Chapter 133: Why Did They Just Let Me Leave?

"Seventy-eight rune structures, with a total of eighteen overlapping rune structures—meaning I need to thoroughly master sixty rune structures just to achieve the rudimentary level of cultivation for this spell."

Zhou Changwang then began to carefully observe and study the cultivation method of this spell.

Fortunately, the difficulty was not too high.

Of course, it wasn't easy either.

Fortunately, this spell was not an offensive one, so there was no need to specifically choose a secluded or treacherous environment for cultivation.

Therefore, after spending half an hour familiarizing himself with the corresponding spell rune structures, he began his practice.

Before cultivating, he first cast the Breath-Hiding Technique and the Sound-Isolation Technique to ensure that the spiritual fluctuations within the room would not leak out. Only then did he quiet his mind, control his spiritual sense, and condense the rune structures one by one.

One, two, three...

After the fifth rune structure, the spellcasting failed.

Then, he continued to try.

Failure, failure, failure...

Failure after failure, attempt after attempt.

One hour, two hours, three hours...

After the fourth hour, the exact moment he condensed the final rune structure—

Hum~!

The spiritual power within his body surged rapidly, followed by a shift in his thought.

Split-Light Transformation Technique +1

In an instant, right before him, a ray of light and shadow violently appeared—a figure identical to his own physical body, with virtually no difference whatsoever.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

After three breaths.

The light and shadow dissipated.

The spell vanished.

Zhou Changwang blinked. It felt as though nothing had happened, yet it also felt as though something had been added.

Unable to resist, he cast it once more.

After fully five attempts, he finally gained a certain understanding of the spell's utility.

"This spell differs somewhat from what I had previously imagined.

The light and shadow generated by the Split-Light Transformation Technique are indeed merely an illusion.

However, this illusion can move and be controlled by my will, executing various actions.

Moreover, the light and shadow also carry my aura; although much weaker in intensity, it would still be difficult to detect at a sudden glance.

Pity that an illusion is always just an illusion and cannot truly unleash spells or magic tools for attacks.

It serves only to deceive, lacking any offensive capability.

Still, it's not bad after all.

After all, this is merely the rudimentary level. Perhaps after reaching proficiency, minor accomplishment, or major accomplishment, there will be other changes yet to come."

Zhou Changwang sighed with emotion, feeling quite satisfied within.

The only thing he found somewhat regrettable was that the duration was too short.

Only three breaths. After three breaths, it automatically dispersed.

However, in combat, whenever he used this spell, it was usually intended for confusion—a golden cicada shedding its shell—so the duration didn't make much difference.

Conversely, the overly long casting time was somewhat troublesome.

Thirteen breaths!

There was no helping it.

An overly long prelude to a spellcasting has always been a distress inevitably encountered by all cultivators.

Only through continuous cultivation and improving the spell's proficiency could one drastically shorten the casting time.

Of course, besides this, there was another method.

That was the intensity of one's mental power.

As long as one's mental power was strong enough, naturally, one could effortlessly and smoothly execute spells.

For instance, a true expert in the Foundation Establishment realm, whose spiritual sense had transformed into divine sense, would find practicing first-tier intermediate or even advanced spells vastly simpler, achieving mastery in an extremely short time and advancing it to proficiency.

In fact, even for Zhou Changwang now, given the current strength of his mental power, practicing any first-tier elementary spell would be exceptionally swift, elevating it to the proficiency level within an extremely brief timeframe.

This was the "dimensional reduction comprehension" of spells brought about by powerful mental power.

The next day.

Zhou Changwang finally met the master of the Water Cloud Pavilion, Tang Yuyan.

She was Shen Xinyue's senior sister, also possessing a cultivation base at the ninth layer of Qi Condensation, yet her accumulation was already extremely profound, having long since reached the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Condensation. Armed with a Foundation Establishment Pill, she could immediately enter closed-door seclusion to break through and ascend to the Foundation Establishment realm.

