64-68

Chapter 64

Chen Ren froze as he looked up at the cultivator in front of him, who looked equally shocked. For a while, neither of them spoke, and time itself seemed to have frozen as they stared at each other.

A storm of thoughts whirled in his mind. Why was such a strong cultivator here? It was clear that the man wasn't just some wandering rogue looking for recruitment—no, someone of his cultivation and roots could likely secure a spot in a Guardian sect if he wanted, at least as an outer disciple. So why had he come? What was his goal?

Before he could voice the question, the cultivator moved. His expression shifted from confusion to hostility in an instant, and he shot up from his chair, thrusting a palm strike toward Chen Ren.

Chen Ren's instincts screamed at him, and he dodged just in time. Lightning arced through his body as he countered, but before he could land a blow, the man suddenly froze.

Then, with a choked gasp, he was slammed to the ground.

His eyes widened in horror as an invisible force bore down on him, pinning him in place. Chen Ren extinguished his lightning and stepped back, realizing what had happened.

Yalan.

She had focused her aura solely on the rogue cultivator, and now he was nearly kissing the floor under its weight.

Taking advantage of the situation, Chen Ren quickly moved to shut the door, ensuring no one outside would see or hear what was happening.

Yalan stepped forward, stretching out her limbs as if she didn't just push a large man down. "Who are you to attack someone I swore to protect?" she asked and narrowed her eyes.

The man's breath hitched, his pupils contracting as he looked at Yalan and slowly, comprehension dawned on his face. He was in the presence of someone who could end him as easily as stepping on an ant.

His mouth opened and closed soundlessly, panic flickering in his eyes.

Chen Ren glanced at Yalan and gestured for her to ease the pressure. A moment later, the weight bearing down on the man lessened, allowing his shoulders to relax slightly. But he still remained on his knees, clearly shaken.

He looked up at them, swallowing hard before speaking. "A meridian expansion realm master…" he muttered, almost as if confirming it to himself.

Chen Ren crossed his arms. "At least your qi perception is decent. Now, will you tell me what you're doing here? And why did you suddenly attack me?"

The man gulped, his eyes shifting to something between regret and fear. He looked like someone who had stepped into a place he never should have entered.

"My name is Hong Yi," he said at last. "I've been staying in the nearby Grassfield Village for a few months now. When I heard about a sect recruiting mortals and conducting aptitude tests, I got curious. Especially because I had never heard its name before."

He hesitated before continuing. "I… I thought it might be a demonic sect trying to gather sacrifices. Please, forgive me. I hadn't expected that such a powerful master beast would be behind it."

Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. "Now you know. But I do wonder if you're lying."

Hong Yi shook his head frantically. "No, no! I swear, I've told you the truth!"

Chen Ren studied the man in silence, his sharp gaze searching for any trace of falsehood. Hong Yi fidgeted under the scrutiny, but his fear was genuine—or at least, he wasn't putting on an act.

After a moment, Chen Ren nodded toward Yalan.

She immediately withdrew her aura, and Hong Yi nearly collapsed, sucking in a deep breath as if he had just escaped the jaws of death. Relief washed over his face, but before he could move from his kneeling position, Chen Ren spoke.

"You can't leave yet," he said calmly. "I'm still curious about a few things, and it would be in your best interest to tell the truth."

Hong Yi stiffened but nodded quickly.

Chen Ren leaned against the chair "So, what are you doing in the village? With your spirit roots, I doubt you're just some wandering rogue cultivator."

The man gulped, hesitation flickering in his eyes. "My situation is… complicated."

Chen Ren gave him a dry look. "You're not the only one with a complicated situation here. Just talk."

A tense silence followed before Hong Yi finally sighed in defeat. "I'm a deserter from the Blood Iron Sect."

Yalan's eyes narrowed. "A deserter? Why did you run away?"

Hong Yi hesitated, his fists clenching as if weighing whether to reveal the truth or not. But after a moment, he seemed to realize that hiding anything would only make things worse.

His shoulders slumped, and he spoke.

"It's because I gained access to a meridian expansion realm cultivator's inheritance."

Chen Ren's eyebrows rose slightly, and even Yalan cast a surprise glance at him.

But neither interrupted, letting the man continue.

"It wasn't an offensive technique, a cultivation manual, or even an artifact," Hong Yi added bitterly. "It's… not something most cultivators would even have any use for."

Chen Ren noted the way Hong Yi's hands curled slightly, the way his voice carried a trace of wariness—he clearly thought they were going to take the inheritance from him.

Maybe that was exactly what had happened in his sect.

Still, Chen Ren ignored those thoughts for now and asked the important question.

"What kind of inheritance was it?"

Hong Yi took a deep breath before answering. "The inheritance of a Puppet Master."

Chen Ren stilled. "Puppet Master…" he muttered under his breath.

The term stirred a distant memory—one of the many books he had read after coming to this world. It had been a small mention, barely a footnote, but he recalled the basics.

Puppets were another cultivation discipline, a rare and esoteric path that involved crafting constructs and fusing a part of oneself with them to establish control. It was an art that required precision, resources, and deep knowledge of formations.

It was a rare art—rarer than all three disciplines Chen Ren was currently learning. Puppet Masters weren't just uncommon; they were almost myths, their techniques scattered and lost across generations.

And now, there was one kneeling right in front of him.

As he mused on this, Hong Yi continued.

"I found it during one of my adventures, deep beneath the caves of my sect. I don't know how, but the sect master found out about it soon after." His voice turned bitter. "At first, he was disappointed. My sect is a purely martial sect—they only house alchemists alongside their martial cultivators. A Puppet Master had no place among them."

He let out a dry chuckle. "But even then, it was still a novelty. Something unique. So for a while, I was treated well. They made me a core disciple and showered me with resources."

Yalan narrowed her eyes. "What changed?"

Hong Yi frowned, as if thinking back to something unpleasant. Then, after a moment, he exhaled.

"One of the elders… he didn't like my sudden rise. So he reached out to an Established sect far in the south of the empire—one that already had Puppet Masters among their ranks." His voice grew darker. "And they made an offer. They promised my sect a fortune in resources, enough to help the sect master break through to the next realm… in exchange for my inheritance."

Chen Ren tensed, realising what might have happened. "But the inheritance you received isn't something tangible, is it?"

Hong Yi gave a hollow smile. "No. It's attached to my soul. It was knowledge—deep knowledge passed directly into my mind. I couldn't just hand it over like an artifact or a scroll."

His hands clenched into fists. "So they gave me two options. Either I submit myself to the sect, allow them to strip every piece of knowledge from my mind, or they kill me and use an artifact to harvest my soul for it."

Chen Ren's breath hitched, and his eyes darted toward Yalan.

"Do righteous sects even have things like soul-harvesting artifacts?"

"Some do. The line between so-called righteous and demonic practices is thin. And from what he's telling us, it sounds like his sect was willing to dispose of him for the sake of their leader's breakthrough," Yalan answered.

Hong Yi nodded grimly. "That's why I ran. The moment I learned of their plan, I escaped as far as I could and hid myself in here, posing as an ordinary traveler. I barely leave my house, fearing that my cover might be blown."

He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "The only reason I came out today was because I thought you all were demonic cultivators. I figured I had to act before you did something terrible." He looked down. "I'm sorry for that."

Chen Ren barely heard him. His mind was racing.

A soul inheritance—especially one related to puppetry. That was a special kind of power. Power that intrigued him. He could think of countless cultivators who would go to any lengths for such an inheritance, not only because of the art of puppet making, but simply because it was a meridian expansion realm inheritance.

Those were far and few between in the whole empire. And judging by Hong Yi's expression—the way he sat there, stiff and resigned—he fully expected to die here.

Fortunately for him, Chen Ren wasn't one to force things.

His gaze shifted to Yalan, and with a mere thought, he mentally asked, What do you think?

Her response came almost instantly. I don't think he's lying, but yeah… his story is interesting. He's lucky his sect hasn't found him yet. He also can't go to another sect since they might just turn him over. I doubt he's in any position to trust someone.

Chen Ren nodded slightly. Yeah, but his power is interesting enough for me to want him.

Yalan's voice turned dry. Don't you know that would get the ire of an established sect?

I know, Chen Ren admitted, but a Puppet Master inheritance is too good to let go. Still, I don't want to make a hasty decision before getting to know him.

He turned his attention back to Hong Yi.

"Your situation seems like a bad one to be in."

The man let out a short, humorless laugh. "I know. I live in constant fear of dying. The only thing I can do is work on my cultivation and my puppets—make sure I'm strong enough to face any trouble that comes my way. Or at least stall enough to run away again."

Chen Ren crossed his arms. "I don't think that's the only thing you can do."

Hong Yi frowned. "What else can I do?"

"Join my sect."

The man's eyes widened slightly, but before he could respond, Chen Ren continued.

"I know we're new, and you have your reservations. But if you join us, we wouldn't give you away to anyone. And we'd make sure your rights are prioritized."

Even after hearing that, Hong Yi still didn't look convinced. Chen Ren understood why.

The place barely resembled a proper sect. There were no grand halls, no established reputation—only Yalan's presence might make it seem legitimate. To Hong Yi, it was probably just another risk. And not a good one at that.

After a moment, the man exhaled. "I need time to think about it."

Chen Ren had expected it. No one in their right mind, and had such risk and powers would be convinced that easily.

