Promise!

Chapter 232, Surviving

After completing his assigned task in the eastern part of the Fifth Ring Road in October, Zhuang Jin, being a laid-back person, naturally kept to the bare minimum and didn't do any tasks for the next two months.

As the year draws to a close, we face the primordial energy tide of the Funiu Mountains. This year is a minor year, a small primordial energy tide, so we'll gather in small circles to discuss this matter.

When Zhuang Jin arrived today, she realized something was wrong; she had become the center of attention.

"I heard that a couple of days ago, Brother Zhuang had a sparring match with Shangguan Yunchang, the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family, at Taiyuan Lake, and the match ended in a draw? In the past two days, Brother Zhuang's name has been widely circulated in various Xiantian circles in the state city."

"Brother Zhuang, when did you break through to the third realm without a word? You kept it a secret from us for so long!"

"Brother Zhuang must treat us! Today, we'll go to the ninth floor of the Zhenxiufang restaurant!"

……

When Zhuang Jin fought Shangguan Yunchang, his true strength was exposed to the outside world—the Xuantian Division already knew this, and this exposure was directed at those outside the Xuantian Division system, such as those in small circles.

People like Min Zhongmin, Bi Boyi, and Hong Baoshu were fine; their intentions were generally positive, or they were even more respectful. However, Cen Zhanshan, the leader of the small circle who was usually quite amiable to everyone, seemed a bit off today: "Venerable Zhuang, please tell me the truth. When you first came a few months ago, were you already at the third level?"

These words caused an immediate silence in the room, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Zhuang Jin naturally sensed that this person's emotions were a bit off, and after a moment's thought, she understood.

Like an old lion king in a pride, he would be wary of rising young male lions. Now that he has revealed his true level of skill, Cen Zhanshan feels threatened.

To put it more bluntly, Cen Zhanshan's previous amiability stemmed from a condescending and tolerant attitude towards those in his own circle. Now that Zhuang Jin is on the same level as him, he can no longer look down on them. He even worries that Zhuang Jin will take away his position as the leader of his small circle, so his attitude has naturally changed.

"Yes, I had already broken through back then, but I was cultivating the Black Fiend Technique, which had limited prospects in martial arts, made it difficult to have offspring, and I didn't plan to establish a family... Grass and trees live only once a year, and people live only once a year. My idea is to enjoy life while I can and live for myself."

Zhuang Jin's subtext was clear: Old man, I have no intention of taking your position as the leader of your inner circle, so please rest assured!

Cen Zhanshan's worries were actually quite ridiculous to him: the leader of a small circle in the Innate True Qi Realm was concerned about by the other party, but he didn't care at all. It was like a swan with its ambition to reach the nine heavens, would it covet a small treetop where a sparrow perches?
'Not to mention, this doesn't align with my strategy of 'going with the flow and keeping a low profile.' There's no benefit in becoming the leader of a small circle; on the contrary, it will attract attention. Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble for myself?' Zhuang Jin shook his head inwardly.

Cen Zhanshan understood Zhuang Jin's meaning, and the atmosphere in the room eased up again. When talking about the theme of today's gathering, the year-end primordial energy tide, he said: "Every time there is a primordial energy tide, rare and precious materials grow in the Funiu Mountains, and strange beasts fight and compete for them. Many of them escape outwards. Therefore, the five-organ realm strange beasts that can be seen occasionally in the first level of danger are much more frequently encountered at this time because the second level of danger is spreading outwards."

"Rare and precious materials and the cores of exotic beasts are also great opportunities for us. They can be used as a foundation to prepare secret medicines for our family's descendants, or used for promotion missions, or to exchange for vouchers and accumulate contribution points... Every year after the Yuanqi Tide, which is the annual state-level auction, there are often high-end resources that are useful to us, such as the Ningzhen Pill that can help break through the bottleneck of the Innate True Qi Realm, the Wudao Pill that can help break through martial arts, and even the Ninggang Pill, which is of a higher level."

"My idea is that, following the usual practice of previous years, our small circle should go together for this energy tide, but not too deep, just to a dangerous place... Afterwards, we can distribute the spoils according to the amount of our contribution. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

“I can agree to this.” A family member behind Hong Baoshu nodded in agreement.

