My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Wang Ping was somewhat prepared for Ke Yue’s words. He calmly re-wrapped the tea leaves in his hand, placed them on the Stone Table to his right, his expression a mixture of caution and a willingness to listen further.

Ke Yue had been watching Wang Ping’s reaction the whole time. Seeing he wasn’t surprised, she quickly continued, "They’ve dispatched at least ten Sacrificial Captains. They can work together to cast a Divine Technique, channeling the fortune of Shangjing City. In an area completely shielded from Spiritual Qi, it’s enough to kill several Third Realm Cultivators."

"Furthermore, the Commander of the Imperial Guard has deployed a very special Demon Soldier. With eighteen Second Realm Cultivators, it can form a Slaughter Array. If the array has enough energy, it can suppress Mystic Sect Techniques for at least three breaths. However, I estimate they’ll only be able to suppress you for one breath at most."

"A lot can happen in a single breath," Yu Lian said, her tone serious.

"What kind of Demon Soldier is it?" That was what Wang Ping wanted to know.

"The Heaven-Chaos Pearl. It contains a Slaughter Array. When activated, it can create an illusory domain of slaughter. This domain can temporarily disrupt one’s spiritual connection, preventing a Mystic Sect Cultivator’s soul or Primordial Spirit from connecting with their Spirit Veins and Qi Sea. It’s ranked ’Jia-Xia-09’ among the great treasures of the Daoist Scripture Hall."

"Such a powerful Demon Soldier is only ranked ’Jia-Xia’?" Yu Lian asked, perplexed.

"Because using it requires an unbearable price?" Wang Ping glanced at Yu Lian, quickly grasping the catch.

"Correct. It requires at least eighteen Second Realm Cultivators to sacrifice their own souls just to barely activate the array within it. Moreover, the souls must be sane; even a hint of madness won’t do. Otherwise, the Slaughter Array will immediately go berserk, leading to terrible consequences."

Hearing this, Wang Ping’s hand, reaching for the kettle, paused slightly. After picking up the teapot, he said, "The cost is indeed immense. For Shangjing City to actually use this against me... they’re really sparing no expense."

"The array’s domain cannot be broken, but defending against it isn’t too difficult. You just need a Cultivator from outside the Mystic Sect to assist you, True Man, to get through that brief one-breath window. After that, the Heaven-Chaos Pearl becomes useless."

Wang Ping gave a noncommittal smile. "I’ve never been one to take a beating passively. Since I know their plan, why would I walk into their trap like a fool?"

As he spoke, he lifted the lid of the teapot, which was full of boiling water. After inhaling the tea’s fragrance, he poured out the first steep. As he poured more boiling water, he met Ke Yue’s gaze and said, "You must have other intelligence, don’t you?"

"Give me three days."

Ke Yue’s tone was confident.

But Wang Ping turned his gaze to Liu Shuang, who was standing respectfully nearby. Liu Shuang immediately understood and said, "Our sacrificial ceremony is in four days."

"You have only one day!"

Wang Ping’s tone left no room for argument. "As you can see, we don’t have much time!"

Ke Yue didn’t haggle. She agreed without hesitation.

Only then did a polite smile finally appear on Wang Ping’s face. He poured four cups of the brewed tea, pushed one in front of Ke Yue, and invited, "Have some tea."

After finishing her cup, Yu Lian tilted her head and nuzzled Wang Ping’s shoulder. Ke Yue also relaxed her guard a little.

"You still haven’t stated your price."

Wang Ping set down his cup and asked Ke Yue while savoring the lingering fragrance.

Ke Yue cupped her fist. "I have a copy of a Fourth Realm Secret Technique for Artifact Cultivators. I wish to trade it with you, True Man, for the Red Jade Ruler. You can rest assured, I have not read its contents."

The value of a Fourth Realm Secret Technique for Artifact Refining lay in its exclusivity. If too many people knew its contents, it would become worthless.

After she finished speaking, her expression became one of eager anticipation, mixed with some anxiety.

"Done!"

Wang Ping slapped the storage pouch at his waist, took out the Red Jade Ruler, glanced at Yu Lian who was refilling the teapot, and then handed the Red Jade Ruler to Ke Yue.

