Nine Streams

The inn's front courtyard had a two-story building. The first floor was the lobby and restaurant, while the second floor housed guest rooms.

In the highest-class room at the west end of the second floor, a woman with a graceful figure sat elegantly on a chair by the window, her red dress and light veil obscuring her face.

Her fair hands were clasped gracefully on her lap.

Master Qiao sat by the table opposite her, his expression displeased and his tone harsh. "I don't care if you're looking for something, but don't you dare use your methods on the young men in my town!"

The woman chuckled, a hint of mockery in her laughter. "Qiao Zi'ang, are you really protecting this town? Don't think I don't know about the shady dealings behind your back!"

"I won't stop you from entering the town, but don't you touch my people!"

The woman tilted her head slightly, her bright eyes behind the veil seeming to appraise Master Qiao. "Do you want to be the Headman?"

In Huangming, becoming a Headman wasn't just about an official appointment.

The Mountain Runners from the mountain villages were the Headmen of their villages.

Master Qiao didn't deny it, his attitude still firm. "In short, let's stay out of each other's way, and we can all live peacefully."

Master Qiao returned to his side courtyard, where Steward Liu was waiting. He quickly stood up to greet him. "Proprietor."

Master Qiao's face was grim. "Have many people entered the mountains recently?"

"Yes." Steward Liu's responsibilities weren't just accounting. "Just in the past few days, Xu Yuan from the back courtyard has led five groups into the mountains, and there's another group today."

Master Qiao said unhappily, "Why wasn't I notified?"

"That kid brings people into the mountains and always comes back alive." Steward Liu explained cautiously. "If there were really problems, how could that kid come back? I didn't think much of it."

Master Qiao frowned deeply. "Find out what exactly these people are looking for!"

The distinguished guest brought many attendants. In the evening, when Chef Uncle Rong Kui finished preparing the late-night snack, he had Er Liang deliver it.

Er Liang had been there a long time, so everyone felt more at ease with him handling such tasks.

After returning, Er Liang was dispirited. Xu Yuan slept in the same room as him. The rough wooden bed was covered with straw. Er Liang lay flat, staring blankly at the ceiling. "Yuan, I miss women."

Xu Yuan glanced at him.

He could see his "Fate."

Most people only had "Fate" and no "Imprint." Er Liang was one of them.

His "Fate" was a normal white, but after returning from the front courtyard, a trace of blood color had appeared within it!

Xu Yuan calculated for him. "Your monthly wage is six qian of silver. How many years have you been working here?"

"Two years and three months."

"That makes a total of fifteen taels. But you're sweet-mouthed and diligent, so you should get some tip money from guests. Let's say twenty taels." Xu Yuan pointed to the sedan chair outside. "Do you see that pair of gold and silver hooks on the sedan door?"

Er Liang blinked, confused. "What are you trying to say?"

"That pair of silver hooks is from Nanxiang Ji. One hook alone sells for thirty taels in the county town, so a pair is sixty taels."

Er Liang was speechless.

Xu Yuan turned over, his back to Er Liang, preparing to sleep. "Stop being so dramatic. Widow Yang from South Street charges three hundred wen per session, her service is reasonable, and she's very diligent. She's perfect for you."

Er Liang was puzzled. "You've only been here for half a month, how do you know so much?"

"Uncle Rong Kui told me."

"Uncle Rong Kui only arrived five days ago!"

Xu Yuan fell silent.

But Xu Yuan didn't really sleep; he was thinking seriously.

His Stepmother had indeed kicked him out of the house, but she had no choice. Xu Yuan vaguely knew about the family's affairs. After eating the June Bug, Xu Yuan understood his Stepmother's intentions.

If you can't become a Fate Cultivator, you can't help with family matters, and at least you can save your life outside.

Kicking you out was truly for your own good.

However, Fate Cultivators were very special. They were truly powerful, not only able to "Gaze Fate" but also genuinely able to "Defy Heaven Change Fate"!

All the major clans and powers in Huangming wanted to have a Fate Cultivator to ensure their prosperity.

This included the imperial family and the court.

