Cultivators Are So Weak in This World-Chapter 77 - 75 Prologue Part 1

"Let’s first take a look at the aptitude; there’s no rush with this matter. Currently, my foundation is still shallow. Although I have entered the officialdom, it’s uncertain whether I will remain in one place for long."

Zhang Rongfang himself is unsure of his future development.

In fact, to reach his current position, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would have to remain here for several years. Only when the apparent strength level is elevated can he expect a promotion.

Most positions in the Criminal Department require a martial arts ranking to hold. Currently, he’s at the third level. Under normal progression, even for a genius, it would take one year per level to advance.

To reach the next level of a commander, it would take at least two more years.

Two years....

His attribute points increase by one point every ten days; how much could that accumulate to?

Nowadays, Zhang Rongfang is considering temporarily using the Daoist connection to continue advancing.

The path through the Jixian Institute in Daoism offers fewer restrictions for promotions.

Because Daoism not only values martial prowess, but also many positions are held by Literary Cultivators and Daoists.

Moreover, the martial arts of the Great Dao Teaching are not particularly renowned, with the top level being merely the seventh rank. The path for jumping levels in promotions is more convenient.

Zhang Rongfang has now understood the ranking system here.

Martial arts levels generally consider only the highest recognized rank.

However, it’s unclear whether others secretly train in lower-level martial arts for supplementary purposes.

This phenomenon often appears among many older experts. As they age, their primary martial arts are high-level because advancing due to age-related Qi and Blood deficiency is difficult.

To compensate for strength and avoid regressing, some people consider training in lower-level martial arts to supplement their practical fighting ability.

Of course, many choose longevity and do not cross-train, opting instead for health-preserving exercises. Like Master Zhang Xuan.

Therefore, when someone refers to the level of one’s martial arts, it usually denotes the highest rank.

Like him, the highest is the third rank of the Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual.

Yes, according to this true calculation, he is merely a third-ranked martial artist....

After all, it is rare for anyone at a young age like him to cross-train in four other limited martial arts....

Most people only begin cross-training when they are older.

Returning to his senses, Zhang Rongfang also heard Geng Changsheng continue.

"Younger Brother Zhang, you are young and promising. Nowadays, you are not entirely without foundations in Tan Yang. At the very least, the young master of the Li family has mentioned you multiple times in various settings."

Geng Changsheng and Zhang Rongfang have become well acquainted, and their address has grown more intimate.

The Great Spirit values heavy industry and commerce greatly, so the status of craftsmen and merchants is not low. Because it’s difficult to define the scope of merchants, they are not listed among the ten professional levels in the Great Spirit.

But this doesn’t mean merchants are incompetent.

The overall ratio of commercial taxes in the Great Spirit is very high, with many powerful merchants also having extensive upper-level contacts.

Many years ago, before the founding of the Great Spirit, during its weak early years, it repeatedly faced catastrophic natural disasters. It was entirely dependent on merchants for support to recover.

And now, the Great Spirit’s iron cavalry campaigns have united the empire’s territory comprising dozens of various ethnic states.

Regardless of black or white, irrespective of eye color or hair color, now all are considered inferior to the upper-class Spirit People of yellow skin and black eyes.

In such an absolutely brutal ethnic suppression, merchants are actually also involved in collecting and exchanging intelligence.

Therefore, official business guilds and alliances have been established across various regions.

"Huo Yun, is it?" Zhang Rongfang nodded. Li Huoyun certainly is sincere. This guy, young and arrogant, often looks down on others.

But once he admires someone, he goes to great lengths to support them.

"Developing in Tan Yang now will be of great benefit to you in the future," Geng Changsheng advised.

"This matter still depends on future developments. After all, I am currently still young and it’s hard to predict," Zhang Rongfang smiled slightly.

Geng Changsheng wanted to persuade further, but realized it was too deep for such a shallow acquaintance and stopped.

In his view, Zhang Ying having such connections with the Li family, especially with Li Huoyun being grateful and willing to continue their deep friendship, was a remarkable opportunity, envied by many.

But Zhang Ying....

For Zhang Ying to transition from a temporary to a permanent position so swiftly, without the Li family’s connection, how could it be so easy?

Which deputy in other teams hasn’t spent years struggling without necessarily securing a permanent position?

Unlike Zhang Ying, once the main team was pulled down, he was elevated.

The two then skirted around this topic and chatted about other things.

Not long after, seeing that it wasn’t early, Geng Changsheng stood up to take his leave, leaving behind a gift of silver as a meeting token, then departed.

Zhang Rongfang stayed in the courtyard, saw Geng off at the door, and only then closed the door.

Refocusing, he resumed his thoughts, integrating and adjusting all his martial arts into the most suitable synthesis for himself.

This, if left to his former self, would surely be impossible.

But as a modern person, his thought processes were entirely different. He knew that the most ancient and original was not necessarily the best.

Only what suits him best is the best.

Thus, coordinating various martial arts, extracting the essence for his use, became an immediate priority.

Days passed by, one after another. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

In Tan Yang City, the arrest campaign against Sea Dragon reached its conclusion, and the chaotic purge searches finally ended.

The government posted notices proclaiming that Sea Dragon’s numerous strongholds had been completely dismantled, capturing over fifty people and killing over a hundred on the spot.

The remaining individuals were sentenced and subsequently executed at noon at the Caishi Crossing.

For several consecutive days, people were executed by hanging or beheading at the Caishi Crossing.

Blood splattered everywhere, flowing from the execution platform to the ground around it, as crowds gathered in vast numbers.

Each time someone was beheaded, many would rush forward to soak their buns or cloth strips in the blood.

Many impoverished people believed that blood spilled from such executions could cure diseases and ward off evil spirits.