Unfortunately, Foundation Establishment Pills were hard to come by.

Even though she was a formal disciple of the Water Cloud Immortal Sect, applying for a Foundation Establishment Pill required joining a queue.

Moreover, she had to earn enough spiritual stones or gather sufficient Foundation Establishment spiritual resources to exchange for one.

"My junior sister has already told me about your affairs.

Since she has already agreed to your conditions, naturally I will not go back on my word.

Within our Water Cloud Pavilion, we possess a total of five second-tier or higher spiritual fields and medicinal gardens within the marketplace, all situated upon the branch veins of the Divine Wind Valley spiritual vein.

Three of these have already been assigned to spiritual planters who have long cooperated with our Water Cloud Pavilion. The remaining two are currently sublet to other spiritual planters, but they can be reclaimed at any time.

Thus, you may choose one to cultivate your spiritual plants and medicines.

Ah, and by the way, since the spiritual fields lie directly upon the second-tier spiritual vein branch, the concentration of spiritual Qi in the surrounding area is actually quite high. Early on, some cultivators even cleared out houses and immortal caves to live nearby.

If Fellow Daoist Zhou doesn't mind, you could actually live right beside the spiritual field, and it won't affect your cultivation in the least."

Tang Yuyan appeared quite young, with delicate features, flowing light in her eyes, and an exceptionally fine appearance. As she looked at Zhou Changwang, her tone was courteous and peaceful.

Naturally, Zhou Changwang did not believe she was truly young.

In the cultivation world, after all, there existed youth-preserving pills, complexion-retaining elixirs, and other spiritual medicines.

It was common to find cultivators who appeared to be in their twenties or thirties, yet whose actual age was forty, fifty, or even sixty years old.

Zhou Changwang knew that Shen Xinyue also appeared quite young and pretty, yet was actually over forty. Since she addressed Tang Yuyan as senior sister, it was clear the latter was even older, likely in her forties or fifties.

"Where are these two plots of spiritual land located?

Additionally, what must I do?"

Zhou Changwang spoke up and asked.

"The two plots of spiritual land are not far from each other, both situated on the southwest mountainside. One features fifteen mu of spiritual fields, eleven mu of which are at the second-tier elementary level, while the remaining four mu have reached the second-tier intermediate level.

The other contains only nine mu; eight mu of those spiritual fields are merely second-tier elementary, but the remaining single mu is a second-tier advanced spiritual field."

Tang Yuyan spoke in a calm tone: "As for what you must do? In truth, our requirements are not high.

Because our Water Cloud Pavilion has had a first-tier advanced alchemist stationed with us in recent years, Alchemist Zhao primarily specializes in the water-refining method, focusing mainly on the brewing of Cloud Spirit Pills and Water Rhythm Pills.

Among them, the Cloud Spirit Pill is suitable for mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators to assist in cultivation, while the Water Rhythm Pill is suited for late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators.

Both can be considered spiritual elixirs capable of increasing a cultivator's cultivation base, and their sales have always remained stable.

Consequently, the primary ingredients for the Cloud Spirit Pills and Water Rhythm Pills—Qingyun Grass and Spirit Rhyme Flowers—are perpetually in short supply.

How about this: if Fellow Daoist can supply one hundred stalks of Qingyun Grass and ten stalks of Spirit Rhyme Flowers each month, that will be sufficient.

Naturally, we will provide you with the spiritual medicine seeds.

As long as these planting conditions are met, how you utilize the remaining spiritual fields and what profits you derive from them need not be reported to us. How does that sound?"

"Naturally, that is acceptable!"

Hearing this, Zhou Changwang breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed on the spot.

To be frank, Tang Yuyan's requirements were truly not high.

One hundred stalks of Qingyun Grass and ten stalks of Spirit Rhyme Flowers per month.

