Chapter 117: Chapter 115: A Guide to Becoming a Tribulation Cultivator

"That is the Cao Family’s Clan’s Magical Artifact. Some say it’s a Tier Two Upper Grade, while others say it’s a Tier Three Lower Grade. Combined with the Cao Family’s Clan Suppression Array and Spirit Vein, it’s said to be able to unleash power comparable to a Life Soul Cultivator."

Wang Daqian spoke with ease, pointing to the giant tiger statue on the mountaintop as he explained things to Fang Cheng.

"With this treasure protecting them, the Cao Family has been impregnable for many years, allowing the family to develop in peace."

"The town below is where the descendants of the Cao Family without any cultivation talent live. Occasionally, if a young child is found to have cultivation talent, they are brought up the mountain to train."

The two arrived at the foot of the mountain. A Cao Family Receptionist Cultivator asked their purpose and told them to wait where they were, then sent a servant up the mountain to report.

A short while later, a tall, thin man of about forty, dressed in fine clothes, flew down from the mountain.

The man’s features were ordinary, but his gaze was sharp, giving off a stern and severe impression, as if he never smiled.

Wang Daqian walked forward with a smile and began to exchange pleasantries with the tall, thin man.

Before they arrived, Wang Daqian had told Fang Cheng that this man was a Steward of the Cao Family. Though he looked prim and proper on the surface, he was actually quite ruthless in secret.

This Steward Cao was greedy for both wealth and women. He had a habit of making the Loose Cultivators who came to the Cao Family for work "pool their funds" to invite him to a Brothel to "relax."

After all, the Loose Cultivators who came here for work were not particularly wealthy. A single Loose Cultivator could hardly afford such a bottomless pit.

If any Loose Cultivator didn’t know how to play the game, they wouldn’t be getting any more work from the Cao Family.

When it was Wang Daqian’s turn to introduce Fang Cheng to Steward Cao, Fang Cheng immediately stepped forward and discreetly passed two Spirit Stones into the steward’s hand.

Steward Cao accepted the Spirit Stones without batting an eye, his expression softening considerably. He then led the two of them toward the back of the mountain.

On the back mountain of the Cao Family estate was an orchard.

The fruit trees in the forest were all thick enough for a person to wrap their arms around, and they were laden with Spirit Fruits that resembled the jackfruit Fang Cheng had seen in his previous life.

Hanging from the trees were also many Demon Vines as thick as a person’s arm!

Once these Demon Vines sensed fluctuations in Spiritual Power or the approach of lifeblood and vitality, they would be stimulated, lashing out and coiling around their target. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The Demon Vines were covered in sharp thorns that could easily pierce a Cultivator’s Protective Spiritual Light.

Once trapped by the Demon Vines, one could suffer injuries to their muscles and bones in a light case. In a severe case, their lifeblood would decay, and they could even be in mortal danger.

Wang Daqian had brought Fang Cheng here to pick fruit for the Cao Family!

Six hours of picking a day would earn them three Spirit Stones.

Of course, if they could finish the task in their assigned area early, they could also collect their Spirit Stones and leave ahead of schedule.

When Fang Cheng and Wang Daqian arrived, there were already seven or eight Loose Cultivators at work.

Their bodies flickered with spiritual light as they moved nimbly through the woods, dodging the lashing and coiling Demon Vines while using their techniques to pick the Spirit Fruits from the trees.

If a Loose Cultivator was struck, they would cry out in pain and hastily retreat from the orchard. Only after resting and recovering for a while would they go back in.

After Fang Cheng and Wang Daqian received their assignment, Steward Cao left.

Wang Daqian winked and chuckled. "Younger Brother, this job is just a cover. We come out once in a while to stretch our legs. Think of it as relaxing our Dao Heart."

Fang Cheng couldn’t help but laugh. "If one could do this year-round, it would be over a thousand Spirit Stones a year. That’s not a bad deal."

Wang Daqian lowered his voice. "Every month, you have to take out at least two Spirit Stones to invite Steward Cao to a feast in the market city... and for *that other thing*."

With that, he gave Fang Cheng a look that said, *you know what I mean.*

Near Netherworld Valley, there was a market city jointly controlled by three major families. It was located north of the Cao Family’s estate and wasn’t very large.

