I am grinding experience in another world-Chapter 659 - 647 Contract

"Where is the Outer Heaven Battlefield? Naturally, it's outside the heavens."

In the Wanjing Cave, Hu Buwei sat behind the counter without any expression and said flatly.

"Can you be a bit more specific?" Chen Mu continued casually with a grin.

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Hu Buwei truly didn't want to answer. He had already investigated thoroughly—it was this guy in front of him who spread rumors saying he had quick mastery of a secret Demon Dispel Skill, claiming it would be taught if enough White Jade was offered.

Daoist Soldier apprentices believed he truly had such secret teachings, pestering him daily with various requests for instruction.

Lu Han, Yang Fu, and other core disciples thought it was his new tactic to extort White Jade, constantly showing up at Wanjing Cave, implying they could help him promote the method if he gave them a large cut.

Currently, he was deeply intertwined with the Nine-Headed creature, working together—one man, one demon—to reshape the Heavenly Demon Body and extend his lifespan. But in Wanjing Cave, people kept coming in waves, making it impossible for him and Nine-Head to focus on cultivation.

Could this guy have detected Nine-Head's presence?

Hu Buwei looked at the smiling Chen Mu, his expression unchanged, but his heart involuntarily skipped a beat.

This guy had intercepted ten or more strands of Primordial Qi intended for Nine-Head—who could say he didn't have methods to sense its existence?

Spreading rumors to stir trouble for Hu Buwei—was it to draw more attention to him?

Waiting for him to slip up so they could use the Hundred Illusion Sect to eliminate both him and Nine-Head?

Hu Buwei's heart pounded heavily.

Sly! Insidious! Too sly!

"The Outer Heaven Battlefield is also called the Heavenly Star Battlefield. You'll see its location clearly if you look up at night." He struggled to maintain his composure as he replied.

Look up at night?

Does he mean the twinkling night stars?

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow.

From the name "Heavenly Star Battlefield," Chen Mu had long suspected something. But now that his guesses were confirmed, he couldn't help but be startled.

The heavenly stars, so distant—Chen Mu had never thought demons would be causing trouble on those points of light hanging above.

But what was going on with this shriveled old man before him?

Compared to two months prior, his life's rhythm seemed completely transformed, as if he were a different person.

The familiar sense of déjà vu he'd felt back then had entirely vanished.

This old man evidently had something amiss.

Feigning nonchalance, Chen Mu glanced at Hu Buwei.

And then he noticed that the old man, who appeared calm and detached, was secretly observing him as well!

The two suspicious characters locked eyes, hearts simultaneously jolting.

This is bad!

Then, as if synchronized, they both broke into perfectly genuine fake smiles.

"Elder Hu, I'd like to purchase the 'Demon and Demon Map Supplement.' Could you please give me a proper Jade Slip of the full map?" Chen Mu said politely, handing Hu Buwei a Black Leather Scroll.

"Let me clarify—this map is three decades old and should only be used for reference." Hu Buwei skillfully retrieved a long wooden box from under the counter and added with apparent concern, "As for whether these demons are still causing havoc in the heavens, no one can say for sure."

"There isn't a more up-to-date version?" Chen Mu asked in surprise.

"The Demon Map changes every three years in the Thousand Mechanisms Sect. Buying every update comes at a significant cost in Daoist Cultivation resources!"

"Your Hundred Illusion Sect sends people to the Thousand Mechanisms Sect to act as butchers—it only requires the Demon Dispel Skill to begin with. The rest, truthfully, isn't necessary to know." Hu Buwei patiently explained.

So stingy!

They couldn't even afford updated textbooks—how could one expect to train competent Daoist Soldiers this way?

No wonder the Hundred Illusion Sect ranked dead last among the ninety-nine sects in Hai Province. Even the lower-grade sect Taoshan Temple, also based in southwest Hai Province, dared to coax away Hundred Illusion Sect Daoist Soldier apprentices, wreaking havoc from time to time.

"Thirty-seven pieces of White Jade, fair price, what do you say?"

"I'll take it—having some references is still better than groping around in complete darkness." Paying for the White Jade, Chen Mu made a slight gesture of respect before quickly leaving Wanjing Cave.

After walking a short distance, he glanced back at the dark entrance and couldn't help but shake his head.

No way he could return to Wanjing Cave after this.

Although he wasn't afraid of this elderly Qi Refining cultivator near the end of his days, avoiding unnecessary trouble was always preferable.

Fortunately, it would only be another two months before he could sign the Daoist Soldier Contract and leave the Hundred Illusion Sect.

Chen Mu could only hope that during this period, the old man wouldn't cause any mischief.

Otherwise...

...

Day by day, the weather warmed.

Chen Mu stayed inside his cliffside Cave Mansion almost all day, rarely stepping out.

He deliberately released the Vermilion Feather Sword to monitor Hu Buwei for several days and was reassured to find the man constantly seated in the Wanjing Cave without any unusual actions.

"No matter what scheme this old man has, as long as he doesn't interfere with my joining the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, it's fine."

