Chương 36: 1.36 Is it wrong to write a novel in a novel?

Spirit Gathering Formation. Among all formations used by cultivators, this one was the bread-and-butter, the rice-and-lentils, the default option. Every cultivation stage had its own variations, but the core principle remained the same: funnel more spiritual energy into a fixed area so you could breathe it in, absorb it, and further your cultivation. Formations themselves were built from array patterns, the fundamental building blocks of the craft. A basic entry-level formation had one pattern.

Add another, and it leveled up like a Pokémon evolution, more power, more effect… and more spiritual stones consumed per day. A Spirit Gathering Formation contained four array patterns. Compared to cultivating in the Black Boar Forest, where spiritual energy drifted around like mist, this formation felt as if someone had opened a window straight into a miniature spiritual vortex. Ning placed the last carved stone into position.

The patterns glowed faintly, connecting one to another like taut threads being pulled into alignment.

"Feels good," Ning murmured with a small smile. After a full year in the outer sect, he had finally gotten the chance to use a proper formation. Feeling the dense spiritual energy gather around him, he couldn't help but feel truly alive. As far as Ning knew, a cultivator could survive on spiritual energy alone, so breathing this felt like inhaling fresh mountain air after living in a fog-choked valley. In truth, Ning had always been curious about formations.

Most of the sect's daily conveniences were powered by them. The lights, for example, used a Bright Illumination Array and were linked across the sect like a giant circuit. All of this intrigued him. In this world, where spiritual energy was the foundation of everything, formations were the primary method of shaping and manipulating it, tools that increased comfort, survival, and the overall sustainability of life. Of course, formations came with their own difficulties.

It was said that formation masters relied more on talent than anything else. If you didn't "get it," you truly didn't get it. Moreover, inheritances were very rare as well. Even so, Ning planned to delve into the subject later. That was one of the perks of being a cultivator: long life. As long as you survived, raised your cultivation, and didn't die to some random nonsense, you could eventually become a jack-of-all-trades. After arranging everything, Ning lit a stick of spiritual incense.

The gentle aroma smoothed out the last traces of restlessness in his mind. Then Ning sat down, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate....

"Elder, please take a look at this." Ning handed a book to Elder Shen, who was leisurely lounging around.

"Hmm?" Elder Shen glanced over, then took a closer look. The top book in the stack had several bold characters printed on the cover:"Senior Sister, Please Behave Yourself!"

"???" Elder Shen was intrigued by the title alone. Previously, when Ning had been in charge of managing the pavilion, he would sometimes bring "fun" books upon Elder Shen's request from the piles of confiscated literature. Elder Shen opened the book. Swish! As he flipped open the cover, he was greeted by an illustration. And despite not being truly R-rated, it was… dangerously close. The art was bold and suggestive without crossing the final line. Elder Shen coughed, staring at the illustration with great "focus."

Hmm, such precise understanding of what can be shown and what cannot… just enough to hook the reader without becoming crass.

"This illustration seems to have been drawn by a master," Elder Shen commented, turning to the next page. [Senior Sister invited me to Cave Mansion, using her identity to pressure me. Helpless, I could only agree. Who would have thought that when I opened the door and entered the courtyard, I would be greeted by a misty fog, making it difficult to see clearly. Just as I was puzzled, Senior Sister unexpectedly launched an attack on me from the shadows. This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Caught off guard, I fell into a trap. The attack was so treacherous that I had no choice but to fight back.] While Elder Shen was fully absorbed in the book, Ning casually munched on the potato chips he had brought. His purpose? Simple. He wanted to sell books for side income. Why books specifically? Because he had no choice. As a transmigrator, Ning knew a few ways to make money: "inventing" clever gadgets or proposing breakthrough ideas.

But his common sense prevented him from doing so. For example, even though Ning didn't know how to build a gun, he knew enough to guide weapon refiners into making one. It would be easy. But such a thing would inevitably threaten the interests of many groups. A mortal martial artist armed with such a weapon could kill early-stage Qi Condensation cultivators with ease. Mid-stage cultivators would be troublesome but still at risk. Only late-stage cultivators might evade using the spiritual sense.

A simple, easily mass-produced weapon capable of killing the most common class of cultivators? That spelled disaster. Call him paranoid, but Ning wasn't taking that gamble. Recent displays of petty behavior from cultivators only strengthened his resolve. Besides, most industries were already monopolized by clans or even the sect itself. Ning had not crossed any interests yet, which was why he lived such a peaceful life.

But if he began "inventing" too much, he might end up with trouble similar to what Xiao Fan faced. So, for now, he needed to lie low until he reached a higher realm. Not to mention, many of the things Ning knew of already had rough equivalents here. With the myriad professions in this world, even basic livelihood was well-covered. Thus, selling books, especially novels, was the safest option. They weren't spiritual manuals, merely entertainment. The risks were manageable if everything went according to plan.

