Chapter 63: I Have a Grandson

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: I Have a Grandson

By now, the wooden cabin had a brand-new look.

Directly opposite the entrance was a long, narrow table flanked by two grand tutor chairs.

On the long table sat a teapot and several jade-like teacups.

Below it were two rows, with a total of six small tables and chairs.

There were also decorations like porcelain, screens, and flower arrangements...

A screen also separated the kitchen from the main hall. On either side of it stood a large porcelain vat where colorful fish swam playfully.

The second floor was divided into two spaces by a screen.

One area contained a bed and a soft couch; this was the place for cultivation and sleep.

The other had a long table, a desk and chair, and the Four Treasures of the Study; this was a place to calm the mind and nurture one’s qi.

There were also exquisite porcelain pieces, flowers, and plants... It had everything.

Moreover, the materials and craftsmanship were all exceptionally fine. The overall look was simple, classical, and elegant—very pleasing to the eye.

After looking around, Li Changsheng felt the Spirit Stones were well spent. A mere two Spirit Stones had allowed him to once again recall his days as a young master.

’This is the real way to go about cultivation!’

’If you’re a cultivator but still live like an old farmer, what’s the point of cultivating at all!’

’This is how it should be! Glory and wealth should be within easy reach!’

If not for the fact that Li Changsheng had some secrets he couldn’t let others see, he would have definitely hired eight or ten servants.

’Is making pig feed every day a job for a cultivating master?!’

’How infuriating!’

Afterwards, Li Changsheng moved the large vat from the backyard to the second floor, placing it beside the soft couch.

He then turned, went downstairs, and entered the kitchen.

Complaining was one thing, but the work still had to be done.

Blue smoke began to rise, and the crisp sound of chopping vegetables came from the kitchen.

「Time passed in the blink of an eye.」

After feeding his few Spirit Beasts, Li Changsheng mounted Xiaohua and headed toward Dong Xing’s home.

Big Flower and Xiaohua’s firstborn were both ready to be sold, yet his good Senior Brother had shown no interest at all.

That wouldn’t do...

’What if Xiaohua has more offspring later, and my Senior Brother gets overwhelmed by the choices?’

’I can’t let my Senior Brother face such a difficult decision.’

「Soon.」

Xiaohua carried Li Changsheng to the outside of a small courtyard. Looking down from his high vantage point, he saw that a new pavilion had appeared in the courtyard at some point.

Dong Xing was lounging leisurely in a recliner inside the pavilion. On a table beside him was a plate of melons and fruits giving off a frosty chill.

’Sigh... Senior Brother Dong has become decadent! How can a cultivator be so idle!’

’If this keeps up, it’ll be a disaster!’

Li Changsheng felt a little indignant.

Here he was, thinking so selflessly about his Senior Brother’s well-being, yet his Senior Brother was this decadent.

"Senior Brother Dong, taking it easy, I see!"

Dong Xing opened his eyes, and upon seeing Li Changsheng sitting on Xiaohua, he quickly stood up.

He opened the courtyard gate and said with a smile, "Junior Brother, what brings you here? Quick, come in and talk."

After Li Changsheng led Xiaohua closer, Dong Xing looked at Xiaohua’s massive frame and said with envy, "Xiaohua is looking more and more magnificent."

Li Changsheng dismounted and landed on his feet, chuckling. "As it happens, I came here today because Xiaohua’s firstborn is ready to be sold."

"Have you made up your mind, Senior Brother?"

Dong Xing’s gaze flickered away. He gestured invitingly and said, "I made some slight progress in my cultivation yesterday. I mastered a spell, the Ice Condensation Art, and used it to chill some fruit. Come and try some, Junior Brother. They taste wonderful."

"Not only do they contain Spiritual Qi, but they’re also incredibly refreshing on a hot day like this."

"Oh?"

Li Changsheng was slightly surprised. He had thought Dong Xing had bought the fruit, not that he’d chilled them with Magic.

’Ice Condensation Art... Interesting.’

When they reached the pavilion, Dong Xing gestured for him to try some.

Li Changsheng didn’t stand on ceremony. He picked up a palm-sized, striped green melon and took a bite.

SSSS...

The moment the fruit’s flesh entered his mouth, a gentle, cool energy spread through it.