Although Qingyun Grass was a three-year spiritual medicine, and Spirit Rhyme Flowers required ten years before they could be used in alchemy, the ability of a spiritual planter lay precisely in shortening the growth period of spiritual materials and aiding the rapid maturation of spiritual medicines.

Under the influence of the Annual Rings Technique, he had even managed to grow a century-old Red-Leaf Spirit Tea Tree from a mere seed, let alone cultivate some first-tier spiritual materials!

One had to know that the environment where he grew the century-old Red-Leaf Spirit Tea Tree could hardly be considered exceptional; it was merely a first-tier advanced spiritual field.

Compared to today's second-tier spiritual fields, it fell far behind.

"Then, which plot of spiritual land does Fellow Daoist choose?

Or shall I have someone take you for a tour?"

Tang Yuyan was a decisive person and promptly inquired.

"No need.

I choose the second plot of spiritual land, the one with nine mu of spiritual fields."

Zhou Changwang had already made up his mind.

He possessed a third-tier spiritual plant—the century-old Red-Leaf Tea Tree.

Third-tier spiritual plants placed exceptionally high demands on the spiritual Qi of the soil. While ordinary second-tier spiritual fields could sustain it, wanting it to thrive and year by year increase its age was simply not enough on a mere second-tier elementary spiritual field.

Sustaining it would be rather strenuous.

Therefore, the grade of the spiritual land needed to be as high as possible.

Since the second plot of spiritual land happened to feature one mu of spiritual fields that reached the second-tier advanced level, he would naturally choose that one.

Although the quantity of spiritual fields was much smaller, for someone cultivating alone, nine mu was more than enough. Any more would simply waste energy and potentially encroach upon his cultivation time, resulting in a loss that outweighed the gain.

"Very well.

I shall immediately send someone to notify Ma Tiansheng to vacate the land.

Let us say ten days—ten days from now, you may move in. How is that?"

Tang Yuyan nodded and stated decisively.

"No problem at all.

Many thanks, Senior!"

Zhou Changwang naturally understood; since the previous tenant had leased the spiritual field, they must have planted spiritual crops.

Whether the other party needed to transplant, process, or sell them off, a certain amount of time was required. Ten days was even a bit tight.

In his heart, he had actually reserved a full month for the other party to completely clear out.

During this period, he intended to thoroughly familiarize himself with the Divine Wind Valley marketplace and make some preparations for his upcoming move into the spiritual field.

Naturally, his very first stop was the Water Cloud Pavilion.

His main objective was to purchase Eye-Clearing Spiritual Liquid and Spiritual Eye Golden Liquid.

Both of these spiritual liquids were consumable items, and the ones he had previously bought were long since exhausted.

As for their specific effects, because they had not yet triggered a qualitative transformation, he hadn't felt much change, but at the very least, his eyes had indeed become much brighter, and a glare from his gaze even carried a faint, awe-inspiring intimidation.

Another piece of evidence that his vision had genuinely improved was the increased duration he could maintain the Spirit Vision Technique.

It no longer resulted in eye fatigue, dizziness, or vertigo after a short period of use, as it had before.

Ten bottles of Eye-Clearing Spiritual Liquid, five bottles of Spiritual Eye Golden Liquid.

The total price was two thousand low-grade spiritual stones.

However, because he was now also a member of the Water Cloud Pavilion, he enjoyed an internal discount, meaning he ultimately spent only one thousand eight hundred low-grade spiritual stones, saving a tidy sum.

Immediately afterward, he headed out.

As for Qian Xiaoyue, the moment she entered the Water Cloud Pavilion, her confidence took a hit.

She discovered that there were three other disciples within the pavilion who were about to join her in taking the admission examination for the Water Cloud Immortal Sect. Not only were their cultivation bases higher than hers, but they also possessed a certain mastery of the hundred arts of cultivation.

Of course, most importantly, she found that the Water Cloud Pavilion featured various senior sisters giving lectures and answering doubts regarding cultivation.

Consequently, she now wished she could spend the entire day within the Water Cloud Pavilion, studying and meditating.

