Chapter 100: The Young Man Who Was Once ’Good at Raising Pigs

Chapter 100: Chapter 100: The Young Man Who Was Once ’Good at Raising Pigs

Elder Lan waved his hand, putting away the white jade slab. With a flip of his hand, he produced a palm-sized, bronze-colored Token and presented it to him.

"The Sect Ancestral Stele has now recorded your name. From this day forward, you are an Inner Sect Disciple of the Cyan Yang Sect’s Miscellaneous Cultivation Lineage."

After Li Changsheng put away the Token, the elder paused for a moment before saying, "I will now give you two choices. The first is to return to the sect, where all your corresponding benefits and privileges will be issued by the sect."

Li Changsheng did not answer immediately, waiting quietly for him to elaborate.

Elder Lan nodded slightly, a faint smile gracing his lips. "The other choice is this: you go to the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land and help my Miscellaneous Peak develop Tier Two Spirit Fields and cultivate Tier Two Spirit Medicine."

"Of the Tier Two Spirit Fields we develop, I will grant you three mu of land. All other sect benefits will be tripled for you as promised."

"Now, choose."

After speaking, Elder Lan fell silent, making it clear the decision was entirely up to Li Changsheng.

Li Changsheng lowered his gaze, considering for only a dozen breaths before clasping his hands. "This disciple is willing to remain at the Miscellaneous Peak and assist the Elder in developing the Spirit Fields."

He was willing to take a risk and stay at the Miscellaneous Peak rather than go to the Cyan Yang Sect, where he had no foundation.

He had heard from Tan Hu that there were many Spirit Plant Masters within the Cyan Yang Sect, and even more senior Spirit Plant Masters, not to mention Alchemy Masters, Artifact Refiners, and so on...

’If I go there, I’ll just be in a bigger pond, still at the very bottom of the food chain.’

’My status would seem higher, but not really. I’d still be on the lowest rung.’

’Besides, wherever there are a lot of people, all sorts of dirty dealings arise. As a mere Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer junior cultivator, it’s better for me to lay low and develop my strength first.’

’But the Miscellaneous Peak is different. There isn’t a single true Spirit Plant Master here.’

’Just for my ability to cultivate Tier Two Spirit Plants, to the cultivators of the Miscellaneous Peak, I’m like a pearl atop a high tower—something to be protected from even the slightest harm.’

’It seems dangerous, but in reality, it’s very safe.’

’Besides, the saying "better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix" isn’t just empty words.’

Elder Lan was clearly satisfied with his answer. He thought for a moment, then nodded and smiled. "From this day on, you will be in charge of the Tier Two Spirit Fields at the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land. The other few people there will also be under your command." He paused, then added, "For now, you’ll hold the position of Steward. We can discuss other matters after the Spirit Fields are up and running..."

Li Changsheng clasped his hands. "Yes. Thank you, Elder."

Elder Lan nodded, then turned to Lan Cai Shen beside him and instructed, "After you get to the new Spiritual Land, tell Tong Zuo and Luo Fang to speed up clearing the area." He paused again. "And warn them both that if the Demon Hunting Corps and the Patrol Guard suffer too great a loss because of them, their positions as Stewards will be on the line."

Lan Cai Shen nodded. "Don’t worry, Father. I understand."

Although Elder Lan’s voice was soft, Li Changsheng could hear the unwavering resolve within it.

This also allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.

’What if those two forces get into a heated fight and I get dragged into it? This small frame of mine can’t handle that!’

Elder Lan seemed to sense his thoughts and said softly, "Rest assured, those two won’t involve you."

Lan Cai Shen also smiled. "And if Junior Brother Li really runs into any trouble, I’ll be there for you!"

"You may go."

Elder Lan waved his hand, saying no more.

"Yes, Father." "This disciple takes his leave."

Lan Cai Shen led Li Changsheng out of the top floor and back down to the first. He walked to a room on the side, pushed the door open, and went inside.

Before Li Changsheng could step inside, he heard a familiar-sounding voice.

"Young Master, what brings you to my humble place?"

When he entered, he saw a clean-shaven, slightly portly middle-aged man fawning over Lan Cai Shen.