Furthermore, the more heinous the criminal, the more effective their blood would be.

Zhang Rongfang, having led teams to help maintain order twice, watched as the ignorant crowd rushed forward to wipe the execution platform, which was so dirty that its original color was nearly obscured, into patches and streaks.

Blood flowed down, wiped to a pale red, quickly turning into almost indiscernible bloodstains.

After the Sea Dragon people were executed,

next came a group of rebellious craftsmen.

These craftsmen were mostly white, recently conquered by Spirit Court from a country of artisans called Hailing Kingdom.

On the surface, they submitted, but internally, they still harbored thoughts. Now that it was exposed, they were all rounded up.

Round after round of heads were decapitated.

Human lives were like cheap livestock, and the eyes of the nearby populace were filled with frenzy, curiosity, and numbness.

The rich and noble from afar watched like a play, lightly waving folded fans and round fans, pointing and laughing.

For five consecutive days.

In Tan Yang, two hundred people were beheaded and more than eighty hanged.

This was just the main and serious offenders. As far as Zhang Rongfang knew, among the rebels of Hailing Kingdom, their families and neighbors were all massacred.

The undisclosed death toll was at least in the thousands.

Many of them were simply unarmed civilians.

Ultimately, almost all the people from Hailing Kingdom forcibly relocated to Tan Yang were exterminated.

This is Great Spirit.

Innumerable ethnic groups and races live and work in peace here, simply because all those who didn’t, were killed.

Several days later.

The Geng family sent two little girls. One named Geng Ning, the other Geng Nuo.

Zhang Rongfang briefly checked their bone structure and casually found an excuse to send them back.

He had too many secrets, and he didn’t have enough time now; it was simply impossible to let people get too close to him.

This was also why he hadn’t even bought a servant or errand person until now.

In the blink of an eye, it reached September nineteenth.

Hiss~~

A white wine jug adorned with lotus flowers and small shrimps tilted slightly, held by a pair of delicate, white female hands, pouring out a clear, pale red wine.

Inside the Cyan Garden of Tan Yang.

An unconventional garden party was quietly underway.

The Tan Yang garden party was not just one kind, but many.

Some were centered around poetry and songs, others purely enjoyed singing and dancing, some purely for games, and others focused on combat and fighting.

But more commonly, they focused on socializing between men and women.

Great Spirit had a multitude of ethnicities and religions, and since the Spirit Court respected all ethnicities and religions, a variety of activities flourished.

Many of these were conducted under the guise of garden parties.

This Cyan Garden party was organized by Master Depu of Dayang Temple.

In the lush Cyan Garden, a meandering creek wound through the field, flowing into the depths of an artificial mountain.

Clusters of autumn-blooming flowers were crafted into different animal shapes.

Large trees cast broad shadows, shielding the bright sunlight.

Occasionally, a gentle breeze blew past.

Yellow leaves fluttered down, embodying the melancholic mood popular in the current music styles.

The young gentlemen and ladies attending, gathered in groups of three or five.

Some strolled and chatted, some sat on the ground, some leisurely brewed tea in a pavilion.

Others played musical instruments softly to themselves.

The Cyan Garden was not large, roughly oval in shape, with a diameter of no more than a hundred meters.

At the upstream banks of the creek, two young men sat on simple stone stools, with maids pouring wine and serving pastries beside them.

One of them had a calm face, an easy-going and flamboyant demeanor, dressed in a green robe with a jade belt, and a delicate jade crown inserted in his hair, precisely Li Huoyun from the Li family.

The other man was tall and sturdy, with rippling muscles not concealed even by a black robe with silver edges.

Although his features were not particularly handsome, his air was steady and confident, and his gestures exuded a peaceful calm, adding to his charm.

"Brother Zhang Ying, you promised me today, don’t just brush it off. This garden party is different from the previous ones, those attending are either wealthy or talented. Moreover, some well-mannered eligible young men and women are also coming in."

Li Huoyun earnestly persuaded.

"You’re not young anymore, why haven’t you left any descendants for the Zhang family? Do you plan to wait until you’re forty or fifty to find someone? What good choices will you have then? You’d just have to look downwards.

But now with your status, you can completely look upwards."

Zhang Rongfang couldn’t respond.

He accepted the grape wine poured by the maid and took a gentle sip.

"Who did you find for me this time?" This wasn’t the first time Li Huoyun was enthusiastic about such matters.

Previously, he even secretly shared his information with others, leading matchmakers to come to his door.

"The fifth daughter of one of the renowned families in the East City, Xue Caihe."

Li Huoyun smiled, not moving his head.

"Look behind me, fifteen steps away, the girl in the light green corset dress. Don’t look too obviously."

Zhang Rongfang glanced over and indeed saw the graceful girl softly chatting and walking with her friends.

The girl had delicate and gentle features, big eyes, a small nose, and a small mouth. Her smile was like that of a typical court lady, with a great temperament.

The girl was lovely.

But unfortunately....

Zhang Rongfang was here only to humor Li Huoyun’s enthusiastic invitation.

In reality, he understood clearly, he had no right to concern himself with such matters now.

Amidst the maids’ giggles, Li Huoyun continued to persuade Zhang Rongfang to take the initiative and strike up a conversation.

No matter how eloquently he spoke, Zhang Rongfang remained unmoved.

One spoke while the other drank, creating a stark contrast.

After a while, seeing Zhang Rongfang still not making a move, Li Huoyun, resigned, had to go find the lady he fancied himself.

Feeling bored, Zhang Rongfang sat for a while before getting up and leaving his spot.

In the garden, every noble son and daughter had several people gathered around them.

Talented and renowned individuals attracted attention from admirers. Lacking interest, Zhang Rongfang walked to a corner to rest.

Occasionally, someone approached to converse, but he politely declined.