Zhou Changwang had no desire to disturb her, so he set out alone.

He began to observe the general layout of the marketplace.

The largest and most spiritually concentrated area of the entire marketplace was none other than the Marketplace Master's Mansion, situated at a relatively elevated location within the city. It was said that the spiritual Qi concentration there rivaled that of a third-tier spiritual land.

Around the Marketplace Master's Mansion, thirty cultivation immortal caves had been carved out, possessing exceptionally high spiritual concentrations, fully capable of supplying all the cultivation needs of true experts in the Foundation Establishment realm.

It was said that if anyone wished to force a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment realm, they could also rent an immortal cave for closed-door seclusion.

Though the rent was expensive, at least they need not worry about safety.

Unless an expert above the Core Formation realm was involved, no one dared to cause trouble around the Marketplace Master's Mansion.

Naturally, because the Divine Wind Valley marketplace was still technically under the jurisdiction of the Qingyuan Sect, institutions like the Spirit Plantation Hall, the Pill and Weapon Pavilion, and the Beast Taming Workshop were still controlled by the Qingyuan Sect, mostly managed by its disciples.

As for the commercial shops—

"The largest shop in the marketplace is the Heavenly Treasure Tower, followed by the Six-Directions Pavilion, the Water Cloud Pavilion, the Myriad Treasures Tower... In addition, there are shops that teach cultivators cultivation techniques like the Immortal Masters Pavilion, spring-seeking pleasure houses like the Myriad Flowers Pavilion, and restaurants providing meals for cultivators like the Immortal Delicacies Workshop..."

Zhou Changwang walked and observed all the way.

It was dazzling with variety.

He could feel that this marketplace was indeed far more prosperous than the Fengmingwu marketplace.

However, there was no rogue cultivator bazaar.

This point also left him somewhat perplexed.

After all, rogue cultivators constituted the largest demographic in the entire cultivation world, and the affordable goods sold at rogue cultivator stalls formed the mainstay of rogue consumerism.

"Perhaps it has gone from being out in the open to operating in the shadows?"

Zhou Changwang muttered, though he understood.

With major shops paying exorbitant rents, they naturally could not tolerate the majority of cultivators running off to treasure-hunt in a rogue bazaar.

Publicly, it would certainly be banned and cracked down upon.

Yet for every policy from above, there were countermeasures from below; numerous rogue cultivators would naturally find ways to organize and initiate private transactions.

"Pity that I don't know the location for now.

Perhaps I can only wait until the end of the month, through the black market of the Green Leaf Alliance, to find out?"

Muttering to himself, Zhou Changwang stepped into a talisman shop.

Talisman Spirit Residence!

When he emerged once more, the spiritual stones in his possession had shrunk by another three thousand.

Within the Talisman Spirit Residence, he had purchased a top-tier magic tool talisman brush named the Clear Wind Spirit Brush. The name was unimportant; what mattered was its spiritual-conducting and stabilizing effects. Most crucially, the talisman brush possessed a Spirit-Gathering Array. Drawing talismans with this brush helped channel and focus a cultivator's mental concentration, thereby vastly increasing the success rate of crafting talismans.

One thousand five hundred low-grade spiritual stones.

It was undeniably expensive.

However, Zhou Changwang intended to study the crafting of the *Nether-Communication Talisman Law* to produce Hairy Zombie Talismans, Evil-Faced Ghost Talismans, Mountain-Driving Ghost Talismans... And these spiritual talismans were all first-tier intermediate and first-tier advanced talismans.

Moreover, they were among the rare summoning-type talismans.

Drawing them was extremely difficult, and achieving initial mastery was no easy feat.

Naturally, he needed to acquire a proper talisman brush to accelerate his entry into the field.

Aside from the talisman brush, he also replaced and purchased talisman ink and talisman paper of superior quality and higher grade.

Naturally, in greater quantities as well.

