Chapter 288
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Chapter 288: Recruitment
In the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators, within the Qiongyu Pavilion.
On the ninth floor, in a private room, Wang Chen and Qiu Haoran sat facing each other, engaged in conversation.
It was under the enthusiastic invitation of the overseer of the North Mountain Cave Dwelling that Wang Chen found himself in this renowned establishment, known for its indulgence.
The name "Xiaoling" refers to the consumption of spirit stones.
It is said that entering this grand building requires a minimum expenditure of five hundred spirit stones, offering a plethora of pleasures—fine wines, exquisite delicacies, and captivating performers—all capable of swiftly depleting a guest’s storage bag.
Yet, no one who has visited Qiongyu Pavilion has ever left disappointed.
For Wang Chen, this first visit was truly an eye-opening experience.
He politely declined the beautiful songstress that Qiu Haoran had offered and instead ordered a pot of Cloud Mist Spirit Tea.
After finishing a cup of the spiritual tea, Qiu Haoran got straight to the point, asking, "Wang fellow traveler, now that you have advanced to the Purple Palace level, what are your plans for the future?"
Plans for the future?
Wang Chen had already made his plans. He intended to earn more spirit stones in the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators and, through the Four Seas Trading Association or the Wanbao Pavilion, acquire several techniques at the Purple Palace level.
Among these, the most crucial was the primary technique—the Preheaven Five Element Technique!
The Preheaven Five Element Technique is an advanced version of the Five Element Technique, both derived from the ancient immortal sect, Kunlun Sect’s supreme teachings, the Taiyi Hunyuan Zhengfa, which points directly to the great path.
It is said that over ten thousand years ago, the Taiyi Hunyuan Zhengfa was divided into four techniques by powerful figures, corresponding to Qi Training, Purple Palace, Golden Core, and Yuan Ying.
Among these, the Five Element Technique and the Preheaven Five Element Technique are the most widely circulated, not being secret classics of any particular grand sect. Thus, as long as one is willing to spend spirit stones, obtaining the Preheaven Five Element Technique is not a problem.
Originally, the library in the inner sect of the Yunyang Sect also offered the Preheaven Five Element Technique for exchange, but unfortunately, Wang Chen did not have enough contribution points at that time, and since the Preheaven Five Element Technique could only be cultivated at the Purple Palace level, he missed the opportunity.
Purchasing it through the trading association would undoubtedly come at a steep price.
Moreover, the cost of spells at the Purple Palace level far exceeds that of Qi Training techniques.
But he could not afford to neglect learning them.
Otherwise, if he were to face a cultivator of the same level without mastering Purple Palace level spells, he would be at a significant disadvantage!
Wang Chen estimated that he would need to earn another eighty to a hundred thousand spirit stones to meet his needs.
"I plan to stay in the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators for a while longer," Wang Chen replied. "First, I will consolidate my realm, then take things one step at a time."
Qiu Haoran smiled slightly and asked, "Wang fellow traveler, do you know how many Purple Palace cultivators there are in the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators?"
Wang Chen shook his head—he truly did not know.
Qiu Haoran held up two fingers.
"Two hundred?"
"Two thousand!"
The answer Qiu Haoran revealed surprised Wang Chen.
He had not expected the number of Purple Palace cultivators in the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators to be so vast. It was known that when the Yunyang Sect had one hundred thousand disciples, there were only about two hundred Purple Palace cultivators openly acknowledged.
In the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators, the number of Purple Palace cultivators is astonishingly ten times that of the Yunyang Sect, which is truly beyond comprehension!
Moreover, there is another issue: the Yunyang Sect has two hundred Purple Palace cultivators, and among them, there are three Golden Core cultivators.
In contrast, the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators has two thousand Purple Palace cultivators, yet only one Golden Core cultivator!
The proportions are completely disproportionate!
Qiu Haoran clearly noticed Wang Chen’s confusion and smiled, saying, "Fellow traveler, you must be wondering why there is only one true master among the two thousand Purple Palace cultivators in the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators?"