“Count me in too.” He Zhaoyi had broken through to the next level because of the rare herb in the Funiu Mountains, so he naturally had a positive attitude towards such a gamble.

“I’ll join too.” Leng Kui usually enters the Funiu Mountains alone to fight, but now that the Yuan Qi tide has made the Funiu Mountains even more dangerous, he is not stupid enough to insist on going alone.

Inspired by these three, Bi Boyi and the others were about to speak when Zhuang Jin asked, "Elder Cen, I wonder what level the highest-level exotic beasts that appear in this dangerous place during the Yuan Qi Tide can reach?"

"This year is a Lesser Year, which has its advantages. It is relatively safe. The highest level of beasts that are usually released by this small Yuan Qi tide is the Five Organs Realm Perfection level, which is roughly equivalent to the third level of the Innate True Qi Realm for us martial artists. On the rarest occasions of Lesser Year, there have been beasts that have just entered the Six Organs Realm, which is equivalent to the first level of the Innate Gang Qi Realm for us martial artists. However, this possibility is extremely low. Even if we encounter one, we can join forces to form the Ten Directions Invincible Formation and we have nothing to fear."

As Cen Zhanshan spoke, he explained, "This Ten Directions Invincible Formation, when formed, forces the enemy to face the power of ten people simultaneously. What's even more mysterious is that even if there are not enough people, the formation can be arranged into Yin and Yang, Three Powers, Four Symbols, Five Elements, Six Lines, Seven Stars, Eight Trigrams, and Nine Palaces. When facing a strange beast that has just entered the Six Organs Realm, with me, a third-level Innate True Qi Realm expert, presiding over it, and the five Venerables forming the Five Elements Formation, it is enough to protect ourselves. If the eight of us gather together and form the Eight Trigrams Formation, we can win the battle."

"I'm sorry, as I've explained before, my interests lie elsewhere, so I won't be going to this small-scale energy tide."

Zhuang Jin has no descendants and will not establish a family, so there is no need to consider the upgrade mission for the time being. The Windwing Thunder Tiger Beast Core is enough for him to upgrade the Three-Patterned Mystic Serpent Token. As for the higher-level Black Python Token upgrade mission, it is not too late to consider it after breaking through the Innate Qi Realm.

As for the auction, the so-called high-end resources, the pills that help one break through the bottleneck at the innate level, etc., he himself has no bottleneck and does not need them.

'So why should I go? To risk everything for some trivial resources or benefits would be like picking up a sesame seed and losing a watermelon.'

Zhuang Jin preferred to live a peaceful and uneventful life, eventually reaching the Innate Qi Realm.

Upon hearing this, Cen Zhanshan immediately felt a headache coming on. Zhuang Jin's lazy and unambitious nature meant he wouldn't threaten his position as the leader of his inner circle, but he also lacked motivation and drive, which meant he was missing a great fighting force!

He Zhaoyi, sensing the signal, advised, "Brother Zhuang is so young, how can you back down so easily when faced with setbacks and challenges? You should have some ambition."

"As I said, I cultivate the Black Fiend Technique and have no family descendants, so for whom am I striving? On the path of martial arts, I will break through if I can, and if I cannot, then it is my fate."

He Zhaoyi said he lacked ambition, and Zhuang Jin directly admitted it: "So what if I'm not ambitious?"
"Even so, we're in the same circle, we should stand together through thick and thin, how can this be..."

'First they were giving us pep talks, now they're resorting to moral blackmail. Is this never going to end?'

Zhuang Jin frowned slightly and interrupted, saying, "In my opinion, a circle is a channel for communication and mutual assistance. People in a circle have their own positions and interests. It is enough to seek common ground while reserving differences. Blindly pursuing common progress and unified action will often make things difficult for people, destroy the relaxed atmosphere, and lose the original intention and purpose."

"Venerable Zhuang's words are merely an excuse..."

"alright, alright!"

Min Zhongmin and Bi Boyi had a good relationship with Zhuang Jin, and seeing the growing tension in the room, they spoke up to smooth things over.