The amount bought for one thousand five hundred low-grade spiritual stones would be enough to last him half a year.

Returning to the back courtyard of the Water Cloud Pavilion, it was already dusk.

Zhou Changwang went straight to his room.

He cast his customary Sound-Isolation Technique and immediately began attempting to draw talismans.

First, naturally, was the Hairy Zombie Talisman.

The Hairy Zombie Talisman was a first-tier intermediate spiritual talisman and the only first-tier intermediate talisman within the *Nether-Communication Talisman Law*.

Even earlier, he had thoroughly comprehended the various key points among the talismanic arts.

Though there remained a vast gap when it came to actual execution, talisman drawing was, after all, a craft driven by practice making perfect.

Naturally, since he was just starting out, Zhou Changwang did not use the newly purchased high-grade talisman paper, opting instead for standard talisman paper that cost one low-grade spiritual stone for a bundle of fifty sheets.

Then, he commenced drawing.

With the Clear Wind Spirit Brush in hand and his internal spiritual power flowing naturally, it genuinely gave him a sense of effortless ease.

Yet, once he truly began crafting the talisman—

Failure! Failure! Failure!

...

Zhou Changwang's mind remained serene, completely unfazed.

Only after every ten failures would he pause, carefully recalling and summarizing the reasons for the previous missteps.

Thus, he resumed his drawing.

An hour later!

Zhou Changwang stopped.

"This *Nether-Communication Talisman Law* really does differ drastically from ordinary spiritual talismans.

The most difficult point among them is the 'Nether-Communication.'

Borrowing the power of the talisman to communicate with the Netherworld, and then harmonizing with the corresponding 'Hairy Zombie' so that it willingly obeys commands.

Therefore, it is often not enough merely to have a complete structural talisman law; one must also borrow forces from the unseen realms, connecting downward to the Netherworld..."

Zhou Changwang sighed with emotion, well aware that this was no easy feat.

Achieving mastery in the short term would be exceptionally difficult.

With no other choice, he had to temporarily halt his practice.

Then he began cultivating the Split-Light Transformation Technique.

Practice after practice, cast after cast.

Until his internal spiritual power was exhausted, whereupon he crossed his legs in meditation to recover.

The Water Cloud Pavilion, after all, was situated in the heart of the marketplace, and the concentration of spiritual Qi was actually not low. Although it fell short of his cultivation secret chamber in the Fengmingwu marketplace, it was barely sufficient for his cultivation needs.

Time slipped away.

Aside from cultivation and drawing talismans, Zhou Changwang would occasionally go out when Qian Xiaoyue came looking for him, taking a short stroll together before returning shortly after.

It was peaceful indeed.

Worth mentioning was that Shen Xinyue indeed did not break her promise, continually helping Qian Xiaoyue over the past few days to find a buyer willing to purchase the mid-tier spiritual fish, the White Jade Spotted Fish.

On the third day after arriving at the Divine Wind Valley marketplace, they found a household of buyers and sold the White Jade Spotted Fish for twelve thousand low-grade spiritual stones.

The spiritual stones naturally all went into Qian Xiaoyue's pocket.

Initially, her intention was to share a portion of it with him, since without Zhou Changwang, that spiritual fish would have long since escaped.

Zhou Changwang refused to accept it.

...

Midway up Little Peak Mountain.

A valley location.

Ma Tiansheng was lazily lying on a chair.

He was quite content with his current life.

A plot of spiritual land, nine mu of spiritual fields.

Every day, aside from cultivation and tending to the spiritual fields, he could occasionally exchange the sale of spiritual plants for a substantial profit, followed by spending a few days indulging at the Myriad Flowers Pavilion.

This life was wonderful!

Thinking of Xiaocui, thinking of Yuxian...

Ma Tiansheng narrowed his eyes, savoring the lingering aftertaste.

"Pity, though—rent-collecting day is almost here, and the Qingyun Grass and Spirit Rhyme Flowers must be harvested in advance, otherwise I'd truly be reluctant to return."

