Seeing me sigh, the Plum Blossom Elder smiled.

  “Do not worry too much. For a war to truly break out, heaven, earth, and man must all align. For now, there will only be scattered skirmishes at most. Especially for someone belonging to the Spiritual Agriculture Pavilion like you.”

  At those words, I let out a sigh of relief.

  Still, it would be best to prepare in advance.

  After parting with the Plum Blossom Elder, I stepped outside and found the surroundings abuzz with noise.

  Everyone was discussing yesterday’s battle between high-level cultivators.

  “Did you see it? That dragon was large enough to coil around the entire city.”

  “See it? Of course I did! Our side’s Spirit Severing elder cleaved that dragon in a single strike.”

  “And what about that woman? She fled like her tail was on fire.”

  “By the way, they say some people gained something from watching. Should we go take a look too?”

  “Gained what?”

  “With figures that lofty fighting, there might be some enlightenment left behind. If we find even a fragment of a Dharma Treasure, that would be a windfall.”

  A trace of curiosity stirred within me.

  Should I go take a look as well?

  My realm was shallow; I had gained no enlightenment from witnessing it directly.

  But who knew?

  Perhaps by observing the remnants, I might feel something.

  Still, I did not dare go alone.

  Even those gossiping over there were moving in pairs at the very least.

  To examine the traces of battle, one would have to climb the city walls or go outside the city—only natural precautions.

  As for paying spirit stones to the gatekeeper to ascend the walls? That was something a noble young master from a cultivation clan would do.

  If an ordinary clerk like me attempted it, I would stand out immediately.

  Going outside was even more unthinkable.

  How could someone merely at Qi Refinement Stage 9 court such danger?

  Especially when remnants of the fleeing enemy might still linger.

  After a moment’s thought, I headed toward the Qing Script Pavilion.

  It seemed I had no choice but to rope in acquaintances.

  The Plum Blossom Elder had already given up cultivation and would have no interest.

  In that case…

  I respectfully addressed the librarian.

  “May I learn the Voice Transmission Art and the Message Sending Art?”

  The librarian glanced at me—someone who might as well clock in daily—and nodded.

  “The jade slips for the Message Sending Art and the Voice Transmission Art are one hundred spirit stones each. Payment in advance.”

  He truly must hate moving.

  Just look at that resolve—he would not take a single step without money.

  Since I had similar inclinations, I could hardly complain.

  I retrieved spirit stones from my storage pouch and handed them over.

  I would have to visit Ryusim Pavilion soon to exchange currency.

  At this rate, I would end up carrying only mid-grade spirit stones.

  After confirming the stones, the librarian let out a long sigh and moved.

  “Please wait here for a moment.”

  I even had to wait?

  Sitting blankly, I flipped through returned books.

  Perhaps because my heart was anxious, none of them held any interest.

  After quite some time, the librarian returned, looking exhausted.

  “Though mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivators can learn the Message Sending Art and Voice Transmission Art, they are expensive. Usually only late-stage cultivators bother. That is why they were stored above—it took some time to find them. Since you have paid, the copying fee is waived.”

  Ah… so that was it.

  I felt awkward for having misjudged him.

  As he focused on copying the jade slips, he lifted his head slightly.

  “You seem to like books. Next time, try the travelogues. They are interesting—you can learn about the sentiments and stories of various regions.”

  “Ah, thank you for the recommendation. I will read them next time.”

  As expected, no reply came.

  Still, it felt as though a slight bond had formed.

  ***

  After receiving the jade slips, I headed straight home.

  Once my outing routine was complete, I pressed the jade slip to my forehead with anticipation.

  An immense volume of knowledge flooded into my mind at once.

  The Message Sending Art functioned like a messenger—delivering a note sent by the user to the recipient.

  One could call it the cultivation world’s version of secure mail.

  The transmitted note would seek out the recipient’s aura.

  The recipient’s aura could also be attached to a note; only those who had exchanged such notes could use the Message Sending Art between them.

  Of course, there were drawbacks.

  If not received within fifteen minutes of arrival, it would dissolve into light.

  It could also be intercepted or destroyed midway.

  Thus, it was used only for brief communications.

  Even so, it was practical enough that late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators invariably learned it.

  Why not earlier?

  Because spirit stones were expensive.

  I could afford it, but I had refrained to avoid standing out.

  Yet with the specter of war looming,

  I concluded I must learn both arts.

  And not just these.

