Chapter 33: A Spirit Reaching the Heavens

Cultivation is not something that can be achieved rapidly through solitary, tireless effort. In fact, worldly experience and various battles are equally important. This is one of the reasons why Emperor Zhuang established the Dao Merit Rankings to encourage cultivators to complete various tasks. It's not that the court can't handle those matters, but rather that this kind of experience can improve cultivation efficiency. This is not unique to Zhuang; all countries and schools of thought have similar systems.

Taking the battle of Xiaolin Town as an example, after killing the vengeful ghosts, more than ten new Dao Yuan were born in Jiang Wang's Tongtian Palace. These were not formed through pulse cultivation, but were naturally nurtured in the aftermath of the intense battle.

Dao Yuan is the perfect fusion of intention and power, a true reflection of the spirit of all things on the origin of heaven and earth, and the foundation of all strength and the root of transcendence.

This is Zhao Rucheng's reason for treating everyone to fancy wine and women - as cultivators, they need to complete their life experiences.

Ling He, with his upright character, naturally refused to join in, so he was responsible for picking up Jiang An'an from school that day and taking her out to play.

Du Yehui was more than happy to oblige, and Jiang Wang reluctantly agreed. He initially refused hypocritically, citing the need to take care of little An'an, but after Zhao Rucheng quickly "arranged" for Ling He, everyone was happy.

There was also Huang Azhan, who was drinking with Du Yehui at the time. Upon hearing about this good fortune, he practically hugged Du Yehui's leg and was dragged along. Fortunately, young master Zhao was wealthy and generous and didn't mind a few extra people.

The best brothel in Maplewood City, the Third Fragrance House. The most luxurious private room, the most expensive girls.

Since moving out to live with An'an, everyone had little time to get together privately except for classes at the Dao Academy. After a few rounds of drinks, Jiang Wang asked the girls to leave first.

"Hey, hey, don't go!"

"Sister, dear sister, I'll go home with you!"

The one who was red-faced, crying, and tearful was naturally Huang Azhan. He had just coaxed each of the girls to drink no less than seven or eight rounds and was quite drunk. He practically wanted to send them off for miles, his affection was so deep, and he really wanted to leave his virginity here. But the girls all smiled and refused, leaving one after another.

They were all cultivators and unlikely to indulge in debauchery. For cultivators, maintaining a pure yang body is essential before opening the Gate of Heaven and Earth.

So Jiang Wang remained sober.

Du Yehui just wanted to drink; where he drank and with whom was secondary.

Only Huang Azhan was reluctant to leave. He looked to Zhao Rucheng for help, as he saw them as kindred spirits. But Zhao Rucheng simply shook his head, disappointed that the girl he had specifically requested had not come. "Such ordinary women, how boring."

"These are ordinary women? These are!" Huang Azhan almost jumped up. "How big is that cup! No, how round is that dress. No, how white is that hairpin..."

He finally gave up, bursting into tears, "Waaah, what's ordinary about them?"

Jiang Wang: "..."

Zhao Rucheng: "..."

Du Yehui slapped him on the head, "If you're too drunk, just sleep. You can have anything in your dreams."

Ignoring Huang Azhan, who had passed out on the table and was snoring loudly, Jiang Wang calculated and said, "I've done some tasks here and there recently and earned 15 Dao Merit points. Adding that to the 25 points I had saved, that's 40 points. I don't need the Dao Merit for now, so I'll transfer it to you guys. Whoever has enough Dao Merit, exchange for an Opening Meridian Pill first."

When he said "you guys," he naturally meant Zhao Rucheng and Du Yehui, and of course, Ling He, who wasn't there. They were all brothers, and it would be awkward to insist on a particular order. So it was best to give it to whoever had the most Dao Merit first.

Manifesting the Dao Meridian is a major event, the first step towards transcendence, so of course, the sooner the better.

"I don't want it," Zhao Rucheng said lazily, leaning back in his chair. He never seemed to care about cultivation, relying entirely on his talent.

"I don't need it either," Du Yehui said, after downing a cup of wine. "I'm leaving."

"Leaving? Where are you going?" Jiang Wang asked.

