My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

The Go game between Zhang Xinghuai and Huaimo was a brilliant one. Huaimo was usually a low-key person, but he had a serious addiction to the game. When he played, his demeanor was the complete opposite of his usual self—he became incredibly aggressive, which in turn brought out Zhang Xinghuai’s true skill.

While they played, Wang Ping used his powerful Primordial Spirit Consciousness to compile the first half of the Secret Technique and record it in a book.

Next, he needed to use the Enlightenment Technique on the compiled Secret Technique to generate a fixed packet of memory consciousness. When the time came to pass on this Cultivation Technique, he would only need to use the Enlightenment Technique to embed it deep within the other person’s consciousness, or create a single-use jade slip or Talisman.

For Wang Ping, who had cultivated a Primordial Spirit, this was something he could accomplish with a mere thought. He first summoned two physical Talismans, and with a stir of his consciousness, he embedded the fixed Secret Technique within them.

Just then, the Go game entered its final phase, and the sky had grown bright. As Wang Ping put away the Talismans, he looked up to see a Communication Jade Slip descending from the sky to hover beside him.

It was a reply from the Xiao Shan Lord.

Wang Ping picked it up. The jade slip sensed his aura and displayed three words: I understand now.

"Is that the reply from the Xiao Shan Lord?"

Ganxing had been keeping an eye on Wang Ping, and asked softly once he saw him finish reading the jade slip’s contents.

When Wang Ping looked at Ganxing, everyone else turned to look as well. "Yes. The Lord didn’t make any promises. He just said he understands now."

Huaimo said, "That’s enough." With that, he turned his head and went back to staring at the final phase of the Go game.

Wang Ping just nodded.

Ganxing watched Wang Ping put away the Communication Jade Slip, then lowered his voice and said, "Shall we go sit over there?" He pointed to a temporary stone table not far away.

"Alright!"

What could make Ganxing so eager was, naturally, the Secret Technique for the Fourth Realm of Artifact Refining.

As for Wang Ping, what he wanted was an escape route—a fallback plan for after he went to Shangjing City. Now that Wen Yang had met with a mishap, there were very few people he could trust who could also be of any use during the changing situation in Shangjing City.

Zhi Gong, Hu Yin, Wu Quan, and Ganxing could barely be considered allies. Their pact was merely a verbal promise. They might help each other with small matters, but if it came to a life-or-death situation, they would undoubtedly abandon him without a second thought.

Furthermore, once the Chu Country’s army had full control of Jianglin Road, Ganxing and the others would have completed the task assigned by the Lord. They would most likely return directly to their respective Dao Fields, or join the squads of other Third Realm Cultivators for other benefits. At that point, aside from Yue Ziyu, Wang Ping wouldn’t even have a single person to communicate with or provide cover.

Moreover, after losing Wen Yang, Wang Ping always felt that his collaboration with Yue Ziyu was somewhat unstable.

Once they were both seated, Ganxing impatiently took out an earthy-yellow crystal engraved with a soundproofing array. He activated the Array inside and said, "I won’t beat around the bush. I know what you need, Fellow Daoist. I am willing to follow you into Shangjing City!"

Wang Ping maintained his smile and took out a Talisman. "This is the Secret Technique for an Artifact Cultivator to condense a Primordial Spirit," he said. "I don’t need you to follow me into Shangjing City, Fellow Daoist. I only need you to help me guard Moon Mountain when the time comes."

"Guard this place?" Ganxing was perplexed.

"Yes, guard this place. As for what you’ll need to do specifically, I’ll inform you in a few days."

Wang Ping nodded. ’I plan to build a large-scale Transfer Array at the base of Moon Mountain to connect with the Transfer Talisman in my Pocket World Mirror. However, I’ll have to investigate the area beneath Moon Mountain in a few days to figure out the specific implementation.’

"Good!"

Ganxing agreed readily.

As their conversation came to an end, the Go game nearby had also finished. After taking the Talisman from Wang Ping, Ganxing put away his soundproofing array. The two of them then stood up and walked over as if nothing had happened.

