《A Feng Shui Master’s Guide to Cultivation》


 Chapter 1: A Bachelor in His Past Life

    It was early February. Though spring had arrived, the air still carried a deep chill.


    The charcoal brazier had gone cold, and the room was freezing. Chen Xiao huddled under the lingering warmth of his bed warmer for a while before reluctantly crawling out of the covers. He put on a padded jacket and layered it with a thick cotton coat.


    The copper kettle was wrapped in an insulated sleeve. Though it couldn''t match the thermal performance of a modern thermos, it managed to keep the water warm enough to avoid the bone-chilling cold.


    After washing his face with warm water, he brushed his teeth with a boar-bristle toothbrush dipped in tooth powder. Then, with practiced ease, he combed his shoulder-length hair into a neat bun.


    That was all it took to finish his morning grooming.


    Once dressed, Chen Xiao opened the door, and a wave of cold air greeted him. He stepped outside and took a deep breath. The crisp, clean air¡ªso unlike the polluted skies of big cities¡ªfilled his lungs, invigorating him. Stretching his limbs, he let out a long yawn.


    Chen Xiao had been in this world for half a year. At first, he was cautious, terrified that the locals would discover his strange origins and burn him at the stake. Over time, he adapted, blending seamlessly with the locals.


    He walked from the backyard to the front, rubbed his slightly chilly fingertips, and removed the wooden planks securing the shopfront one by one. After neatly stacking them in the back, the shop was open for the day.


    Chen Xiao worked as a clerk and live-in caretaker at an antique shop called "Taxue Xunxian Pavilion."By day, he worked under the shopkeeper and the assistant shopkeeper, learning the trade and selling wares. At night, after closing up, he would sleep in the back of the shop. In case of an emergency, he was responsible for sounding the large gong in his room to alert the neighborhood and summon the city''s night patrol. The shop owner didn''t expect him to fight off robbers¡ªjust to raise the alarm.


    Chen Xiao was at the bottom rung of the shop''s hierarchy. His duties included not only preparing to open the store every morning but also cleaning up. Fortunately, he didn''t have to handle everything alone; there was another assistant named Zhao Erhu.


    After a while, Chen Xiao finished his tasks. As pedestrians began to appear on the street, Zhao Erhu arrived, bringing him a steaming bowl of wontons and four crisp, fragrant flatbreads.


    This breakfast was no small expense for an average household, costing a hefty fifteen copper coins. Zhao Erhu paid ten of them, while Chen Xiao contributed the remaining five.


    Zhao Erhu had been bringing him breakfast like this for the past three or four months.


    Zhao Erhu lived far from the shop and had to cross half the county city to get there. During the late autumn to early spring months, waking up early was cold and miserable.


    Chen Xiao had struck a deal with him: if Zhao Erhu brought breakfast, Chen Xiao would handle all the cleaning duties himself.


    Zhao Erhu was more than happy to part with a little money to avoid braving the cold mornings. However, he did insist that Chen Xiao pay five copper coins, claiming that Chen Xiao ate too much. While most people were satisfied with two flatbreads, Chen Xiao could easily devour four!


    Chen Xiao took the breakfast, sat at one of the guest tables, and began eating. Zhao Erhu, meanwhile, poured himself a cup of hot water from the freshly boiled kettle to warm his hands.


    Chen Xiao ate heartily, savoring every bite. The wontons were the perfect size, fresh and delicious. The flatbreads were golden, crisp, and fragrant, crunching satisfyingly with each bite.


    Watching him eat, Zhao Erhu couldn''t help but comment, "Xiao Han, not only do you eat a lot for breakfast, but you''re even more extravagant at lunch and dinner. You''re picky with food and particular about your clothes. I''ve never seen a shop assistant spend like you do. At this rate, when will you ever save enough to afford a wife?"


    Chen Xiao almost choked on his food at the remark.


    The body he now inhabited belonged to a seventeen-year-old boy with no formal name, only a nickname¡ªHanwa.


    Hanwa''s parents had fled famine, only to die on the road. Left an orphan, he followed his uncle''s family to a prosperous village. Thanks to good genes, Hanwa had thick brows, almond-shaped eyes, and a simple, endearing charm. His looks spared him from too much scorn, despite being an extra mouth to feed.


    That changed when he hit his growth spurt.


    Teenage boys eat like bottomless pits, and Hanwa was no exception. His uncle, unable to bear the strain on the household, reluctantly sent him away to work as a porter for a merchant caravan. At the time, Hanwa was only twelve, barely taller than a small horse, and already tasked with grueling labor.


    Despite working tirelessly, Hanwa''s appetite left him with little to save. By the time he was fifteen or sixteen, he had learned some martial skills from the caravan guards and transitioned into a guard role himself.


    But Hanwa wasn''t lucky. Six months ago, during a routine delivery route, a wild beast suddenly attacked. Foolishly confident in his limited martial skills, Hanwa rushed in to confront it, while the others fled.


    Had the county''s patrol not arrived quickly, Hanwa would have been dragged off by the beast. Even so, he was gravely injured and barely clung to life.


    The caravan leader admired Hanwa''s bravery and rewarded him handsomely, covering his medical expenses. However, the caravan couldn''t wait for him to recover. After completing their sales and restocking for the return trip, they left, entrusting him to a local family with enough money to care for him.


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    Unfortunately, the family was only minimally attentive, providing water and medicine on time but little else. Threatened by the caravan''s guards against stealing Hanwa''s money, they dared not misuse the funds but refused to pay for better care themselves.


    After weeks of high fever, Hanwa''s strong body finally gave out¡ªand that was when Chen Xiao took over.


    Chen Xiao, who thought he would die in his previous life, awoke in agony, burning with fever and unable to move.


    Desperate, he used what was left of Hanwa''s money to summon a skilled doctor. Most of it went toward a miraculous pill that cured him almost instantly.


    After another half month of recovery, Chen Xiao thanked the family and left. With what little remained of the reward money, he found work at "Taxue Xunxian Pavilion."


    Chen Xiao had no intention of returning to the caravan. Without Hanwa''s memories, he couldn''t risk being exposed. Besides, guarding caravans was too dangerous.


    Working in the antique store allowed him to observe the world and piece together its mysteries.


    This wasn''t a simple pre-industrial society transitioning to capitalism¡ªit was a world of cultivators, powered by spiritual stones instead of coal or oil.


    Though he lacked the talent to cultivate, Chen Xiao wasn''t disheartened. He''d been given a second chance at life, and if that meant living as an ordinary person, so be it.


    Smiling faintly, he wiped his mouth and said, "Right now, I''m focused on getting healthy. That''s the most important thing."


    Zhao Erhu, seeing no point in arguing, shrugged and let the matter drop. To him, Hanwa''s spending habits were foolish, but it wasn''t his problem.


    Chen Xiao, on the other hand, knew better than to explain. Life was too short to waste on pointless arguments. He had already decided¡ªafter one year of working here to learn the ropes, he would leave and explore the world on his terms.


    He was too ill to travel. The caravan left him in the care of a local family, paying them a commission to look after him.


    Since the caravan passed through the county city several times a year, the family didn''t dare mistreat Hanwa. They brought him water and medicine on time, though their care was far from meticulous.


    The martial instructor who had once taught Hanwa in the caravan, fearing the family might harm him for his money, had issued a harsh threat. This ensured the family wouldn''t dare use Hanwa''s money to hire a renowned physician without his consent. Unwilling to pay out of pocket themselves, they let him endure his illness as best as he could.


    Hanwa had been physically robust, but repeated high fevers, compounded by a persistent cough and bouts of blood, sapped his strength. Eventually, Hanwa passed away. And when he did, Chen Xiao arrived.


    In his previous life, Chen Xiao had thought he would close his eyes and never wake again. Yet when he opened them, he was met with excruciating pain throughout his body. He was burning up, unable even to sit up in bed. Raising a hand felt like a monumental effort.


    As Chen Xiao struggled through the dizziness and splitting headache, his survival instincts kicked in. He realized that if things continued like this, this inexplicable second chance at life would end before it began.


    Seizing a moment of clarity, he begged the family to summon a physician from a reputable medical hall. Using most of the money left behind by Hanwa, he persuaded the physician to treat him. The physician, motivated by the generous payment, spared no effort. After some effort, he procured a medicinal pill for Chen Xiao. Consuming it immediately eased his symptoms, and within days, his body had regained much of its strength.


    After another half month of recuperation, Chen Xiao had fully recovered. Expressing his gratitude to the family, he left their home and checked into an inn.


    Though the remaining funds seemed substantial, in this bustling county city, they were only enough to afford comfortable meals and lodging for three months.


    Chen Xiao had no intention of returning to the caravan Hanwa had worked with. For one, he feared someone might notice his "change." For another, he lacked Hanwa''s memories and skills. Though he knew how to brawl, he wasn''t proficient enough in combat to work as a caravan guard.


    In the end, he took a gamble. Using the rest of his money, he found a reputable broker and entrusted the man to arrange a position for him in his current workplace.


    Looking back, Chen Xiao was grateful for that decision. His job gave him indirect access to upper-class society, allowing him to quickly learn the basics about this new world.


    It was a fascinating place, a blend of ancient traditions and fledgling ingenuity. It had the backwardness of a feudal era, yet showcased the creativity and invention of an industrial awakening. This coexistence of old and new was magical, drawing Chen Xiao''s curiosity and helping him acclimate despite his initial confusion.


    At first, Chen Xiao thought he had transmigrated to a parallel world resembling ancient China, transitioning from feudalism to capitalism.


    But as he learned more about this country called Dai, he realized he was wrong. This world had no coal or oil. Without such resources, there could be no steam age and no hope of progressing into a modern society.


    However, this world had something unique: a precious mineral called spiritual stone. Rich in energy, these stones could replace coal and oil to power various devices.


    Chen Xiao had once seen a marble-sized spiritual stone placed into a stove with three burners. It burned continuously for three hours, consuming only a tiny fraction of the stone.


    That incident left him awestruck. The stove''s owner, fond of showing off, revealed that the stone had come from a cultivator. Only then did Chen Xiao realize that this world revolved not around agriculture, commerce, or craftsmanship but the pursuit of cultivation and immortality.


    Unfortunately, after some discreet probing, he confirmed that Hanwa''s body lacked the spiritual roots necessary for cultivation. Without any innate talent, Chen Xiao was disheartened but soon rallied his spirits.


    After all, being reincarnated was a bonus. Even if he lived an ordinary life, it wouldn''t be a loss.


    Thus, Chen Xiao set his sights on enjoying life, saving money, and traveling the world. Marriage? In his last life, he had been a bachelor accustomed to freedom. He had no intention of burdening himself with attachments now.


    Wiping the corner of his mouth, he said, "I''m not thinking that far ahead yet. For now, my priority is regaining my strength."


    No one knew how much his health had improved. After his severe illness, others thought it natural for him to splurge on food to recover. While some felt his spending was excessive, they couldn''t argue with his justification.


    Zhao Erhu, a coworker, shook his head at Chen Xiao''s reasoning but didn''t press further. They were merely colleagues, not close friends. Having voiced his opinion, Zhao Erhu left it at that.


    Still, Zhao Erhu couldn''t help but think to himself: Hanwa''s not good at managing money. He''s reckless and won''t save a dime.


    Chen Xiao chuckled to himself. He could see Zhao Erhu''s disapproval but had no intention of explaining. Their values were too different, and saying too much would only complicate things. It was better to keep their relationship casual.


    I''ve given myself a year to adapt and learn, Chen Xiao thought. After that, I''ll move on. Why stir up unnecessary conflict now?

 Chapter 2: A Genuine Personality

    The wages at Taxue Xunxian Pavilion were quite generous. A regular worker earned sixty copper coins per day, while senior workers like Zhao Erhu earned only twenty coins more. In contrast, many other jobs in the area paid fifty copper coins a day at most.


    Chen Xiao also worked the night shift at the store, which brought him an additional income. Altogether, he earned a hundred copper coins a day. This high wage meant that even in a bustling city like the county capital, supporting a family of three wouldn''t be a problem.


    When Zhao Erhu said he spent money recklessly, Chen Xiao admitted it was partly true¡ªbut he also felt misunderstood.


    Back in his previous life, Chen Xiao had achieved great success at a young age. He wasn''t accustomed to luxurious feasts, but he''d certainly moved far beyond plain meals. Now, in this world, what he ate wasn''t just simple; it was downright unbearable.


    The staple food for common folks here was coarsely processed millet. The rough texture was like sandpaper to Chen Xiao''s throat, and after just two days, he couldn''t take it anymore. Though health shows back in his old life always promoted whole grains, there was a limit to how coarse they could be.


    From then on, he only ate finely processed grains. Of course, this type of food cost two or three times more than regular staples. And Chen Xiao didn''t just indulge once in a while¡ªhe followed the habits of wealthy families and ate refined meals every day, every meal.


    On top of that, Chen Xiao ate a lot. Likely due to recovering from a serious illness and being in a phase of physical growth, his appetite was insatiable. Three full meals weren''t enough¡ªhe also needed an afternoon snack and a late-night supper. If he didn''t eat on time, his stomach would growl loudly. Even the rarely-seen owner of the shop had heard of the worker with a voracious appetite.


    As a result, more than half of Chen Xiao''s monthly wages went toward food.


    When it came to his other expenses, people accused him of being picky.


    But Chen Xiao wasn''t intentionally extravagant. He could endure hardship when he had no choice, but why should he now, when he earned his money fair and square?


