My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Chapter 306: Chapter 35: Master and Disciple

In the small courtyard.

Between the dense flower clusters, the aroma of tea wafted through the air. The Go game between Wang Ping and his master, Yu Cheng Taoist, had reached its middle phase, and their discussion about Mozhou Road was also coming to a close.

Wang Ping took the opportunity to hand over the first half of the third volume of the Taiyan Talisman Cultivation Technique to Yu Cheng Taoist. He also gave him a bottle of Sacred Heart Pills, which Yu Cheng Taoist did not refuse this time.

"Yu Xi’s state of mind is stable, so her breakthrough is imminent. I will guide her in cultivating toward the Second Realm. When the time comes, we can send her out to gain experience, meet some new friends, and liven up her overly calm disposition."

As the master and disciple chatted, the conversation naturally turned to the training of their disciples. When Yu Cheng Taoist spoke about Shen Xiaozhu, Yu Lian listened even more attentively than Wang Ping.

"That child, Xiaozhu, is too quiet. It’s fine for the early stages of cultivation, but it could be troublesome after her breakthrough. I had intended to send her north to gain some experience, but since Master has other plans, we’ll do as you say."

Wang Ping said after placing a stone.

Before Yu Cheng Taoist could speak, Yu Lian interjected, "The north is so far away, why bother? Her human side isn’t as dormant as you think. Xiaozhu’s current state is just a form of self-protection. When she finds her own friends, her hidden personality will emerge."

"I’m just afraid she’ll overdo it when that time comes." Wang Ping glanced at Yu Lian, a silent warning in his eyes.

"Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her," Yu Lian promised.

Yu Cheng Taoist listened to their exchange with a chuckle. Seeing Wang Ping’s attention return to the Go board, he immediately placed a stone and continued their previous topic. "Your new disciple, Wen Yi, is a promising seedling. But he and Yu Xi are like two extremes; he’s a bit too restless."

"How about we have Yu Xi take him under her wing?" Wang Ping suggested.

"That’s worth considering. Once he finishes studying the Taoist Scriptures, I’ll send him over to Yu Xi." Yu Cheng Taoist went along with the idea. He had likely already made this decision but had to seek Wang Ping’s opinion first, as Wen Yi was Wang Ping’s disciple.

"How have his studies been recently?" Wang Ping asked. He was intentionally leaving Xia Wen Yi out to dry for a while. If the experience broke him, he’d give up on him. If he weathered it well, he’d focus on his training.

"It was a complete mess at first, but he’s finally managed to calm down in the last couple of days. The boy is not bad; he understands the principles, but sometimes he’s just too impatient."

Yu Cheng Taoist looked up at the sky. "He might have other things on his mind. After the incident on Mozhou Road broke out, he suddenly became very quiet."

Yu Lian asked, "Does he still want to contend for the throne?"

Yu Cheng Taoist smiled but said nothing. Wang Ping also remained silent.

Yu Lian grew a little angry. She stared at Wang Ping and pressed, "Is he?"

"Probably not. But people from the Imperial Family all have a bit of a ’world-saving’ complex. Think about what Xia Yao was like when we first met her."

As he answered, Wang Ping placed a stone. He seemed quite proud of this move, even shooting a glance at Yu Cheng Taoist, eagerly anticipating his master’s counter.

"If he truly wants to bear the world on his shoulders, he should be breaking the hold of the Divine Techniques. Divine Techniques can only be a supplement, not the master of the world." Yu Cheng Taoist glanced at Wang Ping, seemingly vexed by his move. He picked up a stone and then set it back down, speaking as he pondered his next play.

"When you go to Shangjing City this time, you’ll see what the Divine Techniques are really like. On the surface, it seems to be a place of peace and prosperity, but beneath it all, it’s like Hell on earth."

This wasn’t the first time Wang Ping had heard someone say this. He, too, was curious about the Shangjing Region, curious about what sort of monsters and fiends dwelled there.

