Chapter 116: Chapter 114: Bliss, Tribulation Cultivator, Spirit Farmer

Wang Daqian said a few more words before cheerfully taking his leave.

From what Fang Cheng had observed, the man seemed forthright and sociable, and his words didn’t appear to be false.

He returned to the Cave Mansion and worked with Ye Yan to set up a Defensive Array nearby. After activating the restrictive wards, the move was officially complete.

Die’Er prepared several delicious dishes, and Fang Cheng took out a jar of Spirit Wine to celebrate the auspicious move with his beautiful wife and concubine.

During the meal, the conversation turned to the matter of the Ten Thousand Poison Gang.

Ye Yan’s fine brows furrowed. "There are only two ways to handle this. One is to secretly challenge the Ten Thousand Poison Gang, create utter chaos and a river of blood, find the antidote for the Jile Pill, and restore order to Netherworld Valley."

"The other is to secretly use the Poison Gu to neutralize the pill’s poison. We’d lay low for now and observe for a while, to avoid alerting the enemy."

Fang Cheng nodded. "The first method is a bit risky. We’re in an unfamiliar place and don’t know the true strength of the Ten Thousand Poison Gang. If we fall into a trap, all our efforts will be for naught. I agree with the second method. The Jile Pill’s grade shouldn’t be high. The Poison Gu should be able to remove its effects easily."

"The tree that stands tallest in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind. We’re new here, so we should prioritize the opportunity with the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect. Other matters can be set aside for now. It won’t be too late to deal with them after we’ve familiarized ourselves with the situation here."

Ye Yan smiled. "Husband, you are the head of this household, so I’ll listen to you. I’ve heard about that Jile Pill before. While the antidote is difficult to find, it’s not impossible. If it really comes to it, we can make a trip back to the Abyssal Marsh to resolve it."

The two quickly decided on their course of action. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

After the meal.

Fang Cheng returned to the Quiet Chamber that Ye Yan had prepared for him. He took out the Spirit-Devouring Tree and placed it to one side, then retrieved an Upper-Grade Spirit Stone and set it at the base of the tree.

He sat cross-legged on the jade mat and began circulating the Cyan Yuan Demon Tree Skill to attempt cultivation.

The branches and leaves of the Spirit-Devouring Tree swayed gently, greedily devouring the dense Spiritual Qi emanating from the Upper-Grade Spirit Stone. Then, at an incredible speed, it fed that energy back to Fang Cheng!

This extravagant method of cultivation was even faster than when he was at Cyan Demon Cliff.

Just as he was about to press on and enter a meditative state, the clear and pleasant sound of a Jade Chime came from outside the door.

Fang Cheng waved his sleeve, and the stone door to the Quiet Chamber slid open. Ye Yan walked in, having returned to her original appearance, dressed in a light purple gauze dress.

Beneath the dress, her long, fair legs seemed to glow, as if she had just bathed.

"Husband, I’ll accompany you in your cultivation tonight." A charming, coquettish look appeared on Ye Yan’s exquisite and radiant face, making her seem both pure and seductive.

Fang Cheng readily agreed, smiling. "Moving into a new Cave Mansion does indeed call for some ceremony... You and I should cultivate together properly."

...

...

...

The next day, just as Wang Daqian had said, Cultivators from the Ten Thousand Poison Gang came knocking.

The group was led by a man with a Late-stage Sensing Cultivation, followed by more than ten Loose Cultivators, all of whom carried an air of arrogance and aggression.

The leader introduced himself as a Guardian of the Ten Thousand Poison Gang with the surname Sun. He was gaunt, with a sinister gaze.

He first questioned Fang Cheng carefully about his origins before casually mentioning the Ten Thousand Poison Gang’s status and power in Netherworld Valley.

Fang Cheng claimed that his ancestors were from a Cultivation Family in the Abyssal Marsh, but his family had fallen on hard times, which was why he had gone to the Southern Mang Mountains to cultivate.

Now, disturbed by the Yinluo Sect’s Demon Cleansing Conference, he had come to Netherworld Valley to settle down.

As he spoke, he quietly handed over a bag of Spirit Stones as a sign of respect.

Seeing how sensible he was, Sun Guardian’s attitude immediately improved, and his tone became a little more cordial.

More than half of the Loose Cultivators in the world came from fallen families, but very few could ever restore their family’s former glory.

There were too many similar Loose Cultivators in Netherworld Valley. Sun Guardian silently labeled Fang Cheng in his mind and then put the matter aside.

The Poison Gu could release potent toxins, but it also excelled at devouring poisonous substances.

After Sun Guardian left, Fang Cheng immediately summoned his Poison Gu. The Ink Jade Gu Insect paused briefly on each of the three of them before sluggishly returning to Fang Cheng’s sleeve.

It was clearly unsatisfied with the source of poison its master had provided this time.

Meanwhile, the Jile Pill’s toxins within the bodies of Fang Cheng and the others had vanished without a trace.

With that, Fang Cheng’s mind was at ease, and he began to cultivate in peace.

No matter when or where, cultivation was always the top priority.

With the Upper-Grade Spirit Stones and the Spirit-Devouring Tree, his Cultivation still grew steadily each day, at a rate no slower than when he was at Cyan Demon Cliff.

Then there was raising his Gu, practicing his swordsmanship, and cultivating several Divine Techniques.

Next, he would periodically enter the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect’s Secret Realm to check the status of the restrictive ward on the Broken Tower Stone Gate.

Once the ward on the Stone Gate faded completely, it would be his time to enter and plunder the Celestial Dew!

