Cultivators Are So Weak in This World-Chapter 52 - 51 Interpersonal Relationships Part 1

Tan Yang.

In the endless Qiguang Plain, lies a vast city standing right next to Red Mountain.

Surrounded by walls over thirty meters high, the city is circled by two satellite towns.

Each of its eight directions is guarded by dozens of villages and towns of varying sizes.

A large amount of wealth and agricultural products flow in and out of this place daily and nightly.

In comparison to the Pingyu Road city, it is only slightly inferior.

Every day, the amount of lamp oil and candles consumed by the City Without Night is astronomical for ordinary people.

Once the Bai family caravan arrived at Tan Yang, Zhang Rongfang, following Yang Hongyan, drove the ox cart swiftly to find Yang Hongyan’s parents, who had arrived earlier.

Her parents had rented a house here in advance.

After settling his sister-in-law, Zhang Rongfang did not linger and, following the instruction in his master’s letter, headed straight to the Great Dao Teaching branch in Tan Yang, the Mingjing Palace.

The sun sets in the west.

With the wheel of destiny on his back, Zhang Rongfang briskly walked through the three major districts of Tan Yang. He inquired everywhere and, with much difficulty, found the location of Mingjing Palace just before sunset.

"Please inform them that Daoist Zhang Ying from Qinghe Palace is here to transfer his records."

The scale of Mingjing Palace was smaller than that of Qinghe Palace. After handing the documents and letter his master had prepared in advance to the gate-keeping Daoist, Zhang Rongfang carefully observed the surroundings.

The palace consisted of only five buildings, closely set together, surrounded by red walls, with plenty of greenery inside, some walls topped with sprawling trees and climbing vines.

In front of the palace was a long staircase of a hundred stone steps, with many visitors and pilgrims going in and out.

Not long after, the gate-keeping Daoist came out, saluting Zhang Rongfang.

"Senior Brother, please come in, the registration at the dormitory is necessary first."

"Thank you, fellow Daoist." Zhang Rongfang returned the gesture and followed the Daoist inside.

Past the entrance was a vast white stone plaza.

The ground was paved with stones to form a massive Tai Chi Diagram.

In the diagram, two Daoists were interacting, exchanging moves continuously.

Zhang Rongfang glanced over and estimated their skills to be around the Third Grade.

They were using the most basic Mountain-shaped Talisman.

A group of Daoist disciples stood watching nearby, frequently cheering.

Clearly, this wasn’t a formal duel; it might be a private martial challenge. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The Guiding Daoist, seeing this, smiled and explained.

"Is it Senior Brother’s first time in Tan Yang?"

"What makes you say that?" Zhang Rongfang asked.

"Because in Tan Yang, the martial spirit is very strong. Regardless of wealthy households or aristocratic families, they all love sending their young to various sects and clans.

Our Mingjing Palace is also one of the top sects here."

Zhang Rongfang was instantly intrigued. To settle here, he needed to understand the local situation first.

"Then, may I ask, what about the sects in Tan Yang?"

"In the martial world of Tan Yang, apart from chaotic gangs and Martial Master boxing gyms, the largest sects are four.

They are Dayang Temple, Merak Palace, our Mingjing Palace, and the Black Ten Sect," the Guiding Daoist explained.

"These four major sects dominate the four major districts of Tan Yang. The central district is maintained by the Thousand Households for order.

Of course, the force of the Thousand Households is unmatched, with thousands of garrison troops maintaining order, being the foundation of Tan Yang’s peace. The Lord of the Thousand Households ranks Ninth Grade, and his martial prowess needs no elaboration.

Dayang Temple belongs naturally to the Buddhist sect, Merak Palace to the Zhenyi Sect, our Mingjing Palace to the Great Dao Teaching, and the Black Ten Sect is followed by those blonde and blue-eyed Huxi people, with numerous masters as well."

"I see..." Zhang Rongfang nodded understandingly.

"So, because Tan Yang is rich with the martial spirit, martial challenges and prize fights are often set up, seeking contestants.

The winner can earn substantial prizes, sign lucrative employment contracts, or become a family consultant, a wealthy merchant’s guard, or a teacher for a great family. The rewards are indeed generous.

I assume Senior Brother is a Martial Cultivator too?"

The Guiding Daoist asked with a smile.

"Yes." Zhang Rongfang nodded with a grin.

"That is it. There’s an opportunity for Senior Brother to explore outside. Martial arenas are often set up in the city for people to challenge.

However, you have to be cautious, as often you have to sign a life and death agreement for these challenges. Great Spirit Venerable respects the customs of various sects, and once a life and death agreement is signed on the arena, if you lose and die, the authorities will not intervene," the Guiding Daoist kindly warned.

"Thank you for the reminder, fellow Daoist." Zhang Rongfang nodded with a smile.

Not long after, the two of them arrived at the dormitory one after the other.

The dormitory steward Xu Tao was a rotund, plump Huxi person with white skin and a conspicuous tuft of blonde mustache on his lip.

When Zhang Rongfang entered the dormitory, this person was still closely examining the letter of introduction.

"Hmm... Since it’s from Qinghe Palace, you’ll first join the Martial Cultivators. As for the introduction from Zhang Xuan’s old friend, how about a temporary position in the Patrol Room?"

He didn’t even ask about Zhang Rongfang’s grade and smiled directly.

Seeing this, Zhang Rongfang knew that his master had arranged everything in advance.

He quickly cupped his fists in thanks.

"The disciple is willing. Thank you, Martial Uncle, for the arrangement. May I ask, how should I address Martial Uncle?"

"My surname is Xu, first name Tao, Daoist name Chongyan. I owed Zhang Xuan an old favor, and since you’ve arrived, as an elder, I should settle you properly," Xu Tao said with a smile, twirling his mustache.

