Longzang

Chapter 230 Next Batch

Wei Yuan glanced at the hundred or so Cui family members and saw that everyone was carrying a backpack, all of the same style. It seemed that the Cui family had put a lot of thought into this trip.

These people varied in age, ranging from fifteen or sixteen to nearly forty, and were mostly at the peak of their Body Tempering cultivation. Although they wore uniform robes, their speech and behavior differed; some were noticeably arrogant, while others were cautious, but most looked bewildered and somewhat indignant.

At this point, someone complained, "Why did you dump us in this godforsaken place? Hey, you there, why aren't you coming over to pay your respects? My uncle is..."

Cui Yu coldly asked, "Who is your uncle? Tell me."

The playboy was startled and only then did he see Cui Yu clearly. He quickly nodded and bowed, smiling obsequiously.

These people couldn't even forge a Dao Foundation. Even if they were direct descendants, their status in the Cui family was just so-so. They only had the chance to show their power outside the family. With Cui Yu present, they couldn't even mention their family elders, since Cui Yu's lineage went up to the clan leader, and above that, the Immortal Ancestor.

Cui Yu was in a bad mood at the moment, so he stepped forward and slapped the纨绔 (wán kù, a spoiled brat) to the ground, shouting: "You think you can put on airs in front of the Lord of the Guardian Realm? Are you blind? You bunch of good-for-nothings can't even cultivate to the Foundation Establishment stage, and you won't even live to be a hundred years old. You still have the nerve to bear the surname Cui?"

Cui Yu grew angrier with each curse, and immediately began punching and kicking. Even Wei Yuan couldn't bear to watch and quickly pulled him away. Ever since Cui Yu started leading troops, his daily style of doing things had become increasingly simple and brutal; if he could take action, he would never argue.

However, the old man left in a hurry, and Wei Yuan forgot to ask an important question. He quickly said to Cui Yu, "Write a letter home and ask what the casualty figures are."

Casualty indicators? The Cui family members all pricked up their ears; this term didn't sound good.

Cui Yu slapped his thigh: "That's right! How could I forget about this! How can one cultivate a foundation without shedding blood? I'll write a letter right away and ask for at least ten spots."

The Cui family members found this increasingly strange. How could cultivating the Tao require people to die?!
Cui Yu glanced at everyone and said, "For those of you who feel that your identity is special and that you absolutely cannot die, I can spare you from going to the battlefield, but you need to talk to me privately."

After handing the Cui family members over to Cui Yu to take away, Wei Yuan opened the small box the old man had given him and was immediately taken aback. Inside the box were three black grains of rice, each about the size of a finger and shaped like pearls, looking like glass beads.

Are these three the original varieties of pearl rice?

Pearl rice is also a type of spiritual food, similar to sorghum rice, but it is a mid-grade spiritual plant. This type of spiritual rice is cultivated by various aristocratic families, while black pearl rice is a specialty of the Cui and Xu families. In these strictly hierarchical families, pearl rice is exclusively for those of the Dharma Aspect level; ordinary people, even if they are wealthy, cannot eat it.

The pearl rice cultivated by the family is different from that commonly found on the market. Every year during the planting season, the family distributes seeds. The pearl rice grown from these seeds will not reproduce and grow, so seeds must be purchased from the family every year.

The Cui family has now directly provided three original seeds, a reward far more valuable than three Dao Foundations. Moreover, the fact that they've given only spiritual plant seeds, without any other gifts, suggests a deeper intention.

Wei Yuan arrived at the herb garden, intending to find a spot to plant the three original seeds, when he saw Master Chuhe directing several disciples to set up an array around the garden. Upon seeing Wei Yuan, Master Chuhe chuckled and said, "I thought your original array was too rudimentary, so I set up a new one for you. It's roughly one or two times more powerful than your original one."

"Thank you, Masato!"

Master Chuhe laughed and said, "It was nothing, no need to thank me. I have many more good things here, you'll find out in time. Oh, I smell the scent of spiritual plant seeds, what is it this time?"

