Chapter 10: The Gathering

Upon returning home, Lin Yang laid out all the materials and the explanations of the four arts of cultivation that he had grown up with, integrating them into his panel.

Panel

Name: Lin Yang
Age: 11/100
Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 5, 143/3000
Cultivation Technique: Evergreen Skill (Master, 251/10000) — each cycle adds 4 experience
Main Profession: First-tier, Intermediate Grade Talisman Master (requires 200 attribute points to advance)
Secondary Professions:
Array Formation (uninitiated)
Alchemy (uninitiated)
Weapon Forging (uninitiated)
Skills:
Fireball Technique (Master…)
Basic Swordsmanship (Master…)
Sword Control (Master…)
Lightness Skill (Master…)
Available Attribute Points: 14

Lin Yang tapped several times on each secondary profession, raising them all to First-tier, Basic Grade. His mind was instantly flooded with information, but after several similar experiences, he was used to it. Other than a slight ache in his head, there was nothing serious.

“First-tier, Basic Grade is entry-level. Most things made at this stage aren’t worth much, but I should invest in Alchemy first. That way I can supply my own pills.” Lin Yang took out two hundred spirit stones.

“Recharge.”

Watching the spirit stones vanish from his hand, he felt as though he were spending money on a game. He recalled how, in the past, wealthy people would pour tens of thousands into a game, treating money as if it meant nothing.

Still, it was all worth it—laying the foundation for his strength. As the saying goes, mastering a hundred crafts is inferior to excelling in one, but thanks to his system, he could train in everything to perfection.

After investing in Alchemy, his available attribute points, which had just been thirty-four, dropped to fourteen.

Now he could refine his own pills as needed. He remembered that alchemy was far more profitable than making talismans; perhaps he should switch to pill refining. But he ought to use a different identity to sell his wares and avoid selling them at the Treasure Pavilion.

“Cultivation is a constant struggle; if you don’t advance, you fall behind. Since that’s the case, I must strive to grow stronger.” Lin Yang drew his long sword and began practicing basic forms, intending to cultivate his spiritual power after a while.

Time slipped by swiftly, and soon the sun was setting. The streets at dusk radiated a gentle glow from somewhere unknown, and the crowd was thick, reminiscent of the night markets of his previous life.

Lin Yang stepped outside, bought a fried dough snack, and ate as he walked, heading toward the central plaza of the Tai Nan Market.

An open-air gathering was underway. The auction held that day had attracted all the itinerant cultivators from the area, and some seized the opportunity, turning the evening into a small Tai Nan assembly.

Lin Yang spotted a stall shrouded in smoke, with a canvas banner bearing the words “Jiang’s Wontons.”

A young woman bustled about the stall, trailed by a small boy.

She looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five, with fair skin flushed with rosy health. Her hands, though accustomed to work, remained slender and graceful, exuding an air of domesticity.

Nearby, a group of older women teased her.

“Miss Wang, your husband’s been gone so long. Isn’t it time to find someone new?”

“Oh, Aunt Li, I have to raise my son first. If others won’t accept him, what then?” she replied helplessly.

“I don’t know why you worry. With your looks, people would line up for you—no one would let you be heartbroken.”

“I have no choice. Let me bring up my son before I think about anything else,” she said, feigning resignation.

Lin Yang approached. “Sister Wang, I’ll have a bowl of wontons.”

“Oh, Little Yang, back again? You eat here nearly every meal. Are you smitten with Miss Wang?” Aunt Li teased.

“It wouldn’t be so bad. She’s young, and you’re not so much younger than her.”

“Come on, it’s not that serious. I just like her cooking—and I don’t come here every day,” Lin Yang replied with mock annoyance.

“Besides, even if I liked Miss Wang, she might not care for me.”

“Come now, Aunt Li, I’m old enough to be Little Yang’s mother. How could I possibly be a match for him?” Miss Wang said.

“Besides, Little Yang is a promising young man; he ought to marry a proper lady. Look at me—aged and faded; I’m hardly a fit match.”

“Sister Wang, don’t belittle yourself. There’s no telling how many people have their eyes on you. If not for little Jiang Chen, you’d have married a fine husband long ago,” Lin Yang said, sitting down.

As they chatted, a group of swaggering men appeared. “Little lady, have you made up your mind? You should accept our boss.”

“Our Brother Kun is one of the few at the peak of Qi Refining in Tai Nan Valley.”

“And tonight he’ll win the Foundation Establishment Pill at auction. He’ll become a Foundation Establishment cultivator for sure. Stick with him, and you’ll live in luxury—no one in the market will dare bother you,” the leader said arrogantly.

“You little ladies—what’s with the modesty? You’re just like those girls in the brothels—the price isn’t right, is it?”

“Oh, isn’t that Li Er Gou?” Lin Yang suddenly recalled.

“I wonder why you’re so prejudiced against women. Didn’t your wife run off with someone else? You got cheated on, didn’t you? What, you’re upset?”

“You sick of living? I may not be able to kill Cheng Kun, but I can deal with you,” Li Er Gou snarled.

When Lin Yang first started his stall, Cheng Kun had tried to collect protection money, but Lin Yang had killed two of his lackeys with talismans. Cheng Kun couldn’t touch Lin Yang, so he left.

“Damn brat, just you wait. When my boss becomes a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he’ll kill you sooner or later.” Sensing trouble, Li Er Gou led his men away, tossing a threat as he left.

“Sister Wang, don’t worry. They won’t dare start trouble in the market—if anything, it’ll be me they target. But keep an eye on little Jiang Chen. Those scoundrels are capable of anything.”

“Thank you. Sister Wang has nothing else to offer, so from now on your wontons are free,” Wang Ling said gratefully.

She pulled Jiang Chen forward. “Chen’er, greet Brother Lin.”

“Brother Lin,” little Jiang Chen said, confused but obedient.

“Ah, Brother Lin has something to do tonight, so I can’t play with you. Tomorrow I’ll come and keep you company,” Lin Yang said, patting Jiang Chen’s head.

He returned to his seat and ate his wontons. Eating in silence was a good habit.

After finishing his meal, Lin Yang made his way toward the Treasure Pavilion…