Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists
Chapter 933 - 789 Stone Seal

Chapter 933: Chapter 789 Stone Seal

"I..."

Mei Changkong felt the wind howling by his ear, and as his vision darkened, he fainted away.

By the time he woke up again, he found himself in a cave.

"Eh? I’m healed..."

As he circulated his energy to check his internal state, he felt relaxed all over. The injuries inflicted by Mr. Cao and left by the Martial Judge had vanished without a trace.

"Not bad... you’re awake?"

Just then, a shadow at the mouth of the cave flickered, and a young Taoist dressed in black entered. It was Fang Xi.

Mei Changkong was silent for a moment before suddenly prostrating on the ground, saying, "Changkong thanks benefactor for saving his life. May I ask, benefactor, which path do you cultivate?"

His heart was filled with turmoil and a hint of anticipation.

"The path I cultivate is naturally that of the carefree real immortal seeking immortality."

Fang Xi replied with a smile.

Mei Changkong was immediately moved to tears!

To not join the Taoist Court but to seek enlightenment alone is but a delusion!

This constraint has caused countless geniuses to bow down in discouragement, and even the stubborn ones waste their lives away.

At this moment, Mei Changkong thought of his own mentor and whispered softly to himself, "Master..."

Thud, thud, thud!

He suddenly kowtowed deeply, his voice crying like a cuckoo weeping blood, "This old Taoist... this old Taoist... having seen the path of a true immortal today, I would die without regrets... Should benefactor have any commands, this old Taoist would face death without hesitation!"

In an instant, Mei Changkong’s tears streamed freely down his face.

’Hmm? He didn’t beg pitifully to be accepted as a disciple; rather, he’s someone with discernment, who respects hierarchy and knows when to advance or retreat...’

Seeing this scene, Fang Xi silently praised in his heart.

If it had been one of those who shamelessly sought to become a disciple after being saved, Fang Xi might have just slapped them to death.

Even if he didn’t, he would have dismissed them with a flick of his sleeve.

With thousands upon thousands of cultivators in the world, why worry about not finding a guinea pig? Why hang oneself upon a single tree?

Now it seems, Mei Changkong is quite acceptable.

He sat cross-legged, and a swirl of black air emerged in the void, looking like spirit ganoderma, cradling Fang Xi’s body: "Tell me everything about your experiences..."

Seeing Fang Xi like this, Mei Changkong’s heart was filled with envy.

Individual cultivators have limited opportunities. Although he had exotic treasures, he had to be careful with every bit of magic power he used to prevent unforeseen events.

Such extravagant behavior was something he could never afford.

Mei Changkong composed himself and began to recount his life story: "I was born in Flying Star Temple..."

"...this time, I had already sacrificed refined three ’Death Gate Nails’. If I had nailed that Cao villain’s physical body, I would definitely have tainted his soul. However..."

In the end, the old Taoist helplessly shook his head and presented a grey stone seal and three pitch-black nails, "Please, benefactor, examine these items!"

"Hmm."

Fang Xi first picked up the three ’Death Gate Nails’ and couldn’t help but chuckle.

In the eyes of someone like him, an upper echelon demon cultivator, the forging of these talismans was laughably crude.

However, it did have some assurance of contaminating the divine souls of Foundation Establishment cultivators — that is, if it hit its target.

Mei Changkong clearly wasn’t going to hit anything.

’And given that officials in this world all have Taoist Records and Godhood Positions on their persons, even if the three nails were to hit, they would likely not be able to destroy the opponent’s divine soul...’

Having witnessed the powers of the deities today, Fang Xi could indeed say they were quite impressive.

For instance, the City God of Qingxi County had power within the county’s borders comparable to Core Formation cultivators!

Even various divine skills were similar to divine abilities that one could call forth at will, making them quite tricky even amongst Core Formation cultivators.

But the God Path has its drawbacks, too.

That is, once the God leaves the jurisdiction of Qingxi County, this City God would likely immediately become as common as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, or even weaker...

