Trading Skin with a Tiger

"Hold on there, fellow Daoist."

The one who spoke was a robust young man. His every move was starkly different from the simple demeanor of the Corpse Buriers. A noble air emanated from his brows, making him appear distinguished even though his clothes were neither luxurious nor clean, nor did he seem particularly disheveled.

Wen Jiu didn't want to bother, but the two of them directly blocked his path.

The first speaker spoke again, his gaze falling on the handkerchief Wang Nian had given him. "I am Fang Zheng. My brother-in-law is Li Liang, the Night Patrol Manager of Corpse Peak's flank... I wonder what your relationship is with Manager Wang?"

"Is there something?"

Wen Jiu offered no explanation.

Because there was no need.

He didn't have to explain everything just because someone asked.

That would be too low-class.

Fang Zheng said, "Since you also have connections on Corpse Peak, why not join our Gathering Righteousness Hall? Whether you work as a Corpse Burier or become an apprentice later, we can look out for each other."

"Not interested," Wen Jiu shook his head.

He was about to walk past them.

Fang Zheng persisted, emphasizing the last sentence heavily as if afraid others wouldn't hear. "If you're willing, the Gathering Righteousness Hall can offer you a position as a merchant shop manager, with a monthly salary of one hundred taels... that's three years' wages for a Corpse Burier!"

"Our Gathering Righteousness Hall's businesses span a hundred miles around the flank, and we cooperate with many immortal cultivation families. Once you join, you won't lack connections. When you become an apprentice, we can also support each other and prevent you from being bullied by fellow disciples."

The other person beside Fang Zheng chimed in.

His words carried a sense of pride.

It was clear.

The Gathering Righteousness Hall was not a small organization.

However, Wen Jiu was still not interested. He wouldn't join any group until he had a sufficient understanding of the flank's situation.

He didn't want to be used as a pawn.

"Excuse me."

Wen Jiu walked past them. When he looked at the surrounding Corpse Buriers, he noticed they were all looking at him with envious eyes.

Clearly, they all wanted to join the Gathering Righteousness Hall.

But they lacked the qualifications.

Or perhaps they hadn't received an invitation.

This inevitably sparked some curiosity in Wen Jiu. What exactly was this so-called Gathering Righteousness Hall?

It was impossible for them to openly poach from Corpse Peak. It was most likely an organization formed by disciples of Corpse Peak themselves.

After Wen Jiu passed them and walked away slowly, the third person, who had remained silent and was their leader, suddenly spoke.

His tone was deep.

He spoke with the earnestness of an experienced elder, implying that Wen Jiu was short-sighted for not joining the Gathering Righteousness Hall today.

"Fellow Daoist... fighting alone, you won't get far in the path of cultivation; without friends, and treading the Unorthodox Path, you won't be welcomed. I can give you time to consider and inquire about the Gathering Righteousness Hall. Come find us again when you've made up your mind."

Wen Jiu acted as if he hadn't heard.

He strolled away.

However.

After walking for about a mile or two.

Wang Nian descended beside Wen Jiu on his sword, as if he had been following him all along.

As expected.

Wang Nian's first words were about the recent encounter. "Young Wen, do you know that the Gathering Righteousness Hall was jointly founded by several managers of the flank? Their businesses cover a hundred miles around the flank, and they cooperate with at least ten or eight immortal cultivation families. They are a considerable force on the flank. Once you join, you'll have a backing."

"Brother Wang has been following me just to tell me this?" Honestly, even if Wang Nian nodded, Wen Jiu wouldn't believe him one bit.

Wang Nian chuckled. "Of course not. I just came to remind you, kid... don't try to scheme with a tiger. With your talent for the Unorthodox Path, Corpse Peak has a proper path for advancement. Although it's more difficult than for normal Qi Refining Cultivators, you don't need to rely on those who collude wickedly."

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Wang."

Wen Jiu bowed in thanks.

Even if Wang Nian hadn't reminded him, he wouldn't have made rash choices.

But Wang Nian had come to remind him.

He was grateful.

It also showed that Wang Nian was a good person.

In a strange world, meeting an elder who was willing to care for and guide him was a fortunate thing.

Soon.

Wen Jiu returned home.

After nightfall, as usual, he went to chant the Corpse Nurturing Incantation for the White Zombie. Perhaps it was due to the ever-increasing accumulation of corpses in the dead zone, but chanting the incantation actually attracted a nascent Yin Soul, which unfortunately became food for the White Zombie.

On this day.

