Chapter 87: Harvesting the Crops

That night, Fang Cun needed a long time before he managed to calm his agitated heart.

Thinking about that astonishing possibility, a strange feeling arose within him.

His elder brother possessed such startling natural talent, yet he, Fang Cun, had been the last to know…

……

After thinking these issues over once more, he slowly made a decision within his heart.

Undoubtedly, this “Formless Treasure Body Scripture” was a scripture countless people in Great Xia were currently concerned about. Just as the people on the lake had relayed through Xiao Qingliu, too many wanted to grasp its mysteries. Hence, too many wanted him to cultivate this Treasure Body Scripture. If the General Lord didn’t bring it, others would. In short, this scripture would inevitably come before him.

They wanted to see if he could comprehend its secrets, so they would definitely transmit this scripture to him. They believed that once the Treasure Body Scripture was placed before him, and because his brother authored it, he would surely cultivate it…

…They guessed right!

He would indeed cultivate it!

……

Outsiders could not possess Innate Qi as pure and powerful as his. Therefore, to outsiders, the scripture appeared complex, profound, and impenetrable, which was precisely his opportunity. Others found the scripture too difficult, thinking even he would need time to grasp it. But in truth, seeing this scripture, he understood it completely at a glance. To begin cultivating… he could start effortlessly…

It was like walking a path laid out by predecessors, one that perfectly amplified certain innate advantages.

More importantly, it was a chance to build one’s hidden capabilities right under everyone’s eyes…

Furthermore, cultivating this scripture required tempering 108 meridians. Therefore, unless he manifested it openly, if someone seized him directly and probed his meridians one by one, they wouldn’t know which step he had reached, nor even which scripture he cultivated…

Like the “Glazed Jade Body Method” of the Nine Immortals Sect, which refines 36 of the human body’s 108 Great Meridians. Or the “Golden Body and Jade Body Method” of the Pure and Hidden Sects, which refines 72 Great Meridians. But this Formless Treasure Body Scripture demanded refining all 108 Great Meridians! The Formless Treasure Body, traversing the heavens, essentially encompassed the meridian networks of all other Treasure Body Methods!

……

“Temper all 108 meridians in the body, the Qi must reach three feet, three inches, and three tenths…”

“My dearest older brother, what exactly are you trying to achieve, revealing such tremendous audacity in a single scripture?”

“Is this a grand scheme, or a treacherous thought?”

After pondering all night, Fang Cun, his mind finally calm again, slowly shouldered his book box and left Fang Manor.

He looked up at the rising sun; the heavens and earth seemed to have acquired a slightly different hue.

Take one inch, give back a foot.

This way of his elder brother was precisely the kind Fang Cun, possessing the memories of his reincarnated self, could never approve of.

But equally… he was also the person Fang Cun treasured most in this world!

Therefore, regardless of what grand scheme he had left behind, Fang Cun would accompany him… and play this hand properly!

The only question was… cultivating this Formless Treasure Body Scripture required vast and pure Cultivation Power. The effort needed was staggering, unimaginable by others. If he proceeded step by step, leisurely as usual, it would take who knew how many years…

Right now, he needed large amounts of Merit!

Fang Cun thought to himself: the crops he had sown in Willow Lake City… it was time to harvest them…

……

Not long ago, shortly after Fang Cun had Xiao Qingliu secretly spread the news, Willow Lake City became much more lively within a few days.

Originally, Willow Lake City was a remote and small town. Furthermore, Immortal Master Fang Chi had hailed from here, lending it a certain deterrent force. The Academy, the City Governor, alongside the Devouring Sea Gang bandit stronghold and the Mountain Demonic Vein, each guarded their territory. This made it hard for other Jianghu forces and Rogue Cultivators to slip in. Thus, wandering Demonic Cultivators and the like rarely roamed here.

But now, many unfamiliar faces inexplicably filled the city. No one knew where they came from, or for what purpose. But they lurked mysteriously on the streets and alleys, wearing bamboo hats or carrying swords and spears. As this sort of people increased, they slowly cast an aura of danger, mystery, and surging undercurrents over Willow Lake City…

With these people’s appearance, both the Academy and the City Governor felt mounting pressure. Even Master Lan Shuang, who had sneaked back to the Academy, was dragged back out to provide manpower. For a while, they had no time to check Fang Cun’s studies or homework.

These Jianghu types were the most troublesome!

Everyone knew what they were after, but they were hard to deal with.

The Human Elixir was the vilest, most evil alchemical pill in the world. Even Jianghu folk deeply despised it.

But the allure of the Human Elixir was terrifyingly potent.

Whether for breaking through cultivation realms or practicing forbidden techniques, the Human Elixir held unimaginable power. Even if one didn’t use it themselves, selling it could fetch an astronomical price. Knowing this pill was in Willow Lake City was, for many Rogue Cultivators and Jianghu figures, a colossal stroke of celestial fortune, a magnificent destiny…

Many Demonic Cultivators would refuse to personally refine a Human Elixir.

Firstly, unwilling to shoulder the infamy; secondly, afraid of the consequences.

But taking a Human Elixir caused them no such qualms. After all… they didn’t refine it themselves.