The two chatted for a bit, then went their separate ways into the orchard and began picking fruit.

Fang Cheng’s figure flickered as he dodged the viciously lashing vine-shadows. With a flick of his fingers, he shot out streams of Sword Aura, cutting down the Spirit Fruits and collecting them one by one.

He didn’t summon his Flying Sword, instead purely condensing his Magical Power into Sword Aura. Although its power was ordinary, it was clearly more than enough for picking fruit.

Wang Daqian watched this from a distance, a glimmer in his eyes.

’This younger brother’s strength seems to be even greater than I expected.’

In less than two hours, the two of them had cleared the orchard and walked out calmly.

Steward Cao was at the edge of the woods to receive the Spirit Fruits. After counting them, he recorded the tally on a Silk Book, then took out six Spirit Stones and handed three to each of them.

Subtracting the two Spirit Stones Fang Cheng had given as a gift, he had made a net profit of one Spirit Stone.

Fortunately, the channel for earning Spirit Stones had now been established. The next time he came, there would be no need for another gift.

However, the monthly Spirit Stones pooled to cover Steward Cao’s expenses could not be skipped.

In this world, even finding a manual labor job required an initial investment!

"Xiaowang, your friend’s Sword Technique is quite good. How come I’ve never seen him before?" Steward Cao asked out of the blue.

Wang Daqian replied with a deferential smile, "He just moved here from the Southern Mang Mountains and doesn’t know the area or anyone. I’m just showing him the ropes."

Steward Cao grunted in acknowledgment and said, "Not bad. Come again next time."

The two bid their farewell and left.

Once they were away from the Cao Family estate, Wang Daqian sneered. "If someone were to pay Spirit Stones to have that Cao fellow killed, I’d give them a twenty percent discount."

Fang Cheng smiled faintly. "It seems the ones that Cao has offended are all poor. Otherwise, he would have lost his life long ago."

Wang Daqian gave a dark chuckle and didn’t deny it.

After a moment, he added, "That Cao fellow doesn’t have many Spirit Stones on him. Otherwise, that would be a job worth doing."

In that moment, the true nature of a Tribulation Cultivator was on full display.

The two flew all the way back to Netherworld Valley. As they were about to part ways, Wang Daqian took an invitation from his sleeve and said, "Younger Brother, in three days, I’ll be taking a concubine and holding a Dual Cultivation ceremony in my Cave Mansion. If you’re not busy, come have a celebratory drink. I’ll introduce you to some fellow cultivators then."

Fang Cheng accepted the invitation and nodded in agreement.

...

「Three days passed in a flash while Fang Cheng cultivated quietly in his Cave Mansion.」

That evening, he prepared two jars of Spirit Wine as a congratulatory gift and went to Carefree Cave once again.

Carefree Cave was adorned with festive lanterns and colorful banners. Two couplets were hung by the entrance:

In the Cave, endless ages reside.

In this small world, a universe inside.

Wang Daqian, dressed in a brand-new groom’s wedding robe, was standing at the entrance of the Cave Mansion, beaming and full of vigor as he welcomed his guests.

Wang Daqian’s primary wife, Lady Shan, was quite virtuous. Along with his other concubines, she had arranged three tables for the banquet, each laden with a sumptuous spread of Spiritual Cuisine.

The guests arrived one after another. After presenting their gifts, they cheerfully took their seats, calling out to friends and chatting amongst themselves, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

After Fang Cheng arrived, Wang Daqian led him around and introduced him to many Loose Cultivators from Netherworld Valley, including a few Guardians from the Ten Thousand Poison Gang.

Finally, Fang Cheng was seated at the third table.

There were only three other guests at this table.

In the center sat a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar. The aura from his body was surging, marking him as a cultivator with a Ninth-Layer Sensing Cultivation.

To the scholar’s left sat a monk with a fat head and large ears, wearing a Kasaya that shimmered with a precious light. He also had a Sixth-Layer Sensing Cultivation.

To the scholar’s right sat a beautiful woman with a gentle temperament, who looked to be in her twenties. She had a Sixth-Layer Sensing Cultivation.

Wang Daqian made a point of introducing Fang Cheng to the three of them, and then introduced them to Fang Cheng.

The scholar was the Cave Master of Heart Inquiry Cave, named He Yujing.

