Cultivating in Different Professions

’Comprehended the Li Fire Realm in a single night. Tell me, who else could do that?’

A satisfied smile spread across Su Mu’s face.

Su Mu was pleasantly surprised that he had comprehended the Li Fire Realm so quickly.

This was mainly because his prior hard work had allowed him to accumulate enough Points. At the same time, his increased strength had significantly reduced the number of Points required to cultivate his martial arts.

A single martial technique, from introduction to comprehending its Force, now only required a mere 1,500 Points.

He spent 4,500 points to master the Forces of three Li Fire Lineage martial techniques.

And just like that, he comprehended the Li Fire Realm!

Before, this would have cost at least ten thousand Points.

With a thought, Su Mu summoned his system panel.

[Name: Su Mu]

[Identity: Silver-faced Killer (Concurrent), Taiping Captain (Seventh-Grade)]

[Points: 2,000]

[Realm: Blood Transformation Realm (Body Tempering Extreme Realm)]

[Divine Techniques: Indestructible Golden Body]

[Cultivation Technique: Xuanhuang Blood Exchange Technique (Perfection)...]

[Martial Arts: Li Fire Realm (Minor Success), Kan Water Realm (Great Success), Xun Wind Realm (Great Success), Gen Mountain Realm (Great Success), Archery (Perfection)]

Just as he expected, the three Li Fire Lineage Blade Forces had vanished from the system panel, replaced by the Li Fire Realm.

As he focused his mind on the Li Fire Realm, a new string of information appeared.

Li Fire Realm: Minor Success to Great Success requires 10,000 Points. Great Success to Perfection requires 100,000 Points.

Comprehending it on your own reduces the number of Points required for advancement.

This was just as Su Mu had expected.

’Blood Transformation Realm Perfection, three realms at Great Success, and one at Minor Success... I’m already leagues ahead of other Martial Artists at my level.’

Su Mu thought to himself.

To date, Su Mu had only met a handful of people who had comprehended a realm while still in the Blood Transformation Realm. Luo Anning was one; Zhong Guizheng, who had broken through on the battlefield, was another.

Generally speaking, anyone who could comprehend a realm in the Blood Transformation Realm was already a genius among geniuses.

Most Martial Artists only had a chance of comprehending a realm after reaching the Rebirth Realm.

Those who could reach the Rebirth Realm were already considered dragons among men, which just went to show how difficult realms were to comprehend.

For those in the Rebirth Realm, comprehending a realm was a one-in-ten-thousand feat. As for achieving a Great Success Realm, there might not be even one in a hundred thousand who could do it.

Even someone as powerful as the head direct disciple of the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect, who had comprehended three realms while in the Rebirth Realm, only managed to cultivate one to Great Success after breaking through to the True Essence Realm.

Achieving three Great Success Realms while still in the Blood Transformation Realm was simply unheard of.

’For most people, their Cultivation Technique progresses ahead of their martial arts. For me, it’s the other way around; my comprehension of martial arts has far outpaced my Cultivation Technique.

I wonder when Governor Zhao and the others will return. I can’t wait to start cultivating the Divine Phoenix Rebirth Technique.’

Su Mu sighed inwardly.

* * *

After the Tier Five Demon Tide, another major event shook Wuling City.

The Inspection Bureau officially opened its doors.

The estate of the Hu Family, once one of Wuling’s four great families, was completely converted into the Inspection Bureau’s headquarters.

The Inspection Bureau stood on equal footing with the City Lord’s Mansion and the Taiping Bureau. Its chief official was a Fourth-Grade Inspection Envoy, a rank equivalent to the City Lord and the Taiping Bureau Governor.

The Inspection Bureau’s duties were to conduct inspections on behalf of the throne, scrutinize all officials, and assess the state of the populace.

From this day forward, Wuling City would be governed by a triumvirate of three major powers.

The Taiping Bureau was dedicated to slaying demons, while the City Lord’s Mansion was responsible for local affairs and maintaining the city’s day-to-day operations.

The Inspection Bureau, on the other hand, was akin to the Imperial Censors of the court—they performed no practical duties, their primary function was to find fault.

The first order of business for the Inspection Bureau after its establishment was to reopen the investigation into the remnants of the Profound Nether Sect.

"The Profound Nether Sect brought chaos to the world, yet your Taiping Bureau allowed its remnants to escape. This is dereliction of duty."

So said the Fourth-Grade Inspection Envoy, Dai Jin, right to Wan Qing’s face.

"If not for the Taiping Bureau’s incompetence, which allowed the Profound Nether Sect’s remnants to escape, how could the Tier Five Demon Tide have been triggered?

Considering that your Taiping Bureau managed to protect Wuling City during the Demon Tide, I will overlook your dereliction of duty for now. But I will be reopening the investigation into the Profound Nether Sect’s remnants, and I will see to it they are hunted down to the last man!"

His reasoning sounded grand and righteous; after all, it was true that members of the Hu Family had escaped from the Taiping Bureau’s custody.

Even Wan Qing could not refute this point.

In reality, no one could be certain whether the Tier Five Demon Tide was truly connected to the remnants of the Hu Family.

But proving it *wasn’t* connected to them would be just as difficult.

"The ones who first discovered the Profound Nether Sect remnants raising Corpse Demons were your Taiping Captains, correct? Have them take me to the site of the initial discovery. I will conduct a thorough investigation!"

Dai Jin demanded.

Wan Qing’s eyes narrowed. Hearing this, even a fool would have understood Dai Jin’s true objective.

"Captain Su and Captain Luo are both currently on assignment..."

Wan Qing began to refuse.

"Captain Wan, I am not discussing this with you. This is an order."

Dai Jin sneered. "The Inspection Bureau acts with imperial authority to scrutinize all officials. Since I am aware that remnants of the Profound Nether Sect are present in Wuling City, I must investigate until the truth is laid bare. This matter involves your Taiping Bureau, and it is your duty to cooperate with my investigation.

If you defy my command, I will report to the imperial court and charge the Wuling Taiping Bureau with the heinous crime of sheltering the Demon Dao!"

A flash of fury crossed Wan Qing’s face.

The Wuling Taiping Bureau has stood guard on the outskirts of Daxing Mountain for years. Countless members have died fighting back the demons.

And now this Dai Jin had the audacity to accuse them of sheltering the Demon Dao.

"Dai Jin, you’ve gone too far!"