Surprisingly Enough(NOT), Common Sense Is Overpowered in a Cliché Cultivation World

1.75 Dao of Gains~

“Next, we have ten small bottles of Bigu Pills. Each bottle contains ten pills. The price is three hundred spirit stones for all of them, or thirty per bottle. Moreover, with the addition of sweet lily extract, the flavor is guaranteed,” a masked man announced.

The surroundings were filled with similarly hooded figures, all seated in an orderly yet suspiciously secretive manner.

Hearing the announcement, most people remained quiet and indifferent. Bigu Pills were the most basic type of pill used to suppress hunger. While the added flavor was a nice touch, it was hardly enough to make them stand out in a saturated market.

“I’ll take five bottles.”

A hooded figure stepped forward without hesitation and completed the purchase.

After that, two more people made their moves, and before long, all the bottles were sold out.

“Finally…” Ning leaned back in his chair with a sigh of relief. Selling Bigu Pills in bulk was far more troublesome than expected.

The market for Bigu Pills was heavily saturated. Not only were there many people selling them cheaply, but some even added enhancements to improve both flavor and effect. Ning could only slowly sell off his stock by keeping prices low and adding minor flavor improvements.

Fortunately, his ingredient costs were minimal since he grew them himself, so at least he managed to break even.

He turned to the man beside him. “Thank you, Brother Sui Feng. I managed to sell everything in one go.”

“It’s nothing,” Sui Feng replied with a smile. Then he glanced around and lowered his voice slightly. “Though I still haven’t gotten used to this kind of gathering. I don’t understand why the organizer insists on dressing everyone like this every time.”

Gatherings like this were quite common in the inner sect. Some were meant for socializing, others for exchanging treasures, and some required special identities. Others, like this one, were simply… eccentric.

There was nothing illegal about it.

It was just that the organizer had a very particular aesthetic, as one could see from the dress requirement.

From the outside, anyone unfamiliar with the situation would probably think this was some kind of cult meeting.

“It’s fine,” Ning said with a small smile. 

As a transmigrator, he had seen far stranger things. Dressing like a cult barely made it into his top five.

“Next, I have Image Recording Stones for sale. Two hundred spirit stones each,” another hooded figure announced.

Ning immediately straightened.

“Finally,” he muttered, standing up.

This was one of the main reasons he had come to this gathering.

Image Recording Stones could record a scene and replay it when infused with qi. They weren’t particularly rare, and each stone could only store a single recording at a time. Moreover, they were quite fragile, and this recording state could be easily interfered with by another pulse of spiritual qi.

So, the market for this type of stone was not that big. Most would prefer the advanced version of this stone, which was encoded with the relevant formation for far better performance.

For Ning, this image stone was enough for now. This was essentially a video recorder, and that made it quite useful.

Being able to review his own actions from another perspective would greatly improve his training.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward to make the purchase.

...

“As expected… professionals really are on a different level. I’m just a casual chef compared to this,” Ning said as he took another bite of the spiritually enhanced ice cream, aged with year-old ice. The cold sweetness and rich chocolate flavor instantly overwhelmed his taste buds.

Fatty Li scratched his head and grinned. “We couldn’t have done it without your foundational recipe, Brother Ning. Next, we’re planning to improve those ‘cake’ ideas you gave us.”

“That would be great. You’ve really put in a lot of hard work,” Ning replied with a nod. With this ice cream, I can butter up Master even more. Nice.

Fatty Li sighed, his expression turning a little downcast. “Alas, that’s about all I can do. I don’t have Brother Xiao Fan’s strength or your level of comprehension, Brother Ning. I’m thinking of trying to become a battle spiritual chef.”

Battle spiritual chefs were a special branch of spiritual chefs who used their dishes in combat. The meals they prepared could manifest phantoms of their ingredients, tigers, dragons, or other beasts, depending on the dish, and these phantoms would fight on their behalf. Their strength varied greatly depending on both the quality of the cuisine and the chef’s technique.

Ning had to admit, when he first heard of it, he found the concept pretty impressive. These guys were essentially summoning stands to battle it out.

“That’s the path I see for myself,” Fatty Li continued. “I’m not usually this negative, but I know my limits. As an outer sect disciple, my talent is pretty average compared to others. That’s why I didn’t even participate in the outer sect competition. I’m… aware of my situation.”