    Moreover, this second chance at life was a gift he didn''t understand. For all he knew, it could be taken away at any moment. Why save money for someone else to benefit from after he was gone?


    For instance, he insisted on wearing undergarments made of fine cotton rather than coarse hemp. His winter coat wasn''t just padded with cotton but also lined with soft lamb wool. While others managed with one warming pot, he purchased two more. Unlike his colleagues who washed their faces with cold water in the morning, Chen Xiao went out of his way to craft a cover for his copper kettle to keep water warm.


    These habits made him seem less like an ordinary worker and more like a pampered young lady.


    Still, Chen Xiao felt he had valid reasons. He wasn''t picky by choice. Except for coarse hemp, which he genuinely couldn''t wear, his other "luxuries" were simply a matter of adapting to the northern climate. As someone originally from the south, he found the county capital''s winters unbearably cold.


    Even more strangely, Hanwa, the body''s original owner, had spent over a decade in this place and had no trouble enduring the cold. But after Chen Xiao took over, his sensitivity to the cold matched what he''d experienced in his previous life. This puzzled him, and he wasn''t sure whether it was a blessing or a curse.


    After finishing his meal and tidying up, Chen Xiao went to the area he was responsible for to organize the shelves.


    The store''s name, Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, was so pretentious that it immediately suggested the owner was an overzealous fan of immortals. Otherwise, why hang such an overly poetic name on a signboard? Of course, this was just Chen Xiao''s internal critique¡ªmaybe this was the aesthetic standard of the Dai Kingdom.


    Judging by its popularity, the shop was one of the most successful antique stores on the street.


    The street where Taxue Xunxian Pavilion was located was a bustling hub, wide and long, lined with shops showcasing a dazzling array of goods. There were even street vendors with carts on the roadside. When Chen Xiao first arrived, he felt like he had stepped into an ancient market street back in his home country.


    The street wasn''t overly crowded on regular days, but during special occasions, it became lively. For instance, when an immortal sect opened its gates to recruit disciples, the locals would swarm to the shops, buying anything they could. They believed it brought good luck and a touch of immortality.


    The scene reminded Chen Xiao of parents back home praying at temples before their children''s exams. It wasn''t about actual results¡ªjust peace of mind.


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    Stepping into the shop revealed even more differences from the antique stores of his past life.


    Here, the stores didn''t just sell historical artifacts from the country''s history but also relics believed to have been used by ancient immortals.


    Much like the antique market of his previous life, where real treasures were rare among fakes, the so-called immortal relics here were likely no different¡ªten out of ten were probably frauds.


    Still, the locals pursued these items with unrelenting fervor.


    They wanted anything connected to the immortals¡ªanything. Chen Xiao had even seen items like bamboo chopsticks and soup spoons displayed as relics.


    Among the shop''s cluttered and overwhelming inventory, Chen Xiao''s gaze settled on something truly unusual.


    The item was a jade pendant, its luster dulled by the passage of time, but adorned with intricate carvings. Due to its lackluster appearance, it was placed among a pile of other unremarkable trinkets.


    Chen Xiao noticed it because he could perceive faint, concealed fluctuations emanating from it¡ªan aura he was all too familiar with. It was Qi!


    The ability to see Qi was Chen Xiao''s unique talent, the cornerstone of his success as a Feng Shui master at a young age. The rigorous training it took to develop this skill wasn''t worth recounting now, but discovering an object imbued with Feng Shui Qi in this unfamiliar world left him utterly astonished.


    However, the shop''s staff, emboldened by its prestigious reputation, looked down on Chen Xiao''s plain attire and dismissed him outright. When he inquired about the pendant, he was met with sneers and mockery before being unceremoniously shown the door.


    Chen Xiao wasn''t one to dwell on insults. He memorized the shop''s name and continued exploring other stores. Yet, objects with discernible Qi were exceedingly rare. After scouring the entire street, he found only a handful of such items, most of which were in Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, the very shop where he eventually sought employment.


    At the time, Chen Xiao had little understanding of the world''s cultural and spiritual norms. The shop''s poetic name didn''t immediately strike him as significant. After securing the job, he diligently worked while subtly gathering information. Yet, despite his best efforts, the experienced shopkeepers revealed nothing of real value.


    It wasn''t until a stove owner casually mentioned the origins of a particular object that Chen Xiao pieced things together¡ªthe items with Qi were remnants of the immortals.


    The realization hit him like a thunderclap.


    In his previous world, items carried by accomplished monks or Taoists over long periods would acquire a distinct aura. Here, it seemed natural that objects linked to immortals would exhibit a similar phenomenon.


    No wonder the shopkeepers were so secretive. The ability to discern authentic immortal artifacts amidst countless mundane items was an invaluable skill, one they had no intention of sharing with a lowly assistant like him.


    When the truth dawned on him, Chen Xiao was exhilarated. His unique talent meant he could easily identify such items. Selling just one genuine immortal relic each year could provide him with a comfortable livelihood.


    Better yet, as a Feng Shui practitioner, tools imbued with Qi were vital components of his craft. The thought of finding such items effortlessly in this world filled him with excitement.


    But his joy was short-lived.


    The first time Chen Xiao stepped out of his temporary residence after recovering from his illness, he looked up at the night sky and froze. It felt like he had been struck by lightning.


    The constellations were completely alien.


    He soon discovered that even the celestial terminology in this world was different. What he had known as the Sun was referred to here as the Solar Star.


    A sense of disorientation and dread consumed him.


    In Feng Shui, the alignment of the stars is crucial for determining directions. Without familiar constellations, how could he be sure that north, south, east, and west were even accurate here?


    Feng Shui, after all, is an art where a single miscalculation can lead to disastrous consequences¡ªnot just rendering a setup ineffective but potentially wreaking havoc on the environment and the fates of future generations.


    The collapse of his meticulously studied knowledge system left him bitter and lost.


    But Chen Xiao was resilient. He accepted his new reality, bid farewell to the family that had cared for him, and set out to find a way to survive in this strange new world.


    When he realized that immortal artifacts carried Qi and could serve as Feng Shui tools, his excitement returned briefly¡ªonly to fade again when the practical challenges dawned on him.


    He couldn''t risk experimenting recklessly. A mistake would not only damage the Feng Shui of a place but also harm his own karma, potentially cutting his second life short.


    He had once been arrogant and paid dearly for a misstep in his previous life. He wasn''t about to gamble with his hard-won second chance.


    Now, in Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, Chen Xiao carefully polished the items on display using a soft cloth. The shelves he was responsible for were filled with miscellaneous objects¡ªpen racks, seals, bamboo carvings, wooden sculptures, and ivory pieces.


    He moved systematically from one item to the next until he paused at a particular ivory plaque. Among the shop''s stock, it was one of the rare immortal artifacts.


    Over the months he''d worked there, not a single customer had shown interest in the plaque.


    Because it was in his designated area, Chen Xiao had secretly resolved to recommend it to a discerning collector just before leaving the job. The commission he''d earn from the sale could serve as travel funds for his next journey.


    Every time he cleaned the ivory plaque, he treated it with meticulous care, as if it were his lifeline.


    While he spent freely, Chen Xiao was just as adept at making money.

 Chapter 3: Stealing Master鈥檚 Skills Openly

    By midmorning, around ten o''clock, the shop began to see some activity. A few regular customers trickled in, familiar faces who knew the shop''s inventory well. They headed straight for the porcelain and jade counters overseen by the senior shopkeepers, asking about any newly acquired items.


    Chen Xiao, with little to do, sauntered over, his posture deferential, hands at his sides, wearing an eager-to-serve expression. In truth, he was eavesdropping, keen to pick up anything he could from the shopkeepers'' exchanges with customers.


    The shopkeepers, noticing his intent, cast him annoyed glances but refrained from chasing him off in front of the patrons. Instead, they took their frustrations out on him by ordering him around¡ªto fetch tea or bring snacks¡ªat every opportunity.


    Although thin, Chen Xiao was swift and nimble. He darted back and forth, not spilling a drop of tea or losing a crumb of the snacks. His competence left the shopkeepers no grounds to rebuke him, forcing them to tolerate his silent observation.


    The regulars, too, noticed Chen Xiao''s attentive behavior but found his earnest demeanor and almond-shaped eyes rather endearing. This made them more inclined to overlook his antics and less inclined to intercede on behalf of the irritated shopkeepers.


    The regulars were there to either browse for themselves or select gifts, and they didn''t linger long. By noon, they had all departed with their chosen items. The shopkeepers didn''t prepare lunch unless a big client visited, as sealing a significant deal would warrant rewards for everyone at Taxue Xunxian Pavilion.


    On such occasions, even the shop owner would appear, hiring a renowned chef from the county to prepare an exceptional banquet. Chen Xiao had been fortunate enough to attend one such feast, an experience that had left an indelible impression on him. That was also the first time he encountered the owner of the unique, spirit-bead-powered stove that had brought out the full potential of the chef''s culinary artistry.


    Today, however, was business as usual. With no major clients, the senior shopkeepers took a break, leaving only a few assistants to mind the store. The assistants rotated their lunch breaks, with Chen Xiao heading out in the second shift alongside Zhao Erhu. The two parted ways, with Zhao heading west while Chen Xiao went east.


    Watching Chen Xiao walk off, Zhao Erhu shook his head. The eateries in the east were known for their delicious food, but they were also notoriously expensive.


    Chen Xiao couldn''t care less about what others thought. He stepped into a small but tastefully decorated restaurant and ordered a bowl of chicken noodle soup, a steamer of juicy buns, and a small plate of sweet pickled melon. The meal cost him twenty copper coins, a sum that explained Zhao''s disapproval. It was true¡ªsuch indulgence made saving money nearly impossible.


    But Chen Xiao had his principles. He could endure hardship in other areas, but he refused to compromise when it came to food. If he could eat well, he would.


    After enjoying his satisfying lunch, Chen Xiao strolled back to the shop through the antique street. When he returned, Zhao Erhu pointed to the rear of the store and said, "Your uncle came to see you. I let him wait in your room."


    Chen Xiao paused, surprised. During his months here, the trade caravan had visited the city once, during which one of the martial artists who had trained Hanwa sought him out. It had to be Master Zhou. Zhao had been present at the time, and Chen Xiao had indeed addressed the man as Uncle Zhou.


    Thanking Zhao, Chen Xiao grabbed a pot of hot tea and two cups from the shop before heading to the rear courtyard. When he opened the door to his modest room, he saw a robust man sitting boldly at the table.


    Chen Xiao''s room, situated in a corner of the courtyard, was poorly positioned and perpetually cold. During the day, he preferred staying in the shop, where at least there were brazier-warmed rooms.


    "Uncle Zhou," Chen Xiao greeted him with a smile. "It''s so cold back here¡ªwhy didn''t you wait in the shop?"


    He placed the cups on the table and poured a steaming cup of tea for Master Zhou.


    Master Zhou took the cup and chuckled. "The shop''s full of important customers. What place does a coarse martial artist like me have among them?" He sipped the tea, his large frame still visibly affected by the room''s chill.


    Seeing this, Chen Xiao fetched the brazier, grabbed a few pieces of charcoal from a corner basket, and prepared to light it.


    Master Zhou hurried over to stop him. "Don''t waste it. Charcoal is expensive this time of year. Save it for later."


    Chen Xiao smiled. "Consider it a favor to me. Ever since I recovered, I''ve been particularly sensitive to the cold."


    Hearing this, Master Zhou relented, sitting back down while watching Chen Xiao light the brazier. "You''re still not fully recovered?" he asked with concern, his eyes scanning Chen Xiao''s thin frame. "You''re still so frail. It must have left a lasting weakness. How will I ever explain this to your uncle?"


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    Master Zhou was someone Hanwa''s uncle had entrusted with his care, having met him twice through connections. Despite sending Hanwa away due to financial hardship, Hanwa''s uncle still worried deeply for his nephew and had earnestly asked Master Zhou to look out for him.


    Chen Xiao sat down and offered a faint smile. "I''m lucky to have survived at all. Uncle won''t blame you for that."


    Master Zhou sighed. "You were fortunate indeed. Spending so much to buy life-saving medicine was worth it¡ªwhat use is money if you lose your life? Still, you mentioned last time that your illness affected your memory. Has it improved in the past three months?"


    Chen Xiao''s expression darkened with regret. "No, I still can''t recall much of anything."


    Master Zhou patted him on the shoulder with a hand like a fan, his grip firm yet reassuring. "If you can''t remember, then don''t worry about it. I''ve heard of others losing all sense from fever. Compared to that, you''ve come out much better. Anything you don''t know, just ask us. We''ll remind you when needed."


    "Thank you, Uncle Zhou," Chen Xiao murmured softly.


    Master Zhou frowned, gripping Chen Xiao''s bony shoulder. "You''re too thin. You need to eat more."


    Chen Xiao offered a wry smile. Despite eating well and choosing the best food, his body remained stubbornly lean.


    He said with a troubled expression, "I''ve been eating quite a bit lately, but I''m just not putting on any weight. It''s strange."


    Master Zhou dismissed his concerns. "You were so ill you were nearly dead. Recovering so quickly must have taken a toll on your body, so it''s no surprise you''d need to replenish. Besides, you''re still growing for a few more years. Eating a lot isn''t unusual¡ªif anything, it means you''re not eating enough."


    Chen Xiao only smiled without responding.


    It wasn''t like he hadn''t experienced growth spurts before, but no matter how much his body was developing, his appetite shouldn''t be this insatiable.