Lan Cai Shen pointed at Li Changsheng and said with a smile, "This is Junior Brother Li Changsheng, a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple of our Miscellaneous Cultivation Lineage. He’s here, naturally, to collect his due benefits."

The middle-aged man was startled when he sensed Li Changsheng’s Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer cultivation base.

’An Inner Sect Disciple at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer?’

’But he wasn’t as shortsighted as Steward Ma. To become an Inner Sect Disciple at the mere Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, he must have some extraordinary quality.’

’Besides, Lan Cai Shen had brought him here personally.’

The middle-aged man’s thoughts spun for a moment before he hurried forward enthusiastically, clasping his hands with a smile. "Junior Brother Li, to become an Inner Sect Disciple at such a young age, you must be a prodigy of heaven! Your future on the path of immortality is boundless!"

Hearing the flattering words, Li Changsheng felt a secret thrill. He chuckled and said, "It’s been three years. I’m afraid Steward Jiao has forgotten all about Changsheng."

That’s right. The slightly portly man before him was Jiaoyang, Steward Jiao.

When Li Changsheng first arrived at the Miscellaneous Peak, he had spent over a hundred Spirit Stones to get the position of a Spirit Farmer from him.

But his words were only meant as a lighthearted jab.

He held no resentment toward Jiaoyang; in fact, he was rather grateful.

If not for him, how could he have had such peaceful days these past three years? And how would he have chanced upon the opportunity to become a Spirit Plant Master?

At the side, a surprised Lan Cai Shen asked, "You two know each other?"

Jiaoyang’s mind was also in a bit of a fog.

’Three years? We know each other?’

’Three years ago...’

Li Changsheng explained, "Three years ago, I arrived here on a flying ship." He looked at Steward Jiao. "Steward Jiao was the one who received me back then, and he was also the one who assigned me to the Spirit Field Zone."

"Oh?"

Lan Cai Shen gave Steward Jiao a surprised look and smiled. "In that case, we should credit Steward Jiao for his contribution. It’s a good thing he assigned you to the Spirit Fields, Junior Brother. Otherwise, a Spirit Plant Master of unparalleled talent might have been buried."

Li Changsheng waved his hand and smiled. "Senior Brother, you praise me too much."

’Too much praise?’

Lan Cai Shen just smiled without saying anything.

Beside them, Jiaoyang frowned at Li Changsheng, racking his brain. Suddenly, the image of a handsome, well-mannered youth surfaced in his mind.

Jiaoyang exclaimed in shock, "You’re that youth who was ’good at raising pigs!’"

’Good at raising pigs?’

Lan Cai Shen was taken aback, shooting Li Changsheng a strange look.

Li Changsheng, however, didn’t seem to mind and nodded generously.

Jiaoyang’s face suddenly turned bright red. He waved his hands repeatedly and stammered, "J-Junior Brother Li, that... that thing... I..."

Li Changsheng understood what was on his mind—it was nothing more than the hundred-odd Spirit Stones. He clasped his hands in thanks. "I should be thanking you, Steward Jiao. Without you, Changsheng would never have had this opportunity."

His words were sincere and heartfelt, and they were truly what he thought.

Jiaoyang froze for a second. How could he not hear the goodwill in Li Changsheng’s words? A warm current surged through his heart, and he said emotionally, "Junior Brother... you and I..."

Li Changsheng felt a little helpless. He clasped his hands and prompted, "Senior Brother Jiao, about that... my Inner Sect Disciple..."

"Ah! Oh..."

Jiaoyang snapped back to his senses. He rubbed his hands together and said with a sheepish laugh, "Right, right. Look at me, I got too excited..."

Lan Cai Shen, who had been standing to the side, had pieced some things together. He thought to himself, ’It seems there was some dirty business involved in Junior Brother Li’s assignment to the Spirit Field Zone.’

But then he saw how Li Changsheng resolved his past issue with Jiaoyang in just a few words.

This made Lan Cai Shen approve of this junior brother even more.

The details of Li Changsheng and Jiaoyang’s past weren’t important. What mattered was that Li Changsheng hadn’t become arrogant and unrestrained just because he’d found some success.

Meanwhile, Steward Jiao had already led Li Changsheng to the desk.

