technique was something Zhang Fan came to understand while chatting with the Thousand-Year-Old Demon—taking his Primordial Spirit on a night tour of the Outer Scenery. He put immense energy and heart into it, with much contemplation day and night, but had yet to truly master it.

So now, Zhang Fan could only count as having one foot in the Spirit Department rank, still a ways off from the High Skill rank he dreamed of.

”If I master the Fire Dragon Pill Sword, and add the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal, I could actually arm-wrestle with a High Skill.” Zhang Fan now had a rough estimation of his strength.

He still had the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal as a hidden trump card.

However, this thing could not see the light of day. Once exposed, it would bring a fatal disaster.

”Damn, who the hell sent this to me… Isn’t this a whole pitfall?” Zhang Fan muttered resentfully.

His first reaction after receiving the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal yesterday was shock, then wild joy, then dread, and finally he hid it away.

This was the treasured town-protecting artifact of the Observatory of Profound Mystery, venerated for a hundred years. Now it’s gone—you think they wouldn’t freak out?

If it’s discovered, wouldn’t all hell break loose?

To avoid a huge uproar, Zhang Fan could only take the pressure himself and stash it away.

”Unless I’m truly desperate, I can’t use this carelessly.” Zhang Fan secretly made a decision.

Right now, the priority was to cultivate diligently and master the Fire Dragon Pill Sword as soon as possible, aiming for the High Skill rank.

Only then would he truly have the standing to go to Shangjing City and seek out the Evil Gods.

Ever since he used the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal and ran the Divine Splitting Technique to spy traces of the Evil God, Zhang Fan understood—this thing was now lawless and by no means easy to subdue.

In comparison, the Evil God had already taken over a body—far more fearsome than Evil Gods.

Without reaching High Skill, going there was just throwing his life away.

Besides that, Zhang Fan now knew seventy to eighty percent about his own background—that his father was the Great Spirit Sect King, who, twenty years ago, ran amok in the Daoist Sect and left Dragon Tiger Mountain unscathed…

And his mother was even the previous Human Xiao of the Thirteen Zodiacs…

If this shit got out, he’d become everyone’s target instantly.

Now, Zhang Fan finally understood what it meant—just being alive is a sin.

”Crap, I forgot, I’ve got another Zhenwu Jade Scroll on me…” Zhang Fan felt his temples about to split open.

This thing was also linked to the great Daoist catastrophe back in the day. He could only attempt to peel it out of his body after reaching High Skill.

”Better keep a low profile and cultivate in peace.”

Zhang Fan sighed inwardly. In his whole life, he’d never felt his situation so dangerous—couldn’t show his face, couldn’t reveal his back, could only live as inconspicuously as possible.

”Fanfan, good morning.”

As soon as he entered the office, he ran into Wen He, who greeted him with her usual sweet smile.

Ever since the Rooster incident, Wen He had gotten a lot more normal, expressing somewhat more regular human emotion—especially towards Zhang Fan, far warmer than before.

”Sister Wen, is Jiang Lai on leave?” Zhang Fan glanced at the empty desk and couldn’t help but ask.

”Tsk tsk, just got back and asking about the girl—are you even human?”

Jiang Hu was lounging with his legs crossed, fiddling with his phone without even looking up.

”Business trip. She’ll be back in a couple days.” Wen He smiled faintly, her eyes carrying a hint of subtle meaning.

”...”

”Daddy’s daddy is a demon, daddy’s mommy is a demon…”

At that moment, a pleasant ringtone rang out. Zhang Fan took out his phone and saw the caller ID: Li Yishan.

”Hello?”

”Drinks tonight. Be there, fast.”

Li Yishan’s voice came from the other end of the line.

”You’re setting up a drinking session this early in the morning? Are you alright?” Zhang Fan rolled his eyes.

Since college, Li Yishan had loved drinking at all hours, haunting various bars and clubs. More than once, he’d gotten trashed and passed out on the street—Zhang Fan had to carry him home.

It’s only ’cause he’s a guy—otherwise someone would’ve ”collected the corpse” long ago.

Li Yishan’s explanation was always simple: at first I never drank, later I couldn’t live without it. Paired with his desolate expression, it was as if he drank not wine but the vicissitudes of life and the complexity of love and hate.

”So, are you coming or not?” Li Yishan said impatiently.

”Young Master Li, you eat, drink, and play all day… don’t you need to work?” Zhang Fan muttered, lips curled.

”Life, you take one step at a time. If it doesn’t work out, you die halfway—what’s work?” Li Yishan replied.

”...”

Zhang Fan fell silent—he knew Li Yishan’s family background was extraordinary.

”I’ll introduce you to two pretty girls.”

”Pretty girls?”

”Same as you—Daoist priests…”

”Hmm? Is this some kind of cosplay?” Zhang Fan was momentarily stunned, then his expression turned weird.

”Pfft… Same as you—the real certified kind, proper Kun Dao.”

Li Yishan’s voice came with utter disdain over the phone.

”Didn’t you become a monk when you visited Zhenwu Mountain last time? I’ll introduce you to two peers, see if you can spark something.”

”Spark something!?” Zhang Fan frowned, looking even more bewildered.

”A spark of thought!”

Li Yishan seemed to sense Zhang Fan’s expression and quickly clarified.

”When do you get off work?”

”Officially, six o’clock,” Zhang Fan replied.

”And in reality?” Li Yishan pressed.

”Probably around seven thirty.”

”That late?” Li Yishan sounded like he’d seen a ghost.

”Duh, prison sentences can get reduced, but with work—there’s only overtime!” Zhang Fan rolled his eyes.

”Alright, see you tonight. I’ll send you the address later.”

With that, Li Yishan hung up. The next instant—*whoosh*—a SuperChat message came in.

”Crown Grand Hotel!?”

Zhang Fan glanced at it—turns out it wasn’t far from Taoyuan Square.

”Good enough!”

Zhang Fan picked up his teacup, took a small sip. The way of cultivation is about tension and relaxation—if you train all day and stay wound up, that’s not good either. This was a good chance to unwind, meet some new people, refresh his social energy and maybe change his luck.

Who knows, maybe Zhang Fan’s Fire Dragon Pill Sword would break through because of this.

”Fanfan, your friends are here for you.”

Just then, Wen He’s voice sounded from the doorway.

”Friends?”

Zhang Fan hadn’t even swallowed his tea when he froze—who’d come by the office so early in the morning?

Thinking this, Zhang Fan stood up, craning his neck to look at the entrance.

*Pffft…*

Just one glance, he couldn’t hold back and sprayed all his tea out, eyes wide with disbelief at the two figures standing at the door.

”Hey.”

Su Shiyu, looking sweet and charming, flashed a sweet smile and greeted him. Shi Shougong stood beside her, face cold as ever—but still gave a wave.

”You… how did you guys find me here?” Zhang Fan stood there, stunned.