Starting Cultivation During a Trip

After the explosion incident at the old residential district, the online public opinion gradually died down.

Zhang Fan’s life once again returned to normal. As for the Zhang Family’s Old Mansion, he tried to probe Sui Chunsheng several times, but it seemed that the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance had neither any leads nor clues.

This made him feel slightly at ease; for now, his mind was set entirely on cultivating the Inner Core Technique, refining and nourishing his Primordial Spirit, hoping to break through to the [High Skill] rank as soon as possible.

He had to admit, joining [Night is not bright] that day was indeed a wise decision.

This place was Zhang Fan’s blessed land—never mind the low salary or that he hadn’t really worked many proper shifts; his cultivation had been advancing by leaps and bounds.

Since descending from Zhenwu Mountain, it had only been a little over three months since he joined [Night is not bright], yet he had already leapt from the rank of [Qi Cultivation], crossed over [Technique Apprentice] and [Profound Master] straight into the [Spirit Department] rank—a triple advancement in one breath, so rapid that probably no one in the world could match him.

If this spread out, it would surely cause quite a stir in the Daoist Sect.

”High Skill, ah, wonder when I’ll be able to reach that rank,” Zhang Fan muttered softly.

Those whose Daoist skill is high are called High Skill; able to perform rituals with the altar, preside over ceremonies, attend to both major and minor matters.

Whether in cultivation realm or status, within the Daoist Sect it holds an extremely important position.

No exaggeration: High Skill is the backbone of each mountain and sect, carrying on inheritance and education, yet also possessing power over broad gates.

However, this realm is like a thousand mountains and rivers apart, blocking heaven and earth’s passage.

Many [Spirit Department] members of famous mountain sects never attain it throughout their lives.

”Just keep practicing.”

Zhang Fan knew as well—cultivation cannot be rushed, too much obsession becomes a Heart Demon, a slight deviation and one is thousands of miles off; it’s even not uncommon to have cultivation regress, or fall into the Great Night of Darkness Tribulation.

Cultivation is difficult; difficult to ascend to the blue clouds. If not seeking longevity, why cultivate at all? Yet longing for longevity becomes obsession, and in the end, unattainable.

Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!

As soon as he arrived at the company, Zhang Fan smelled a strong aroma of coffee.

A cup of black coffee was already sitting on his desk—no need to ask, he knew this was Wen He’s thoughtful preparation.

Ever since Wen He learned about Zhang Fan’s insomnia, every morning before he arrived, she would brew a cup of black coffee to help him perk up.

Actually, it wouldn’t matter if Zhang Fan didn’t drink it; he couldn’t sleep at all anyway.

”Fanfan, good morning.”

”Sister Wen, good morning.” Zhang Fan greeted and sat at his desk, subconsciously glancing up—the seat of Jiang Lai was still empty, by the looks of it, she had been away for over a week.

”You finally came. The boss wants you in his office.”

Jiang Hu spun over on his chair, wobbling as he approached.

”Boss!?”

Zhang Fan instinctively looked up at Bai Buran’s office. He’d been busy with the old mansion lately, almost forgetting that the company even had a boss.

”What’s up?”

”No idea. Maybe you’ve asked for too much leave lately.” Jianghu mumbled quietly.

Other people go to work looking forward to holidays; Zhang Fan is on holiday longing for a timecard.

”What will come, always comes.”

Zhang Fan stood up and made his way to Bai Buran’s office, knocking at the door.

”Come in.”

Bai Buran’s voice sounded from inside; Zhang Fan pushed the door open and walked in.

”Boss, you called for me?”

”Have a seat.” Bai Buran picked up his thermal mug, blew on the floating tea leaves, and gently took a sip.

”You’ve been really busy lately.”

As soon as Bai Buran spoke up, Zhang Fan’s face twitched and he gave an awkward smile.

”You’ve pretty much become a non-official member of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance.” Bai Buran lifted his eyelids and gave Zhang Fan a deep look.

Evidently, Bai Buran already knew about the old residential district incident. After all, Ma Buting was beaten up by Zhang Fan, his fate uncertain; such a big matter would naturally get reported to the higher-ups.

”Ma... Brother Ma, he’s all right?” Zhang Fan asked with concern.

”You’re getting rougher with your hands,” Bai Buran said meaningfully. ”He kept his little life.”

Hearing this, Zhang Fan breathed a little easier—as long as no one died, it was fine. How was he supposed to know the [Fire Dragon Pill Sword] was so fearsome? If anyone could be blamed, Ma Buting was unlucky enough to be the first test subject for his newly mastered Great Skill.

”What realm are you at now?”

At that moment, Bai Buran suddenly shifted the topic and asked.

”Spirit Department!”

Zhang Fan didn’t hide it; after all, his main reason for joining [Night is not bright] was to cultivate.

Now that he’d advanced to [Spirit Department] rank, next he would have to study [High Skill], and naturally there were many things to seek Bai Buran’s advice about.

”I knew it!”

Even though he had already guessed, when Bai Buran heard it from Zhang Fan himself, this expert from Zhenwu Mountain still felt a wave of disbelief.

He remembered clearly, when Zhang Fan joined the company, he was only at the [Qi Cultivation] rank.

On the rooftop, Wen He tested his skills, and Zhang Fan only barely managed to block a single move of [Celestial Net].

But in just three or four months, he’d already reached the [Spirit Department] rank.

Such speed was terrifying.

”This kid really isn’t normal,” Bai Buran thought to himself.

”Looks like you’re about to begin studying High Skill.”

”I was just hoping to seek advice from the boss,” Zhang Fan said humbly.

The [Dao Secret Record] given to him by Po Jie recorded the Daoist Sect’s realms, starting from the [Initial Movement] of Primordial Spirit Awakening, followed by nine further levels: [Qi Worker], [Technique Apprentice], [Profound Master], [Spirit Department], [High Skill], [Mahasattva], [Sect Leader], [Observatory Master], and finally [Celestial Master]—ten ranks in total.

Among them, [High Skill] is an obvious watershed.

But in the [Dao Secret Record], it was described very cryptically, with only one line: ’Yellow Court scripture on the desk, agarwood incense in the furnace. Look up and guide the Immortal Crane, rise and your body feels light. Looking back down the Daoist path, the high-skilled become the peak.’