My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

In a corner of a cavern beneath the Mountain Peak Dojo, an area roughly thirty feet deep was as bright as day outside. Four cushions were placed around an incense burner.

Beneath the cushions and on the nearby cavern walls, countless Array Runes were hidden from view. They connected to the communication relay device in the palace halfway down the mountain.

Wang Ping led Yu Lian to the main cushion on the left. After they sat, he activated the Array Core beneath the incense burner. As streams of Wood Spirit Qi flowed through, the Array Runes above and below enveloped the small area, forming a specific, isolated space.

The space trembled, and the ethereal yet lifelike figures of Wu Quan, Ganxing, and Zi Luan appeared on the other three cushions.

"What’s so urgent? I’m busy over here!"

Those words came from Ganxing. His projected consciousness was the faintest, likely because he was too far from the relay point.

Wu Quan chuckled and asked, "Where are you right now?"

"The Western Continent, in a small tribe in the south. They’re using some kind of Secret Technique from the Yuqing Sect to raise a Spirit Beast that can accelerate crop growth. A Demon Soldier is gestating inside it, one that is incredibly compatible with my soul. I’m waiting for it to advance."

"What kind of Spirit Beast is it?" Yu Lian asked curiously.

"A carp. It must have been discovered right after it gained sentience. Its mind was artificially suppressed, and several steel nails engraved with Yuqing Magic runes were implanted in its body. The nails inside it control its thoughts and actions every day, forcing it to irrigate the crops on both sides of its river. Crops irrigated by it not only grow faster but are also free from pests."

Ganxing quickly explained, "Over the years, one of the steel nails inside it has been influenced by the carp’s chaotic thoughts. Nourished by Spiritual Qi, it has already transformed into a Demon Soldier and is still evolving on its own. When its evolution is complete, I’m afraid no one in this small tribe will survive."

Yu Lian said resentfully, "They deserve it. If you toy with another’s fate, you should be prepared for the reckoning."

Ganxing smiled but didn’t respond to her comment. He looked at Zi Luan and asked, "Has something happened on Nanlin Road? If the Loose Cultivator Alliance is needed, we will give our full support." He made his stance clear from the start.

Upon hearing this, Zi Luan first turned to glance at Wang Ping before speaking. "The Chu Kingdom Court is on the verge of collapse. The Imperial Family, in particular. Their Entering Cultivators have been schemed against by the major families for the past six months, and now they’ve suffered heavy casualties. I’ve received reliable information that they’re already planning to enthrone a new Emperor. Even the Imperial Guard outside Jinhuai City is showing signs of unrest."

"Although we’ve had some minor conflicts with the Imperial Family before, they were always within our control and never threatened the foundations of the Chu Country. If the Chu Country descends into chaos now, I’m afraid none of us will be able to pursue Pure Cultivation in peace."

Wang Ping immediately understood what Zi Luan meant.

Currently, the four of them controlled the Chu Kingdom Court, and the Southern Cultivation Realm was united under their influence. The various sects and schools had to consider their reputations before acting. Furthermore, the Cultivators who allied with them helped deflect minor, unnecessary troubles.

When the conflict with the Court had occurred before, the four of them had sent their disciples to intervene precisely to protect these interests.

But if the Chu Country fragmented as a result, with local factions governing themselves, that unity would be lost. Their interests, which were spread across the south, would be carved up by other sects and powerful families over time.

Take the simplest, most common example: merchant caravans. Their caravans, whether traveling north or south, would have to pay taxes at every checkpoint. Gathering materials for an Array, which might take a month now, could take a year or even several years in the future.

What’s worse, in a chaotic situation, some sects would develop ambitions and unite to challenge Qianmu Temple or the Six Heart Sect!

Furthermore, the Southern Cultivation Realm wasn’t exactly small. There were at least several dozen ordinary Third Realm Cultivators. In times of peace, they might be restrained, but in a chaotic situation, they would most likely try to fish in troubled waters to advance their own cultivation.

Therefore, for their own interests and for future stability, the Chu Country could fall into chaos, but the Southern Cultivation Realm could not!