He was only curious about the so-called Fourth Realm Secret Technique for Artifact Refining, not particularly interested. What he was truly interested in was intelligence on ’First Day’ and the Kongshan Association behind Dongcan.

Ke Yue was visibly stunned. She probably hadn’t expected Wang Ping to be so easy to deal with, but she quickly recovered.

As she reached out with both hands to accept the Red Jade Ruler, she heard Wang Ping say, "Dongcan may be insignificant to the grand scheme of things, but I need him to provide me with more information about the Kongshan Association. Do you have a way to make him work for me completely?"

Ke Yue clearly hesitated upon hearing this.

Seeing the hesitation on Ke Yue’s face, Wang Ping added, "There’s no rush. This offer stands. If you ever need me, you can come find me to continue the trade."

Ke Yue nodded silently, then took a jade slip from her robes.

This must be the Secret Technique for an Artifact Cultivator to advance to the Fourth Realm.

Wang Ping took it, placed it casually on the Stone Table, and said, "This Xiu Yu is more dangerous than Guanmao. Regardless of whether the Xiao Shan Lord’s promotion succeeds or not, I don’t want to see him again."

"Understood!"

"But I don’t want Zi Luan to know about this, because I want him to deal with Guanmao." Wang Ping picked up the tea Yu Lian had poured for him, took a sip under her watchful gaze, and said, "What will this cost me?"

’This surely won’t be a free favor.’

Ke Yue thought for a moment and said, "Let’s consider this a private transaction between us, True Man. In the future, if you obtain any intelligence concerning me, please inform me immediately."

"Fine, no problem!"

"A pleasure doing business with you."

Wang Ping raised his teacup to Ke Yue.

Ke Yue hurriedly raised her teacup as well.

After finishing the tea, Ke Yue took the opportunity to take her leave, promising to deliver the intelligence on the Shangjing City Court within a day. Liu Shuang naturally went to see Ke Yue off.

Wang Ping watched the two figures depart, then turned his gaze to the Secret Technique on the Stone Table.

This Secret Technique might be something an Artifact Cultivator would risk their life for, but to Wang Ping, it felt a bit like a "chicken rib"—not useless, but not particularly valuable either. Still, it was a powerful tool. If used well, it could make many Artifact Cultivators pledge their lives to him.

He stared at the Secret Technique, his thoughts drifting.

A moment later, Liu Shuang returned.

"Where do you think they will set up their Divine Skill Array?" Wang Ping asked.

"The most likely place is the Dark River beneath Yue Mountain!" Liu Shuang had clearly already considered this question.

Wang Ping nodded. He thought quietly while drinking his tea, with Yu Lian silently refilling his cup beside him. When the pot was empty, Wang Ping stood up and put away the tea set, stove, and Stone Table.

"Follow me!"

Wang Ping called to Liu Shuang, then took Yu Lian and transformed into a streak of light, flying toward the highland Dao Field south of Moon Mountain.

When he landed, Zhigong, Wu Quan, and Huaimo immediately came over. After exchanging greetings, Wang Ping instructed Liu Shuang, "Explain the situation."

Liu Shuang first cupped his fist respectfully to the seniors, then explained the matter in the most concise terms possible.

"We still weren’t cautious enough," said the Huaimo Taoist.

"I was just too lazy to think that hard," Ganxing said with a smile.

"Leave it to me. In less than six hours, I’ll find the Divine Technique trap they’ve set on Moon Mountain," Wu Quan said, even more direct.

"You can give it a try, but I don’t want this to become common knowledge," Wang Ping decided.

"Just wait for my good news!" With that, Wu Quan transformed into a streak of light and flew east toward the Central Army Camp. He was going to find his disciples to help him with the task.

"Where is Xing Huai?" Wang Ping asked Liu Shuang.

"Junior Brother Xing Huai is at the front lines."

"Call him over."

"Yes!"

「Six hours passed in a flash.」

But Wu Quan failed to deliver on his promise. He said in frustration, "I’m positive I’ve searched every inch of Moon Mountain, including the underground river channels, but I haven’t found any trace of a Divine Technique."

Wang Ping wasn’t surprised. He smiled and said, "It’s fine. Your search wasn’t entirely useless. We’ll just wait. ’First Day’ may be crazy, but their actions have a pattern. I believe we’ll get the intelligence we want tomorrow."

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