Chapter 93: The Harvest, Fairy Luoxia

Born from the lowest rungs of society, one must act with meticulous caution and prudence. Carelessness often demands a heavy price.

Take Xue Tong, for example. Known as the Worm King, he was a renowned and formidable figure within Fengmingwu Market, comparable to a high-level cultivator beyond the seventh stage of Qi Refinement. Yet, because he underestimated a lowly spirit farmer like himself and recklessly trespassed into his backyard, he lost his life.

Such a mistake he would never dare to repeat. Without eliminating all danger, he could not rest easy, even in sleep.

Resolved, he settled into a cross-legged posture and began circulating the Five Elements Technique to replenish his depleted spiritual energy.

After the battle, over half of his spiritual power was spent, especially since casting perfected spells consumed a great deal of both spiritual and mental energy. With his current reserves, he could last barely ten breaths more.

After ten breaths, it would be time to flee.

One full cycle, two full cycles.

It must be said, the perfected Five Elements Technique greatly improved cultivation efficiency. In just one cycle, roughly the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, he had restored over half of his spiritual energy.

After completing the second cycle, his spiritual energy even slightly increased.

This was partly due to the abundant spiritual energy now present in his spirit field, thanks to the Spirit Gathering Grass.

The effect of Spirit Gathering Grass in concentrating spiritual energy was evident. Some low-level cultivators, lacking proper cultivation conditions, even cultivated this grass specifically to accelerate their training.

Though a single blade of the grass could only gather limited energy, every little bit helped.

For low-tier cultivators, choices were scarce.

Once his spiritual energy was fully restored, Zhou Changwang produced Xue Tong’s storage pouch. Combining spiritual power with mental force, he instantly formed a spiritual awareness and surged towards the pouch.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

In just a short time, the spiritual imprint on the storage pouch was completely erased.

“As expected, with my realm advancement, my speed in opening storage pouches has increased significantly,” Zhou Changwang thought with a pleased smile.

It made sense. Now, being on par with Xue Tong at the mid-Qi Refinement stage and possessing spiritual awareness—though weaker—his power was roughly equal, allowing him to swiftly erase the opponent’s spiritual mark.

Relaxed, he then observed the contents inside the pouch.

The first impression was the size—much larger than his own pouch, roughly two cubic meters—large enough to hold some smaller demon beasts.

For instance, the armored boar he had slain earlier could fit entirely inside.

He then surveyed the contents.

A large heap of bottles and jars, various sundries, spirit stones, talismans, corpses of demon insects, materials, and insect blood... He took them out one by one, placing them aside.

Finally, he began organizing.

“Thirteen hundred eighty-five low-grade spirit stones, seven talismans—all finished products, first-grade beginner level—over thirty jade slips, and even two low-grade magical instruments: a throwing knife and a jade pendant. Could this pendant be one of those special instruments that calm the mind and still the breath?”

He paused.

“This is an identification token—from the Worm Valley, disciple Xue Tong? So he actually hails from Worm Valley?”

“Also, this appears to be a key for house entry.”

Right, Xue Tong lived in a manor in the eastern district, much larger than Zhou’s place. This key looked more advanced indeed.

“Once I have more information tomorrow and confirm there’s no danger, I’ll have to visit there. But for now, I’ll just keep it aside.”

Next, he examined the bottles and jars: poison powders, insect blood, some spiritual liquids, and pills.

There weren’t many pills for cultivation growth, only a vial of Qi Harmony Pill—a pill suitable for mid-Qi Refinement cultivators, with effects far superior to the Original Spirit Pill or Yellow Spirit Pill.

Then there were antidote pills, rejuvenation pills, and—what’s this—a spirit-nourishing pill that restores mental energy? And a primal spirit pill that boosts mental strength?

A substantial haul.

Even organizing the items took him nearly half an hour.

The spirit stones alone—thirteen hundred eighty-five low-grade—were an impressive fortune.

At his previous peak, he had carried only about eight hundred stones.

Comparing such wealth stunned him.

The saying flashed through his mind: “Murder and arson earn a golden belt”—no wonder so many cultivators were willing to become bandits.

The spoils of plundering were truly abundant.

Yet Zhou Changwang also knew that while the wealth from banditry was tempting, walking the night road too often meant inevitably encountering ghosts.

Keeping your head on your belt only works until it falls off.