Ma Tiansheng sighed with emotion.

Suddenly.

A fluctuation rippled across the valley entrance.

Ma Tiansheng paused, muttering to himself whether this month's collection was so early.

Yet he wasn't particularly surprised.

He directly opened the mountain-guarding array.

This array was not particularly brilliant—first-tier advanced level. It could block ordinary late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, but it could not stop top-tier experts, and certainly not Foundation Establishment figures.

Still, this place was close to the marketplace; within a hundred miles, apart from Divine Wind Valley, there were no overly dangerous demonic beasts, making it exceptionally safe. He hadn't worried overly much.

If someone truly dared to make a move, he only needed to sound the alarm, and marketplace guards would arrive before long.

"Ah, it's Fairy Lianyu. To think the Fairy has arrived so early this month?

Please, come right in. I recently bought some fine tea; I'll brew it for you immediately.

Oh, and the Qingyun Grass and Spirit Rhyme Flowers are all prepared; you can just take them away when you leave. Old Ma always does things right, so Fairy can rest easy!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Ma Tiansheng's face instantly broke into a smile as he warmly greeted her.

"No need.

My coming here this time is to notify you.

Our Water Cloud Pavilion has newly recruited a spiritual planter, and someone has set their sights on this plot of spiritual land.

Fellow Daoist Ma, you must clear out this spiritual land within ten days. Ten days from now, when that spiritual planter arrives, you must leave."

Hearing this, Fairy Lianyu wore a cold expression as she spoke.

"Huh?"

Ma Tiansheng was dumbfounded, his smile freezing on his face, before he anxiously questioned: "Fairy Lianyu, what is the meaning of this? Why must I suddenly move away? I've been doing well working here.

Fairy Lianyu, you know me—I've always been diligent in my work, and the spiritual plants requested by your Water Cloud Pavilion every month have never fallen short; sometimes there are even surpluses.

Why, then, am I being asked to leave?"

"I am merely delivering a notice.

As for this command, it was issued personally by the Pavilion Master.

If you have the ability, go take it up with the Pavilion Master."

Fairy Lianyu, however, paid him no mind. Having said her piece, she spun around and left directly.

Ma Tiansheng was stunned.

The pleasant mood from just moments before vanished without a trace.

This good life hadn't lasted very long, yet it was coming to an end?

"No way.

Absolutely not."

Ma Tiansheng knew his own situation.

After years of struggling, he had only cultivated to the sixth layer of Qi Condensation.

He had previously attempted to take risks, but after experiencing a few brushes with death, he grew thoroughly terrified and never dared set foot in the wilderness or enter the misty regions of Divine Wind Valley again.

Yet cultivating immortal arts required spiritual stones and resources.

While he lacked the determination to pursue Foundation Establishment, he had no desire to muddle through his life as a mere mortal.

Thus, he picked up his former spiritual planting craft, barely passing the examination for a spiritual planter, and subsequently found this job through the introduction of an acquainted friend.

His life was just beginning to look up.

And now, it was gone?

As for directly joining the Water Cloud Pavilion and becoming a retainer spiritual planter like his friend?

How could he not want to?

It was simply that the Water Cloud Pavilion was no minor faction, and their standards for spiritual planters were not low; he couldn't meet them yet...

"Which goddamned bastard is coming to ruin my good fortune?"

Cursing angrily, Ma Tiansheng hurriedly rushed out the door.

Naturally, he had to figure out a solution.

And turning it over in his mind, the only person he could ask for help was his "good friend."

This friend was someone he had met back when they were jointly cultivating spiritual fields in the early days.

Only, that friend couldn't endure the hardships of farming, gave up "tending the fields," and went off to venture into the misty domains of Divine Wind Valley with others. Meanwhile, his counterpart had plowed steadily along, eventually becoming a first-tier intermediate spiritual planter and even joining the Water Cloud Pavilion...