Master, What Dao Do You Cultivate?

Chapter 2: Imperial Jade Liquor

The lookout confirmed their identities before letting Ji Qinglin and his companion inside.

The massive warehouse was dimly lit, with Xin Dong Street Commerce Guild guards stationed around.

Most of the shop owners had already chosen their disciples and left, leaving only a few still chatting with the President.

Hearing the motorcycle, the remaining people turned to look.

"Qinglin, you're really late this time."

The man who spoke looked to be in his early fifties, dressed in a dark cyan Taoist robe. His carbon-fiber alloy arm shimmered under the light, golden dragon patterns engraved onto its surface. Instead of a right eye, he had a small red dot—a high-end laser eye that only true experts could recognize.

This was Lei Qiong, President of the Xin Dong Street Commerce Guild.

Ji Qinglin gave a nod and greeted him, "President, my apologies, I got delayed on the way. Why is the disciple acceptance ceremony being held in such a hidden place this time?"

Lei Qiong gestured toward a nearby iron door.

"You'll understand once you go inside. Everyone else has made their picks—whatever’s left is yours."Ji Qinglin had no idea what Lei Qiong was up to, but after greeting the other shop owners one by one, he walked toward the door.

He paid no mind to the encrypted messages the bosses were exchanging through the local network behind his back.

"That brat's here again. Young, good-looking, but thick-skinned as hell. Never takes in disciples, yet never misses a ceremony."

"A true freeloader master. Does he look like he can afford to take in disciples? He hasn’t even installed a proper cultivation suit himself. Barely at Foundation Stabilization Realm—he probably couldn’t even beat the receptionist at our hotel, yet he’s hogging a spot here."

"Forget it, at least he’s one of us. But I heard someone’s got their eye on his shop’s property..."

Ji Qinglin reached the door and pushed it open through his sleeve.

Inside stood more than thirty young men and women in blue-and-white striped uniforms, all wearing slender black collars around their necks.

At the sight of Ji Qinglin, they immediately stood at attention.

The blue-and-white stripes were the uniforms of light offenders in Bangkok’s prisons.

The black collars were tracking restraints used by the correctional system.

One glance was enough for Ji Qinglin to understand why this ceremony was so secretive.

Xin Dong Street must be struggling to recruit, or President Lei Qiong wouldn’t have sourced prisoners as potential disciples.

He had likely greased the right palms to pull out physically fit light offenders for selection.

After all, private prisons were easy to negotiate with—money solved everything.

And for these prisoners, the chance to be sponsored as a Qi Refiner by a corporation or commerce guild was a golden ticket to a new life.

After greeting him, the prisoners all stared eagerly, hoping for a chance.

Ji Qinglin, however, remained silent, scrutinizing them like an emperor selecting concubines.

The room was eerily quiet.

Everyone held their breath, trying to present their best selves.

Ji Qinglin was the last to arrive, and that meant he was their last chance.

He could almost hear their inner voices screaming:

"Pick me! Pick me! PICK ME!"

But their desperate gazes didn’t move him.

Sympathy alone wouldn’t save anyone here.

Seeing nothing particularly special, Ji Qinglin cleared his throat, assuming the posture of a mysterious expert.

"The path of cultivation depends on fate. Here’s what we’ll do—I’ll recite fragments from cultivation manuals, and whoever can continue the verse will prove their Dao heart is stronger, their roots purer. Perhaps we were meant to be master and disciple."

The prisoners were stunned.

All the other Elders had simply checked physical fitness or scanned their neural interfaces.

But this guy?

Way too random.

Still, they had no choice.

And seeing that Ji Qinglin was younger than the other Elders, and the last to arrive, some started wondering—

Could he be the most profound of them all?

Everyone waited in suspense for his so-called cultivation wisdom.

"Prosperity, democracy, civility..."

The prisoners stared, waiting for him to continue.

None were prepared to respond.

"May the Force be..."

The sudden language switch left even the ones ready to bullshit an answer completely lost.

Seeing both attempts fail, Ji Qinglin sighed and casually threw out a third line:

"Imperial Jade Liquor..."

"One hundred eighty per cup."

The voice was quiet, but in the silent room, it was clear as day.

Not just Ji Qinglin—everyone turned toward the source of the voice.

In the corner of the formation, stood a young girl.

Her face was smudged with dirt, making her features indistinct.

