Chapter 59: Schism

“Old Wei, thank you!”
Xu Shan forced a difficult smile. She was very close to Liu Sui, and Wei Cheng’s decision to stay was nothing short of a lifesaving favor for both of them.

“No need for thanks. What’s the situation here now?” Wei Cheng asked calmly.

“Tang Xiaojun has joined Zhou Wu’s team, while Yang Yufeng took a group to act independently. They left yesterday afternoon and haven’t returned yet, but some solo squads claim that Yang Yufeng’s team has wiped out at least three demon scout squads and gained quite a lot.”

“Now, aside from Zhou Wu’s team and Yang Yufeng’s group, there are three other squads going solo. In fact, even Zhou Wu’s team has started sending out small squads to solo since yesterday afternoon. There have been some casualties, but the gains are impressive.”

“I think this trend will intensify over the next two days, and the squads venturing out will become smaller and more elite.”

“There’s another update: the three compatible external techniques for the heart method can only reach the ninth level. No matter how many transmission stones are used, the tenth level or any variation cannot be unlocked.”

Xu Shan paused, unable to hold back her question. “Old Wei, what have you been doing since yesterday morning? You haven’t focused on cultivation nor have you gone out to solo demon squads. Do you realize you’re about to lose your status as the strongest mountain-mover?”

“The strongest mountain-mover? You really overestimate me.”

Wei Cheng shook his head with helpless resignation, but offered no further explanation. Everyone makes different choices, and not all share the same aptitude for cultivation.

Because he chose the second fine-tuning path, his progression had slowed considerably. Beyond that, he sensed a major bottleneck in advancing to Eight Cycles, one that could only be broken through with higher-quality cultivation resources—hard work alone wouldn’t suffice. Of course, constant exposure to divine light was also a viable method.

Yet he hadn’t anticipated that the abandoned mining area would be devoid of demon scout squads altogether, so his original plan of mining while hunting had fallen apart.

Fortunately, he hadn’t suffered any real loss.

Liu Sui, who carried a certain scholarly air, struck Wei Cheng as a worthwhile investment. Sometimes, a good companion is worth more than anything.

Lost in thought, he was soon interrupted by Han Dong, who approached with visible excitement.

“Wei, I’ve advanced!”

His aura had stabilized again, and thanks to the osmanthus wine, he had successfully advanced to Four Cycles Purple Mist. Judging by his momentum, his Purple Mist Visualization was about to reach entry-level; what he lacked now was spiritual strength.

“Congratulations.”

Wei Cheng didn’t hesitate to encourage him. As long as Han Dong stayed grounded, Wei Cheng wouldn’t mind lending him a hand in the future. After all, assembling a team wasn’t easy—where could one find so many trustworthy, loyal candidates?

It was simply a matter of mutual compromise.

“Wei, should we go solo against demon scout squads too?”

Han Dong glanced at Xu Shan, asking eagerly. Now that he’d reached Four Cycles, he could see his weaknesses more clearly, and it was no secret that exposure to divine light improved cultivation potential and enhanced spiritual strength.

“No, I have to protect Liu Sui; I can’t be in two places at once.” Wei Cheng shook his head. Five Cycles Purple Mist was more tempting, after all.

Han Dong froze for a moment, his expression turning grim. His gaze flickered several times before he forced a bitter smile. “Wei, do you still think I’m a traitor, not worthy of trust? I strive for my own fate, my own future—is it wrong to choose the right path?”

“Cheng An and the others call you boss and follow you like fools, so you see them as your confidants. Now, you’re willing to give up solo hunting just to protect Liu Sui, you really are a saint!”

“Sorry, I can’t be as generous or as merciful as you. Our paths diverge; farewell.”

With that, Han Dong left in anger.

He was now Four Cycles Purple Mist and plenty of solo squads would want him.

Wei Cheng watched calmly, his expression unchanged.

Those who come, come. Those who go, go. What did it matter to him?

The once lively city wall soon grew quiet.

After a day and night of hard cultivation, most trial-takers had broken through their realms. With greater strength, ample inner power, and more precise intelligence, they were eager to venture out solo and carve out a place for themselves.

That was only fair.

In truth, Wei Cheng himself was tempted. Solo hunting was lucrative.

Cheng An, who had advanced to Six Cycles Mountain-Mover; Yu Liang, now Five Cycles Mountain-Mover; and Wang Wei, all coveted it.

But unlike Han Dong, they didn’t confront Wei Cheng.

Call them fools or simpletons if you wish—so long as Wei Cheng did not move, neither did they.

Soon, only eight people remained atop the city wall: Wei Cheng’s group of six, plus two others.

One was Old Gou Mei Renli.

Whatever his reasons for staying, he was actually the one who needed to go solo. With a few exposures to divine light, his bottleneck would break and he’d advance to Seven Cycles Mountain-Mover.

Unfortunately, Mei Renli didn’t seem to grasp this, instead relying on the effects of osmanthus wine and hoping to charge through in one go—stubborn, like someone from the post-80s generation, with a generational gap too wide for us young people.

Judging by the empty jars in front of him, Old Gou had somehow procured ten jars of osmanthus wine—impressive.

The last was a woman in her thirties, of average looks and build, with fair skin and a tenacity for cultivation rivaling Old Mei Renli.

She was Five Cycles Spirit Swallow, and the osmanthus wine was highly beneficial to her. As long as she wasn’t severely wounded by the Shadow Curse, she had a fair chance of advancing to Six Cycles before nightfall.

“Old Wei, I’m very sorry.”

Xu Shan wore a bitter smile, knowing she owed a great debt this time.

Everyone now knew solo hunting was immensely profitable, and Wei Cheng, as the strongest mountain-mover—or at least one of them—had chosen to stay and protect her husband. This would earn their loyalty, but compared to exposure to divine light, it was far too meager.

“Don’t mention it. The Shadow Curse will erupt in three hours. Xu Shan, you take charge of lookout and vigilance. Cheng An, you three go move some stones to block the city gate, just in case.”

“And don’t be resentful. Once Liu Sui advances to Five Cycles Purple Mist, you’ll understand how worthwhile this is. Then I’ll take you solo hunting.”

Wei Cheng gave special instructions, for he truly didn’t feel he was losing out. Not to mention Liu Sui, Xu Shan and her husband’s character still needed time to prove itself. But a Five Cycles Purple Mist alone—wasn’t that valuable enough?

And there was a Six Cycles Spirit Swallow too, freshly advanced.

Their team’s composition was healthy, reasonable, and full of potential.

“Boss, we aren’t those heartless types, so don’t worry.” Yu Liang laughed. Whether they were fools or not, they knew how they’d made it this far.

If they hadn’t followed Wei Cheng all the way, they’d have been eliminated back at the fifth trial.

Han Dong, playing the victim, spouting sarcasm—why didn’t he reflect on what he’d actually done?