Chapter 8 Taoist Priest, Times Have Changed

“I never thought this Daoist would have such a day.”

Wang Jixuan truly hadn’t expected it.

A mere Qi Refining Realm had made him work day and night for nineteen days, only then barely managing to step in!

If not for meditation being able to replace sleep, he might have spent a month!

When Wang Jixuan first began cultivating in his previous life, the first time he meditated, a wisp of inner Qi was born. Within half a month, he naturally completed a Great Heavenly Cycle, and in less than a month, his Qi was full. He only spent less than a hundred days in total to step into the Gathering Spirit Realm, beginning to condense his Three Ethereal Souls and Seven Corporeal Spirits to form his own divine self.

Although there were many factors here, the most important one was that the Spiritual Qi in the current world was relatively thin, far inferior to his previous life’s world, and this body was already over twenty years old, with most of its Meridians blocked…

Fortunately, he still managed to step in.

Wang Jixuan clenched his fist, and a wisp of Qi circulated and coiled beneath his skin.

A punch he threw now had almost the same force as when he previously used the Vajra Warrior Incantation, and it wouldn’t harm himself.

Qi existing between the muscles and flesh was the beginning of Qi Refining.

Wang Jixuan carefully calculated. To reach the state of full Qi, at his current cultivation speed, it would take at least four or five months.

However, the threat from the Black Fire Gang was imminent.

He had lived in this safe house for a long time, and had gone out three times to find food, so it was hard to guarantee that the news wouldn’t leak.

As long as this matter wasn’t settled, he wouldn’t have peace for a day.

“This Daoist has entered the Qi Refining Realm, and it’s time to settle accounts with them.”

Wang Jixuan habitually shook his sleeves, then realized he was only wearing underwear and sitting cross-legged by the bed, and couldn’t help but laugh wryly.

He jumped up. A wisp of Qi circulated within his body along the difficult-to-open Heavenly Cycle routes, making his steps very light and his perception more sensitive.

Turning on the faucet, Wang Jixuan quickly washed away the dirt expelled from his pores.

Water was the only free resource in the Fortress;

Amidst the sound of water, Wang Jixuan’s thoughts raced.

Since he had decided to take the initiative, he had to make full preparations.

Captain Zhou had sent messages several times. The most recent one was four days ago, when Wang Jixuan went out to buy emergency food. He received a note with Captain Zhou’s mark. The note said that the Black Fire Gang was putting increasing pressure on Captain Zhou, and Captain Zhou might expel Wang Jixuan from the safe house at any time.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou is a good officer. Later, when this Daoist’s cultivation improves and I can perform Alchemy, I will naturally give him a few Medicinal Pills to extend his life as a token of gratitude.”

“Within the Black Fire Gang, the greatest threat is that kind of hidden weapon called a firearm.”

“To catch the bandit, first catch the king. It’s best to deal with the Black Fire Gang’s leader first; this person is the root of the trouble.”

According to Wang Jixuan’s understanding, the entire Lower City was very chaotic, and the Black Fire Gang should have a large number of people. To take the enemy general’s head from among ten thousand troops was not easy for him at present.

Wang Jixuan was pondering some questions that he would never have considered during his arduous cultivation in his previous life.

Cultivator combat relied on Magical Artifacts and Spells.

Low-level Cultivators’ Spells could be simply divided into three categories: Incantations, Talismans, and Artifact Control.

【Incantations】 involve using fixed incantations to mobilize the power of the soul and Primordial Spirit, driving Spiritual Qi, and condensing Spells. They are the most basic method.

He had used them several times before, such as the Quiet Mind Incantation, the Fire Control Incantation, and the Swift Steps Incantation.

【Talismans】 refer to drawing talismanic patterns and secret Talismans on special Talisman paper, condensing part of the magical power into the Talisman. The advantage is that during combat, the Talisman can be directly thrown out to cast a Spell, and the Dao of Talismans is diverse. High-level Cultivators of Sects often prepare some protective Talismans for low-level Cultivators.

