Chapter 36

After three months, everything seemed to be calming down. Jasper's meetings with guests were becoming less frequent. Mila, from his team, had managed to sense Spirit Qi and began absorbing it. Although the speed of absorption was slow and it would probably take her over a year to reach the 1st stage of Qi refinement, it was still significant progress.

As for the other five, they were still trying to sense Spirit Qi. Fortunately, Torn had broken through to the Practitioner realm, enabling Jasper to give him a position in his faction. Jasper decided to make him responsible for overseeing the internal affairs within the Martial Hall. This role required overseeing the daily operations and conflict resolution, ensuring that the Hall ran smoothly.

Jasper encountered a significant amount of resistance from the other factions and elders of Spring Village. However, the support he received from his father, the Lian Clan, and the Mountain Villages provided his faction with much needed reinforcement. This support not only solidified Jasper's standing within the Martial Hall, making him a force to be reckoned with, but it also allowed him to gradually infiltrate the Mountain Village faction, subtly expanding his sphere of influence. The transition was not seamless, but it was successful.

During this time, the Ironclad Clan successfully set up three stores within the Martial Hall. The currency used in the Martial Hall was merit, and so these shops also used merit points as their form of exchange.

They purchased inexpensive medicinal herbs and beast blood using merit points, which were then sold in Grain City for substantial amounts of silver coins. These silver coins were then converted back into merit, effectively establishing a profitable cycle. The stores also stocked various other items that weren't readily available in the Martial Hall but were often needed by martial artists.

Due to Jasper's limited manpower, he couldn't personally oversee the stores, so he sought help from his father. Responding to his son's request, Cline dispatched some of the guards from Spring Village to manage the stores. This ensured that the stores operated smoothly, and it also provided an extra layer of security and authority, preventing the Ironclad Clan from doing anything suspicious.

Grant successfully recruited the two talented students he had mentioned before. However, they were still green and would need to strengthen further before they could be of use. The aim was for them to become at least 3rd class students.

Jasper also gleaned some intriguing information from Torn. Apparently, there were also other cultivators who harnessed Spirit Qi. Torn revealed that his village chief had recently enlisted the protection of a sect, affording him the rare opportunity to witness a cultivator in person.

This revelation startled Jasper, but it didn't throw him into shock. It was logical to assume that if he could cultivate, so could others. The uncertainty lay in the extent of their strength and how their cultivation paths might differ from his own.

With this new information, Jasper decided it was time to take a break from expanding his faction to focus on his cultivation. He delegated the oversight of his faction to Alexa while he embarked on his period of seclusion. Before retreating, he invited his five teammates, Mila, Nolan, Adien, Alaric, and Ewan, to join him in seclusion.

To accommodate everyone, Jasper purchased a large courtyard surrounded by multiple housing rooms. This space would serve as the future hub for his cultivation faction. The place, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun and graced by a serene atmosphere, was aptly named 'Luminous Haven'.

Stepping into the Luminous Haven for the first time, Jasper and his team felt a sense of tranquility wash over them. The haven, a microcosm within the bustling Martial Hall, provided a peaceful sanctuary for cultivation. The courtyard was lined with mature, leafy trees, and a small pond shimmered in the heart of the area, reflecting the vibrant colors of the setting sun. Each room surrounding the courtyard was spacious and well-equipped, designed with the comfort and needs of a cultivator in mind.

Jasper walked into the largest room and spoke to his team, "Alright everyone, we will be staying here for a while. Our days will be structured as follows: We'll be practicing Martial Arts in the courtyard during the mornings, followed by sparring in the afternoons. At night, we will meditate and focus on our inner cultivation." After spending the past few months raising his faction, he gradually started growing the aura of a true leader.

He paused for a moment to let his words sink in, then continued, "As for daily necessities, you don't have to worry. Servants from the Spring Pavilion will come by daily to deliver food and water. They'll also take care of laundry and any other needs you might have."

Jasper's confident speech was met with nods and affirmations from his team. Mila, the only girl on the team, raised her hand. "What if we have questions during cultivation? How should we approach that?"

Jasper gave her a reassuring smile, "Great question, Mila. Anytime you have doubts or questions about your cultivation, don't hesitate to approach me. I'll try my best to help you understand and get through it. Remember, we're a team, and we're here to support each other."

Nolan, the tallest in the group, asked, "What about resources? Will we have access to the other martial techniques or cultivation manuals you mentioned?"

Jasper nodded with assurance. "Indeed, martial arts techniques appropriate to our current levels will be provided. I've already arranged for a diverse assortment to be delivered here." He gestured towards two impressive doors on opposing sides of the courtyard, each adorned with a grand sign - one reading 'Martial Library' and the other 'Cultivation Library'. "These will be stored in our two library halls, accessible to everyone at any time."

His gaze swept across his team, a determined glint in his eyes, "But remember, if there's a specific technique you're after, don't hold back. Inform me, and I'll make sure it's procured. This is not just my journey but ours. We progress together."

He paused for a moment, letting the information sink in before continuing. "As for cultivation manuals, things are a bit different. You won't get those for free. Once you reach the peak of the Qi Refinement stage, you'll need to either work for a higher-level manual or use Spirit Qi to purchase more."

His statement was met with understanding nods. It was well known that higher-level cultivation manuals were rare and valuable commodities. Nobody seemed surprised or upset by this requirement. Jasper had already provided them with so much; they didn't mind putting in the extra effort to earn the resources they needed to advance.

After all, the path to power in the world of martial arts was never meant to be easy. It was a road paved with sweat, determination, and unwavering will. Now that they had the chance to walk this path under the guidance of a cultivator like Jasper, they were more than willing to give their all.

As they retired to their respective rooms, Jasper gazed at the empty courtyard seemingly in deep thought, but in reality, he was looking at the system notification that popped up in front of him signaling a new side mission.

[Ding. Ding. ]

[Side Mission Triggered:

Mission Name: The Master

Task: Train 10 students to reach the peak of the Qi refinement realm.

Reward: Temporary Upgraded Card]

'A temporary upgrade card?' Jasper questioned in his mind.

[Ding. Ding. A temporary Upgraded Card boosts the host's cultivation by one Major realm for 30 minutes.]

"So something like this exists." Jasper mused aloud, his eyes fixated on the glowing text. "It seems the system truly is full of surprises."

A temporary boost in cultivation by an entire Major realm could have an enormous impact in a critical situation. If used wisely, it might even be the key to turning the tide of a losing battle or achieving a breakthrough in cultivation.

For a moment, Jasper was lost in thought, contemplating the myriad ways in which this new tool could be utilized. But his strategic musing was soon interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Master Jasper?" A servant stood by the entrance to the courtyard, a respectful bow in his direction. "It's getting late. Perhaps you'd like to retire for the evening?"

Jasper snapped back to reality, giving the servant a nod. "Yes, thank you. I'll be heading back now."

As he retreated to his quarters, the wheels in Jasper's mind continued to turn. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he felt a spark of anticipation. With new resources at his disposal and a clear path ahead, he was eager to see what the future would bring.