My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Chapter 339: Chapter 68: A Third Realm Cultivator Comes to Seek Refuge

Sitting across from Wang Ping, Zuo Xuan felt immense pressure. She rose from her meditation, cupped her fist, and said, "It was a Star God, one whose power rivals the Third Realm. He suddenly went on a rampage in the city. An Assistant General from the Governor’s Mansion and his entire family were slaughtered. Daoist Yunshan and I were conducting a routine inquiry when he attacked us."

As she spoke, the Calico Cat leaped into her arms, meowing softly and rubbing its head against her hands. Yu Lian, meanwhile, returned to perch on Wang Ping’s shoulder.

"Oh?"

Wang Ping looked at Zuo Liang, his gaze a silent request for more details.

Zuo Liang lowered her head, cupped her fist, and said, "They should have the results of the investigation by now. I’ll go get the official report." With that, she hurried away.

Wang Ping sat down in a chair and invited Zuo Xuan to sit as well. "Tell me about this Star God," he said.

"Yes!"

Zuo Xuan nodded, a look of recollection on her face. "He looked like a beggar on the surface. The Star God Core he used should be the ’Corrosion’ type, as recorded in the Daoist Canon. When he attacked, I felt my own energy get locked down. Before I could even react, my body was already severely damaged. I couldn’t even form up my Magical Artifacts."

’Corrosion...’

Wang Ping was reminded of the sacrificial ritual in Ning’an Prefecture, which had involved a power similar to the ’Corrosion’ Star God.

’This is too much of a coincidence.’

’But why would he have spared Zuo Xuan?’

Wang Ping didn’t ask this question aloud. He remained silent, waiting for the results of Zuo Liang’s investigation.

"Bring me the investigation results the moment you have them."

As he spoke, his form dissolved into motes of faint green light. The next moment, he appeared in his private cultivation chamber on the top floor of the pavilion.

Yu Lian immediately took out a stove to prepare tea. "I don’t think that man had any malicious intent," she said. "Otherwise, Zuo Xuan would be dead."

She looked at Wang Ping’s unconvinced expression. "Are you guessing this man is connected to what happened in Ning’an Prefecture?"

"Yes!"

"What were those people in Ning’an Prefecture like? And what is Zuo Xuan like?"

Wang Ping was taken aback by the question. Just then, Daoist Zi Luan’s aura drew near, and in an instant, he appeared beside Wang Ping, sitting down directly across from him.

"There’s something strange about this whole affair," Daoist Zi Luan said.

"Let’s wait for the investigation results."

The results arrived in less than ten minutes, delivered by Zuo Xuan herself.

After reading the report, Wang Ping had a feeling of utter absurdity. The whole incident had started because the Assistant General insulted a street beggar, never imagining that the beggar was actually a Star God on par with a Third Realm Cultivator, merely pretending out of boredom.

What followed was the classic story of an arrogant fool picking on the wrong person, which naturally led to his entire family being wiped out.

"According to the Daoist Scripture Hall’s archives, the murdered Assistant General was a known tyrant who bullied men and preyed on women. He also had a shrew of a wife, and they frequently beat and cursed their servants. There might even be some deaths on their hands."

Zuo Xuan reported matter-of-factly.

"So he was just getting rid of a public menace?" Wang Ping asked with a look of exasperated amusement.

Daoist Zi Luan seemed to recall something. "That reminds me of someone," he said. "His name is Wu Fu, a member of the Daoist Scripture Hall. The Star God he merged with seems to be the ’Corrosion’ core. The man is bloodthirsty; if he goes too long without killing, his sanity collapses. But he doesn’t want to kill indiscriminately, so he disguises himself as someone weak and specifically targets those who use their strength to bully others."

"Usually, he lets his targets beat him first. Once they’ve had their fill, he’ll suddenly erupt, slaughtering every single person who laid a hand on him. He does this to preserve his own sanity, which is perpetually teetering on the edge of madness!"

Wang Ping frowned. "Maintaining his humanity by killing? Is that even possible?"

"He kills those who deserve to be killed!" Yu Lian added.

Wang Ping still shook his head. ’Something like that is just self-deception.’