And Fate Cultivators were the only cultivators among the Seven Great Gates who could inherit through a "Medicinal Guide" and not a "Guide."

Other cultivators still needed to "Enter Stream," but after taking the Medicinal Guide, Fate Cultivators directly became "Nine Streams" and would gain their first "Fate Imprint."

The Fate Imprint obtained was random, ranging from ordinary good, exceptionally good, to super good.

The "Unrestricted" Fate Imprint was undoubtedly super good—hence the value of the "June Bug" was imaginable.

But they were also truly weak.

At the Nine Streams, Eighth Stream, and Seventh Stream levels, besides their own Fate Imprint and "Gazing Fate," they had no other abilities.

When promoted to Eighth Stream and Seventh Stream, they would condense another Fate Imprint respectively.

But a Fate Imprint is not a direct ability.

This path is not only weak in the early stages, but its cultivation speed is also outrageously slow.

Therefore, almost all Fate Cultivators seek refuge with large clans or powerful factions.

Without their protection and support, it is almost impossible for a Fate Cultivator to cultivate to the Upper Three Streams.

The cultivation levels of the Seven Great Gates range from First Stream to Nine Streams.

First, second, and third are the Upper Three Streams; fourth, fifth, and sixth are the Middle Three Streams; seventh, eighth, and ninth are the Lower Three Streams.

Only at the Sixth Stream can a Fate Cultivator use "Fate Arts."

Their combat ability increases significantly.

At the Fifth Stream, they can condense "Fate Objects," making them difficult to kill by those of the same rank.

If a Fate Cultivator truly reaches the "Upper Three Streams," they become terrifying. Under the invisible influence of their various powerful "Fate Imprints," their opponents often don't even know how they lost.

For example, the "Heaven and Earth as One" Fate Imprint will always gain inexplicable "assistance," while its opponents are plagued by bad luck and constantly encounter "accidents."

What Xu Yuan is currently troubled by is that a Ninth Stream Fate Cultivator seems like a useless pawn; even returning home might not be of much help.

The fastest ways to gain combat power are the Pill, Method, and Craft paths.

He needs to find a way to cultivate one of them as well.

As he thought, it was unknowingly late at night. Strange noises echoed from outside, some high in the sky, some in the streets, and some... seemed to be right outside his door!

In the stable, the draft horse Master Qiao was using to pull the cart whinnied restlessly.

Forbidden Night Travel!

Tonight, who knows how many things have descended from Ghost Witch Mountain.

Fortunately, they cannot enter the house.

Door Gods are pasted on every door. As long as the Door Gods are intact, they can block ordinary strange entities from entering.

Xu Yuan yawned silently and slowly fell asleep.

In the early morning, a loud rooster crow shattered the darkness.

The ominous presence that had lingered over the town all night also retreated with the dawn.

This rooster was raised by Granny Ying. It was half a person tall, with bright, lustrous feathers, and looked majestic.

It was the only rooster in the entire town; the others had been eaten by evil spirits that could sneak through doors and holes.

Xu Yuan got up, yawned, and looked up at the calendar.

Tenth of the Seventh Month.

Suitable for: Cleaning, bathing, burial, sacrifice.

Avoid: Marriage, meeting friends, cooking.

Forbidden: Daydreaming, Night Travel!

Xu Yuan quickly closed his mouth.

"Forbidden Daydreaming means that if you accidentally fall asleep during the day and have a dream, evil spirits will take the opportunity to enter your dream and cause trouble," Xu Yuan said, washing his face with cold water from the corner. "It has nothing to do with me; I don't have time to sleep during the day anyway."

Er Liang opened the door, and the fresh, moist air rushed in. "Time to work."

He was a little impatient. If Uncle Rong Kui still asked him to deliver food this morning, he could see that woman one more time.

Uncle Rong Kui made two breakfasts. One was given to Er Liang to deliver to the front yard, and Er Liang excitedly left.

The other was given to Xu Yuan to deliver to the side yard. He added casually, "The Proprietor specifically instructed you to deliver it."

Xu Yuan was slightly stunned and took the tray to go.