Speaking of plans, Ning glanced at the engrossed elder, a sly smile forming on his face. Elder Shen was quite the fan of these "amusing" novels. As a cultivator whose strength had reached its limits, he indulged freely in mortal pleasures. Still, he would never visit the red-light establishments outside; instead, he vented his frustrations through books. Cultivators might pursue immortality, but they were not free from greed, anger, lust, passion, resentment, or desire, especially those with lower cultivation.

As Ning mused, Elder Shen continued reading attentively.

"So, Elder, what do you think the value of this book is?" Ning finally asked.

"Who wrote this? It's quite different from the usual books I read- no, confiscated from other disciples." Elder Shen corrected himself at the end. Ning's lips twitched at the blatant lie. Elder Shen wasn't exactly discreet about reading these kinds of books.

"It was me."

"You?" Elder Shen had suspected it, but hearing Ning admit it still shocked him.

"How do you know so much? Only the… experienced can write such things." He looked at Ning's innocent face, then at the scandalous book. The contrast almost made him doubt reality.

"Elder, art comes from imagination. With enough imagination and talent, one can write anything." Ning answered shamelessly.

"That makes sense. So, you want me to help you sell the books," Elder Shen said, quickly understanding his motive.

"Yes. The current market is full of obscure, flowery ancient books like'Flower Shadows Behind the Curtain' or'Spring in the Jade Tower'," Ning said.

"They're hard to understand, but easy to… interpret. They rely too much on imagination." Elder Shen nodded, then coughed.

"That's what I've heard as well." Ning pretended not to notice.

"Imagination takes mental effort. Senior cultivators with free time can afford it. But lower-level disciples? After a whole day of chores, they're exhausted. By evening, they just want to relax. Do you think they'd want to decipher metaphors and symbolism?"

"So your books use straightforward language and can directly satisfy the… spiritual needs of lower-level cultivators," Elder Shen summarized.

"Exactly." Elder Shen stroked his beard.

"The illustrations are superb, and the writing is polished. You've put in real effort." Ning smiled. Coming from a world where explicit content was banned, and creators often pushed the line without crossing it, this style was nothing new to him.

"So, are you here to show me your book, or is there something more?" Elder Shen asked, knowing Ning was always purpose-driven.

"Yes. I want Elder to help me publish this book and find someone to manage the distribution. We can split the profits," Ning said directly. In short, he wanted Elder Shen to be the face of the operation. Elder Shen might be poor, but he still had connections. With his status, no one would dare cheat him.

"You want me to stand at the forefront, especially for a book like this?" Elder Shen asked, amused.

"Elder, why do you think this genre has a market?" Ning said calmly.

"Outside the sect, Fireworks Tower costs dozens, sometimes hundreds, of spirit stones per visit. A single night could wipe out months of savings. And without enough spirit stones, cultivation resources, or female cultivators to accompany them, most men live in loneliness."

"People have desires, and pressure needs an outlet. That's why this market exists."

"And my book can satisfy their desires and excitement. Simply put, it's pleasurable!"

"Lying drunk in a beauty's lap, awakening as an immortal. Fantasies unattainable in real life can be fulfilled through fiction. Combined with the pressures of the real world… Elder, do you think my book is competitive?"

"Especially since sect disciples are advised not to release their primordial yang or dual cultivate. My book is practically a humanitarian service." Elder Shen stared at him.

"I've met people with thick skin, but your shamelessness truly has no limit." Ning remained unmoved. Being called shameless was nothing new. Opportunities went to those bold enough to speak and act.

"Also, Elder… please don't mention my name."

"Oh? So you know it's not exactly something to show off?" Elder Shen smirked.

"How could that be? I'm writing for the masses. Putting my name on it makes it seem too utilitarian," Ning replied with a straight face.

"Hahaha! I can't win against your thick skin. Fine, I'll handle the entire process and keep your identity hidden. As a disciple, your main focus should be cultivation. I'll take 20% of the profit, and 40% will go toward publishing and distribution. You can have the rest." Ning nodded. That was reasonable. Without Elder Shen's status, the whole operation would be vulnerable. Plus, marketing and logistics required connections he didn't have.

"To begin with," Elder Shen added with a perfectly straight face, "you need to prepare the remaining chapters and give them to me… for quality control." Quality control. Right.

"As expected of Elder, he truly cares about the well-being of the disciples. I will do my best," Ning replied seriously. With that, Ning took his leave, thinking: Now everything depends on how many gooners exist in the sect.... Thanks for reading~