Such risks he was unwilling to take.

He sought longevity.

Steady, methodical progress was the true way.

Among the seven talismans, three were defensive, all golden shield talismans at finished-grade quality—clearly, Xue Tong valued his life greatly.

A pity, he was facing Zhou Changwang.

With a single Metal Finger strike, unless it were a high-grade defensive artifact like a tortoise shell—which was indeed incredibly tough—these golden shield talismans, even at finished-grade, were as fragile as paper, useless against him.

The other four talismans were: Giant Strength Talisman, Corrosion Talisman, Gravity Prison Talisman, and Weak Water Swamp Talisman.

The Giant Strength and Corrosion Talismans were relatively simple—one enhancing strength, the other corroding objects—both first-grade beginner level, hardly impactful against him now.

The Gravity Prison Talisman was a first-grade intermediate talisman, with considerable power. If used suddenly in battle, it could impose a heavy gravitational pressure on the opponent, slowing their movements involuntarily.

The Weak Water Swamp Talisman, though not truly “weak water,” once activated would transform a large ground area into a swamp, causing anyone standing there to sink and struggle to escape.

Both were first-grade intermediate talismans with significant power.

Used together, their combined effect could be greater than the sum of their parts.

Each talisman was worth at least a hundred low-grade spirit stones.

“Luckily, I activated my formation in time, confusing his judgment of my position.

Otherwise, if he used these two talismans together on me, the outcome would have been unpredictable,” Zhou Changwang mused, carefully storing them.

These two talismans would be excellent surprise weapons and could serve as his trump cards.

He also found two low-grade magical instruments. The throwing knife was insignificant—he already possessed a flying sword and had even looted a mid-grade flying sword from the enemy. The throwing knife was mere surplus, which he planned to sell for a couple hundred low-grade spirit stones.

As for the jade pendant, upon activation, it indeed proved to be an instrument that calmed the mind and cleared distractions, though it required spiritual energy to maintain and lasted only half an hour per use—less convenient than those that worked passively when worn.

Still, it was a precious treasure, even surpassing many mid-grade magical instruments in value.

After all, the cultivation world lacked patience and was full of restless, impetuous souls. Such a tool could greatly increase cultivation efficiency.

It was also invaluable to Zhou Changwang himself.

He then held the identification token.

The Worm Valley token.

“Worm Valley is said to be a sect practicing immortal arts, located three thousand li from Fengmingwu Market.

Though its strength is far below Shuiyun Immortal Sect and Qingyuan Sect, as an immortal arts sect, it surely has True Monarchs above the Nascent Soul stage.”

A flicker of unease crossed Zhou Changwang’s face.

This was not good news.

Worm King Xue Tong was a Worm Valley disciple, even a formal one... Having a sect backing him was far more intimidating than a lone wanderer.

If some elder from the sect appeared...

“But he’s dead now; no use worrying.

Worm Valley is extremely far away; encounters should be rare.

At worst, I’ll just be more cautious later.”

Zhou Changwang was decisive and not easily shaken.

When someone comes knocking to kill, it’s either them or you—no time for needless worries.

Still, to be safe, he planned to destroy the token at some point, but not on his own grounds.

He feared the token might hold hidden traps, and mishandling it could bring trouble.

Finally, his gaze settled on the numerous jade slips.

“‘Five Poisons Heart Classic,’ ‘Insect Control Technique,’ ‘Mind Splitting Art,’ ‘Spirit Insect Rankings,’ ‘Seven Treatises on Spirit Insects,’ ‘Antidote Methods,’ ‘Seven Pillars of Spirit Insects,’ ‘Insect Summoning Technique,’ ‘Insect Driving Technique’...”

Zhou Changwang examined each jade slip carefully.

After a long while, he regained his composure.

Nearly all of the jade slips related to spirit insects, with only a few spells serving the insects.

For example, the Insect Summoning Technique—a spell simulating special spiritual energies to attract spirit insects.

The Insect Driving Technique prevented the caster from being harmed by spirit insects.

“Interestingly, the Mind Splitting Art is a rare technique that cultivates mental power through spellwork.

It comes at the cost of dividing the mind, and during recovery, the mental strength slowly increases.

The more times the mind is split, the stronger the spirit becomes.

But the process is extremely painful.

No wonder Xue Tong had so many spirit-nourishing pills—mostly for practicing this Mind Splitting Art.”