He nodded before pausing as another idea came to his mind. "How about this? In two days, come back here, and I'll show you why you should join my sect. Bring your puppet too—I'd love to see it."

Hong Yi hesitated before finally nodding, though it was clear he was simply agreeing due to fear of dying.

Yalan, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke, her voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable weight.

"And don't try to run away," she said.

Hong Yi flinched.

"We're not going to contact your former sect or anything. If we wanted to do that, we wouldn't be letting you go right now." Her eyes narrowed. "But if you do try to run, just know that tracking you down would be easy for me."

Hong Yi swallowed hard. "I won't, Master—"

Yalan cut him off. "Yalan."

"...Thank you, Master Yalan," he said quickly, bowing. "Thank you for not killing me."

Then, without another word, he hurried away.

Chen Ren watched Hong Yi disappear through the door, then chuckled. "That's a strange way of saying goodbye."

Yalan turned to him, unimpressed. "Are you really planning to pick a fight with an Established sect? They won't let go of the inheritance so easily."

Chen Ren's amusement faded as he met her gaze. He knew she was right.

As a sect master, he needed to choose his battles wisely. A single misstep, and his sect could be crushed before it even had the chance to grow. But at the same time, he wasn't someone who turned away from an opportunity just because it was risky—especially not when it had come knocking on his door without him even searching for it.

Still, caution was necessary.

"I need to understand the man more first," Chen Ren said. "I'm not planning on starting a war with a sect. But I do want him in the sect. Puppet Masters are rare, and having that kind of power in our ranks would help solve a lot of our combat power issues."

He crossed his arms. "That being said, I'll only recruit him if I can make sure his former sect won't come after us. That's why I gave him two days. I need to understand his situation better before making a move."

Yalan studied him for a moment before shrugging. "Whatever. At least we've found one more good prospect for the sect. Let's hope there are more."

Chen Ren smirked. "Let's see."

The rest of the day, they continued their search, but it was fruitless.

They didn't find anyone worth taking in—neither mortals nor cultivators. Some had potential, but their mindsets or circumstances weren't a good fit for the sect. Others simply lacked talent or drive.

Still, Chen Ren didn't lose hope. There were plenty of people left to evaluate, and with time, he was confident they'd find more promising individuals.

For now, they decided to resume the tests and interviews tomorrow.

***

Although the same problems persisted the next day—people lacking even basic literacy, some showing no real ambition for growth—Chen Ren managed to find a few individuals who seemed like they would genuinely stick with the sect. They weren't necessarily the strongest or the smartest, but they had something else: determination. And in the long run, that was more valuable than raw talent alone.

But the real surprise came toward the end of the day.

Among the last few villagers he tested was a young man—just eighteen years old, with the rough hands and sun-darkened skin of a farmer. His name was Luo Heng, and up until this moment, he had lived his entire life believing that his fate was tied to the soil beneath his feet. He had never once imagined himself as a cultivator.

Yet, when Chen Ren examined him, he found that the boy had nineteen spirit roots. A far cry from the prodigies of great sects, but to Chen Ren, who was building a foundation from nothing, it was still potential. And potential was worth nurturing.

The moment Luo Heng realized what this meant, his entire face lit up in awe and disbelief. "I… I can cultivate?" he asked, almost afraid to believe it.

Chen Ren smiled. "You tell me. Do you want to cultivate?"

"Yes! Yes, I do!" Luo Heng said immediately, his voice shaking with excitement.

Even if the boy wasn't literate, even if he lacked any prior training, enthusiasm like that couldn't be ignored with his spirit roots. Chen Ren decided to take him in.

With that, recruitment was finally complete.

Chen Ren wasted no time in spreading the news. He sent word through the Chief Muyang, announcing the names of those who had been accepted. Some would serve in different capacities within the sect, but all of them were now part of it.

And the very next day, he gathered them all for their initiation ceremony—not just to welcome them, but to teach them something far more important.

A lesson that most sects ignored.

A lesson about the Dao—and why their sect would not focus solely on martial strength alone.

Chapter 65

Chen Ren stood in one of the biggest rooms he could find in the buildings he now owned. The space was large, its high ceiling, and the emptiness after the cleanup making voices echo slightly, and in front of him stood every new recruit of the Divine Coin Sect.

Although he had expected a decent number of people to join, he was still pleasantly surprised—twelve members from the nearby villages. Twelve.

Zushi was the first among them. She stood near the front, looking calm but attentive. Her eyes were plastered on Chen Ren, and next to her was Luo Heng, the young man who'd no idea that he was a cultivator, and had lived his entire life as a farmer.

Then there was Tao Li, a man in his mid thirties who was partially blind but had the wits of someone who's twice his age. He had answered every question effortlessly, but precisely—the answers fitting to each question. On the back sat the two brothers, Zi Wen and Zi Han, looking up at him and whispering something to each other.

And there was also Hong Yi puppet cultivator who hadn't joined the sect yet, but had come to meet him just as their arrangement. He kept his distance, as if unsure whether to stay or leave. Chen Ren hadn't seen his puppet anywhere, but at least the man had come.

That was a good sign. Convincing him to fully join would take work, but he saw potential.

Apart from these people, the rest of the men and women fit his standards enough to be taken inside. In a way, it was good to find literate people. That alone made things easier. But what excited him the most were the cultivators among them.

On the side stood his original members—Xiulan, Yalan, the kids, and Anji.

Taking a deep breath, he swept his gaze around the room for the final time and spoke.

"Everyone, I would like to first congratulate you on joining the Divine Coin Sect. All of you have shown qualities like grit, determination, good aptitude, and intelligence during our interviews. And I can promise you this—you won't regret your choice."

The mortal members straightened, excitement flickering in their eyes. Among the cultivators, only Luo Heng looked enthusiastic. The other two remained unreadable, their expressions giving away nothing.

Chen Ren continued. "Unlike other sects, we do not focus solely on martial arts. Our sect is built on business, trade, and wealth. But make no mistake—we will not neglect the path of cultivation. Strength and wisdom go hand in hand, and this sect will be a place where both flourish. No one will be cast aside based on their background, status, or cultivation. Everyone has a role, and everyone will benefit."

He explained further, speaking of the sect's future, the opportunities it would create, and the strength they would build—not through blind ambition, but through strategy, discipline, and profit.

When he finally asked, "Are there any questions?" Silence hung in the air for a moment. Some recruits hesitated, glancing at each other.

Then Zushi stepped forward. "Sect Leader,"

she said, "our sect has both mortals and cultivators standing as equals. But does that mean we, the mortals, will also learn martial arts like them?"

Chen Ren met Zushi's gaze and nodded. "The primary duty of mortals in the sect will be different. Your focus will be on sales, marketing, and delivery." He paused, scanning their faces for any hint of hesitation. "The Divine Coin Sect already has its hands in a few businesses, and as we expand, you'll be the ones managing them."

Some of the mortal recruits looked at each other, murmuring.

"But," Chen Ren continued, "that doesn't mean you won't be trained. Strength is important in all walks of life. You'll be required to do basic physical training every day. More than that, you'll learn about cultivators—their needs, their goods, and their methods. In the future, we'll be selling to them, so understanding their world will be necessary."

That got their attention. Zushi nodded, her small eyes flashing with understanding, while Tao Li stroked his chin in thought.

"And after some time," Chen Ren added, "there will be special training for all mortals."

That made a few of them straighten in interest.

Han Fei, a herbalist who'd been in the same stream for generations raised a hand. Chen Ren remembered his face well due to the bushy eyebrows he had. "What kind of training?"

Chen Ren only smiled. "You'll know when the time comes."

He let that settle before shifting his gaze toward the cultivators standing at the back. Zi Wen looked intrigued, Hong Yi's expression was unreadable like usual, and Luo Heng–the youngster among the group-had an openly curious expression on his face.

"Mortals will focus on sales," Chen Ren said, "but cultivators will be more involved in production. That means learning disciplines like alchemy, forging, and artifact crafting." He let the words sink in before continuing. "There won't be any force. You'll be free to learn as you choose. But you will also be required for protection when necessary. Beyond that, you'll have time to cultivate and walk your own Dao. The sect will support you in that."

Zi Han crossed his arms, tilting his head. "How will the sect help?" he asked. "Do we have a lot of resources—pills, treasures, things like that? And what about masters? If we're learning disciplines, who will teach us?"

Chen Ren took a slow breath. "Our sect is new. Right now, we don't have a stockpile of resources, but we will. As we grow wealthier, we'll buy what's needed—pills, materials, manuals."

Zi Han gave a small nod at that, but his eyes still held some doubt.

"As for masters," Chen Ren continued. "We have books on various disciplines. They'll serve as a foundation. And in time, we'll attract more cultivators who can teach. But resources and masters aren't the only things that help a cultivator grow."

At that, Zi Wen finally spoke. "What else is there?" His voice was deep and calm. "What kind of support can you offer besides resources?"

Chen Ren's gaze settled on him. "Insights into your Dao."

Zi Wen frowned slightly, but before he could ask more, his expression shifted, as if another thought had struck him. He hesitated, then finally spoke again.

"I apologize if this is disrespectful, Sect Leader," he said, carefully measuring his words. "But I would like to know—who is the strongest cultivator in our sect?" His sharp eyes met Chen Ren's. "I know you are the sect leader, but—"

"But I'm only in the qi refinement realm, right?" he said, finishing Zi Wen's unspoken thoughts. "You're worried about the safety of the sect."

