[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult":3,"chapter-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-84":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Don't Mock the Poor Old Man: Gains a Year of Cultivation Every Day!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2312576,4520,"Chapter 84: One Battle, Instant Fame! Tributes Pour In from All Directions!","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-84",84,"\u003Cp>Cao Ying’s scream was shrill and piercing, causing all the inner-disciple students inside the hall who were selecting missions to turn their heads in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they saw the sack on the ground and the several severed heads rolling out, their faces turned ashen, and gasps of shock rose one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My god...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That sack is full of heads!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This... this is just too...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were all these brought back by that Elder...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the students cried out in shock, they couldn’t help but crowd closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying was nearly terrified into numbness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She herself was mediocre in strength, not even outstanding among Qi-Condensation cultivators; she had only been transferred here as an administrator due to some connection with an Elder in the Duty Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And here, she had always handled clerical work, daily dealing with scrolls and mission requests, rarely encountering such bloody scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When others completed anti-bandit missions, they either brought back the bandits alive or returned their intact corpses as proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would ever do what Elder Jiang did—pack the heads into a giant sack and carry them back?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying covered her mouth with both hands; her once-fair face was now as pale as paper, her eyes filled with disbelief and horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had read the Black Wind Fortress dossier several times; the portraits of those bandit leaders were etched into her memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the instant she recognized the heads, she realized in shock—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Wind Fortress had truly been wiped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those bandits who had driven previous Elders to failure, those long-standing poisons entrenched on Black Pine Mountain, were truly finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially these heads, their faces frozen in the grotesque terror of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could only imagine what they had endured before dying...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying stared at Jiang Ye, at that old man whose expression remained calm, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply could not imagine that this seemingly withered old man possessed such terrifying power and methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye looked at Cao Ying, her face pale with shock, and shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl’s mental fortitude was truly lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her still dazed, Jiang Ye cleared his throat and said, “Check it over. If everything’s correct, transfer the contribution points to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed those points to exchange for the True Fire Eye Refinement Art in the Scripture Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah... oh! Sorry, Elder Jiang, hand me your token—I’ll process it for you right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying snapped out of her daze, took the token from Jiang Ye, and opened the dossier to verify and cancel the mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inner-disciple students who had gathered finally recognized the faces of the severed heads; someone cried out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heavens!!! These are the heads of the Black Wind Fortress leaders—they’re all here...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the other students froze in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping out the Black Wind Fortress was one of the more notorious missions in the Duty Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because the reward was high, but because it was too difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those Qi-Condensation bandit leaders worked in perfect sync, and with the terrain’s natural defenses, several Golden Core Elders had failed to complete it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, those bandit leaders who had plagued the Elders lay silently in the sack, eyes still wide open in death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless eyes unconsciously fixed on Jiang Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes held shock, reverence, and unmistakable curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who exactly was this elderly man with white hair and unfamiliar face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye ignored all the stares, standing quietly in place, waiting for Cao Ying to finish the paperwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Jiang, the information has been verified. I’ve transferred twenty thousand contribution points into your token.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying rose respectfully, holding the token out with both hands to Jiang Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye nodded slightly, took the token, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Jiang...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying watched Jiang Ye’s retreating figure, her heart still unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inner-disciple students, seeing Jiang Ye leave the Duty Hall, gathered courage and crowded around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They surrounded Cao Ying, chattering excitedly, asking about the identity of this mysterious Elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Juding Peak, Scripture Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye stepped inside; the first floor remained dim, a few oil lamps flickering in the corners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eccentric Elder Zhong still sat behind his desk, reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was deeply absorbed, seemingly unaware anyone had entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye stepped forward slowly, about to speak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Zhong...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the words left his lips, Elder Zhong snapped his head up, his cloudy eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at Jiang Ye: “You... you succeeded?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His aged face wore an extraordinary expression—shock, envy, and mostly confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye knew he meant the Great Sun Heavenly Flame Qi Cultivation Art; he nodded calmly. “Lucky enough to have mastered it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucky?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhong gave a faint smile, one laced with hidden meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at Jiang Ye for a long while before speaking slowly, his voice hoarse and drawn out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never would’ve guessed... you’re actually a genius.