Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

Chapter 230: Chapter 211: Yunjing Commerce Association

The Li Family was familiar with the major powers of the East Sea, and Cui Li had many friends at the Dao Foundation Realm. Their connections were certainly more extensive than those of Zhu Ju, who knew nothing about the region.

However, he wasn’t idle. After settling down on the outskirts of the East Sea Alliance, he began trying to integrate into the Cultivation Realm and find a path forward.

「One month later.」

News came from the Li Family.

"Elder Zhu."

Li Xingzhou led a man over and made the introduction.

"This is my good friend, Kou Wen of Feiyu Island. He’s an Innate expert who has completed Breaking Nine Acupoints. The Kou Family is currently recruiting Dao Foundation Cultivators, and when Brother Kou heard about you, Elder, he asked me to make an introduction."

Zhu Ju nodded, a flicker of doubt in his eyes as he looked at the man.

’The Kou Family?’

Unlike the handsome Li Xingzhou, this Kou Wen was plain-looking and wouldn’t stand out in a crowd.

Most Innate Experts had already undergone Bone Marrow Cleansing and were exceptionally good-looking. It was rare to see one so plain.

"Brother Li,"

Kou Wen said with a smile,

"Could you allow me to speak with Elder Zhu alone for a moment?"

"Of course." Li Xingzhou lightly tapped his forehead.

"How silly of me. Please, feel free."

With an apologetic clasp of his hands, he took his leave, closing the door behind him and leaving the two to talk in private.

"Fellow Daoist Kou," Zhu Ju began slowly once they were alone.

"You are a Dao Foundation Cultivator, yet you treat an Innate Qi Refiner as your peer. How am I supposed to trust you?"

"Oh!" Kou Wen raised an eyebrow at his words, a look of surprise on his face.

"A sharp eye, Fellow Daoist. Few people can see through my Concealing Method. I’m impressed."

"It’s nothing special," Zhu Ju said.

"I just so happen to have some experience in this area myself."

He had hidden his cultivation for a full seven years right under the noses of a group of Dao Foundation Cultivators, so he was naturally quite experienced.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have seen through the man’s disguise so quickly.

"I see." Kou Wen didn’t press the matter. He pulled over a chair, sat down, and began to speak unhurriedly.

"As a Loose Cultivator, you were able to achieve the Dao Foundation. You must be one who holds the Great Dao in your heart and is determined in your cultivation."

"However..."

"The Dao Foundation is easy to achieve, but the Golden Core is hard to seek. A great many of us cultivators spend our entire lives at the Early Stage Dao Foundation."

Zhu Ju nodded.

’Indeed.’

’In recent days, through Cui Li’s introductions, he had met quite a few Dao Foundation Cultivators, and the vast majority of them were at the Early Stage.’

’Mid-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivators were few and far between.’

’As for the Late-Stage,’

’...they were even rarer!’

"Loose Cultivators have no lineage, no resources, and no protective Treasures. Seeking the Dao is an arduous path," Kou Wen sighed, then continued.

"But it’s not entirely without hope."

"Oh!" Zhu Ju’s interest was piqued. He clasped his hands and said,

"I would like to hear the details."

"I am on good terms with a few fellow daoists, and we engage in ’business without capital’ in the East Sea. We’ve recently set our sights on a big score," Kou Wen said.

"If we succeed, we’ll not only get a large number of Spirit Stones, but also a Magical Treasure and a top-tier lineage."

"Fellow Daoist!"

"You only need to sign a Spirit Contract with us and help me gather some information. Once the job is done, you will be handsomely rewarded."

?

"Tribulation Cultivators!" Zhu Ju’s expression darkened.

"Why must you say it so crudely, Fellow Daoist?" Kou Wen looked displeased.

"Tell me, which power in the East Sea has clean hands? We rob the rich to help the poor. In the Mortal World, we’d be considered heroes."

"Robbing whose riches? And whose poverty are you alleviating?" Zhu Ju shook his head.

"Say no more, Fellow Daoist. For the Li Family’s sake, I will pretend I never met you today."

"I won’t see you out!"

"You..." Kou Wen’s face fell.

"Hmph!"

’You don’t know what’s good for you.’

’If the target this time weren’t so critical, requiring a newly-advanced Dao Foundation Cultivator as an inside man, why would he have ever approached Zhu Ju?’

"You have no idea what you’ve just missed."

Kou Wen gave him one last deep look, then turned and flicked his sleeves.

"Farewell!"

CREAK...

The door opened to reveal Li Xingzhou outside, his voice tinged with surprise.

"Brother Kou, you’re finished already?"

"When people don’t see eye to eye, even half a sentence is too much. The Kou Family doesn’t have the good fortune to recruit such an expert." Kou Wen’s voice was ice-cold.

"No need to see me out, Brother Li. I’m leaving."

When Zhu Ju walked out, he saw Li Xingzhou standing there with a bewildered expression.

"Elder?"

"That man is no good, and I fear the Kou Family has its problems as well," Zhu Ju said bluntly.