This was a heaven-defying opportunity that he had to grasp firmly in his own hands.

Although he possessed the Golden Talisman, a heaven-defying treasure that could enhance his comprehension, resources and Cultivation Techniques were also indispensable on the path of seeking the Great Dao.

In the history of the Cultivation Realm, countless geniuses had great comprehension but perished midway on their path.

Furthermore, he needed to befriend the Loose Cultivators in Netherworld Valley, become a familiar face, and make himself seem less stand-offish and reclusive to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Most Loose Cultivators in Netherworld Valley made a living through a specific craft.

This included skills like Artifact Refining, talisman crafting, Alchemy, growing Spiritual Medicine, weaving Magical Robes, setting up Arrays, and raising Demon Beasts.

Those with no particular craft would hunt Demon Beasts or work for the great families in exchange for Spirit Stones.

Near Netherworld Valley were three great Life Talisman Families, of which the Cao Family was the most powerful and had the longest history.

The craft Fang Cheng used to cover his identity was, naturally, the art of winemaking.

Unfortunately, there were already several Cultivators in Netherworld Valley who were experts at making wine. Their Spirit Wine was not only supplied to the many Loose Cultivators of the valley but was also sold to the three great Life Talisman Families and even the Yinluo Sect Marketplace!

The competition was just too fierce.

Left with no choice, Fang Cheng sought out Wang Daqian again to ask about the "ways of making a living" for a Loose Cultivator.

Wang Daqian’s Carefree Cave was not far from Brocade Cloud Stream, and he was very happy to see Fang Cheng visit.

Wang Daqian called himself the Master of Carefree Cave, and it was indeed no empty boast.

After entering Carefree Cave, Fang Cheng discovered that its interior was exquisitely and elegantly decorated. The quality of food, clothing, and daily necessities was no less than that of an Outer Disciple of the Yinluo Sect.

Even more outrageously, Wang Daqian had seven Dao companions!

Moreover, all of these companions had their own Cultivation, and the Spirit Rice they ate and the Spirit Stones they used for cultivation amounted to a considerable expense.

For him to be able to support so many partners, he must have some extraordinary means.

The two men sat down in the reception hall of the Cave Mansion. One of the Dao companions came over with a smile, served Spirit Tea, and invited Fang Cheng to enjoy it.

Wang Daqian asked with a smile, "Brother, you’ve just arrived in Netherworld Valley. Are you settling in alright?"

Fang Cheng nodded. "Aside from the Spiritual Qi being a bit poor, everything else is fine."

Wang Daqian said, "If you can get your hands on a decent Spirit Gathering Array and are willing to spend some Spirit Stones, that’s not a difficult problem to solve."

Fang Cheng gave a wry smile. "I came to visit today precisely because of Spirit Stones. Brother Wang, you’ve been in Netherworld Valley for so many years. Could you perhaps offer me some guidance?"

A smile appeared on Wang Daqian’s face. He calmly took a sip of tea before slowly saying, "We Loose Cultivators can’t do without the four essentials: wealth, companions, techniques, and a place to cultivate. If you’re looking to make a fortune, I happen to know two paths. One brings in money quickly, the other is slower. I wonder which one you’re interested in?"

Fang Cheng asked curiously, "What’s the difference between the fast and slow paths?"

Wang Daqian said with a serious expression, "With the fast path, one day’s work can earn you as much as a year on the slow one."

Fang Cheng’s eyes lit up. "Please enlighten me, Brother Wang!"

Wang Daqian said flatly, "If you are willing to join our circle, brother, I will naturally explain the details in person. Otherwise, I’m afraid I have nothing more to say."

’Don’t tell me it’s robbing other cultivators?’ A thought flashed through Fang Cheng’s mind.

He calmly replied, "Brother Wang, we are neighbors and should naturally look out for each other. As for the circle you mentioned, I’ll join."

Only then did Wang Daqian smile happily. "The so-called ’fast money’ is doing some dirty work for certain influential people. Of course, the risks are not small. I am sincerely inviting you, brother, because I have taken a liking to your Cultivation."

Fang Cheng nodded. "Take their money to solve their problems. I understand."

Wang Daqian added, "Don’t worry, brother. When it comes to this line of work, we are the most professional in Netherworld Valley. I have been in this business for over twenty years and have never failed."

Fang Cheng said with admiration, "Excellent. Thank you for your high regard, Brother Wang. From now on, I will be counting on you."

"Of course..." Wang Daqian smiled. "However, in our line of work, we still need a ’slow’ job as a cover. That’s the only way to ensure a long and steady flow."

"Then what is your ’slow’ job, Brother Wang?" Fang Cheng asked.

"A Spirit Farmer," Wang Daqian said. "As it happens, there’s a small job tomorrow that needs a batch of Spirit Farmers. I’ll take you to have a look."

"Thank you, Brother Wang," Fang Cheng said.

The two chatted for a few more moments before Fang Cheng rose to take his leave.

「The next day.」

Wang Daqian arrived at Brocade Cloud Stream early in the morning. He called for Fang Cheng, and together they left Netherworld Valley, flying west.

In less than an hour, the two arrived before a magnificent, towering mountain.

At the foot of the mountain was a small town inhabited by over a hundred thousand mortals, bustling with the prosperous air of the secular world.

From halfway up the mountain, glimpses of splendid, golden-roofed halls and pavilions could be seen amidst the trees, revealing clusters of spiritual light.

At the very peak, there was an even more imposing statue of a giant tiger. It was dark red all over, exuded an oppressive Evil Qi, and sat majestically atop the summit, looking down upon the wilderness.