Master, What Dao Do You Cultivate?

Chapter 22: One God, Four Saints, Nine Champions

Three days later, Ji Qinglin and his Disciple returned to Shen Bixin’s outer-street warehouse.

In the center of the underground medical room, inside a glass tank, a massive bundle of blood-red silk threads was soaking in liquid. It was about the size of a small backpack, looking as if someone had dumped a whole pot of spicy fire chicken noodles drenched in chili sauce into the water.

"This is the A-rank Cultivation Meridian Set taken from Sang Feng?"

It was Ji Qinglin’s first time seeing one in its complete form. Previously, at Celestial Dao Biotech’s official store, he had only seen display models.

And those were embedded inside silicone human models for demonstration purposes—convenient for installation guidance. Wrapped up like that, someone unfamiliar with them might even mistake them for inflatable dolls.

As she changed into surgical attire, Shen Bixin responded:

"Once the meridians are soaked in blood, this is what they look like."

"Where’s Sang Feng?"

"Are you asking about his organs or the rest of him?"

"Never mind."Yu Ye asked curiously,

"Dr. Shen, how do these advanced meridians integrate into the body?"

Ji Qinglin chuckled.

"You just swallow it all in one go."

"Ah!?"

Yu Ye's delicate eyebrows shot up in shock—until she saw Ji Qinglin unable to hold back his laughter.

"Master!"

Shen Bixin shot Ji Qinglin a glare before explaining,

"Don’t listen to that d*mn conman. In a moment, you’ll remove your clothes and lie face down on the surgical bed. I’ll perform a small operation on your spine, allowing these meridians to come into contact with your nerves and blood vessels. They will then automatically burrow into your original body’s meridian network, eventually being absorbed and replacing them."

"Will it take long?"

"No, high-end meridians integrate quickly. Normally, after sealing the incision with artificial skin, you should be able to get up by the afternoon. However, the process of strengthening your original muscles and bones will be slower. Are you ready?"

"Mm."

Seeing that Yu Ye was still a little nervous, Ji Qinglin pretended to follow her into the operating room.

"Need any help? I might not be good at surgery, but I am good at taking off clothes."

Shen Bixin raised her mechanical arm, pointing straight at the door.

"Wait outside."

"At least let me feel a little involved as the patient’s guardian—"

"Outside!"

But just before leading Yu Ye into the operating room, Shen Bixin turned back and said to Ji Qinglin,

"I also got some hidden assets from Sang Feng during interrogation. They’re in the cabinet outside—you can take some if you like."

"So generous?"

"You think I’m you?"

Opening the metal cabinet, Ji Qinglin didn’t see any cash or valuables—just a stack of photographs and a marked map of Bangkok.

Two locations were circled on the map—one was in Xindong Street’s Old Town, near the wasteland, while the other was in the Northern New District’s outer streets.

The photos showed detailed views of both locations, meaning Shen Bixin had already checked them out beforehand.

What she was offering him wasn’t treasure—it was Sang Feng’s two hidden safehouses.

Beneath the pictures were two unsigned property sale documents. Clearly, Sang Feng had thoroughly prepared his escape routes.

After all, a cunning rabbit has three burrows. He would never casually reveal these places to outsiders, meaning their security was likely quite good.

As Ji Qinglin flipped through the photos, he noted that the Northern New District safehouse was a hidden apartment unit with simple decor, appearing unremarkable.

The Xindong Street Old Town safehouse, however, was a small courtyard, close to the wasteland, filled with mechanical junk inside and out. The interior was barely clean.

It all seemed rather ordinary...

Wait a minute!

Staring at one of the Old Town courtyard photos, Ji Qinglin suddenly noticed a particular piece of junk inside the house.

It was a half-cylinder container filled with soil, with a small, dead tree inside—long gone before Sang Feng himself.

Most people wouldn’t think twice about it.

But Ji Qinglin couldn’t tear his eyes away.

It looked exactly like the pod he had awakened in.

Because he had once studied his own pod closely, Ji Qinglin was sure he wasn’t mistaken.

If this was indeed a pod, he had to investigate the Xindong Street Old Town safehouse.

There might be clues about his resurrection and the phone-binding mystery.

Finally, some leads.

About two hours later, Shen Bixin emerged from the operating room.

"So fast? No complications?"

"Everything went smoothly. Your Disciple is still under the effects of the medication. Wait a little before going in. Have you made your choice?"

Ji Qinglin picked up a photo and handed it over.

"I’ll take this one."

"I thought you’d pick Northern New District."

"The courtyard has a lot of old junk. Some of it might be worth selling."

"Suit yourself. The keys, contract, and map are all yours."

Shen Bixin had no interest in these things, so she didn’t ask further.

At noon, Yu Ye’s medication had worn off, and she was wheeled into the recovery room by the medical machine.

She was completely bare, wearing only a surgical gown. Since the incision was on her back, she had to lie face down—her chest pressing against the bed, nearly spilling out from the loose collar.

But her complexion looked good.

Ji Qinglin sat beside her, feeding her nutritional liquid, and asked,

"How do you feel? Still in pain?"

After taking a big sip, Yu Ye shook her head.

"No pain anymore, but it feels strange… like something is moving inside me. It’s like… a flower slowly blooming in my body."

Noticing how Yu Ye’s lower back was exposed where her gown had shifted, Ji Qinglin casually covered her up—then pinched her lightly.

"Ah~!"

Looking at Ji Qinglin with wide, slightly angry almond-shaped eyes, Yu Ye was utterly confused.

Ji Qinglin grinned.

"Nothing, just checking if the anesthetic has worn off yet."

Mad Ye: Does he think the anesthetic fried our brains?

"Master, I’m really curious about those top-tier experts you mentioned last time. Can you tell me about them? I want to know what the absolute best cultivators are like."

Ji Qinglin opened another nutritional liquid, stuck the straw into Yu Ye’s mouth, and replied,

"The peak of Qi Refiners is unanimously recognized as ‘One God, Four Saints, Nine Champions.’ But since they’re at the peak, we rarely get to see them. Below them, there are many Grandmaster-level Qi Refiners. I’ll tell you when we run into one. Today, we probably won’t have the time."

Hearing this, Yu Ye nearly choked.

"Cough, Master, are you leaving?"

Ji Qinglin nodded.

"You’ll be able to move around later. When that time comes, follow Dr. Shen to her Bixin Hall—the intelligent machines there will take good care of you. You can also start practicing beginner-level techniques, like Tiger Subduing Fist and Cloud Ladder Leap. But don’t be greedy—master one before moving on to the next. When I return, I’ll take you to buy higher-level techniques."

"Master, where are you going?"

"Seclusion."

"You’re not still mad about that day, are you? Disciple truly knows their mistake."

Ji Qinglin reached out and ruffled Yu Ye’s hair—her black locks were incredibly soft.

"What nonsense. Since you’re entering the Cultivation Tournament, you need to be fully prepared in advance. Don’t overthink things. I’ll be back in a few days. No slacking off—I’ll be checking your progress when I return."

"Alright… then please be safe."

Leaving behind a 50-yuan red bill, Ji Qinglin departed alone.

Yu Ye: I’m the one competing—why is Master going into seclusion?

Mad Ye: How would I know? Maybe he’s off killing someone to get you more cultivation components.

Yu Ye: "Huh!?"