Chapter 10: Cultivation Realms and Ways to Make Money

Chapter 10: Cultivation Realms and Ways to Make Money

"Cultivation Realm? Right, with your cultivation speed, Junior Brother, you'll soon stabilize your Crimson Bloodline. Once that's solidified, you'll enter the Body Tempering Stage."

Li Mo hesitated for a moment, instinctively wanting to caution Su Chen against aiming too high. But then he reconsidered—Su Chen had already awakened his Crimson Bloodline, and stabilizing it was only a matter of time.

"Body Tempering Stage?" Su Chen murmured, reflecting on his progress cultivating the Iron Thread Fist. He had indeed felt his physical strength grow.

Li Mo nodded. "You might think practicing strength is just about building physical power, but actually, it's about enhancing attack and defense. While your physical strength improves, the real focus is on offensive and defensive capabilities. You might not feel it yet, but with time, you'll notice the changes more clearly. Since you've cultivated Iron Thread Fist, your attacking power will increase significantly. Defense and physical strength will improve too, but relatively speaking, the boost to attack power is far greater. After all, Iron Thread Fist is an offensive martial art."

Li Mo spoke rapidly, then glanced at Su Chen, who remained silent. He didn't mind—knowing Su Chen needed time to process.

"Besides increased strength, my attack power has indeed grown since learning the Iron Thread Fist", Su Chen mused. "And cultivating Iron Sand Palm seems to have strengthened my hand's defense." He cross-referenced his experiences with Li Mo's words, finding no major discrepancies.

"Senior Brother", he asked, looking up, "how exactly is strength cultivation divided?"

"There's no strict classification", Li Mo paused before replying. "From what I know, strength cultivation has four stages: Beginner's Entry, Minor Mastery, Major Mastery, and Ultimate Perfection. These correspond to the four stages of Iron Thread Fist. But Master once said different martial arts have different criteria. Iron Thread Fist uses the Iron Line as its benchmark. Hong Sun Fist, Hong Xian Fist, and Tong Bei Fist follow similar principles. Other martial arts judge progress differently—some through markings, others through skin tone changes, and so on."

After listening, Su Chen assessed his own realm. "My Iron Thread Fist is nearing Ultimate Perfection. In terms of Body Tempering Stage, that should place me at early Lianli Perfection. But since my Iron Sand Palm has also reached perfection, I'm likely stronger than most newly-minted Lianli Perfection cultivators."

A new question arose. "Senior Brother, what comes after strength cultivation?"

"You ask a lot!" Li Mo chuckled, not minding. He actually enjoyed Su Chen's curiosity. "I've heard from Master that the next realm is Martial Cultivation. Details are unclear, but he mentioned ten Refining Strength Masters couldn't defeat a single Vital Force Cultivator. Those who reach Vital Force Cultivation are true powerhouses. In White Stone City, fewer than ten cultivators have entered this realm—each a renowned figure."

Li Mo's face showed admiration and awe as he spoke of Vital Force Cultivators.

"Is Martial Cultivation really that difficult?" Su Chen asked.

"Extremely", Li Mo's expression turned serious. "Ordinary people without talent or resources might cultivate their entire lives without reaching even the peak of strength cultivation. Mastering strength requires immense time, effort, and wealth. I've invested my entire fortune yet haven't achieved Major Mastery. Who knows how much more time and resources I'd need?"

Su Chen fell silent, thinking, No wonder the Progress Panel has helped me so much. Of course, my Qinken Gold-Fueled Enhancement plays a role too.

He asked more questions, learning even Hong Ming hadn't reached Momentum Attunement yet. Understanding deepened, though Li Mo knew little more about Martial Cultivation, so he stopped questioning.

In the afternoon, Li Mo took Su Chen to leave the Martial Arts Institute. As they walked, they encountered a drunken Qin Hao, exchanging greetings before parting ways.

"Su Chen, you're short on money, right? Here's the fastest way to earn it", Li Mo said, gesturing toward a platform crowded with people.

Su Chen's face darkened as he saw the sign: "Martial Arts Marriage Challenge."

Li Mo joked, "The family hosting today's challenge is a wealthy merchant from Outer City. Win their daughter's favor, and you'll never lack gold!"

"Senior Brother, any other money-making methods?" Su Chen asked, ignoring the teasing.

"If I were your age, I might try it", Li Mo sighed dramatically before turning serious. "Come, let me show you real opportunities."

Half an hour later, they stood before the County Courthouse. Li Mo pointed at a wanted poster:

"Wanted: Liu Tong. Multiple murders, dozens of deaths attributed. Suspected Lianli Perfection cultivator. Reward: 50 Tael Gold, alive or dead."

Su Chen's eyes gleamed at the reward amount.

"If you were stronger, you could work as a Sword Bearer for the City Authorities", Li Mo patted his shoulder. "But now? Not yet."

Su Chen nodded. Capturing wanted criminals wasn't easy. Liu Tong had evaded capture despite numerous crimes, clearly formidable. These fugitives were all hardened killers—without strength, one might become their victim.

After scanning other posters, Su Chen fell into thought.

"Junior Brother, don't even think about taking this task!" Li Mo warned.

"Would I risk suicide?" Su Chen shook his head. "Senior Brother, what other methods exist?"

"Caravan escorts, bodyguard work, gang affiliations, or shop employment. But these require stabilized bloodline first", Li Mo explained, detailing martial cultivators' income sources. However, Su Chen's unstable bloodline and lack of reputation meant no one would hire him yet. These opportunities would come only after formal apprenticeship and building a name.

At dusk, Li Mo treated Su Chen to dinner, which the younger cultivator accepted happily. Afterward, returning content, Su Chen felt he'd gained clear money-making strategies from Li Mo's guidance.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end