    As for the idea that rapid recovery had drained his body, he didn''t buy it either. The doctor who had treated him had assured him that the pills he''d taken were extremely effective, allowing him to heal quickly without leaving any lingering effects.


    Four months ago, he even revisited the clinic for a follow-up. The physician confirmed that his body was fully healed and, apart from being slightly frail, he was no different from an average person.


    But if an average person ate the way he did, they''d have blown up like a balloon by now. Chen Xiao suspected this might have something to do with his transmigration. If that were the case, it wasn''t something he could explain to anyone. He could only bury his confusion deep in his heart.


    Seeing Chen Xiao''s silence, Master Zhou assumed he was feeling down. He reached into his robes, pulled out a small bundle, and placed it on the table, pushing it toward him.


    "This is the money you entrusted to me before. Keep it for yourself and buy whatever supplements you need. Don''t skimp," Master Zhou said.


    Chen Xiao was startled. "Uncle Zhou? How come you never mentioned this before? You''re not just using your own money to cover for me, are you?"


    Master Zhou couldn''t help but laugh and gave Chen Xiao a light knock on the forehead. "What nonsense are you thinking? This is the money you saved for building a house and getting married!"


    The sharp sting of the tap convinced Chen Xiao of the truth in his words. Only then did he untie the bundle, revealing a small pile of silver coins, glinting brightly.


    In this world, the common currency was still based on precious metals like gold, silver, and copper.


    The smallest denomination was the copper coin, resembling the ancient coins from his past life but with a round hole in the center instead of a square one. The mid-tier currency was the silver coin, referred to as silver money, and served as the primary high-value currency among the populace, akin to a hundred-yuan bill. All forms of currency were collectively called "money," just like in his previous life. The highest-value coin was gold, which Chen Xiao guessed was made from a gold alloy.


    The exchange rate was simple: one gold coin equaled one hundred silver coins, which equaled ten thousand copper coins.


    Chen Xiao earned a fair amount but also spent a lot. After working at the Stepping Snow Immortal Pavilion for five months, he''d only managed to save fifty coins¡ªthe silver coins roughly the size of one-yuan coins in his past life. Yet, the bundle before him held at least a hundred and fifty coins.


    Master Zhou explained, "After you were promoted to guard, your pay naturally increased. Aside from your expenses, you managed to save quite a bit. Since you were living with the caravan and didn''t have your own place, you left the money with me. You probably planned to save up, return to your uncle''s village, build a house, and get married someday. But then disaster struck, leaving you weak and unable to continue with the caravan."


    Chen Xiao didn''t tell Master Zhou that he now earned more each month than he did as a guard. Naturally, Master Zhou assumed he''d suffered a great loss. In his view, being a martial guard was tough and dangerous, but it paid well.


    "Keep the money safe. I have something else to discuss with you," Master Zhou said.


    Chen Xiao carefully rewrapped the bundle and placed it in his wardrobe. After sitting back down, he asked, "What is it? Please go ahead."


    Master Zhou frowned. "I came here to tell you that your uncle wants you to return home as soon as possible."


    Chen Xiao was surprised. "You mean... my uncle wants me to go back? Did something happen?"


    Master Zhou spoke in a tone of mild disapproval. "I heard that the village where you used to live now has a sect recruiting disciples. Your uncle likely wants you to go back and give him some advice."


    Chen Xiao''s uncle''s family consisted of three sons and one daughter. The eldest, like Chen Xiao''s parents, had passed away during their flight. The second child, a daughter, was already engaged. The third was only eleven, and the youngest, born after they settled here, was just five.


    Before fleeing, the family had been farmers. After arriving in this region, they worked as long-term laborers for the wealthiest household in the village. They were simple folk with little experience and panicked when faced with something as significant as sect recruitment. They wanted Chen Xiao to return and help them navigate the situation.


    To them, Chen Xiao had seen more of the world, having traveled south and north. Now that he was working at a reputable shop in the county city, they believed he was well-connected and knowledgeable.


    Master Zhou, however, didn''t think Chen Xiao could be of much help with something like sect recruitment. Without the right destiny, what could he do? Going back would only waste time and cause unnecessary heartache if others were selected while he wasn''t.


    But to his surprise, Chen Xiao''s eyes lit up at the mention of his uncle''s request. Without a moment''s hesitation, he declared that he would return!

 Chapter 4: Occupational Disease Relapsed

    After repeatedly confirming that Chen Xiao had memorized the village''s location, Master Zhou finally left with a head full of confusion.


    By this time, the shopkeeper and the other workers who were off duty had returned. Chen Xiao wasted no time running to the chief shopkeeper to request leave. Initially, the chief shopkeeper seemed displeased when Chen Xiao asked for a ten-day break. However, when he heard that Chen Xiao needed to return home because someone from an immortal sect was recruiting disciples, his attitude changed completely.


    Just as Chen Xiao had expected, the owner behind the Taxue Xunxian was an avid fan of immortals. Anything remotely connected to them piqued his interest. Without a second thought, the chief shopkeeper approved Chen Xiao''s leave and even asked if ten days were enough.


    The shopkeeper''s decision wasn''t entirely altruistic. He was hoping that when Chen Xiao returned, he''d bring back some information about the immortals. Even casual observations about this event would please the owner. If the owner hadn''t been away from the county, the shopkeeper was certain he would''ve joined Chen Xiao on this trip, just to chase after the immortals.


    The chief shopkeeper even excused him from his afternoon duties to prepare for the trip. Under the envious gaze of Zhao Erhu, Chen Xiao retrieved the package Master Zhou had given him and headed to the shop he had been kicked out of previously.


    This shop, named Treasure Appraisal House, was another renowned antique store on this street, just like the Taxue Xunxian Pavilion.


    Having lived here for five months, Chen Xiao was naturally recognized the moment he stepped through the door. The attendant at the entrance greeted him with a smile:


    "Xiao Han, what brings you here today?"


    Chen Xiao replied with a grin, "Just here for some personal business."


    The attendant found this strange¡ªwhat personal business could Chen Xiao have here? He watched as Chen Xiao walked toward the jade section, where a senior attendant stood nearby. The senior''s expression soured as soon as he saw Chen Xiao, his disdain palpable.


    Having once been dismissed from this very shop, Chen Xiao''s new status as a competitor diminished the senior attendant''s sense of superiority. Whenever they crossed paths, the atmosphere was icy.


    "I don''t know what kind of nerve you''ve got to be slacking off right after lunch. If I were the shopkeeper at Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, I''d have kicked out someone as lazy as you a long time ago," the senior attendant said sarcastically, not even sparing Chen Xiao a glance.


    Though annoyed, Chen Xiao held back for the sake of his goal. He smiled and replied, "Thanks for the concern. The chief shopkeeper gave me permission to step out."


    "Who cares about you!" the senior attendant retorted. "Don''t flatter yourself."


    Chen Xiao maintained his composure and said, "I''m heading back to my hometown soon, and I''m here to pick out a gift."


    The senior attendant sneered. "Trying to act rich when you''re not!" He dismissed Chen Xiao with a wave. "Pick something yourself. If you break it, be prepared to pay."


    The jade section was overseen by a master shopkeeper, but the senior attendant was responsible for managing less valuable items. He moved away, too annoyed to assist Chen Xiao, but failed to notice the disapproving glare of the master shopkeeper, who was busy with another customer.


    The entrance attendant noticed the master shopkeeper''s dissatisfaction but chose not to warn the senior. Instead, he stepped in to help Chen Xiao with a cheerful smile:


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    "Xiao Han, which piece are you interested in? I can assist you."


    The senior attendant immediately barked, "What are you doing here? Get back to the entrance!"


    Feigning innocence, the entrance attendant returned to his post, inwardly gleeful at the trouble the senior would face later.


    Chen Xiao ignored the glares and pretended to browse the jade pieces until he picked up a jade pendant emanating a faint aura. Turning to the senior, he said, "I''ll take this one."


    The senior attendant glanced at it dismissively. "200 silver."


    Chen Xiao''s brows furrowed. The piece''s placement on an inconspicuous shelf indicated a price of no more than 150 silver. The senior was clearly gouging him.


    "200 silver?" Chen Xiao raised his voice, directing his words at the master shopkeeper in the back. "I chose this piece because I trust Treasure Appraisal House. But this price is 30% higher than what it''s worth. Does your shop no longer value integrity?"


    The senior faltered but recovered quickly. Having recognized Chen Xiao''s attachment to this jade, he decided to exploit it. "Take it or leave it!" he snapped.


    Before the situation could escalate, the master shopkeeper approached swiftly, apologizing to his customer before turning to Chen Xiao:


    "Xiao Han, let me take a look."


    "Master, I was just¡ª" the senior began, but the master cut him off sternly:


    "Silence!"


    Turning back to Chen Xiao, the master said kindly, "Since it''s for you, this jade pendant is 140 silver."


    Chen Xiao wasted no time completing the transaction and left with the pendant. Outside, he smiled, recalling the senior attendant''s sour expression. A little revenge never hurt, he thought.


    Carefully storing the jade pendant, Chen Xiao shopped for other gifts, buying the county''s famous pastries and ten meters of fine light-blue fabric. Together, these would make a respectable offering, whether for family or friends. The fabric alone was enough to outfit an entire family.


    Prepared for the trip, Chen Xiao donned clean clothes and carried a spare set. He even packed a warming stone in a cotton-wrapped flask, anticipating cold nights at Hanwa''s uncle''s home, where burning coal was a luxury.


    Following Master Zhou''s directions, Chen Xiao boarded a comfortable postal carriage to the county town. Though more expensive than private carriages, the postal one was well-sprung and spacious. By evening, he had arrived and spent the night at an inn, where the warming stone proved indispensable.


    The next morning, after breakfast, he continued by ox cart to Hanwa''s uncle''s village.


    Reaching the village in the afternoon, Chen Xiao disembarked and headed toward the village trail. As he walked, his occupational habit flared, prompting him to climb a nearby mountain for a better view of the village.


    From the summit, he saw a place of remarkable beauty and fortune: hills embraced the land, streams flowed through the village, and a wide plain resembled a ship anchored in a harbor. It was a textbook example of a feng shui treasure.


    "What a place!" Chen Xiao marveled. "With such fortune, it''s no wonder an immortal sect would come here to recruit disciples."


    Lost in thought, he failed to notice someone approaching.


    "Brother Hanwa? Is that you?" a hesitant voice asked.


    Chen Xiao came back to his senses and remembered that he was not here to see Feng Shui this time, but to visit his relatives as a Hanwa.


    He turned around and saw a thin boy behind him, holding a cow in his hand, followed by two calves.


    Chen Xiao looked at the other person with a puzzled look: "Who are you?" The boy was very nervous and swallowed his saliva. Chen Xiao''s eyes softened a little, and he said softly and kindly: "I''m sorry, I had a serious illness before, and I don''t remember anything before."


    The boy showed a happy and unbelievable expression: "Brother Hanwa! You have become, become completely different!"


    Chen Xiao blinked: "Well, probably because of the serious illness. By the way, can you tell me, who are you?"


    The boy shook his head, as if to deny Chen Xiao''s statement: "It''s not because of. But, maybe it''s because of?" As he spoke, he himself was confused. Then he laughed, showing his uneven teeth, "Brother Hanwa, I am Sanshuan, your cousin.¡±

 Chapter 5: He Wants to Call His Own Name

    Chen Xiao was fretting about not knowing the village roads when Sanshuan offered to guide him home, leaving the ox untethered. He tied the large ox to a tree while the two calves obediently followed their mother, grazing on the grass.


    Sanshuan''s face was flushed with excitement. Encountering his most accomplished cousin in the family was a rare delight. He chattered animatedly, answering questions Chen Xiao hadn''t even asked yet, spilling everything he knew.


    The original Hanwa had spent years traveling with trade caravans, rarely returning home. When he did, he would bring money, providing some temporary relief for Sanshuan''s family. To the boy, this cousin was a figure of admiration and heroism.


    Some time ago, the caravan had sent word that Hanwa had been gravely injured and was recuperating in the county town. The family was deeply worried but couldn''t afford the journey to visit him. They could only wait and hope.


    Three months ago, Master Zhou Wu visited Hanwa and reported that he was recovering well and had found a respectable new job. This news brought relief to the family.


    As for Master Zhou''s claim that Hanwa''s prolonged fever had left him with memory loss, forgetting everything about his past, his uncle and aunt weren''t overly concerned. As long as Hanwa was alive, capable of earning a living, and able to sustain himself, they felt they had fulfilled their duty to his late parents.


    Sanshuan, however, couldn''t understand what it meant to have one''s mind "burned out." He worried incessantly that his cousin might become like the simpleton from the east side of the village, who laughed mindlessly, drooled, and endured endless bullying from the village rascals.


    Once, Sanshuan saw those same rascals trick the simpleton into eating cow dung, claiming it was millet cake. Without hesitation, the simpleton had taken a bite. The cow dung stank so much that even Sanshuan, who had never seen millet cake before, knew it couldn''t be the same. If he hadn''t rushed in and slapped it away, the simpleton would have eaten it.


    The thought of his cousin becoming like that haunted Sanshuan. He barely slept, convinced that, as the eldest boy in his family, it was his responsibility to protect his cousin. If he ever had food, he''d make sure his cousin wouldn''t go hungry, let alone fall victim to such cruel pranks.


    While the adults in the family were too preoccupied with making ends meet to notice the boy''s anxieties, Chen Xiao was touched by Sanshuan''s earnest concern. Having once been a child himself, struggling in a harsh world, Chen Xiao deeply sympathized with the boy''s worries.