"These things are all voluntary. If there aren't enough people, just add me."

"Me too."

"Brother Min, Brother Bi!"

Zhuang Jin called out to the two of them, saying, "This Yuanqi Tide presents both risks and opportunities. It has benefits, but it is also accompanied by dangers. If you are going, you should think it over carefully and make sure it is something you truly want to do, not something you do for anyone else or for the sake of saving face. Please think it over carefully!"

These words were mainly directed at Min Zhongmin and Bi Boyi. If they were just trying to smooth things over and went in his place, and ended up getting injured or even losing their lives in this energy tide, then who would be responsible?

He wouldn't dig such a hole for himself.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Feng Qingyin paused for a moment before saying, "I've been stuck at the second level for many years, and I no longer care about martial arts. I only wish to live a peaceful life as an instructor at the Martial Academy. So I won't be going to this year's Yuan Qi Tide."

Min Zhongmin took a sip from the red wine gourd at his waist and said, "I've thought about it, and there's nothing in need of resources for the time being, so let's leave it at that for this year."

I think I'll go!

Bi Boyi, who also came from the prefectural city, had recently found a new lover at the Dengxian Pavilion and was a little short of money. After considering it, he still agreed. "Then so be it!"

Cen Zhanshan paused, stroking his long beard, his expression turning somewhat grim. He had originally planned for the eight people in the small circle to form an eight-trigram formation, but now the seven-star and six-line formations were impossible, so they could only form a five-element formation.

This made the atmosphere in the room somewhat subtle again. Afterwards, Cen Zhanshan and the other five stayed behind to practice the formation, while Zhuang Jin and the others left.

Zhuang Jin didn't take it to heart. He joined the small circle to blend in and keep a low profile, ultimately for his own safety. If he had to take risks and sacrifice his safety because of the small circle's activities, then he would have reversed priorities.

'Time will tell, and impressions can be salvaged. Besides, my laid-back attitude might actually be a plus in some people's eyes!' he thought to himself.

……

In the days that followed, as the year drew to a close, the atmosphere of welcoming the vital energy tide of the Funiu Mountains grew increasingly intense.

For example, there are more missions related to the Suspended Sky Division; in the teahouses and taverns of the outposts outside the city, and within the Third Ring Road, many martial artists are talking about it, eager to try their skills; and the prices of various preparation resources have risen slightly...

December 1st.

That day, in a house within the Third Ring Road, Zhuang Jin stood with his hands behind his back, looking towards the Funiu Mountains: "This year's energy tide has begun!"

In the direction of the Funiu Mountains, the primordial energy of heaven and earth gathered and swirled like a nebula. At the center, it suddenly spread out like a fountain, gradually growing stronger and stronger, until finally it was like a volcanic eruption, with a massive amount of primordial energy of heaven and earth churning and spreading outwards.

It was this massive amount of spiritual energy that stimulated the growth of rare and precious materials and the unrest of strange beasts in the Funiu Mountains, presenting a great opportunity for martial artists—a chance to defy fate.

In fact, after each surge of vital energy, martial artists who have mastered the Meridian Opening and Fetal Breathing techniques emerge. In a year with a surge of vital energy, even more innate Venerables may appear.

From that day onward, the area within the third ring road of the city became relatively quiet.

"Everyone is moving forward, while I alone am retreating. This can be considered going against the grain in life," Zhuang Jin shook his head slightly and sighed inwardly.

That evening, Ning Tongxuan came over, accompanied by Ning family member Ning Suichu and Ji family member Ji Tongxiu's Ji Tongwei. The two were passing by on their way back from Bailu Martial Academy.

The Ning and Ji families naturally wanted to be close to Zhuang Jin, but they also kept their distance, occasionally coming over but never making it feel like a disturbance.

“Venerable Zhuang, I will be heading into the mountains tomorrow.”

Ning Tongxuan's visit today also carries a sense of farewell. During the Yuan Qi Tide, the Funiu Mountains are more dangerous than usual. Although the past few years have been peaceful, who knows if something might happen this time?
"Alas, Brother Ning, haven't all that you've done over the years been enough to repay your family?"