However, the True Monarchs had decreed that Cultivators at the Second Realm Cultivation or higher could not participate in the struggles of the Mortal World. The influx of numerous Entering Cultivators and Qi Cultivators into society had created a situation where the Cultivation Realm and the mortal sphere were both separate and inextricably linked.

As a result, if the Chu Country descended into chaos, the very foundation of the Cultivation Realm would follow!

"Should we intervene?"

Wu Quan looked first at Wang Ping, then at Zi Luan.

Ganxing said, "My position remains the same. I’ll fully support any decision you make, but I don’t have time to return."

Zi Luan didn’t answer, looking instead to Wang Ping.

Wang Ping turned to meet Zi Luan’s gaze and said, "I agree we should intervene, but the four of us alone aren’t enough!"

"You mean Zhi Gong?"

"She probably needs a stable environment more than we do. Besides, her master is Wan Zhi Daoist."

"A good reason. So good I can’t refuse."

As he spoke, Zi Luan looked toward Wu Quan.

Wu Quan immediately said, "I also agree to intervene. But what’s the specific plan?"

Zi Luan said, "First, we stabilize Nanlin Road, then the Liangjiang Region. Fellow Daoist Ganxing, most of your disciples are active in the Liangjiang Region. I trust there’s no problem leaving that to you?"

"No problem!"

As Ganxing agreed, Zi Luan turned back to Wang Ping and said, "That Fellow Daoist of yours who joined Qianmu Temple, Ruan Chunzi, was once the Vice Sect Leader of the True Yang Sect. He has influence in the Liangjiang Region. Find a way to have his disciples make a trip there."

"Alright!"

Wang Ping nodded in agreement.

Zi Luan continued, "After this meeting, we each need to secretly send ten Entry-level Disciples into Jinhuai City. First, we’ll resolve the issue with the Imperial Guard, but it would be best if our disciples don’t get directly involved."

He looked at Wang Ping as he said this.

After he finished, Wang Ping naturally accepted. "I’ll figure something out, but your people will need to provide some support in the Court."

"Don’t worry!"

Seeing the two had finished their discussion, Wu Quan interjected, "We still need to find a way to unify Zhongzhou and settle the ownership of the Divine Artifact. Once that’s done, the rules set by those above will be automatically lifted."

Ganxing shook his head. "We can’t be the ones to lead that effort."

"Right!"

"I agree!" Wang Ping and Zi Luan chimed in one after the other.

Wu Quan frowned and asked, "Then what should we do?"

"We can only wait!" Wang Ping’s answer was firm.

Wu Quan looked at Wang Ping and asked, "How long do we have to wait?"

"Why are you so impatient? This isn’t like you," Ganxing said, looking at Wu Quan strangely.

"If you had an arch-nemesis right beside you, plotting to advance to the Fourth Realm, could you remain composed?" Wu Quan shot back.

"Are you planning something for Zhi Gong Daoist’s advancement ritual?" Ganxing asked with a smile.

Wu Quan just shook his head and said nothing.

After Wu Quan and Ganxing’s half-joking exchange ended, Zi Luan looked at Wang Ping and said, "Contact Zhi Gong as soon as possible. Just inform her; there’s no need to meet in person."

He cut off his projected consciousness as soon as he finished speaking. Ganxing followed, departing in a hurry, and finally Wu Quan.

At that moment, Yu Lian said, "I never would have thought that you all would be stumped by a group of mortals. Perhaps this is the very effect the True Monarchs wanted."

Wang Ping didn’t respond. He brought out the ’Pocket World Mirror’ and, from among several hundred puppets, found a specific one he had intentionally placed within the Chu Kingdom Court. It had now risen to the rank of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

"Liu Shuang would handle this matter more quickly!" Yu Lian reminded him.

"There’s no need. It’s not a major issue, really. If things get out of control, we can still destroy the sects backing those people. But that would be a last resort."

Wang Ping opened the ’Pocket World Mirror’, revealing countless connection channels within. He said to Yu Lian, "Look. These people are like pieces on a chessboard. And in the eyes of the True Monarchs, we might be just like these pieces, too."