My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Chapter 359: Chapter 88: Barrier Formation Completed

September.

It was already late autumn, but the weather in the south was still pleasant. The lush greenery blanketing Qianmu Mountain hadn’t faded in the slightest. Beyond the mountain, in the vast stretches of fertile farmland, the second rice harvest of the year was underway. The fields were a sea of gold, shimmering like brilliant treasure from a distance.

Five days after Wang Ping received Guan Xi’s letter, the five cultivators Zi Luan had mentioned entered Qianmu Temple in secret. Three of them were Second Realm Cultivators. They performed a full kowtow to Wang Ping, and immediately after, they eagerly entered the underground secret chamber to begin their seclusion. It seemed they didn’t want to waste a single drop of the energy they had left.

After they entered the secret chamber, Wang Ping summoned two puppets he had crafted and placed them inside to monitor the cultivators in their Death Seclusion, ensuring they wouldn’t continue to occupy the space after death.

「Five more days passed.」

The Two Yang Spirit Gathering Array unleashed an Energy Light Pillar that shot toward the heavens, merging with the Spiritual Qi beneath the clouds.

The Barrier Formation’s energy was now sufficient!

Wang Ping appeared on the top floor of the pavilion built above the Three Yin Spirit Gathering Array, observing the Array Runes operating across the ceiling and walls.

’It’s very stable. It exists in a cycle of mutual generation and restraint with the nearby Two Yang Spirit Gathering Array, creating a relatively natural energy supply. After it runs for a while longer, it will become even more natural.’

"Should we test it?"

Yu Lian’s voice was filled with anticipation and excitement.

Just then, Yu Cheng Taoist’s figure appeared beside Wang Ping. He gazed at the core in the center of the pavilion’s ceiling and said, "Back when Master was still with us, we had an even larger Barrier Formation than this one. It was set up at the main gate of what is now Sanhe Temple. Unfortunately, by the time I managed to escape back here, most of the buildings had been buried, and all the treasures within the sect were plundered."

Hearing his master’s somber words, Wang Ping couldn’t help but recall when he and Zi Luan had plotted against Mozhou Road. Back then, they had been like bandits themselves, plundering every valuable treasure in sight.

"Heaven may have taken the first half of my life, but it brought you to me as a disciple when I was at my lowest. I suppose it hasn’t treated me too poorly." A faint smile appeared on Yu Cheng Taoist’s face as he said this.

Wang Ping replied respectfully, "It is all thanks to your care, Master, that I have been able to achieve what I have today."

Hearing this, the smile on Yu Cheng Taoist’s face deepened.

Wang Ping took out three identical wooden tokens. They were crafted from Centennial Spirit Wood, and their surfaces were all carved with the same Array Runes. As they neared the Barrier Formation’s core, the runes glowed with a faint violet halo.

"These are the Control Tokens. Activating one with your Primordial Spirit will raise the barrier. If the Spirit Gathering Array’s energy is insufficient while it’s active, it will consume some of the True Essence from your Qi Sea." Wang Ping handed one of the tokens to Yu Cheng Taoist.

Yu Cheng Taoist took the token and, under Wang Ping’s watchful gaze, manifested his Primordial Spirit and activated it.

Instantly, a pale violet barrier spread out from the pavilion, enveloping most of Qianmu Mountain in the blink of an eye.

At that moment, every disciple in Qianmu Temple stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky. Most of them weren’t surprised, as the sect’s project to create a Barrier Formation was no longer a secret.

"The stored energy is still insufficient. It can only cover two-thirds of the sect’s territory for now." As he spoke, Yu Cheng Taoist transformed into a streak of light and appeared in the sky above Qianmu Temple.

Wang Ping naturally followed, appearing at his master’s side.

"It can last for an hour!" Yu Cheng Taoist said, dispelling the barrier as he spoke.

"I just observed the energy stored in the core. It’s not even at ten percent capacity. I estimate that once it’s fully charged, it will easily cover the entire Qianmu Temple and can be sustained for a day or two."

"That’s more than enough!"