    When Sanshuan saw his cousin healthy and in good spirits, his joy was boundless.


    Because of his childhood experiences, Chen Xiao held a soft spot for mature, caring children like Sanshuan. He sincerely thanked the boy for his sense of duty and compassion, which only made Sanshuan''s face flush darker with pride and embarrassment.


    The boy thought, Cousin looks even better than before, and he speaks so elegantly now¡ªjust like the son of the wealthiest family in the village. Sanshuan''s admiration for his cousin grew even stronger.


    Sanshuan led Chen Xiao across half the village, arriving at a farmhouse surrounded by a mud-brick wall at the edge of the settlement.


    "Brother Hanwa, you go ahead inside," Sanshuan said. "My dad won''t be back until evening. It''s just my mom and sister at home. You must be tired from your journey, so rest for a while. I need to get back to the mountain to check on the ox."


    Chen Xiao entered the courtyard, where three mud-brick houses stood: a central building and two wings. The yard was spacious but untidy, with a chicken coop housing three hens. A quick glance revealed that the main house and the left wing were habitable, while the right wing seemed to be a combination of a kitchen and storage space.


    Hearing Sanshuan''s voice, a woman with slightly disheveled hair wrapped in a dark-patterned headscarf stepped out. She was startled at first by the sight of Chen Xiao¡ªan unfamiliar face that somehow seemed familiar.


    Chen Xiao approached and greeted her with a respectful bow. "You must be Auntie. I''m Hanwa."


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    The woman, like Sanshuan, was taken aback. She studied Chen Xiao from head to toe two or three times before daring to speak. "You really are Hanwa¡­" she murmured, her face suddenly warming as she added, "Hurry inside! Come in and sit!"


    She rushed into the main house, and Chen Xiao, carrying his belongings, stepped up the two stairs and entered. The house resembled the rural homes from his previous life¡ªcompact and modest. The main room served as both a living room and dining area, flanked by two smaller rooms.


    One of the rooms was covered by a cloth curtain, while the other had only a grass mat for privacy. Chen Xiao guessed the curtained room belonged to his aunt and uncle, but he couldn''t determine who occupied the other.


    Placing his bag on the worn table, Chen Xiao examined a chair to ensure it had all four legs before sitting down. He wasn''t overly cautious; in poorer households, broken three-legged chairs were often patched with sticks and kept in use.


    Auntie came out again, her hair now neatly combed, and her headscarf replaced with a brightly colored one. She warmly asked Chen Xiao, "You must be tired after traveling. Do you want to lie down in the house and rest for a bit?"


    Chen Xiao replied politely, "I''m not tired. The ox cart ride was quite steady."


    "Oh," Auntie said, nodding. She added, "Your uncle is working for the landlord right now. You can wait here while I go fetch him." She turned as if to leave.


    Chen Xiao quickly stood up. "There''s no need to fetch him. It''s just a matter of a few hours. We''re family¡ªno need to be so formal." He opened the bundle he had placed on the table and said, "Auntie, don''t be busy with chores. I brought some gifts from the county. See if you like them."


    It wasn''t that Auntie wanted to be overly polite; it was just that Chen Xiao''s presence felt unfamiliar, making her a bit reserved. Hearing his words, she finally sat down at the table.


    In the past, Hanwa would only send money when he returned, but bringing gifts was a first. Auntie found the snacks intriguing, but when she saw the fine cloth, her joy was evident.


    Her only daughter was now fourteen and nearing marriageable age, spending her days doing embroidery work. The eldest son, Sanshuan, had started herding cattle for the landlord, while the youngest, still a bit pampered, had learned to gather firewood in the mountains with the older children. With everyone''s efforts, the family was close to paying off the debt for their house.


    Because of this debt, even buying new clothes was a luxury. Clothes were usually passed down from the older children to the younger ones, patched and mended countless times.


    Auntie ran her fingers over the fine cloth again and again, murmuring, "Hanwa, you''re so thoughtful, so thoughtful."


    Chen Xiao couldn''t help but feel a little awkward. The nickname "Hanwa" had somehow evolved into an even more rustic-sounding version. Seeing Auntie so absorbed in examining the cloth, he cleared his throat lightly and said, "Auntie, I came back this time to handle an important matter¡ªI need to update my name on the record."


    Auntie looked up, surprised and unsure. "Now? Isn''t it a bit early for that?"


    Updating a name was a unique custom in rural areas of this world.


    From birth, everyone was issued a name plaque¡ªa small tag made of an unknown metal, roughly the size of a thumb. It could be worn on the body or kept at home. However, for long-distance travel, carrying the name plaque was mandatory, as it served as an official form of identification.


    The plaque recorded the holder''s name, birth year, physical features, and address. A duplicate of this information was stored in the local registry where the person was officially registered. This system was the foundation for managing household registrations.


    Since a person''s appearance changes significantly from childhood to adulthood, the physical description on the plaque wasn''t permanent. It had to be updated periodically, though doing so required a fee. For poor families, this expense was often a burden, so many chose to delay updating their plaques.


    While such delays were generally tolerated, they came with risks. If someone''s appearance no longer matched their plaque during an official inspection, the plaque could be confiscated, and the person detained until their identity was verified.


    For professions like Hanwa''s, which involved constant travel with trade caravans, it was crucial to keep the plaque updated to avoid complications.


    The most significant changes in appearance usually occurred around milestone ages like ten or twenty. After reaching adulthood, physical changes slowed, allowing for longer intervals¡ªsometimes twenty or thirty years¡ªbetween updates.


    When Chen Xiao first learned about this system, he likened it to renewing an ID card, except it was voluntary here, whereas ID renewals were mandatory.


    In many rural families, there was no one knowledgeable enough to choose a good name at birth, nor could they afford to hire a naming expert. Children were often given simple nicknames like "Guo Wa" or "Chou," which sometimes stuck for life.


    For those who later came up with a better name, milestone ages like ten or twenty provided an opportunity to officially update the name on their plaque, a process called "upgrading to a formal name."


    Chen Xiao''s return this time was partly to see the Immortal Sect members with his own eyes and partly to update his plaque.


    Since Hanwa''s family shared the surname Chen, he could simply change the name "Hanwa" on the plaque to "Xiao" and reclaim his proper name.

 Chapter 6: She Said She鈥檇 Wait

    Chen Xiao and Auntie only sat for a short while before Auntie went out to do chores. Something as significant as taking on a formal name wasn¡¯t a decision she could make; they¡¯d have to wait for her husband to come home that evening.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s belongings were temporarily placed in Auntie and Uncle¡¯s bedroom. When he peeked inside, he found it was just as modest as the rest of the house, with barely any furniture, leaving the room feeling quite empty.


    Before long, Hanwa¡¯s younger cousin, Ershun, returned home. She was startled to see Chen Xiao, likely because of how much he had changed, and, feeling shy, she ducked behind a straw curtain into her room. Only then did Chen Xiao realize that the room with the straw curtain belonged to her.


    A little while later, perhaps feeling it was rude to hide, Ershun came out. She went to the kitchen outside and brought back a bowl of tea, offering it to Chen Xiao with a soft voice, ¡°This year¡¯s harvest wasn¡¯t good. The tea is last year¡¯s stock. Brother Hanwa, please don¡¯t mind.¡±


    Chen Xiao shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s fine, how could I mind?¡± He took the bowl and sipped slowly. While the tea itself was old, the water brought out its flavor, sweet and refreshing. It also hinted at the excellent quality of the local environment. Feeling curious, Chen Xiao stood up and said to Ershun, ¡°I¡¯m going to take a stroll around the village.¡±


    Chen Xiao stepped out of the farmhouse and walked down the path toward the village. Following the main road, he wandered around, taking in the sights.


    The village, known as Fancun, was more prosperous than most, rivaling even a small town. It had over seven hundred households and a population exceeding five thousand. Chen Xiao observed that many families here were well-off. Some were wealthy merchants, while others had family members working as clerks in the county or district offices.


    The village boasted its own small market where residents could purchase most daily necessities. Despite its size, it was a self-contained community. As Chen Xiao walked, he came across a school-like building, from which the sound of children reciting lessons could be faintly heard.


    The building was indeed a school, but enrollment was based on whether the children had potential for cultivating immortality. For families like Hanwa¡¯s uncle, whose children lacked such potential, attending this school was out of the question. This world was harsh in that regard. Children without the aptitude for cultivation were denied even the chance at formal education.


    Inside the school, students not only learned to read and write but were also given a basic cultivation manual to practice. Those who showed promise might be sponsored by wealthy families in the village. However, those without talent or progress were eventually dismissed to find their own paths in life¡ªwhether in business, as guards like Zhou Wushi, or by seeking minor governmental roles in the city.


    It was likely that the upcoming recruitment by the immortal sect would select candidates from this school.


    Reflecting on this, Chen Xiao grew thoughtful. None of Hanwa¡¯s uncle¡¯s family had the potential for cultivation, yet they had called him back in such a hurry. Clearly, there was another reason.


    After wandering for a while, Chen Xiao returned to the Chen family¡¯s modest courtyard, satisfied with his brief exploration. Along the way, many villagers glanced at him, impressed by his striking appearance. When he arrived home, his uncle, Chen Changen, had already returned.


    The uncle and nephew exchanged greetings. Though Chen Changen was surprised by Chen Xiao¡¯s transformation, he quickly set it aside, preoccupied with his own concerns.


    ¡°Hanwa, the reason we called you back this time is for Ershun,¡± Chen Changen began, frowning with worry. ¡°Earlier this year, Ershun was engaged to the youngest son of the Wu family in the village. But now that the immortal sect is recruiting, there¡¯s a chance he¡¯ll be chosen. Their family is worried about delays, and they¡¯re considering breaking off the engagement. Ershun doesn¡¯t agree. She said she¡¯s willing to wait.¡±


    Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t expected Ershun to be the reason for his summons. That afternoon, she hadn¡¯t mentioned a word of this, which showed her resolve. He asked solemnly, ¡°Uncle, what do you want me to do?¡±


    Chen Changen clenched his jaw and said, ¡°I just think a girl¡¯s youth can¡¯t be wasted. If he really gets taken away, who knows when he¡¯ll come back? Ershun might end up as an old maid, mocked by the village. I was hoping you could talk to her, persuade her to change her mind.¡±


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    Chen Xiao hesitated. After all, he wasn¡¯t truly Hanwa. It was hard for him to see things entirely from the family¡¯s perspective or make strongly biased suggestions. Moreover, if he did persuade her and things didn¡¯t go well in the future, he¡¯d bear some responsibility for the outcome.


    After mulling it over, Chen Xiao chuckled bitterly at his own caution. He realized he was being overly wary, avoiding risks out of fear. Whether he acted or not, simply being in Hanwa¡¯s place meant he was already entangled in the family¡¯s affairs.


    With that thought, he stood up and said firmly, ¡°Uncle, you¡¯re right to be concerned. I¡¯ll go talk to her.¡±


    Ershun was in the courtyard feeding the chickens. Before Chen Xiao could speak, she turned to him and said, ¡°Brother Hanwa, I know what you¡¯re going to say. You don¡¯t need to persuade me.¡±


    Her tone was resolute, and her stance unwavering. Faced with someone so determined, Chen Xiao didn¡¯t want to waste his breath, but he still needed to address the issue. ¡°If you already know what I¡¯m going to say, then you should understand how much your father worries about you. He¡¯s older and has seen more of the world. His concerns aren¡¯t without reason.¡±


    Ershun turned her face away, her soft black hair cascading down. She tucked a loose strand behind her ear and smiled faintly. ¡°I know. Father and Mother have both told me their fears¡ªthat he might not come back, and I¡¯ll have wasted my youth.¡±


    Chen Xiao asked seriously, ¡°Since you¡¯re aware of everything, why won¡¯t you change your mind?¡±


    Ershun looked at Chen Xiao earnestly and replied, ¡°For one, there are so many students in the academy, and a few of them are just as exceptional as him. Whether he gets selected or not is still uncertain. If we call off the engagement now and he doesn¡¯t end up leaving, both families will face embarrassment. And even if he is chosen and doesn¡¯t return in the future, it would be the Wu family¡¯s fault, not ours. The Wu family is well-off and wouldn¡¯t want to tarnish their reputation, so they wouldn¡¯t treat us poorly. With their support, Sanshuan and Sibao can establish themselves sooner, and Father and Mother could enjoy a better life earlier.¡±


    Chen Xiao had assumed her decision was driven by affection, but her explanation left him momentarily stunned. Mixed emotions swirled in his heart. She was essentially betting her future¡ªif she won, she¡¯d marry well and live a prosperous life. If she lost, her sacrifice would still secure aid for her family, helping her brothers grow and easing her parents¡¯ burdens.


    It¡¯s said that children from poor families grow up fast, and Ershun was a shining example. Likely because her older brother had passed away early, her younger brothers were still kids, and her cousin was distant and unreliable. As the eldest, she had no choice but to think this far ahead. In the past, Chen Xiao would¡¯ve disliked someone calculating their life so coldly, but Ershun¡¯s selflessness for her family left him unable to feel any dislike for her.


    Ershun noticed Chen Xiao¡¯s silence. With a shy smile, she pressed her lips together, dimples forming on her cheeks. She had inherited the Chen family¡¯s fine features¡ªarched brows, almond-shaped eyes, rosy cheeks, and cherry-red lips. A proper little beauty, her youthful face hinted at the stunning woman she¡¯d become.


