Chapter Nine: Even Cultivators Need to Use WeChat

During the meal, the manager returned, saying that the owner of Prosperity Restaurant had invited Chen Jin and Zhang Hui for a private dinner. Chen Jin saw no reason to refuse, and Zhang Hui seemed to have been waiting for this very moment.

The others stayed behind, continuing their eating and drinking, while the two followed the manager up to the third floor of Prosperity Restaurant. Both the second and third floors were reserved for private rooms, but the third floor required a week's advance reservation, whereas the second floor’s rooms could generally be booked at any time. This wasn’t because the third floor was always occupied, but rather because the ingredients for those rooms needed special preparation.

Chen Jin had only been to the third floor once before; he’d tried booking it a couple of times, but after waiting too long, he forgot about it. Prosperity Restaurant did call to remind him, but he was too busy and sent friends instead. Afterwards, he left for Rong City to study, and later worked there, barely returning; when he did come back to Xialu County, he was even busier.

When they reached the third floor, the manager excused himself, claiming he had other guests to attend to. The restaurant owner was not there.

“What do you want with me?” Chen Jin realized Zhang Hui wanted to speak with him alone.

“There are some things I need to clarify with you.” Zhang Hui said, taking out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and offered one to Chen Jin.

Chen Jin waved him off, indicating he didn’t smoke.

“Some things? What things?” Chen Jin asked, puzzled.

“Whose legacy did you inherit?” Zhang Hui lit a cigarette, exhaling softly, voice low amid the swirling smoke.

“What do you mean?” Chen Jin felt a sinking in his chest, understanding he’d been seen through, but he continued to feign ignorance.

“Your forehead is full, your eyes clear, your complexion radiant, your mind sharp—every sign shows your cultivation has achieved some results. I’d say you’ve already transformed your spirit into electricity.” Zhang Hui’s eyes, shrouded in smoke, suddenly flashed with an uncanny light.

As Zhang Hui gazed at him, Chen Jin felt as if his entire being was laid bare, unable to conceal any secrets. In truth, the effect was as much due to Zhang Hui’s words as to his gaze.

“I… When did you figure it out?” Since Zhang Hui had already exposed him, Chen Jin naturally admitted it.

“Just now. You should thank Qin Yang for cooperating—otherwise, I would have dealt with you tonight.” Zhang Hui flicked the ash from his cigarette.

Qin Yang was the manager who’d just brought them up.

“What do you want?” Chen Jin asked, frowning, muscles tense and ready to act.

Though the man before him seemed utterly confident, Chen Jin knew he must not back down.

“I was going to teach you a lesson, make you forget what happened. But then I realized you’d begun the path of cultivation, a fellow traveler. So I decided to test you, confirm it before making any decisions. Fortunately, you really are one of us.” Zhang Hui flicked his cigarette butt into the ashtray.

“So…”

“Let’s add each other on WeChat.” Zhang Hui interrupted Chen Jin’s hesitation by pulling out his phone.

Chen Jin stared at him in confusion as he produced his phone.

After scanning the QR code, Chen Jin and Zhang Hui became WeChat friends.

Ding…

Chen Jin was added to a group chat.

The group chat was named: “A Scene in Banana City You Cannot See.”

Ding…

A message popped up in the chat.

Eastern Sea Little Dragon: “A newcomer! So many new faces lately. Newcomer, send a red envelope first!”

“Ignore him,” Zhang Hui said.

“What is this?” Chen Jin asked, curious.

“Most of the people in here are cultivators,” Zhang Hui replied.

“One hundred sixty-seven?! That many? Just in Banana City?” Chen Jin checked the group’s member count, surprised.

“Cultivators in Banana City and its affiliated counties and cities,” Zhang Hui explained.

“Still, that’s a lot,” Chen Jin thought to himself.

“There are certainly more cultivators in Banana City than this. Some haven’t joined the group yet. And as the recovery of earthly energy accelerates, more people will embark on the path,” Zhang Hui said.

“The recovery of earthly energy?” Chen Jin asked, puzzled.