"Then many thanks to Martial Uncle!" Zhang Rongfang memorized Xu Tao’s name and Daoist title. It seemed he would have many more requests from this elder at Mingjing Palace.

"You’re welcome." Xu Tao quickly processed Zhang Rongfang’s Daoist registration transfer, and then sent someone to arrange a residence for him.

After Zhang Rongfang left, Xu Tao picked up the letter again and stroked his mustache.

His relationship with Zhang Xuan wasn’t particularly close, but as he said, he owed Zhang Xuan a favor at that time.

And now, by helping to settle the Daoist registration and arrange a position, this favor could be considered repaid.

"Master, if this Senior Brother Zhang Ying comes back in the future...." A disciple named Xiaoyun timidly asked nearby.

"No need to bother. Assisting with the transfer of Daoist registration and arranging a position was enough to repay the old favor. Hah, these days, many want to hold a position at Mingjing Palace. How many actually get in?

That kid, once settled, will naturally understand the weight of my favor."

Setting up Daoist registration and a position was not something you could exchange for benefits easily, not without more than a thousand taels to start with.

"Understood."

On the other side, Zhang Rongfang quickly settled in the disciples’ room and put down his luggage.

He started to explore the entire Mingjing Palace.

Indeed, just like the Guiding Daoist said, this place was full of Daoists sparring and competing with each other.

Occasionally, one might even see interactions between pilgrims and tourists getting physical.

However, overall, most of them were unranked, or second and first grade, with striking speed that was much stronger compared to Qinghe Palace, but still limited.

After wandering around, Zhang Rongfang did not hesitate and immediately found the Spirit Official Hall.

The unusual situation with his master and senior brothers made him somewhat worried.

Currently, his Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual had reached the second grade in Talismanic Skills.

It was just right to proceed to rank certification and employment.

Zhang Rongfang understood well that although he had fifth-grade body technique speed now, if the distance was widened, a single crossbow arrow could take his life.

And the thought of resisting crossbow arrows and firearms solely with martial skills without donning a full set of heavy armor was out of the question.

Furthermore, the complete heavy armor, according to the Spirit Court’s regulations, was only eligible for military officers with an official rank to wear.

In the sect, there were also quite a few monks and Daoists holding military titles.

Thus, acquiring military official status through sect registration to gain armor qualifications was the right path.

Moreover, ascending to high positions as much as possible, to have control over more resources and power, would accumulate attributes and allow access to superior martial arts.

Unlike low-grade martial arts, superior martial arts were not taught hand-in-hand; a minor error could result in a vast deviation.

This was not something solved by collecting martial arts secrets.

Without hesitation.

Zhang Rongfang pinpointed the Spirit Official Hall and strode in.

Compared to the Wealth God Hall and Profound Heart Hall, the Spirit Official Hall had sparse traffic, with an arena set between the main gate and the statue.

The platform was one meter high, built from stacked round logs, surrounded by animal fur and iron-wrapped wooden poles.

To the right of the arena, an elderly Daoist was leaning against the wall, dozing off. Two junior Daoists were chatting softly.

One of them noticed Zhang Rongfang entering and promptly stood up.

"Brother, are you here for something?"

"I’ve come for ranking certification." Zhang Rongfang said directly.

By now, his breakthrough in Talismanic Skills with the Mountain-shaped Talisman and Morning Energy Talisman allowed for first-grade certification, and later on a second-grade certification wouldn’t be a problem.

Once certified, he could get employed at Thousand Households. Though it’s only the lowest-level official position, it’s a start.

"Ranking certification, huh?" The junior Daoist nodded, routinely turned around, and ran behind the statue.

Soon, he brought out a sleepy-eyed middle-aged Daoist.

The middle-aged Daoist leaped onto the arena, gesturing to Zhang Rongfang.

"What grade?"

"First grade." Zhang Rongfang replied, stepping forward and leaping onto the arena.

"Ten taels certification fee, remember to pay it later." The middle-aged Daoist reminded.

"Understood."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"How long have you been practicing martial arts?"

"A year and a half."

"Hehe." The middle-aged Daoist chuckled, disinclined to speak further.

Looking at the calluses on the hands of this fellow opposite, five years of rigorous practice wouldn’t result in this. Yet he dared to claim a year and a half for a first-grade rank, such boasting.

There’s no authenticity at all; others wouldn’t believe it.

As for age, you can say you’re however old, whatever makes you happy.

He didn’t bother asking further; without a decade of rigorous practice, forgetting about first grade. Not to mention the cost of various qi and blood supplements and meal expenses.

A moment later, Zhang Rongfang left the Spirit Official Hall, now holding a certification document for first grade, stamped with a seal and marked with the certifier’s fingerprint.

The cost: an additional ten taels of silver coins.

Leaving him with just the last five taels of silver...

With expenses all the way, he didn’t leave any savings.

Nonetheless, having a first-grade document meant he could directly proceed to Thousand Households for employment and claim a salary.

If he managed to secure an actual position, it would be easier to earn silver coins.

After all, he was now Northern Zhang Ying, not the former scholar Zhang Rongfang.

*

*

*

In the Patrol Room.

The room owner, Mountain Opening Daoist, had his legs crossed on the table, a round hat covering his face, dozing lightly.

Knock, knock, knock.

Suddenly, the table was knocked.

Mountain Opening Daoist removed the hat, squinting to see who was in front.

"Xu Tao? What’s up?"

The visitor was Dormitory Supervisor Xu Tao.

"Help me fit someone in." Xu Tao handed over a document. "I remember you’re short of two people, right?"

"Already filled in." Mountain Opening Daoist yawned.

"Which two?"

"Xu Chengjing and Liao Yong."