Chapter 47: Living by the Boat

At sunset, the afterglow cascaded onto the mountain path, as if draping the stone steps in a thin, orange-yellow veil, adding a touch of sacredness. It seemed as though, by treading on sunshine, one could walk all the way to glory.

Green leaves and flowers were abundant on both sides of the mountain path. The scents of fragrance and earth mingled with the mountain breeze, which, damp and refreshing, washed over them, permeating their minds and spreading throughout their bodies. The surrounding green trees provided shade, and the occasional crisp bird songs seemed to compose a melody for the future of all who had ever walked this mountain path, including the group currently present.

The group of five was led by the round-faced middle-aged man, who walked with his hands behind his back, introducing the sect to Xu Qing and the others behind him.

“Since you have successfully joined the Seven Blood Eyes, I will explain the sect to you. In my opinion, the Seven Blood Eyes isn't actually a sect.”

“It's more like a massive enterprise operating under the guise of a sect!”

The round-faced man spoke calmly. His words reached the ears of the four behind him, causing these young men and women, newly initiated into the Seventh Peak, to be deeply shaken.

Among the four, besides Xu Qing, the other three were Zhou Qingpeng, Li Zimei, and another girl. The girl's name was Xu Xiaohui. She wore her hair in a ponytail and dressed plainly, clearly not from a wealthy family, but much better off than a scavenger, likely from a small town. On the way, she had tried to befriend Xu Qing, but Xu Qing was not good at socializing and disliked people getting too close to him. He merely nodded, so the girl quickly began trying to please Zhou Qingpeng.

Zhou Qingpeng smiled warmly, a contrast to Xu Qing's reticence, making the girl feel increasingly drawn to him. The two occasionally whispered to each other during the journey. As for Li Zimei, she seemed very reserved and somewhat self-conscious, so she stayed at the back of the group, maintaining a certain distance from everyone. However, Zhou Qingpeng paid close attention to both her and Xu Qing, and occasionally offered a friendly smile, which seemed to slightly ease Li Zimei's shyness.

At that moment, the mountain breeze swept past, lifting everyone's hair and carrying the words of the round-faced man forward.

“The Seven Blood Eyes is divided into the upper and lower mountains. You can see them as two worlds, and indeed, they are two separate worlds. And you... are people of the lower mountain.”

“Only those who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage qualify to ascend the mountain and are entitled to a share of the Seven Blood Eyes' profits. Those on the lower mountain live in harshness and hardship, only able to struggle.”

“Therefore, for those on the lower mountain, ascending is their greatest aspiration in this life. Do you know how many people there are in the main city below?” The round-faced man glanced at the four young men and women behind him.

“Three million people!” He raised his right hand, extending three fingers.

“These three million people include civilians and all low-level disciples from every peak. You will also be among them and must survive under the rules of the Seven Blood Eyes.”

“The rules of the Seven Blood Eyes' main city are simple: contribution points. Everyone on the lower mountain, whether civilian or disciple, must pay thirty contribution points, or thirty spirit coins, to reside in the main city each day.”

“These are deducted continuously every day. Once the number on your jade slip token reaches zero, you will be expelled from the Seven Blood Eyes. This applies to both civilians and disciples.”

“If you forcibly remain, you will be obliterated by the formations within an hour.”

The round-faced cultivator's words made all four of them change expression. Even Zhou Qingpeng, who had some prior knowledge, showed fear in his eyes upon hearing this rule again.

“This is just the basic living fee. As for food and lodging, it's up to your own choices; it's survival of the fittest. Prices in the Seven Blood Eyes' main city are extremely high, but spiritual cultivation resources are the most expensive.”

Listening to the round-faced cultivator's words, Xu Qing remained silent. The other three were also awed by the harsh explanation. Xu Xiaohui hesitated, then quietly asked, “If that's the case, why do so many civilians still come here? Thirty spirit coins a day... that's one spirit stone a month! That's far too expensive. Moreover, if we, as disciples, also have to pay contribution points, what's the point of being a disciple?”