    She said softly, ¡°The Wu family¡¯s thoughts are probably just his parents¡¯ idea. Maybe they¡¯re looking for an excuse to cut ties now that they¡¯ve found a better opportunity. But he personally promised me that he wouldn¡¯t delay his return.¡±


    Her cheeks flushed red as she lowered her head, her ears and neck tinged with pink, betraying her embarrassment.


    So, she is a lovestruck girl. Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t help but chuckle inwardly. Her earlier rational, calculated demeanor had almost startled him. A girl her age shouldn¡¯t have such a hard heart unless her feelings gave her the courage to take such risks.


    Ershun¡¯s intelligence impressed Chen Xiao. Despite her naive and somewhat immature reasoning, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to outright tell her she was wrong. With no way to convince her to change her mind, he could only hope her future turned out as she wished.


    When Chen Xiao explained the situation to her father, Chen Changgen could only let out a heavy sigh.


    Under these circumstances, dinner that evening was uncomfortably subdued, despite Auntie killing a laying hen to welcome Chen Xiao home. At the table, only Sanshuan and Sibao seemed carefree, their focus solely on devouring the meat. Chen Xiao and the others merely picked at their food, their minds elsewhere.


    That night, Chen Xiao was assigned to sleep in Sanshuan and Sibao¡¯s room. The two boys shared the left wing, which had a heated brick bed rather than a brazier. To his surprise, it wasn¡¯t as cold as he¡¯d expected. With a hand warmer tucked in beside him, he slept soundly until morning better than he had in the county town.


    The next morning, Chen Changgen urged Chen Xiao to eat quickly. He had taken the day off from work to accompany Chen Xiao in updating his official name.


    The process of changing a nameplate was cumbersome. First, they had to find the village chief to write a note, which was then submitted to the county office. There, Chen Xiao¡¯s identity would be verified to ensure he wasn¡¯t impersonating someone else. Once the information was confirmed, the application would be processed, and after some time, the new nameplate could be retrieved.


    Of course, Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t wait around for weeks. Instead, he paid for expedited service, which cost two silver coins and made Chen Changgen¡¯s heart ache.


    Since Chen Changgen was the head of their household registry, he needed to handle the initial steps personally. Once that was done, the remaining procedures were left to Chen Xiao to complete on his own.


    On the fourth day after Chen Xiao¡¯s return to Fancun, the long-awaited selection by the Immortal Sect finally began. It was also then that Chen Xiao met the Wu family¡¯s youngest son, who Ershun had been waiting for.

 Chapter 7: Farewell to Innocence

    On this day, Fancun was abuzz with excitement, resembling a festival. Almost every villager took part in cleaning the main street until it was spotless. The market was closed, shops shut their doors, and street vendors packed up their stalls, fearing they might offend the arriving Immortal Sect representatives.


    The recruitment event was set to take place on the open square in front of the ancestral hall of Fancun''s largest family¡ªa location second only to the village''s threshing ground in size and prestige. Though many villagers wanted to witness the spectacle, the village chief and the elders only allowed the families of the selected candidates to observe. Even then, they were restricted to standing outside the ancestral hall.


    Chen Xiao was fortunate to be among the permitted spectators.


    He had risen early and arrived at the narrow alley outside the hall with Ershun. Chen Changgen, however, chose not to attend. He had mixed feelings¡ªunsure whether he hoped the Wu family¡¯s boy would be chosen or not. In the end, he decided to forgo the event entirely, giving his spot to Chen Xiao.


    Ershun was allowed to bring someone along because, as the fianc¨¦e of a candidate, she was considered a related party. Nevertheless, feeling shy, she avoided standing with the Wu family and instead stayed with Chen Xiao, choosing a spot further back on the steps.


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t mind the position. It wasn¡¯t crowded, and they had a clear view of the scene unfolding inside the ancestral hall.


    At around nine in the morning, a group approached. Leading the way were three adult men, followed by ten youths between the ages of ten and fifteen.


    Ershun became visibly excited, tugging at Chen Xiao¡¯s sleeve and whispering, ¡°Brother Hanwa, look! The fifth one in line¡ªthat¡¯s him. His full name is Wu Xinzhi.¡±


    Chen Xiao glanced over. The fifth youth in the lineup was of average height, with a side-parted hairstyle and bright, intelligent eyes. Likely due to years of training, his skin was a healthy bronze. He wore a fitted, vibrant outfit that exuded energy and confidence.


    Wu Xinzhi followed the adults ahead, his gaze focused straight ahead. Perhaps sensing the intense stares from their direction, he briefly glanced sideways. Upon spotting Ershun, his face lit up with a smile, revealing a row of white teeth. But when his eyes fell on Chen Xiao, his expression froze slightly, his gaze sharpening with a hint of curiosity.


    Seeing Wu Xinzhi, Ershun forgot everything around her. She raised her hand and waved enthusiastically, her face glowing with sweetness as she called out, ¡°Wu Xinzhi, you¡¯re the best!¡± Her bright cheer caught Chen Xiao¡¯s attention, prompting him to glance at her.


    Her outburst wasn¡¯t too unusual; the appearance of the candidates had stirred a wave of cheers from the crowd, all offering their encouragement.


    However, as a quiet and reserved girl, that single shout was Ershun¡¯s limit. With her face flushed, she stood there shyly, her gaze locked on Wu Xinzhi. Although her voice was drowned out by the crowd, Wu Xinzhi had keen senses from his training. He not only saw her lips move but also heard her faint words. Smiling again in her direction, he made her blush even deeper.


    Chen Xiao glanced between the two. A boy and a girl, childhood sweethearts¡ªit was clear their bond ran deep.


    As the candidates and their mentors entered the hall, the three adults stepped aside, and the boys formed a single line.


    Chen Xiao and Ershun, along with the other villagers, moved closer to the scene. Finding the main entrance too crowded, Chen Xiao guided Ershun to the side, choosing a spot with a good view.


    Taking another look at the candidates, Chen Xiao observed the group more carefully. Earlier, his focus had been on Wu Xinzhi, but now he noticed that Wu Xinzhi didn¡¯t stand out much among his peers. Three or four other boys appeared equally spirited, dressed in vibrant, tailored outfits, their confident postures exuding self-assurance.


    It wasn¡¯t that Chen Xiao judged by appearances, but some of these candidates were from wealthy families. Compared to students selected from the academy, they had inherent advantages. Raised in privilege, they were exposed to better resources and education from a young age, giving them a stronger foundation.


    While Wu Xinzhi had talent, he wasn¡¯t necessarily the best among them. Considering the others¡¯ solid skills and equal aptitude, Ershun¡¯s earlier acknowledgment that his selection wasn¡¯t guaranteed seemed accurate.


    The group had arrived around 9 a.m. and waited in place for an hour. By the time it was nearly noon, one of the academy instructors, who had grown anxious, perked up as he glanced outside. ¡°They¡¯re here! Stand tall! Whether or not you have a bright future depends on this moment.¡±


    His words immediately reinvigorated the boys, who had grown slightly restless from standing too long.


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    Following the instructor¡¯s gaze, Chen Xiao spotted three faint dots in the distant sky moving rapidly toward them. He blinked, thinking he was mistaken, but the dots quickly grew larger.


    In the blink of an eye, three figures descended gracefully from the sky, their movements ethereal and otherworldly. As they landed, the energy rippling from their arrival sent their long robes billowing dramatically, the wide sleeves lifting with the gusts of displaced air. Their arrival exuded an effortless elegance and an unmistakable aura of the immortal.


    The moment they appeared, the square before the ancestral hall fell utterly silent. Even the boldest among the villagers didn¡¯t dare make a sound. It was as if an invisible hand pressed down on everyone, compelling them to bow their heads and avert their gazes, unable to meet the figures¡¯ faces.


    The trio landed directly on the open space in front of the ancestral hall. The one in the center stood slightly ahead of the other two, who remained a respectful two steps behind, clearly marking him as the leader. The academy instructors hurriedly stepped forward to bow in greeting. ¡°We humbly welcome the three Immortal Masters to Fancun.¡±


    One of the individuals standing behind the leader spoke for him. ¡°You may rise, teachers.¡±


    The other companion, noticing the prepared chairs nearby, moved one forward for the leader to sit. However, neither he nor the speaker took a seat, instead choosing to stand behind the chair, maintaining their positions.


    The Immortal Sect members had no interest in engaging in polite conversation with the local teachers. Such courtesies were unnecessary. The gap between the two parties was vast, and their interaction might well be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.


    Without preamble, the leader addressed the gathered boys with a commanding tone. ¡°We are here today to select disciples. Consider yourselves fortunate if you are chosen to join Chongxuan Sect. Ours is a prestigious Daoist lineage, steeped in history and brimming with strength. Many immortals have risen from our ranks. Once admitted, when you stand before our mountain gate, you will truly understand how fortunate you are. Enough talk. We shall begin with the spiritual root test. You, the first in line¡ªstep forward.¡±


    The first boy in line was barely ten years old. His face glistened with sweat, a clear mix of fear and nervousness. At the command, he awkwardly shuffled forward, moving with uncoordinated steps.


    The villagers craned their necks and stood on tiptoe, straining to catch a glimpse of how the testing would be conducted. Standing further back, however, Chen Xiao¡¯s mind was elsewhere. The moment the three immortals descended, his focus had been wholly captured by the man leading them. He couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away.


    Others might have marveled at the dramatic gusts that sent their robes flying, but Chen Xiao knew better. The roiling currents weren¡¯t caused by the descent itself but by the sheer power of the leader¡¯s aura colliding with the natural energy field of the village. The turbulence was a direct result of this clash.


    Artifacts left behind by immortals often carried stable auras, so it stood to reason that the immortals themselves would emanate such power. Chen Xiao had rushed back to the village from the county city just for this chance to witness it firsthand.


    As the trio flew in, Chen Xiao¡¯s sharp senses detected the rapid movement of their energy fields. The two individuals flanking the leader had impressive auras in their own right, but they paled in comparison to the leader¡¯s overwhelming presence. His aura was vast and majestic, radiating brilliance and power, as though it bridged heaven and earth. Every movement of his seemed to ripple through the environment, exerting dominance over the surrounding energy fields.


    Most onlookers felt only an intangible sense of awe and intimidation, but Chen Xiao could see it for what it was¡ªa suppression by the leader¡¯s boundless aura, leaving no room for resistance.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s throat went dry, his body rigid, and his heart pounded wildly. His excitement was palpable, and he trembled uncontrollably.


    A dragon vein¡¯s aura¡ªthis powerful! What stunned Chen Xiao even more was the realization that this figure was not merely surrounded by the energy of a dragon vein. This was a human-shaped dragon vein! In his past life, he had never even heard of such a phenomenon, despite his extensive studies of geomancy and ancient texts.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s blood surged with excitement, his enthusiasm almost manic. It was as though a starving glutton had discovered the most exquisite feast or a long-restrained man suddenly faced with an impossibly alluring beauty. The desire to rush forward, to touch and explore, was overwhelming.


    For a geomancer like Chen Xiao, the allure of such a unique dragon vein aura was utterly irresistible and beyond rational comprehension.


    His heavy breathing and visible agitation alarmed Ershun beside him. Forgetting her earlier focus on Wu Xinzhi, she clung to Chen Xiao¡¯s arm and shook him anxiously. ¡°Brother Hanwa! What¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t scare me!¡±


    Her voice, tinged with panic, and her vigorous shaking managed to bring Chen Xiao back from the brink. The boiling heat in his head subsided slightly. His vision swam, and his dizziness made him realize he¡¯d become overstimulated, causing a spike in his blood pressure. He pressed a hand to his forehead. ¡°I don¡¯t feel well. Ershun, help me move to the side.¡±


    Ershun quickly supported him to a quieter spot and helped him sit down. Then, she dashed to a nearby shop and returned with a bowl of water.


    Though the immense energy field was still visible from his new position, its effect was less oppressive, allowing Chen Xiao to calm down. Resting his chin on his hand, he pondered this extraordinary sight.


    A dragon vein condensed the fortune and energy of a land, capable of altering its fate. While Chen Xiao had seen dragon veins on land, in lakes, and even beneath the sea, a human-shaped dragon vein was beyond anything he had ever encountered.


    The man¡¯s movements embodied the grace of a dragon, perfectly aligned with the traits of a true dragon vein.


    As Chen Xiao struggled to process this revelation, he realized something else. The two individuals accompanying the leader had weaker auras, suggesting they were less powerful. This meant the leader was likely incredibly strong, perhaps a true immortal.


    Was this the hallmark of immortals in this world?


    Chen Xiao felt as though his entire understanding of the world was crumbling. His worldview seemed to bid him a final farewell.

 Chapter 8: He Hadn鈥檛 Seen Enough

    Chen Xiao had traveled across the country with his master in his early years, visiting ancient and modern dragon vein sites. Through hands-on learning, he had personally witnessed several dragon veins. These veins carried evident auras, consolidating the fortune of the land¡ªsome strong, some weak, some damaged, and others fading with time. Thus, he was absolutely certain about the aura surrounding the person in front of the ancestral hall¡ªit was unmistakably the aura of a dragon vein, even if it seemed utterly impossible.


    Dragon veins, in essence, refer to the contours of mountains and the flow of water. Ancient people used the term ¡°dragon¡± as a metaphor, signifying the undulations, twists, and changes in the landscape. The veins of mountains and rivers often extend tens or even hundreds of kilometers. Feng Shui masters inspecting dragon veins typically trek through desolate regions, often carving paths in uncharted wilderness.


    Having experienced such terrains, Chen Xiao knew just how vast a dragon vein could be, how awe-inspiring its compressed aura was, and how formidable its contained might.


