Chapter 173 - 149: Snake, Spirit Field, Loose Cultivator

Chapter 173: Chapter 149: Snake, Spirit Field, Loose Cultivator

Li Changsheng rubbed Xiaobai’s head, his expression suddenly turning grim.

「For three days.」

Yan Shaoyuan and Bai Shui had been deliberately avoiding him. Whenever he left his home, the two of them would meet up and disappear somewhere.

They didn’t even give him an opportunity to find an excuse to make trouble for them.

A cold sneer touched Li Changsheng’s lips. ’Heh, you can hide for a while, but I don’t believe you can hide for a lifetime!’

It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered letting Xiaohai and Little Wooden Head handle them.

But after much hesitation, he decided against it.

There was no other reason. With his current strength and status, he simply couldn’t handle the fallout from killing them.

And as for simply punishing them, it wasn’t worth exposing Xiaohai’s existence.

As long as the two of them were still in the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land, he had plenty of ways to deal with them.

After a moment of thought, Li Changsheng went downstairs, carrying the lazy Xiaobai in his arms.

He returned to his small courtyard before the sun had risen.

The cool, damp morning breeze brushed against his face, invigorating him.

Li Changsheng put down Xiaobai and walked over to Little Wooden Head, his gaze falling upon the green snake coiled around one of its branches.

After three days, the green snake’s body had grown somewhat dry and showed signs of shedding its skin. Otherwise, there were no other changes.

Through his magical connection via the Five Poison Refining Spirit Method, Li Changsheng could sense that its life force was contained deep within, but he couldn’t probe the specifics.

The Five Poison Refining Spirit Method was too low-level to detect such subtle changes.

However, one particular thing surprised him.

After being refined with the Five Poison Refining Spirit Method, the green snake was supposed to be a mere vessel for absorbing Spiritual Qi, without emotion, akin to a living magical tool.

Yet now, he could feel a faint will budding within the snake, struggling mightily under the suppression of the magical imprint.

’Is its awakening so slow because of the Five Poison Refining Spirit Method?’

Li Changsheng frowned.

He was finally beginning to understand why Tan Hu had said that while the Five Poison Refining Spirit Method could be practiced, he shouldn’t get too invested in it.

If any one of the Five Poisons died, the entire technique would be ruined.

In his current situation, by the time he cultivated a replacement to the point where it was usable, it would probably be of no use to him.

Furthermore, due to the suppression of the magical imprint, it was very difficult for the cultivated creatures to advance in rank.

It was a second-rate technique, suitable for Cultivators in the early and middle stages of Qi Cultivation.

A thought flashed through Li Changsheng’s mind. After a moment’s hesitation, he circulated his Spiritual Power into the channels of the Five Poison Refining Spirit Method.

Focusing on his connection to the green snake, he acted with a single thought.

CRACK...

A flash of blood-red light flickered across the green snake’s body, and the magical imprint within it slowly crumbled away, disappearing completely.

HUMMM...

The snake’s suppressed will expanded rapidly, and the Spiritual Qi floating in the air surged into its body.

Its previously dry skin gradually took on a withered, yellow hue.

’Just as I thought...’

Li Changsheng shook his head. After watching for a moment, he turned and walked into the kitchen.

The snake would need some time to shed its skin, and with Little Wooden Head watching over it, he didn’t need to worry about it escaping afterward.

Smoke slowly rose from the chimney, and the crisp sound of chopping vegetables echoed from the kitchen.

CHOP, CHOP, CHOP... Little Wooden Head seemed to enjoy this sound, its canopy swaying and tinkling.

「While he was busy... In the Central Hall of the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land.」

Jin Fang, Tan Hu, Ma Rong, and Ke Jing were seated, their eyes occasionally glancing outside the hall.

Just then, Ke Jing’s expression flickered. With a flip of his hand, he produced a Sound Transmission Jade Token and pressed it to his forehead.

A moment later.

Ke Jing put away the Sound Transmission Jade and shook his head at the other three. "Steward Feng has been delayed and won’t be able to return for the time being."