Wang Jixuan planned to get some Talismans for self-defense next. Although he wasn’t very proficient in this Dao, he also had several comprehensive Talisman books in his mind.

The problem was suitable Talisman paper and spiritual liquid.

【Artifact Control】—which is to control Magical Artifacts.

Magical Artifacts have Restrictions carved inside and out. The most basic Magical Artifacts can be infused with magical power, absorb Spiritual Qi, and be summoned to kill enemies and achieve victory.

The simplest Magical Artifacts include peach wood swords and protective charms. Slightly more advanced Magical Artifacts include Qiankun Rings and sword pills used for Sword Control. High-level Magical Artifacts are also called Magic Treasures, and their categories are countless.

Artifact Refining was something Wang Jixuan was relatively good at, but now, he only had various metal objects he wasn’t very familiar with, making it difficult to display his skills.

A clever housewife cannot cook without rice;

This Daoist also had no usable Magical Artifacts.

Wang Jixuan’s favorite Sword Control technique could only be practiced after reaching the fourth stage of Foundation Establishment, and forging sword pills also required some precious materials.

None of these were in sight, so there was no need to consider them for now.

“Now I can try to get some Talismans for self-defense, but where can I find this Talisman paper and spiritual liquid?”

Wang Jixuan stared at himself in the mirror, slightly lost in thought.

Gurgle gurgle—

His stomach rumbled.

Wang Jixuan gave a wry smile. He hadn’t completed Foundation Establishment yet, so he still couldn’t do without grains, meat, and eggs.

He turned to glance at the food cabinet;

It was empty.

Because he hadn’t gone to work for twenty consecutive days, the three types of quotas issued this month were all halved, and the number on his quota card was already precarious.

…

Eating was the top priority for Fortress residents.

Among the various material supply gaps, food shortages had always been an unavoidable problem.

If it weren’t for the technology of artificial synthetic starch, which allowed the Fortress to exchange electricity for food, and the Fortress’s intelligent control center to dispatch all resources around the clock, the 76th Fortress would not be able to support so many people.

Wang Jixuan put on a mask and a baseball cap, wrapped himself in a gray jacket he had exchanged for with general quota during his last outing, and hurried towards the emergency food vending machine whose location he had scouted last time.

Food vending machines were usually set up in circular gardens where the Capillary Passages converged. There would be some simple green belts here, and in better places, there would even be a few pieces of fitness equipment.

When Wang Jixuan went out, he specifically chose normal working hours. This was the quietest time in the Middle City residential area.

He was actually also considering a problem—without work, there would be no food quota, and he would starve to death before reaching Bigu (abstinence from grains).

“After settling the Black Fire Gang matter, this Daoist will also have to engage in some physical labor.”

“Just go with the flow. This Daoist is not one who can’t distinguish between grains or is idle.”

“It’s just that if my fellow Sect members knew, they would definitely make fun of me.”

Wang Jixuan chuckled to himself.

Because his cultivation was generally smooth, he felt a bit more joyful at this moment.

After walking for a few minutes and entering the circular public area, the target food vending machine came into view.

It was square in shape, with only a narrow display window and a simple card-swiping area on the front. The entire machine was made of high-strength alloy.

Getting closer, one could see two lines of somewhat faded promotional slogans pasted on its cabinet.

“Do not praise power, that is merely flattery.”

“Praise the laborers, they are worthy of praise.”

Wang Jixuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

He liked these two slogans.

He took out his quota card from his pocket and placed it near the card-swiping area. His personal information and a food list appeared on the interactive screen. Wang Jixuan still chose the emergency food with the lowest food quota. Following the suggestion of the “Diet Assistant” in the corner of the screen, he spent 3 food quota to buy a bottle of comprehensive nutrients.