Yu Cheng Taoist nodded, then looked at Wang Ping and said, "If we have a Third Realm Cultivator presiding over it, the barrier could even withstand the fierce assault of another Third Realm Cultivator for several hours. If we ever run into serious trouble, I’ll ask Fellow Daoist Tianshan to come and help. However, you will be the one to repay the favor for his assistance."

"Understood."

As Wang Ping nodded, he glanced toward the mountain gate. A familiar figure was flying up from the base of the mountain. The person even formally presented a visiting card.

It was Guan Xi!

As he presented the card, he met Wang Ping’s gaze from the sky.

"Is that your friend from the Jimin Association?" Yu Cheng Taoist asked.

"Yes."

"You go and receive him. Since he possesses the power of a Lord, don’t try to force things. Compromise where you can." After offering this advice, Yu Cheng Taoist descended to his own Dao Field behind Qianmu Mountain.

Wang Ping descended directly to the mountain gate, cupped his fists, and said, "Fellow Daoist, I trust you are well?"

Guan Xi continued the pleasantries, saying, "I’ve been running all over the Eastern Continent for that matter we discussed. I’ve only just had a moment to catch my breath, and I came straight here to give you my report."

"..."

Wang Ping was stunned for a moment. He probably hadn’t expected Guan Xi to actually run with his polite opening. But it was only a brief pause before he extended an invitation, "Let’s talk at my Dao Field."

"Very well."

After replying, Guan Xi looked at Yu Lian and greeted her, "Fellow Daoist Yu Lian, it’s been a while."

Yu Lian flicked her forked tongue and spoke in a human voice, "It’s been less than a year. That’s not so long."

"..."

"This way, please..."

Wang Ping extended the invitation again, transforming into a streak of light and heading for the Mountain Peak Dojo.

Guan Xi followed close behind.

"I’ve been to so many places, but I still find your home the most reassuring, Fellow Daoist. It’s like a paradise hidden from the world." Guan Xi remarked softly as he landed.

"There’s no such thing as a paradise in this world." Wang Ping shook his head, gesturing for Guan Xi to sit at the Stone Table beneath a nearby Spirit Wood Tree.

"True enough."

As Guan Xi sat down, Yu Lian spoke to Wang Ping in his Spirit Sea, "I can’t detect this guy’s spiritual nature at all. That’s never happened before."

Just as Wang Ping registered his surprise, Guan Xi looked at Yu Lian and said, "Believing in the Saint allows one to do many things. For example, hiding one’s own spiritual nature."

As he spoke, his body erupted with a spiritual nature so potent that Wang Ping could sense it without even needing to probe with his Primordial Spirit.

"How amazing,"

Yu Lian said in her human voice.

But Guan Xi shook his head. "The Saint is omnipotent. Therefore, this is not amazing at all."

Wang Ping gave a light wave toward the nearby courtyard, and the brazier from within immediately flew over to the Stone Table. He lit the charcoal inside it and said, "You must have made some progress this time. According to our previous agreement, I have the right to know the follow-up intelligence, correct?"

"Correct. Rest assured, I have no intention of going back on my word."

Guan Xi met Wang Ping’s gaze and said, "I followed the trail from Yang Guangyuan’s memories and traced it to a branch of the First Sect within the East Continent River Country. From there, the trail led back here, to Hai Zhou Road in your Southern Cultivation Realm."

"Hai Zhou Road? Are you certain?"

Wang Ping’s expression grew grim. Yu Lian flew over from the courtyard and placed a kettle, which she had been carrying with her tail, onto the brazier.

Guan Xi nodded with certainty. "I’m certain. Hai Zhou Road. Daoist Hengle, the Observatory Master of Lishan Bamboo Text Temple. He cultivates the *Taiyan Talisman*, just like you. He’s currently one of the three Patrol Envoys of the Daoist Scripture Hall in Hai Zhou Road."

Wang Ping suddenly remembered the earlier intelligence report about the unrest in Mozhou Road spreading to Hai Zhou Road. He immediately asked Guan Xi if there was a connection.