Chapter 120 - 118: Times Have Changed

Chapter 120: Chapter 118: Times Have Changed

Li Changsheng opened his eyes and looked to the side.

The moment he looked, his initial excitement was doused as if with a bucket of cold water, leaving him ice-cold.

He saw that of the hundred-plus insects bred by the Insect Mother, only a few dozen scattered individuals remained after the advancement.

Well over half had been lost.

The insects’ bodies had shrunk by a size, the markings on their carapaces had grown bolder, and the Spiritual Qi they contained had multiplied several times over.

Li Changsheng, enduring the painful sting, controlled the insects to test them out.

Compared to before, the insects’ speed, defense, and the sharpness of their mouthparts had all increased severalfold. Especially when they unleashed their Spiritual Qi, their speed was so fast they left afterimages.

Overall, after advancing to the mid-grade, the power of the Red-winged Blood Bamboo had increased by more than several times.

Li Changsheng sighed to himself, "Sigh. If only the losses had been smaller..."

But thankfully, with the Insect Mother, no matter how great the losses to the swarm, they could be replenished.

There was also some other good news, which brought him considerable comfort.

Of the insects that had advanced by consuming the Snake Saliva Spirit Liquid and spirit snake flesh, only five had died so far from their markings cracking and their Spiritual Qi dissipating.

And as time passed, their bodies and Spiritual Qi were stabilizing.

Li Changsheng thought to himself, ’Is it because of the Insect Mother’s mutation, or something else?’

After thinking for a while without figuring out the reason, he cleared his mind of stray thoughts and waited quietly for the insects’ transformation to complete.

In the small courtyard.

Dong Yao sat on a chair, her mind a chaotic mess.

Dong Xing sat beside her, chuckling happily and patiently waiting for her to digest the good news.

A moment later.

Dong Yao came back to her senses and asked doubtfully, "Grandpa, is what you said true?"

"Does our family really have its own Spirit Field now?"

This was already the umpteenth time she had asked.

But Dong Xing wasn’t annoyed in the slightest. On the contrary, he felt as refreshed as if he were drinking ice water in the middle of summer. It was pure bliss.

Having lived for more than half his life, he had long given up on the idea of cultivating to achieve immortality.

Wasn’t everything he did now for her sake?

Dong Xing said proudly, "It’s three mu of Tier One High-grade Spirit Fields!" He paused, then emphasized, "Completely and utterly ours!"

Seeing her grandfather looking so elated, Dong Yao finally believed it. She shot up from her seat and said excitedly, "Grandpa, quick, let me see the deed! I’ve never seen one before."

Three mu of Tier One High-grade Spirit Fields—this was a family heirloom in the making. Even selling her wouldn’t fetch the price of half a Spirit Field. No wonder she was so skeptical and excited.

Dong Xing shook his head. "The Ring Mountain Spiritual Land hasn’t been fully prepared yet. We’ll have to wait a while before we can get the deed."

"Okay, okay."

Dong Yao nodded repeatedly, her excitement not waning in the least, as she walked in circles around the wooden table.

Dong Xing hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, "Yaoyao, why don’t you quit the Demon Hunting Corps?"

Just as he was about to explain his reasoning...

Who would have thought that Dong Yao would nod without hesitation? She said seriously, "I’ve thought it through. I’ll go quit the Demon Hunting Corps tomorrow and register for a position at the Spirit Field Hall." Then, she added excitedly, "With three mu of High-grade Spirit Fields to support me, I’ll definitely be able to break through to the Vein Condensation Realm."

Hearing this, Dong Xing let out a sigh of relief. He then immediately asked, "Then what about Wu Yong..."

His intention was clear: he wanted his granddaughter to break up with him. With their family’s current status, they could easily find a better cultivation partner for Dong Yao.

Dong Yao understood her grandfather’s meaning. After a moment’s thought, she shook her head and said, "Wu Yong might be a schemer, but he’s truly sincere with me." She paused, then pointed to her own face and said self-deprecatingly, "Besides, with my face as it is now... heh."

"Alright, alright. We’ll do as you say, as you say."