Ning blinked once as he listened.

“Fatty Li,” he said. "Let's fix that misunderstanding of yours."

...

Fatty Li still looked confused as he stood in the middle of the training field, scratching his head while staring at Ning.

“Brother Ning,” he said helplessly, “I still don’t understand. One moment we were talking about cooking, and the next moment you dragged me here to fight.”

Ning stretched his arms and rotated his shoulders as he prepared for combat.

“I told you,” he replied calmly, “it’s just a spar. We won’t use weapons or anything, just physique versus physique.”

Fatty Li blinked. “But I’ve never trained in body refinement.”

“That’s exactly why I want to try,” Ning said, finally stopping and looking at him with interest. “You have unusual strength. I noticed it before.”

Fatty Li laughed awkwardly. “Unusual? I just eat more than others…”

Ning only smiled. “We’ll see.”

Before Fatty Li could respond further, Ning stepped forward.

His movement was clean and direct, without any wasted motion. In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of Fatty Li, his fist driving forward.

Fatty Li instinctively raised his arm to block.

A dull thud echoed.

Fatty Li stumbled back, his expression changing instantly. “Oof!”

“That hurt?” Ning asked casually, already stepping in again.

Before Fatty Li could answer, another strike came.

Then another.

Ning’s attacks were built on precision. He did not overwhelm with brute force; instead, he pressed continuously, forcing Fatty Li to react again and again until an opening appeared.

Fatty Li found himself retreating without realizing it.

“Wait, Brother Ning, slow down!”

“Focus,” Ning replied calmly.

His fist struck Fatty Li’s shoulder, forcing him to stagger once more.

From the outside, it looked like complete suppression. Fatty Li could barely stabilize himself, let alone counterattack.

It made sense. Fatty Li’s cultivation had barely reached the fourth stage, while Ning was already at the sixth stage of Qi Condensation. Even though this fight focused on physique, the gap still showed.

Ning gave him no time to recover. He stepped forward again, his movements smooth and precise, and drove a controlled punch into Fatty Li’s ribs, knocking the breath out of him.

Before Fatty Li could react, Ning followed with a palm strike to the chest, then a shoulder check that sent him stumbling back once more.

Each movement was clean and efficient. There was no hesitation and no wasted motion.

“Is this all?” Ning asked calmly.

Fatty Li froze.

“I…” he started, but no words came out.

Ning pressed again. Fatty Li was not even fighting back anymore. He was simply enduring.

At last, Ning stopped.

He stood a few steps away and looked at him. “Why aren’t you fighting back?”

Fatty Li lowered his arms slowly. “I can’t win,” he said honestly. “You’re too strong.”

Ning stared at him for a moment, then shook his head slightly. “That’s not what I asked.”

Before Fatty Li could respond, Ning moved again. This time, his strike was heavier, slamming into Fatty Li’s shoulder and forcing him back so hard that his foot dug into the ground.

“Then fight,” Ning said.

Fatty Li looked up, stunned.

“Winning or losing doesn’t matter,” Ning continued. “If you don’t even try, then why are you standing here?”

Fatty Li clenched his fists. “I’m not like you,” he muttered. “I don’t have talent. I don’t have techniques. I just-”

“Stop.”

Ning’s voice cut him off sharply.

“You think you don’t have talent?” Ning stepped forward, the pressure in the air shifting. “Then what do you call this?”

He struck again.

This time, Fatty Li reacted instinctively and blocked. The impact echoed loudly, and his eyes widened as he took the blow head-on. It still hurt, but he held his ground.

“You blocked it,” Ning said. “Even though I’m not using qi to strengthen my body, I’ve already reached the marrow refining stage. My base strength alone is enough to punch through small trees.”

Another strike came, and this time Fatty Li raised his arm more firmly.

“You endured it,” Ning continued. “These strikes, even without any training.”

He looked directly at Fatty Li.

“When you grabbed me during the outer sect competition, I couldn’t shake you off easily even with my attainment in physical training."

Fatty Li froze.

“You think that’s normal?” Ning asked.

Silence followed. Fatty Li’s fingers trembled.

“You’re not weak,” Ning said. “You’re just holding back. I can feel that there is extraordinary talent within you.”