The round-faced man glanced at Xu Xiaohui.

“Civilians who can afford the high cost of teleportation to get here are all capable individuals. They flock here because the Seven Blood Eyes' main city protects its civilians; disciples are not allowed to indiscriminately kill the innocent. Furthermore... there are formations here that isolate corrupting elements, which extends lifespan.”

“Compared to the outside world, where corrupting elements are rampant and fierce beasts and desperadoes are everywhere, the Seven Blood Eyes' main city is naturally their dream destination.”

“As for what use there is in becoming a disciple?”

“First, cultivation resources are only available to those who have obtained disciple qualifications. Others cannot purchase them, and their unauthorized circulation is strictly forbidden. If caught, death is certain.”

“Second, only disciples who cultivate the Seven Blood Eyes' cultivation methods can ascend the mountain and receive a share of the profits after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage within the Seven Blood Eyes. So, you must work hard from now on. Although the sect outwardly forbids infighting, each month... quite a few disciples mysteriously disappear from the city. The sect mostly turns a blind eye to this. It's a trial by combat, and casualties are common.”

“However, if external Foundation Establishment cultivators attack you, who are Qi Condensation disciples, the assailant will be severely punished. This is considered a violation of the Seven Blood Eyes' rules. Of course, for external Qi Condensation cultivators, the sect won't intervene.”

The round-faced cultivator smiled meaningfully.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing felt a slight sense of relief; this was one of his reasons for coming to the Seven Blood Eyes.

At that moment, Li Zimei, standing nearby, hesitated before asking a question.

“If this is all there is to it, how can disciples who grow up in such an environment feel a sense of belonging? And how can the sect itself maintain cohesion?”

The round-faced cultivator chuckled.

“Cohesion? What is cohesion? Friendship is one kind, gratitude is one kind, awe is also one kind. But these are not firm. In this cruel chaotic world, true belonging, true cohesion, is profit!”

“As long as a Seven Blood Eyes disciple cultivates the Seven Blood Eyes' methods and breaks through to Foundation Establishment, they will qualify to ascend the mountain and gain the right to a share of the Seven Blood Eyes' profits.”

“The monthly income of the Seven Blood Eyes is public. It comes from everyone's residency fees, the buying and selling of cultivation resources, and port traffic. Approximately five hundred million spirit coins are received daily, which translates to five hundred thousand spirit stones, or fifteen million spirit stones per month. These profits, according to the entitlements of different cultivation levels, are distributed to all disciples at Foundation Establishment or higher, after the sect retains a portion for daily expenses.”

“The higher the cultivation, the greater the share. Early Foundation Establishment disciples can expect to receive around five thousand spirit stones per month, and if one reaches Core Formation, it's at least tens of thousands of spirit stones monthly.”

“This is why I say the Seven Blood Eyes is more like an enterprise. All Foundation Establishment disciples who ascend the mountain are essentially investing in this enterprise. As long as the Seven Blood Eyes exists for a day, there will be a day's profit!”

“So, do you think when external enemies try to plunder your enterprise, you would stand by and watch your own interests be taken without acting?”

As the round-faced cultivator's words echoed, a profound glint appeared in Xu Qing's eyes. He now fully understood the Seven Blood Eyes. Cohesion in a chaotic world, perhaps, truly as the other party said, could be entirely bound by profit.

Li Zimei also fell silent.

The round-faced cultivator smiled faintly. He had led many batches of new disciples and had repeated his earlier words many times. In a chaotic world, profit was an eternal truth. He now pointed down the mountain.

“Let me tell you about the prosperity of the Seven Blood Eyes. Look over there; that is the largest port in the entire Southern Phoenix Continent. On a daily basis, ships come and go ceaselessly. Whether it's external factions transporting goods, or disciples from other peaks of the sect heading out to sea for missions, most have to pass through us. And what the Seventh Peak controls is this port area.”

“Therefore, ships... are crucial for the cultivation of our Seventh Peak disciples. We call them Dharma Vessels.”