"It would be best for the Li Family not to get too close to them. That is all I will say. There’s no need to ask further, Little Friend Li."

Hmm?

Li Xingzhou’s expression shifted slightly, and he fell into deep thought.

* * *

「On this day.」

Zhu Ju was returning from visiting a friend. His Tunneling Light arced through the sky and descended toward the courtyard below.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu."

Just as he landed, an elderly voice called out from behind him.

"I have come for a visit."

"Elder Sunx." Zhu Ju waved a hand, opening the courtyard gate.

"A rare guest. Please, come in."

"HAHA..." Sunx Guai, who had white hair but a youthful face, stepped inside and laughed.

"I’ve come today with good news! Fellow Daoist Zhu, hurry and prepare some wine and food. We must celebrate until we’re thoroughly drunk!"

"Is that so?" Having spent the last few days with him, Zhu Ju knew the old man was prone to boasting, so he didn’t think much of it.

"What’s the good news?"

"An invitation from the East Sea Alliance." Sunx Guai’s eyes went wide.

"Well, Fellow Daoist? Wouldn’t you call that good news?"

"The East Sea Alliance?" Zhu Ju frowned.

"Elder Sunx, you should know that I plan to go to the Ten Thousand Mountains in the future. I’m afraid the East Sea Alliance isn’t a good fit for me."

As the foremost power in the East Sea, the East Sea Alliance was not lacking in Dao Foundation Cultivators.

Compared to other factions, the East Sea Alliance offered very little compensation to its Dao Foundation Cultivators, but the length of service was long.

Contracts started at sixty years, with a hundred years being normal. Only by signing a Blood Contract could one be entrusted with important responsibilities.

However, the benefits were also obvious.

With a major power at your back, no one in the East Sea would dare to bully you.

Not only Dao Foundation Cultivation Techniques, but all sorts of Spiritual Objects, Elixirs, Magical Artifacts, lineages, and so on would be easier to obtain.

"Don’t be hasty, don’t be hasty."

Sunx Guai waved his hand dismissively.

"This time is different. It’s a personal invitation from the Third Princess of the East Sea Alliance. You would only need to serve her for twenty years."

"A twenty-year Blood Contract!"

"The Third Princess will provide a Dao Foundation lineage, a yearly stipend of five thousand Spirit Stones, and various other benefits. If I didn’t already have a post, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to resist accepting it myself."

’Twenty years?’

Zhu Ju’s heart stirred.

From what he knew, the East Sea Alliance was deeply tied to the Mortal Realm on the island, and many of its princes and nobles were cultivation experts.

This Third Princess was, moreover, a Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator, the kind with a chance of reaching the Golden Core realm.

After some thought, Zhu Ju still shook his head with regret.

"I’ll pass."

"Hmm?" Sunx Guai frowned.

"Why?"

"The Golden Core Grandmaster of the East Sea Alliance is said to only have a few years left. In the decade or so after he passes, the Alliance is sure to be in turmoil," Zhu Ju explained.

"Signing a twenty-year Blood Contract with the Third Princess at a time like this, I’m afraid I’d run into opponents at the Mid-Stage or even Late-Stage Dao Foundation."

"I have only just advanced to the Dao Foundation. I’m not strong enough to get caught up in all that."

The East Sea Alliance currently had two Golden Core Grandmasters. One of them was still alive, yet a storm was already brewing; after his death, great chaos was certain to follow.

"Foolish!"

Sunx Guai said angrily.

"Fortune favors the bold! Since you’re committed to the Great Dao, Fellow Daoist, how can you not take any risks?"

"The Third Princess achieved her Dao Foundation at a young age. It’s almost certain she’ll become a Golden Core Grandmaster in the future. Pledging your allegiance now is like providing timely aid. Besides, the Third Princess has yet to marry. With your looks, Fellow Daoist, you might even win her favor. Wouldn’t that be a double blessing?"

"Elder Sunx," Zhu Ju sighed softly.

"I only seek a peaceful life. Please don’t try to push me into a pit of fire. Here, try this wine."

"I bought it for ten Spirit Stones a jar. It helps purify True Essence."

"You..." Sunx Guai slapped the table and sighed helplessly.

"Fine, fine."

"To each their own. Since you’re unwilling, I won’t insist."

*

*

*

In a flash, another three months had passed.

By now, Zhu Ju had completely stabilized his cultivation. His True Essence moved with a mere thought, and he could operate his Magical Artifacts without hindrance.

He had fully adapted to the Early Stage Dao Foundation Realm.

"Come."

Cui Li, leaning on her cane, nodded in greeting.

"This is Fellow Daoist Yann Ying of the Yunjing Commerce Association. Fellow Daoist Yann, this is the Fellow Daoist Zhu I mentioned."

"Zhu Ju of the Bright Void Sect." Yann Ying’s hair was pure white, but his face was that of a man of thirty. He nodded with a smile. "I am Yann Ying. My original surname was Wang, from the Jade Void Sect."

’Jade Void Sect!’