Hearing this, Dong Xing quickly agreed. "Then tell Wu Yong to quit the Demon Hunting Corps too, and the two of you can farm the Spirit Fields together." He then teased, "Then you can have a few kids, and with Grandpa around, I can help look after you all."

His words were just a joke, but Dong Yao began to seriously consider it.

’With Grandpa’s current status as a Spirit Plant Master, plus his relationship with Li Changsheng, the sooner I have children, the more benefits they’ll surely receive.’

’But having children will definitely affect my cultivation.’

For a moment, Dong Yao was hesitant and uncertain.

Dong Xing had no idea that his casual joke had sparked so many thoughts in his granddaughter’s mind.

Just as the two were talking.

On the third floor of the wooden house.

Li Changsheng watched the swarm of insects dancing before him, a look of pleasant surprise on his face.

Of the 85 insects he had brought back from Beast Valley, only five had been lost. The remaining 80 had all successfully advanced to the mid-grade.

Thus, not counting Xiaohai and the others, he now controlled 115 mid-grade insects.

’Now, even against a cultivator at Late-stage Qi Cultivation Perfection, I can handle them with ease by relying on my swarm...’

A thought suddenly flashed through Li Changsheng’s mind, but he immediately shook his head and laughed it off. "I’m just a farmer. Who would bother me for no reason..."

’After I finish sorting out the Spirit Fields, I should consider switching my Cultivation Technique...’

Li Changsheng dispersed the insect swarm, pondered for a moment, then turned and headed downstairs.

Arriving in the small courtyard.

Dong Xing and Dong Yao were still there, chatting enthusiastically.

Li Changsheng walked over and smiled. "What are you talking about that’s making you so happy?"

"Greetings, Lord Steward."

Seeing him, Dong Yao quickly stood up and bowed.

Li Changsheng raised an eyebrow and pretended to be upset. "Junior Sister, are you being so formal with me now?"

Dong Yao quickly shook her head. "No, no..."

Dong Xing said seriously, "You are the Lord Steward now. Yaoyao can’t be ignorant of the proper hierarchy."

"Enough of that. What’s this ’Steward’ business? Just call me Senior Brother in private."

Li Changsheng sat down on a chair and said with a dismissive wave of his hand and a smile.

A smile appeared in Dong Xing’s eyes. He turned to Dong Yao and said, "Did you hear that? From now on, call him Senior Brother in private."

Dong Yao’s eyes twinkled with a smile. She bowed again. "Greetings, Senior Brother."

"That’s more like it."

Li Changsheng nodded with a smile, then asked, "Junior Sister, have you decided to quit the Demon Hunting Corps?"

Dong Yao nodded lightly. "I’ll go talk to the captain tomorrow."

Li Changsheng said, "That’s good. With three mu of Spirit Fields, why would you need to risk your life fighting?"

Dong Yao nodded repeatedly.

The three of them then began to chat about what kind of Spiritual Objects to plant in the Spirit Fields.

「Outside Ten Thousand Serpent Lake.」

A hurried figure came running and stopped at the lakeside.

Gazing at the vast, deep blue waters ahead.

Wu Yong felt some apprehension, but the thought of his bright future made him grit his teeth. He channeled Spiritual Power to his feet, leaped up, and dashed straight for the island in the center of the lake.

He ran nonstop all the way to the island, not even hesitating to deplete his Spirit Vein.

HUFF... HUFF...

Wu Yong stood on the shore, panting heavily. His eyes shone as he looked at the lush, green island before him.

However, before he could move forward.

An immense pressure descended, and a cold-faced Tan Hu appeared before him.

"Who allowed you to set foot on this island? Hmm?!"

Wu Yong froze. A moment later, an overwhelming pressure bore down on him, forcing him involuntarily to his knees.

Just as Tan Hu was about to teach him a lesson and throw him off the island...

Wu Yong shouted in a hoarse voice, "My lord, spare me! I’m the son-in-law of Master Dong Lingzhi."

Hmm?

The Spiritual Power gathering in Tan Hu’s palm slowly dissipated. He looked at Wu Yong, who was limp on the ground, thought for a moment, then grabbed him and sped off toward the mountain peak.