Xu Qing looked in the direction he pointed. In the setting sun's light, from their vantage point on the mountain, they could clearly see the main city's port below. Near the sea, numerous horseshoe-shaped harbors had been excavated. Each was vast, seemingly capable of accommodating a large number of boats, and there were quite a few of these harbors, well over a hundred. Sprawling majestically far into the distance, their overall color varied. Half were white, predominantly filled with massive merchant ships, while the other half of the harbors contained mostly purple-colored structures. From afar, the boats in the purple area were all small and densely packed. In addition to this, each harbor had sluice gates and tall, towering lighthouses.

“The white areas are for external use, while the purple areas are the residences of our Seventh Peak disciples.” The round-faced cultivator's words came. “The vessels within them are the Dharma Vessels I just spoke of!”

“The Dharma Vessels of our Seventh Peak are renowned throughout the Southern Phoenix Continent, and are the core and soul of Seventh Peak disciples' cultivation.”

“They are both your dwelling and your mount. They are also your combat companion and a necessity for acquiring resources. You can absolutely consider a Dharma Vessel to be a... magical artifact!”

As the round-faced cultivator spoke these words, Li Zimei and Xu Xiaohui's eyes widened, clearly aware of the existence of magical artifacts. Zhou Qingpeng's eyes also gleamed with a strong sense of anticipation. Xu Qing reacted similarly, his mind shaken. He clearly understood the value and rarity of magical artifacts. He then looked again at the purple area of the port, but the dense cluster of vessels there made him feel that it somehow contradicted the rarity of magical artifacts.

“Of course, they are not magical artifacts in the true sense. However, the Dharma Vessels of our Seventh Peak possess growth potential. As your cultivation levels rise and you continuously refine them, it's not impossible for them to eventually transform into true magical artifacts.”

“Therefore, owning one's own Dharma Vessel is the greatest dream and pursuit of every disciple who has just joined the Seventh Peak.”

“However, even the most basic Dharma Vessel requires redemption. It costs one hundred thousand contribution points, or one hundred spirit stones, to obtain one.”

“Furthermore, only disciples who possess a Dharma Vessel are qualified to be randomly assigned to work and cultivate within the harbor.”

“As for disciples without Dharma Vessels, they must find their own ways to earn money. There is a three-year limit. If they fail to accumulate enough contribution points to redeem a Dharma Vessel within three years, their cultivation will be revoked, and they will be expelled.”

“This is because the cultivation methods of our Seventh Peak are related to the sea. Cultivating with a Dharma Vessel, utilizing its spirit gathering array, will yield twice the results with half the effort. Oh, and the cultivation methods are free; you receive them upon becoming a disciple.”

Listening to the round-faced man's words, a ripple stirred in Xu Qing's heart. While attracted by the Seventh Peak's unique Dharma Vessels, he also gradually gained a deeper understanding of the Seventh Peak. Dharma Vessels were crucial items for Seventh Peak disciples. Disciples who owned Dharma Vessels would be assigned duties and would qualify to reside within the purple sea area of the harbor. Thus, as the round-faced man had said earlier, the vessels were like personal dwellings, though he assumed residency would also cost contribution points.

Disciples without vessels, on the other hand, could only stay on land, performing menial tasks and struggling to cultivate, working hard each day to accumulate contribution points. Furthermore, since most sea voyages from other peaks and indeed the entire Southern Phoenix Continent had to pass through here, Seventh Peak disciples' vessels were often needed for rental. This was also a way to earn contribution points. Essentially, the vast majority of disciples on the Seventh Peak operated this way. Everyone strove to survive, aiming to break through to Foundation Establishment and gain the right to a share of the Seven Blood Eyes' profits.

“Therefore, Dharma Vessels and cultivation are the keys to surviving on the Seventh Peak before reaching Foundation Establishment.”

“I must obtain a Dharma Vessel as soon as possible!” A sharp glint appeared in Xu Qing's eyes, and a strong sense of urgency arose within him.