Just as Jiaoyang was about to enter the back room to retrieve the benefits allocated to an Inner Sect Disciple...

Lan Cai Shen spoke up. "Give Junior Brother Li triple the standard benefits." He paused, then added, "These are Father’s orders."

HISS...

’Elder Lan said it himself!’ Jiaoyang sucked in a sharp breath. A flash of insight struck him, and he suddenly recalled a word Lan Cai Shen had used earlier.

’Spirit Plant Master!’

Jiaoyang glanced at Li Changsheng in disbelief.

The youth who told him he was "good at raising pigs" three years ago had actually become a Spirit Plant Master!

’No wonder, no wonder...’

With a complex mix of feelings in his heart, Jiaoyang turned and entered the back room.

Li Changsheng felt a keen sense of anticipation.

’A Talismanic Artifact Robe, a high-grade talismanic artifact... each one was something he previously couldn’t afford and wouldn’t even dare to dream of.’

「Inside the back room.」

Jiaoyang looked at the dazzling array of standard-issue talismanic artifacts, magic robes, and pill bottles before him. He first took three bottles of pills, then grabbed a magic robe that shimmered with spiritual light.

After a moment of hesitation, he turned and walked to a different shelf.

On it were over thirty objects of various shapes and colors, all of them dull and lightless.

Jiaoyang hesitated again, then gritted his teeth, grabbed a net-like object from the shelf, and turned to leave the back room.

Li Changsheng had only exchanged a few more words with Lan Cai Shen when he saw Jiaoyang emerge from the back room, nervously carrying a wooden tray. On the tray sat a storage pouch embroidered with strange beasts and woven with gold thread.

Jiaoyang glanced at Lan Cai Shen before smiling at Li Changsheng. "Junior Brother Li, these are your Inner Sect Disciple benefits."

"Inside are three bottles of Second-Order Lower Grade Spirit Pill Jade Ganoderma Pills. From now on, you can come here to collect three bottles every year, Junior Brother."

At this, Lan Cai Shen, who was standing nearby, raised an eyebrow and asked, "And the rest?"

"Well..."

Jiaoyang hesitated for a moment, then clasped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Young Master, giving Junior Brother Li three of the same items would be useless, so this subordinate took the liberty of combining the three into one."

"The Lower-Grade Magic Robe was upgraded to a Middle-Grade Magic Robe. As for the high-grade talismanic artifact..."

Jiaoyang lowered his head and said softly, "This subordinate exchanged it for a Magical Artifact for Junior Brother Li."

A Magical Artifact!

Lan Cai Shen was stunned for a moment. He looked at Jiaoyang in surprise. "You were actually willing to part with it."

Jiaoyang gave a sheepish smile and didn’t dare say more.

As for Li Changsheng, after a moment of shock, uncontrollable joy surged through his heart.

A talismanic artifact and a Magical Artifact were two completely different things.

A talismanic artifact was created by branding it with complex runes, and it could only unleash its power when activated with Spiritual Power.

A Magical Artifact, however, was different. Even the lowest-grade Magical Artifact contained a restriction formed from nine compatible runes. It could automatically absorb Spiritual Qi and could be used without being actively powered by Spiritual Power. Of course, its might would soar if one did infuse it with Spiritual Power.

Moreover, the power of a restriction formed from nine runes was far greater than what nine individual runes could compare to.

This was all information he had learned from the *Cyan Yang Travelogues*.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Li Changsheng quickly stood up, clasped his hands, and said, "Changsheng thanks Steward Jiao." Then he turned to Lan Cai Shen. "Thank you, Senior Brother."

A smile appeared on Jiaoyang’s face, and he breathed a sigh of relief internally.

He understood that the past incident was now completely behind them. In fact, he had even earned a small favor out of it.

Lan Cai Shen waved his hand and teased, "You should really be thanking Steward Jiao. He was even willing to give you something from his personal stash."

To him, a single Magical Artifact was truly nothing worth mentioning.

Li Changsheng clasped his fist to Jiaoyang once more.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he and Lan Cai Shen turned and left.

"Tsk..."

Jiaoyang sat down in his chair and sighed with emotion. "Someone who said he was good at raising pigs actually managed to turn his life around and become a Spirit Plant Master..."

"How bizarre!"