Cultivation towards immortality, starting from being a fisherman

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Different Professions, Different Worlds

Su Ping’s curiosity was piqued by Little Golden Light Temple, located on a mountain at the intersection of three large cities.

Unlike those workshops that preferred hiding deep within the mountains,

Little Golden Light Temple exposed itself to the eyes of the mundane world.

The Outer Sect’s temple area had its gates wide open, where, in principle, anyone who could make it up the mountain, be they a Loose Cultivator or a common folk, could enter the temple to worship and enjoy a fairly tasty vegetarian meal.

Outside the mountain, Little Golden Light Temple had cultivated extensive tracts of farmland and employed tens of thousands of farm workers to till the land, becoming one of the major Landlords in the nearby Immortal Sect Territory with its numerous incorporated farms.

Little Golden Light Temple had a rule that to till these lands, one must complete three daily sessions of Buddhist teachings.

They also held random quizzes on Buddhist knowledge.

As a result, these hired farm workers and their families were essentially followers of Little Golden Light Temple.

They gathered at the foot of the mountain, naturally forming a bustling small town.

With people, the town was never short of itinerant merchants.

As the sound of bells rang out through the bustling streets,

a trade caravan from Golden Sparrow City entered the town and began to tout their goods with the ringing of their bells.

And as passersby were drawn to this new caravan,

nobody noticed, or if they did, they did not care,

that just before the caravan entered the town, more than a dozen large rats had leaped from the cart and hidden themselves in the fields.

These rats were elite rats controlled by Su Ping’s Spiritual Rats, White and Grey.

This batch of rats was used to pre-arrange and scout for any unusual activities at Little Golden Light Temple.

From the intelligence gathered so far,

Little Golden Light Temple appeared to be in order, the common folk attached to them still lived a tough life, yet it was somewhat better than that of most villagers.

The temples located on the middle and top of the mountain were still impressively dignified, regularly tolling the bells to transmit solemn chanting.

“Has there been no major incident because I went to investigate? Hmm… that seems normal.”

“If there were any conspiracies, they would probably only come to light during the later stages of the Water and Land Dojo event,” he mused.

Su Ping confirmed that there was nothing amiss with Little Golden Light Temple, at least for now it indeed seemed so.

He sighed with relief and began to focus on his own cultivation journey.

In the practice of Immortal Cultivation, aside from Qi Refinement and Body Refining, various skills were also indispensable.

Especially since Su Ping had a big secret, the more things he could do for himself, the safer he was.

Su Ping began trying to read.

He devoured the chapters on talismanic techniques and Artifact Refining in the books by consuming pills.

Feeling confident, Su Ping thought talisman painting looked the simplest.

Since he had also bought the necessary materials from Hundred Treasure Workshop, he decided to give it a try.

The result was as Su Ping had expected.

While his brain thought he could do it, his right hand holding the pen told him no, you cannot!

After wasting several materials, even the simplest Featherweight Talisman failed.

Su Ping sighed and decided to seek help.

He wrote to contact an acquaintance from the Outer Sect.

After offering some benefits, he received a reply introducing him to a Cultivator from the Outer Sect who was proficient in talismanic techniques.

“And he’s also an Inspector!”

Having read the letter and recalling its contents, it said the Cultivator’s surname was Luo, first name Qing.

Born a shepherd, he had transformed into a lofty Cultivator through the Immortal Ascension Conference.

Having uncovered a talent for talismans in Immortal Sect, he became a Talisman Master within the Outer Sect.

Unfortunately, his innate ability was poor, and due to early indulgence in increasing his cultivation by consuming excessive Nourishing Yuan Pills, even though he earned more Spirit Stones from talismans than ordinary disciples,

After sixty years of arduous Cultivation, he still had not broken through the Late Qi Refinement Period. Then, a few months ago, he seemed to have come to terms with it and returned to his hometown with a wealth of talismanic knowledge and savings to take on the role of Inspector for the city.

It was a sort of triumphant return.

If his descendants turned out to be capable, in a hundred years, there was still hope that they could become a powerful family locally.

In dealing with such a Cultivator,

Su Ping thought for a moment, picked up the ten pounds of leftover Spirit Rice and five pounds of demon beast meat, and went to visit.

As for the Little Green Fish, it wasn’t that he was unwilling to part with them, but because this kind of Spirit Fish had never appeared before in the Immortal Cultivation World, it was still too dangerous to trade rashly.

In Golden Moon City, Inspector Luo Qing, like Su Ping, did not reside in the city, but had chosen a scenic spot to build a separate courtyard to live in.

Luo Qing had entered the Immortal Sect at the age of fifteen and was now seventy-five.

In this world, at such an age, he couldn’t be considered young.

Even for a Qi Refinement Cultivator, this age was already entering the decline phase.

Luo Qing had also received a letter from an acquaintance, knowing that someone wanted to learn his talismanic knowledge.

He agreed because of the relationship, but in his heart, he didn’t care much about it, only thinking about brushing them off when the time came.

Although he had retired, it didn’t mean he had to be hostile towards his peers.

But seeing others making money still made him uncomfortable.

Luo Qing lay in bed, discussing life with his newly taken twentieth concubine.

Suddenly, he uttered a sound of surprise as he felt a Cultivator approaching the courtyard.

Soon someone came to report, making Luo Qing frown slightly,

“Why has this person come so quickly? If he was truly interested in the art of talismans, why didn’t he learn it back when he was in the Immortal Sect?”

Muttering to himself, Luo Qing got out of bed, dressed, and his expression became serious,

“Wait in the blankets for me; I’ll be back soon.”

He did not glance at the reproachful face of his concubine.

Luo Qing walked out of the bedroom and, upon reaching the hall and seeing Su Ping,

His eyes fell on the Spirit Rice and demon beast meat that Su Ping was carrying.

Luo Qing’s aged face immediately bloomed with a smile, blooming like a chrysanthemum.

“Our distinguished guest has arrived, and how clumsy of my servants!”

“Quick! Tea, serve the tea, and bring the finest tea!”

Su Ping was not interested in tea, especially since this miserly Old Talisman Master’s so-called fine tea was even worse than what the City Lord Mansion gifted him.

With a few simple exchanges, Su Ping realized that this old cultivator fit the Outer Sect disciples’ stereotype of a retired Inspector living out his days.

Because these groups of old cultivators waiting to die were just like this!

Su Ping kept the small talk short and, after taking the benefits, the Old Talisman Master also got into the mentor’s role and began to address Su Ping’s doubts about talismans.

Many things seem worlds apart but are often just separated by a thin veil—a puncture through it can lead to a sudden enlightenment.

Half a day’s pondering is not as good as a veteran’s advice.

Su Ping now understood what these words meant.

He was taught by the Old Talisman Master for a day.

Although he still failed in talisman making, Su Ping truly felt his progress and believed he had found the right path in the art of talismans.

Then, feeling that it was worth the money, Su Ping brought out more Spirit Rice.

He booked the Old Talisman Master for another full day and night, resolving all his current doubts before leaving satisfied.

However, this meant hardship for the concubine waiting in the blankets in the inner courtyard.

Although she was recently taken, she wouldn’t dare to defy his orders without the Old Talisman Master’s command—not even with a hundredfold courage!

Not every Inspector Lord was like Su Ping, who did not indulge in senseless slaughter or implicate families.

The Old Talisman Master had ordered her to stay in the blankets, so she had no choice but to stay, even if she was thirsty or hungry.