Thus, under the round-faced cultivator's continuous introduction, Xu Qing and his group arrived at the mid-mountain. This was where new disciples activated the full functions of their identity tokens and where cultivation methods and robes were distributed. There was only one type of robe: a gray Daoist robe. The gray Daoist robe was the basic attire for disciples of all peaks within the Seven Blood Eyes. Every disciple who activated their identity token would receive one free of charge. However, activating the token required one thousand contribution points. Once activated, the token recorded each person's basic information and contribution points and could also be used for communication.

As everyone received their cultivation methods and successively activated their identity tokens and received their gray Daoist robes, Xu Qing held his, feeling the faint spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from it. He knew the robe's material was excellent. It felt very soft and wouldn't easily wrinkle. If placed outside, this robe would likely be quite valuable.

Li Zimei, standing nearby, was similar to Xu Qing, also touching her robe with a look of determination in her eyes. Xu Xiaohui, next to her, looked at Zhou Qingpeng. Zhou Qingpeng blinked, and after glancing at the round-faced cultivator and the sect elder distributing supplies, suddenly spoke softly.

“Elder, I would like to purchase a Dharma Vessel.”

The round-faced cultivator smiled upon hearing this. The one distributing supplies was a gaunt old man. He lifted his eyelids, swept a gaze over Zhou Qingpeng, and spoke plainly. “One hundred thousand contribution points, or one hundred spirit stones.” As the gaunt old man's words fell, Li Zimei and Xu Xiaohui both gasped. One hundred spirit stones was an unimaginable fortune in their understanding.

At this moment, Zhou Qingpeng quickly stepped forward, took out a golden paper note, and respectfully handed it over.

“A spirit note from the Second Peak? Acceptable.” The old man took it, examined it, then put it away and pushed a purple brocade box forward. He then looked up at the others. “Does anyone else wish to exchange?”

Li Zimei and Xu Xiaohui both lowered their heads. Xu Qing thought for a moment, then, enduring a pang of pain, stepped forward and took out one hundred spirit stones from his leather pouch, placing them in front of the gaunt old man. Without a word, amidst Li Zimei and Xu Xiaohui's envy and Zhou Qingpeng's sidelong glance, the old man handed him an identical brocade box.

Xu Qing took it and opened it. Inside the brocade box were only two items: a jade slip and a small transparent bottle. The small bottle was quite peculiar, only palm-sized. It contained liquid up to halfway, resembling seawater, and floating on that 'seawater' was a small covered boat! The boat was entirely black and appeared simple. However, a closer look revealed that every plank was covered with numerous runes. Even confined within the bottle, the entire vessel still emanated a subtle yet impressive aura of power. It could be said that both the bottle itself and the small boat far exceeded the value of one hundred spirit stones. As for the jade slip, it contained information about the covered boat.

“Alright, you can descend the mountain now. Remember, the cultivation methods and Dharma Vessels must not be leaked, or else... the consequences will be dire.” The round-faced man's voice interrupted Xu Qing's observation.

“Xu Xiaohui and Li Zimei, you two must work harder and strive to obtain Dharma Vessels as soon as possible. As for Zhou Qingpeng and Xu Qing, your identity tokens contain your assignment information; you may go your separate ways now.”

The four immediately clasped their fists towards the round-faced cultivator. Just as Xu Qing was about to leave, the round-faced cultivator called out to him.

“Xu Qing.”

Xu Qing turned, respectfully looking at the round-faced cultivator.

“Among low-level cultivators, you are very strong. Despite only being at the seventh level of Body Refinement, you have formed a blood-qi phantom, which only appears at the Great Perfection of Body Refinement. This shows your talent is good. It can be said that among low-level cultivators, you are already considered a strong one. Killing some rogue cultivators and Qi Condensation disciples at the ninth or tenth level from minor sects would be easy for you.”

“However, Body Refinement is relatively simple; it's merely an accumulation of speed, strength, and recovery. But this is not the Grand Dao.”