The machine hummed. Wang Jixuan already knew from Mu Liang’s memory that this was the internal conveyor belt of the machine working…

Hmm?

Wang Jixuan’s initially recovered spiritual sense suddenly detected a hint of danger.

He turned his head slightly. At the mouth of the Capillary Passage to his left rear, two figures rushed out quickly, stopping at the intersection and looking this way.

They were wearing green tracksuits, their muscles bulging.

These clothes…

They were exactly the same as the two guys Dr. Wei Na let go that day.

Black Fire Gang!

Wang Jixuan stood still, relaxing his body as much as possible, waiting for the food he bought to drop into the exit below.

The two muscular men in tracksuits not far away frowned as they scrutinized Wang Jixuan’s figure, temporarily unable to determine if he was the target they were looking for, but they had already put their hands into their bosoms.

Thump, thump thump thump.

Several bags of food fell into the pick-up slot at the bottom of the machine.

Wang Jixuan, as if nothing was wrong, bent down, squatted, and leisurely pulled out the bags.

“Mu Liang?”

The strong man on the left frowned and called out.

Wang Jixuan showed no reaction, his breathing steady, his movements natural.

The strong man on the right narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on the food vending machine’s display screen, watching the personal interface that was about to disappear in two seconds, and suddenly pulled out a pistol from his bosom!

Killing intent!

Wang Jixuan made a decision almost instantly, throwing the two large bags of emergency food in his hands at the faces of the two tracksuit-clad strong men.

Bang!

A gunshot suddenly rang out!

Along with the muzzle flash, a bullet shot out!

Wang Jixuan’s danger premonition flared, his own soul power was automatically activated. He almost saw the bullet about to graze his scalp, and he exerted all his strength to control his muscles and bones, flipping backward.

A sharp pain immediately came from his forehead!

His scalp was grazed, and his baseball cap was knocked off!

Wang Jixuan completed a backflip, propping himself up with one hand, and dodged to the right like a spring.

The two large bags of emergency food themselves had some weight, and they were thrown by Wang Jixuan, who had already stepped into the Qi Refining Realm. After hitting one man’s arm, it directly made it difficult for him to hold his gun.

But the other man, after the first shot, had his adrenaline surging. At this moment, he frantically pulled the trigger at a corner of the food vending machine.

Gunshots rang out!

Wang Jixuan narrowly dodged behind the food vending machine. The pleasant sound of bullets hitting the alloy simultaneously tensed both sides’ nerves.

Boundless Heavenly Venerate!

This thing has such power?

Wang Jixuan held his breath, his gaze quickly searching, but he found no suitable cover.

The shouts of the two men had already sounded from the side:

“Don’t waste bullets!”

“I’ll jump over!”

One strong man rushed forward quickly, gripping his gun with both hands. He didn’t charge directly at the vending machine; he only needed to find an angle to shoot at Wang Jixuan.

He was already preparing for a big leap forward!

Wang Jixuan clearly sensed the other party’s intention, and the other person had already locked down the space above his head; as long as he showed his head, he would be shot.

In a flash of lightning!

The charging strong man leaped forward with great force, his finger already on the trigger.

Wang Jixuan’s eyes gleamed with golden light!

The incantation he had silently recited beforehand was nearing its end!

Let me roam freely, the Dao will naturally manifest!

He suddenly crouched and darted forward, a faint golden light emanating from his body. Today’s Swift Steps Incantation was several times more powerful than when he last used it!

But this time, he used the Swift Steps Incantation not to escape!

Wang Jixuan lunged forward and rolled in a circle at an extremely fast speed. Before he had fully stood up, he flicked out a folding knife hidden in his sleeve, a faint layer of Qi enveloping the blade.

That was the Qi Wang Jixuan had painstakingly condensed!

The strong man who was leaping forward hurriedly adjusted his gun. His action of raising his arm and Wang Jixuan’s action of throwing the knife happened almost simultaneously!

Bang!