Zi Wen nodded, but his eyes revealed a trace of concern. It was a question that probably rang in everyone's mind but they refused to speak up.

"You don't have to worry about that," Chen Ren continued. "We have a sect guardian among our ranks—a meridian expansion realm cultivator, one of the strongest beings in the Kalian Empire. She'll also be available to help with martial training if you have any problems."

The words hung in the air for a moment before realization dawned on Zi Wen. His eyes widened. "A meridian expansion master?" he asked.

Someone from the group gasped out loud at that. But Chen Ren maintained his calm demeanor.

"Yes." Chen Ren nodded. "She's the protector of our sect. As long as she's here, you don't have to worry about our safety."

Zi Wen slowly exhaled, processing the information before giving a firm nod. "I see."

From the side, Yalan smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. The other recruits stirred, excitement buzzing among them. Even the mortals—despite not fully grasping the weight of the words—could tell this was significant.

Only one person remained quiet. The puppet cultivator, Hong Yi. His gaze flickered toward Yalan, lips pressing into a thin line, clearly remembering their interaction.

Chen Ren let the moment settle before shifting the conversation. "Any more questions for now?"

Silence. A few hesitant glances, but no one spoke up.

Satisfied, he moved forward. "Earlier, you asked what kind of insights the sect could give you. Let's talk about that." His tone shifted, drawing their full attention. "These insights will be about the different types of Dao—because the Martial Dao isn't the only path."

A few of the mortals looked puzzled, while the cultivators narrowed their eyes in thought.

"I know some of you may find this confusing," Chen Ren admitted. "So let's put it simply. Think of Dao as your path—the one you want to walk, the foundation your purpose is built around."

He paused, scanning the room to make sure they were following. The mortals exchanged uncertain glances, but Zushi seemed to grasp it first, nodding in understanding.

"Most sects in the empire focus on a singular Dao—the Martial Dao," Chen Ren continued.

"Some sects and clans specialize in variations of it, like the Dao of the Sword, the Dao of the Spear, and similar martial paths. Others center around professions like alchemy or blacksmithing."

He let the words sink in before raising a question of his own. "But are those the only Daos in the world?"

Chen Ren let his question linger in the air, watching the cultivators carefully. It was the puppet cultivator who broke the silence first.

"You're talking about esoteric daos," Hong Yi said.

A pleased smile tugged at Chen Ren's lips. "Exactly," he said. "These are the rare Daos—not many cultivators walk upon them, but those who do are considered strong simply because of how unpredictable they can be." His gaze swept across the group, lingering on the ones who had been the most skeptical. "Divine Coin Sect is also based on such a Dao—the Dao of Money."

A murmur spread through the group, some looking confused while others appeared intrigued. Yalan's smirk widened slightly, clearly already aware of where this was going.

"Not only that, but our sect is going to specialize in these esoteric Daos. We will encourage every disciple to think deeply about their own path. Why?. Because not only is it the fastest way to reach the top, but it also makes the issue of low spirit roots meaningless."

Zi Wen's brows furrowed, his sharp mind latching onto the statement. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"Yeah, I don't get it."

One of the mortals spoke up. Chen Ren ignored the mortal and focused on Zi Wen.

"I knew you'd be interested." He let the anticipation build for a moment before speaking again. "You already know how many spirit roots I have, don't you?"

Zi Wen hesitated before nodding. "Yes."

"And yet," Chen Ren continued, "I've reached the qi refinement realm in just the last few months—from third star body forging realm."

Zi Wen's expression tightened as he put the pieces together. "It was because you focused on your Dao of Money," he murmured.

"Exactly," Chen Ren confirmed. "I focused on my Dao, pursued accomplishments within it, and paired it with the right amount of insight. You can do the same. And if you do, then spirit roots won't matter anymore."

Chen Ren had talked about this extensively with Yalan. Cultivation, at its core, was about taking in the energy of the world and refining it within oneself. That much was undeniable. But if one walked their Dao, the energy would begin to move as if it had a mind of its own, aligning with the cultivator's path and empowering them naturally. It took the issue of spirit roots out of the game completely.

It was no different from how a sword cultivator's strength increased not just by absorbing Qi but by mastering sword techniques, refining his understanding of the blade, and deepening his connection to it. A blacksmith cultivator didn't rely solely on Qi intake—his cultivation progressed as he forged better and better weapons, strengthening his Dao of the Forge with each success.

As Chen Ren was lost in thought, Hong Yi spoke again. "Even if what you say makes sense, Sect Leader… esoteric Daos are called esoteric for a reason. They're rare. Walking such a path and gaining insights into them is extremely difficult. Not many pursue these paths for a reason."

Chen Ren's gaze flicked to him, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Why do you think that is?" he asked. "Why are there so few esoteric Dao cultivators?"

Hong Yi frowned, arms crossing as he mulled over the question. Seconds passed. Then more. In the end, he let out a quiet breath. "I don't know."

Chen Ren's voice was steady as he answered. "It's because our cultivation structure is inherently flawed."

That made a few people straighten up, their attention sharpening.

"Instead of letting a cultivator choose their own path, they are pushed toward the martial path—because to most people, that is the only way to create powerful cultivators," Chen Ren continued. "Even in sects that allow disciples to learn alchemy, forging, or arrays, those disciplines are always seen as secondary to the Martial Dao. And by the time a cultivator has advanced too far on that path, it becomes nearly impossible for them to change their Dao."

The room was silent for a long moment. Some looked contemplative, others seemed uncertain, and a few had eyes gleaming with realization.

"But what if we didn't follow that structure?"

Chen Ren exhaled slowly. This had been something that he'd spoken with Yalan, and even she'd agreed throughout their conversations.

The whole system was flawed. In a way, it wasn't different from how kids who were born and raised in Asian countries were being forced into STEM fields they had no passion for. Like how a child was being pushed into studying alchemy in this world when their heart lies with arrays. Or being forced into martial cultivation when they have a natural talent for healing.

"And unlike those children who can change careers later, cultivation isn't so forgiving. Once a cultivator goes too far down a path, it's nearly impossible to turn back. That's why esoteric Dao cultivators are so rare. Most never get the chance to walk their true path. And the few who do? They tend to be rogues, because no sect would support them."

At his words, he saw different reactions from the group. Anji stood to the side, eyes narrowed in deep thought. Luo Heng mirrored the expression, as if trying to make sense of it all. Zi Wen and Hong Yi however, seemed more analytical, searching him for any deception in his words.

They found none.

Chen Ren could see the shift in their eyes, the slight change in how they looked at him. It wasn't trust, not yet, but it was something close.

Ignoring their reactions, he moved on. "And to prove my point, let me tell you something—there's already an esoteric Dao cultivator in this room besides me."

That got their attention. Eyes widened. Some glanced around, looking at each other. Even the mortals, who didn't fully grasp cultivation, perked up in curiosity.

Chen Ren smirked. Then he raised a hand and pointed directly at Zi Wen.

"It's you."

Zi Wen blinked. "Me?"

"Yes."

A stunned silence. Then Zi Wen frowned. "How? How is it me"

Chen Ren tilted his head. "You might not have realized it yet, but you've unconsciously walked onto the Dao of Taming. You just haven't aligned with it yet, which is why you haven't gained any benefits from it."

Zi Wen's expression flickered. "Because of Little Yuze?"

"Yes. Beasts aren't supposed to be easily tamed. Even if you got him as a whelp, the connection between you two, the way he listens to you—it all points toward something much deeper than simple training. In the texts I've read, this is a sign of someone on the Dao of Taming."

Zi Wen looked down, visibly processing the revelation. Some of the others exchanged looks. A murmur ran through the group.

He crossed his arms and waited, giving the man some time to process it. Zi Wen remained silent, his brows furrowed in deep contemplation. Chen Ren could tell that he was turning the idea over in his head, trying to grasp what it truly meant to walk a Dao that wasn't tied to raw martial strength. But he had no doubt—given enough time, Zi Wen would connect with his path.

Letting Zi Wen dwell in his thoughts, he turned to the rest of the group. His gaze swept across them, taking in their mixed expressions of curiosity, excitement, and apprehension.

"I implore all of you to think carefully about your Dao," he said. "It doesn't have to be a martial one. You are all free to walk and learn any path that resonates with you. Even those of you who are mortals."

A few of the non-cultivators blinked in surprise, as if they hadn't expected to be included in such a statement.

"You may not be able to perform feats like a cultivator," Chen Ren continued, "but having a path, a purpose that aligns with who you are, will still allow you to achieve great things. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sect Leader!" came the resounding reply.

Chen Ren nodded in satisfaction.

His gaze shifted towards Hong Yi. The man was still lost in thought, his fingers twitching slightly as if adjusting invisible strings. Chen Ren had initially suspected him to be reluctant about joining, but now… now he seemed to be taking this seriously. That was good. That was what he needed.

But still, there were things that needed to be settled.

Before he could move forward with his plans, he needed to deal with this man. Learn more about him. Decide whether he was truly someone who could be trusted in the sect's ranks.

And after that?

Chen Ren's lips curled slightly.

Then he could finally begin production on his next creations.

The ones that would sweep across the empire like a storm. The ones that would carve his name into history. It would be the prelude before dominating the immortal market.

