My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

POP.

A thumb-sized ball of flame fizzled out in front of Wang Ping. He heaved a sigh. "It’s no use, just as I expected."

After failing to observe large-scale magic, he had resorted to practicing basic magical construction. He started with water, first reading the spiritual particle structure of a single drop and then attempting to reconstruct it.

The process went smoothly, but the final step—the formation—always failed. He then tried fire. The construction process was just as smooth, but once again, the final formation would not hold.

"Yu Lian!"

Wang Ping called to Yu Lian, who was beside him.

Understanding his intent, Yu Lian connected her Primordial Spirit and Qi Sea with his. Wang Ping then tried to construct a drop of water again. This time, the instant the thought formed in his mind, a drop of water appeared before him.

"So this is the reality of it?"

Yu Lian asked.

Wang Ping shook his head. "A useless experiment. It’s only disturbing my state of mind!"

With that, he transformed into a streak of light and returned to the vine-thatched hut. He sat down, and moments later, entered a meditative trance.

...

In the mountains east of Jianglin Road, cold northern air lingered, coating the northern faces of the peaks with a layer of frost. The southern slopes, however, remained lush and green. The only difference from spring and summer was the heavy fog that now blanketed the range.

After leaving True Yang Mountain, Ke Yue and Luo Feng flew nonstop to the center of the range. They landed on the side of a towering peak and slipped into a hidden cave abode, where Inner Sect Disciples of ’First Day’ were already waiting to receive them.

"I need a quiet place!"

The moment he entered the cave, Luo Feng demanded a place for secluded cultivation. As he spoke, he placed an elixir that radiated an icy chill into his mouth. He had blocked the energy assimilation of the ’Five Elements Condensation Art’ through sheer force of will, his own cultivation, and his Scholar’s Sword, a feat that had all but depleted his life force.

Before heading to his place of seclusion, he turned to Ke Yue and gave her a stern warning. "I know what you’re thinking. That ’Red Jade Ruler’ is a fine artifact, but Changqing is not to be trifled with. The malice he revealed in that instant was comparable to that of the most frenzied fire spirit."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I have no intention of taking it by force. I’m confident I can offer something that will move Changqing Zhenren to trade the ’Red Jade Ruler’ to me."

Ke Yue cupped her hands in a salute to Luo Feng and added confidently, "He’s lacking a great many things right now!"

"As long as you understand!"

Luo Feng left her with those words and followed the disciple deeper into the cave.

Once Luo Feng’s presence had completely faded, Ke Yue beckoned to a disciple who had long been waiting at the side. "What’s the latest news from the south?"

"There’s word from Hai Zhou Road that a cultivation technique for a Fourth Realm Artifact Cultivator has appeared."

"A cultivation technique for a Fourth Realm Artifact Cultivator?" Ke Yue asked thoughtfully. "What are the details?"

"It was a stratagem set in motion by Elder Nanhai. The Demon Soldier successfully evolved using the negative emotions and twisted spirituality of Mozhou Road. Although Lu Zhengping was cornered by the Daoist Scripture Hall, that Demon Soldier and the secret technique he left behind are still out there. More than likely, they’re in Dongcan’s hands!"

"Dongcan..."

Ke Yue walked to the center of the cavern and reached out a hand, igniting the pile of firewood in the middle. She stared into the roaring flames and, after a moment of consideration, a captivating smile spread across her face in the flickering firelight. "Has Xiu Yu joined forces with Dongcan? Are they planning to ambush Changqing after Xiao Shan Lord’s promotion?"

The disciple didn’t dare to look at Ke Yue’s smile. He cupped his fist and replied, "There are rumors to that effect, but nothing is confirmed. After all, the news came from Xiu Yu’s own camp!"

Ke Yue’s smile grew even more radiant. "For a detail like that to leak... As expected, Xiu Yu is completely unreliable!"

"Xiu Yu never thinks for himself. Nowadays, his senior disciple, Qingjiang, plans everything for him. He hasn’t even asked about the war at Bin Pass."

"Is he still daydreaming?"

"Not entirely. According to our records, he’s attempted the promotion at least three times using puppets. It’s possible he’s actually discovered some kind of pattern. Perhaps he’s planning to take advantage of this opportunity..."

Ke Yue cut him off. "The Fourth Realm isn’t so easy to reach, especially for someone practicing the *Taiyan Talisman*. Their promotions are a matter of destiny, with very little to do with one’s cultivation. And given Xiu Yu’s destiny? I doubt he has a chance."

"What are your orders, Ancestral Master?"

The disciple could tell that Ke Yue was planning to interfere, so he stopped with the pleasantries.

Ke Yue thrust her hand into the blazing fire. Her fingers swayed gently, and strange, beast-like shadows instantly appeared in the flames. After considering this for a long while, she said, "I need a bargaining chip to make a trade with Daoist Changqing. Tell me, could we pull some strings... get Dongcan to do a little something for Daoist Changqing? For example... taking out Xiu Yu."

"Ancestral Master, it’s impossible to take out Xiu Yu right now."

"Of course! I know we can’t take out Xiu Yu now. I’m talking about after Xiao Shan Lord’s promotion. Can we have Dongcan take him out then?"

"So you favor Daoist Changqing’s chances, Ancestral Master?" the disciple asked curiously.

"Why would you ask that?"

"More people want Daoist Changqing dead. Once he sets foot in Shangjing City this time, it’ll be difficult for him to get out alive."

"That was then. If you gather intelligence now, you’ll find that the number of people with designs on him has become pitifully small. There might not be any left at all."

"Why?"

"Because ordinary Third Realm Cultivators are no longer a threat to him!"

The disciple’s expression was one of shock, as if he couldn’t believe the news. He instinctively looked up at Ke Yue in the firelight, but then stopped dwelling on the issue. "If we’re talking about Dongcan, there is an opportunity right now. He contacted our stronghold on Nanlin Road two days ago. He’s trapped there and can’t get out."

"How did he end up on Nanlin Road?"

Ke Yue looked up at the disciple, whose form was half-swallowed by shadow. "Never mind, the details are unimportant. Go and handle it. I expect to hear good news before the end of the year."

"Yes!"

CRACKLE.

The firewood in the fire let out a crisp snap. The blaze surged toward the vent at the top of the cave. Ke Yue’s smile vanished. She murmured, "You’re as dazzling as this fire right now. Don’t you suddenly burn out."

As she spoke, she raised her head, watching the embers fly up toward the vent.

「One day later.」

Wang Ping awoke from his meditative trance. His face was cold and impassive as he led Yu Lian out of the vine-thatched hut. He first looked toward True Yang Mountain, where the activity was even more bustling than it had been yesterday.

Then, his gaze fell on two Puppet Birds circling the courtyard. One belonged to Yu Cheng Taoist, the other to Yuan Zheng Taoist. Wang Ping found this odd. They should both be at Qianmu Temple right now; there was no reason for them to send messages separately.

He picked up his master’s Puppet Bird first. The message wasn’t about Ruan Chunzi; she had only left yesterday, and it would take a Puppet Bird two days to arrive at the very fastest. This letter came to inform Wang Ping that Lishui Prefecture had completely turned against them and was now attacking the merchant ships of the southern sects in the deep sea regions.

After reading the letter, Wang Ping thought for a moment. He didn’t rush to make a decision, instead picking up the intelligence sent by Yuan Zheng Taoist.

This letter was far more interesting. It spoke of the topic most discussed in the Southern Cultivation Realm as of late: the secret technique for an Artifact Cultivator to advance to the Fourth Realm.

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