With that, he patiently waited while diligently attending to his own cultivation.

At times, he'd refine Primordial Qi and cold white mist to nurture his Heavenly Demon Body. Other times, he'd study the Secret Technique on his Gray Wall that he had yet to fully master.

In moments of leisure, he found enjoyment from the Jade Slips containing the Demon Map.

Compared to the Vice Strategy Scroll, the proper documents written with Xie Script included text, sound, and light—all compiled like a documentary for his relaxation.

During this period, Lu Han also summoned Daoist Soldier apprentices for two gatherings.

One purpose was to introduce the Heavenly Star Battlefield and detail matters regarding contract signing. The other was to have the apprentices rehearse survival-focused Secret Techniques, such as the Sealing Demon Curse.

Many apprentices who had passed the assessments took the opportunity to propose alliances, hoping for mutual support once in Outer Heaven.

Some even tried to recruit Chen Mu, but he always declined with a polite smile.

Such alliances sounded unbelievably messy—ten people could form twelve fragmented groups. He had no intention of getting involved.

Each time a rehearsal ended, he'd instantly return to his Cave Mansion.

Shortly after the gatherings, Chen Mu began seriously considering the Daoist Soldier Contracts.

After much comparison, he finally chose the Jia Character Contract.

Although the one-to-nine profit split was exploitative, this contract had the shortest service term among all four options.

Becoming a Daoist Soldier was only a means for Chen Mu to gain entry into the Thousand Mechanisms Sect.

Once inside, he'd simply need to keep his eyes open and opportunities to acquire Secret Techniques were bound to appear.

Being bound to others for ten years was already a long commitment.

Besides, if ten years proved insufficient, he could always sign another contract when necessary. Locking himself into decades of servitude right from the beginning was unwise.

As time flew by, the contract signing day finally arrived.

...

That morning, as the sun rose, over a hundred Daoist Soldier apprentices gathered at Qingqiu Palace's gates.

In the open space paved with blue stone slabs in front of the grand hall, stood a pitch-black square cauldron.

The Sect Master of the Hundred Illusion Sect, Zheng Bailian, faced south and stood in front of the cauldron.

With his right hand's index and middle fingers upright before his chest, he closed his eyes and continuously recited the Pure Yang Spell.

Ripple after ripple of invisible energy spread outward from him, gently pushing fallen leaves to the edges of the area.

At a certain moment, the stars that had vanished from the sky suddenly began to shimmer brightly.

An immense, unseen power abruptly appeared overhead.

The sparse thin clouds were immediately scattered.

Even the dense fog that had long shrouded Qingqiu Mountain was swept far away by the invisible force to the distant horizon.

The sky above Qingqiu Mountain became extraordinarily clear and bright, like it had been washed clean.

Zheng Bailian exhaled deeply and respectfully bowed toward the heavens, "We humbly invite Pure Yang Daoist Ancestor!"

Boom!

Within the square cauldron, a cluster of transparent flames streaked with golden threads suddenly appeared.

The flames flickered gently, yet emitted no trace of heat.

"Proceed forward swiftly to submit your contracts!" Zheng Bailian announced solemnly.

The Daoist Soldier apprentices standing behind Zheng Bailian immediately stepped forward in their prearranged order, placing one gilded Jade Slip after another into the flames.

Chen Mu mingled among the crowd and moved forward in turn.

Holding a Jade Slip the length of his forearm, it was the Jia Character Contract he'd prepared.

The slip inscribed in Xie Script clearly detailed the contract's specifics, already infused with sufficient mana, bearing his true name.

All that remained was submitting the contract for witnessing by the Pure Yang Daoist Ancestor's power, thus finalizing the process.

As the orderly submission continued, Chen Mu soon arrived at his turn. Following the others, he tossed his Jade Slip into the square cauldron.

The gold-inlaid Jade Slip hovered within the flames, turning into wisps of green smoke that floated upward after a few moments.

Suddenly, an indifferent and unfeeling gaze emerged from the colorless fire.

Chen Mu froze entirely, feeling as though he were a lowly creature at the foot of a towering mountain, suddenly being scrutinized by a colossal, sky-covering entity.

Was there truly a gaze from the Pure Yang Daoist Ancestor within these flames?

Could such an ancient and unfathomable being actually lower itself to observe a nobody like him?

Or, possibly, the Daoist Ancestor's boundless power manifested a Primordial Spirit automatically?

Mechanically, Chen Mu moved forward a few steps and only snapped back to attention after distancing himself seven or eight paces from the square cauldron.

Glancing at those who had previously submitted their contracts, he noticed their pale faces and couldn't help but feel relieved.

Clearly, the feeling of being a small being scrutinized by a giant wasn't unique to him.

"Such power... truly formidable." Chen Mu was filled with awe, yet a faint hint of yearning stirred within him.

But soon, his heart sank abruptly.

"Faced with forces descending from such beings, could the Nine-Life Tribulation Splitting Technique truly work?"

"This doesn't look good..."