Wang Chen nodded, "I would appreciate your help in clearing my doubts."
"The answer is actually quite simple."
A hint of melancholy appeared in Qiu Haoran’s smile: "Because no Purple Palace cultivator can condense a Golden Core within the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators; to break through, they must leave this place."
Wang Chen’s heart stirred, "Where do they go?"
Qiu Haoran answered, "To the West Sea Spiritual Realm!"
Indeed!
This truly is a case of reaching the same destination by different paths.
Through in-depth conversations with Qiu Haoran, Wang Chen learned that the structure of the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators can only accommodate one Golden Core cultivator; Purple Palace cultivators seeking to break through should head to the West Sea Spiritual Realm in search of opportunities.
Once these Purple Palace cultivators leave, very few ever return.
Those few who successfully condense their Golden Core in the West Sea Spiritual Realm usually join the West Sea Sect.
However, condensing a Golden Core is significantly more challenging than breaking through to open a house, requiring astonishing resources; many Purple Palace cultivators recognize the unlikeliness of condensing a Golden Core and thus expand their families in the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators.
They spend their entire lives doing so.
Adding to this, every year, Loose Cultivators break through to the Purple Palace level and settle in the City of Ten Thousand Cultivators.
Over time, this accumulation has resulted in over two thousand upper-level cultivators!
"Although we Purple Palace cultivators are a cut above the rest…"
Qiu Haoran’s eyes revealed a hint of bitterness: "The competition is also exceptionally fierce."
Among those who have cultivated to the Purple Palace level, none are ordinary individuals.
Even if they have no hope of condensing a Golden Core, there are not many who truly lay back and do nothing.
Lower, middle, and upper stages of the Purple Palace level mean that those who are higher in rank hold power over others, controlling more authority.
Power brings resources, and with resources, one can improve oneself.
However, resources are always limited, and power usually concentrates in the hands of a few. The internal struggles and scheming among the fifty-seven Purple Palace families are beyond what an ordinary person can imagine!
"Wang fellow traveler, if you wish to advance further, going solo will not suffice."
Qiu Haoran said sincerely: "Our Qiu family has always welcomed talented individuals. If you desire, I can recommend you to join our clan. We will treat you equally and ensure you are not slighted in any way!"
So that was the crux of the matter!
Wang Chen pondered for a moment and replied, "I understand, Qiu fellow traveler, and I will consider it carefully."
Wang Chen did not believe that Qiu Haoran was merely speaking empty threats; he could only imagine the level of internal competition among over two thousand Purple Palace cultivators living in one city. How could a single cultivator without power stand a chance against a Purple Palace family?
It is worth noting that a Purple Palace family can have as few as one or two members, but as many as five or six, and sometimes even over ten upper-level cultivators!
The Qiu family must have genuine intentions in recruiting talented individuals, and Qiu Haoran was not simply speaking without substance: "No problem, as long as you are willing to join, I can arrange for you to have a cultivating cave!"
Each of the fifty-seven Purple Palace families possesses a varying number of cultivating caves, which are among the family’s most precious resources.
They are generally not open to outsiders.
But to attract Wang Chen, a promising young Purple Palace cultivator, Qiu Haoran was willing to go all out.
It is important to note that when Wang Chen broke through to open a house, he caused a remarkable phenomenon in nature!
It was definitely worth placing bets on.
Cultivating caves!
Although Wang Chen did not intend to join a Purple Palace family, Qiu Haoran’s generous offer still moved him.
Previously, the spirit stones Wang Chen earned through Talisman Making were largely spent on renting a cave, with seven thousand spirit stones expended merely for a Purple Palace cave rented for his breakthrough!
How many spirit stones could he save with a free cultivating cave?
Wang Chen did not want to think about it; he feared he would truly be tempted.
"Fellow traveler, your kindness is not forgotten!"
Qiu Haoran knew that a few words would not persuade Wang Chen to make such an important decision.
The Purple Palace cultivator smiled casually, saying, "Then I will wait patiently for good news."