    But how could such an immense force exist within a single human body? How powerful must this person be to possess an aura comparable to that of a dragon vein? Chen Xiao rubbed his temples, his head aching from the overwhelming thoughts.


    ¡°Brother Hanwa, have some water,¡± Ershun said, hurrying over with a bowl of water.


    Chen Xiao looked up and managed a weak smile. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Brother Hanwa, are you still feeling unwell? Maybe we should go back,¡± Ershun suggested, biting her cherry-red lips. Despite her words, her expression betrayed hesitation. At such a critical moment, she was desperate to see if Wu Xinzhi would be chosen. However, she couldn¡¯t just leave her cousin alone. The kind-hearted girl was clearly torn.


    Chen Xiao took a sip of water and waved her off. ¡°I¡¯m fine. There were just too many people earlier, and I felt a bit suffocated. You know I had a serious illness recently, and my body hasn¡¯t fully recovered. Don¡¯t worry about me¡ªit¡¯s nothing serious. I just need to sit here for a bit. Go check on the Wu family. See if they¡¯ve been chosen.¡±


    Seeing that Chen Xiao¡¯s complexion had returned to normal and his breathing had stabilized, Ershun felt reassured. Her concern for the testing won out. She told Chen Xiao to call her if needed, then hurried off to join the crowd in front of the ancestral hall.


    After resting for a while, Chen Xiao felt fully recovered. His heart stopped racing, and his dizziness faded. He returned the bowl to the family Ershun had borrowed it from and walked back to his previous vantage point.


    Ershun was too focused on the testing to notice Chen Xiao¡¯s return. He didn¡¯t disturb her and instead found a slightly elevated spot where he could observe the proceedings more clearly.


    By now, the tests were halfway through, and Wu Xinzhi had already gone. The boys stood with their backs to Chen Xiao, so he couldn¡¯t see their expressions, but judging by Wu Xinzhi¡¯s relaxed posture, his results seemed decent.


    Sweeping his gaze across the scene, Chen Xiao¡¯s eyes inevitably returned to the only person seated¡ªthe man in the center of it all. Earlier, he had been captivated by the man¡¯s overwhelming aura. Now, he took a closer look at the man¡¯s appearance.


    The man appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with long, jet-black hair that gleamed like raven feathers. His forehead was broad and full, his eyebrows sharp like blades, and his eyes as deep as obsidian. His straight nose and crescent-shaped lips complemented his perfectly chiseled features. However, his square jawline added a touch of masculinity, making him strikingly handsome without seeming effeminate. He wore a black robe adorned with intricate patterns, understated yet luxurious, exuding an air of grandeur and steadiness.


    With such stunning looks, he should have easily drawn the attention of the villagers, who weren¡¯t accustomed to seeing such beauty. Yet, most people didn¡¯t notice his appearance at first glance. Their attention was wholly dominated by the powerful aura emanating from him, which left them overwhelmed.


    At this moment, the man leaned casually against the chair¡¯s backrest, one hand holding a porcelain teacup, the other toying with the lid. He wasn¡¯t looking at the boys being tested nor paying attention to the process. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the wisps of steam rising from his tea, his expression indifferent. He seemed utterly detached, as though he existed in a world apart from everything around him.


    It took all of Chen Xiao¡¯s willpower to tear his gaze away from the man. While the aura of a dragon vein was a rare sight, witnessing a disciple selection by immortals was equally remarkable. Unsure if he¡¯d ever get another chance, Chen Xiao resolved to focus on the event.


    Shifting his attention back, he noticed the final boy being tested. The immortal who had spoken earlier gestured for the boy to step forward and instructed him to place his hand on a small object resembling an inkstone.


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    Following the instructions, the boy channeled his internal energy into the object. Moments later, a glowing halo of red, yellow, green, blue, and purple appeared around the inkstone. The immortal didn¡¯t comment, but the boy¡¯s expression fell, revealing his disappointment.


    Judging by the reaction, Chen Xiao guessed that such colors didn¡¯t signify a good result.


    The immortal dismissed the boy and addressed the group. ¡°The spirit root tests are complete. Of the ten, we found one with three spirit roots, three with four spirit roots, and six with five spirit roots.¡± Stowing the inkstone-like object, he pointed at the second, sixth, and ninth boys. ¡°Regrettably, the three of you are not fated to join the Chongxuan Sect.¡±


    As soon as the man finished speaking, someone couldn¡¯t hold back their tears, sobbing softly. Those who had been worried about being eliminated sighed in relief. The man furrowed his brows in displeasure, his voice turning colder: ¡°Fellow scholars, please escort these three away.¡±


    Three disciples hurried forward, each taking one of the eliminated youths aside. Some offered quiet comfort, while others whispered reprimands. It didn¡¯t take long for the area to return to silence.


    The man gave a satisfied nod before turning to glance at his companion standing behind the chair. The companion stepped forward, and the man said, ¡°Next, we will conduct a test of your physical aptitude.¡±


    The two men stood on either side of the group and began pressing their hands on each of the boys in turn, holding for a moment before moving on. From a distance, Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t tell what the purpose of this pressing was, only that the boys reacted differently¡ªsome remained still, others trembled involuntarily, and a few squirmed uneasily.


    When this round concluded, another three were eliminated, leaving only four boys. Wu Xinzhi was among them.


    Chen Xiao crossed his arms and stood not far from Ershun. He could clearly hear her let out a breath of relief, clearly relieved that Wu Xinzhi had made it this far. Chen Xiao found it amusing. This girl could calmly tell him that Wu Xinzhi might not make it, as if she didn¡¯t care much about the outcome. Yet, deep down, she clearly hoped her lover would succeed and rise to prominence.


    Her contradictory nature, a mix of outward calm and inner longing, was typical of a young girl at her age, blossoming into her emotions.


    After the second round, the companion stepped back again, and the sect member conducting the test announced, ¡°For the final round, I will hand each of you a booklet. You will have half an hour to review it, after which I will ask you questions.¡±


    The announcement of this last test took the remaining boys by surprise. Their teachers at the academy had never mentioned a memorization test. All of them were visibly nervous¡ªexcept for Wu Xinzhi, who secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Memorization was one of his strong suits.


    The booklets handed out to the boys were thin, with fewer than ten pages, including the cover. Each page was densely filled with hundreds of characters, totaling five to six thousand words. Wu Xinzhi quickly skimmed through one section and deduced that the content was an excerpt from the sect¡¯s Daoist scriptures.


    Regardless of today¡¯s results, just being able to glimpse such a text was an extraordinary stroke of fortune. Excited, Wu Xinzhi read through the booklet from start to finish before returning to the first page and memorizing each word carefully.


    While the boys studied, the villagers watching nearby didn¡¯t dare make a sound, fearing they might disrupt the concentration required for this final test. For a while, the only sounds were quiet breathing and the occasional rustle of turning pages. With little happening in the scene, Chen Xiao¡¯s gaze drifted again to the man sitting in the chair.


    The aura surrounding the man, reminiscent of a dragon vein, wasn¡¯t static¡ªit moved with an almost imperceptible rhythm. Now that it was compressed into a single human form, the flowing motion became even more vivid. It ebbed and swelled in a mesmerizing cadence, like waves rippling gently across the sea. Chen Xiao found himself utterly captivated by the ethereal beauty of the energy¡¯s movement.


    The man¡¯s silky hair and the edges of his robes swayed softly, stirred by the faint currents created by the aura. There was no wind in the area, yet these subtle motions gave him an otherworldly presence, further deepening the villagers¡¯ awe and reverence.


    Perhaps Chen Xiao¡¯s gaze was too intense, for the man suddenly set down his untouched teacup and raised his head, looking directly in Chen Xiao¡¯s direction. Startled, Chen Xiao immediately averted his eyes, bowing his head and avoiding eye contact.


    He knew it was inappropriate to stare so blatantly and worried that he might have offended someone so powerful. His heart raced, and sweat formed on the tip of his nose as he silently prayed that the man wouldn¡¯t hold it against him.


    The tension made Chen Xiao¡¯s breathing quicken, and his neck ached from holding his head down for so long. It wasn¡¯t until the test ended, and someone announced that time was up, that he dared to raise his head slightly.


    But when he looked up, the chair was empty. Alarmed, Chen Xiao scanned the area but couldn¡¯t find any trace of the man. Turning to Ershun, he asked, ¡°Ershun, when did that sect member in the chair disappear?¡±


    Ershun jumped at his question, clutching her chest in surprise. ¡°Brother Hanwa, when did you get here?¡± This girl, so engrossed in watching her lover, hadn¡¯t even noticed her cousin standing beside her for the past hour!


    ¡°I¡¯ve been here for a while,¡± Chen Xiao replied. ¡°Ershun, did you see when that man left?¡±


    Ershun calmed herself and thought for a moment before answering, ¡°It¡¯s been about three quarters of an hour. He set down his teacup, stood up, and then¡­ vanished. I didn¡¯t see him move at all. How did he leave so fast? Brother Hanwa, do you think our Wu family¡¯s brother will become as powerful as that someday?¡±


    So, he had simply left. Chen Xiao felt a mix of relief that the man hadn¡¯t taken offense and regret that he hadn¡¯t been able to observe more. That breathtaking aura¡­ he hadn¡¯t had his fill of it yet.

 Chapter 9: Outwitted by His Own Cleverness

    Chen Xiao only lingered in disappointment for a moment before gathering his thoughts and turning his attention back to the scene unfolding inside.


    Half an hour had passed when the person standing behind the seats stepped forward to collect the booklets from the youths. With the leader gone, he no longer needed to remain in his previous position and now stood alongside the host of the test.


    The host glanced at him, silently seeking confirmation. The other man shook his head slightly, signaling for him to continue managing the proceedings.


    The host then announced, ¡°Next, I will ask each of you a question.¡±


    The first in line was Wu Xinzhi. He felt a surge of nervousness and silently recited the contents of the booklet over and over in his mind. The host pointed at him. ¡°You¡¯re first. Step forward and recite what you¡¯ve memorized.¡±


    Wu Xinzhi steadied himself and began to recite the text he had memorized. He had an excellent memory and was often praised by the instructors at the academy for his ability to retain texts.


    At first, his recitation was smooth. However, after the first third, it became fragmented. By the final third, he started skipping over parts he couldn¡¯t recall. Unable to pause and reflect, he pressed on, skipping forgotten sections and continuing with what he could remember.


    Wu Xinzhi had used a strategy. He memorized the beginning and end of the text most thoroughly, focusing less on the middle sections. At the academy, instructors typically chose excerpts from the start or end of a passage when testing students, rarely venturing into the middle or later parts.


    He assumed this immortal master would follow the same pattern and hoped to pass with this tactic. To his dismay, the master did not stop him at any point, allowing him to recite to the very end. Despite faltering in the latter parts, Wu Xinzhi believed he had recited more than anyone else and felt confident in his performance.


    The immortal master gave a slight nod, and Wu Xinzhi¡¯s heart soared with relief. Just as he thought he had passed, the master suddenly asked, ¡°¡®To refine oneself is to harmonize with the profound essence.¡¯ What does this mean?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Wu Xinzhi froze, his mind blank. ¡°What... what does it mean?¡±


    The master patiently repeated, ¡°Explain your understanding of this phrase.¡±


    Cold sweat poured down Wu Xinzhi¡¯s back. He had focused solely on rote memorization and never considered the meaning of the text. These texts were profound and abstruse, often requiring days for instructors to explain. To expect him to articulate his understanding on the spot was beyond his capability.


    Mumbling incoherently for a while, Wu Xinzhi ultimately failed to provide an answer. The master waved him aside. ¡°You may step back. Next.¡±


    Wu Xinzhi¡¯s face turned pale. He stumbled back to his position at the front of the line, his mind in turmoil. His earlier confidence had crumbled entirely.


    The second youth stepped forward. As with Wu Xinzhi, the master first asked him to recite the text. This youth had no tricks up his sleeve. Lacking Wu Xinzhi¡¯s photographic memory, he managed to recite only the first third of the text.


    The master made no comment on the quantity recited but, as before, asked for an interpretation of a chosen phrase. Though nervous, the youth took a moment to think and managed to provide his understanding.


    By this point, Chen Xiao understood the nature of the test. The final round wasn¡¯t about memory but comprehension. The immortal masters of Chongxuan Sect were assessing the youths¡¯ ability to grasp the meaning of the text. How much they memorized was irrelevant; what mattered was having their own perspective.


    Wu Xinzhi¡¯s clever strategy had backfired, making him the least favorable candidate.


    Standing at the front of the line, Wu Xinzhi quickly realized the issue. His face turned ashen as he anticipated his rejection.


    In the end, the opportunity to join the immortal sect was awarded to the youth at the back of the line. The boy¡¯s joy was evident, while Wu Xinzhi stood frozen as if struck by lightning.


    After informing the academy instructors that they would return in a few days for another selection, the two immortal masters departed.


    The villagers, who had been watching, dispersed contentedly. Though only one out of ten was chosen, most families were prepared for such an outcome. They comforted their children, proud of their efforts, and left the scene. Wu Xinzhi¡¯s family, however, remained behind, voicing their grievances loudly.


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    The Wu family, though wealthy, lacked scholarly insight and didn¡¯t understand the emphasis on comprehension in the final test. Wu Xinzhi¡¯s parents were indignant, arguing that their son had recited the most and performed the best. How could he lose to someone who memorized only a few hundred characters?