Her shoulder-length hair was unkempt, and her tall, slender frame was hidden beneath baggy prison clothes.

But even through the loose fabric, the curves suggested high potential.

With all eyes on her, the girl showed no fear—only raised her gaze to meet Ji Qinglin’s.

Ji Qinglin was surprised.

This method wasn’t scientific at all.

And it had never worked before.

Yet, he kept his expression neutral, maintaining his gentle smile as he walked toward her.

"How did you know that line?"

The girl’s response was crisp.

"Reporting to the Elder—I said it instinctively."

Her voice was light and clear, carrying a cool, composed tone—a perfect "mature woman" voice, without a hint of flattery.

Ji Qinglin thought to himself, Instinctively? Just muscle memory?

If she had no memories of the Old Era, then that explanation was hard to believe.

Was she lying?

Playing dumb—just like he had when he first arrived?

Since everyone was still watching, Ji Qinglin didn’t press further.

He simply nodded.

"Good. Come with me."

The girl hesitated briefly but followed him out.

Those left behind sighed in disappointment, having lost their final chance.

But Ji Qinglin knew President Lei Qiong would compensate them in some way.

Noticing that Ji Qinglin had actually picked someone, the remaining Elders gathered curiously.

When they saw it was a young girl, they exchanged knowing smirks.

"Tch. Looks like a total newbie without any cybernetic or cultivation implants. Seems like our Freeloader Master is after something else this time."

"Well, young men do have... high energy. It’s understandable."

"Damn, she’s actually pretty cute. How did I not notice her? That bastard got lucky..."

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing! Just saying that little perv’s Dao heart is impure."

President Lei Qiong examined the girl.

Clearly, she had never trained before.

The reason for sourcing prisoners was to provide Elders with a wider selection.

After all, not everyone’s body was suited for cultivation.

Finding one with natural talent was ideal.

But Ji Qinglin had picked a completely untrained girl?

Did this punk actually let his lower half do the thinking?

"Qinglin, is this your chosen disciple? Sure you don’t want to look again?"

"No need, President. Is there any paperwork I need to complete?"

Ji Qinglin’s tone was firm.

"Alright, I’ll handle the paperwork. Normally, the prison release fee is split between the master and the guild, but since this is your first disciple, I’ll cover your half."

Ji Qinglin immediately pocketed his wallet and shook his head.

"President, how could I possibly accept such generosity?!"

Not bothering with Ji Qinglin’s fake politeness, President Lei Qiong directly handed him the remote control for the tracking collar along with the girl’s information, giving a few words of caution:

"This batch of candidates has… special backgrounds. Be careful when teaching her before she officially becomes a disciple. Are you sure you can handle it? Want me to assign a disciple to help with her training? You do know… they might reinstate the last-place elimination system for disciples and shops this year…"

It was clear the President was genuinely concerned about Ji Qinglin’s ability—after all, he was still only at the Foundation Stabilization Realm.

"I appreciate your kindness, President, but I’d like to try on my own first. If I need help, I’ll report it immediately."

Since this involved the Old Era, it was best not to let others get involved.

Hearing this, Lei Qiong pulled Ji Qinglin aside for a private word.

"I heard someone’s trying to buy your shop?"

"President, your intel is sharp as ever. That’s true. But don’t worry—I have no intention of selling."

"If you do, you’d better watch out for Old Hu’s ghost coming for revenge. Do you need the Commerce Guild to step in and reject the offer for you?"

President Lei Qiong still looked out for the guild members like they were family.

"No need. I’ve already turned them down."

But Ji Qinglin wasn’t in the mood to explain further—his focus was entirely on the girl. After exchanging brief goodbyes, he left the warehouse with her.

Only then did he realize—the Qi Refiner from earlier had already ridden off.

It also looked like it had just rained.

Damn. Not much of a dignified master’s entrance.

"Ahem. The night rain is nice. Come, my soon-to-be disciple, let’s walk back together. I have some questions for you along the way."

In the girl’s mind, a crazed voice screamed: Damn it! Didn’t I say good-looking men can’t be trusted? He’s a broke-ass!

But her cool and composed voice countered: Shut up. At least he got us out of that hellhole.

"Yes."

She answered softly, pulled the Commerce Guild-issued coat tighter, and quickened her pace to follow Ji Qinglin.