’But this stone seal, there’s something interesting about it...’

Fang Xi then picked up the grey stone seal.

He saw that the seal was foursquare, the inscriptions at its base had grown indistinct, and there were cracks all over its surface.

Yet, this stone seal was able to provide individual cultivators without Taoist Records, who didn’t belong to the Taoist Court, a sliver of breathing room under the Tianluo Dinet.

He toyed with it, sensing some profound energy hidden within.

But as he was not a high-ranking divine path cultivator, he couldn’t see its profundities.

"This item is quite wondrous; I can only ascertain that it is a treasure of the high-ranking divine path..."

Fang Xi tossed the stone seal back to Mei Changkong.

Mei Changkong felt as if struck by lightning, and with a bittersweet smile, he said, "I had some suspicions myself, and now it seems they were correct..."

His face showed some disappointment.

After all, the ancestors of Flying Star Temple had been set on self-cultivation towards enlightenment to become immortals.

Yet what they found was that the very road they had taken had been wrong from the start.

The external help they relied on was also of the God Path!

It was as if attempting a thousand different paths only led them to be played by the hands of the deities.

If he had not seen Fang Xi’s ’true immortal path’ today, such a devastating blow to his worldview could have made Mei Changkong contemplate suicide.

"Since it is a treasure of the divine path, it is not something I seek."

Mei Changkong gritted his teeth, held the stone seal with both hands, and knelt down again: "I am willing to offer this treasure to benefactor, and only ask to be allowed to serve by your side, to be a loyal servant before and behind the saddle..."

"This item... is not ordinary, are you really sure about this?"

Fang Xi picked up the stone seal and smiled as he asked.

"I do not regret it, even in the face of nine deaths!"

Mei Changkong’s declaration was firm, yet there was a tinge of pensiveness in his heart, as if he had lost something of great importance.

"Since that’s the case, I will accept your offer."

Fang Xi nodded with a smile, "I plan to travel the world to seek a place for dedicated cultivation. Indeed, I am in need of an old servant to manage various affairs. From now on, you may address me as your young master."

"The old servant greets the young master!"

Mei Changkong hastily paid his respects.

With the stone seal in hand, Fang Xi felt a predestined karma binding him to this person and couldn’t help but smile.

In this world, the rules governing such karma were significantly stronger than those of the Earth Immortal Realm.

Nonetheless, he had no taboos, nor anything to fear.

...

After sending Mei Changkong out to gather some game, Fang Xi gestured grandly and the cave was lit up, revealing six talismans aglow.

Three of them were Taoist Records, two of which were ’Supreme Court Official Instruments’ from the day and night wandering gods.

No wonder these two deities dared to aspire to join the ranks; it turns out they were of Jinshi status, authentic cultivators listed in the Taoist registry!

Another one was an eight-rank ’Supreme Court North Dipper Secret Papyrus’ from the Martial Judge.

Fang Xi then looked at the remaining God Path talismans.

One of them, a talisman as white as jade, one chi long and three fingers wide, read ’Qingxi County City God Temple Day Patrol Office’!

The other one was similar, just that it read ’Qingxi County City God Temple Night Patrol Office’!

"These are non-ranked god officials, but seem a bit better than the Water Transport Godhood Position of the Well Dragon King."

Fang Xi turned to the last Godhood Position talisman.

This one was quite different; not only was it wholly white, but red aura intertwines around it. The talisman, with its multicolored Divine Texts shimmering, was inscribed with ’From the Ninth Rank, Qingxi County’s City God Temple’s Punishment and Reward Office, Martial Judge’!

"A godhood position from the ninth rank!"

Feeling the power of this Godhood Position talisman, Fang Xi murmured to himself.

A single position of such stature could elevate a mortal to the heavens, without any need for an examination of their talents.

Moreover, each Godhood Position came with certain spells, similar to receiving an empowerment, enabling newly ascended deities to instantly learn them. And they could usually integrate these seamlessly!

