Chapter 175 - 151: Rain

Chapter 175: Chapter 151: Rain

In the Spiritual Land, the Loose Cultivators weeded and tilled with fiery enthusiasm, motivating the Cyan Yang Sect’s Spirit Farmers to do the same. They began visiting the Spirit Fields at least twice a day, feeling lazy if they did any less.

Time passed, day by day.

Many changes took place in the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land.

During this time, the large ship came and went several more times, bringing the number of Loose Cultivators in the Spiritual Land to nearly two thousand.

Simple wooden huts sprang up one after another. With the arrival of the Loose Cultivators, the once somewhat empty Spiritual Land now pulsed with new vitality.

Neither the Loose Cultivators nor the Spirit Farmers had reached the realm of Fasting. Although they had brought plenty of rice, flour, oil, and salt, they couldn’t subsist on those alone.

Gradually, bolder Loose Cultivators began to team up and hunt for meat outside, bringing it back to the Spiritual Land to sell. Before long, a market, in its most rudimentary form, began to take shape.

The most commonly traded goods were grain and meat, followed by some crude medicinal pills, and a small number of talismanic farm tools and talismans.

Seeing this, the Patrol Guard stepped in. They dispatched a few disciples who unceremoniously took control of the market. While maintaining order, they also began collecting a small fee.

When Jin Fang and the others learned of this, they tacitly approved.

After all, with nearly two thousand Loose Cultivators, things could get messy if they weren’t kept under some control.

Although the Loose Cultivators grumbled, none dared to cause trouble in the face of the formidable Patrol Guard.

Of course, the Patrol Guard didn’t take over the market for nothing. Every day, they began posting a map in the center of the market showing the area within a hundred-li radius of the Spiritual Land. It clearly marked dangerous and safe zones, which could be seen at a glance.

This gesture greatly improved their image in the eyes of the Loose Cultivators who frequently ventured out of the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land, and the rest of the Loose Cultivators came to accept the arrangement.

And so, for the price of a map, the Patrol Guard brought the market under its control.

The profits weren’t substantial, however. The Loose Cultivators were new and mostly destitute, and the Cyan Yang Sect’s Spirit Farmers had their own pockets cleaned out after being ransacked by the Power Demon Sect.

For the time being, it was better than nothing.

「Ten Thousand Serpent Lake Island, the small courtyard on the peak.」

Li Changsheng was dozing on his recliner with his eyes closed. Curled up in his arms, Xiaobai was fast asleep.

In the courtyard, Xiaohua’s family of four lay in a row by the entrance, grunting softly.

A cool breeze rustled past, causing Little Wooden Head’s dark red leaves to sway and emit a crisp, chiming sound.

Gradually, the wind grew louder and more urgent, and the chiming of the leaves grew more frequent.

Li Changsheng slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the horizon.

The sky was a sheet of somber gray, so dark and heavy it felt as if it were about to collapse.

CRACK... A flash of brilliant white lightning tore across the sky, and heavy thunder rolled through the Spiritual Land.

Li Changsheng said softly, "The rain’s coming..."

No sooner had he spoken.

The dark clouds suddenly blazed, as if they had transformed into a sea of lightning.

RUMBLE...

PLOP...

A single drop of rain hit the dirt, and in the next instant, a torrential downpour followed, as if the very heavens were falling, blanketing everything in an instant.

GRUNT GRUNT...

Xiaohua and her family got to their feet in the courtyard, but instead of heading for their pen, they let the rain soak their coats.

The mischievous little one ran circles around the adults, squealing with delight. In no time, it was soaked to the bone, but it didn’t seem to mind at all, even rolling around in a muddy puddle.

Little Wooden Head’s emotions were as full of joy as the crisp chiming of its leaves. From the nest nestled in its branches, the Insect Mother even revealed the upper half of its body, letting out a rare, shrill cry.

"I haven’t seen rain this heavy in three years..."

A smile spread across Li Changsheng’s face as he stepped into the curtain of rain. He didn’t circulate his Spiritual Power to activate his robes, simply letting the downpour cascade over his head, knocking his hairpin askew and drenching his long hair and clothes.

YIP...

Xiaobai, jolted awake by the rain, gave a confused yip and began to squirm in his arms. Its fluffy fur was quickly matted down.

Li Changsheng held the little fox up and examined it, then burst out laughing. "I thought all your fluff just made you look chubby. Turns out, you’re actually fat!"

YIP YIP YIP... Xiaobai couldn’t understand his words but could sense his joy. It squinted its narrow eyes and wriggled, yipping happily.

"Hahaha..."

After playing for a while,

Li Changsheng returned to the covered walkway outside the house. He channeled Spiritual Power into his robes, and as the runes on the fabric glowed, a hazy mist of steam rose from him.

In an instant, Li Changsheng was completely dry, and so was Xiaobai. Its fur puffed up again, making the little fox look a full size larger and incredibly cute.

Li Changsheng stroked Xiaobai’s soft fur, his gaze falling on the curtain of rain and Xiaohua’s family rolling in the mud. His heart gradually filled with peace and tranquility.

Back on Miscellaneous Peak, an Array had kept the environment in a state of perpetual spring. It was pleasant at first, but over time, it had become monotonous.

He much preferred the natural cycle of four seasons to an endless spring.

Just then, a black shadow shot out from the nearby rain, streaking toward the small courtyard.

As the shadow neared, a rapid chiming suddenly erupted from within the courtyard, and the ground faintly trembled.

With a thought, Li Changsheng stopped Little Wooden Head.

The next instant,

THUD...