The White Zombie gained an additional 20 experience points.

Wen Jiu gained 100 points of Death Qi.

This was equivalent to sixteen days of cultivation plus daily settlement rewards.

It was worth mentioning that, possibly due to the Cultivator's Essence Blood, a faint blood-red light could be seen emanating from the White Zombie's body when it attacked the Yin Soul. This had not appeared when its Blood Transformation Body first entered the first layer.

Moreover, when the blood-red light appeared, the faint blood aura and Corpse Qi emanating from the White Zombie made even him feel a chill.

He was already at Qi Refining Layer One.

And the White Zombie was still just a White Zombie.

Thus, Wen Jiu attempted to attack the White Zombie.

He didn't dare to use his full strength initially, as even though he hadn't cultivated any spells, the magical power of a Qi Refining Layer One cultivator released out of thin air could still be quite destructive.

But what Wen Jiu didn't expect was that even with his full power unleashed once, he couldn't injure the White Zombie's Blood Transformation Body.

It couldn't even be shaken.

However, the corpse bodies described in the Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Record were not this powerful. Even when they became Black Zombies, they were only comparable to Body Refining First Layer cultivators.

Body Refining First Layer cultivators could not withstand a full-power attack from a Qi Refining cultivator without any injuries. At most, they would go from severe to minor injuries when hit by a spell—this applied regardless of their strength.

But now, the White Zombie's corpse body completely defied the common sense and rules stated in the Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Record.

"It seems it's the Cultivator's Essence Blood... With such a powerful corpse body, how strong will this guy be when he becomes a Black Zombie?"

Wen Jiu sighed.

He buried the White Zombie again.

After returning home.

Wen Jiu fell into a deep sleep.

He slept incredibly soundly that night.

There was no longer the apprehension of being a stranger in a foreign land.

Perhaps it was because he had reached Qi Refining Layer One.

Perhaps it was because he had witnessed the power of the White Zombie's Blood Transformation Body.

The next morning, when he rushed to the dead zone to bury corpses again, his mindset had changed significantly once more.

A bold thought arose spontaneously.

I want to live forever!

I want to become an immortal!

It had to be said.

Truly bold.

However, upon arriving at the dead zone, Wen Jiu noticed that the atmosphere was off today, and there were many more people. Wang Nian, unlike his usual tardiness, had arrived earlier than most.

From a distance, Wang Nian was seen conversing with cultivators clad in black armor, and each word caused Wang Nian's brow to furrow further.

A moment later.

Wang Nian walked towards them.

"Kid Wen, were you in this dead zone last night?"

Wen Jiu nodded.

There was no point in hiding it.

The sound of his door opening and closing when he left home at night could be heard.

Moreover, when he had previously revealed the White Zombie and gained another trading opportunity, he had mentioned that he would come to the dead zone at night to nurture corpses.

Upon hearing Wen Jiu's words, Wang Nian beckoned him to follow, "When they ask you anything later, just answer truthfully... Don't worry, it has nothing to do with you; they just want to ask you a few things."

"Mhm, mhm."

Wen Jiu nodded.

As they approached the group of cultivators in black armor, the killing intent they unconsciously exuded made Wen Jiu's heart skip a beat. Their revealed auras also made Wen Jiu marvel.

Three of them had auras similar to Wang Nian's.

They should all be at Qi Refining Layer Three.

There was one more person whose aura was above Wang Nian's.

Qi Refining Mid-stage?

What exactly happened to attract a Qi Refining mid-stage cultivator?

"You're Wen Jiu, right?"

One of the black-armored cultivators asked, his tone quite cold, making Wen Jiu worry he'd be stabbed in the next moment.

Wen Jiu nodded.

The black-armored cultivator asked again, "What were you doing in the Remnant Corpse Deadlands last night?"

"Nurturing corpses. Because I practice the Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Record, I need to come to the burial ground at Hai Shi to chant the Corpse Nurturing Incantation."

Wen Jiu answered truthfully.

The black-armored cultivator's gaze fell upon Wang Nian, who quickly nodded and said he had seen that White Zombie.

Seeing this, the black-armored cultivator didn't doubt them. Instead, he continued to ask, "Then did you hear any commotion last night?"

"Commotion? No." Wen Jiu shook his head.

The black-armored cultivator seemed unwilling to believe Wen Jiu's words and asked coldly again, "Think carefully. If we later find out you've concealed anything or deceived us, our Night Patrol Division has the right to directly kill you!"

[Updated!

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Thank you, fellow Daoists!

Nervous...]