The others naturally guessed what Wang Ping and Ganxing had discussed, but they all chose not to ask.

"Who won?" Yu Lian rose from Wang Ping’s shoulder on a small cloud, hovering above the board to inspect the outcome.

"I lost by a single point. Senior Huaimo’s skill is exquisite; I am no match for him." Zhang Xinghuai stood up and cupped his hands in a salute to Huaimo.

"You’re too modest."

An irrepressible smile spread across Huaimo’s face, clearly satisfied with his victory. He then said eagerly, "Another game?"

Just as Zhang Xinghuai was about to agree, a Communication Jade Slip descended from the sky and hovered beside him. After picking it up and reading it, he said apologetically, "It’s Fellow Daoist Lu Shan. He wants to meet with me."

He looked at Wang Ping as he said this.

"Go on."

Wang Ping nodded.

Zhang Xinghuai offered an even more apologetic salute to everyone present, then transformed into a streak of white light that couldn’t be followed and vanished.

"Shall we play a game?" Ganxing invited the Huaimo Taoist.

"Alright!"

Both men were addicted to Go. They sat down and played five games straight. Ganxing lost the first four, so as the fifth game began, he couldn’t resist using his spiritual sense. The Huaimo Taoist, however, discreetly used his Primordial Spirit.

This game lasted until the very end. Ganxing had to consider each move for more than a quarter of an hour, causing the game to drag on past nightfall without finishing. The Huaimo Taoist, however, showed no impatience. He was savoring the final encirclement.

Just as Ganxing was struggling, Wu Quan appeared beside them in a streak of light, followed by Zhi Gong, and finally Liu Shuang.

"Don’t move!"

Huaimo snapped at Ganxing, who was about to get up.

Wu Quan, Zhi Gong, and Liu Shuang were all taken aback for a moment, but they quickly guessed what was happening from the expressions on Huaimo and Ganxing’s faces.

Wang Ping suppressed the urge to watch the show and stood up to walk toward Wu Quan and the other two. Yu Lian hovered in mid-air, debating whether to wait for the game to end.

"How did it go?" Wang Ping asked.

Zhi Gong and Wu Quan both looked to Liu Shuang. She cupped her fist and said, "Reporting to Master, the three targets have been captured. We found some new clues from their memories..."

"Following these clues led us to several hundred people. Some resisted during their capture and were killed on the spot. So far, we have killed sixty-three suspicious individuals, arrested three hundred twenty-four, and performed full memory readings on twelve. Three have been confirmed as ritual hosts, and two are hidden Second Realm Cultivators."

"That many people?" Yu Lian’s eyes went wide.

"If we keep digging, there will be even more," Liu Shuang replied.

Liu Shuang’s current investigation method involved probing the social connections of related individuals. Continuing like this was indeed a bottomless pit; in another day, thousands could be implicated.

"Have you ever seen the children in the village at the foot of Qianmu Mountain catching snakes?"

Wang Ping said softly, "When they catch snakes, they all carry a wooden stick. Whenever they come across a pile of grass, they give it a couple of whacks. If there are any snakes inside, they’ll bolt out. So, we’ll continue making arrests, but there’s no need to be so frequent about it. Also, send out our internal affairs teams to carefully screen everyone who came up Moon Mountain this time."

"Yes, Master!"

Liu Shuang cupped her fist in a salute, then transformed into a streak of light and flew off toward the military camp.

Over at the Go board, Ganxing chose this moment to toss down his piece and concede. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Xinghuai’s temporary identification tablet flashed in the sky. Not long after, Zhang Xinghuai landed in front of Wang Ping.

He met Wang Ping’s gaze and said, "Fellow Daoist Lu Shan will come in person in five days."

Wang Ping nodded, indicating he understood.

For now, this was all Wang Ping could do. Next up was the worship ceremony on Moon Mountain. Although it would likely be dangerous, for some reason, Wang Ping suddenly felt a sense of anticipation.

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