Ling Tian spent the next two days traversing the Scarred Earth Plateau. The land was barren and unforgiving. He relied heavily on small, calculated bursts of Primordial Chaos energy, sacrificing recovery speed for faster travel, knowing that prolonged exposure in the wilderness made him an easier target.
Finally, a cluster of rough, fortified stone buildings came into view, nestled within a small canyon: Jade Peak Mercenary Town.
A Town of Immortals
The air within the town was slightly cleaner, indicating a shallow, managed Immortal Qi vein beneath. The inhabitants were rough, scarred cultivators—mercenaries, bounty hunters, and resource prospectors. Everyone here was at least at the Early Immortal Foundation level.
Ling Tian, his appearance still that of a handsome youth, entered the main gate. His grey robes, though meticulously clean, clearly marked him as an outsider, attracting numerous cold, calculating stares.
He immediately sought the nearest tavern—a chaotic, loud establishment reeking of cheap wine and dried herbs. He sat in a dark corner, ordering the local equivalent of spiritual wine.
He listened. The noise was a torrent of vital information, delivered through coarse language.
"Did you hear? The Iron-Blooded Syndicate lost three patrol members near the Void Scar. Probably swallowed by a beast."
"Nah, it was the new boss, Ruan Hu. He's taking all the contracts near the Jade Vein."
"Stay clear of the Jade Lake Palace territories. They're getting stricter, executing prospectors for trespassing."
Ling Tian's interest piqued at the mention of the Jade Lake Palace—a name associated with a powerful, organized faction, hinting at the true powers of this realm.
Joining the Bladefang Mercenaries
Ling Tian needed a cover, information, and a safe channel to acquire high-grade herbs without attracting the attention of local alchemists—who would instantly notice the impossibility of his Pill God techniques.
He noticed a group of mercenaries with a distinctive, serrated fang emblem—the Bladefang Mercenaries—loudly arguing over a low-grade contract. They looked tough but disorganized, led by a burly man with thick, black stubble named Hu Lie.
Ling Tian approached their table, dropping a small pouch containing a few low-grade Immortal Crystals.
"I overheard your difficulty," Ling Tian said, his voice quiet but commanding the attention of the rough group. "You are short on manpower for the Jade Crystal Mine contract. I will fill the gap."
Hu Lie, the leader, glared up at Ling Tian, scoffing. "You? A pretty boy in soft robes, fresh off the boat? What's your cultivation level, kid? Late Foundation? You'll be useless against the Rock Lizards."
"I am a cultivator in the Early Immortal Foundation Realm," Ling Tian replied truthfully, suppressing the full power of his Core. "And my specialty is discretion and efficiency."
Hu Lie laughed, joined by his crew. "Discretion? In a mine? You mean you're good at running away!"
Ling Tian merely raised an eyebrow, a flicker of his accustomed cold sneer showing. He pulled out one of the pills he refined back in the Sky Cloud Sect—a Tier-7 Divine Longevity Pill—and casually placed it on the table.
The air in the tavern instantly thickened. Every seasoned cultivator recognized the aura of a supremely potent, high-tier pill.
"What... what is that?" stammered Hu Lie, his eyes wide with unconcealed greed and terror.
"A simple Tier-7 pill," Ling Tian lied easily, downplaying its true Divine grade. "I require no payment for the contract, only access to the mine's waste materials and the agreement that you stop asking pointless questions."
Hu Lie snatched the pill, analyzing it fiercely. Even if it were a mid-Tier-7 pill, it was worth more than a decade of his entire crew's income! He instantly changed his demeanor, bowing his head slightly.
"Welcome aboard, Brother Ling Tian," Hu Lie said, a strained respect in his voice. "The Bladefang Mercenaries gladly accept your unique talent. We leave for the Jade Crystal Mine tomorrow morning."
Ling Tian nodded, satisfied. He had secured his first foothold: a cover identity, a way to gather resources, and a point of entry into the dangerous life of the Nine Immortal Realms.