I Live Forever In The World of Cultivation World

“The remaining first level Qi Refinement Realm cultivators were far from enough to sustain the normal operations of the Immortal Market. Thus, a decree from above ordered the recruitment of wandering cultivators to maintain the market’s functionality.”

“That was when Chen Zhou joined the market through my hands,” Zhao Lin continued, his tone filled with a hint of regret.

“Regarding the Chen Zhou incident, the fault ultimately lies with me. It’s unfortunate that you were implicated, Fellow Daoist.”

With that, Zhao Lin cupped his hands toward He Song, taking the blame upon himself.

It was precisely due to this lingering guilt that Zhao Lin had spared no effort to secure more benefits for He Song after the incident.

Although Zhao Lin had contributed to resolving the matter, he still felt uneasy about it.

He Song, however, dismissed it with a casual wave of his hand, signaling that the incident was long over and need not be mentioned again.

Relieved by this, Zhao Lin relaxed and continued his story.

“Fellow Daoist, the Chen Zhou matter should have demonstrated to you the stark differences between wandering cultivators and market-affiliated cultivators. The former often have erratic temperaments and unscrupulous methods, while the latter are more disciplined.”

“Recruiting wandering cultivators into the market was a last resort, necessary to keep the market running. But now, six years have passed. A steady influx of newly initiated wandering cultivators has begun to arrive from the mundane world, filling our ranks. Currently, the market has enough personnel to sustain its operations.”

“In fact, our superiors have even instructed us to focus on recruiting new, inexperienced wandering cultivators who have just stepped into the world of cultivation.”

“As a result, those wandering cultivators who were recruited six years ago have become destabilizing elements within the market.”

Zhao Lin paused, shifting his gaze toward He Song.

He Song, meanwhile, had fallen into quiet contemplation, teacup in hand.

Seeing this, Zhao Lin did not immediately divulge the insider information he had learned. Instead, he mirrored He Song, taking a slow sip of tea and waiting in silence.

The room fell into a tranquil stillness, broken only by the faint aroma of tea wafting through the air.

After a long pause, He Song set his cup down and sighed softly.

“It seems someone intends to act against these wandering cultivators.”

Long ago, when He Song had learned from Wei Fan about Chen Zhou’s tendencies to bully the weak, extort spirit stones, and commit all manner of evils, he had already suspected such a turn of events.

Whether it was Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market or any other, their ultimate purpose was to serve the sect that governed the area.

The market’s existence not only provided a gathering point for new wandering cultivators, making them easier to manage but also allowed for the selection of virtuous and promising individuals to join the market as cultivators.

Those who failed to meet the standards were left to their own devices, their fates irrelevant to the market.

This was one of the reasons why rent in the market was so high.

The upper echelons of the market cared little whether wandering cultivators could afford housing or access resources. Their primary concern was the market-affiliated cultivators.

Similarly, the higher-ups in the sects placed no value on the lives of wandering cultivators or market cultivators. To them, only the sect’s disciples represented the future of their legacy.

In this sense, market cultivators were akin to an alternative class of sect disciples.

However, unlike the officially recognized disciples who could focus solely on their cultivation, market cultivators needed to support themselves while pursuing their path. They had limited backing and wielded influence only within the market itself.

Once selected to become market cultivators, individuals could cultivate steadily, advancing from the early to the middle and even late stages of Qi Refinement Realm.

When these upright individuals reached the late stage, they would need to contribute to the sect, joining those wandering cultivators who had similarly endured to that level.

Virtually all cultivation techniques released by sects or clans came with limitations that required specialized resources for progress beyond the late stage of Qi Refinement Realm.

This was why Meng Guan had to earn enough resources in Azure Cliff Immortal City upon reaching the late stage.

Whether wandering cultivators or market cultivators, those at the late stage needed to purchase the Fractured Jade Powder produced by the sect to accelerate their cultivation.

Without it, their progress would lag significantly compared to others who had access to it.

This arrangement ensured a steady flow of spirit stones from wandering cultivators and market cultivators to the sect.

Moreover, those who cultivated the sect’s techniques and managed to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm would naturally find joining the sect to be their most practical choice.

There was no need to switch techniques or relocate; the sect would even provide higher-level techniques as a reward.

Such measures created a strong incentive for wandering cultivators and market cultivators to remain loyal to the sect upon reaching higher levels of cultivation, preventing defections to rival factions.

Given this setup, the sects naturally preferred upright market cultivators with strong ties to the sect over wandering cultivators with erratic temperaments and weak loyalty.

Now that Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market had enough internal staffs to sustain itself, those wandering cultivators who had joined six years ago and remained problematic had to be removed.

One bad apple could not be allowed to spoil the barrel.

The market was a cornerstone of the sect’s power, and tolerating dissent within its ranks was no longer an option.

“In light of this, the upper echelons of the market petitioned Azure Cliff Immortal City, which is now dispatching its Enforcement Squad to investigate and deal with these wayward cultivators,” Zhao Lin said, breaking the silence.

“That’s how your reward was finally approved, and the market’s atmosphere will soon return to its former order.”

Seeing that He Song had pieced together the situation, Zhao Lin decided to reveal everything.

The Enforcement Squad from the Immortal City were likely already on their way to Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market. When they arrived, chaos was inevitable.

Still, Zhao Lin viewed this as a positive development.

The market’s atmosphere would improve, and the action targeted only those wandering cultivators with notorious records.

For Zhao Lin, He Song, and other cultivators who had conducted themselves properly, there was nothing to fear.

“Wayward cultivators?” He Song murmured, startled by Zhao Lin’s words.

Suddenly, vivid memories from his previous life began to surface in his mind…