    Their words carried an undercurrent of accusation, questioning the fairness of the selection process. One of the academy instructors, still present, broke out in a cold sweat. He sternly rebuked them, ¡°Silence! The immortal masters have their reasons. How dare you question them!¡±


    Seeing Wu Xinzhi¡¯s downcast expression, the instructor softened his tone. ¡°Xinzhi, don¡¯t lose heart. The Chongxuan Sect is a prestigious sect with exceptionally high standards. With your talents, you could easily join any other sect as an inner disciple.¡±


    Wu Xinzhi bit his lip, his eyes red. ¡°Instructor, I just... I can¡¯t accept it! I didn¡¯t understand the meaning. Otherwise... otherwise...¡±


    His strong sense of pride made this rejection a crushing blow. He held back his tears, refusing to cry in front of everyone.


    A sigh escaped the headmaster¡¯s lips. Normally, immortal sects selected disciples based solely on spiritual roots and physique. Who could have anticipated that the Chongxuan Sect would add a test for comprehension?


    Among the ten boys from Fancun¡ªthe best of the best¡ªonly one was chosen. This demonstrated just how rigorous the requirements of this renowned sect were.


    Chen Xiao stood quietly to the side, musing, This is like the difference between a prestigious university and a regular one. Comprehension is the extra credit question in an exam that determines your fate.


    Seeing Wu Xinzhi so despondent, Ershun, unable to hold back her shyness, pushed her way to the front. Her eyes reddened as she softly consoled him, ¡°Brother Xinzhi, don¡¯t be too upset. Don¡¯t forget there¡¯s still the second round. You might still have a chance...¡±


    Before she could finish, Wu Xinzhi¡¯s parents¡ªalready brimming with frustration¡ªturned their ire on Ershun. Wu Xinzhi¡¯s mother snapped, ¡°Oh, you must be pleased now! My son¡¯s chance to enter an immortal sect is gone, and he¡¯s left to languish as a mere mortal. I regret ever agreeing to his engagement with someone like you! Refusing to annul it, dragging my son down with you!¡±


    Ershun was left speechless. How could she be blamed for this? It was entirely unrelated to her. Typically gentle and soft-spoken, she now found herself accused and could only shed tears in silent grievance.


    Chen Xiao, unable to watch any longer, stepped in front of Wu Xinzhi and said, ¡°If you truly have ambition, you wouldn¡¯t let your mother talk about your fianc¨¦e like this! Any reasonable person can see what happened in that last round. It has nothing to do with my sister. Don¡¯t assume that just because her family lacks education, there¡¯s no one to stand up for her. I, her cousin, am right here.¡±


    As Ershun¡¯s cousin, Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t directly confront her future mother-in-law. Doing so would only cause more trouble for Ershun in the future. His only option was to address Wu Xinzhi, hoping he would resolve the issue himself.


    Wu Xinzhi understood Chen Xiao¡¯s meaning all too well. It was his own misstep that had ruined his performance in the final round. His family might not see it, but the Chen family certainly did.


    Ashamed, his face flushed red. Already weighed down by disappointment, his mood worsened. ¡°Mother, stop. This has nothing to do with Ershun. It¡¯s my own fault¡ªI was too arrogant, assuming I could second-guess the immortal masters. My overconfidence led to failure. If you don¡¯t want to embarrass me further, please don¡¯t say any more.¡±


    Though Wu Xinzhi¡¯s mother knew Ershun wasn¡¯t to blame, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to scold her son. Frustration had to find an outlet, and Ershun became the target. Now, with her son publicly reprimanding her, she felt humiliated. She covered her face with her handkerchief and began to wail, ¡°Oh, my poor son!¡±


    The mentor stood amidst the crowd, his head pounding from the commotion. Raising his voice, he barked, ¡°Enough! Things haven¡¯t reached their worst. What¡¯s all this crying for?¡±


    Wu Xinzhi¡¯s mother immediately fell silent. His father, seizing the opportunity, asked anxiously, ¡°Mentor, what do you mean? Is there still hope?¡±


    The mentor rubbed his temples and explained, ¡°This was merely the selection for inner disciples. There will be another round for outer disciples soon.¡± Fixing his gaze on Wu Xinzhi, he asked, ¡°Think carefully¡ªwould you rather join a regular sect as an inner disciple or enter the Chongxuan Sect as an outer disciple?¡±


    The difference was clear: inner disciples had dedicated mentors, while outer disciples did not. Inner disciples were closely guided, while outer disciples were often left to fend for themselves. However, being an outer disciple didn¡¯t preclude future opportunities. Exceptional performance could still earn one a place as an inner disciple.


    Clenching his teeth, Wu Xinzhi declared, ¡°Of course I¡¯ll go to the Chongxuan Sect!¡± How could he resign himself to a lesser sect when there was still a chance at a prestigious one?


    That night, after the selection, Ershun couldn¡¯t sleep. She didn¡¯t dare make a sound in her room for fear of disturbing her parents, so she slipped into the storage room and huddled under a blanket, quietly crying.


    Chen Xiao, waking in the middle of the night to relieve himself, caught the faint sound of her sobs. He dressed quickly, grabbed a warming pot, and made his way over.


    ¡°What are you crying about? Feeling wronged after what happened today?¡± Chen Xiao pushed the door open, startling Ershun so much that the blanket slipped off her crouched figure.


    ¡°Brother Hanwa, why are you here?¡± Her voice was thick with congestion, revealing she had been crying for quite some time.


    Chen Xiao sighed, ¡°You call me ¡®brother,¡¯ so I¡¯ll treat you as my sister. If my sister is crying here, how could I, as her brother, ignore it?¡±


    Tears welled up in Ershun¡¯s eyes again. Chen Xiao draped the blanket back over her shoulders and said, ¡°Don¡¯t let it bother you. Your future mother-in-law was just momentarily blinded by anger. Once Wu Xinzhi explains things to her, she¡¯ll come around and won¡¯t give you a hard time anymore.¡±


    Ershun shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t get better. She¡¯ll only grow more resentful of me.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think that?¡± Chen Xiao asked, puzzled.


    In a hushed voice, Ershun replied, ¡°I think Brother Wu going to the second selection might actually be less of a chance than today.¡±

 Chapter 10: Chen Xiao鈥檚 Way of Repaying

    Chen Xiao had come to comfort Ershun out of goodwill. However, he struggled to suppress a yawn in front of her. Just as he was about to fail, Ershun dropped a bombshell that nearly made him choke on his held-back yawn.


    Wiping the tears squeezed from his eyes, Chen Xiao stared at Ershun, who was squatting in a corner with her head buried. "What do you mean? Ershun, are you saying Wu Xinzhi has even less of a chance in the second round? Then why¡­" Earlier that day, at the shrine, he had clearly heard Ershun console Wu Xinzhi, telling him to stay hopeful. If she didn¡¯t believe there was a chance, why would she say that?


    Ershun raised her tear-streaked face. Her nose was red from crying, and her ears were red from the cold. Tears glistened as she softly said, "Brother Hanwa, I only said that to encourage Wu Xinzhi to gather his spirits for the re-selection. In truth, I don¡¯t think his chances are very good."


    Seeing Chen Xiao¡¯s confusion, Ershun explained further, her voice clear and deliberate. "The steward¡¯s youngest daughter is a close friend of an embroiderer I know from the embroidery workshop. From her, I learned that only five people will be chosen in the second round. Unlike the selection for inner disciples earlier today, this round will only pick from the boys who passed the initial rounds. The Chongxuan Sect won¡¯t personally oversee this; the school steward will submit the list directly."


    Ershun laid it out, her reasoning meticulous. "I guess the candidates will be picked from the top six boys in the last two rounds. Of those six, one will inevitably be eliminated. Among them, the Wu family is neither the most influential nor the wealthiest. To make things worse, the boy ranked last is the Fan family¡¯s young master..." Her slight shoulders trembled as she bit her finger, tears streaming down her face. "Wu Xinzhi¡¯s parents dote on him and think the world of him. They probably never imagined they¡¯d need to curry favor with the steward. Wu Xinzhi himself, with his pride, wouldn¡¯t dream of suggesting such a thing to his family. I¡¯m afraid¡­ I¡¯m afraid he¡¯s going to be the one left out."


    Chen Xiao looked at the crying girl with newfound respect. This little girl was far more perceptive than he had imagined, always thinking several steps ahead.


    And Chen Xiao was spot on. Ershun¡¯s calm demeanor earlier had stemmed from her inexperience with the world. Seeing Wu Xinzhi crushed by rejection that day made her realize how devastating another failure would be for him. After being unfairly blamed and scolded by her future mother-in-law, Ershun couldn¡¯t help but waver in her confidence about the future.


    If Wu Xinzhi failed the re-selection and stayed in Fancun, his prospects would be far less promising than if he went to Chongxuan Sect. But from an emotional standpoint, she couldn¡¯t bear the thought of him leaving, not knowing when he¡¯d return. Torn between reason and feelings, the little girl was deeply conflicted. Her tears weren¡¯t from fear of further blame from Wu¡¯s family but from genuine heartbreak for her beloved.


    Chen Xiao understood this better than Ershun. The unresolved tension with her future in-laws spelled a difficult married life ahead. Any misstep would surely lead to harsh treatment. Wu Xinzhi¡¯s ability to protect his wife was uncertain, especially in a village where opposing one¡¯s parents was unthinkable. These issues were glaring risks.


    But breaking off an engagement simply because of a difficult future mother-in-law was unheard of. Besides, for a family like the Chen¡¯s, Wu Xinzhi was already the best match Ershun could hope for. To ensure her future happiness, Wu Xinzhi had to be selected.


    Chen Xiao fell silent. This was a major event involving the immortal sects. Even if he wanted to help, he didn¡¯t have the means. After consoling Ershun, he sent her back to her room to rest.


    Chen Xiao, however, felt wide awake. He sat outside the storage room for a while, hugging his now-cold hand warmer, before reluctantly heading back to his room.


    Climbing into the bed, shivering, he was startled by a sudden whisper from Sanshuan, who shared his bed. "Did my sister cry? Why?"


    Chen Xiao froze, then quickly buried himself under the blanket, pressing his heavy coat on top. "Kids shouldn¡¯t worry about adult matters. Go to sleep."


    But Sanshuan didn¡¯t listen. He turned to face Chen Xiao and said, "I already know. Sister was scolded by her future mother-in-law today. It¡¯s my fault. If I were more capable, that old woman wouldn¡¯t dare treat my sister like that."


    The boy sighed like a little old man. "A girl¡¯s future depends on having capable brothers to support her. Sister only has me and Sibao. For her sake, we have to make something of ourselves."


    Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t help but chuckle and turned to face him. "You¡¯ve got big ambitions. What do you want to do when you grow up?"


    Sanshuan perked up and leaned over excitedly. "Brother Hanwa, do you think I could go to the county capital like you and work in a big shop? It¡¯s respectable, and I could save a lot of money. Then no one in the Wu family would dare bully my sister."


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    Ershun¡¯s struggles weren¡¯t something Sanshuan could solve. Even if he grew up to be successful, it wouldn¡¯t address the root of the issue. But his pure-hearted determination moved Chen Xiao.


    Chen Xiao tucked Sanshuan back under the blanket. "Working in a big shop in the county is a fine dream. But for now, get some sleep. You need to grow up first. Leave your sister¡¯s problems to me."


    Sanshuan obediently curled up under the blanket, his trust in Chen Xiao evident. "You¡¯re right. Brother Hanwa is so capable."


    With that, the boy¡¯s fatigue caught up to him, and he drifted off to sleep. Chen Xiao, on the other hand, remained wide awake, lying in bed until dawn.


    At the crack of dawn, Chen Xiao got up. In the courtyard, Er Shun was acting as if nothing had happened, feeding the two chickens in the coop.


    Glancing around, Chen Xiao saw that his aunt was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast, while his uncle, Chen Changgen, was still inside and hadn¡¯t come out yet. He walked over to Er Shun and said softly, ¡°I have an idea. It might help Wu Xinzhi get selected.¡±


    Er Shun froze in surprise before her face lit up with joy. She set down the sieve she was holding and clutched Chen Xiao¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Brother Hanwa, are you serious? You¡¯re not joking, right?¡±


    Chen Xiao replied in a low voice, ¡°I can only promise to try. There¡¯s no guarantee it¡¯ll work. If it doesn¡¯t, please don¡¯t blame me.¡±


    Although disappointment flickered across Er Shun¡¯s face, she quickly composed herself. ¡°The fact that you¡¯re willing to help already means the world to me. I would never hold it against you.¡±


    Chen Xiao nodded. ¡°Then leave it to me.¡±


    During breakfast that morning, Chen Xiao proposed fixing up the family house. His uncle, aunt, and the rest of the Chen family sitting around the table were taken aback.


    Chen Changgen, struggling to maintain his composure as the head of the household, stammered, ¡°Hanwa, w-what brought this on? Why are you suddenly thinking about renovating the house?¡±


    Chen Xiao replied firmly, ¡°Uncle, if it weren¡¯t for you taking care of me all these years, I wouldn¡¯t be where I am today. I¡¯ve saved up some money, and I want to use it to fix up the parts of the house that are run-down. It¡¯s my way of showing gratitude and fulfilling my duty to you.¡±


    Chen Changgen frowned and shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s out of the question. You¡¯re the only heir of my elder brother¡¯s family. Looking after you was my responsibility. If I accepted your help, wouldn¡¯t that make me a selfish man taking advantage of your gratitude?¡±


    Chen Xiao¡¯s aunt, initially delighted by the idea of renovations, also hesitated. She chimed in, ¡°Exactly. Taking care of you was our duty. You should save that money for your own future¡ªfor building your own house, marrying, and starting a family. That¡¯s how you can truly honor your parents¡¯ memory and repay us.¡±


    Chen Xiao responded with quiet determination. ¡°Uncle, Aunt, you don¡¯t need to persuade me. I¡¯ve made up my mind. The county town is far from home, and I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be able to visit again. If my employer transfers me to the capital someday, I¡¯ll be even farther away. Fixing up the house so you can live more comfortably will bring me peace of mind.¡±


    Despite their initial refusals, Chen Xiao¡¯s uncle and aunt eventually relented after several rounds of persuasion.