Zuo Xuan asked quietly, "Should we continue the investigation?"

Just as Daoist Zi Luan was about to speak, Hongyuan’s figure materialized on the Celestial Platform outside. He held a formal calling card and announced, "A Daoist named Wu Fu has presented this card. His identity token registers him as a Third Realm Cultivator."

Wang Ping shot to his feet.

Zuo Xuan’s eyes widened, a flash of resentment passing through them.

Daoist Zi Luan, however, maintained his usual cheerful expression. He looked at Wang Ping and said in a delighted tone, "Well then, let’s meet him. I’m quite curious about him."

"Very well!"

As Wang Ping agreed, a Puppet Bird flew in from outside, landed steadily on his hand, and began to hop about cheerfully.

This was the Puppet Bird Wang Ping used to communicate with Hu Qianqian.

He first waved a hand to dismiss Zuo Xuan, then took out the letter from inside the Puppet Bird and read it.

It was from Hu Qianqian. She had suddenly sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough and was planning to attempt it within the next day or two. She specifically mentioned that Wang Ben and Niu Qi would be acting as her Guardians.

In other words, she didn’t trust Niu Qi and Wang Ben. She had sent the letter specifically to inform Wang Ping because she was afraid the two might try something.

"I’ll make a trip to Baisui Lake!" Yu Lian declared.

Wang Ping thought for a moment, then instructed Zuo Xuan, who was about to leave, "Pick a Second Realm Cultivator you trust and go with Yu Lian to Baisui Lake."

He was now the Pacification Envoy; he certainly wasn’t going to make things difficult for himself when he could use his authority.

Not long after Zuo Xuan and Yu Lian left, a middle-aged man appeared on the Celestial Platform with Hongyuan. He wore a shabby Blue Daoist Robe and a gray Daoist Hat. His attire was quite archaic; Daoists before the Xia Dynasty were fond of Daoist Hats, but jade crowns were the current fashion.

Furthermore, the hair sticking out from under his hat was a mess, looking as if he’d just raked his fingers through it a few times. His beard was long and unkempt, even knotted in places. Fortunately, his cultivation kept him from being outright filthy. As for his features, the most noticeable things were his thin lips and long face, which made him look quite severe.

"This humble Daoist is Wu Fu. Greetings, Daoist Changqing and Daoist Zi Luan. I wish you both endless blessings and good health."

Judging by his current demeanor and slovenly appearance, it was hard to believe he was a bloodthirsty man. On the contrary, he exuded an air of kindness and benevolence.

"Daoist Zuo Xuan and Daoist Yunshan—you were the one who injured them?" Wang Ping asked, phrasing the question bluntly.

Daoist Zi Luan glanced at Wang Ping. Wu Fu’s expression remained unchanged as he bowed respectfully and replied, "It was I. At the time, I was exercising a right granted to me by the Daoist Scripture Hall. It was exceedingly difficult to restrain my killing intent against two of my fellow Daoists. Fortunately, no great disaster occurred."

"Oh? And what right is that?"

"The right to eliminate evil!"

Wang Ping was taken aback. He glanced at Hongyuan, who, understanding the unspoken command, bowed and stepped forward to hand him a bamboo slip.

The bamboo slip contained Wu Fu’s personal file.

The Daoist Scripture Hall had, in fact, granted him the right to eliminate evil. The only stipulations were that he could not kill more than ten people at a time, they had to be individuals of great wickedness, and the right was granted directly from the main headquarters.

After reading it, Wang Ping passed the bamboo slip to the waiting Daoist Zi Luan. He didn’t dwell on the matter of Zuo Xuan and Daoist Yunshan, as it was a waste of time. He asked directly, "Why have you come looking for us?"

Wu Fu performed a solemn Taoist salute and said, "The world is about to descend into great chaos. I have observed that your domain, Daoist, is the safest place to be. Therefore, I have come to offer my allegiance!"

His answer left both Wang Ping and Daoist Zi Luan utterly speechless. Both were stunned for a moment. Then, Wu Fu continued, "When the world is in chaos, evil people will surely run rampant. I can be of great help to you two Daoists."