Ming Zhitian paid no mind. He felt the spiritual energy fluctuations within his body. As he willed it, he could imbue his fists with 'Han Mang' to enhance his combat prowess.
He took out the 'Yu Qi Jue' from his robes, flipped through it, and nodded in satisfaction. "I've reached the second level of 'Yu Qi Jue'. Not bad, not bad."
Just as he was putting the 'Yu Qi Jue' back, he suddenly remembered the 'Chang Sheng Jue' on the Gluttony's hide scroll. He subconsciously opened it and his pupils dilated.
He had likely slain a cultivator at the fourth layer of Qi Refining and had now entered the first layer himself, becoming a cultivator. This was why he could now understand the contents of the 'Chang Sheng Jue'.
"A cultivation technique created by Bai Liuli of the Celestial Realm. Practitioners can strengthen their bodies, prolong their lives, and even achieve resurrection at its peak."
At the end, there was another line: "Once one enters the path of cultivation, ten thousand bones wither. May I be an ordinary person in the next life—"
As Ming Zhitian read this, suddenly, some of the slave guards who had been searching found their way here. Ming Zhitian had no choice but to put it away and flee the scene.
Seeing that no one was following, and to avoid drawing attention, Ming Zhitian did not ride on Buck. Instead, he took Buck and found the Bounty Pavilion. This place was similar to the bounty arenas in the Celestial Sphere, designed specifically for bounty hunter martial artists. The only difference was that the Bounty Pavilion was exclusively for cultivators.
Upon entering the Bounty Pavilion, he saw a number of cultivators taking on bounties for money, provided they accepted and completed the missions.
There was a rest area, a mission area, and an equipment sales area.
Any cultivator could accept a mission. Success would naturally bring a generous reward, but failure would not only damage their reputation but also require them to compensate the employer tenfold.
Therefore, one had to assess their capabilities before accepting beginner, intermediate, advanced, or special missions. It wasn't for just any small fry to mess around.
Money, regardless of the world or era, was universally accepted. As the saying goes, with money, you might not be able to go everywhere, but without it, you can't move an inch. Ming Zhitian was lacking, so he came here.
He accepted a beginner mission from the administrator and received a map and a beginner's wristband.
The administrator scrutinized him carefully. "Young friend, although this is just a beginner mission, it does have its difficulties. Don't be fooled by the high reward; you need the ability. You can choose other beginner missions. Although the rewards are lower, they are safer and simpler. It's still not too late to change your mind. Once you leave this door, no refunds or exchanges will be permitted."
Ming Zhitian asked, confused, "Why would I want to change?"
The administrator, accustomed to such things, said, "Young man, let me ask you, you've just entered the first layer of Qi Refining and become a cultivator, haven't you?"
Ming Zhitian nodded. "Amazing, old sir, how did you know?"
The administrator's face twitched... "Let me ask you again, when you entered the Bounty Pavilion, did you read the mission rules at the entrance?"
Ming Zhitian nodded. "I did. Completing a mission gets a reward, and failing a mission... means ten times the compensation."
The administrator nodded. "To tell you the truth, the bandits in Cliff Mountain are all incredibly fierce, and each of them is at least at the second layer of Qi Refining or above. For you, at this layer, tsk tsk... I fear it's a one-way trip."
Ming Zhitian smiled knowingly and bowed. "Thank you for your reminder, old sir, but my decision is made."
"You... alas, go then." The administrator could only shake his head helplessly, having wasted his breath talking to him for so long. It was truly ungrateful.
As Ming Zhitian turned, he was met by a young man who approached with a smile. "Esteemed cultivator, I can tell just by looking at you that you possess an extraordinary aura, a distinguished demeanor, a magnificent presence, a cosmic ambition, an aura..."
Ming Zhitian put his hand up to block the man's face. "Stop. If you have something to say, say it. If not, go burn paper."
The man chuckled and pushed Ming Zhitian's hand away. "Esteemed cultivator, I heard you're going to quell bandits? And you're going alone?"
Ming Zhitian nodded, pointing at Buck. "And one beast."
Buck nodded proudly. The man froze for a second. "Esteemed cultivator, you mustn't, you mustn't! As the administrator said, the bandits are exceptionally ferocious. If you go alone, I fear it truly will be a one-way trip."
Ming Zhitian extended his hand again. "Stop. May you have great fortune and great luck."