The cool energy wasn’t unpleasantly cold, but instead gave a thoroughly refreshing sensation, immediately followed by the fruit’s own sweet fragrance. It was delicious.

Just as Dong Xing had said, the fruit tasted wonderful. As for the barely perceptible Spiritual Qi, the less said, the better.

Li Changsheng finished it in a few bites, his curiosity about the Ice Condensation Art Dong Xing had mentioned growing.

He praised aloud, "This fruit really does taste great. Your cultivation is exquisite, Senior Brother."

"Not at all, not at all..."

Dong Xing shook his head with a humble expression, but the slightly upturned corners of his mouth clearly showed he enjoyed the compliment.

Li Changsheng sighed. "Alas, it’s a pity I can only taste this at your place, Senior Brother."

"Haha..."

How could Dong Xing not understand his meaning? He shook his head and laughed. "This Magic is sold in the Marketplace. You just need to make a trip when you have time, Junior Brother."

With that, he told Li Changsheng the name of the shop that sold the Ice Condensation Art.

Li Changsheng naturally thanked him. After they chatted for a bit, Li Changsheng changed the subject.

"Senior Brother, are you still going to buy Xiaohua’s firstborn or not?"

"If you don’t buy him, I’ll sell him to someone else!"

Dong Xing hesitated, then shook his head and sighed. "It’s not that I don’t want it. I’m just short on cash."

"To be honest with you, Junior Brother, I have a granddaughter who also arrived at the Miscellaneous Peaks a few days ago. She was assigned to the Demon Hunting Corps."

"To give her a better chance of survival, I spent more than half my life’s savings to buy a talismanic weapon for her..."

"Sigh..."

At this point, Dong Xing sighed repeatedly.

’The Demon Hunting Corps...’

’To even join, you have to be at least at the Mid-Qi Cultivation stage.’

’This old fox!’

Li Changsheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He praised, "Senior Brother, you are truly blessed. Your granddaughter must be incredibly capable to be assigned to the Demon Hunting Corps."

Dong Xing waved his hand and grinned. "Nah, she’s already nineteen, but only at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer."

"I just hope she can stay safe. Her cultivation level... it’s not important, not important at all!"

He then began to enthusiastically recount how clever and brilliant his granddaughter had been from childhood to the present day.

Li Changsheng: "..."

’I suspect you’re being passive-aggressive with me.’

After listening for a while, Li Changsheng grew annoyed. He stood up and, while walking out, said, "I still have some things to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."

"Let’s chat a bit more, just a bit more..."

’Chat about your granddaughter just to put me down?’

Li Changsheng complained silently as he mounted Xiaohua. He cupped his hands in a farewell gesture to Dong Xing and left the courtyard, ignoring his attempts to make him stay.

Dong Xing watched him leave with a wide smile. When he was out of sight, Dong Xing turned and went back to the pavilion.

He plopped down on the recliner and snorted. "Xiaohua’s firstborn? It’s just an ordinary Tusked Pig. Descendant of some mythical beast ’Zhi’? Utter nonsense!"

"Still, if he sold Xiaohua to me, Yaoyao would be much safer. A pity..."

「Meanwhile.」

Li Changsheng sat on Xiaohua, grinding his teeth in frustration.

That trip to Dong Xing’s place... he’d gone looking for a sale and come away covered in crap without a thing to show for it.

’What’s so great about a granddaughter reaching Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer at nineteen!’

’I’m in my twenties and at Qi Cultivation Second Layer, so what! Did I eat your family’s Spirit Rice?!’

’Infuriating!’

With a dark expression, Li Changsheng urged Xiaohua toward the main road.

As he passed by Yun Wan’s Spirit Field, his expression turned puzzled.

’Why is there a bald patch in the Spirit Field?’

’I remember helping her get rid of the Black Blood Moths a few days ago. Weren’t the crops growing well then?’

’Could it be another pest infestation?’

A chill ran down Li Changsheng’s spine. He hesitated for a moment, then dismounted and walked toward the wooden cabin at the edge of the Spirit Field.

He had just reached the courtyard gate when he heard a woman’s sharp cry from inside the cabin.

"Play! All you know how to do is play!"

"Today, I’m going to show you two the real recipe for ’bamboo cane stir-fry’!"