My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Chapter 356: Chapter 85: Yuan Zheng’s Visit

Zhang Xinghuai’s few simple words, when put into practice, described a life-or-death struggle where every step could lead to ruin.

He then went on to detail some of the policies he had implemented in the Northwest Region, such as land distribution, military colonization, and tax reform.

Finally, he concluded, "With the administrative plans I’ve enacted over these past few years, I have proven that without the constraints of the Divine Dao, the lives of the common people will improve. Of course, human nature is complex, and many minor details still have their flaws. But it is precisely these flaws that make the world real, not the distorted world painted by the Divine Dao!"

"I agree. The world and life itself contain not only joy, but also sorrow. That is the complete Dao. It’s like good and evil—extreme benevolence is not so different from extreme evil. Just like the madmen of ’the first day’!"

Yu Lian added in agreement with Zhang Xinghuai after taking a sip of tea.

Wang Ping remained silent. The topic was too grand, and with his current level of cultivation, delving too deeply would not be worth the risk. It might even disrupt his train of thought.

BOOM!

Down the mountain, fireworks went off at the site of the county town’s new year festival. They were a luxury item, something ordinary people could never afford.

But Zhonghui County could afford it. The flower boats on the river, in particular, were practically raking in gold every day. Setting off some fireworks for the festival was a trivial expense.

"So beautiful!"

Yang Rong exclaimed in admiration.

Xia Wen Yi, however, looked at Wang Yang and asked, "How much did it cost?"

"One hundred thousand taels of silver!"

Wang Yang answered casually. The wealthiest family in Zhonghui County Town was undoubtedly Wang Ping’s, but the Wang Family also shouldered many responsibilities. Whenever the county town held a large gathering, it was always the Wang Family that provided the funding.

"This money would be better spent on the Northwest Army’s military fund."

Xia Wen Yi was a pragmatist. He knew the Wang Family was funding the Northwest Court’s nominal army, and he knew what the family’s intentions were, but he didn’t see anything wrong with it.

Wang Yang picked up his cup, drained it, and didn’t discuss the topic with Xia Wen Yi.

Wang Ping stopped Zhang Xinghuai, who was about to continue discussing the situation in the Northwest. "It’s a rare Spring Festival," he said. "Let’s not talk about official business tonight."

With that, he rose and walked toward the people playing Go in the pavilion.

...

The night passed quickly.

Except for Zhang Xinghuai and Hu Qianqian, all the juniors had gone down the mountain to have fun in Zhonghui City.

In the pavilion, Wang Ping and Zuo Xuan were now the ones facing each other over the Go board. Liu Chang stood beside Wang Ping, occasionally refilling their wine cups. Guangxuan was beside Zuo Xuan, diligently recording his moves and, from time to time, asking the nearby Zhang Xinghuai questions about the game.

By the time the game reached its middle stage, the juniors had returned happily from the foot of the mountain. And so, another leisurely day passed.

This continued until the fifth day of the new year, when it was time for those who had to leave to depart.

Wang Ping spoke with each of them.

The first to say goodbye was Su Hai, who had to return to the North.

"Be more steady when you’re out in the world. When you encounter trouble, don’t try to be a hero. The first principle of handling matters is to protect yourself wisely. Do you understand?" Seeing Su Hai, Wang Ping couldn’t help but think of his junior brother, Su Dun, and that dilapidated side room.

"Yes, Master, I understand!"

"The Demon Soldier you’ve merged with is already showing signs of evolving. The murderous aura it carries is well-suited to your current environment. If you have trouble when it evolves, remember to write back... No, writing back is too slow. Go directly to Princess Xia Yao. I’ll write you a letter."

As he spoke, Wang Ping took out a brush and paper and wrote a letter in front of Su Hai.

Su Hai respectfully accepted the letter, a hint of excitement on his face. Then, he knelt and performed a deep kowtow.

Next to say his farewell was Zhang Xinghuai.