Zhu Ju’s expression became solemn.

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

The Bright Void Sect was a branch of the Jade Void Sect, and the Dragon Head Lineage’s inheritance came directly from the Jade Void Sect, so they addressed each other as peers of the same generation.

However, the two sects were brothers in misfortune.

One had its experts wither away, forcing it to relocate to the Ten Thousand Mountains. The other’s lineage was completely severed, its sect wiped from existence.

"The Earth Evil Mysterious Skill," Yann Ying said, studying Zhu Ju before sighing.

"It’s been decades since I’ve seen anyone who cultivates this technique. To think... that today I would see an old lineage again."

"Since you achieved your Dao Foundation with the Earth Evil Mysterious Skill, there is no doubt about your identity."

"Junior Brother, back when the Jade Void Sect was destroyed, I heard the Bright Void Sect met with disaster soon after?"

When he had fled to the East Sea, he was just a lowly Qi Refining Cultivator and wasn’t clear on what happened afterward.

"That’s right," Zhu Ju nodded.

"The Bright Void Sect couldn’t escape its fate either. All the Golden Core Grandmasters died in battle, and the Dao Foundation Cultivators also suffered heavy losses."

"All the Dao Foundation Cultivators of the Dragon Head Lineage were wiped out, and the Sect was forced to move to the Ten Thousand Mountains."

"..." Yann Ying’s expression was complicated.

"Dazhou!"

He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, remaining silent. Only after a long while did he let out a long sigh and come back to his senses.

"Junior Brother."

"After leaving the Jade Void Sect, I fled to the East Sea, where I met and fell in love with my wife. With the help of the Yann Family, I achieved my Dao Foundation. I am now a member of the Yann Family. When I changed my surname, I swore an oath that in this life, I would no longer be a disciple of the Jade Void Sect. Therefore, I will not speak of vengeance."

He paused in thought for a moment before saying,

"If you join the Yunjing Commerce Association, the Yann Family will provide a Dao Foundation lineage and an annual stipend of one thousand Spirit Stones."

"As for other benefits, we can discuss those later."

"Senior Brother," Zhu Ju began, reminding him,

"I intend to return to the Ten Thousand Mountains."

"Of course," Yann Ying smiled.

"The fact that you still have a Sect to return to, Junior Brother, truly makes me envious. I will certainly not stand in your way."

"First, you’ll sign a twenty-year contract. After twenty years, you can leave whenever you wish."

"Also..."

He chuckled.

"You probably aren’t familiar with the Yunjing Commerce Association’s situation, Junior Brother. This will also benefit your return to the Ten Thousand Mountains."

"Oh!" Zhu Ju looked puzzled.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu," Cui Li spoke up from the side.

"The Yunjing Commerce Association is a group of traveling merchants. They traverse the East Sea Territory, moving back and forth between north and south, never staying in one place for long."

"Soon, the Yunjing Commerce Association will head south. They travel for a month, then stop for a month. In twenty years, they’ll probably be near the Ten Thousand Mountains."

"So that’s how it is." A look of joy appeared on Zhu Ju’s face.

"Senior Brother, allow me to consider it. I will give you an answer within seven days."

’He couldn’t just take their word for it. He needed to make his own inquiries and verify the information before giving a response.’

"As you should," Yann Ying nodded.

"I will await your good news, Junior Brother."

* * *

Seven days passed in a flash.

After making inquiries through various channels, Zhu Ju finally understood the Yunjing Commerce Association’s situation.

It was a mobile commerce association, or rather, a floating marketplace that traded with various powers throughout the East Sea Territory.

It was similar to the traveling merchants and peddlers of Mortal society, only far more powerful, and the goods they traded were no Mortal Grade items.

The Yann Family was the master of the Commerce Association.

The Commerce Association currently had no Golden Core Grandmaster presiding over it, but it was protected by a Tier Three Array. Even a Golden Core Grandmaster wouldn’t dare to force their way in.

Yann Ying had, after all, married into the family and changed his surname, so he wasn’t particularly favored by the Yann Family. However, as a Dao Foundation Cultivator, his status was naturally not low.

’There’s an acquaintance, it’s on the way, and the constraints are loose. There’s no reason not to agree.’

’Besides...’

’The Yann Family has produced Array Masters for generations. If I could get my hands on a Grand Array and integrate it into The Investiture of the Gods...’

’...wouldn’t my strength increase dramatically?’

"Junior Brother."

Yann Ying received Zhu Ju at an inn.

"Have you made your decision?"

"I have," Zhu Ju nodded.

"I accept the offer to join the Yunjing Commerce Association."

"HAHA..." Yann Ying was overjoyed and laughed.

"I knew you would agree, Junior Brother."

"Oh, right!"

"Before joining the Commerce Association, you’ll need to kill a Demon Beast to prove your strength. Don’t worry, Junior Brother, it’s just a formality. We won’t give you too difficult a target."

He gestured with his hand.

"These two are also Dao Foundation Cultivators from the Commerce Association. Let me introduce you."