You Cultivate, I Farm

“Senior Lu, the Confucian cultivator you were looking for has been found.”

As soon as Lu Xuan entered the branch of the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce, Taoist friend Mu greeted him with an eager smile.

“Taoist friend Mu, you have worked hard.”

Lu Xuan said indifferently.

“Liyang Region is far too distant from the Great Xia Realm, and it took quite an effort to find two people: one at the Foundation Establishment Mid-term cultivation base and the other slightly below, at Perfect Qi Training.”

“That will do, please lead me to see the Confucian cultivator in Foundation Establishment first.”

Lu Xuan prioritized the one with deeper cultivation since the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree was a Sixth-grade Spirit Plant, and a higher cultivation level of the Confucian cultivator likely meant greater mastery in poetry and literature.

“This way, Senior Lu,” the tall elder led the way, guiding Lu Xuan to a street in the lower section of the Star Plucking Building.

On both sides of the street were closely packed houses, much denser than those near the branch.

Lu Xuan nodded lightly and followed the elder into a small courtyard equipped with simple Prohibitions and Restrictions.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, a cultivator with an ordinary appearance stepped out, looking at Lu Xuan with a measure of wariness.

“Friend Zhang, this is Senior Lu, Lu Xuan.”

“Senior, this is Taoist friend, Zhang Yingqi.”

“I have seen Senior Lu!”

Upon hearing the elder’s words, the Confucian cultivator quickly performed a greeting.

Lu Xuan, who cultivated the “Breaking Illusion Eye Technique”, instantly saw through the Confucian cultivator’s appearance, which was disguised by a secret technique.

“Friend Zhang, no need for formalities.”

“Do not worry, I have come to you with good intentions, not to trouble you,” he said warmly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yingqi finally relaxed.

He had secluded himself in the Heavenly Star Cave, thinking no one would discover his identity, but suddenly, a cultivator came to invite him to the Star Plucking Building.

Carrying many secrets, he had not found a chance to escape and had to follow the cultivator from the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce to this place.

After a few days of anxious and chaotic thinking, the Golden Core Real Person who had sought him finally showed up.

“Before discussing matters, I have a few questions to ask friend Zhang, and I request that you answer truthfully,” Lu Xuan said solemnly.

“I will certainly be truthful and will not hide anything,” Zhang Yingqi immediately responded.

“How long has friend Zhang been in the Liyang Region?”

“About five years.”

“What is your cultivation level in the Confucian Path?”

“It’s fairly good. I studied for over twenty years at the Foot Mountain Academy. After coming to the Heavenly Star Cave, I have been diligently cultivating without cease.”

“Why would you travel so far, abandoning the Great Xia Realm—a place so well-suited for Confucian cultivators—to come to the Heavenly Star Cave?”

Lu Xuan’s piercing gaze seemed able to read any thought in Zhang Yingqi’s mind.

Zhang Yingqi hesitated for a moment before slowly saying:

“To respond to Senior, I was a member of a small family in the Great Xia Realm. Our family held a Confucian divine cultivation technique, which was accidentally discovered by others, bringing disaster.”

“Eventually, our family was annexed by a powerful noble family of the Great Xia Realm; all who resisted were killed. I was fortunately away on business at the time and managed to escape.”

Toward the end, Zhang Yingqi seemed to recall something, and his teeth clenched with an intense bitterness that appeared to have material form in the corners of his eyes.

“Is that family very powerful?” Lu Xuan asked curiously.

“Not weaker than some sects in the Liyang Region.”

Zhang Yingqi replied word by word.

“Thank you, Friend Zhang, for clarifying. Lu Mou will think it over, and after some time, I will give you a response,”

Lu Xuan said, then left with Wood Daoren.

“Wood Daoren, take me to see that Confucian Cultivator with Perfect Qi Training again,” Lu Xuan said with a steady expression, in a deep voice.

“Alright, Senior Lu.”

The tall elder walked ahead, leading the way and introducing another Confucian Cultivator to Lu Xuan.

“This Confucian Cultivator, named Hong Qinghai, couldn’t afford the expensive rent for the Heavenly Star Cave and lived in a small market near the Star Plucking Building. I have also invited him over,” the elder explained.

Soon, the two arrived outside a tavern. Wood Daoren activated a Communication Talisman, and within a few breaths, a young man came out from the tavern.

“Greetings to the two seniors!”

“Senior Lu, this is Hong Qinghai, a Confucian Cultivator with Perfect Qi Training, only a step away from Foundation Establishment,” the elder said, pointing toward the young man.

The young man had a medium build and clear, intelligent eyes that displayed a sense of sagacity. Dressed in light blue, he exuded an aura of scholarly poise.

“Junior Hong, this is Senior Lu Xuan, who has matters to discuss with you. If you meet the requirements, it could be a great opportunity for you,” the elder conveyed.

Upon hearing this, the young man’s expression became even more respectful.

“Junior Hong, would you mind answering a few questions for Lu Mou?”

Lu Xuan’s tone was warm, which greatly eased the young man’s tension.

“This junior will hide nothing and tell all!”

“Good,”

Lu Xuan nodded.

“May I know your background, how long have you been in the Heavenly Star Cave, and why did you come here?”

“I come from a humble background, my father was a minor scholar with shallow cultivation. My parents passed away somewhat early. I have some talent in the Confucian Path and pursued studies at the School Underneath Jilin.”

“I have been here in the Liyang Region’s Heavenly Star Cave for less than three years. I left the Great Xia Realm because I had offended the son of a prominent scholar at the school, who oppressed me relentlessly. Unable to bear the humiliation, I had no choice but to leave my homeland for the Heavenly Star Cave.”

Lu Xuan nodded slightly.

Both Confucian Cultivators he found had stories of their own, making it difficult to choose between them at the moment.

Zhang Yingqi, clearly superior in Confucian cultivation, would theoretically be more suitable to nurture the Nine Confucian Treasure Tree. However, it was evident that he greatly minded the great vengeance he bore. Should an opportunity arise, he would surely return to the Great Xia Realm for revenge, possibly even drawing the involvement of the Confucian family behind him, which questioned his stability.

As for Hong Qinghai, although his cultivation was not yet at the Foundation Establishment, his aptitude, judging from his educational endeavors, should be no weaker than Zhang Yingqi’s. He moved to the Liyang Region of his own will and seemed to have fewer ties with the powers of the Great Xia Realm, appearing to plan on settling in the Heavenly Star Cave.

Thinking this, Lu Xuan felt the scales tip slightly in his mind.

“Junior Hong, if you succeed in your cultivation, would you consider seeking revenge against that scholar’s son?”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“The thought is definitely there, but the chance is too slim, after all, that person is backed by a prominent scholar, so thoughts of revenge have faded,” Hong Qinghai said nonchalantly, indicating he did not harbor much resentment for his foe.

“Then would you be willing to follow me and help me accomplish a task?”

“If you prove satisfactory, I will not say much, but I will certainly help you break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm,” Lu Xuan laughed as he spoke, confident in this regard. He had plenty of Foundation Establishment Pills to help Hong Qinghai consume them like candy, stacking his way up to the Foundation Establishment Realm if necessary.

“This junior would be most honored!”

With a slap, Hong Qinghai knelt on one knee, ecstatically expressing his agreement.