Wang Ping gave him an Armor Talisman and said, "I know you’re still brooding over Second Senior Brother’s death. On one hand, you’re desperate to prove the Court was wrong, and on the other, you want to find his killer. You’re cooperating with the Jimin Association for the sake of revenge, aren’t you?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Xinghuai admitted it without hesitation. "I wouldn’t dare deceive you, Martial Uncle. I am already preparing to join the Jimin Association!"

Wang Ping sighed inwardly. "You’ve completed your apprenticeship now and have your own ideas, so it’s not my place to say too much. But let me give you a warning: be careful of the Jimin Association’s Saint."

"This disciple already has his own Dao. Even a true Saint cannot sway my thoughts!"

Zhang Xinghuai’s tone was confident.

Wang Ping wanted to say more, but on second thought, he realized this wasn’t something that could be settled with just a few words, so he chose to remain silent.

For the others after Zhang Xinghuai, Wang Ping had much less to say, as they were all still in the Southern Cultivation Realm and he could see them on normal occasions.

「Noon on the seventh day.」

Qianmu Temple, which had returned to its usual tranquility, was suddenly filled with the roars of Spiritual Creatures.

Wang Ping, who was busy in his woodworking shop, instantly transformed into a streak of light and appeared above the area where Yang Hou was in seclusion. Spiritual Creatures were trying to break through the array, but they were all being destroyed by the churning Wood Spirit Qi.

After these past few days of transition, the Spirit Veins in Yang Hou’s body had mostly fused with the Wood Spirit. The last remaining Spirit Veins were now growing normally. This step was both crucial and perilous; if the Spirit Veins were allowed to grow excessively, he could die and his Dao would vanish.

"His state of mind is fine. The Wood Spirit Qi in the Dao Field is insufficient, which is making the Spiritual Creatures sense an opportunity!"

Yu Lian advised Wang Ping after observing Yang Hou for a moment.

Wang Ping formed a spell with his hands, redirecting the Wood Spirit Qi gathered by the Wood Element Formation within the Nine Extremes Array to this Dao Field. At the same time, he manifested his Primordial Spirit Consciousness and forcibly cleansed the mutated Wood Spirit Qi that had appeared in some areas of the Dao Field.

"He should succeed in a few more days, right?" Yu Cheng Taoist appeared beside them.

"Yes!"

Wang Ping nodded. "But these next few days are also the most dangerous."

Yu Cheng Taoist stroked his long beard and said, "Fellow Daoist Yuan Zheng sent a letter. He said he’ll arrive this afternoon. He’s helped us a great deal in the past, so you should be the one to receive him. I’ll keep an eye on things here."

"Alright!"

Yuan Zheng Taoist arrived with Monk Le Yuan.

This was a formal visit, not like the furtive meetings before, because this connection no longer needed to be hidden.

Wang Ping personally welcomed the two at the mountain gate and led them directly to the Mountain Peak Dojo. Like everyone else visiting the Mountain Peak Dojo for the first time, Le Yuan praised its environment.

"Compared to this place of yours, my Dao Field isn’t fit for human habitation." Yuan Zheng held a deep grudge against his own barren Dao Field.

Smiling, Wang Ping invited the two into the courtyard. After they were seated, he watched the eager yet feigning-calm Yuan Zheng with some amusement and took out the wooden box that sealed Yuan Hu’s Spirit Body.

"This is what you came for!"

Wang Ping handed the wooden box to Yuan Zheng.

Yuan Zheng could no longer keep up his pretense. He snatched the box as fast as he could, extending his Primordial Spirit Consciousness to inspect the sealed Spirit Body inside. Upon confirming the intact furnace and Samadhi True Flame within the Spirit Body’s Sea of Qi, his face bloomed into a wide grin.

"Just as we agreed, I only need the Samadhi True Flame. Once this is done, I’ll figure out a way to refine a batch of Nine Revolutions Pills. As for this excellent Spirit Body, it can only reach its full potential in your hands, Fellow Daoist." Yuan Zheng said with a warm smile, "After I successfully advance to the Third Realm, perhaps I can help you use the intact furnace within this Spirit Body to refine the Samadhi True Flame once more."

This was, in effect, his extra payment.