My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

As the seawater surged, Wang Ping immediately cut off his supply of True Essence to Tongyu. Yu Lian was already channeling her Spiritual Qi, preparing for Sword Control, while Wang Ping took out two Power Pills, ready to activate them at a moment’s notice.

But nothing happened. The moment Wang Ping cut off the supply of True Essence, the puppet that had just burst from the water plummeted like a kite with a snapped string. It sent up a great splash as it sank toward the seabed, only for its own buoyancy to slowly bring it back to the surface.

"You’re a suspicious one. But in the world of cultivation, if you don’t think things through, you’ll never live to ascend to the next Great Realm. My problem was always being too trusting..."

As Tongyu Taoist rambled on, Wang Ping took the opportunity to get a good look at the puppet floating on the surface of the sea.

It looked no different from a person, but Wang Ping could sense it had no internal organs. Instead, there were only countless intricate gears and mechanical devices. Even its facial features were merely carved on.

"What do you think of this piece? To create it, I had to specifically study Artifact Refining, Mechanical Technique, painting, and sculpting, all just to make it so lifelike."

When Tongyu Taoist spoke of the puppet, the gloom vanished from his tone, replaced by a flicker of vitality. "After you get back, replace its core with a Wood Spirit-attribute Celestial and Earthly Treasure. Then you can try to refine it for yourself."

Wang Ping stepped forward, examining the puppet more closely. Every single one of its components had been refined with Nether Qi. In a pinch, it could even be used as a shield to block an attack from an Entering Cultivator.

"Alright, let’s head back first."

...

「Six days later.」

After Zhao Qing organized his men to excavate all the Earth Vein Iron Ore from the area of the underground palace assigned to Qianmu Temple, they began to pack up and prepare to return.

「Another six days passed.」

The group returned safely to Shang’an Prefecture. Zhao Qing first led the disciples to the Daoist Scripture Hall to register their completion of the mission and claim their exchange points. The Daoist Scripture Hall was especially generous this time; every person had earned enough points to trade for the materials needed for a small Spirit Gathering Array.

Wang Ping’s points, however, were divided into sect points and personal points. After he entered the Daoist Scripture Hall and revealed his identity, the attending Qi Cultivator immediately invited him up to the second floor.

Before long, a familiar figure appeared before Wang Ping. It was Hongchen Taoist, who had been present to observe when Wang Ping was questioned by the Commander of the Imperial Guard after Gao Ding’s death. He entered, clasped his fists in a polite salute to Wang Ping, and said, "Fellow Daoist Changqing, we meet again..."

"Fellow Daoist Hongchen, what a coincidence." Wang Ping rose and returned the salute.

"This is no coincidence. I was waiting here specifically for you," Hongchen said bluntly. "During the Daoist Scripture Hall’s conscription, you turned in an extraordinary Demon Soldier. For this, the Hall has rewarded your Qianmu Temple with a Water Spirit Vein, and I am the one overseeing the matter."

"Then I must thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist..." Wang Ping said, clasping his fists.

"It is my duty. There’s no need for such politeness, Fellow Daoist..."

Hongchen took out a register. "Furthermore, I’ve also handled the registration of your exchange points... Your personal total for this period is two thousand one hundred points, and the sect total is five thousand. Could you please check if the missions recorded here are accurate?"

Wang Ping didn’t stand on ceremony this time. He took the register and flipped through it. It detailed every mission he had undertaken, which awarded anywhere from fifty to five hundred points depending on the situation. The mission in Yuma County had earned him the maximum of five hundred points. According to the Daoist Scripture Hall’s rules, five hundred points was enough to request the purchase of a Celestial and Earthly Treasure, though the cost in silver still had to be paid separately.

The sect exchange points were a fixed five thousand. Compensation for disciples who had fallen in battle was handled separately.

"Everything looks correct."

Wang Ping handed the register back to Hongchen.

