Unorthodox Path

According to Wen Jiu's knowledge, Corpse Peak was divided into the main peak and side peaks.

There was only one main peak.

But there were hundreds of side peaks.

The place he lived, along with the Dead Corpse Land and this market, all belonged to the side peak under Lian Wu Mountain's jurisdiction.

However, even though they were all under Lian Wu Mountain, ordinarily, Corpse Buriers and mortal laborers were not allowed to freely enter the Cultivators' market. So when Wen Jiu arrived at the market, everything he saw were Cultivators.

Male Cultivators flew on swords.

Female Cultivators strolled atop beasts.

All kinds of spirit beasts rested around the market's perimeter.

It was like a completely different world compared to where Wen Jiu lived and that Dead Corpse Land.

"It's not like what they show in TV dramas." Wen Jiu looked around excitedly, finding even a single blade of grass novel.

Soon.

Under the Middle-Aged Steward's lead, the hundred-plus Corpse Buriers were brought from a side path off the main road to the market entrance.

When they drew close, Wen Jiu noticed that outside the market's three-zhang-tall grand archway, strange golden characters continuously surged up from the ground, flew in an orderly fashion into the sky, and converged into a massive, faint protective barrier.

From a distance, the naked eye couldn't see it at all—only up close could it be made out. Just as Wen Jiu wondered what this was, the Middle-Aged Steward said in a deep voice, "This is the Guardian Killing Formation. Without a Disciple Token, entry means death! If you don't want to die, stand still and behave... Anyone who moves, don't blame me for revoking your qualification to cultivate."

As his words fell.

Seeing the murderous look in the Middle-Aged Steward's eyes, the crowd dared not gawk anymore. But Wen Jiu noticed anticipation on some Corpse Buriers' faces, unlike the shock and ecstasy others showed upon hearing the words "qualification to cultivate."

Clearly.

Some had known long before.

"Corpse Buriers can actually cultivate?" Wen Jiu's heart began to stir with excitement.

But he also had some doubts.

He wouldn't believe it until he saw it with his own eyes.

Could someone who wasn't an Immortal Mountain disciple still cultivate Immortal techniques?

A moment later.

At the edge of the market, a three-story ancient tower called the Dharma Transmission Tower slowly opened its doors, and a white-haired, long-robed elder walked out unhurriedly. When he appeared, the Middle-Aged Steward's usual fierce demeanor instantly changed.

He actually sidled up obsequiously, lowering his posture and speaking respectfully, "Elder Chen, all the Corpse Buriers under my command have been brought."

"Mhm." The White-Haired Elder nodded, swept his indifferent gaze over the crowd, then turned back. "Bring them in. Once they've made their selections, leave quickly... Don't disturb my secluded cultivation."

"Yes, Elder Chen."

The Middle-Aged Steward nodded.

When his gaze fell back on the Corpse Buriers, it returned to its ferocious expression.

"Follow me in an orderly fashion. You have three hundred breaths to choose a Basic Cultivation Method... I believe many of you already have a goal in mind and know the rules, but I still warn you: the Dharma is not lightly passed on. If the cultivation method in your hands leaks out, you bear the consequences."

After this warning, the Middle-Aged Steward slowly entered. Those Corpse Buriers who had long been filled with anticipation and hope quickly followed.

Wen Jiu was overjoyed and hurriedly followed behind.

At this moment, he finally understood why his sister had told him to work hard.

Being a Corpse Burier was a bitter job, staying in the land of the dead year-round. If Yin Qi or Death Qi corroded you too heavily, death was certain.

So why work hard?

In a place of death, shouldn't one be more cautious?

It turned out Corpse Buriers could cultivate!

Upon entering the tower.

What met the eye were rows upon rows of bookshelves filled with tomes, three zhang high, reaching all the way to the ceiling.

At least ten thousand volumes.

Once everyone had entered and stood in place, the Middle-Aged Steward said in a deep voice, "You have three hundred breaths to make your own selection."

The White-Haired Elder added, "The cultivation method you choose here is your fate, and it cannot be changed. At the same time, I remind you: after one year, the top three in cultivation may become Apprentice Disciples ahead of schedule and enter my Corpse Peak. So choose your cultivation method carefully."

Hearing this, the hundred-plus people were all overjoyed.

Becoming an Apprentice Disciple ahead of schedule.

This not only meant suffering nine fewer years of hardship but also receiving Corpse Peak's training earlier.

Becoming an Immortal Master sooner.

This was precisely the vision that had made them willing to sign indentured contracts to become Corpse Buriers. Now there was hope of achieving it early.

How could they not be excited?

Once the white-haired elder nodded, the crowd surged toward the bookshelves like a tide.

Wen Jiu did not follow immediately.

He had no interest in the shelves marked with basic Qi Refining; instead, he wanted to find cultivation methods related to Corpse Nurturers within the tower. The Daily Settlement Panel had made him a Corpse Nurturer and granted him a secret art.

But it had not given him a complete cultivation method.

So everything had to be found on his own.

Blindly searching, however, would not do.

He needed to consult the white-haired elder.

If he failed to get an answer, it wouldn't cost him a layer of skin.

But if he succeeded, it would save him a great deal of trouble.

Thus, Wen Jiu steeled himself, walked respectfully up to the white-haired elder, and said in a deferential tone, "Greetings, Old Immortal Master."

"You have three hundred breaths."

The white-haired elder spoke coldly.

Wen Jiu asked, "This junior seeks cultivation methods related to corpse refining and corpse nurturing. I beg the Old Immortal Master for guidance."

"Corpse refining methods? You come to my Dharma Transmission Tower to learn the Unorthodox Path!" The white-haired elder was somewhat surprised and displeased, but still pointed Wen Jiu in a direction. "Go straight ahead to the dusty place; the Unorthodox Path is there."

"Many thanks, Old Immortal Master."

Wen Jiu clasped his fists.

He also bowed to the middle-aged steward.

Then he quickly passed the dazzling array of books and ran toward the bookshelf at the end of the corridor the elder had indicated.

A moment later.

Wen Jiu finally found that dusty spot.

Corpse nurturing, corpse refining, and other unorthodox methods like insect raising were piled there, but the dust was as thick as the book covers.

Clearly, no one had touched them in a long time.

Wen Jiu immediately began flipping through them one by one, eventually finding a relatively comprehensive volume: the Yin Province Corpse Refining Record.

It contained not only corpse refining and nurturing methods.

But also cultivation methods for Corpse Nurturers.

The two combined.

Were exactly what Wen Jiu needed most.

However, after obtaining what he wanted, Wen Jiu did not rush to leave. Instead, he continued browsing other books.

Read as much as he could.

Remember as much as he could.

In the blink of an eye, three hundred breaths passed, and the white-haired elder's deep voice rang out. Only then did Wen Jiu withdraw.

But as he left the ancient tower, the white-haired elder's gaze lingered on him for a few breaths, and he sneered, "A man of opportunism! You ignore the grand and righteous path of Qi Refining to cultivate the Unorthodox Path!"

Wen Jiu pretended not to hear.

Yet as he passed by, the elder added, "Boy, even if the Unorthodox Path advances quickly, you dwell in a Death Ground, suffering daily erosion from Yin Qi, and you cultivate corpse nurturing methods, keeping company with Yin Qi and Death Qi. The day you succeed may well be the day you perish... So even if you rank first in cultivation a year from now, no one will choose you to join the Apprentice Disciple ranks or become an apprentice on Corpse Peak."

Hearing this, Wen Jiu was stunned.

But by the time he came to his senses, the white-haired elder had already yawned and turned away, leaving Wen Jiu no chance to speak.