He stepped forward again and struck once more.

This time, Fatty Li did not retreat immediately. He caught the punch. It was not clean or skillful, but he stopped it.

“…I…” he muttered.

Ning’s eyes sharpened. “Good. Then show me.”

Fatty Li’s breathing grew heavier. Something stirred deep inside him, something hot and violent.

“I don’t know how,” he said.

“Then stop thinking,” Ning replied calmly. “Just fight. In most battles, instinct matters more than anything. And if what I suspect is right, you won’t have trouble with that.”

Hearing that, Fatty Li took a deep breath. His expression turned serious.

As a cultivator, how could he not yearn for strength? Especially seeing how far his friends had progressed. Moreover, he was facing someone like Ning, who possessed both extraordinary combat talent and skill in spiritual cooking.

Now, that same Ning was telling him he had untapped potential.

How could he not embrace it?

Something inside Fatty Li snapped.

“Then fine!” he shouted.

This time, he stepped forward instead of back. His fist shot out, still crude and unrefined, but filled with strength.

Ning met it head-on.

A deep boom echoed across the field as their fists collided.

For the first time, Ning slid back half a step.

Fatty Li’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I… I did that?”

Ning straightened and gave a faint smile. “Yes.”

That single word ignited something inside Fatty Li. His heart began to pound faster, and a surge of power rushed through his body. Steam rose visibly from his skin, and his muscles tightened as his entire frame grew heavier and denser.

“Brother Ning… something’s happening to me,” he said, his voice trembling. His body was filled with unimaginable strength.

“I know,” Ning replied. “Don’t stop. Keep fighting."

Fatty Li grinned. “Then let’s go!”

He charged forward again.

Each step cracked against the ground, and each punch carried overwhelming force. There was still no technique, no finesse, only raw, unrestrained strength.

Ning adjusted his stance and met him head-on.

This time, however, the fight was different.

Fatty Li’s strength was increasing explosively. Each clash grew heavier, his blows denser, as if his body was drawing out hidden reserves under pressure.

Ning deflected the attacks with experience and precision, but he could feel it clearly now.

Fatty Li had some kind of special physique or supernatural power.

It made sense. As the classic “fatty friend” of the protagonist, there was no way he would remain ordinary forever.

Another punch came.

This time, Ning truly felt the impact.

“As expected, Fatty Li… you really are something,” Ning said, striking back.

His own body refining cultivation had reached the marrow refining stage, where strength originated deep within the bones. Until now, he had not fully drawn upon that power, but facing Fatty Li, he had no choice.

This was also why he had initiated this spar.

In the cultivation world, the fastest way to grow was through battle.

And Fatty Li, right now, was the perfect opponent.

Fatty Li laughed. “I’m starting to get the hang of this!”

“Then do your best,” Ning replied.

He stepped forward again, his stance lowering, his movements becoming sharper and more refined.

Fatty Li charged again.

This time, Ning no longer clashed directly. He redirected the force, struck at key points, and disrupted Fatty Li’s rhythm with precision.

The fight intensified.

Fist met fist.

Body clashed against body.

Each impact echoed heavily across the training field.

Fatty Li fought like a raging beast, while Ning countered with skill and control.

As the battle dragged on, Fatty Li’s lack of endurance began to show. This was his first time fully tapping into his power, and his body could not keep up with the output.

Eventually, his movements slowed.

Ning stepped in and ended the exchange cleanly.

Fatty Li stood there, breathing heavily, steam rising from his body. The power slowly faded, leaving behind exhaustion and excitement.

“…That was incredible,” he said with a grin.

Ning lowered his hand. “You see now? You have talent. There’s no need to doubt yourself.”

Fatty Li nodded. “I do. I never thought I had this kind of potential.”

He clenched his fists again.

“That’s the fun of cultivation,” Ning said. “Discovering something new about yourself every day.”

Fatty Li looked at him gratefully. “I don’t know how to thank you, Brother Ning.”

Ning waved it off. “That’s what friends do. Next time, just bring more food. Spiritual dishes taste the best.”

He paused, then added, “Also, you should check whether you’ve awakened a special physique or supernatural ability.”

“Okay,” Fatty Li nodded seriously. He knew that changes in his body was clearly not normal as well.