The monk’s Dharma name was Po Jie, and his Cave Mansion was also called Broken Precepts Cave—very direct.

The beautiful woman with the gentle temperament was named Ning Suyun, the Cave Master of Suyun Cave.

The moment Fang Cheng heard this, he knew these three were Wang Daqian’s close circle of friends.

Tribulation Cultivators!

And he, the newcomer to the circle, had introduced himself as the Cave Master of Purple Cliff Cave.

Soon, the banquet began.

Wang Daqian, holding his wine cup with a face full of joy, thanked the guests and friends who had come to congratulate him, and then began to make his rounds, toasting everyone.

Those at Fang Cheng’s table also raised their chopsticks, eating and chatting, exchanging toasts and making polite conversation.

Midway through the drinking, Wang Daqian’s primary wife, Lady Shan, and his newly acquired concubine came out one after another, smiling as they continuously refilled everyone’s cups and encouraged them to drink.

Everyone praised Wang Daqian’s good fortune, their words filled with envy.

These days, if you didn’t have a good number of Spirit Stones, you really couldn’t afford to support so many cultivation partners.

Lady Shan had a fair and delicate complexion and looked to be under thirty. When she reached Fang Cheng’s table, Ning Suyun teased with a smile, "Sister Shan, it hasn’t been long since we last met, but I feel you’ve become even more radiant than before. It must be this joyous occasion that has put such a spring in your step."

Lady Shan sat down at the table and shot a sidelong, resentful glance at Wang Daqian, who was drinking with people at another table. "He’s a born philanderer, always adding one person after another by his side. Where does that leave me?"

Just then, Wang Daqian came over to offer a toast.

Monk Po Jie was taking huge bites of meat and great gulps of wine. After Wang Daqian finished his toast, the monk said in a booming voice, "A young beauty’s body is as soft as cream, / But the sword at her waist can shatter a fool’s dream. / You won’t see a head fall to the floor, / But in secret, she’ll drain your marrow to the core."

As it happened, Wang Daqian’s new concubine had just walked over. Hearing this, she blushed with embarrassment, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Wang Daqian roared with laughter. "Food and sex are humanity’s greatest desires. Besides, I am an expert in the Dual Cultivation Secret Method. You don’t need to worry about me, Monk."

With that, he pulled his concubine down to sit at the table with them.

「Two hours later.」

The banquet ended, and the guests began to leave one by one. Only the people at Fang Cheng’s table remained, continuing to chat idly.

Finally, Wang Daqian said to Lady Shan and his new concubine, "I have some matters to discuss with my fellow cultivators. You two may go to the bedchambers first."

Lady Shan and the concubine obediently rose and left.

Wang Daqian looked at Monk Po Jie and asked, "Monk, what’s the job this time?"

Monk Po Jie didn’t answer directly. Instead, he glanced at Fang Cheng and asked, "Is Donor Chen participating this time as well?"

Fang Cheng gave a light laugh and nodded. "Just trying to make a living."

Wang Daqian nodded. "I’ve already told everyone about Younger Brother Chen’s situation. Do any of you still have doubts?"

Monk Po Jie grinned. "I have no problem with it. Since Donor Chen is interested in participating, I’ll get to it. This job is the Seventh Elder of the Jiujiang Alliance’s Zhao Family. He has a Ninth-Layer Sensing Cultivation."

Hearing this, everyone’s expression remained calm, as if they were listening to something utterly ordinary.

Monk Po Jie continued, "Three Thousand Spirit Stones."

Wang Daqian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That’s a high price!"

Monk Po Jie went on, "The Zhao Family’s own Grand Elder commissioned it. He wants a clean job. It’s best if the Seventh Elder disappears without a trace."

Wang Daqian nodded and glanced at the others. "Shouldn’t be a problem. Same old plan: Little Sister Suyun sets up an array to trap him. Brother He, the Monk, and I will surround and kill the target. Since it’s Younger Brother Chen’s first job, he can stand guard outside the array and keep a lookout."

"After it’s done, we’ll split the Three Thousand Spirit Stones five ways."

Fang Cheng pondered for a moment before speaking. "I have a question. Why would the Zhao Family’s Grand Elder want to kill his own Seventh Elder? Could this be a trap?"

Monk Po Jie said, "There’s actually quite a story behind it. Let this monk tell you all about it."

...