Chapter 131: Collecting Favors

Some things, Fang Cun had thought he understood, but later he realized there were deeper meanings.

Just like the Formless Treasure Body Scripture. At first, Fang Cun saw it immediately—this scripture was written specifically for him. Only he, or rather, only someone with the Celestial Merit Record, could successfully cultivate it. His elder brother had announced this scripture publicly from the start, as a precaution against it being lost, all just to smoothly pass it to him.

But after Fang Cun spent one hundred thousand Merit points and finally mastered this scripture, he began to suspect his elder brother had another intention. Was this Treasure Body Scripture truly created solely for him? Or was he merely a crucial step in the plan?

Fang Cun could say nothing about being used as a tool in his big brother’s hands.

Big brother is awesome!

…

Slowly opening his eyes, Fang Cun saw that the divine light around him had vanished.

After those initial, profound changes, all the divine light had merged into his major meridians. Everything had returned to its simple, natural state. It felt as if that wondrous sensation of connecting with heaven and earth was just an illusion!

But Fang Cun could feel the difference throughout his body.

He lifted his hand. His palm was as white as jade, with long, slender fingers.

Just as good-looking as before.

What was different was that now, with a simple wave of his hand, he could grasp certain powers between heaven and earth.

The Formless Treasure Body was complete!

So, Fang Cun rose and left seclusion!

He had now officially succeeded in Foundation Establishment and become a Treasure Realm Qi Refiner.

Nearly a year had passed since he entered the Academy.

And only ten days remained until the three-year term ended and the Academy disciples went their separate ways.

…

Returning to his bedroom, Fang Cun bathed and changed clothes. Feeling refreshed, he went to the main hall to see Elder Fang and Madam Fang. The old couple were each sitting on one side, watching the Little Fox Girl practicing calligraphy—trembling under pressure. Suddenly looking up, they saw Fang Cun enter. Not having seen him for half a month, they were both startled. Even though Fang Cun had explained what seclusion meant before he entered it, they still couldn’t quite grasp it. Seeing him now felt like he’d merely returned from a long trip…

Flustered, they both hurried forward, looking him up and down. Instinctively, they wanted to say he’d lost weight. But upon closer inspection, he seemed unchanged. In fact, compared to before, he appeared even more heroic. They then thought of saying, “My son, you’ve worked hard.” But upon reflection, he hadn’t actually left his room for over half a month—saying ‘hard work’ didn’t quite fit. Instead, they simply said, “You’ve changed!”

Elder Fang circled Fang Cun once, muttering, “He really does seem different…”

Both felt an inexplicable change, but couldn’t pinpoint what exactly was different.

Fang Cun understood that his parents couldn’t perceive the changes brought by his breakthrough in cultivation level. Thankfully, the Little Fox Girl, seeing him emerge from seclusion, eagerly brought her recent calligraphy practice sheets for inspection. In high spirits, Fang Cun took the sheets, flipped through them page by page, nodded approvingly, picked up a brush, and wrote a single character: ‘Approved’.

Elder Fang and Madam Fang glanced at the character and nodded with relief. “Actually, he’s still the same!”

Hearing that the Young Master had ended his seclusion, the maids and servants bustled with joyful activity. Without needing orders, the cook prepared several of Fang Cun’s favorite dishes. Old Steward Huang unearthed a jar of fine wine—as if Fang Cun had been away for ages.

After the meal, Fang Cun said with a smile, “The Academy’s three-year term is ending soon. I’m afraid I must head to Qingjiang Prefecture.”

“This…”

Elder Fang and Madam Fang’s expressions immediately turned complicated.

They naturally knew that once Fang Cun entered the Academy, the day would come when he’d leave Willow Lake City for Qingjiang Prefecture, just like his elder brother had. He might go even farther for studies and training. Returning home would become rare. This was the path all Qi Refiners took. It had been decided a year ago. So hearing this now wasn’t a surprise.

After saying this, Fang Cun looked seriously at his parents.

He knew how much they cherished him, especially after losing their eldest son.

He also knew that they had never truly approved of him pursuing this path. Previously, even while cultivating in the Academy, he could return home daily. But going to the County Sect… how many days would pass between visits home?

Yet this matter had to be addressed.

Fang Cun was prepared to console them, words thought out in advance.

“Ahem! My worthy son is leaving our little Willow Lake to go to the County Sect… to become an Elder!”

Unexpectedly, after a brief moment of silence, Elder Fang suddenly chuckled, turning to Madam Fang. “Our two boys are just better than others. The whole city says our Second Son studied for only one year, yet did better than those who studied for three!”

“As if I needed you to tell me?” Madam Fang scooped more food into Fang Cun’s bowl, shooting her husband a look. “He takes after me. Could he be anything but excellent?”

