My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Shangning City.

In the rear garden of the Marquis’s Mansion, Wang Lian, his hair now completely white, was watching the goldfish he raised from a pavilion by the fishpond. Nearby, two young boys in brocade robes play-fought with short wooden swords.

Time slipped by unnoticed. As the sun set in the clear Northwest sky, its light bathing the rear garden, Wang Lian suddenly felt drowsy. He leaned back in a nearby lounge chair and soon, soft snores could be heard. A palace maid immediately fetched a prepared blanket and draped it over him.

The two boys, who had been playing energetically just moments before, exchanged a look, dropped their wooden swords, and ran to the edge of the pond to play in the water. This sent a nearby palace maid’s face pale with fright. Just as she was about to rush over and pick the boys up, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps from the garden entrance.

It was the Crown Prince’s retinue. The Female Official at the entrance glanced at Wang Lian, who had just fallen asleep by the pond, and braced herself before announcing, "His Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived."

The Crown Prince did not come alone; by his side was Zhang Xinghuai, dressed in a purple robe.

Startled by the announcement, the two boys who were about to play in the water fell back into the arms of the palace maid. She immediately carried them away from the pond as Wang Lian awoke from his light sleep.

The entering Crown Prince immediately spotted the two mischievous boys. He shot them a harsh glare, and under their fearful gazes, walked with Zhang Xinghuai to the pavilion by the pond.

"Father."

"Duke!"

The Crown Prince and Zhang Xinghuai saluted in unison with cupped fists.

Wang Lian waved his hand gently. "Please, sit." He motioned for them to be seated, then instructed a nearby Female Official, "Didn’t we receive some spring tea from the south a few days ago? Bring a cup for each of them."

The Female Official immediately went to attend to it.

"I’ve been so drowsy lately, and many matters have been delayed. I’ve grown old without even realizing it." Wang Lian looked at Zhang Xinghuai. "You’re still as young as ever. To be honest, I’ve been regretting not cultivating properly in my youth."

Zhang Xinghuai said, "We’ve acquired some life-extending Elixirs from the Upper Dan Sect. The Duke has no need to worry!"

Leaning back in his lounge chair, Wang Lian spoke with the warm smile of an old man, "I have already completed my mission. If I don’t pass on soon, I’ll just be an eyesore and an annoyance. When I go, I will leave a decree that no future successor may hold the title of Duke for more than twenty years. This is what we agreed upon beforehand."

He looked at Zhang Xinghuai, making his commitment clear.

Just as Zhang Xinghuai was about to respond, Wang Lian continued, "Xing Huai, what you once told me, I must now say to you. Everyone has their own mission, and they do different things in different eras. Our current push to eliminate Divine Techniques is the will of the people, but that may not be the case in the next era."

His words were meant to tell Zhang Xinghuai that no matter how wise a person is, their thinking will always have its limits. The people of each era have different ideas. For example, when the Xia Imperial Family established the Xia Dynasty, they had the overwhelming support of the common people. Back then, Divine Techniques were seen as the solution to all the world’s conflicts.

But now, Divine Techniques have become a nightmare for the people of Zhongzhou!

"Rest assured, I know what I’m doing!"

Zhang Xinghuai’s tone was confident.

The crow’s feet at the corners of Wang Lian’s eyes crinkled. He clearly had more to say, but some things cannot be explained in just a few words, and some people cannot be persuaded so easily.

’The world is a chaotic mess,’ Wang Lian thought. ’Even a True Monarch descending from the heavens might not be able to sort it all out. It’s like the will of the masses. Zhang Xinghuai has the people’s love and respect now, but what about in a few decades? A hundred years? Several hundred years?’

’But these words couldn’t be spoken, nor could they be made clear. Only time would tell.’

"Are you here about the True Yang Sect?"

Wang Lian changed the subject.

The Crown Prince glanced at Zhang Xinghuai. Seeing that he wasn’t answering, he spoke up, "Yes, Father. We have already issued the order to search the mountain!"

Wang Lian nodded. "Remember, you must handle this matter within the bounds of the law."

"Don’t worry, Father. General Kunpeng is handling it personally, and the high-ranking monks of the Snowfield will cooperate with us. Besides, we aren’t specifically targeting the True Yang Sect."

Wang Lian watched the Female Official enter with the tea. After she set it down and withdrew, he said, "In that case, we can ignore the various sects’ struggles for doctrinal supremacy. But when these sects interact with the people of Datong, they must abide by Datong’s laws. If they violate them, we will hold them accountable, no matter who they are."

Zhang Xinghuai picked up the thread, "For now, this is all we can do. If a Third Realm Cultivator breaks the law, we still lack the power to hold them accountable. Therefore, our next step must be to strengthen the Grand Commandant’s Mansion and cultivate our own Great Realm Cultivators."

He spoke as if he were about to declare war on the Mystic Sects.

"Let’s take it slow," Wang Lian advised. "Don’t get into a direct conflict with them right now, and don’t obstruct them from spreading their teachings. Our people also need something to believe in, otherwise they won’t even know the basics of morality."

"I understand the priorities."

The Crown Prince interjected, "We’ve analyzed the situation. The True Yang Sect won’t clash with us this time either. What they want is the doctrinal lineage of Changtong Mountain; a conflict with us doesn’t serve their interests. Besides, our laws are not that harsh."

Wang Lian looked at Zhang Xinghuai and asked, "Who is in charge of the True Yang Sect’s Daoist Temple on Changtong Mountain?"

Zhang Xinghuai replied, "A disciple of the Rongyang Monarch, Le Xin Taoist!"

Back when the Daoist Scripture Hall still existed, the Rongyang Monarch was its de facto leader in the Northwest Region. However, he never established a lineage in the Northwest; his Dao Field is located somewhere on the Western Continent. This created an opening for Liuyun Taoist of the Earth Cave Sect to exploit, which was the origin of the conflict between their two factions.

Most of the turmoil in the Northwest Region over the past century was orchestrated by the disciples of these two figures. However, with the situation in Zhongzhou growing more precarious over the last few decades, the two Monarchs have retreated into the shadows. Their disciples have either sealed their sect gates, relocated out of Zhongzhou, or entered into a state of cooperation with the Datong Court. As for those who refused to cooperate, they all vanished during the chaotic wars of the past decades.

Various thoughts surfaced in Wang Lian’s mind. He looked at Zhang Xinghuai and said, "How are things with the eastward advance?"

Zhang Xinghuai replied, "I estimate that in a few more days, the large army Chu Country has amassed at Jianglin Road will inevitably cross the Nong River and enter Beiyuan Road. At that time, we will also advance eastward."

"Good!"

A look of delight appeared on Wang Lian’s face.

After the two discussed the matter for Half an Hour, Zhang Xinghuai left the rear garden.

After Zhang Xinghuai was out of earshot, the Crown Prince said, "Father, the Chancellor intends to make enemies of every Mystic Sect Cultivator in the world, can’t you see? His plan can never succeed!"

Wang Lian chuckled. "The Chancellor isn’t that foolish. The political powers of Zhongzhou and the Mystic Sect Cultivators are supposed to complement each other; there’s no need for mutual hatred. The Chancellor merely wants to bring peace to the people and protect the nation."

"Perhaps that’s true for now, but what about the future?"

Wang Lian was silent for more than ten breaths before replying, "The Chancellor wants to establish an institution similar to the Daoist Scripture Hall, and through it, control and stabilize the Cultivation Realm. If, in the future, his plan becomes untenable and he tries to force the issue, we have our own methods. You must remember that our rise to power in the Northwest wasn’t thanks to the Chancellor, but to your great-grandfather!"

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