Hongchen took it back, produced a brush tipped with cinnabar, and casually made a checkmark in the register. "The Water Spirit Vein doesn’t require any exchange points," he said. "Is there anything else you need, Fellow Daoist?"

Wang Ping thought for a moment. "I need a Spirit Pet, preferably a support type, with an innate ancestral memory." He was asking on behalf of Liu Shuang.

"One should take their time when choosing a Spirit Pet. I have a catalog here; you can take it back to study at your leisure, Fellow Daoist." Hongchen then produced a colorful, illustrated booklet from his storage pouch.

As Wang Ping took the booklet and began to flip through it, Hongchen added, "The site requirements for a Water Spirit Vein are second only to those for a Fire Spirit Vein. The Daoist Scripture Hall will dispatch two to five Qi Cultivators skilled in observing qi to assess the environment around the Thousand Wood Peak mountain range and provide suitable recommendations. Of course, your sect will be responsible for their fees."

"Alright, that’s no problem."

"Good. In that case, I’m pretty much done here..."

Hongchen stood up, and Wang Ping rose as well. Just as Wang Ping thought he was about to take his leave, Hongchen’s expression turned grim. He asked gravely, "After the final battle at Yongming Port, I was responsible for registering the losses for each sect. I discovered that all the Qi Cultivators from the Iron Art Sect and the White Water Sect who were assigned to your flank are listed as missing. Do you happen to know anything about that, Fellow Daoist?"

"I’m not sure. I only know what happened with Mars Taoist and Guangxuan Taoist," Wang Ping replied, his expression unchanging. He then countered with a question of his own, "If you find anything out, Fellow Daoist, I hope you’ll inform me. After all, we all faced life and death together out there."

"A special mission debriefing will be delivered to you in one month’s time." A faint smile touched Hongchen’s lips as he put the register back into his storage pouch. "The affair at Yongming Port led to the deaths of many Sixth Seats. If you have anyone to recommend, Fellow Daoist, you should submit their names as soon as possible."

"Alright!"

Wang Ping clasped his fists in thanks. "Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist."

To become a new Sixth Seat in the Daoist Scripture Hall, one needed a recommendation from an existing Sixth Seat. And behind most Sixth Seats stood the influence of Fifth and Fourth Seats. Wang Ping was a case in point. He would definitely have to consult Yu Cheng Taoist about his recommendation, because he had relied on that very relationship to secure his own position as a Sixth Seat. Now, it was time to repay the favor.

...

After bidding farewell to Hongchen, Wang Ping went downstairs.

The ordinary disciples had already departed from the main hall downstairs; only Liu Shuang and Zhao Qing were still there, waiting for him.

"Master, do you think I should buy materials for Spirit Gathering, or a Magical Artifact?" Liu Shuang asked, running over to him the moment he appeared.

"I’ll buy the Spirit Gathering materials for you," Wang Ping decided for her. "There’s no rush for a Magical Artifact. Once you complete your Foundation Establishment, the temple will craft one for you."

"Thank you, Master!" Liu Shuang was much more composed than she used to be. ’In the past, this kind of news would have had her dancing for joy. Time really flies. Decades have passed in the blink of an eye!’

"And what about Junior Brother?"

"Don’t you worry, I’ve made preparations of my own!"

「Three days later.」

Wang Ping once again found himself looking at the familiar steps before the main gate of Qianmu Temple.

He ascended the steps and saw all the temple’s disciples gathered at the gate. There was no festive ceremony; people had died this time, and several new graves would soon be added behind the training grounds.

Wang Ping greeted his junior brothers and then immediately headed toward the back mountain. Just as always, Yu Cheng Taoist was sitting placidly at the Stone Table, sipping tea and reading a book.

"You’re back?"

"Yes!"

"Come, sit. I’ve just brewed a pot of good tea, and I made it just the way you like."

Wang Ping preferred his tea plain, without any added spices. A happy smile spread across his face as he watched Yu Cheng Taoist take out a teacup for him, and he walked over to sit at the Stone Table.