Soon, Wang Quan gathered his thoughts and left the Inner Landscape.
The Real World:
Six sticks of Sandalwood Incense had burned in the incense burner, meaning he had spent a little over an hour in the Second-Layer World.
It had not been long, but his gains had been considerable.
The materials arranged around him to shelter his Yin Spirit had been somewhat depleted.
Still, Wang Quan reckoned they could be used a few more times.
After putting the materials away, he began gathering moonlight again.
With top-grade materials worth three hundred thousand cash supporting the operation of his Fundamental Method, vast amounts of moonlight streamed down, turning into countless threads of Dharma Power stored within his Inner Landscape.
Before he knew it, dawn had arrived.
As usual, he paid homage to the moon and gathered purple qi.
Once everything was done, he went to the Technique Transmission Hall to learn spells, then prepared to continue studying the Daoist Scriptures:
"My First-Rank Dao Seal can decipher a powerful cultivation technique like the [People-Crossing Scripture] and even grant me a Qi Gathering trait."
"What about a Second-Rank Dao Seal?"
People came and went in the Scripture Repository.
Wang Quan noticed that more than half the newcomers who had arrived with Ying Jiaren were now gone.
Those who remained no longer put as much effort into studying the Daoist Scriptures.
They spoke quietly among themselves, discussing cultivation, then soon left the Scripture Repository, never to return.
Wang Quan knew there were benefits to studying the Ten Thousand Scrolls Dao Canon before refining Dharma Power.
But he would never remind anyone else.
If someone asked, he said the same thing as everyone else: "Supposedly, it helps."
Whether they believed it or persevered was none of his concern.
Ying Jiaren and her companions studied the Daoist Scriptures earnestly.
Even when Wang Quan approached, they did not notice.
Watching them reminded Wang Quan of his former self. I should keep working hard, too.
He studied the Daoist Scriptures.
An hour...
Two hours...
Four hours...
A message arrived on his token.
Wang Quan did not look at it and continued studying.
Only at noon did he check his token.
The message was from the Officiant Daoist Nun.
"The anomaly at the Blissful Union House is pretty serious. Want to help? One hundred thousand Green Beetles."
Wang Quan replied, "I've been diligently cultivating my Dharma Power lately. I don't have time to deal with anomalies."
"Besides, my Dharma Power isn't very strong. I don't want to get involved rashly."
The Officiant Daoist Nun replied, "They say clearing anomalies earns Yin Virtue."
Yin Virtue?
Wang Quan smiled.
He had now found a way to obtain Yin Virtue, and it was quite safe, too.
So...
"I'll only dare tackle anomalies after I've accumulated more Dharma Power!"
"Also, if the anomaly is hard to resolve, have the Blissful Union House find someone else."
"When we make money, what we're after is peace and stability."
The Officiant Daoist Nun replied, "The Blissful Union House and the Zhao Household won't let anyone go right now."
"Forget it. I'll find someone else."
Wang Quan replied, "All right!"
After he finished speaking with the Officiant Daoist Nun, Qian Xiuyue also sent him a message. "Wang Quan, let's meet when you have time!"
Wang Quan replied, "Is something wrong? You can tell me here!"
Qian Xiuyue replied, "I want to talk to you in person!"
"All right!"
Two hours later, Wang Quan went to Nameless Lakeside.
Since it was daytime, few people were there, and Wang Quan spotted Qian Xiuyue at once.
Qian Xiuyue wore white Daoist robes, her long hair pinned high, and held a Fly Whisk. Her bearing was otherworldly, but her face was pale.
When she saw Wang Quan, the corners of her lips lifted. "Long time no see!"
Wang Quan nodded. "Yes, long time no see!"
Qian Xiuyue swayed her Fly Whisk and smiled. "Are you still studying the Daoist Scriptures?"
Wang Quan nodded. "Yes!"
"What about you?"
Qian Xiuyue sighed. "I gave up completely a few days ago!"
Wang Quan fell silent.
Qian Xiuyue smiled. "Zhao Hongyi and I have parted ways."
"I'm leading a few people now, preparing to establish my own manor."
Wang Quan was taken aback.
He remembered Qian Xiuyue and Zhao Hongyi being on good terms.