In the blink of an eye, the game entered its final phase. The master and disciple took longer and longer to ponder their moves. After Wang Ping finally placed a stone with great effort, Yu Lian dutifully emptied the cold tea from his cup and refilled it with a fresh, hot brew.

"I plan to form an alliance with Daoist Wu Quan and Fellow Daoist Ganxing to deal with the threats from outside Nanlin Road." Wang Ping raised his steaming teacup and shared his thoughts with Yu Cheng Taoist.

"I approve. It would be even better if you could pull Zi Luan in as well," Yu Cheng Taoist added.

"Fellow Daoist Zi Luan?" Wang Ping hesitated.

"Xiao Shan Lord’s advancement is already a foregone conclusion. The future holds only success or failure. Failure will surely lead to a dangerous period of turmoil. With an ally like Zi Luan, Nanlin Road will be more secure. And if it’s a success, the returns will be immense!"

Yu Cheng Taoist offered a simple analysis.

Wang Ping was suddenly enlightened. He had been considering it from a completely different angle than Yu Cheng Taoist.

"Alright. With Fellow Daoist Zi Luan on our side, certain matters will indeed be easier to discuss. I’ll write a letter to sound him out first." Wang Ping accepted his master’s advice.

"Mm."

Yu Cheng had already turned most of his attention back to the Go board.

Half an Hour later, Wang Ping lost by half a point. Just as the master and disciple were starting their second game, Hu Qianqian arrived in the small courtyard to pay her respects, bringing her two new followers with her.

"Greetings, Master, Grandmaster..."

"Greetings, Daoist Changqing, Daoist Yu Cheng."

The three demons were very well-behaved. Hu Qianqian stood in the center to bow, flanked by Niu Qi and Wang Ben. In just over a month, the last traces of wildness on Niu Qi and Wang Ben had vanished.

Wang Ping swept his gaze over them and smiled at Hu Qianqian. "You’ve been very thoughtful. Well done."

"It is my duty to ease Master’s worries." Hu Qianqian habitually twitched her furry ears. Perhaps because she was in a good mood from Wang Ping’s praise, her tongue unconsciously licked her canine teeth.

"Little Qianqian!" Yu Lian called out. "Come have some tea."

"Thank you, Martial Aunt."

Hu Qianqian walked over respectfully, took the cup from Yu Lian, and took a sip. Then she took the teapot and began brewing tea in Yu Lian’s place.

"Is there something you need?"

Wang Ping asked. As he did, Yu Cheng Taoist handed him the black stones.

Hu Qianqian looked at Wang Ben, signaling for him to speak. Wang Ben cupped his fist and reported, "Three days ago on Mozhou Road, a Little Demon discovered Guanmao’s tracks. He is hiding in a dense forest with a powerful demon."

"Good. Well done!"

Wang Ping hadn’t expected the Demon Race’s intelligence network to be so effective. He casually took out a gold-ring-shaped Magical Artifact that he had previously acquired and tossed it to Wang Ben. "This Magical Artifact has a Golden Spirit Array carved inside it, granting it the Golden Spirit Heaven-Shaking Earth-Shattering ability. It’s a perfect fit for your cultivation level. You only need to refine it slightly to command it."

"Thank you, Daoist!"

Overjoyed, Wang Ben caught the golden ring with both hands.

Watching his master place a stone, Wang Ping said, "There’s no need to specifically tail Guanmao. Just record where he appears and who he meets. Identify the people who work for him and create new files on them, especially those active on Nanlin Road."

"Yes!" Wang Ben bowed his head low, his stiff whiskers trembling slightly at the corners of his mouth.

"Anything else?"

"Nothing!"

"Then you are dismissed."

"Yes!"

After Wang Ben and Niu Qi exited the garden, Wang Ping’s gaze fell on the obedient Hu Qianqian beside him. "Your cultivation should be on the verge of a breakthrough, right?"

"Yes!"

"Are you confident?"

"Yes!"

"I have to make a trip to Shangjing City. If you’re not confident, wait for me to return. If you are, then notify Zuo Xuan and have him send some trustworthy people to act as your Guardians!"

"Thank you, Master!"