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then pulled out several ancient bronze coins from his robe and laid them in a straight line on the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rare indeed! Let this old man cast a divination for you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cloudy eyes fixed on the coins, muttering incantations under his breath, as if calculating something obscure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye couldn’t decipher the omen, so he stood quietly to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Elder Zhong stared at the coins thoughtfully; his usually stern face unexpectedly broke into a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So... it’s withered wood meeting spring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He offered no explanation of the omen’s meaning, ignored Jiang Ye’s confusion, simply tucked the coins away, and asked, “So, what are you here to exchange this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye didn’t press further; he said firmly, “Elder Zhong, I wish to exchange for the True Fire Eye Refinement Art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got good taste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhong gave Jiang Ye a knowing, amused look, then said, “Hand me your token. I’ll fetch it for you upstairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye handed over his token, then asked curiously, “Why can’t I go up myself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhong took the token, raised his head, and smiled wryly: “Without the Sect Master’s written order, if you climb to the third floor on your own, I can kill you on the spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added with a touch of malicious amusement: “Don’t believe me? Go ahead and try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Yueyao had never mentioned this rule; he hadn’t realized climbing to the third floor required the Sect Master’s authorization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Scripture Hall’s rules were far stricter than he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhong paid him no further attention, turned, and walked toward the stairs. His pace was unhurried; his figure soon vanished into the dim corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About half a cup of tea later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhong slowly descended the stairs, holding a crimson-bound scripture in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t glance at Jiang Ye, walked straight to the small room behind the desk, the door slightly ajar, faint rustling sounds coming from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, he pushed the door open, now holding a copy instead—the paper slightly yellowed but well-preserved, the cover bearing the same title, “True Fire Eye Refinement Art,” though the ink was faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zhong returned both the copy and the token, his tone as flat as ever, revealing no emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye took the copy, his eyes brightening slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely the characters on the cover radiated heat, as if flames danced upon the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately bowed to Elder Zhong: “Thank you, Elder Zhong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’re also an old man...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Elder Zhong’s hoarse voice drifted out, slow and casual, like idle chatter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you one piece of advice. If you don’t want to blind yourself, use Azure Spirit Liquid to protect your eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye froze mid-step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azure Spirit Liquid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered Gongsun Hong mentioning it was an internal tonic, aiding cultivation and healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had Elder Zhong turned it into an external application?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned back, staring at the old man now bent over his book again, his eyes filled with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Elder Zhong seemed to have said all he would; he had returned to his absorbed state, eyes glued to the page, ignoring Jiang Ye entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye stood still for a moment, seeing no further reaction, shook his head slightly, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the oil lamp still flickered, casting Elder Zhong’s hunched shadow long against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to sense Jiang Ye’s departure; a faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Withered wood meets spring... intriguing...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Jiang Ye returned to the Tianyangfeng herb garden, the sight before him made him pause slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the open space before the wooden hut, Lu Ming and Chen Lili stood with deep respect, as if they had been waiting for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions were more complex than before—beyond respect, there was now a clear trace of awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Jiang!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they spotted Jiang Ye, Lu Ming rushed forward, his round body moving with surprising agility that defied his size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panting heavily, his voice brimmed with excitement:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're finally back! Just now, several Golden Core Elders came to visit you!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of confusion in his eyes: \"Why would they come to visit me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an elder assigned to guard the herb garden, he should have been an obscure figure in the Tianqing Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, few even greeted him—why would anyone suddenly come calling today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Chen Lili also rushed forward, her beautiful eyes wide with astonishment as she exclaimed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Jiang, word of your destruction of the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold has spread throughout the Tianqing Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, drew a deep breath—as if it were necessary to steady her trembling heart—and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone is talking, saying you're a hidden master who wiped out over a hundred men from the Black Wind Stronghold all by yourself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ming nodded vigorously, his round face glowing with pride:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly! I bet if this keeps spreading, soon even the families in Fucheng will send envoys to pay their respects to you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming as if he could already see Jiang Ye rising as a rising star of the Tianqing Sect—and himself, as \"Elder Jiang's longtime acquaintance,\" riding the wave of glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Jiang Ye’s aged eyes flickered with a strange light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those bandits from the Black Wind Stronghold were nothing but a bunch of riffraff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five Qi Condensation cultivators, plus a hundred or so rabble—slaughtering them was no different from cutting grass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why make such a fuss over it?\u003C\u002Fp>",1765,"2026-06-20T12:57:27.461Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","06837e72c8aac3eec9298f78d0eb913bf56eff33ec2acc13d71c67e600741f44","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-85","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-83",268,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdon-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-cover.jpg"]