Wei Yuan took out three original seeds of pearl rice and handed them over. Master Chuhe raised an eyebrow and said, "The Cui family's black pearl? It seems they value that junior here very much. It's a pity he's only a Heavenly Rank cultivator."

"Give these three seeds to me. My disciples can plant them together. If they chat for half an hour every day, the growth will double." Master Chuhe handed the seeds to the disciple next to him.

"This...isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"It's alright, they're just idling around anyway. If you feel guilty, just get some more Netherworld Soil for this old Taoist." At this moment, the six plots of land covered with Netherworld Soil had been enclosed by exquisite wooden fences and were evenly divided into six sections. The surface of each section was compacted, with a small pit in the middle containing a little water. It was unclear what was planted there.

At this moment, Xu Wenwu hummed a little tune as he walked into the herb garden. He saw Wei Yuan and Master Chuhe and came over to pay his respects. During this time, Xu Wenwu had become more and more like a local cultivator, and the traces of his extraterrestrial origins had gradually faded considerably.

After the ceremony, Xu Wenwu loosened the soil, watered the Tianxing Longkui, and muttered to himself. This time, Wei Yuan felt it exceptionally clearly. The Tianxing Longkui, which was about to sprout life, shrank back, its aura becoming deeper and more melancholic. Then, half of the luck that Wei Yuan had bestowed upon it also disappeared.

After Xu Wenwu finished his work, Wei Yuan took him to the field of Master Chuhe and said, "Learn more from your senior brothers in the future, and help them with their work for half an hour when you come here."

Master Chuhe chuckled and said, "Young friend, just tell me what you like from this old Taoist’s little stuff. There’s no need to steal my teachings."

Wei Yuan said, "I just thought he had a talent for cultivating spiritual plants, so I asked him to come and help with some work. Anyway, he was just idling around."

"That's true." Master Chuhe agreed wholeheartedly, thinking that Xu Wenwu was just like his disciples, the kind of person who would be better off not being used.

The two exchanged a few more words about their experiences in managing people. Just as Wei Yuan was about to take his leave, he suddenly felt a burst of intense Dao energy rushing towards him!

The old Taoist priest's expression changed drastically, and he waved a green light screen to firmly protect the entire herb garden.

A dark-skinned cultivator suddenly appeared, carrying a delicate, bright gold hammer. With a single blow, he shattered the old Taoist's protective light barrier. Zhang Sheng followed beside him, looking helpless.

The cultivator arrived above the herb garden and immediately spotted several fields sprinkled with Netherworld Soil. His expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "You shameless old fox! You blocked my information so you could embezzle the Netherworld Soil! How shameless!"

The old Taoist priest chuckled and said, "Nephew Yu, why get so angry? I've already planted something in these few pieces of Netherworld Soil, I can't just dig them up and give them to you again, can I?"

The monk grew increasingly furious: "I'm not cooperating with you anymore! Give me back the deposit I paid!"

Master Chuhe said, "Money? What money? That was an agreement witnessed by the Mission Hall. What I received was a deposit. Do you want to go back on your word, nephew? If you want to, you can, just pay another compensation as agreed."

The cultivator, his face flushed with anger, knew he couldn't win an argument with the old Taoist, so he flicked his sleeves and turned to leave. Zhang Sheng gestured to Wei Yuan, then followed the cultivator.

Wei Yuan then bid farewell to Master Chuhe and returned to the main peak. By this time, a wooden main hall had been built on the main peak, specifically for receiving distinguished guests and for the people of Taichu Palace to discuss matters.

When Wei Yuan arrived, he saw five cultivators sitting inside the house, and Zhang Sheng was talking to the dark-skinned cultivator he had just met.

Upon seeing Wei Yuan enter, Zhang Sheng said, "This is Yu Zhizhuo from the Heavenly Crafts Hall. You should call him Martial Uncle."

Wei Yuan's eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed, saying, "Uncle-Master Yu."

Yu Zhizhu waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities! I'm asking you, where did that Netherworld come from, and how much is left?"

Wei Yuan pondered for a moment, then said, "There aren't any now. The next batch won't be available until the beginning of next month."

(End of this chapter)