Chapter 66

Once the initiation class was over, Chen Ren sent everyone off.

Xiulan took charge of the mortals, leading them to another area where she would explain more about the sect—what they would do, what their duties were, and what they would learn.

Unlike normal sects, where disciples followed a master and learned directly from them, the Divine Coin Sect was different. It would teach through structured lessons, and everyone had to take part.

The lessons covered many things. Sales techniques that Chen Ren had written down, reading and writing, and even more math lessons than they expected. He didn't want his disciples getting tricked just because they didn't know how numbers worked. He had already gone over all of this with Xiulan, and she was more than capable of handling it as the sect manager.

As for the cultivators, he kept them back a little longer. Instead of rushing them straight into training, he wanted them to think carefully about their path. What did they want to pursue? What was their Dao?

Of course, a part of this was because Chen Ren didn't actually have any cultivation manuals to give them. The only one he had was the Chen clan's manual [Thunderstorm Sutra], and according to Yalan, none of them had lightning-aspected spiritual roots.

Zi Wen was fine—he still had his old manual from his previous sect, and Yalan could probably help him improve it. But Luo Heng needed a new one, and that was a problem

Chen Ren would have to deal with soon.

After speaking with both of them, he turned to Hong Yi. Unlike the others, he wasn't officially part of the sect yet. But if he could get him to join the sect, it would mean increasing the sect's average strength by a lot, excluding Yalan of course.

Chen Ren led him to the back of the building, toward a small clearing just before the mountains. Hong Yi silently followed him.

There, with the wind rustling the trees, he finally spoke.

"So? What did you think of the lecture?"

Hong Yi looked at him, clearly rethinking about it. Then, after a moment, he said, "It was... interesting."

He paused, glancing at the sect buildings before looking back at Chen Ren.

"I've heard of sects with different branches, each focused on their own disciplines. But I've never heard of one focused on money."

Hong Yi paused once again, as if gathering his thoughts. Then, he spoke. "As for the talk on Dao... I gained good insight from it. I think it's something I've been thinking about for a while now."

Chen Ren studied him before asking, "You follow the Martial Dao, right?"

Hong Yi nodded. "Yes. I've followed it for the last three years, ever since I started cultivating. For a long time, it felt like my path. But... since I got the inheritance, I feel like something is clashing with it." He clenched his fists, frustration showing on his face. "I'm not improving as fast as I should. I don't practice my martial arts much anymore. I only focus on my puppets. Because of that... I'm falling behind in the Martial Dao." His voice lowered. "And I've started to question if it's truly the way for me."

Chen Ren crossed his arms, watching him carefully. "You're still young. You haven't gone too far into cultivation yet. I think you can still change to the path you truly wish to walk on." He let the words settle before continuing. "In the end, it's more philosophical than anything. It's in your mind. Your Dao has to align with what you want. If you can do that, I believe you'll be fine."

For a moment, there was only silence. The wind whispered through the trees. The boulder nearby stood still, unmoving, as if it had been there forever. The air was peaceful, untouched by doubt or hesitation.

Chen Ren looked around before turning back to Hong Yi. "I don't see your puppets. I thought I told you to bring them."

Hong Yi blinked. "I brought them."

"Then where—"

Before Chen Ren could finish, Hong Yi whistled. A sharp, clear sound cut through the air.

Chen Ren frowned, wondering what he was doing. Then, he noticed movement in the mountain.

A figure leaped out and landed lightly on the ground.

It was wooden. Not taller than three feet. Humanoid. Its body was shaped like a person, but its features were simple. Two eye-like shapes were carved into its face, but there was no mouth, no nose. It almost looked like a wooden statue.

Chen Ren raised an eyebrow.

"I hid it in the mountain," Hong Yi admitted. "I didn't want to be seen with it."

Chen Ren looked at the puppet then back to him. "How does it work?"

"It's... hard to explain," Hong Yi said. He walked over to the puppet and placed a hand on its shoulder. "It's like a soul link between me and it. The puppet understands basic commands. I made them respond to whistles since I was always good with them. And because it's hard for enemies to figure out what I'm doing."

Chen Ren nodded slowly. "So it's a bit like programming."

Hong Yi tilted his head. "Programming?"

Chen Ren thought for a moment. How was he supposed to explain this?

Finally, he said, "Think of it like giving someone commands, but in a really specific way. Each command makes for a specific effect. If you want to program it to fight, you will do a specific command. If you want it to walk, you will do a specific command. Like that." He frowned. "I don't know how to explain it further, but... it's like that."

Hong Yi nodded slowly. "I believe I get the gist of it."

Chen Ren smiled before pointing at the puppet once again. "How strong are they?"

Hong Yi smirked. Instead of answering, he stepped back and whistled again.

The wooden puppet moved. Its joints clicked slightly, but its steps were steady. It walked towards the boulder at the center of the clearing, raised its fist, and punched.

Boom!

A deep dent appeared in the stone.

Chen Ren's brows lifted in surprise.

Without hesitation, the puppet drew back its arm and struck again. This time, the entire boulder cracked and crumbled into chunks.

Chen Ren blinked. That's stronger than I expected.

Hong Yi looked proud. "This one is in the fifth star of the body forging realm. I haven't been able to 'program' martial techniques into them yet, but they're still formidable."

Chen Ren nodded. They were much stronger than he'd expected. "I can see that." He glanced at Hong Yi. "How many do you have?"

Hong Yi hesitated. He pressed his lips together, looking as if he didn't want to reveal the number. After a moment, he sighed. "...Twelve right now. I've hidden them in the mountains, mostly. All of them range from the third to fifth star of body forging."

Chen Ren hummed. That was more than he expected.

"Can you make them stronger?" he asked.

"Yes," Hong Yi said immediately. "But it depends on materials. Spirit wood is especially important. If I want them to have elemental affinities and be smarter, I'd need more resources—and someone with knowledge of arrays and runic symbols."

Chen Ren raised a brow. "Arrays?"

Hong Yi nodded. "Apparently, I can engrave arrays into their cores. If I place elemental beads around the array, they can use elemental techniques." He frowned slightly. "It's a bit hard to describe. Even harder to do."

Chen Ren stayed quiet, his mind already spinning with possibilities.

Puppets like these… They wouldn't just be useful for defending the sect. He could send them with his sales teams to different cities when they moved to expand. The Kalian Empire was a dangerous place. Beasts roamed freely alongside bandits, and traveling long distances wasn't something ordinary people did. Even merchants had to hire guards—sometimes even rogue cultivators at the body forging realm.

But with these puppets, I might be able to solve that problem.

Not just for himself, but for the people too.

His gaze returned to Hong Yi. "I'm impressed by the puppets. And honestly, I'm impressed by you." He exhaled and said, "So, once again, I'd like to offer you a place in the Divine Coin Sect."

Hong Yi's expression shifted. He still looked uncertain. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking. Chen Ren didn't know he was holding his breath until the man in front of him opened his eyes. The eyes; they were filled with a 'sorry' to come. He was about to reject the offer again—

But before he could, Chen Ren spoke.

"I know your hesitation. You don't think the Divine Coin Sect will be able to protect you against your former sect." he pursed his lips. "That's your biggest concern, isn't it?"

Hong Yi stiffened. Then, slowly, he nodded.

Chen Ren smiled slightly. "Then what if I can solve that?"

Hong Yi's eyes widened. For a moment, a flicker of hope crossed his face—but it was quickly replaced by doubt. He shook his head, concern evident in his gaze.

"I don't think it'll work," he muttered. "The sect leader of Blood Iron Sect himself is a meridian expansion realm cultivator and Master Yalan might be able to deal with him, but there's hundreds of cultivators under him."

Chen Ren shook his head. "No, I don't plan on asking Yalan to negotiate with them or protect you." His expression turned serious. "I know their manpower is too much for us to handle head-on."

Hong Yi frowned. "Then what—?"

Chen Ren raised a hand. "I'll tell you soon. I'm still fine-tuning the plan. But if I manage to do it, will you join the Divine Coin Sect?"

There was no hesitation in Hong Yi's response. "If you can do it, I'll happily join—if my inheritance stays with me."

Chen Ren smirked. "It will. I wouldn't ask for something that personal." He crossed his arms. "But I'll need information on your former sect. I'll be traveling soon."

Hong Yi raised an eyebrow. "For me?"

Chen Ren chuckled. "That, and for the next step of Divine Coin Sect's expansion, basically to set up the supply chain for our next product."

***

Chen Ren wiped the sweat from his brow as he carefully hoisted another earthen pot filled with fermented mash, setting it down near the crude distillation setup he had pieced together. Copper tubing, sealed joints, and a few makeshift condensers lined the back of the house, where he had been experimenting for the past few days

As he adjusted one of the tubes leading to a collection container, testing the seal, he heard

Yalan's voice from behind him.

"So, this is going to be your next big product?"

He glanced at her, then back at the equipment. "Yes. One thing the Kalian Empire has a massive market for is alcohol. And all the ones we tasted on our trip to this village…" He frowned. "They were weak. There's definitely a gap for something stronger."

Yalan stepped closer, examining the setup with mild curiosity. "So you're making this—moonshine—just for that reason?"

"Not just moonshine." Chen Ren grinned.

"Homemade cider, bathtub gin, and whatever else I can get working. My father was a big fan of alcohol, so I know a bit about the stronger stuff."

Yalan didn't even blink. "So he was an alcoholic."