“Over five hundred years ago, the earth underwent a great upheaval, and the energy of heaven and earth slowly faded away. Cultivators gradually dwindled, and by two hundred years ago, they had completely vanished, leaving only a few traditions behind. Until three years ago, the earthly energy began to recover. I sensed it then and successfully practiced my family’s secret method, starting my cultivation journey,” Zhang Hui answered.

“And what did you mean by ‘spirit transformed into electricity’?” Chen Jin pressed.

“Spirit transformed into electricity is the beginning of cultivation—the prelude to refining essence into qi. Only with this transformation can the body absorb the essence from meat and grains, converting it into vital energy. This allows you to nourish the body, develop the spirit, extend lifespan, cast spells, and wield magical tools,” Zhang Hui explained.

“So this is a cultivation level?” Chen Jin asked.

“It can be considered as such, though according to ancient traditions, the stages are: Stabilizing Thought, Stabilizing Qi, Stabilizing Spirit, Gathering Soul, Yang Harmonization, Shedding the Mortal Shell, and after that, immortality.”

“But that’s the old method. The ancient way has long been lost, surviving only in fragments of old texts. Nowadays, most cultivation methods are those left behind from two hundred years ago, and the stages differ from the old ways.”

“Because the energy of heaven and earth was disappearing, the elders sought to escape dependence on it. Thus, the Golden Core method emerged, focusing on strengthening and refining, forming a golden core, reducing the need for earthly energy.”

“So the stages changed. Now they’re divided roughly into five phases: Refining Essence into Qi, Strengthening and Refining, Yellow Sprout Golden Core, Innate Spirit, and finally, Breaking Fate to Become Immortal.”

“Before refining essence into qi, there’s a stage called ‘Thought Births Electricity,’ which is what I mentioned earlier. Once you achieve this, you can control your body’s glands and muscles, strengthen yourself, and absorb the essence from food perfectly, laying the foundation for further stages.” Zhang Hui carefully explained the cultivation hierarchy.

Chen Jin listened intently. Thanks to his stabilized thought stage, his mental strength and memory were greatly enhanced, so everything Zhang Hui said was etched into his mind.

He now understood that his practice of the “White Emperor’s Profound Scripture” was the ancient method.

Still, he wasn’t clear on the differences between the old and new ways. Even with Zhang Hui’s explanation, the nuances couldn’t be summed up in a few words.

“By the way, two years ago, the state secretly established a Cultivator Association. There may be some major moves soon. Though we’re a world away from the capital, it’s best to stay cautious,” Zhang Hui added.

With these words, Zhang Hui patted Chen Jin’s shoulder and headed downstairs.

Chen Jin followed him with his gaze, just in time to meet the eyes of manager Qin Yang, who was standing on the second floor. Qin Yang gave him a meaningful smile; Chen Jin smiled back, and watched as Qin Yang weaved through the various private rooms.

Chen Jin couldn’t tell if Qin Yang was a cultivator, but judging by appearances, she was likely a hidden master. The depths of the world truly seemed unfathomable: the snack shop owner across the street was a cultivator, the manager of a restaurant was a cultivator, he’d joined a group chat of over a hundred cultivators—if he went to Beijing, would throwing a brick on Wangfujing Street hit seven or eight cultivators at once?

Chen Jin shook his head and went downstairs.

On the second floor, he returned to the private room and resumed enjoying the delicious meal.

By the time they finished, it was already nine-thirty. A group meal always took longer, since conversation consumed much time.

During the meal, Zhang Hui sent Chen Jin a WeChat message:

“The dishes at Prosperity Restaurant contain plenty of essence and little contamination. Regularly eating here helps with refining essence into qi.”

Chen Jin gratefully accepted this advice from his senior. After all, he could afford the restaurant’s prices.

At around nine forty-five, everyone finally left, and the cabs Chen Jin had booked took them home.

Chen Jin and Zhang Hui rode with Li Han back to the specialty store, since Chen Jin’s electric scooter was still parked there.

After some conversation, Chen Jin rode his scooter home, and Zhang Hui returned to his snack shop. Li Han wanted to have a heart-to-heart with Zhang Hui, but he refused.

Just as Chen Jin arrived home, his sister blocked him at the stairwell.

………