Zhou Changwang was impressed by the technique’s uniqueness.

It was well-known that methods to improve mental power were rare and precious in the cultivation world.

Any spirit-related pill or material was highly valuable.

For instance, a spirit-nourishing pill cost ten, each priced at fifteen low-grade spirit stones—one vial costing one hundred fifty stones.

Those that increased mental power, the primal spirit pills, were even more expensive—thirty stones each, three hundred per vial.

Though painful, the Mind Splitting Art’s slow, steady mental power growth was invaluable.

In places like the Six Directions Pavilion or Shuiyun Pavilion, such a technique would be priced at no less than three hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Sometimes, it wouldn’t even be sold openly.

“The Five Poisons Heart Classic is a special cultivation method that uses the power of five poisons to stimulate the meridians and cultivate poison skills.

By cultivating this, even one’s spiritual power carries toxicity.

In combat, one could easily be poisoned and must remain vigilant.

The method also mentions that if one gathers and refines the poison sacs of five first-grade superior poisonous beasts, they can temper and enhance the cultivator’s spiritual root, improving its quality somewhat.”

Zhou Changwang’s heart stirred.

This was a rare method in the cultivation world for improving spiritual root quality.

If cultivated...

He hesitated, then shook his head.

Though tempting, this method was not suited for him.

The Five Poisons Heart Classic ultimately turned one into a poison user.

It was a heterodox method, damaging one’s lifespan, and even if it enhanced spiritual root quality, it would make foundational cultivation nearly impossible.

“A pity. Not worth it,” he sighed.

He briefly considered whether refining the five superior-grade elemental beasts’ poison sacs similarly might work, but knowing his own base was insufficient, he dared not try.

He had no margin for error.

A single mistake would mean eternal ruin.

“Regarding the Insect Control Technique, it’s a method to control insects.

The stronger one’s mental power, the more spirit insects one can contract and command.

Low-level cultivators can command up to three; at Qi Refinement stage four, five insects; stage six, seven; stage seven, nine.

Of course, the higher the mental power, the more insects one can command.

If the insects are far weaker than the cultivator, one can also use spells to drive more insects.

For example, controlling a queen Golden Devouring Bee allows one to command countless offspring.”

The Spirit Insect Rankings was a list recording many spirit insects’ rankings, mainly the top hundred.

The Golden Devouring Bee did not even make the list.

However, two butterflies ranked ninety-seven, named the Seven-Colored Poison Butterfly.

Their powder was fiercely toxic, able to kill many demon beasts of the same realm.

If refined, it could produce a poison called “Seven-Colored Bloom,” a spirit poison that silently invades a cultivator’s awareness.

If not promptly detoxified, it severely damages the spirit, greatly reducing strength.

The Seven Treatises on Spirit Insects covered basic knowledge about spirit insects.

Antidote Methods dealt with detoxifying poisonous insects.

The Seven Pillars of Spirit Insects were seven pills that could be fed to spirit insects to induce evolution.

Details of effects and required materials were provided.

Even some refining instructions were included.

Unfortunately, lacking knowledge of pill principles and fire control, Zhou Changwang could not refine them himself.

He would have to rely on an alchemist’s help.”

He studied the jade slips carefully, gaining new insight into insect cultivation.

...

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhou Changwang stepped out.

His main concern was whether Worm King Xue Tong had relatives, friends, or sect elders.

If so, he would have to consider his own safety.

Moreover, after the backyard intrusion, Zhou began doubting the market’s internal security.

Since the courtyard was not absolutely safe, he needed a contingency plan to escape immediately in case of overwhelming danger.

Even the slyest rabbit has three burrows.

He felt he must prepare more.

At that moment, the heavens opened with a torrential downpour.

Zhou Changwang donned a bamboo hat, wore a raincoat, and masked his face with a black cloth, making it difficult for anyone but close acquaintances to recognize him.

This time, he mainly sought information and planned to sell some spoils, so anonymity was preferred.

He also cast a concealment technique, suppressing his aura to that of a third-stage Qi Refinement cultivator.

With his perfected concealment, only cultivators far above his level—Nascent Soul true cultivators—could discern his true strength.

Even high-level ninth-stage Qi Refinement cultivators could not detect him.

He made his way quickly to the rogue cultivator marketplace.