The other three, who had some inkling as to why, nodded slightly.

Ma Rong toyed with a jade-green Ruyi in his hand for a moment before speaking. "How are we to distribute the Spirit Fields the Lord Steward promised the Patrol Guards? Will they be large or small? Remote, or closer to the core?"

"Some of them have already come to me. We need to decide on a proper course of action."

Ke Jing rubbed his brow and shook his head. "I’ve had a few Patrol Guard captains come to me as well."

"According to them, not only do the Spirit Fields need to be near the core, but they also need to be contiguous."

He laughed in spite of himself. "They actually claimed it was to protect the Graded Spirit Fields from being harmed by Spirit Beasts."

"They’ve certainly planned this to their advantage."

Tan Hu crossed his arms and sneered. "They want to protect the Spirit Fields, don’t they? In that case, I think the Ungraded Spirit Fields on the very outskirts would be most suitable."

"Steward Tan is absolutely right."

Ma Rong nodded in agreement and said to the others, "Let’s not forget, this is something Steward Feng is giving to the Patrol Guards for free." He put special emphasis on the words "for free."

Ke Jing nodded without hesitation.

After a moment’s hesitation, Jin Fang also agreed.

In the end, the Patrol Guards were trying to snatch food right out of their mouths—and they wanted the best, freshest cuts, no less. There was no way they would agree.

The three of them discussed the location of the Spirit Fields for a while.

In the end, they decided to do just as Tan Hu said and allocate all the plots to the outermost areas where the Spiritual Qi was sparse.

After concluding their discussion, the group began to discuss the settlement and management of the upcoming Loose Cultivators, as well as the prices to charge for Spirit Fields.

Since their own interests were at stake, they discussed these matters in great detail.

「An hour later.」

All four of them wore satisfied smiles.

Ma Rong’s eyes flickered as he asked, "By the way, what arrangements were made for the Spirit Plant Masters from Ten Thousand Serpent Lake whose Spirit Fields were destroyed?"

Tan Hu shot him a quizzical look but said nothing.

Jin Fang, however, didn’t think much of it and replied, "Xu Li was given another three mu of Spirit Fields. As for Dong Xing and Fang Fan, because they were abducted by the Power Demon Sect, their Spirit Fields were forfeit, and their families were compensated with some Spirit Stones."

Ma Rong nodded slightly. Just as he was about to say something...

Ke Jing suddenly interjected, "What about the new Spirit Plant Masters, Yan Shaoyuan and Hao Yuegui? Should they also be granted three mu of Spirit Fields?"

The other three looked at him at once, their expressions strange.

For a moment, no one spoke up to refuse, nor did anyone nod in agreement.

Ke Jing chuckled. "It’s only a few mu of Spirit Fields. I’m sure even Steward Feng would agree."

Tan Hu hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I think that’s acceptable." Since both of them were Li Changsheng’s subordinates, he was willing to curry some favor.

After some thought, Ma Rong and Jin Fang also nodded in agreement.

Joy appeared in Ke Jing’s eyes. He cupped his hands in thanks and fell silent.

Seeing his pleased expression, the other three exchanged strange glances.

Ma Rong collected himself and said with a smile, "Since Dong Xing and Fang Fan met with misfortune, I think we should compensate their families with the Spirit Fields that were promised to them. That way, when the others from Ten Thousand Serpent Lake find out, they’ll feel more secure, won’t they?"

As soon as he said this, Tan Hu had a realization. ’He’s probably only saying this because of Li Changsheng,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, he has no ties to Dong Xing or Fang Fan, so why would he speak up for them?’

Once he understood, he immediately chimed in, "I think that’s an excellent idea."

Jin Fang frowned, feeling reluctant.

They had already promised six mu of High-grade Spirit Fields to Yan Shaoyuan and Hao Yuegui. If they agreed to this, it would mean giving away another six mu of High-grade Spirit Fields.