"Today’s gains are substantial, but so are the potential troubles. Truly becoming part of the official ranks, even having a name in the Taoist Court... If even the emperor learns about Tie Ci from Qingxi County whom I killed, I would be making an enemy of the entire God Path..."

"Of course, turning the Taoist Court upside down isn’t really a problem either, after all, it’s just a minor realm. But, it wouldn’t be amusing if the Heavenly Court were to get involved..."

"And these Taoist Records, naturally, all have the effect of tracking and locating..."

At that moment, the six talismans gleamed brightly, like six fish wishing to break through the void and fly away.

A hint of a smile appeared on the corner of Fang Xi’s mouth as he suddenly reached out his hand.

A flash of silver light appeared, enveloping the six talismans, and vanished without a trace in an instant.

"Tracking is powerful, let it go to the Earth Immortal Realm’s Falling Sky Island then..."

"These six talismans can all be used for copying Divine Text, which has an immediate effect on enhancing the art of talismans..."

"Especially the Godhood Position of the ninth-rank Martial Judge, it feels different."

"I wonder what level of understanding higher-ranking Godhood Positions can offer me?"

A glimmer of anticipation appeared in his eyes.

Of course, Godhood Positions are the core of deities. Without slaying the counterpart or becoming their superior, it’s nearly impossible to glimpse such secrets.

Therefore, if he wishes to see more Godhood Divine Text, it seems there is only one easy path?

"That’s not necessarily true, as the saying goes, ’If you desire an official position, committing murder and arson may lead to a royal pardon...’ There are also cases where the Taoist Court subdues evil gods and integrates them into the orthodox sacrificial system..."

Fang Xi looked thoughtfully in a certain direction.

...

Several days later.

Bai Gan Village.

"Congratulations, young master Gan, for passing the Exam for Adolescents!"

A group of people surrounded the fence of the Gan Yu’s home, looking inside with envy in their eyes.

In the crowd, there were also two government runners.

These runners usually acted like wolves and tigers when descending to the countryside, bullying the villagers as a matter of routine.

Ordinary villagers would feel weak-kneed at the sight of their official uniform, wishing they could kneel on the ground and push out the village head or landlord to deal with them.

But at this moment, the two runners wore smiles on their faces, greeting Gan Yu, "Congratulations, Scholar Gan, on ranking sixth in the Exam for Adolescents. You are sure to have a seat at the Lu Mingyan next year..."

The Lu Mingyan is a banquet held by the government for those who have passed the Imperial Examination as scholars.

This was, of course, a way of seeking good favor.

Gan Yu thanked them repeatedly and took out a few silver coins funded by Fang Xi to give to the two runners, "You’ve come from afar and worked hard. Please accept this small token for tea."

"Too kind, Scholar Gan..."

The older runner was all smiles, nearly splitting his wrinkles and folds into laughter, "This is an official document from the government offices. Young master must remember, after seven days, you need to go to the county office to meet the County Chief, who will personally bestow the talisman for new scholars..."

"Thank you for the reminder."

After sending off the two runners, Gan Yu saw an elderly figure with white hair, glowing with vitality, and walking with the help of a dove-headed staff. Recognizing him as the largest landlord in the village, he quickly paid his respects, "Sir Bai..."

"Eh... don’t be so formal, Yu..."

Sir Bai said with a smile, "I always believed that you had the makings of success, Yu. Today, it seems my belief was correct. Our Bai Gan Village is blessed to produce a scholar; from now on, we’ll rely on you to interact with the government..."

As a Scholar, one enjoys certain conveniences. For example, being considered half an official, the tax collectors wouldn’t dare to overexploit when they visit, allowing him to secure some benefits for the whole village.

Listening to Sir Bai’s compliments, Gan Yu couldn’t help but feel a little dazed.

This is just the lowly rank of a Scholar, yet if he were to pass as a Jinshi, entitled to tax-exempt land, the villagers might start offering land contributions or even sell themselves into servitude...

Taking the first step in the Imperial Examination truly sets one apart from the heaven and earth.