Chen Ren let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah. The local pubs loved him. He was basically their best customer." He paused for a moment as old memories surfaced, but he quickly pushed them away, refocusing on his work.

He checked the tubing again, watching as the first trickles of liquid began to move through the still. The vapors condensed, dripping steadily into the container he had set up. It wasn't perfect yet—he'd have to distill it at least twice to get a high enough concentration—but it was a start.

"If this works," he muttered, more to himself than to Yalan, "I'll start testing rice wine and other variations. If moonshine doesn't sell well, something else will." He smirked. "But I have a good feeling about this. A little trial and error, and we'll have something strong enough to shake up the market."

Chen Ren carefully adjusted the flame beneath the pot, watching as the liquid inside began to simmer. Thin tendrils of vapor curled upward, traveling through the coil of copper tubing toward the collection container.

The first clear drops of alcohol began to drip, and he exhaled in satisfaction.

As he worked, Yalan fell into an unusual silence, watching him like a hawk. And he could tell that the wheels of her brain were spinning.

"You do know that getting into the alcohol business means more trouble, right? It's an established market, like you said."

"I know," Chen Ren replied without hesitation. "And trouble is something that's going to follow me no matter what I do." He straightened, wiping his hands on his sleeves.

"Even then, I don't plan on fighting other clans for their businesses. I'll just be the supplier instead of creating my own pubs. I don't have the money to buy properties for that."

"Then how do you plan to make money from it?"

"Once we refine the formula, I'll travel to form contracts with major pub businesses. Sell it directly to them instead of competing. That'll be the first step in developing something even bigger—spirit alcohol."

At that, Yalan actually laughed. "Spirit alcohol? That's a secret recipe. Only a few sects know how to make it, and even then, it's not easy."

Chen Ren shrugged—not new to this piece of information. "I know. I've heard. But that doesn't mean I won't try. If I can infuse my qi into these spirits properly, I might be able to figure out the formula myself. When I go back to Cloud Mist City, I'll ask Qing He about it, too. She might know something."

"Maybe," Yalan conceded, stretching lazily in the sunlight. "But even if you do get the process down, you'd still need spirit materials. Spirit rice, at the very least. And I don't see anyone growing that around here."

Chen Ren exhaled, shaking his head. That was another complication. Every business in this world—especially those tied to cultivation—was filled with hurdles. Even the simplest resources required spiritual properties, and that meant they were expensive.

Pushing the thought aside for now, he turned back to the distillation process, monitoring the slow drip of liquid into the container. But as he worked, his gaze flickered back to Yalan, who sat basking in the sun, seemingly unconcerned with anything at all.

That reminded him—there was something he had wanted to ask her.

Chen Ren wiped his hands again and glanced at Yalan. "By the way, there's something I need to show you."

She tilted her head. "What?"

Reaching into his robes, he pulled out the small egg he had taken from the Soaring Sword Sect's treasury and handed it to her. "I found this when I was in the sect. The elder let me take it, and said it was a dead egg. Do you think we can make use of it in some way?"

Yalan took the egg and inspected it carefully, her claws brushing over its surface as she concentrated. After a moment, she hummed. "I don't know what beast this egg belonged to. A lot of eggs look like this, and it's really small, so it can't be from anything huge." She flipped it over using her small paws, eyes narrowing. "It is dead, like the elder told you, but there are some faint traces of qi lingering inside."

Chen Ren's eyes lit up. "So it might still be useful?"

"Depends," Yalan said dryly. "Might make for a good breakfast if it's not poisonous from being dead for so long. You should throw it away."

Chen Ren sighed as she set the egg down on the grass. He reached over and picked it back up, tucking it back into his robes. "I don't really want to. Don't you think it might turn into some hidden treasure or something?"

Yalan squinted at him. "Why would you think that?"

"Cultivation logic," he declared. "The way I found it. It was just sitting there in a treasury, untouched amidst far better treasures. Even the elder didn't know what it was doing there. Everything in my being said that there's a reason why a dead egg is there. It's fate basically."

As he finished the explanation, Yalan stared at him like he was an idiot. She didn't say anything for a few seconds, and Chen Ren, too, kept staring—waiting for her to speak her mind.

"What?" he finally asked.

"I don't know why you think the world works like that. It really doesn't."

Chen Ren opened his mouth to defend himself, but movement caught his attention. His eyes flicked to the distillation setup, where the first proper bowl of alcohol was filling drop by drop. He quickly picked it up, bringing it close to his nose. The scent was sharp and unrefined, and when he took a sip, it burned down his throat in a way that wasn't entirely pleasant.

He smacked his lips, frowning. "Needs work."

Still, he was making progress. With the mortal members in the sect now and the base alcohol being cheap, he was confident that once he got the right formula, he'd be able to build a proper foundation for a brewery. A brewery that could eventually supply the strongest alcohol in the region. The profits would be huge.

But just as he was thinking that, something moved in the trees beyond the house.

His head snapped up, and he saw Yalan shift slightly, eyes narrowing as she, too, noticed the movement.

Chen Ren tensed, glancing at Yalan. "A wild beast?"

"Maybe," she murmured, eyes scanning the treeline. "Nothing too strong, though. The forest around here doesn't have many beasts you can't handle."

He nodded, keeping his senses sharp. Then, the sound of rustling grass grew louder—something was moving fast, weaving through the undergrowth like a darting shadow. Chen Ren barely had time to react before a small head poked out from the foliage. His eyes widened.

White fur, soft and rustling in the wind, covered a small, sleek body. It had large, sharp front teeth, a bushy tail curled slightly at the end, and small claws that looked deceptively delicate. Its eyes, bright, flickered between them before its little nose twitched. The beast resembled a squirrel but had an oddly refined presence, almost as if it was more aware than a normal beast.

Chen Ren relaxed slightly. "Just a squirrel—"

Before he could finish, the creature froze, its gaze locking onto the bowl of distilled alcohol in his hand.

Chen Ren hesitated. What's it—

Then, in a blur of motion, the squirrel bolted forward, a streak of white fur crossing the distance in an instant.

"Hey!" He barely had time to react before the creature skidded onto the table, stretched up on its hind legs, and—before he could pull the bowl away—took a big sip of the freshly distilled alcohol.

***

Got done with the real life stuff! Enjoy!

Chapter 67

A scent wafted through the leaves, slipping past the annoyingly tall trees to enter his nose. The little beast sniffed, ears twitching. He did not know what it was, only that he had to try it.

The berries and herbs of the wilderness had long ceased to satisfy him. They filled his stomach, but there was no pleasure in them.

A great being such as himself deserved more. The large, two-legged creatures who spoke in strange tongues and built their little houses with wood and hay—surely, they should be serving him, presenting him with offerings worthy of his stature. And yet, they had proven disappointingly unwilling, always offering the same tasteless berries. Over and over. And over.

He was sick of it.

So, he moved.

Through branches, over leaves, past the screeching birds that dared get in his way. He leapt, tumbled through the underbrush, and finally, he arrived.

A clearing.

A large pot sat in the middle, strange tubes connected to it, wisps of heat rising into the air. And beside it stood one of the two-legged creatures.

He eyed him warily. Tall. Just enough broad shoulders to fit his height. His fur—no, his clothes—were dull, the color of dust and dirt. His mane was dark, tied back, but strands fell over his forehead, messier than the usual ones that walked this land. His black eyes locked onto him, and for a moment, the little beast stiffened.

Danger.

It was the same feeling he had felt when he had accidentally stepped into the path of a wolf that roamed the forest, acting as a protector of sorts. A silent weight pressing down, a fleeting thought that he was prey.

Then, it passed.

He flicked his tail, shaking the feeling away and turned his gaze. Next to the human sat another creature—not one of his kind, but close. A feline. A hunter. Not a beast of the wild but not fully tamed either. She basked in the sun, relaxed, yet her sharp amber eyes followed him with interest.

He cared for neither of them.

His true target lay just ahead.

A large bowl, filled to the brim with something that carried that intoxicating scent. Beside it, a smaller one, just as inviting. He sniffed the air again, his blessed tongue already tingling with anticipation.

He could not stop.

Food awaited him.

So he sprinted forward.

The human's eyes widened in surprise, but he was too mesmerized by his majestic self to react. A fitting response. Most creatures found themselves stunned when faced with such unparalleled grace.

The small bowl was close now. The scent—rich, sharp, and unlike anything he had ever tasted—filled his nose, making his whiskers twitch. He took one last sniff, confirming what he already knew.

This was it.

Without hesitation, he plunged in.

A bitter taste hit his tongue first, but he powered through. His refined palate adjusted swiftly, savoring the complexity of the liquid. He drank and drank, the warmth spreading in his belly, coating his tongue in its novel richness. A deep satisfaction settled in his chest. Finally. Finally, something worthy of him.

When the bowl was empty, he licked his lips, let out a contented sigh, and patted his stomach with his paws.

Only then did he glance up at the human.

The two-legged creature was staring at him, mouth slightly open, looking utterly stunned. The little beast blinked. He didn't know why.

Maybe the human had never witnessed such elegance up close before. Understandable.

Deciding to break him out of his daze, he scampered forward, stopping at the human's feet. The large creature crouched, eyes scanning him with some strange intent, before extending a hand.

Ah. He understood.

