Chapter 151: Mud Dwarf and Phoenix Tail Fish Spirit
Chapter 151: Mud Dwarf and Phoenix Tail Fish Spirit
The ritual was very simple. They placed offerings on the table, lit incense in the burner, chanted mysteriously, and then just like that, it was done without anyone even lighting the final incense stick.
Chen Xiyi initially thought it would be a grand affair, but he hadn’t expected everything to be so minimal.
Still, considering the string of misfortunes they’d faced, it made sense not to delay any longer.
Honestly, everyone in the merchant caravan was feeling rather unlucky by now. If circumstances allowed, they’d probably seek out a fortune-teller or magician to cleanse their bad luck.
First, they encountered cannibalistic monsters in Ling City, and then barely escaped only to run into a man-eating giant tiger.
Despite the streak of bad luck, no one was foolish enough to connect these incidents to Chen Xiyi.
There weren’t even rumors or blame targeting him. After all, he didn’t have the kind of face that would provoke resentment or draw unnecessary trouble.
In the caravan, he was more like a background presence—someone known of but not particularly close to anyone.
After the ritual, the caravan set out again. Life had to go on; they couldn’t just stall forever.
If those bandits decided to circle back for another ambush, it would be disastrous for the caravan.
So they got moving as soon as the ritual was over.
Truly, the ritual was mainly to calm the caravan members’ nerves. Otherwise, they would have fled long ago.
Facing such harrowing events repeatedly, they could only rely on spiritual rituals to soothe those stretched to their limits.
Chen Xiyi privately mused that praying to an imaginary Mountain God was less helpful than praying to him, since he could actually lend a hand.
Naturally, he kept that thought to himself. Receiving prayers wouldn’t benefit him anyway.
There were puzzling aspects as well—primarily, why the Tiger Demon dared attack so brazenly.
With the Tiger Demon dead, Chen Xiyi couldn’t be bothered to look deeper. Even if there were benefits, they’d be minimal at best.
It was unlikely this was orchestrated by someone, given how the bandits reacted. The Tiger Demon wasn’t new to this—it had a history of such attacks, and the bandits seemed accustomed to it.
More probably, the Tiger Demon faced an urgent situation that forced it into attacking.
Afterward, the journey became entirely peaceful. They encountered no highway bandits nor any other monsters or spirits causing trouble.
Following the established trade path, they reached the city in just eight days.
“Ding City marks our passage from Shu. We’ll rest here for a few days. While we stay, you’re free to wander the city, Brother Chen.”
As they entered the city, the caravan manager, busy arranging their lodgings, casually told Chen Xiyi.
“Thanks for the reminder. I could use a break.” Chen Xiyi glanced at his idling experience multiplier—it had climbed to 5×.
Given its duration, he didn’t see a need to stir up trouble here. He was daydreaming: If only he could farm monsters and spirits sustainably. That would undoubtedly be smoother than harvesting city after city temporarily.
Regrettably, this was only a passing thought.
Raising spirits was expensive. Besides Ji Shan treating them as seasonings, no Qi Refiner ever bothered farming them.
[Shanyue diligently toiled, gathering vast resources for you]
[You obtained: 1× Mud Dwarf, 7× Earth Essence Blocks, 937× Earth, 725× Stone, 432× Iron Ore, 473× Coal…]
[Jianghu diligently cultivated, yielding vast resources for you]
[You obtained: 1× Phoenix Tail Fish Spirit, 6× Water Condensation Pearls, 936× Water, 762× Fish, 532× Crabs, 201× Algae…]
Chen Xiyi, who had just stepped outside, sucked in a breath of surprise. “Woah, finally paying off.”
He could never have predicted that today, Shanyue and Jianghu would spawn, well, two new lives.
Earth Essence Blocks and Water Condensation Pearls were the lowest tier of spiritual items. Initially sparse and sporadic, their yield grew steadily over time into consistent, tangible units.
For now, these items only served as fodder for Shanyue and Jianghu. They couldn’t craft equipment, or serve as enchanting or module resources. Maybe future modules would unlock more uses.
As for the Mud Dwarf and Phoenix Tail Fish Spirit—unique creatures that fell somewhere between spirits and living beings.
[Mud Dwarf (Colony Size): 1]
[Ability 1: Earth Essence Block Production]
[Phoenix Tail Fish Spirit (Colony Size): 1]
[Ability 1: Water Condensation Pearl Production]
Useful abilities indeed. Practical enough that Chen Xiyi strongly suspected Earth Essence Blocks and Water Condensation Pearls were products from the Mud Dwarf and Phoenix Tail Fish Spirit.
With these two entities now established, each harvest would guarantee at least +1 Earth Essence Block and +1 Water Condensation Pearl. More importantly—the greater the colony, the higher the surplus yield.
“Hopefully, the next harvests will yield more of them.”
Only a consistent supply of spiritual items could accelerate Shanyue and Jianghu’s growth.
Spiritual items enriched their diet and fostered faster development.
Watching the faintly shimmering fish ripple through Jianghu’s lake and the rotund dwarf waddle through Shanyue’s dirt patch, Chen Xiyi felt a genuine flicker of optimism.
Given enough time, Shanyue and Jianghu could nurture mythical beasts.
Losing to such beasts? Impossible. Whose Sandbox Game required a player to physically fight their own livestock? One-click collections bypassed the need for combat entirely.
It would resemble those popular ranch simulation browser games—did players ever actually brawl with their chickens or cows?
That would transform it from a management sim into a brawler game.