In just a moment.

Tan Hu arrived outside the small courtyard, casually tossed Wu Yong to the ground, and strode inside.

Li Changsheng stood up, glanced quizzically at the person lying face-down on the ground, and asked, "Senior Brother, who is he?"

Tan Hu glanced at Dong Yao and chuckled. "He says he’s Dong Xing’s son-in-law."

Wu Yong?

A look of surprise appeared in Li Changsheng’s eyes.

Dong Xing and Dong Yao were both stunned for a second, then hurried over.

When they turned the person over.

Dong Yao said in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Wu Yong stared at them with a dazed expression, unable to move or speak.

Dong Xing’s expression soured. With a cold snort, he turned and walked into the courtyard, forcing a smile at Tan Hu. "If you please, Steward Tan, could you release the restriction on him? He is indeed my son-in-law."

Tan Hu turned his head to look at Li Changsheng.

Li Changsheng nodded with a smile. "Please, Senior Brother."

With a slight thought from Tan Hu, an illusory figure flew out of Wu Yong’s body and merged back into his own.

Ugh...

Wu Yong let out a muffled groan. Light slowly returned to his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Dong Yao glaring at him.

His face flushed, and he gave an embarrassed smile. "Yaoyao."

Dong Yao snorted coldly. As she helped him up, she whispered in his ear, "Don’t talk much."

Feeling the concern in her tone, Wu Yong’s heart warmed. Hadn’t he rushed to the island so impatiently precisely because he was worried that Dong Yao, upon her sudden rise in status, would leave him behind?

It seemed he had been overthinking things.

Wu Yong steadied his nerves. When he looked up at the people in the courtyard, he was stunned.

Noticing his reaction, Dong Yao whispered again, "Remember to be respectful. Call him Lord Steward."

Li Changsheng? Steward Li?

Wu Yong’s mind reeled, his thoughts churning endlessly.

When he walked out of the courtyard, he was in a complete daze.

Dong Xing’s expression grew even uglier. He snorted coldly, clasped his hands behind his back, and stalked toward his own wooden house.

Dong Yao looked at him, speechless. ’Where did his composure go? How can he be so unpresentable?’

In reality, she was one to talk.

If Dong Xing weren’t her closest relative, she wouldn’t have fared much better in this situation.

But who could blame her for having such a good grandfather!

Dong Yao, who had previously been in the inferior position in their relationship, now found the tables completely turned, giving her the absolute upper hand.

Dong Xing’s house was built on the edge of the mountain peak. It consisted of only a two-story wooden house; other structures like a courtyard or a kitchen had not yet been built.

The three of them entered the wooden house.

Wu Yong had also recovered from his shock. Seeing Dong Yao wink at him, he had an idea and immediately performed a deep bow to Dong Xing. "Grandson greets Grandfather."

Dong Xing had intended to give him the cold shoulder for a while, but seeing the pleading look in his granddaughter’s eyes, his heart softened. He waved his hand. "Get up. Do you expect this old man to help you up?"

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare..."

Wu Yong scrambled to his feet and said with an apologetic smile, "I lost my composure earlier. I hope Grandfather isn’t angry."

"Alright, there are no outsiders here, no need to be so formal." Dong Xing waved his hand dismissively. Seeing the two of them still standing, he said irritably, "This is your own home, do you need me to invite you to sit?"

Dong Yao went forward, linked her arm through Wu Yong’s, and sat down on a chair, giggling. "Exactly. Why be so polite in our own home?"

"Mhm, mhm."

Wu Yong nodded eagerly, his excitement written all over his face.

With Dong Yao’s cheerful and giggling interruptions, the atmosphere became quite harmonious for a while.

Later, when Wu Yong learned that his partner’s family had been bestowed with three mu of Tier One High-grade Spirit Fields, his eyes nearly popped out of his head in shock.

His hands and feet trembled with excitement, and only one thought remained in his mind, ’The heavens have not been unkind to me...’

Although he tried to suppress his excitement, his voice still trembled uncontrollably as he spoke.

Dong Xing gave a slight nod to Dong Yao, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

「In the blink of an eye, three days passed.」