With a dignified leap, he climbed up, perching himself upon the broad shoulder. From here, the view was excellent. The trees stretched out in the distance, the sun bathed the clearing in warmth, and he—he felt grand.

Larger than life.

He lifted his paws in triumph.

Yes. Perhaps he had just acquired his first true servant.

As he basked in his glory, the human turned to the feline and muttered, "The squirrel doesn't seem affected by the alcohol."

Squirrel?

His tail bristled.

He knew many names for his divine species, but "squirrel" was not one of them. How dare the human compare him to those mundane, nut-hoarding pests? He prepared to deliver a righteous smack to the fool's face when the feline spoke.

"I don't think it's a squirrel," she said, her amber eyes gleaming with knowledge. "I believe it's a lunari. And a male lunari at that. They are rarer than their female counterparts."

He froze.

For the first time in his long life—spanning four hundred and sixty nine sunsets—he was genuinely surprised.

The feline… could speak?

Not just understand, as all majestic beings like himself could, but speak the strange language of the two-legged ones.

How?

As he pondered this revelation, the feline spoke again, calmly.

"I think it's because it's a spirit beast. Not really strong. Just Tier 1… and even then, a low Tier 1. But a spirit beast nonetheless."

A spirit beast? He scoffed internally. Of course, he was a spirit beast. He was more than just some ordinary animal.

But wait—did she say low Tier 1?

His tail twitched in irritation. His fur bristled, standing on end like the spines of an angered porcupine.

Low Tier 1? The more he thought about it, the more his anger increased.

The cat's voice was calm, almost indifferent, but to his ears, it carried the weight of condescension. His tail flicked once, then again, sharp and agitated. His small claws pressed into the fabric of the human's shoulder, a silent protest. He was not weak.

He was not some lowly creature to be pitied.

He was—

A warmth settled on his head.

He froze.

Fingers pressed lightly between his ears, ruffling the fur in slow, rhythmic strokes. A shiver ran down his spine. His first instinct was to swipe the hand away, to remind this human of his place, but… the touch was nice.

A deep warmth spread from the top of his head down his back, loosening the tension in his limbs. His tail, which had been flicking angrily, stilled, curling slightly in contentment.

Strange.

He blinked up at the human, who had turned back to the cat. His voice was steady, thoughtful.

"So, should we keep him? He's cute."

The cat gave him another long, unreadable look before flicking her tail.

"Your choice," she said, stretching out in the sunlight. "Just keep him away from the alcohol, or you'll never make enough to sell."

The human hummed, considering, before shifting his gaze back to him. He met his dark eyes—deep, endless, reflecting something unreadable.

"Then I guess I'll take care of you."

He said it so simply, like it was already decided. Then the human tilted his head, eyes narrowing in thought. A moment passed.

"Now, what should I name you?"

The beast opened his mouth, ready to tell this foolish human the name of his majestic lineage—

Then he paused.

What… was his name?

His whole life, through four hundred and sixty-nine sunsets, he had moved through the world nameless, known only by the quiet awe of the lesser creatures and the whispered warnings of those smart enough to recognize his greatness. A name?

He had never needed one.

His ears twitched as he studied the human.

Well… perhaps he would allow this one to name him. That much, at least, was acceptable for someone who had already proven his worth in head pats.

The human's brows furrowed, the same expression that he made when debating between more food or a long nap. His lips parted, then closed. Thoughtful. Calculating. Then, finally, his face brightened, eyes lighting with the satisfaction of someone who had reached a grand conclusion.

A slow smirk spread across his lips. "Whiskey."

He blinked.

The human grinned. "Your name will be Whiskey."

Whis Ke.

He turned the sound over in his mind, tasting it like a rare berry plucked straight from the branch. Odd. Sharp. Unlike any of the names he had ever heard the big creatures call one another.

But as he thought about it again and again, something stirred inside him—a strange warmth, something deeper than the alcohol he had just tasted. It was his.

A name.

He rolled his shoulders, puffing out his chest, lifting his paws as if announcing his new title to the world.

Whiskey.

Yes.

From this day forward, his majestic self would be known as Whiskey. The name given by his newly acquired human servant.

***

Chen Ren hadn't expected to gain a spirit beast companion while brewing alcohol, but fate had a peculiar sense of humor. The small creature, covered in sleek white fur with a bushy tail that flicked at the slightest provocation, had attached itself to him after downing a full bowl of discarded alcohol. He licked its tiny paws, eyes half-lidded in satisfaction, before climbing up his arm like he had always belonged there.

Strange little thing. But cute, in an arrogant, self-important way.

More surprising than its presence, however, was its obsession with alcohol. He sniffed at every jar he opened, jumped onto tables to inspect bubbling liquids, and, if he wasn't careful, dove headfirst into cups meant for testing. He had to start covering his batches, lest he find the tiny drunk curled up inside a brewing pot again. Still, as long as the lunari kept lapping up failed experiments without complaint, he supposed he earned his keep.

Whiskey didn't mind any scraps that he received. And Chen Ren didn't complain.

It wasn't just him the little beast had taken a liking to. Zi Wen had been talking to him more frequently on dao and what it might mean to be a beastmaster and these conversations would mostly happen when Chen Ren would be mid-brew and in one of these talks,

Whiskey had realised he found the middle aged cultivator pleasing.

Whiskey often perched on Zi Wen's knee, tail curled around his body as he watched the man with critical, beady eyes. Zi Wen, in return, stroked his beard in contemplation.

Sometimes, he would completely ignore the spirit beast and continue to talk with Chen Ren about dao and beasts; but throughout, Whiskey would be nearby.

It showed that Zi Wen was liked by spirit beasts, and his assumption of Dao of Taming was correct. It made Chen Ren hope for the best; hope that the man would choose his Dao and attempt to connect with it soon.

Then there was Luo Heng, a different sort of visitor. Unlike Zi Wen's philosophical musings, his curiosity was far more grounded. He asked about cultivation techniques, his life story as someone who had been a cultivator for a long time and how the immortal society worked.

Through his conversation, he was able to get to know the man better, but one particular frustration gnawed at him—the fact that his lightning cultivation manual was utterly useless for him.

It was because the man's spirit roots were earth-aspected. Yalan had confirmed it during the aptitude test, and he wouldn't be able to make use of his lightning manual.

Still, not all paths were blocked.

Chen Ren tossed him a few old mortal grade martial art manuals from his childhood.

"Cultivation isn't just about one thing. Work on the foundation first," he said. "Figure out your Dao. You're better off knowing what path to walk upon as I get you a cultivation manual."

Luo Heng didn't complain and accepted the manuals and started to practice them with Zi Wen helping him to understand the stances and forms.

While the cultivators wrestled with their paths, the mortals had no such luxury. They had tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines—and Tang Xiulan saw to it that they met them.

Chen Ren had known she was intelligent, but watching her teach was another thing entirely.

She grasped concepts quickly, adapted them, and had already organized lessons for the street kids and villager-turned-students.

Basic literacy, arithmetic, and business fundamentals—everything they'd need to handle his growing enterprises.

That was one problem he didn't have to worry about.

Seeing that his sect was slowly forming a rhythm, his mind moved to the next task at hand: alcohol distribution. He needed to finalize his supply chain before scaling production. Once that was set, he could shift focus to expanding his food stalls. Ice cream would have to wait—summer had passed, and he wasn't foolish enough to push a seasonal product.

Still, the future stretched ahead, full of possibilities.

He knew he needed to produce a fresh batch of the alcohol without an awful taste. And for two weeks, he kept distilling alcohol and trying to get the flavour right. It took a while and a lot of frustration as he kept trying different concentrations and methods until finally, he found himself making a batch that was just good enough to sell. It took another week to create a carriage full of them with his sect members helping out before Chen Ren decided it was finally the time to take a trip around the empire.

Just before he left, he sat across Xiulan, papers scattered across the table as they finalised the plans for the sect's upcoming expansion.

"Is it really necessary for you to go?" Xiulan's question cut through the quiet, her fingers fidgeting nervously on her lap. "We've just started things here, and I might be able to get some more help."

Chen Ren inhaled through his nose. His eyes met her for the briefest moment and saw how serious she was. "Yes, I did tell you I have a few things to do other than the alcohol supply line."

"I do know, young master. But that's what makes me worried. You're going to an established sect, and from what you've told me, it can be dangerous."

He gave a small nod. "Yes, it is dangerous. But Yalan will be with me. And I think I'll at least be able to preserve my life and escape with her there, if anything goes wrong."

Xiulan let out a breath, her posture relaxing slightly as she processed his words. "All right. I'll make sure to handle the construction and plumbing. Though, I think it might take some time for the village builder and laborers to understand your diagrams."

Chen Ren smiled wryly, feeling a familiar frustration at the mention of plumbing.

Beyond the hustle of his businesses, Chen Ren had a vision for expanding his place, a long-term goal of building more facilities to accommodate the growing needs of the sect.

But for now, his focus was on enhancing the three buildings they already had. More floors, more rooms, and, most importantly, proper plumbing.

Yes, plumbing.

It was something that grated on him about this era—the complete lack of efficient plumbing and proper facilities for nature's calls. A seemingly minor detail that no one ever seemed to address in any Xianxia novel. It always seemed so absurd to him. Even cultivators, according to Yalan, weren't exempt. They could survive without food for days, and as a result, their bodily needs were minimal. But that only left one glaring problem: no one had thought to advance the plumbing systems.