“True, true…” Elder Fang laughed, turning back to Fang Cun. “Since your mind is made up, go ahead. Your old man will mind the house. Don’t worry.”

Madam Fang added more food to his bowl. “Later, I’ll pack for you. Travel with ample funds! Don’t skimp.”

Fang Cun was slightly stunned, then smiled and picked up his chopsticks. His worries had been unnecessary. How could Elder Fang and Madam Fang not know he had to leave?

They simply didn’t want to trouble him, adding to his concerns.

“Heh, when your elder brother left home, he was still young, not very sensible. He caused quite a bit of trouble outside. Even though he never told us, he underestimated his parents! We knew things! You’re at least older and wiser now. When you go to Qingjiang this time, remember to act steadily. Be kind to others. Never… never…” Elder Fang’s instructions drifted off as he spoke, his voice fading.

Madam Fang reached out and took Fang Cun’s hand. Softly, she said, “My child, your mother only has you left now…”

“Haha, you really can relax!”

Fang Cun was silent for a moment before laughing. “You know how different I am from big brother. Brother was honest. After leaving, he suffered people’s bullying all along. But me? When I leave, it’s others who should worry about me bullying them…”

“Exactly! My son’s clever…”

“But still, don’t bully others. It’s enough that the Fang family isn’t bullied…”

“…”

After the meal, Fang Cun left the main hall and asked Old Steward Huang for the calling cards he’d received during his seclusion.

Quite a few people had sent cards over the past days. Three were from He Zhenzhang, Meng Qing’er, and Nie Quan, inviting him to banquets. There were also the usual invitations from Qi Refiners of Willow Lake City’s prominent families. Among them, a few carried no sender’s name. Only at the very bottom, inconspicuously, was a small character scribbled: ‘Lin’.

“The three-month deadline is almost here too…”

Setting the cards down, Fang Cun called Xiao Qingliu and leisurely went out.

He went directly outside the city, to the small roadside tea shack, and saw Boss Qin picking fish bones clean.

Hearing carriage wheels, Boss Qin didn’t turn around. “Strange.”

“Hmm?”

Fang Cun stepped down from the carriage, smiling. “What’s strange?”

Boss Qin placed a cleaned fish filet before the gray cat. Sitting upright, he turned and scrutinized Fang Cun. Then he said, “During your seclusion… you succeeded in Foundation Establishment? Cultivated the Treasure Body?”

“I knew Boss Qin wouldn’t miss it!”

Fang Cun smiled, sitting opposite him. “Is there something wrong with my Treasure Body?”

Boss Qin shook his head slowly. “Precisely because I can’t see anything wrong… that’s what feels strange.”

Fang Cun understood Boss Qin’s tacit message and felt reassured. Watching Boss Qin meticulously extract bones from another fish filet, he cast a sympathetic glance at the two little dogs frantically wagging their tails under the table. With a soft sigh, he surveyed the crude shack.

“Master Qin, how long do you plan to run this small shop?”

“I rented this place four years ago when I came to Willow Lake,” Boss Qin said, still focused on the bones. “Signed for seven years. Still have three years left.”

“Three years…”

Looking at the small shack, Fang Cun chuckled.

It was less a shop than a roadside shelter. Buying it outright might cost about two taels of silver.

Boss Qin was a man of his word. Rented for seven years, he’d stay seven years full.

Boss Qin looked at him. “If you want me to open a shack at the Shoushan Sect… then you have to cover the cost of breaking this lease.”

“Haha! Unnecessary!”

Fang Cun laughed, then stood. He gave Boss Qin a formal bow. “Master Qin, thank you for giving me these three years!”

“I’m only a businessman.”

Boss Qin looked up. “Sit down. You’re frightening the cat.”

Seeing the cat that seemed to look down on everything, Fang Cun immediately felt resigned.

Boss Qin spoke slowly, as if making small talk. “You’re leaving Willow Lake City earlier than I anticipated. Are you sure you don’t need me to come with you?”

This brought a smile to Fang Cun’s lips. “If I actually asked Master Qin to accompany me… would you agree?”

Boss Qin said immediately, “Yes. But I’d rather not go.”

Fang Cun looked at him, seeming to understand something. After a moment, he smiled again. “What if someone at the Shoushan Sect later provokes the urge in me to… kill?”

“Then you wouldn’t just be buying my sword…” Boss Qin looked seriously at him. “You’d also be buying the travel fare.”

“Even more expensive…” Fang Cun chuckled helplessly. “Thankfully, going out into the world, for me, is mostly about collecting favors, not debts…”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Boss Qin fixed his gaze. “Collecting favors… you might end up killing more people.”

“…”

Fang Cun sighed. “Master Qin, I see you are destined for wealth.”

A faint smile finally touched Boss Qin’s lips. “Our trade flourishes in good times indeed.”