Yan Yuan's greed had brought this calamity upon himself—he deserved his fate. It was a pity about Fellow Daoist Yan Wenbo, though. After his family had finally produced such a promising talent, his life had been cut short so tragically.
Why did they have to provoke an old man like me, who's practically on his deathbed?
Wei Zhong shook his head, dismissing the thought. From this moment onward, the identity of Wei Zhong would cease to exist.
However, to continue advancing his cultivation, he still needed to find a suitable spirit ground.
Wei Zhong altered his appearance, and Loose Cultivator Chu He instantly materialized in his place.
This time, I'll just find a large tree to lean against.
With a flicker of his escape light, Wei Zhong departed for Ruyue Market.
"Brother Luo, it's been far too long!" Chu He greeted a young man with a cupped-fist salute inside a pavilion in Ruyue Market.
"Ah, Brother Chu! Please, come in. It's only been a few days since we last met, yet you've already reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining—just one step away from Foundation Establishment!"
The two settled at a tea table.
"Not at all," Chu He demurred. "Foundation Establishment is notoriously difficult. As a loose cultivator without connections, how could I possibly hope to achieve it?"
Luo Mingyan felt a pang of sympathy. He himself had been stuck at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining for over a decade, never quite confident enough to attempt Foundation Establishment. That was why he had accumulated wealth in Ruyue Market, hoping to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill.
His words to Chu He were merely polite formalities. The success rate for Loose Cultivators attempting Foundation Establishment was far lower than that of sect disciples.
Chu He, with his Five Spiritual Roots, likely didn't even possess a high-grade spirit root. Without sect backing, his prospects couldn't be good. Luo Mingyan had only befriended him because of his remarkable combat skills.
"To be honest, Brother Luo, my lifespan is dwindling," Wei Zhong said, releasing a palpable aura of twilight.
Luo Mingyan was startled. "How can this be?"
"Alas, one who walks by the sea too often can't avoid getting wet. A few years ago, I was ambushed by Robber Cultivators. I encountered a formidable opponent who severely damaged my foundation, drastically shortening my lifespan. Now, I fear I have less than five years left. That's why I've come to seek your help."
"What do you mean, Brother Chu?"
"In all my years cultivating the Dao, my only lingering concern is for my young nephew. I implore you, Brother Luo, to assist him in gaining entry into the Azurewood Sect."
With that, Chu He retrieved a Storage Pouch from his robes, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Luo Mingyan.
Luo Mingyan sighed in relief, having feared Chu He would ask him to procure longevity-extending treasures, rare items of immense value.
He picked up the Storage Pouch, probed it with his spiritual sense, and his heart instantly leaped with joy. A broad smile spread across his face as he said warmly, "Of course, of course! May I inquire about your virtuous nephew's aptitude and age?"
"My nephew's name is Chu Zhong," Wei Zhong replied. "He possesses Five Spiritual Roots, all of low-grade."
Luo Mingyan's smile faltered.
Wei Zhong continued impassively, "He's over eighty years old and has reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining..."
Seeing Wei Zhong about to elaborate, Luo Mingyan hastily interrupted, "Wait, wait, Brother Chu! It's not that I'm unwilling to help, but your nephew is... rather ordinary. Even the Azurewood Sect's Outer Sect wouldn't accept him."
Wei Zhong feigned a frown, making Luo Mingyan deeply uncomfortable.
He who accepts gifts is bound by duty, Luo Mingyan thought. He who eats another's food is bound by loyalty. I can't take back the spirit stones now.
After a moment's deliberation, he proposed, "Perhaps your virtuous nephew could cultivate spirit fields at the Azurewood Sect for a few years. I have some connections in the Outer Sect's Market City..."
Chu He's face showed a struggle, but inwardly he rejoiced. This was exactly the offer he had been waiting for.
Who would willingly join your Azurewood Sect? I harbor secrets and have no desire to be stripped bare by some old monster from the sect.
Though his goal had been achieved, he still needed to maintain appearances.
"My nephew, Chu He's nephew, becoming a mere Spirit Farmer? Unthinkable!" he protested.