Chen Ren wasn't about to let that slide. He intended to change that, starting with his own buildings.

He felt a sense of contentment as he reviewed the plans—everything sketched out in detail. He'd handed over the blueprints to

Xiulan, making sure to emphasize where manual labor would be needed. He trusted her to follow the instructions. She had always been good at executing his plans, and he had no doubt she would manage this one just as effectively.

The door opened then—cutting his thoughts short, and Zi Han stepped in. "Sect Leader Chen, we're ready to go."

Chen Ren stood, giving Xiulan one last look. "Okay, I'll be back in two weeks." He gave her a reassuring smile, though his mind was already turning to the journey ahead.

He walked outside with Zi Han and Xiulan, and the sight of the modified carriage waiting for him made his chest swell with pride. The carriage, once used for their initial travels, had been altered to fit crates of his newly perfected alcohol, and it was now packed to the brim, ready to make its way across the empire.

The group had gathered. Hong Yi and Anji stood by the carriage, their eyes scanning the surroundings. Yalan was seated on the ground and Whiskey stood on top of the carriage.

As he approached the group, his gaze flicked over Hong Yi, who was deeply engrossed in a map. When Hong Yi noticed him approaching, he lifted his eyes, a skeptical look creeping across his face. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt.

Chen Ren gave a reassuring smile, his confidence unwavering. "Yes, I'm confident," he replied, then stepped forward and traced his finger along a line on the map. His finger paused at a small town named Black Lotus Town, the first destination on their journey.

"We'll be moving from here," he said, his finger continuing along the path. "Then we'll follow this road through the major cities to reach Ashen. This will be our destination."

The path he outlined was a half-circle, the route weaving through some lesser-known towns. "On our way back," he continued, "we'll pass through Cloud Mist City."

"What's in Ashen City?" Anji asked.

Chen Ren pointed at a spot on the map, just before the last leg of the journey. "From what I gathered, it houses the Zhu Clan and they have one of the largest breweries in the region, with alcohol businesses spanning multiple cities. We'll be trying to get in business with them."

He paused, his finger moving to another part of the map, closer to the halfway point between them and Ashen. "But before we get there," he added, "we'll make a stop at the Blood Iron Sect."

Hong Yi's eyes changed at the mention of the sect. He gulped, his brow furrowing in concern. "I really hope you're right about this," he muttered, the uncertainty now evident in his voice.

It made Anji frown deeper. She clutched the map in her hand.

"Don't worry," Chen Ren said. "It won't be the first time I would made a big organization bow down to me."

***

Magus Reborn Chapter will be a little late. Sorry for inconvenience.

Chapter 68

Chen Ren didn't particularly enjoy traveling in this world—at least, not by carriage.

The world itself was great. The air was thick with qi, filling his lungs with a refreshing energy that never left him feeling truly exhausted. Towering trees lined the roads, their canopies swaying lazily in the breeze. Rivers cut through fields like silver threads, their waters clear enough to reflect the sky.

Everything looked like it had been plucked straight out of a painting.

But none of that changed the fact that the roads were terrible.

The carriage rattled and shook with every pothole, the wooden wheels groaned under the uneven road. And every bump sent a jolt through his spine, and no matter how he adjusted his posture, there was no such thing as comfort. The seats were stiff, the air inside stuffy, and the constant swaying made even resting a chore.

He figured this was mostly a mortal problem. The real cultivators—those who had stepped beyond these struggles—soared through the skies on flying swords, rode atop spirit beasts, or, if they were truly powerful, summoned floating boats like the one Elder

Yan Xiu had used. Compared to that, his carriage might as well have been a wooden box strapped to a herd of drunk oxen.

Unfortunately, he wasn't at that level yet.

The only upside was the frequent stops. Small villages dotted their path, giving the horses and travelers a chance to rest. Chen Ren took these breaks as an opportunity to stretch his legs—literally. While others stretched their backs or loosened their stiff limbs, he ran.

His body moved effortlessly, his feet barely touching the ground before propelling him forward again. The wind rushed past his face, and the pounding of hooves beside him was nothing but a background rhythm. Even when the carriage started rolling again, he kept up easily, the horses unable to leave him behind.

It was better than sitting.

Of course, he didn't spend the entire journey running meaninglessly. He had long since shed his laziness in this world, and he wasn't about to waste time lounging in the carriage.

Instead, he trained. Whenever they took breaks, and he wasn't running, he trained.

Not in his lightning techniques—those came naturally, instinctively. No, this time, he focused on something new. A technique he had won in the tournament.

[Starlight Defense], an Earth grade defensive technique.

The name was fancy, but in the world of cultivation, that was normal. He had heard of techniques like [Palm That Cuts the River] and [Immortal Fist of the Heavens.] Compared to those, [Starlight Defense] was straightforward. It did exactly what its name suggested—used the qi of the stars and moon to form a protective barrier around the user.

The diagrams in the manual showed a shimmering cover of light forming over the body, covering vital points like armor woven from the night sky. It sounded impressive. It looked impressive. But there was a catch.

Chen Ren opened his eyes and exhaled, watching the stars stretch across the sky.

He could only cultivate it at night.

"So apparently, it's mostly potent at night

since it uses the qi of the stars and moon,"

Chen Ren muttered, leaning back against a fallen log. He picked on the grass beneath them as his eyes shifted from the technique manual in his lap. "I can still use it in the morning, but it won't be nearly as strong." He sighed, gaze flickering toward the sky, where the moon had begun its slow climb. "It's powerful—it's an Earth-grade technique, after all—but I don't know how to get around this

flaw."

Across from him, Yalan was sprawled on the grass, stretching her small body. A few paces away, Hong Yi crouched over a pot, stirring the venison soup he had thrown together after hunting a deer. Anji and Zi Han sat nearby, murmuring about something he didn't bother listening to.

High above, perched on a low-hanging branch, Whiskey lazily chewed on a berry, his tail flicking in amusement.

Yalan glanced up from the fire that was in the middle of them, meeting his gaze. "I don't think it's much of a flaw," she said casually.

Chen Ren frowned. "What do you mean?"

Instead of answering, she purred. "Use the technique."

He raised an eyebrow. There was no hesitation in her tone, just quiet confidence.

Well, there was no harm in trying.

Without another word, he shut his eyes and exhaled slowly, letting his focus sink into the world around him.

Ever since stepping into the qi refinement realm, everything had changed. Almost as if the world has opened itself to him, in terms of spiritual energy mixed in the air. He had even gotten better at recognising different types of qi. It was eye opening, and felt like a whole different level of enlightenment. Before, it had been like looking at a river from a distance—he knew it was there, but it was unreachable.

Now, he stood at the river's edge, able to dip his hands into the flow.

And right now, he was searching for something specific.

Star qi.

It wasn't as easy to grasp as his lightning qi, which surged and crackled like a living storm within him. The celestial qi was distant, slow-moving, as if existing on a different plane. But as he focused, the mantra of [Starlight Defense] running through his mind, something shifted.

A pull.

The energy trickled toward him, slow but steady. He guided it into his body, moving it through his meridians, letting it flow across his skin. It was subtle at first, like cool mist settling over him. Then, as the technique took hold, the mist thickened.

When he opened his eyes, his entire body shimmered with a faint bluish light. A transparent armor, woven from qi itself, clung to him, covering his vitals in an otherworldly glow. There was no weight to it, no restriction in movement, but he felt different. More protected. More... stable.

Yalan studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Not bad. Looks like a solid technique."

Chen Ren let out a breath, the glow flickering slightly. "Yeah, it is." He flexed his fingers, watching the way the qi shifted over his knuckles before fading. "But like I said, the problem is during the day. There's barely any star or moon qi to draw from. It's not like my other techniques where I can just use my own aspected qi."

His voice was steady, but the frustration was there. A technique was only as useful as its availability—and this one, no matter how strong, came with a major limitation.

"There's very little star qi in the air during the morning," Chen Ren said, shaking his head. "That's the issue."

Yalan didn't reply immediately. Instead, she gave him a long, narrowed-eyed look, the kind that made him shift uncomfortably. Then, with a pointed tone, she asked, "Do you really think that technique is so rigid?"

Chen Ren frowned. "What do you mean?"

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I'll give you a hint." Her gaze flickered to the sky before closing. "Earth-grade techniques are superior to mortal ones. Starting from this grade, techniques are thoroughly designed—none of them should have such a glaring flaw unless they're extremely specialized. That means there's already a way to use your defense technique in the day without losing effectiveness. You just have to think about it."

Then she went quiet.

She didn't elaborate, didn't offer any further clues. Just sat there, calmly, as if waiting for him to figure it out on his own.

Chen Ren turned her words over in his mind. A way to use [Starlight Defense] in the morning? How? There was no way to create star qi—at least, none that he knew of. Even if there was, he didn't have the ability to do it.

He kept thinking, running through different possibilities. If he couldn't generate it, what could he do? He considered how the technique worked—pulling in celestial qi from the environment, shaping it into armor.

Seconds turned to minutes as he thought of ways to use the technique at all periods.

And then it hit him.

He looked up sharply. "The way to do it… is to store star qi in my body so I can use it during the day."

Yalan nodded, opening her eyes and looking at him. "Exactly. It won't be easy, though. Star qi is aspected—your body isn't naturally aligned with it. But you can still store a limited amount, then recharge it at night. It's a good system. And while I think you'll get a better defensive technique eventually, at your current realm, this one will protect you from most attacks."

