Chapter 101
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Chapter 101: This Road is Closed
After a month, the impact of the human hunting case on the Yunyang Sect gradually subsided.
The dynamics in Yunshan City and the outer sect of the Yunyang Sect underwent significant transformations.
The low-level cultivators within the sect and the Loose Cultivators outside generally viewed these changes positively.
Several high-and-mighty Purple Palace masters had fallen, and the Second-generation Cultivators, who once bullied others, were now on the execution platform. The outer sect headquarters had been thoroughly purged, and the disciples of the Punishment Hall and Wei Hall no longer acted with arrogance…
Most importantly, many outdated and unreasonable rules were abolished, granting everyone some tangible benefits.
Though these benefits were modest, the contrast brought a sense of happiness.
Everyone worked with renewed vigor!
Naturally, the entire sect began to flourish.
Grandmaster Ji Guandao’s prestige reached an unprecedented height.
He was praised and revered by all.
Some foolish commoners even secretly set up longevity tablets for Ji Guandao in their homes!
However, a few petty individuals whispered slander, accusing Ji Guandao of scheming to eliminate rivals and purge the influence of the former Grandmaster, enriching himself at the expense of others.
Such slanderous words found little credence.
Anyone caught spreading such rumors would face severe consequences!
For a time, the Yunyang Sect, both inside and out, united in their resentment against the Guiyuan Sect, the masterminds behind the human hunting case.
The clamor for battle grew louder.
However, the upper echelons clearly had no intention of instigating a sect war at this time.
Thus, this fervor rose quickly and faded just as swiftly.
By the height of summer, the spiritual plant farmers in the outer sect were toiling diligently in the spirit fields, eagerly anticipating a bountiful harvest at summer’s end.
Everyone’s lives returned to a state of tranquility, infused with a renewed sense of hope.
That morning, Wang Chen arrived at the Jiawu Wei Hall.
The Jiawu Wei Hall was over a hundred miles from Wang Chen’s home, much farther than Yunshan City.
He had spent fifty spirit fragments to hire a horse-drawn carriage for the journey.
The carriage halted at the doorstep of a house, and Wang Chen stepped down, carrying a gift.
He approached and knocked on the courtyard gate.
"Who is it?"
After a moment, a sturdy young boy opened the door, eyeing Wang Chen with curiosity. "Who are you looking for?"
Wang Chen asked politely, "Is Old Master Tu Er at home?"
The sturdy boy turned and called out, "Grandpa, someone is here to see you!"
"Please let him in."
A rough voice echoed from within.
The sturdy young boy swung the door open casually and said, "Come in."
As Wang Chen entered the main building, he noticed a heavily muscled old man seated in a grand chair, skillfully slicing ham on the table with a sharp dagger for his drink.
His hair and beard were completely white, yet his commanding presence showed no signs of aging; he must have been a formidable warrior in his youth!
Wang Chen bowed respectfully and said, "I am Wang Chen, pleased to meet you, Old Master Tu Er!"
"Wang Chen?"
Old Master Tu Er set down his dagger and scratched his head in confusion. "I don’t recall seeing you before."
Wang Chen explained, "I come from Wei Hall B Ten. I apologize for the sudden visit and hope you will forgive any impropriety."
"Ahem!"
Old Master Tu Er waved his hand dismissively. "All guests are welcome. Sit down and speak freely. No need for such formalities; it gives me a headache."
Wang Chen chuckled and placed two jars of spiritual wine and two bags of candy cakes on the table.
He then took a seat in the guest chair beside him.
Old Master Tu Er glanced at Wang Chen’s gifts, blinked, and said, "Young friend Wang, I am a straightforward man. Just tell me what you want."
Wang Chen replied directly, "Old Master Tu Er, I would like to ask you to take me into the trade."
This Old Master Tu Er was a renowned butcher in Jiawu Wei Hall, celebrated for his expertise in slaughtering magical beasts.
And Jiawu Wei Hall was the area in the outer sect with the highest number of magical beasts raised!
Among the many crafts of cultivation, livestock and butchering are also included.
The Yunyang Sect has a hundred thousand Outer Sect Disciples, many of whom work in farming, weaving, fishing, and herding, with clear regional distinctions.
For instance, in Wei Hall B Ten, most spiritual plant farmers cultivate White Jade Rice.
Jiawu Wei Hall also has spiritual plant farmers.
They primarily grow forage to supply the local livestock families.
Jiawu Wei Hall also boasts a large slaughterhouse, one of the sources of magical beast meat sold in Yunshan City!
Though the meat from raised magical beasts does not contain as much spiritual energy and Qi and blood as their wild counterparts, it is favored for its rich flavor and excellent texture, plus it is relatively inexpensive.
It is very popular among cultivators.
Wang Chen was not here for the meat; he had no intention of becoming a butcher.
He wanted to see if he could quickly earn some Virtue points this way!
His eighteenth birthday had already passed some time ago.
Lu Defang had not reappeared.
It seemed the immense threat he posed to Wang Chen was merely an illusion.
But Wang Chen did not let down his guard; he continued to persistently work on improving his strength.
During this period, in addition to rigorously practicing his techniques, Wang Chen also continuously worked on leveling up his spell skills.
Several of his spells had been elevated to master-level by Wang Chen!
However, a new issue emerged.
His Virtue points were nearly depleted!
The skill Wang Chen most desired to enhance was the Metal Finger Technique.
This spell, when used in conjunction with the Runying Golden Needle, offered the most formidable offensive power and was ideally suited for ambushes.
Yet, he had already invested points into the Metal Finger Technique twice before, and the third upgrade would likely demand 100 Virtue points.
Currently, he was stranded at the pinnacle of the advanced level, unable to make a breakthrough.
Faced with this predicament, Wang Chen sought a shortcut.
He had previously visited Jiawu Wei Hall and thoroughly investigated all relevant details before approaching this famous old butcher.
Reflecting on it, Wang Chen had once entertained the idea of becoming an executioner.
To accumulate Heavenly Merit.
But upon inquiry, he discovered he didn’t meet the necessary qualifications.
Executioners in the punishment hall weren’t just anyone who wished to be one.
Firstly, they had to be practitioners from the punishment hall, at least thirty years old, with a family and a clean background, preferably someone who had entered the Dao through martial arts.
Wang Chen didn’t meet any of these criteria, so he naturally abandoned the idea.
In contrast, infiltrating the slaughterhouse to butcher magical beasts and earn Virtue points appeared far more viable.
The key was for Wang Chen to win over this old man!
Old Master Tu Er was the head honcho of the slaughterhouse in Jiawu Wei Hall, and it was said that his family had been in this trade for generations, even changing their surname; a true testament to family heritage.
Additionally, Wang Chen wished to learn some techniques and gain experience in handling magical beasts.
Who knows, he might need these skills in the future!
"You want to be a butcher?"
Upon hearing Wang Chen’s request, Old Master Tu Er’s brows knitted into a deep frown, and he spoke with some difficulty, "I’m sorry, but the skills of our butcher family are traditionally passed down to sons, not daughters."
"Unless you become a son-in-law!"
As he spoke, he scrutinized Wang Chen with a professional eye. "Hmm, my youngest sister would be quite a match for you."
"Wow!"
As soon as Old Master Tu Er finished speaking, the robust young boy playing nearby shouted excitedly, "Is my little aunt finally getting married? That’s fantastic!"
Wang Chen immediately stood up, clasped his fists, and respectfully said, "I have other matters to attend to, I must take my leave!"