Qian Xiuyue continued, "Zhao Hongyi worked me like an ox or a horse."
"We did all the dirty, exhausting work, while she took the lion's share of the benefits."
"If that were all, I could have put up with it!"
"But I discovered she'd planted her backside firmly on the side of those New-Method Cultivators."
"She made us help the New-Method Cultivators practice spells and dissect Fundamental Methods, then suppressed us on top of that."
"Things weren't going well for us."
Wang Quan nodded. "If things aren't going well, you can actually return to the Lower Court and slowly accumulate Dharma Power."
Qian Xiuyue shook her head. "I'm not going back!"
"I hope you can help me establish this manor!"
"Don't worry, I won't ask you to help for nothing. I'll pay you!"
Wang Quan was silent for a moment. "I've only just started refining Dharma Power. How can I help?"
"Besides, I heard you have to be close to Foundation Establishment to establish a manor in the Mountain Range!"
"Zhao Hongyi has someone backing her. What about you?"
Qian Xiuyue was silent for a moment. "I've joined an organization... Establishing this manor is actually their test for me."
"I don't need you to do any of the work. You only need to help protect the Laborers."
"If New-Method Cultivators cause trouble, deal with them if you can. If you can't, send a signal, and someone will take care of it."
"The work is simple, and the pay is decent-the manor should be finished in about ten days."
"Then I'll give you one hundred thousand cash."
Wang Quan sighed. "You've been out here so long, and you're still short of people?"
Qian Xiuyue smiled bitterly. "I only trust those of us who went to study at the Scripture Repository in that same first batch."
"I don't really trust the others."
"So-I'm short of people."
Wang Quan considered for a moment. "I'm not short of money right now. Just owe me a favor instead!"
Qian Xiuyue thought it over briefly. "No problem!"
"If you need anything later, just call me."
"As long as you don't ask me to throw my life away, I'll definitely help!"
"I'll be waiting for you at Seventh Peak on Seven Maidens Mountain in three days."
She left Wang Quan a map with the exact location marked.
After Qian Xiuyue left, Wang Quan thought for a while, then contacted the Round-Faced Daoist Nun. "Senior sister, a friend of mine wants to establish a manor on Seven Maidens Mountain."
"Do you have any information about that?"
The Round-Faced Daoist Nun shook her head. "Go to No. 95 Courtyard and ask Fairy Qin!"
"Her business is booming now. She's practically half an information broker!"
Wang Quan replied, "Thank you, senior sister!"
The Round-Faced Daoist Nun said wistfully, "You used to call me big sister!"
Wang Quan released a paper person and had it assume his own appearance, then headed straight to No. 95 Courtyard along the familiar route.
Fairy Qin had a reception room. Inside was a Fairy Qin diligently applying rouge and powder to her decaying face.
When Wang Quan entered, she hurriedly puffed out a breath of Dharma Power, transforming her appearance into one of icy aloofness.
This Fairy Qin approached with delicate, measured steps and said coolly, "Husband, what would you like to eat? Let me bathe you and change your clothes."
Wang Quan took a step back. "Sorry, I'm looking for your original body."
This Fairy Qin said coldly, "The original body will only see you for one hundred thousand cash!"
Wang Quan coughed. "I'd like to ask for some information."
This Fairy Qin held out her hand. "Prices start at one thousand Green Beetles!"
Wang Quan paid.
A moment later, a hidden passage appeared in the wall. Wang Quan passed through it, then through several rooms in succession before finally meeting the aloof Daoist Nun Qin's original body.
The aloof Daoist nun got straight to the point. "What information do you want?"
Wang Quan replied, "Seven Maidens Mountain!"
"A friend of mine wants to establish a manor on Seven Maidens Mountain!"
The aloof Daoist nun closed her eyes and thought for a while. "The backer behind that friend of yours is the [Star Alliance]."
"The members of this organization primarily cultivate Starlight Fundamental Methods!"
"They're on bad terms with the New-Method Alliance!"
"When she establishes her manor, cultivators from the New-Method Alliance will definitely come looking for trouble!"
"If you help, you'd best conceal your appearance and name, so the New-Method Alliance doesn't hold a grudge against you."
Before you continue