Holding this mentality, since a Human Elixir had reportedly appeared in Willow Lake City, they naturally had to come try their luck!

In the past, if such Jianghu figures appeared, the Devouring Sea Gang would likely have expelled them immediately.

If they refused to leave, only two paths remained: death… or joining the Devouring Sea Gang to serve.

But now, ever since the Instructor Lingxiu’s Human Elixir scandal erupted and that pill mysteriously vanished, the Devouring Sea Gang had suddenly become docile, virtually sealing their gates. This, in effect, cracked open the door for other foreign Demonic Cultivators and evildoers to enter Willow Lake City. The Academy and City Governor wanted to control it, but with all their energy focused on finding the Human Elixir, how could they spare the effort?

Some even began speculating: “Was someone deliberately leaking the news to lure these Jianghu folks? Waiting for the Academy and City Governor to clash with them, causing chaos? So that person could then seize the chance to escape Willow Lake City with the Human Elixir?”

Seeing the situation escalating, the Devouring Sea Gang, despite immense forbearance, inevitably clashed with these Jianghu people several times. Afterwards, the City Governor’s faction privately blamed the Devouring Sea Gang for hiding away, refusing to confront the Rogue Cultivators. Meanwhile, the Rogue Cultivators saw the Devouring Sea Gang as a major threat and secretly allied against them…

Thus, the Devouring Sea Gang found themselves blamed from both sides.

Thanks to Old Chao’s patience during this period, holed up in Black Water Fort and showing no sign of life, no major conflict erupted.

But beneath this surface calm writhed fiercer undercurrents and killing intent.

This was true for both the City Governor’s faction and the Academy, the Devouring Sea Gang, and the foreign Jianghu Rogue Cultivators.

Suppressed fury built within them, becoming increasingly unbearable.

Fang the Second, the Academy’s model Disciple, sat quietly below the stage, watching this grand play unfold. Finally, he put down the book in his hand.

……

“Old He, haven’t seen you much lately? What have you been busy with?”

Seeing He Zhenzhang return to the Academy that day, Fang Cun went up with enthusiasm to greet him.

“Ah, don’t mention it…”

He Zhenzhang pulled a face. “Not long back, we from the Nanshan Alliance rescued a group of women the Devouring Sea Gang nearly sold. After questioning them carefully, they turned out to be pitiful souls with no one to rely on. We couldn’t just abandon them. They needed proper resettlement. Somehow, all this was pushed onto me, giving me a real headache. Housing over a dozen women at my place wasn’t suitable either! So, I ran around for days, finally finding space for them in the Academy’s spirit fields, to help with tending duties…”

“It’s been exhausting work, teaching them, training them…”

Fang Cun hadn’t expected He Zhenzhang was occupied with settling the women, not investigating Old Chao’s affairs. Hearing his complaints, Fang Cun also noticed a faint, pleased smile playing on the other’s face. Whatever had he been up to?

“As we’ve finally run into each other, I won’t stand on ceremony. After class, accompany me to Night Market?”

Fang Cun smiled at him and blinked. “Afterwards… you know…”

“I know,” He Zhenzhang answered with a bitter smile. “Afterwards, you dump me on the street again…”

“Not this time…”

Fang Cun raised his hand in solemn pledge. “I definitely will not leave you stranded on the street this time…”

He Zhenzhang hesitated for a moment, staring into Fang Cun’s handsome, reliable face. Grim determination settled. “Alright… I trust you one more time!”

……

“What are you going to the Ghost Market to buy this time?”

Sitting inside Fang Cun’s carriage, He Zhenzhang asked curiously.

“My father’s birthday approaches. As his son, I should show him proper filial respect…”

Fang Cun answered lazily, seeming quite straightforward.

“Oh, Elder Fang’s birthday…”

He Zhenzhang nodded slightly. In the past, birthdays for Master Fang and his wife of the Willow Lake Fang Family were major events in Willow Lake City. Whether Academy Instructors, Qi Refiners of Willow Lake, or household heads, all would be scrambling to offer gifts. However, adhering to the Immortal Master’s teachings, the Fang Family always celebrated privately behind closed doors, denying these people the opportunity…

Such worries were needless now. Even if the gates stood wide open, few would likely come.

Afraid mentioning this might upset Fang Cun, He Zhenzhang quickly changed the subject. He warned Fang Cun instead: “Many shady characters have flooded Willow Lake City lately, making a mess. Young Master Fang, you need to be careful too. Don’t get caught off guard!”

Soon, they reached the humble cottage at the Ghost Market corner. Elder Qu’s granddaughter sat on her little stool, resting her chin in her palm. In one hand, she held a palm-leaf fan, idly fanning the fire beneath the kettle, preparing to brew tea.

Fang Cun lifted the carriage curtain. “Miss Qu! Haven’t seen you in ages!”

The girl near the kettle instantly raised her head, wide-eyed, her cheeks flushing pink.

Fang Cun smiled, lifting a small sandalwood box in hand. “Heard last time you liked Yu Zhi Zhai’s rouge…”

Before he could finish, with a whoosh, she vanished. Only the cottage door quivered faintly; her fan drifted slowly to the ground.

Fang Cun: “…”