He paid one low-grade spirit stone for a stall, choosing a relatively secluded spot, and displayed many spiritual materials, including the low-grade magical instrument.

Gradually, many cultivators inquired prices.

He sold most items at prices one to two tiers below market rate, quietly gathering information.

For example, he asked about the number of “brokers” selling information in the market.

By afternoon, as the rain ceased and he sold more than half his wares, earning over three hundred low-grade spirit stones, he closed shop.

Fifteen minutes later, he approached a middle-aged female cultivator with a withered complexion, resembling a farmer.

“I heard Immortal Sister Luoxia has reliable information channels?”

Zhou Changwang cast a soundproof spell before speaking.

Luoxia Immortal Sister was the woman’s Taoist name, though her appearance hardly matched the title.

She took pride in the name, and he politely accepted it.

“Are you asking about things or people?”

“People.”

He paused, then said, “Worm King Xue Tong.”

...

After a stick of incense burned, Zhou Changwang exited the rogue cultivator market with a faint smile.

Worm King Xue Tong was indeed a famous expert in the market with many victories.

Thus, much information about him was available.

From Luoxia Immortal Sister, Zhou learned that Xue Tong’s famous fight was deep in Shuangyuan Mountain, where he battled a seventh-stage Qi Refinement cultivator for a superior spirit material.

After fierce combat, Xue Tong emerged victorious, slaying the opponent and even feeding the corpse to his spirit insects.

From then on, he earned the title Worm King.

Among many insect cultivators in Fengmingwu Market, he was the strongest.

Zhou’s main concern was the man’s relationships.

Fortunately, as expected, Xue Tong was indeed powerful and feared due to his insect cultivation.

But insect cultivators were mostly loners with few friends and many enemies.

The slain seventh-stage cultivator had an eighth-stage friend who openly vowed to avenge him.

There was even a bounty in the black market: anyone who killed Xue Tong could claim one hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Even the sect was mentioned.

He was a Worm Valley disciple but only an ordinary one.

Generally, Worm Valley’s masters would not travel a thousand li just to avenge an ordinary disciple.

“This makes me feel much safer,” Zhou Changwang relaxed.

As for the black market bounty?

If it were a thousand stones, he might be tempted.

But one hundred stones? Better to avoid trouble.

Besides, his head was already turned to ash by Zhou’s fireball.

Even if he wanted to claim the bounty, he had no proof.

Leaving the rogue market, Zhou Changwang considered his next step and headed to a large merchant house.

The Bai Family Trading Company!

This was his second visit.

Perhaps due to recent rumors about the Bai family, foot traffic in the shop was lighter.

Inside the spacious store, only a few customers browsed quietly.

He did not see Cao Youde, the first-grade intermediate puppet master he had met before.

This was a relief.

Instinctively, he disliked dealing with high-level cultivators.

Unequal status made casual contact risky.

Another notable thing was the mid-grade sword puppet the Bai shop was selling—it was still unsold.

Zhou glanced briefly and looked away.

Priced at eighteen thousand low-grade spirit stones, it was far beyond his means.

He did not seek out the store manager this time, instead approaching an ordinary attendant and straightforwardly asked to buy the Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique.

Previously, the Bai manager had mentioned three group-attack thunder spells: Gathering Thunder into Rain, Heavenly Five-Thunder Strike, and Little Five Elements Thousand Thunder Technique.

Each group spell could be broken down into smaller thunder spells.

Zhou had chosen Thousand Thunder Flash from the last group for planting Thunder Spirit Rice Trees.

Another spell from the same group was Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique—a mid-grade attack thunder spell with great power.

After fighting Xue Tong, he felt his attack methods too weak.

Metal Finger and Fireball were low-grade; even perfected, their power ceilings were limited.

Hence, he wanted to learn one or two stronger attack spells.

Thunder magic was the obvious choice.

Moreover, Five Elements Thunder Transformation could combine with Thousand Thunder Flash to form the advanced Little Five Elements Thousand Thunder Technique.

Whether for current needs or future training, he chose the Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique.

The attendant gladly sold the spell.

After Zhou offered two hundred eighty-eight low-grade spirit stones, and a brief consultation, the attendant handed him a pale golden jade slip.

Thus, the Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique was his.

...

Thanks to a fellow reader’s midnight shower gift—much appreciated!

(End of chapter)