Cultivating Immortality: Starting from Ferrying Passengers

Chapter 103 Firmly Upholding One's True Self
"Brother Wei, what brings you here?"

Fang Jingxuan welcomed Wei Tong into the main hall, brewed some spiritual tea, and then the host and guest took their seats.

After chatting for a while, Fang Jingxuan slowly asked his question.

At this time, Wei Tong came to Fang Jingxuan's door. Fang Jingxuan felt that it was not a good thing. Ever since the battle at Xianlin'ao, Fang Jingxuan did not want to get involved in these matters anymore. So he simply resigned from his job in the warehouse and focused on cultivation.

After that, Wei Tong naturally distanced himself from Fang Jingxuan. Since Fang Jingxuan didn't want to get close to him, Wei Tong didn't force him.

As a result, the two sides did not have much contact during the year or so. Only when Fang Jingxuan chatted with Wang Xinyu would he occasionally hear some news about Wei Tong.

However, Wang Xinyu was not in Wei Tong's inner circle, so this information was insignificant and useless.

Fang Jingxuan thought that things would stay the same from now on, but unexpectedly, Wei Tong came looking for him after he had only just advanced to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Wei Tong did not rush to answer Fang Jingxuan's question. He looked at Fang Jingxuan, scrutinized him for a few moments, and then said:

"You've been quite free lately, not even bothering to check on me. The warehouse is short-staffed; why don't you find yourself something to do?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Jingxuan sneered inwardly. Go back to the warehouse? He would still be powerless to do as he pleased. When the time came, a transfer order would make him do whatever he was told. The consequence of disobeying orders would probably be wartime insubordination.

Fang Jingxuan didn't want to be killed on the spot, with no one speaking up for him.

"No, I think life is fine as it is now. Thank you for thinking of me, Brother Wei, but I really don't want to go through any more trouble."

Wei Tong seemed unconcerned about Fang Jingxuan's refusal, and continued:

“This time I won’t let you be a warehouse manager. You’ll be a coordinator. I’ve established myself in the past two years. The head of the department will retire in two years, and then I’ll be the head of the department. As for you, you’ll work as a coordinator for a few years, and then I plan to promote you to deputy head.”

Upon hearing Wei Tong's words, Fang Jingxuan became even more wary. He really didn't dare to take the bait offered so blatantly.

Moreover, whether it's a coordinator or a deputy manager, aren't they still just lackeys who follow orders? And with Baishan being so unstable, who knows how long they can keep their jobs?

Furthermore, regarding Wei Tong's sudden approach and promise of benefits, Fang Jingxuan subconsciously suspected that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Even if there were, he should be careful to see if there was a trap behind it.

“Brother Wei, please don’t tempt me. After witnessing the bloodshed at Xianlin’ao, I was terrified. The life of someone who lives on the edge of a knife is not for me. Now I just want to live my life peacefully. I’m content with that.”

Faced with Fang Jingxuan's repeated refusal, Wei Tong's face finally darkened, and he said somewhat angrily:
"You're only twenty-four or twenty-five, the perfect time to strive. What's the point of wasting your youth like this year after year?"
It's fine for you now that you're in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, but have you ever thought about where you'll get those cultivation pills, spiritual sites, and magical artifacts when you reach the late stage of Qi Refining?
This residence can only support your cultivation up to the sixth or seventh level of Qi Refining at most. At that point, the spiritual energy will be insufficient, and without a spiritual place, how can your cultivation level improve?

Wei Tong's disappointed expression made Fang Jingxuan feel a little ashamed; he really hadn't thought much about these issues.

Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators don't stay in the market all the time because the spiritual energy here is scarce. It's better to cultivate in a cultivation cave opened up on a spiritual land, which will be more efficient.

Fang Jingxuan's current meditation room also uses a spirit-gathering array as a supplement, and he has to consume a portion of low-grade spirit stones every month to maintain the current concentration of spiritual energy.

However, these are not issues that Fang Jingxuan wants to consider right now. Things will work themselves out, and he can't afford to fall into the same trap again.

Fang Jingxuan endured Wei Tong's scolding, revealing an awkward smile. This expression only fueled Wei Tong's anger. "Forget it, you won't listen to anything I say. I have a spot here, an adventure trial that only mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators can join. It's organized by the Dan Ding Sect and happens once every five years."

The prize for first place is the Longevity Pill, which can extend the lifespan of a Qi Refining cultivator by twenty years after consumption.

The prize for second place is a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, which is very rare.

The top 100 participants will receive a prize, and all suitable cultivators within the Dan Ding Sect's sphere of influence can participate.

Cultivators can bring their spirit pets to participate. I see your Tuoyuan is quite powerful, so I'm thinking of letting you give it a try. Regardless of whether you get a reward or not, it's a rare opportunity for training. What do you think?

So that was Wei Tong's purpose. Fang Jingxuan shook his head inwardly upon hearing this.

Trials and training are the perfect place for trouble to happen; accidents are bound to occur in such places.

I currently have over three thousand low-grade spirit stones, so there's no need for me to participate in this kind of training.

Moreover, Wei Tong must have other plans for contacting him. He probably has his eye on some of the prizes and wants him to help him obtain them. In return, he would offer him some benefits, such as items or magical artifacts that could temporarily enhance his strength.

But that would require risking one's life, and right now, Fang Jingxuan hates that kind of thing the most.

Therefore, after thinking for a moment, Fang Jingxuan said directly:
“Brother Wei, you know I’m not good at fighting, and Tuoyuan is clumsy and can’t even run fast on land. How can he take on such a great task? So let’s just leave him out.”

"The trial area is near the territory of the Lian Shui Alliance, where there are many rivers."

"Brother Wei, I am not suitable. You should ask someone else."

Fang Jingxuan's smile vanished. With his current true combat strength, Fang Jingxuan felt that if he were to face Wei Tongfang, Wei Tongfang would be no match for him.

Therefore, faced with Wei Tong's subtle pressure, Fang Jingxuan no longer backed down.

Clearly, Wei Tong had not expected Fang Jingxuan to be so assertive. A look of surprise flashed across his face, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Since that's the case, then I've wasted my time. From now on, let's go our separate ways."

After Wei Tong finished speaking, he got up and left. Fang Jingxuan saw him to the door. In the distance, Wang Xinyu's head was peeking out from behind her own door, observing the commotion.

“Brother Wei, thank you for your help back then, but these things can’t be forced. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, I will definitely help you if I can.”

Fang Jingxuan said this to Wei Tong, but Wei Tong just snorted and didn't say anything, clearly not taking Fang Jingxuan's promise to heart, and turned to leave.

At this moment, Fang Jingxuan looked at Wei Tong's departing figure with a resolute expression. From now on, no one can force me to do anything, no one!

(End of this chapter)