“The Grand Dao for cultivators of our generation is the cultivation of spells! I advise you to focus more on spell cultivation in the future. The spiritual energy and spell power within you are too weak. It might be fine against rogue cultivators, but against disciples of major sects, you will be at a great disadvantage!”

Xu Qing's mind was shaken upon hearing this.

“Also, I don't know where you lived before, but I imagine it must have been fraught with danger. That's why you've developed some instinctive habits.”

“Habits?” Xu Qing was startled.

“Since I was the one who tested you this time, I'll give you a hint. For example, your right hand barely moves when you walk, especially your index and middle fingers, which are constantly alert. I suspect that in the leather pouch on your right side, there's a needle-like or throwing-knife-like weapon that can be held between two fingers, ready for you to pull out at any moment.”

Xu Qing's expression hardened. It was the first time he had been seen through so clearly by someone.

“But I advise you, it's best not to let habits become second nature in such an obvious way. If you do, others will easily spot your tells, and you'll suffer for it. You should know that leaving no traces, a subtle deadliness, that is the way of our generation.”

The round-faced man spoke with a smile, appearing utterly harmless. His warning to the disciple before him was, for him, merely an offhand gesture, a small investment, nothing more. Yet, Xu Qing felt a chill down his spine. After taking a deep breath, he bowed deeply to the man.

Even as he walked away, the man's words echoed in Xu Qing's mind. He looked down at his right hand, trying to control it, to make it appear more natural. Under this conscious effort, his right hand slowly changed. It was no longer rigid, but slightly more natural. However, upon closer inspection, one could discern that within this natural movement, every slight sway seemed to conceal a sharp edge.

Meanwhile, as he descended the mountain, continuously practicing, in a wilderness far from the Seven Blood Eyes, within an unfamiliar scavenger camp, Seventh Grandmaster was squatting on a rooftop, watching with interest a young boy nearby who was fighting a wild dog. The boy's mouth was smeared with bloody meat and dog fur, and his expression seemed to carry a hint of bloodlust. Witnessing this scene, Seventh Grandmaster's eyes showed appreciation.

Beside him, his servant also squatted. At that moment, the servant took out a jade slip, checked it, and then spoke softly. “Seventh Grandmaster, the kid has arrived at the Seven Blood Eyes.”

“What kid?” Seventh Grandmaster said casually, looking at the boy in front of him.

The servant gave a wry smile and explained softly. “It's the boy who didn't dare to wear new clothes before killing. You even spoke on his behalf to Grandmaster Bai and taught him the Way of Plants. Later, you gave him a white token.”

Seventh Grandmaster's expression became dazed, and he nodded. Recalling Xu Qing, his eyes once again showed appreciation.

“Ah, I remember now. He's a good kid, loyal and righteous.”

“Does he need special care?” the servant asked.

Seventh Grandmaster waved his hand.

“No need. In this chaotic world, to survive, one must rely on their own efforts. If he can ultimately rely on himself to reach me, I will grant him a great opportunity.” Saying this, Seventh Grandmaster pointed at the boy fighting the wild dog nearby. “Tell me, between this boy and the kid, who resembles a wolf cub more?”

The servant glanced at the boy Seventh Grandmaster was pointing at, and gave a wry smile. He had answered similar questions several times already; this was already the ninth child Seventh Grandmaster had taken an interest in since the 'kid'.

“They're quite similar, I suppose.”

Hearing this, Seventh Grandmaster tilted his head and glanced at the servant, then suddenly chuckled.

“I spoke to Grandmaster Bai on the kid's behalf and gave him a white token. This was already a favor from me. But it doesn't mean I must accept him as a disciple. I don't owe him anything; I merely gave him an opportunity.”

“And I do indeed intend to take a fourth disciple. But when I took the third disciple, I issued over fifty white tokens, and only one became the third disciple. You haven't been with me long enough, so you don't understand my methods.”

“This time, I don't think over fifty tokens will be enough to find a fourth disciple. At least one hundred will be needed.”

“As for this boy, go give him a white token. Again, you don't need to say anything more.” After speaking, Seventh Grandmaster stood up and walked away into the distance.