Chapter Seven: Who Blocks the Path?

Wang Zhenling naturally understood that this was a profound maxim, and Lord Hu meant well. He nodded repeatedly in response. Suddenly, Lord Hu said, "Yes, sir, you are a cultivator. You should know that for cultivators, the essentials are method, companions, wealth, and land—none can be neglected.

"As for methods, you far surpass me in wisdom. I have nothing to add. Companions, while helpful for mutual learning, are not the most crucial. Wealth and land, however, must not be taken lightly! I have some idle riches here; for one such as myself, a spirit being, they are of little use. You may take them as resources for your cultivation."

Wealth, indeed, is indispensable; a cultivator cannot survive on mere air and dew. The costs of refining pills and drawing talismans are considerable. Yet Wang Zhenling felt uneasy accepting such a gift, so he politely declined several times.

Lord Hu insisted on offering him a sum, leaving Wang Zhenling no choice but to change the subject. "You mentioned method, companions, wealth, and land. What about land, the last of the four?"

"That refers, of course, to spiritual veins!" Lord Hu replied. "For a cultivator seeking success, a spiritual vein is essential. During the initial stages, spiritual veins are not critical, but when one reaches the Out-of-Body phase, their importance increases tenfold, even a hundredfold. Without a spiritual vein, how can one advance? My own achievements, shameful as it is to admit, depended on finding a small spiritual vein here; only then could I cultivate to this point. The pearl, though powerful, will be useless when you reach the Out-of-Body phase. So you must seek a spiritual vein as soon as possible!"

"Oh? Does Lord Hu know where there might be an unclaimed spiritual vein?" Wang Zhenling asked curiously.

Lord Hu smiled bitterly. "I truly do not. Spiritual veins are hard to find; any discovered vein has already been claimed. Even my modest vein here must sustain a whole household. Otherwise, I would gladly offer it to you!"

Wang Zhenling quickly shook his head. He was not one to covet more after receiving a favor, nor to repay kindness with enmity. He only hoped Lord Hu might guide him: who holds these spiritual veins, and is there any chance to acquire one?

"In Danling County, there are two major spiritual veins and a dozen lesser ones, but all are already owned. The two major veins—one belongs jointly to the county government and the City God, the other is claimed by the River God of Ji Shui. You must not even think of these," Lord Hu said.

Wang Zhenling nodded. The county government and City God were formidable entities, the forces of the imperial court and the underworld governing Danling—far beyond anyone's reach.

The Ji Shui River was the mother river for several counties around Danling; its importance was beyond doubt. Such deities were likely already sanctified by golden edicts—how could ordinary people ever hope to lay claim?

As for the lesser veins, most were occupied by private shrine lords. The public shrines were sustained by the incense of court subjects, while the private shrines, with their mystical powers, likely drew upon the spiritual veins.

"Yes, you hail from the Wang clan of Danling; you should know that your family possesses a spiritual vein," Lord Hu said suddenly.

"Oh, do you mean the one at our ancestral tomb?"

"Indeed. In fact, it's not just your family. All the prominent clans in the region have endured because they possess a spiritual vein."

Wang Zhenling nodded, recognizing the truth. The spiritual vein was the ultimate safeguard and greatest trump card for a clan; he could not access it, nor could he consume it carelessly.

He thought to himself: perhaps, in the future, he would have to contend with the private shrine lord for a spiritual vein.

Between the four villages, Lord Hu continued, "Besides these, in the Wujiji Mountain two hundred miles away, there are many spiritual veins. That mountain was once the dwelling place of the ancient Wujiji God. In terms of spiritual veins, even the Ji Shui River God's palace cannot compare. Yet now, the mountain is filled with cultivators, demons, spirits, and ancient shamans who have likely divided all its spiritual veins among themselves. To find one unoccupied, you would need luck!"

After saying this, Lord Hu worried Wang Zhenling might lose heart, so his tone softened, offering comfort.

Wang Zhenling thought to himself: there was another way—joining the government, harnessing official power for cultivation. The bureaucracy's fortune was vast and unending, occupying places of qi veins, and gathering the luck of countless people—far stronger than any spiritual vein!

It seemed he might truly have to take the path of an official.

He laughed, "These matters can wait. For now, I'll return to Jiaode Lane and stay for a while—an excellent chance to study!"

He acted at once, bidding farewell and planning to return to his cottage. Early the next morning, he packed his things and descended the mountain, heading back to Jiaode Lane.

Jiaode Lane was where the Wang clan of Danling lived together. The Wangs were a great family in Danling; even the government dared not act recklessly with them. Since Cheng Tiandao's failed rebellion and subsequent persecution, he had become a rat in the street, unlikely to cause trouble in such a place.

Yet, this would likely delay his cultivation. But for the sake of caution, he could not worry about that now.

After bidding farewell to the Hu family, their warm hospitality, and the reluctant Xiao Bai San, Wang Zhenling boarded the carriage bound for Little Plum Mountain.

This carriage was a magical artifact, able to shield his soul. Otherwise, with his weak soul—even protected by the pearl—he would not endure the journey.

With the carriage, all external dangers were blocked; he could come and go freely.

He had drunk more than usual at the Hu house, feeling a bit dizzy. Now warmth suffused his body, reminiscent of drunkenness but even more comfortable.

Amidst this warmth, Wang Zhenling realized his soul was quietly growing stronger.

"It must be the food and drink..."

He understood now: the wine and dishes at the Hu house were no ordinary fare, transformed by incense, nourishing and strengthening the soul.

No wonder the Hu family had urged him to drink so much.

"Lord Hu, though a local shrine god, has only a limited supply of incense—such a feast must have been difficult to prepare!"

He sighed inwardly. Beasts with fur and horns, yet more humane than ordinary folk.

Today's meal might not bankrupt the Hu family, but it would drain them considerably.

"I have no way to repay them now..."

As Wang Zhenling was reflecting, suddenly a shout rang out: "Who dares block the road? This is the carriage of the Guangyang Shrine God!"

"Guangyang Shrine God? Just a minor local deity, yet he has a carriage—clearly wealthy.

We've taken a liking to your carriage; hand it over!"