Anyway, when Shanyue and Jianghu matured enough to nurture mythical beasts, their strength should vastly exceed those creatures. What disobedience? A literal flick could quell any rebellion.
“Seems I must find more spirits like Shanyue and Jianghu quickly. Preferably ones specializing in breeding flora/fauna. That way, I can better manage both farm and ranch sections.”
Living beings nurtured by Shanyue or Jianghu belonged solely to their domains. To cultivate truly unique lifeforms, Chen Xiyi needed matching spirits of equivalent scope.
“It’s a shame, though.”
Chen Xiyi lamented quietly. The likelihood of finding such spirits in this world appeared low.
Based solely on the spirits and materials he’d amassed so far? Unlikely.
His walk back to camp was buoyant. Shanyue and Jianghu progressing felt deeply uplifting.
That said, Shanyue and Jianghu were outshining Royal Authority, their spiritual counterpart. Poor Royal Authority still sat idly on its shelf as a potted mascot. Good thing Chen Xiyi held no grudge—Royal Authority had already rendered ample service.
Thump!—
“Pathetic! How dare you dine without paying at a brothel? Out! NOW!”
Crash!
Something heavy crashed awkwardly into the street.
Prior to the crash came the distinct thwack of a kick. Judging by sounds alone? Definitely took a solid hit and hadn’t recovered their bearings.
Chen Xiyi avoided the object initially but spared a curious glance backward. He’d heard of people dining without a dime at restaurants… but a brothel? Only two people came to mind: Baolongxing the righteous judge from legend, and this guy.
Seriously—what did he expect? The ambiance? The hospitality?
This brothel played an unexpectedly straight card. A quick beating and out the door. If Chen Xiyi managed the joint? Oh, he’d sign the punk into indentured service on the spot. Make him whitewash walls till his final breath.
“Cough! Please! Honorable sir, wait!”
Chen Xiyi hadn’t intended on pausing. But suddenly… an iron grip locked onto his ankle.
This guy recovers FAST.
“Release my ankle. Unless you WANT to personally experience a killer’s embrace.” Chen Xiyi’s tone radiated contempt.
Honestly? Anyone would feel disgusted meeting a diner-and-dasher, especially one clinging desperately to your limbs.
The stranger reluctantly unclenched his fingers. Struggling upright, he adopted a conspiratorial whisper. “Good man… you must hear me. I offer a path to greatness.”
Chen Xiyi dismissed him entirely, turning back towards the street.
Now the fellow panicked.
“Don’t depart! We are scholarly men! Share a drink? Discuss philosophy? Recite poetry?”
His clinging, desperate approach suggested he’d chosen Chen Xiyi specifically as his lifeline.
Anyone else would’ve suffered the same pleading grip.
If not for the bustling street hindering violence? Chen Xiyi would’ve illustrated exactly why cruelty has teeth.
“Here. One hundred Provisionary Notes. Buy yourself a begging bowl and plop beside the road. Far simpler than clinging to me.” He carelessly extracted a banknote and stuffed it against the man’s chest.
One hundred Provisionary Notes? A pittance. Barely pocket money.
Yet—the man’s expression remained unruffled. He showed no sign of affront. Casually tucking the note into his robes, he launched his pursuit anew.
“My friend, I—huh? Where…” The man gazed around, bewildered. Chen Xiyi had flat-out vanished. Muttering glumly beneath his breath, he trudged off into the city.
Observing his retreat, Chen Xiyi sighed. His illusions worked beautifully.
[Assassin: Yue Yu] [Health Points: 100%] [Status: Wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing, Alert]
[Ability 1: Acting Skills]
[Ability 2: Wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing Disguises]
[Ability 3: Poisons Concoction]
[History Logs]
[May: Scouting Phoenix Tower—tonight’s assassination target]
[May: …]
Three abilities. Each complementing the other seamlessly. Even absent brute strength, infiltration via disguise, coupled with lethal poisons? Efficient lethality.
Unfortunately, his history log lacked his exact target. But tonight, in Phoenix Tower (the brothel), someone was marked for death.
Just don’t involve me.
Chen Xiyi didn’t care who lived or died. As long as he remained unharmed? Fine by him.
Yue Yu wasn’t amateur hour—proven by having three Home Game-certified abilities.
Home Game didn’t register every random skill. If it did? Ji Lan wouldn’t have registered one single ability during her appearance.
Criteria demanded genuine mastery. Half-baked skills wouldn’t even ping as abilities.
For Chen Xiyi? Merely an unexpected interruption.
Meeting an assassin? Unusual, but trivial.
Why attach himself to me though? Wrong place, wrong time?
He couldn’t have detected anything exploitable in me.
No conclusion surfaced. But Yue Yu’s neutral indicator (white name) signaled no hostile intent.
Likely, he’d seized Chen Xiyi purely as a convenient shield—a random passerby. Had anyone walked that alley? Unlucky soul number two.
Hold on—if he’s exposed… doesn’t that implicate ME?
A realization dawned. Yue Yu intended to use Chen Xiyi as contingency insurance. If caught? Frame Chen Xiyi as a distraction.
No… worse than distraction. Misinformation. He’d probably rope other bystanders publicly with even louder accusations once exposed.
Meaning? Pure collateral damage.
Recognition brought calm detachment, not panic.
Sincere attempt? Chen Xiyi would demonstrate that hubris attracts hellfire.
Any post-assassination fallout? Chen Xiyi brushed it off. Mere illusions could misdirect anyone foolish enough to interrogate him.