The Cultivation World's First Pot of Gold

Another year flew by. They lived rough in the outskirts of the Ningyun Mountain Range, exposed to wind and dew, and no longer dared to pick up human bones.

Their cultivation had only improved a little. They were still stuck at Qi Condensation Stage 3, having added their Longevity Points to Essence of All Things. They had also cultivated a century-old medicinal herb.

Every day, they continued searching the outskirts of the mountain range for spiritual herbs, but they had not even glimpsed a shadow of one. They did not dare venture into the depths of the mountains.

Not only were there demon beasts there, but small immortal sects had also settled within. It was perilous beyond measure.

Another Ascension Convention arrived, and Chen Xun and Big Black Ox showed up as promised. There was now a slight air of swagger in their eyes, and they could even comment critically on the goods at the stalls.

They took their century-old medicinal herb to sell, only to be viciously humiliated. They were cursed at and told that if their brains did not work properly, they should not come cultivate immortality.

"Damn it, why are they looking down on people again? Doesn't your family have mortals? Is everyone in your family dead?!"

"Moo!" Big Black Ox spat as well.

Chen Xun and Big Black Ox walked through the valley, babbling away nonstop. They still had the same look, the same old flavor.

Three days flashed by, and it was once again time for the Ten Great Immortal Sects to show off. Chen Xun and Big Black Ox stood in the valley in anticipation. The key was that other people really did know how to put on a damn good show.

Countless cries and exclamations rang out again, but today, Chen Xun shouted along a few times. At the very least, he could now call out the names of other people's sects.

Over these seven days, Chen Xun and Big Black Ox continued scribbling and drawing in their little booklets, with Big Black Ox adding things from the side.

As soon as the valley's closing time arrived, Chen Xun and Big Black Ox were the first to charge out. They left even faster than the Ten Great Immortal Sects—so fast that no one even noticed somebody had already run off.

Before absolute speed, even schemes and tricks seemed half a beat too slow.

Time passed unnoticed in the mountains. Another five years went by, but the wild beasts of the Ningyun Mountain Range suffered a great calamity. Chen Xun and Big Black Ox called every one of them "little friends," and every day, some beast met with disaster.

They had finally ground their way to the fourth level of the Qi Condensation Stage. They added all their Longevity Points to Essence of All Things, hoping that one day, while excreting, they might step on a spiritual herb.

Their current Longevity Points were: Strength, 21. Speed, 21. Essence of All Things, 15.

At this year's Ascension Convention, Chen Xun and Big Black Ox arrived as promised. They had come again and again and again and again. Their faces glowed with health, as if they had returned home.

Aside from the pots, bowls, and utensils hanging from both sides of Big Black Ox, they had also gone into the city and printed many little booklets.

And at the Ascension Convention, Chen Xun gradually rose to fame. People gave him the nickname Ascension Squatter: poor enough to jingle, with nothing left but a Big Black Ox.

No one knew his appearance or name. He was exceedingly mysterious.

But this man's brain did not seem to work too well. He wore a Black Headscarf all year round, dreaming of becoming a bandit in the Cultivation World.

Rumor had it that all stall owners should be wary of him, because he often lingered around their stalls without being able to produce even a single spirit stone. He was probably scouting something out.

But these were merely jokes exchanged by bored wandering cultivators over tea. No one paid attention to Chen Xun; they simply considered him a fool.

Every year, newcomers arrived and old faces departed. All of them were people desperate to seek immortality.

Nine Stars Valley.

"Big Brother, this is the masterpiece I poured my heart and blood into over several years. The trials and precautions of every major sect are all recorded inside."

Chen Xun bent at the waist, grinning as he relentlessly peddled his wares. "I guarantee your Success Rate of entering an immortal sect will soar!"

"Oh?"

Several wandering cultivators stopped in their tracks, interest appearing in their eyes. "May we Take a Look?"

Yet when they saw Chen Xun's bandit-like face covering, their hearts all jolted. This fellow was definitely no kind soul!

"Of course. If you're satisfied, then pay."

Chen Xun smiled. These people looked unfamiliar. One glance told him they had only just come to the Ascension Convention, so the chances of making a sale were greatly increased.

"Brother Zhang, this looks genuinely pretty good."

The wandering cultivator's eyes lit up as he showed it to the two men beside him. "It even explains what sort of disciples the Ten Great Immortal Sects want to recruit."