As a Loose Cultivator who had tasted blood and faced death, Chu He despised nothing more than those cultivators who toiled in the fields for cultivation families, resigned to a life of mediocrity. Stripped of most of their earnings by their masters each year, they barely accumulated spirit stones and watched their passion for the Dao wither away.
"Brother Chu, while Spirit Farmers may be scorned, farming at the Azurewood Sect is a privileged position. Not only is it safe and secure, but it also provides access to abundant cultivation resources. With luck, one might even be taken under the wing of a Foundation Establishment cultivator..."
Chu He lowered his head in contemplation for a moment before finally sighing heavily. "Very well, I'll defer to Brother Luo."
He produced a jade pendant and snapped it in half. He handed one half to Luo Mingyan and kept the other for himself.
"If someone arrives in a few days with this half of the jade pendant and a letter bearing my personal seal, you can be certain it's my nephew. I implore you, Brother Luo..."
Luo Mingyan clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Rest assured, Brother Chu. Since this Daoist has accepted your favor, I will ensure the matter is handled properly."
Chu He nodded. "Then I'll take my leave."
"Safe travels, Brother Chu."
Wei Zhong transformed into a streak of escape light and departed from Ruyue Market.
Wei Zhong's decision to place himself under the Azurewood Sect's patronage as a farmhand was the result of careful consideration. He needed to prepare for his future Foundation Establishment, and as a Golden Core sect, the Azurewood Sect routinely accepted Loose Cultivators into their ranks for this stage.
In contrast, achieving Foundation Establishment under a cultivation family like the Yan Clan or Chen Family would likely invite immediate hostility, potentially even sabotage of his Dao cultivation through clandestine interference.
Moreover, Luo Mingyan was right. As one of the Golden Core powers in Wild Plains Prefecture, the Azurewood Sect offered unparalleled security and abundant resources—an ideal environment for Foundation Establishment.
Wei Zhong had heard of Han Bamboo City, a settlement in his prefecture jointly established by Loose Cultivators. However, it was too far away and too close to Cloud River Prefecture. He worried that the repercussions of a Nascent Soul inheritance might spread and engulf innocent bystanders.
Therefore, the Azurewood Sect seemed the best choice.
As for the spirit stones he had given to Luo Mingyan, Wei Zhong felt only a slight pang of regret. After killing the three Spirit Farmer Daoists and Yan Yuan, his wealth had surged again. Parting with a small portion to secure his future prospects seemed worthwhile.
The three men's Storage Pouches were brimming with spirit stones, clearly indicating they regularly supplemented their income by playing the roles of Robber Cultivators.
Recalling their tactics—passive defensive magic tools, Mid-Grade First-Tier defensive robes, and bizarre magic tools that disrupted the Divine Soul—Wei Zhong realized, "You can't underestimate even farmers." Who knew what treasures they might pull out during a fight to turn the tide?
He retrieved the strange pellet drum and shook it a few times, producing a series of drumbeats. The Nine-Colored bird perched on his shoulder swayed precariously, as if about to fall off.
Wei Zhong stopped shaking the drum and carefully peeled off the drumhead.
Could the key to this strangeness lie in the drumhead itself?
The drumhead was pale white, its material impossible to identify. When held up to the sunlight, its surface shimmered with an otherworldly glow, clearly not an ordinary object.
This must be something special, Wei Zhong thought. Someday, I'll find a master craftsman to refine it. It could become a valuable trump card.
The three men's storage pouches contained a treasure trove of spirit medicines, pills, and other items Wei Zhong had never seen before.
Three days later, Wei Zhong reverted to his middle-aged appearance and returned to Ruyue Market.
Luo Mingyan examined the jade pendant and letter of introduction Wei Zhong presented. "You're Chu Zhong?"
Wei Zhong nodded.
"Why isn't Fellow Daoist Chu He here?"
"My uncle's lifespan is dwindling. Unwilling to accept his fate, he ventured out to seek a miraculous opportunity." Wei Zhong's face clouded with sorrow.
Luo Mingyan nodded sympathetically. "Very well. Since your uncle entrusted you to me, this Daoist will take care of you. I must return to my sect soon. We'll depart in a few days."
"I leave everything to Uncle Luo's arrangements!"