“Oh, and take these.” Ning pulled out several pieces of training equipment. “I have some spare equipment. You can use them.”

“Isn’t this too much?” Fatty Li asked.

“Not really,” Ning said. “Consider it an investment in your talent.”

He looked at Fatty Li and added firmly, “And next time you feel down, remember this: there is only weight, and those too weak to lift it. You are not one of them.”

“Brother Ning…” Fatty Li’s eyes trembled with emotion. “If you believe in me, then I will do it.”

“That’s the spirit.” Ning handed him a few manuals. “Start with these.”

As he watched Fatty Li leave, Ning smiled faintly.

Having introduced someone to the Dao of Gains, he felt that this day was quite satisfying indeed.

...

Soul Ferrying Scripture.

The Soul Ferrying Scripture was a special technique Ning had been trying to complete. After three months, he had finally made some progress.

It was a rather unusual technique. It had only a single realm, not divided into stages like “starting” or “great accomplishment.”

This was something Ning only realized after studying it more deeply. As his understanding grew, his panel, shaped by his own comprehension, also changed.

[Soul Ferrying Scripture: (10/10000)]

With this technique, one could ferry the souls of the dead, or those filled with resentment, toward the afterlife. It was a profound Buddhist art originating from the Western Desert, where such teachings flourished.

At first glance, one might expect Ning to shift his focus to other techniques, especially now that he had acquired one that could help with his breakthrough.

But that was not the case.

Besides its special effectiveness against souls, this technique could also help one accumulate merit.

Cultivators who accumulated merit were said to experience fewer calamities, encounter more fortuitous opportunities, and even gain subtle protection against curses, karmic backlash, and techniques that targeted the soul.

Some ancient records even spoke of great Buddhist cultivators who relied on merit to neutralize tribulations, turning what should have been fatal disasters into mere inconveniences. Others used merit to stabilize their foundation, cleanse negative karma, or enhance breakthroughs at critical moments.

Of course, to achieve such effects, one would need to accumulate an enormous amount of merit, often by saving countless souls. Nonetheless, this technique was at least a starting point.

“But… I’m stuck,” Ning muttered.

He had not been able to successfully activate the technique even once.

Not a single time.

No matter how perfectly he followed the method, nothing happened.

He eventually sought out his master, asking about his experience of failing to learn a technique despite applying his usual methods.

In response, she gave a surprisingly simple answer.

In her words:

“You think too logically. You keep trying to break everything into structure and make it behave. That works for most things, but not for all techniques. Sometimes you just have to follow your instincts, go more bam and whoosh. Not everything runs on logic. You need to align your state of mind.”

That left Ning thinking.

What was comprehension, exactly?

At first, he had always treated it as understanding, something built through study, repetition, and analysis. If he could break a technique into parts, understand each function, and reconstruct it efficiently, then he had “comprehended” it.

That was how he had progressed so quickly.

But now, that definition felt incomplete.

Comprehension was not merely knowing how something worked.

It was aligning oneself with the intent behind it.

In this world, techniques were not just instructions. They were expressions of thought, fragments of a cultivator’s worldview embedded into form. When one practiced a technique, they were not simply executing steps; they were, in a sense, following the same line of thought as its creator.

If one’s mindset aligned, comprehension came naturally.

If it did not, then no matter how perfect the execution, it would remain hollow.

Ning’s strength had always been clarity.

He approached everything in a structured, logical way. He analyzed, refined, and optimized.

But that same clarity came with a limitation.

He only accepted what could be defined, measured, and explained.

And the Soul Ferrying Scripture was not just simply controlling qi to ferry away the soul.

It talked about finding a spirit containing emptiness, a compassionate and clear heart, and understanding the weight of life.

It required a state of mind different from ordinary.

Those were not things that could be reduced to formulas.

They had to be felt.

In many xianxia teachings, there were phrases often repeated: clear heart, unfettered mind, a zen mind.

Each represented a different state of comprehension.

Each was a different way of seeing the world.

And ultimately, comprehension was about perspective.

The same perspective shaped understanding. Comprehension was simply put using one’s own understanding, everything they had built up until as base to learn more things.

Ning slowly exhaled.

“If I can learn this kind of comprehension, I can go even further."

Instead of being discouraged, Ning found himself even more interested.

...

Thanks for reading~