Chen Ren hummed, considering her words. She was right. [Starlight Defense] wasn't perfect, but it was strong. If he could master this method, he'd have a reliable defense at all times.

"Alright," he said, flexing his fingers. "Let me try it."

Closing his eyes again, he focused on the qi in the sky—the faint traces of star energy that lingered in the night air. It was distant but present, subtle but steady. He pulled it in, guiding it through his meridians, feeling the energy settle against his skin.

This time, though, he didn't shape it into armor. Instead, he directed it inward, trying to absorb it into his body.

But the moment the star qi entered him, it slipped away just as easily.

He frowned and tried again, pulling in the energy, attempting to hold onto it. Again, it leaked out as if refusing to stay. Over and over, he repeated the process, adjusting, focusing—but each time, the qi escaped, like water slipping through cupped hands.

Eventually, he exhaled sharply, opening his eyes. A thin sheen of sweat coated his forehead. "It's not working," he admitted.

"Every time I take in the star qi, it just escapes again."

Across from him, Yalan simply snickered. "Did you really think it would be that easy?" She tilted her head slightly and scoffed. "Of course, you need to practice. It won't stick right away."

Chen Ren sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He had expected a challenge, but this was trickier than he thought.

"Fortunately for you," Yalan continued, gesturing toward the carriage in the distance, "we have a long journey ahead. Plenty of time to get it right."

Chen Ren let out a breath, nodding. "Yeah… I guess I better start working on it."

***

Throughout the journey, Chen Ren's focus remained on [Starlight Defense]. Each night, under the vast expanse of the sky, he worked to absorb more and more star qi, trying to store it within himself. At first, it was frustrating—each time he gathered the energy, it slipped away before he could make use of it.

But persistence paid off.

Gradually, he refined his control. The trick, he realized, wasn't to store the excess star qi in his dantian—where it would dissipate too easily—but within his body itself. His skin, his veins, his very flesh became a reservoir, holding the celestial energy like a sponge soaking up water. With this method, the qi lingered longer, and when he called upon it, it responded instantly, forming the protective barrier without delay.

By the time he had a firm grasp of the technique, they had reached their first destination, Black Lotus Town.

It was a place known for two things—its barley, which was sought after by breweries across the region, and its blacksmiths, whose work was said to rival even sect forges. Obviously, that one was a rumour since there were only mortal blacksmiths in the town, but their skill was still considered to be high.

More importantly, it was the place Hong Yi dreaded to come back to. His sect lay to the left of the town, built into the side of a mountain, looming in the distance and due to that, the man's trepidation was understandable.

As they moved through the streets, the air smelled of roasting grains and hot iron.

And for what had to be the hundredth time, Hong Yi asked, "Are you really sure about this?"

Zi Han walked beside Chen Ren on his left, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Anji had opted to rest at the inn with Whiskey, exhausted from the long journey. As for Yalan? She had disappeared the moment they entered town, wandering off on her own, as usual.

Chen Ren exhaled through his nose, glancing at Hong Yi. "I've already told you what I'm going to do." His gaze turned serious. "Do you really want to live the life of a deserter forever?"

He expected Hong Yi to flinch at the words, but when he turned to look at him properly—he froze for the third time since they had entered the city.

It wasn't Hong Yi standing next to him.

The man beside him had a different face—plain, forgettable. His sharp features were gone, replaced with a smoother, almost… regular look. He looked like every other guy on the street. Even his usual dark hair had disappeared, leaving him completely bald.

But when he spoke again, his voice hadn't changed. "It's not that simple."

Chen Ren's gaze flickered back to the street, taking a deep breath.

Skin mask is really a useful yet creepy artifact. It will take a bit of time to get used to Hong Yi looking so different.

It was a cultivation tool—one that Hong Yi had acquired at the same place he had found his inheritance. It was an artifact used by meridian expansion realm cultivators, capable of altering a person's entire appearance with just a thought. Even other cultivators would struggle to see through its disguise unless they were of a much higher realm or had a specialized technique.

This was the reason Hong Yi had managed to evade his sect for so long. And the reason he dared to come so close to it now.

Hong Yi sighed. "I don't want to be a deserter. But what you're planning… it's dangerous. What if it goes wrong?" His voice was quieter now. "They'll certainly be suspicious of you."

Chen Ren met Hong Yi's concerned gaze and exhaled. "Yes, I'm aware," he admitted, "but I'm confident that if anything happens, I'll be able to run away. You already told me about all the escape routes I can take, and I'll have Yalan with me, so there's not much to worry

about."

Even as he said that, though, he was worried.

After all, his plan required him to willingly walk into the jaws of an Established sect to discuss a deserter. Cultivators weren't exactly known for their patience, and he wouldn't put it past them to attack first and ask questions later. The only reason he was still going through with it was the combined protection of the cat and the plan he had carefully put together—one that relied entirely on his ability to act.

Still, no point in making Hong Yi more anxious than he already was. Chen Ren patted him on the shoulder. "Just relax. You don't have to do anything. Focus on preparing for your spot in the Divine Coin Sect."

Hong Yi hesitated before nodding.

Just then, Chen Ren spotted what he had been looking for—a blacksmith's shop.

Weapons of all kinds were displayed in front of the open stall, their sharp edges gleaming under the torchlight. Behind them, a forge burned hot, illuminating the muscular silhouettes of several young apprentices hard at work. Sparks flew as they hammered away at glowing steel, their faces streaked with sweat.

As Chen Ren approached, one of the apprentices—a lanky youth with soot on his face—looked up from his work and walked over. "What are you looking for? A sword? Armor? Mace?"

Chen Ren shook his head. "None of that." His gaze flickered toward the forge. "I'm looking for the blacksmith who owns this shop. I have something to ask him."

The boy frowned. "Master doesn't meet just anyone."

Chen Ren's lips curled slightly. "I'm not just anyone. I'm a cultivator."

At that, his expression shifted. He gave Chen Ren a once-over, then glanced at Zi Han and Hong Yi. His eyes lingered Chen Ren again after that, clearly sensing the quiet strength hidden beneath his composed exterior.

Deciding this was well beyond his pay rate, he quickly turned and ran toward the forge.

A moment later, a large, burly man stepped forward. His arms were thick with muscle and hair, his shirt rolled up to reveal the burns and scars. His beard was streaked with gray, but his posture carried the confidence of a man who had been forging weapons longer than most people had been alive.

"I heard an esteemed cultivator is looking for me," the blacksmith said and eyed Chen Ren down. "I'm Forger Tai. How can I help you?"

Chen Ren nodded. "I don't want to buy anything," he said, reaching into his robes. "I have a diagram here, and I'm wondering if you'd be able to make something similar."

He pulled out a rolled-up parchment and handed it over.

The blacksmith took it with a grunt, unrolling it. His brow furrowed as he examined the sketch, his gaze tracing every line, every detail. After a long moment, he muttered, "This isn't any weapon I've seen before." Tai lifted his head, looking at Chen Ren with narrowed eyes. "What can it even do?"

Chen Ren tapped the diagram. "It's a ranged weapon," he explained. "It fires projectiles into the air faster than any bow, and it has lethal explosive power."

The blacksmith frowned, squinting at the lines and notations on the parchment. He turned the diagram sideways as if that would help him understand it better, then scratched his beard. "A ranged weapon with explosive power?"

Chen Ren nodded.

Tai muttered something under his breath and kept studying the sketch. He asked a few questions—how the projectiles were launched, what kind of force it used, what materials were needed—but the more Chen Ren answered, the more his frown deepened.

His thick fingers traced the lines of the design, his brows knitting together in concentration, but in the end, he let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm sorry," he admitted, shaking his head. "I don't think I can make this. I'm only good with practical weapons—blades, axes, hammers. This… looks like some sort of cultivation artifact."

Chen Ren's brows furrowed. He hadn't expected that response. It wasn't an artifact, not really—just something this world hadn't seen before. But even if he tried to explain further, it was clear the blacksmith wouldn't be able to craft it.

So, he nodded. "I understand."

Turning to his comrades, he said, "Let's try more shops."

Black Lotus Town was known for its blacksmiths—surely one of them had to be capable of making the weapon.

But as they moved from one forge to the next, they received the same responses. Every blacksmith looked at the diagram with confusion, some with curiosity, but all of them eventually admitted defeat. No one could say with confidence that they could craft such a weapon.

By the time they left the last shop, the sun had dipped lower in the sky. Chen Ren exhaled, glancing at Hong Yi and Zi Han. "It seems like we'll have no luck here," he said.

"Unfortunate."

Hong Yi nodded, but Zi Han tilted his head slightly, eyes flicking back to the rolled-up diagram. "What even is that weapon, Sect Leader Chen?"

Chen Ren looked at him for a moment before answering. "One of the deadliest weapons in the world. There's no production of it in the empire yet, but once I find someone capable of making it, our sect will become very

formidable."

"That strong?" Zi Han asked. Chen Ren could see the adrenaline that rushed to his eyes at the mention of power.

He nodded at that.

Hong Yi, however, remained thoughtful, eyes distant. Chen Ren placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Either way, let's leave the weapon for later," he said. "For now, we need to deal with your Blood Iron Sect and make you a free man."

Hong Yi inhaled slowly, then nodded. "Alright. Let's do it."