The black shadow landed heavily in the courtyard and quickly reached the wooden door. A faint aura of pressure washed over the area, accompanied by the thick stench of blood.

’A demon...’

Feeling this pressure, Li Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced toward Xiaohai and relaxed upon seeing it was unharmed.

He then turned his attention to the demon beast before him.

It was over ten feet long, with bluish-black fur. It had the shape of a leopard but with two tails. There were no injuries on its body, save for a single, thumb-sized bloody hole in the center of its forehead.

Li Changsheng didn’t recognize the species of demon beast. He put the corpse into his storage bag and, with a thought, intended to send Xiaohai back to the Spirit Field.

But an unwillingness surged from Xiaohai’s consciousness, followed by a wave of primal emotions: the thrill of the hunt, excitement, and aggression.

’So eager...’

Li Changsheng’s eyelid twitched. After a moment of hesitation, he agreed to let it leave the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land.

The instant he gave his mental command,

SWOOSH... Xiaohai’s figure flickered and plunged into the curtain of rain. In just a dozen breaths, the connection between them grew faint, and a moment later, it vanished completely.

Li Changsheng closed his eyes and focused his mind, sinking his consciousness into the Spirit Contract Space. He found the star representing Xiaohai and confirmed he could still sense its location and transmit messages before withdrawing.

’You’d better make me proud. Let’s hope your next evolution isn’t too much of a hassle...’

Li Changsheng rubbed Xiaobai’s head, muttering to himself, then activated the runes on his robes and stepped into the kitchen.

In no time, a flash of golden light flickered from within the kitchen, followed by the thick, coppery scent of blood.

「Meanwhile, as he was butchering the Leopard Demon.」

In a courtyard not far from the Spirit Field Hall.

Ma Rong looked aggrieved as he spoke to Tan Hu. "Senior Brother Tan, you have to help me explain. I never ordered this, I truly had no idea! It was one of the juniors in my family, acting entirely on his own authority..."

"I... *Sigh*."

’They’d taken a good opportunity and completely botched it. But getting angry was useless now. What’s done is done; all he could do was try to make amends.’

Tan Hu glanced at him and smiled. "I’m sure you know a bit about Junior Brother Li’s background. Given his past experiences, he’s naturally wary and resistant toward the sect."

"And you people went and directly involved his family..."

He gave a thumbs-up. "I have to say, while your clansman’s methods were clumsy, the outcome itself isn’t bad at all."

Ma Rong’s thoughts spun for a moment before he understood Tan Hu’s meaning. A bitter smile touched his lips.

’Li Changsheng was resistant to the sect because of his background, but now his sister was a member. No matter how much he resented it, he would have no choice but to become more involved.’

’And as the ones who forced this situation, the Ma Family would bear the brunt of his resentment.’

"*Sigh*..."

Thinking of the three mu of Concentration Flowers Li Changsheng had promised to let him sell, Ma Rong’s heart clenched.

Even though he would only be selling them on Li Changsheng’s behalf, the profits would have been enough to significantly advance his own cultivation. With that chance, he might even have found the unique spiritual catalyst his niece, Ma Zhenyi, needed to break through to the Vein Condensation Realm.

With two Vein Condensation Cultivators, the Ma Family would grow considerably stronger.

’But alas, all it took was one bad decision.’

’Ma Wen...’

Ma Rong gritted his teeth, wishing he could return to the sect and kill the boy with a single palm strike.

Just then,

Tan Hu stood up. "Come on, let’s go see Junior Brother Li together. You can explain things to him in person." He paused, then added meaningfully, "As long as he believes his family will be safe and well, this whole mess might just turn into an opportunity."

A thoughtful look appeared in Ma Rong’s eyes. He cupped his hands in respect. "Thank you, Senior Brother."

The two men stepped out of the house and transformed into two streaks of Escape Light, vanishing into the rain.

「Ten Thousand Serpent Lake, the courtyard on the peak.」

Li Changsheng watched Xiaobai greedily devouring the Leopard Demon’s flesh, his gaze fixed.

[Target: Xiaobai]

[Race: Mutated White Jade Fox (Female)]

[Tier 1, High-Grade: 92%]

[Innate Magic: Bewilderment]

[Status: Healthy]

’Soon...’

A faint smile touched Li Changsheng’s lips as he resumed butchering the Leopard Demon.

He placed the flesh and bones into two separate basins. On the nearby stove top lay the complete, intact hide of the Leopard Demon.

As he worked, the crisp, urgent chiming from outside rang out once more.

’Who’s here...?’

With a quick thought, Li Changsheng stopped Little Wooden Head from taking action.

A few breaths later, two powerful auras descended into the courtyard.

Li Changsheng walked to the door and looked out. His expression shifted slightly upon seeing Tan Hu and Ma Rong.

He put down his Bone-Chopping Knife, untied his apron, and went out into the courtyard to welcome the two men into the wooden house.

After the three were seated,

Tan Hu noticed the strong smell of blood on him and asked, puzzled, "Junior Brother Li, what have you been up to?"

"Just butchering a demon beast."

Li Changsheng asked, "Senior Brother Tan, what brings you both here?"

Ma Rong suddenly stood up and bowed deeply. "Junior Brother Li, the matter concerning your sister... My clansman was not considerate enough. As your senior brother, I am here to apologize."

"Please..."

Li Changsheng quickly stepped forward to help him up. "Senior Brother, please don’t be like this. I should be the one thanking you. If not for your clansman, my parents might have..."

"Besides, I couldn’t be happier that Pang’Er has a chance to cultivate. The other day, I was just anxious about my little sister, and my tone was a bit harsh. Please don’t take it to heart, Senior Brother."