  From now on, I would go daily to the Qing Script Pavilion and learn every technique available to me.

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  If someone grew suspicious?

  I would tell the truth.

  That it was money left over from selling my estate and house.

  Which was true.

  I simply would not mention it had been ninety-seven years ago.

  The Voice Transmission Art was similar in function.

  It allowed two-way conversation within roughly three hundred meters.

  Unlike the Message Sending Art, it could not be intercepted and was secure, but its range was limited.

  Of course, higher-grade versions of both arts expanded their range and reduced security risks.

  But they would require an enormous investment of points…

  Thinking of points reminded me of my upgraded Divine Sense Technique and Concealment Technique.

  Sigh…If only I knew an inner disciple who could copy techniques for me.

  If I offered spirit stones, perhaps they would agree—

  The thought struck me like lightning.

  Have I gone mad?

  In this ruthless cultivation world, to think of trusting someone merely because they accepted spirit stones?

  Even asking through personal ties was dangerous—how could I trust someone swayed by money?

  I hastily cast aside the wicked thought.

  This was why poverty was frightening.

  One ignored the opportunity cost and thought only of what felt wasted.

  [2 points have been deducted. Message Sending Art learned. Proficiency 1]

  [2 points have been deducted. Voice Transmission Art learned. Proficiency 1]

  Perhaps because they were difficult techniques, two points vanished.

  I opened my storage pouch and took out the paper notes Senior Yang Dongwu and Senior Ling Xuan had given me. Their auras lingered upon them—essential for using the Message Sending Art.

  They had told me to contact them once I learned it.

  Holding the note, I formed hand seals, and glowing characters appeared in the air.

  [I have learned the Message Sending Art. If it is not inconvenient, would Senior Ling Xuan, Senior Dongwu, and I go together this afternoon to observe the traces of the battle?]

  There. Concise and polite.

  Satisfied, I sent the message.

  Soon, a shimmering paper note appeared near the door.

  It fluttered in front of the Protective Formation, unable to pass through.

  I stepped forward and retrieved it.

  It was Senior Dongwu’s reply.

  [I’m in! How about we meet at the south gate of Qingliu City in two hours? Afterward, we can get something delicious.]

  As expected of the glutton from Department Seven of the Spiritual Agriculture Pavilion.

  While reading it, Senior Ling Xuan’s reply arrived as well.

  [Very well. Sounds interesting. I’ve spoken with Dongwu. See you in two hours.]

  Through them, perhaps I could glean more information about the looming war.

  ***

  I met the seniors.

  In private settings, Senior Ling Xuan dressed better than expected.

  Elegantly attired, he ascended the city wall stairs naturally.

  Had he already given something to the gatekeeper?

  Slightly flustered, I followed.

  Senior Dongwu did the same without hesitation.

  Outside the south gate, the terrain had been utterly transformed.

  The aftermath was terrifying.

  Perhaps everything of value had already been taken, for there was no trace of dragon blood essence or Demon Beast remnants.

  Naturally—if such things had remained, high-level cultivators would have claimed them first.

  What a pity. Even one would have helped expand my Subspace Ring.

  Senior Dongwu muttered with a pale face.

  “If not for the city’s Protective Formation, this place inside would look the same.”

  I nodded in agreement.

  “Indeed.”

  While observing the battle’s remnants, Senior Ling Xuan pressed his chest and coughed.

  “Cough. It seems this is a realm beyond our reach. This is enough. Let us descend.”

  Senior Dongwu began coughing as well.

  Reading the room, I followed suit with a few coughs.

  I felt perfectly fine… why were they like this?

  Puzzled, I trailed after them.

  “Just watching made my blood and qi churn.”

  “Indeed? The aura is truly overwhelming.”

  “Quite so. Ah…”

  I did my best to echo them.

  Fortunately, it seemed to work.

  When safety was assured later, I would return alone to examine the traces.

  The fact that I alone felt nothing bothered me somewhat.

  “Still, it feels like we gained something. If there is time, shall we have dinner before heading back?”

  Senior Dongwu’s complexion brightened again as he exclaimed energetically.

  After swallowing a medicinal pill, Senior Ling Xuan smiled as well.

  “Very well. Where has good food these days?”

  “For braised red fish, Hongmi Pavilion is the best. Their sweet and spicy spirit fish is exquisite.”

  Senior Dongwu truly knew how to enjoy life.

  I swallowed quietly beside them and nodded.

  “Then shall we go there today?”

