Chapter 76: The Perfected Daoist

Outskirts of Prison City, Tiangang Province.

After several days, Shen Xin and Tang Ziran had already captured two exotic beasts—one a Lightning Leopard, the other an Ironclad Beast. The Lightning Leopard was swift and its attacks were formidable; the Ironclad Beast was equally impressive, making it the perfect choice for breaking through an encirclement. If surrounded, following behind the Ironclad Beast would certainly carve a bloody path to escape.

They hadn't gone after the White Tiger or the Exploding Bear simply because they had nowhere to keep them, and raising such beasts would be troublesome. For now, capturing two would suffice; there would be time to hunt more in the future.

This time, Shen Xin once again located the enormous bird's nest atop the cliff. He teleported up and, just as before, took two large eggs—one to raise himself, the other as a gift for his parents.

With that, the opening moves of his plan were nearly complete.

In the days that followed, Shen Xin kept a low profile, minimizing his presence as much as possible. The eggs were placed in an incubator, and he believed it would not be long before they hatched. He remembered it had taken over twenty days last time; this time, it might take even longer. He was in no hurry, his mind focused on the day when the Holy Spirit Fruit Tree would ripen.

Once this job was done, he intended to devote himself to cultivation, never again leaving Ox City. Even within the city, he didn't want to meddle in others’ affairs.

Let the chaos of the outside world run its course!

He was no savior—why should he concern himself with everything? Good and evil, light and darkness, virtue and vice—they were two sides of the same coin, neither able to exist alone. Just as there could not be only day, or only night; the alternation of both was needed for all things to thrive.

Shen Xin opened the Bounty Order app and bought a number of items from the marketplace: three throwing knives—two for himself, one for Tang Ziran; three sets of inner armor; anti-poison masks; antidotes; emergency medicine, and several other essentials.

As for cultivation techniques, there were none for sale, so he posted a bounty, hoping to buy one at a high price.

A few days later, someone messaged him in private, requesting to meet in person.

After some thought, Shen Xin agreed, choosing West Mountain Park as the meeting place. He was very familiar with the park, as he and Tang Ziran trained there almost daily, especially practicing the Earth Burrowing Technique.

Cultivating such a technique in the city was tricky; the underground pipes and wiring were everywhere, and a misstep could spell disaster.

At midday, West Mountain Park was nearly deserted. Shen Xin had Tang Ziran lie in wait nearby and sat by the octagonal pavilion, keeping watch.

Wearing an anti-poison mask, he scanned the surroundings warily.

Soon, a shabby, unkempt Taoist priest approached, his hair tangled, his robe tattered. He spoke in a low voice, “Are you Zhou Xingxing?”

Shen Xin replied, “And you are Daoist Perfection?”

“Boundless Heavenly Venerable, indeed I am but a humble priest.”

“I’ve heard much about you. I am Zhou Xingxing.”

Shen Xin looked the ragged Daoist up and down, inwardly suspecting he might be getting swindled. Still, anyone able to leave a message on the Bounty Order app had to be an adept of sorts. Appearances could be deceiving; better to converse and see.

The Daoist scrutinized Shen Xin for a moment, then gave a barely perceptible shake of the head. “Young friend, may I feel your pulse?”

Shen Xin hesitated but extended his hand, confident that at this range, few could harm him.

The Daoist pressed two filthy fingers to Shen Xin’s wrist, eyes narrowed in concentration. After a while, he sighed. “Alas, your aptitude is lacking. You cannot inherit my teachings. Our paths part here.”

With that, the Daoist turned to leave.

Shen Xin was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected the old priest to be so blunt, leaving without a second thought. Maybe the man did have some skill after all. He quickly called after him.

“Daoist, please wait. My younger sister’s aptitude should be better. Would you take a look at her? Ziran, come here!”

Tang Ziran, also masked, ran over with the Lightning Leopard at her side.

The Daoist paused, turned, and examined the spirited Tang Ziran, nodding in satisfaction. “Young lady, may I?”

“Go ahead.”

Tang Ziran extended her sun-kissed arm. The Daoist placed his fingers on her wrist and, after a long moment, said, “Alas, still one step short. Forgive me, I must decline.”

“Wait, Daoist! We’re willing to pay handsomely for a cultivation technique. Name your price—we won’t haggle!”

The Daoist chuckled, shaking his head. “Heh, I sleep under the sky and eat with the wind. What use have I for money?”

Shen Xin hesitated, then gritted his teeth. “We can trade.”

“And what will you offer?”

“Earth Burrowing Technique and a spiritual cultivation method. But, Daoist, could you demonstrate your abilities? It’s not that I doubt you, but I’d like to see for myself.”

“Certainly. Watch closely! Sword, unsheath!”

No sooner had the Daoist spoken than a sword flew from his back, soaring into the clouds before circling back to him, spinning around him in the air.

“Go!” The Daoist pointed, and the sword shot out like lightning, piercing a rockery a hundred meters away, then returning to his side.

“Return to sheath!”

The sword buzzed, reluctant, but finally settled into its scabbard.

“Well, young friend, is this satisfactory?”

Shen Xin was elated, nodding eagerly. “Daoist, you are truly a master!”

The Daoist stroked his beard with pride. “Now it’s your turn to demonstrate.”

“Ziran, show him.”

Tang Ziran nodded, formed a hand seal, chanted, and in an instant slipped into the earth, reappearing a hundred meters away.

“Not bad, that’s the Earth Burrowing Technique.”

The Daoist nodded approvingly. “I can trade you my Sword Control Technique—but to learn it, you must first cultivate the Qi Refining Technique. Young friend, won’t you show me your skill?”

“Very well.”

Shen Xin drew a throwing knife, activated his teleportation ability, and the knife instantly embedded itself in the distant rockery, then reappeared in his hand.

The Daoist nodded and asked, “What technique is that, young friend?”

Shen Xin replied honestly, “It’s my superpower, but it requires a visualization technique. I’d like to trade my visualization method for your Qi Refining Technique.”

The Daoist agreed without hesitation, pulling two yellowed booklets from his robe and handing them solemnly to Shen Xin.

Shen Xin glanced at them briefly before stowing them in his backpack, then smiled sheepishly. “Daoist, I can only explain mine verbally, but I swear on my honor there is no deceit.”

“Please, go ahead. I’ll know truth from falsehood.”

Shen Xin did not hesitate, carefully explaining the method. The Daoist tried the Earth Burrowing Technique and succeeded within a few attempts. He clasped his hands in thanks. “You are an honest fellow. If you ever have questions in cultivation, I can answer them for you three times, free of charge.”

Tang Ziran asked, puzzled, “Old Daoist, didn’t you say you don’t need money?”

The Daoist smiled without batting an eye. “Heh, I have no need for money, but my future disciple will. I’m saving for him. It’s for the best—can’t have my pupil living as I do, exposed to the elements. Young people these days can’t take such hardship.”

Tang Ziran retorted, “What’s wrong with sleeping rough? I grew up in the wilderness, I’m used to it. Old Daoist, you can’t generalize.”

The Daoist sighed, “Talent lacking, hard work alone is useless. If that were enough, all farmers would become great immortals.”

With that, he drifted away.