"There's no such thing as enough or not enough when it comes to an individual or a family. I enjoyed my family's support in the first half of my life, failed to break through to the innate level, and it's only right that I repay them in the second half."

Ning Tongxuan had also considered escaping, but each time, family and kinship would bind him like a spider web, pulling him back.

He didn't want to think about these things, shook his head slightly, and sighed: "The first, second and third-rate families in the city fight and struggle desperately, scrambling to get up the social ladder, working tirelessly their whole lives to cross the class. In my opinion now, it's actually a rather meaningless thing... All the fighting and struggling is just a dream, all the fighting is for nothing!"

Ji Tongwei and Ning Suichu, two teenagers, lay on the side, listening intently.

At this moment, Old Master Ji, Ji Gongji, came over. Ji Tongwei asked if this was true. Upon hearing this, the old master spat and said, "Bah! Your Uncle Ning was defeated. If he had won and broken through to the Innate Realm, do you think he would still say this?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Tongxuan awkwardly touched his nose.

Zhuang Jin burst into laughter upon seeing this.

……

During this month-long period of primordial energy tide, Zhuang Jin indeed did not enter the Funiu Mountains, nor did he even step outside the Third Ring Road. This small-scale primordial energy tide ended at the end of the month, which was also the end of the year.

……

It was on this very day, at the end of the year, that the Celestial Bureau produced a report.

[Number 9 of the Luo Net raises questions about Sequence Number 287. The target's performance is almost perfect, raising suspicions about the possibility of deception. They request that a test be designed and arranged during the year-end energy surge.]

[Application approved!]

[The plan was cancelled. Although the treasure-hunting rat was successfully tamed, it was believed that during the year-end energy surge, there was a slight possibility that a Six-Fu Realm beast comparable to the Innate Qi Realm might appear in a dangerous area. Since his own Innate True Qi Realm Level 3 was not entirely safe, and there was a very small chance of danger, he was unwilling to risk it for resources and benefits. Therefore, he voluntarily abandoned his plan to enter the Funiu Mountains to search for treasure.]

[Analysis: The motive is reasonable, consistent with the target's cautious and life-conscious personality observed over a long period, and there are no doubts.]

[Note: Net Number Nine considers the target unreliable (crossed out), overly cautious and timid, not worth wasting more energy on, abandons review, and moves to another target. Threat rating for number 287 remains unchanged.]

……

"That's right, I also benefited from this month's energy tide. The profits from the Third Ring Road shop and sales privileges have all doubled!"

The Tide of Vitality was a grand event for the entire state capital, as the influx of resources boosted the economy, increased the profits of shops in the Three Rings, and led to some lucky individuals becoming extremely wealthy. This temporarily increased the spending power of martial artists, and the resale of privileges also generated more revenue.

With such a large amount of contribution points, it's only natural to want to have some fun.

Dengxian Pavilion.

Zhuang Jin directly selected a troupe of geishas, ​​36 in total. Their singing and dancing talents, while not as outstanding as those of the top-tier women specially promoted by the Ninth Floor, were still exceptional.

The sounds of pipa, xiao, drum, and other string and wind instruments filled the air. Skirts fluttered and danced, and the fragrance of cosmetics lingered in the air. Snow-white skin and long, straight legs were faintly visible through the gauze dress.

"This is the joy of the mortal world!"

Zhuang Jin looked at the dance troupe that was dancing for him alone, picked up the amber-colored wine in the golden goblet, drank it all in one gulp, and was overjoyed. He waved his sleeve and said, "Continue the music, continue the dance! If you please me today, your reward will be... doubled!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the pipa music became more urgent, the xiao music became clearer and clearer, the drumbeats became more rapid, and the dancing women spun faster, with the ribbons around their bodies fluttering and flying.

Outside, the bright moonlight was transformed into a celestial canopy through the Hanging Mirror. It was also the end of the year, and countless fireworks and firecrackers exploded one after another, filling the sky and pushing the hustle and bustle of the world to its peak.

……

(End of this chapter)