"Indeed, though who knows whether it's true." The two nodded. If it was true, that would be extraordinary.

"Rest assured, Big Brother. I'm here every year. If there's any problem, come find me directly."

Chen Xun patted his chest and said solemnly, "Just one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. You won't lose out buying it, and you won't be fooled buying it. Even if it only increases your chances by ten percent, wouldn't that still be a profit?"

"Fine!"

The man shouted, his eyes still fixed on the booklet. "This One can tell at a glance that you're a straightforward man, fellow cultivator. I'll buy it!"

"Big Brother has a discerning eye. You'll definitely enter an immortal sect smoothly this year."

Chen Xun said with a fawning smile, joyfully accepting that one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. It was simply a sight too beautiful to behold.

"Alright, then I'll borrow your auspicious words."

The man smiled. This fellow really knew how to talk. The spirit stone had been well spent.

"Take care, three Big Brothers!"

"Moo!"

Chen Xun and Big Black Ox shouted from behind them, their faces already blossoming into smiles. They had finally earned their first pot of gold.

"Old Ox, let's go!"

"Moo moo!!"

Chen Xun was filled with ambition. No stealing, no robbing—earning spirit stones this way felt refreshing and clean.

Big Black Ox was so excited it was almost in tears, constantly rubbing against Chen Xun. They had truly done it. Chen Xun also wrapped One Hand around the ox's head. No one knew how much effort they had poured into this.

"This Big Brother looks heroic and extraordinary, with peerless talent. If I'm not mistaken, you've come to participate in the Ten Great Immortal Sects' disciple recruitment?"

"Hm? What is it, fellow cultivator?"

A young man stopped, surprise on his face. Was his excellence already so obvious? Damn it... someone had actually seen right through him.

Chen Xun narrowed his eyes slightly and looked him up and down twice. "But Big Brother may be lacking one thing. It is of utmost importance."

The young man also sized Chen Xun up. Though he wore a headscarf, those wise eyes deeply betrayed him.

Combined with the Big Black Ox he led behind him, with pots, bowls, and utensils actually hanging from its body, it added an even greater air of wisdom to him. This man... was not simple.

"Please speak plainly, fellow cultivator." The young man was exceptionally polite.

Chen Xun pulled out three booklets from behind him, Spread Open one with One Hand, and said solemnly, "If you wish to become immortal, read this booklet first!"

"Ah?!"

The young man was greatly shocked and hurriedly took it. "Could this... could this be the legendary..."

"Hehe, the trials of the Ten Great Immortal Sects are all in this booklet. It depends on whether Big Brother recognizes good goods."

Chen Xun said faintly, standing With Hands Behind His Back. Over these past years, his eye had become exceptionally sharp. He could tell at a glance who had spirit stones and who did not.

The young man wiped away a cold sweat. The contents of this booklet were all solid goods, far better than those bits of hearsay.

"Fellow cultivator, this must cost quite a few spirit stones, right?"

"One Low-Grade Spirit Stone is enough."

"No, that's far too cheap."

The young man shook his head sharply. Chen Xun's expression changed. He had actually misjudged him.

"I think it should be at least two!" the young man said seriously, taking spirit stones from his Storage Bag.

"Big Brother, no need. This is the standard price."

Chen Xun frowned. He did not like raising prices on the spot. "Just one!"

"Two."

"One."

"So, fellow cultivator, you refuse to give me face?" The young man's expression suddenly turned sharp, as though he had become a different person.

Chen Xun was startled and hastily changed his words. "Fine, two it is. Big Brother truly is no ordinary person."

Upon hearing this, the young man instantly changed his expression, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "You too are certainly no ordinary person, fellow cultivator. I like this booklet very much, so I'll take it first."

"Take care, Big Brother."

Chen Xun called out, thoroughly frightened. In that instant just now, the vastness of that man's spiritual power had been several times his own.

And he even possessed the legendary Storage Bag. He might have an extraordinary background. He Still Need To stay far away from people like that.

"Moo~" Big Black Ox nudged Chen Xun. Why had he stopped on the spot?

"It's nothing, Old Ox. Let's keep selling booklets."

"Moo!"

One man and one ox constantly bent at the waist, smiling apologetically as they peddled their manuals. Some people said they were fakes and left with a snort of disdain. Chen Xun did not get angry. That was perfectly normal.

Yet the day's gains were remarkably pleasing. They had actually sold fifty booklets, and now held fifty-one Low-Grade Spirit Stones.