  ***

  The food at Hongmi Pavilion was truly delicious.

  After the meal, spirit tea was served.

  “By the way, Junior Xuanyuan, you learn techniques remarkably quickly. You have talent.”

  Senior Ling Xuan looked at me with admiration.

  Ah, perhaps I learned the Message Sending Art too quickly.

  Thankfully, it was a day off; otherwise, suspicion might have arisen.

  Senior Dongwu was equally impressed.

  “Indeed. You’re fast. Why not register at a cultivation hall? With your ability, returning to the Spiritual Agriculture Pavilion would be easy. Pavilion Master Meng appreciates those who improve themselves.”

  “A cultivation hall?”

  “Yes. In Qingliu City, various sects run halls. You need not belong to their backing to choose one.”

  A cultivation hall was a place where sects accepted payment to teach techniques or cultivation arts.

  Something like a cultivation academy.

  The arts were tempting, but I could not afford to waste time there.

  I deflected gently.

  “Wouldn’t one need backing to enter such places? A wandering cultivator like me could hardly hope for it.”

  “I can ask my father for a recommendation letter.”

  Senior Dongwu said it casually.

  Senior Ling Xuan seemed slightly taken aback.

  I merely smiled.

  Would his father truly write a letter for a mere wandering cultivator?

  Senior Ling Xuan appeared to share the concern.

  I declined politely.

  “Thank you for your kindness. But it does not seem suited to me.”

  That should not seem rude.

  Senior Dongwu did not press further and resumed drinking tea.

  Perhaps he had merely mentioned it and now recognized the practical limits.

  Still…Rumors that their families were prominent cultivation clans here seemed true.

  Most locals affiliated with Qingliu Temple were likely similar.

  A question suddenly arose.

  Then why did Qingliu City recruit clerks every month?

  ***

  The next day, when I posed this question to the Plum Blossom Elder, he burst into laughter.

  “Haha, is that not obvious? Even among noble clans, not every child is talented. The gifted enter cultivation halls, train, and may be selected as inner disciples or become outer disciples. Those who fail to become even outer disciples—what else can they do?”

  “Ah, so they are…”

  “Indeed. Aside from sect-dispatched disciples, the city’s high officials all come from such backgrounds. They are fortunate enough—status and spirit stones follow them.”

  With a sigh, he continued.

  “Those utterly lacking talent open shops in the marketplace, leveraging their family’s backing for business. As for children born without spiritual roots, they leave the city for clan settlements, waiting for the day a child with spiritual roots is born.”

  Ah… so that is how those settlements came to be.

  A chill ran down my spine.

  Did that mean everyone in this vast cultivation world lived either to become a cultivator—or to bear one?

  “Well, the world is like that. When one struggles to live sixty years, and another lives one hundred fifty, who would not feel resentment? At the very least, one hopes their child might encounter immortal fate.”

  Being the Middle Realm, it was even more so.

  Not like the mortal realm where cultivators were rare.

  Nor like the Upper Realm where most were born with spiritual roots.

  “Thus, the city recruits those who can be put to use.”

  I finally understood.

  They were noble young masters. Dangerous tasks and drudgery could not be assigned to them.

  So wandering cultivators were recruited to fill the ranks.

  Thinking of the impending war, my mood darkened.

  I had not even secured spiritual herb seedlings yet.

  Seeing my expression, the Plum Blossom Elder extended a hand in reassurance.

  “Do not worry too much. You belong to the Spiritual Agriculture Pavilion.”

  My head snapped up.

  “What is different about the Spiritual Agriculture Pavilion?”

  “Pavilion Master Meng selects his people thoroughly. In return, he takes responsibility to the end. I have never heard of a clerk from the Spiritual Agriculture Pavilion being dragged off to die like a dog.”

  Relief seeped into me.

  Wait, then…?

  “Then why did you tell me this morning to be careful?”

  “An incoming spear can be blocked, but a knife from behind cannot be avoided. Amid chaos, someone may resort to despicable means. That was my meaning.”

  Ah, I see.

  Well, I am mild, kind, and diligent toward everyone.

  Who would harbor resentment against me?

  Is this not the virtue I have cultivated?

  I should not have said that.

  ***

  Truly, all sin flows from the mouth.

  Looking at the elderly man before me, his lips like gizzards, and the inner disciple behind him sneering maliciously, fury surged within me.

  “So… you refuse to admit that the method you gave was flawed. Is that it?”