"Wei Yan asked me before if I wanted to go to the army. I've thought about it for a few days and decided. I'm leaving tomorrow."

This was so sudden that Zhao Rucheng sat up straight. "Brother Hu, you need to think this through."

"I have," Du Yehui grinned. "Wei Yan said I'm more suited to the path of the military strategist, and I think so too."

What he said was true, and Jiang Wang and Zhao Rucheng both knew that Du Yehui's physique was different from ordinary people, his qi and blood were abundant, and he was indeed a seed for the military strategist. But the entire Zhuang country was dominated by Dao cultivation, and there were very few military strategists in Zhuang.

Even the current nominal supreme military commander of Zhuang, General Huangfu Duanming, was actually a strong Dao cultivator. The entire Zhuang country lacked the soil for other schools of thought, including the military strategist. Even Wei Yan himself cultivated Dao techniques.

If Du Yehui chose this path, it would mean that he would not have a systematic cultivation space for a long time, and would only have some scattered military strategist cultivation methods.

It's not that the military strategist is not strong enough, but the reason why Zhuang has been able to have peace for so long under the watchful eye of Yong is that the support of the Dao sect is a very important factor. The Zhuang court is not strong enough to be as inclusive as the Qin and Chu courts. Zhuang is dominated by Dao cultivation, and can only be dominated by Dao cultivation.

But Jiang Wang couldn't bring himself to stop him. Because he knew Du Yehui's character too well. This man had a fire burning in his heart, fierce and wild, refusing to admit defeat, and unwilling to be left further and further behind by Jiang Wang. But those Dao scriptures gave him a headache, and they were not compatible with him. And his physique and blood were indeed exceptionally talented. If he were in Mo or other places where military cultivation was prevalent, he would surely be a highly anticipated genius.

"Who is Wei Yan recruiting you for?" Jiang Wang asked.

"There are many vacancies in the Nine Rivers Black Armor, and several places have been allocated to our Maplewood City. Wei Yan thought I was suitable and recommended me."

Probably Du Yehui's courage and straightforwardness appealed to soldiers. After the Xiaolin Town mission, Wei Yan established a friendship with him.

As for the Nine Rivers Black Armor... it was almost the glory of Zhuang, the most lethal army in the entire Zhuang, with a reputation even greater than the White Feather Army guarding the capital, Xin'an.

In fact, precisely because of the existence of the Nine Rivers Black Armor, Nine Rivers City, with only one city, is often called the fourth prefecture of Zhuang. It is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Daisan prefecture, but in reality, it is highly autonomous. The city lord of Nine Rivers City is also the leader of the Nine Rivers Black Armor. This tradition has continued since the founding of the country, which shows its special nature.

"Even if you go to the Nine Rivers Black Armor, you will still need Dao Merit." Because Du Yehui was about to join the army, Jiang Wang had already decided to transfer his Dao Merit to him first.

"I don't need it," Du Yehui still shook his head. He wasn't being pretentious, nor was he the kind of person to be pretentious. He said nonchalantly, "Since I'm taking the path of the military strategist, I don't plan to take the Opening Meridian Pill. I want to take the most traditional and oldest path of the military strategist!"

The so-called tradition of the military strategist refers to cultivators who do not rely on pills, but choose to open their Dao Meridians with qi and blood. The reason why it can already be called "ancient" is because only one in a thousand people can succeed on this path. The best outcome for failures is to become useless people, and more die on the spot.

It should be noted that cultivating the meridians twice a day, sublimating qi and blood, and condensing Dao Yuan is already the limit of ordinary people's cultivation. But to gather boundless qi and blood and directly open the Tongtian Palace to manifest the Dao Meridian, how dangerous is that?

But precisely because of its danger, it is regarded as orthodox and highly respected by the group of madmen in the military strategist.

Once successful, the benefits are also great. Military strategist cultivators who successfully open their meridians in this way often achieve more than ordinary people.

Jiang Wang and Zhao Rucheng were silent, they felt the determination of this tiger.

"So, transfer the Dao Merit to the boss first. Give him mine too," Du Yehui casually cut off his own retreat, picked up the wine pot and drank half a pot of wine.