The Ring Mountain Spiritual Land of today was not what it once was; less than six hundred mu of Spirit Fields remained.

Furthermore, since the Power Demon Sect had destroyed mostly High-grade Spirit Fields, their number, which had once been the majority, had now dwindled to less than two hundred mu.

Ke Jing, however, waved his hand dismissively. "There’s no need to waste Spirit Fields on two people who are as good as dead."

The refusal in his tone was obvious.

Ma Rong frowned. Just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed.

"We can discuss this later. The airships carrying the Loose Cultivators must have arrived."

Jin Fang stood up, shook his head, and strode out the door.

The other three followed close behind.

Sure enough, just as the three of them stepped out of the great hall, they saw three multi-decked airships, each dozens of meters long, hovering in mid-air. Heads poked out over the railings.

They were men and women of all ages, and their faces were filled with excitement.

In the distance, Cultivators from the Patrol Guard were hurrying over.

Soon, the airships descended onto the plaza outside the Central Hall.

As the protective barrier dissolved into motes of light, a wave of noise erupted from the ships.

"This is a Spiritual Land, all right! The Spiritual Qi is so dense—more than twice as thick as on the Outer Peaks!"

"This is great! After cultivating in this Spiritual Land for three years, I’ll definitely be able to break through the early Qi Cultivation bottleneck."

"These Spirit Fields are incredible!"

"Are those Tier One High-grade Spirit Medicines? Bone Refining Flowers? And Purple Heart Plums, Blood Marrow Rice..."

"Heavens, how many Spirit Stones must all that be worth!"

"..."

The Loose Cultivators hadn’t even disembarked yet, but seeing the vast stretches of Spirit Fields in the distance, they couldn’t help but exclaim in excitement, their emotions running wild.

Just then.

From one of the airships, a man with a gaunt face and sharp eyes emerged from the cabin and leaped to the top of the mast.

Immediately, an immense pressure came crashing down.

The crowd of Loose Cultivators felt as though they were carrying a small mountain on their backs; their bodies instantly hunched over, and some even collapsed flat on the deck.

Instantly, the clamor ceased. Not another sound was heard.

Mongol Yuan scanned the crowd and barked, "Disembark!"

At his word, the crowd stirred for a moment.

With their heads bowed, they were organized by a group of disciples in the uniform of the Cyan Yang Sect’s outer sect and disembarked, lining up in an orderly fashion on the plaza.

Once all the Loose Cultivators and the accompanying outer sect disciples had disembarked.

Mongol Yuan leaped down and approached Jin Fang and the other three stewards.

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

Mongol Yuan took out a register with the Loose Cultivators’ information, handed it to them, and immediately returned to the airship.

HUMMM...

As a wave of Spiritual Pressure spread out, the airship’s surface flickered with spiritual light. It slowly began to rise, then transformed into an Escape Light and vanished into the sky.

Aboard one of the airships.

A burly man slowly emerged from the cabin. He looked down at the vast mountains and rivers below and sighed softly, "Are you dead? Or in the middle of a breakthrough?"

"I hope you’re still alive."

He shook his head with a chuckle. "If you failed to reach the Dao Foundation, then next year, I’ll have to take a good long walk up the Ten Thousand Souls Ladder and see if I can find you."

When the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land was no longer in sight, the burly man smiled and returned to his cabin.

「Back at the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land, in front of the Central Hall.」

Among the many outer sect disciples who had arrived with the ships, a slender young man finished helping organize the Loose Cultivators. He said a few words to his fellow disciples who were standing watch, then turned and walked toward the Central Hall.

Soon, he came to a stop not far from Jin Fang and the others.

When Ma Rong saw him, his eyes lit up, and he beckoned him over.

The young man hurried to his side, bowed, and said, "Ma An greets Granduncle."

Ma Rong nodded. "You may rise." Then he asked, "What of the task I gave you?"

Hearing this, Ma An produced two letters with a flip of his hand and presented them respectfully. "Granduncle, these are the letters from Elder Li’s home."