    Knowing Chen Xiao¡¯s time at home was limited, Chen Changgen took time off from his duties and enlisted several villagers to help start the renovations. Chen Xiao contributed 20 taels of silver for materials, while labor costs were repaid through favors and goodwill, which the Chen family would slowly return over time.


    The major repairs involved replacing the roofs of three rooms, which required new beams and swapping out the thatch for tiles. In addition, the crumbling plaster on the walls needed to be patched up and smoothed over.


    The most expensive materials were the three main beams for the roof and the tiles. Fortunately, rural living expenses were modest, and the 20 taels were just enough to cover the costs.


    For the wall repairs, mud had to be hauled from a nearby clay pit. Chen Xiao¡¯s aunt and San Shuan borrowed a cart and made multiple trips. Though Chen Xiao offered to help, his aunt firmly refused, insisting he stay home with Er Shun and Si Bao. Together, they sifted through the mud, removing stones and clumps, and mixed in red clay for better adhesion.


    The bustling activity at the Chen household soon drew the attention of curious neighbors. When they heard that Hanwa had saved up money working in the county town to repair the family house, everyone was full of praise.


    With the roof stripped bare and the new beams installed, the workers were eager to push forward and complete the project. However, Chen Xiao called a halt.


    ¡°Uncle, there are a few changes I¡¯d like to make,¡± he said.


    ¡°What changes?¡± Chen Changgen asked, puzzled.


    ¡°The main gate, the stove, and the arrangement inside your bedroom,¡± Chen Xiao explained earnestly.


    His real intent was to subtly adjust the house¡¯s feng shui. He had returned with the goal of repaying the karmic debt tied to Hanwa¡¯s life, and the jade pendant he carried was a key part of that plan.


    Although the celestial configurations of this world were vastly different, with even the cardinal directions slightly altered, the basic principles of residential feng shui remained unaffected. By making some adjustments and incorporating the jade pendant as a protective talisman, Chen Xiao aimed to ensure the Chen family¡¯s peace and prosperity for the next three to five decades.


    He could have gone further, aligning the feng shui to bring the family great wealth and outstanding descendants. But given the Chen family¡¯s modest fate, such grand ambitions could backfire, shortening their lifespans or leading to unforeseen calamities.


    That said, Chen Xiao was unsure how effective these adjustments would be or how much of an impact they would have. Yet, he was determined to do what he could. At the very least, the changes wouldn¡¯t bring harm, and that alone was worth the effort.

 Chapter 11: First Signs of Influence

    Although Chen Xiao¡¯s requests seemed peculiar, they didn¡¯t interfere with daily life. Since he was paying for the house renovations, Chen Changgen hesitated only briefly before agreeing.


    Once the roof was completed, Chen Changgen led two workers to carve out a new main entrance in the location Chen Xiao had designated. The original entrance was sealed temporarily, with plans to rebuild it as a wall when time and money permitted. Meanwhile, Chen Xiao worked with another group to dismantle the kitchen¡¯s stove and rebuild it at a spot he had carefully marked.


    Chen Xiao understood that his actions might seem baffling to others, so he disguised the changes required for the feng shui layout as part of the renovation. Tasks he could handle himself, he did quietly. For more significant changes, he provided plausible reasons.


    For instance, the new stove design featured two fire openings instead of one, allowing simultaneous cooking of rice and dishes¡ªa practical improvement. When the new stove was completed, his aunt beamed with delight. Despite the changed location, she quickly adapted.


    The walls were smoothed with prepared mud, giving the once-worn courtyard a neat appearance. The new black roof tiles instantly elevated the home¡¯s aesthetic. The Chen family was thrilled. Following Chen Xiao¡¯s directions, they rearranged the furniture and eagerly moved back in.


    Traditionally, walls need to dry before occupying a renovated house to avoid dampness and cold. However, the Chen family didn¡¯t mind. They gathered firewood to help dry the house and moved in without hesitation.


    Chen Xiao, helpless in the face of their eagerness, quietly agreed with Ershun to meet in the middle of the night to complete their secret task.


    The main room of the house was the ideal place to install the feng shui artifact. Chen Xiao planned to secure the jade pendant into a hidden compartment in the central beam, which he had secretly requested the timber seller to prepare. The seller, familiar with such requests, created a discreet compartment and took Chen Xiao¡¯s payment without question.


    In the dead of night, Chen Xiao and Ershun quietly carried a ladder into the main room. Chen Xiao climbed up in the darkness, feeling around until he located the compartment and carefully placed the jade pendant inside.


    As soon as the pendant was set, its stable energy spread throughout the house, activating the feng shui arrangement. Seeing the energy harmonize seamlessly with the village¡¯s natural flow, Chen Xiao finally relaxed.


    Ershun steadied the ladder below. When Chen Xiao descended, they silently returned the ladder to its place.


    Unable to contain her curiosity, Ershun whispered, ¡°Brother Hanwa, will this really help Brother Wu get selected? I feel... unsure.¡±


    The young woman refrained from outright disbelief, leaving some face for Chen Xiao. After all, she had never heard of repairing a house to secure someone¡¯s place in an immortal sect.


    Chen Xiao whispered back, ¡°I¡¯m not certain. I learned this method from... somewhere, and I¡¯m unsure how effective it will be. But it should help to some extent.¡±


    He had indeed completed the feng shui adjustments.


    The Chen family home was positioned on a street where the left road was long and the right road short, making it favorable to open the ¡°White Tiger Gate¡± to draw in energy. Chen Xiao relocated the entrance accordingly.


    Although celestial alignments were off, preventing him from pinpointing Chen Changgen¡¯s specific life star, Chen Xiao used the Eight Mansions method to configure the furniture into a ¡°Nurturing Prosperity¡± arrangement. This alignment would ensure small fortune and peace for the Chen family over the next three to five decades.


    To link Ershun¡¯s betrothed, Wu Xinzhi, to the house¡¯s energy, Chen Xiao proposed another step. Handing Ershun a bundle of red string, he instructed, ¡°You know Wu Xinzhi¡¯s birthdate and time, right? Tonight, stay up and silently recite his name and birthdate while braiding this string. Tomorrow morning, give it to him and tell him to wear it on his wrist without taking it off.¡±


    Although surprised by his peculiar instructions, Ershun dared not question him further. Chen Xiao¡¯s cryptic words only fueled her imagination¡ªperhaps he had learned immortal techniques in the county city.


    Treating the red string as a sacred artifact, Ershun meticulously braided it overnight, ignoring her fatigue. By dawn, she had crafted it into a cord as thick as a chopstick and promptly delivered it to Wu Xinzhi.


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    Since Wu¡¯s parents resented her, Ershun didn¡¯t dare knock directly. Instead, she had one of Wu¡¯s schoolmates call him out.


    Wu Xinzhi, having calmed down after three days, felt apologetic about his mother¡¯s earlier behavior. Though he couldn¡¯t openly criticize his mother, he planned to console Ershun and encourage her patience.


    Meeting by a lotus pond outside the village, Wu Xinzhi noticed Ershun¡¯s haggard appearance¡ªred-rimmed eyes and swollen lids from a sleepless night. Feeling a pang of guilt, he softened his tone. ¡°Ershun, I know you¡¯ve been wronged. Don¡¯t take my mother¡¯s words to heart. I appreciate your kindness and won¡¯t let you suffer in the future.¡±


    Ershun quickly shook her head. ¡°Brother Xinzhi, I understand. Auntie was just upset. She didn¡¯t mean it.¡± Whether or not his mother had ill intentions, Ershun refrained from arguing¡ªit wasn¡¯t why she had come.


    She pulled out the red cord and gently tied it around Wu Xinzhi¡¯s right wrist. Startled, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    Looking up with a serious expression, she replied, ¡°Brother Xinzhi, you must wear this. My Brother Hanwa used an immortal technique to prepare it for you¡ªit will ensure your success in the upcoming selection.¡±


    Wu Xinzhi chuckled, amused by her sincerity. He didn¡¯t believe he¡¯d fail the selection anyway, but since it was a heartfelt gesture, he wore it as a charm. ¡°Alright, I promise I¡¯ll wear it and never take it off.¡±


    After delivering the red string to Wu Xinzhi, Ershun felt a weight lift from her shoulders. However, when Wu Xinzhi returned home, a shocking piece of news awaited him.


    The Wu family¡¯s parents were sitting gloomily in the living room, their faces clouded with worry. An old acquaintance of the Wu family had rushed over earlier to inform them of a troubling update: the final selection list for the re-evaluation was out, and Wu Xinzhi¡¯s name wasn¡¯t on it!


    Upon learning this, the Wu family was thrown into a panic. They quickly mobilized their connections to investigate the matter, only to discover that the headmaster in charge had accepted bribes from the Fan family and replaced Wu Xinzhi¡¯s name with that of the Fan family¡¯s son.


    In the re-selection process, six families had competing candidates. Unlike the Wu family, the other families had all utilized their connections to varying degrees. After some discussion, they collectively decided to exclude Wu Xinzhi.


    The blame fell heavily on Wu Xinzhi¡¯s parents. Despite being aware of the competition, they had failed to visit the headmaster or offer even a token of goodwill. Without any incentive to feel guilty, the headmaster had no qualms about striking Wu Xinzhi¡¯s name off the list.


    In desperation, the Wu parents scrambled to pool their savings to offer a belated bribe. However, the headmaster outright refused to see them, claiming ill health and shutting his doors to visitors.


    The news struck Wu¡¯s mother like a bolt from the blue, causing her to collapse on the spot. Wu¡¯s father, flustered, tried to revive her by pressing her philtrum and calling for a doctor. Meanwhile, Wu Xinzhi stood in the living room, trembling with anger as he witnessed the chaos unfold. It was then that he truly understood how ruthless and corrupt the world could be.


    As the Wu family struggled in despair, the day of the Chongxuan Sect¡¯s re-selection ceremony arrived.


    Though the candidates on the final list were supposed to head directly to the ancestral hall, Wu Xinzhi was too disheartened to give up and insisted on going to observe. The gatekeeper, a teacher from the academy who had previously tried to counsel him, sympathized with his situation and reluctantly allowed him inside.


    ¡°Just remember,¡± the teacher warned, ¡°don¡¯t cause a scene and disturb the immortal masters. If you stir up trouble, other sects might blacklist you entirely for future selections.¡±


    Frightened by the warning, Wu Xinzhi promised to behave.


    Inside the hall, the immortal master who had overseen the initial selection presided over the event. The inner disciple previously chosen stood by his side, while the headmaster introduced each selected candidate.


    Wu Xinzhi watched from a distance, his fists clenched and his nails digging into his palms. His frustration boiled over, and he longed to expose the shady dealings between the headmaster and the Fan family. But the teacher¡¯s earlier warning held him back.


    As his anger simmered, his gaze fell upon the red string tied around his wrist. Remembering Ershun¡¯s heartfelt hopes and blessings when she had given it to him, a surge of grief welled up inside him, reddening his eyes.


    Meanwhile, the Wu family home was shrouded in gloom. Wu¡¯s mother remained bedridden, Wu¡¯s father neglected his farming duties, and the rest of the family dared not make a sound, fearing his wrath.


    Suddenly, loud shouts came from outside the house. Wu¡¯s father looked up in confusion to see the same acquaintance who had delivered the bad news earlier rushing in. The man exclaimed breathlessly, ¡°Your Xinzhi has been chosen after all! Stop standing around and pack his things quickly¡ªthe immortal masters are leaving today, and they¡¯re only waiting for a short while!¡±


    Wu¡¯s father was stunned, a mix of disbelief and joy washing over him. Grabbing the messenger by the arm, he demanded, ¡°What did you say? My Xinzhi was chosen? How could that be? Didn¡¯t the Fan family take his spot?¡±


    The man slapped his thigh with a grin. ¡°That¡¯s how it was at first! But just as the immortal masters were about to leave, one of them suddenly asked why your Xinzhi wasn¡¯t on the list. The headmaster turned pale with fear and hurriedly swapped out another name for Xinzhi¡¯s. That¡¯s how your son got in!¡±


    The Wu family was overjoyed, bustling to pack Wu Xinzhi¡¯s belongings.


    Meanwhile, Chen Xiao, hearing the news, finally let out a long sigh of relief.


    The essence of feng shui is turning possibility into certainty. With the right adjustments, even a 1% chance can become a 100% success.


    Luckily, in this world, the core principles of feng shui, shifting fortunes, manifesting blessings, promoting prosperity, and mitigating misfortune¡ªremained as effective as ever.

 Chapter 12: Rumors Spiraling Out of Control

    The immortal masters, who were originally set to leave immediately, stayed an extra half-day specifically for Wu Xinzhi, a rare and exceptional honor. Wu Xinzhi was so overwhelmed with excitement that his face turned red, and he didn¡¯t know what to do with his hands and feet.


    The immortal master, amused by the boy¡¯s dazed reaction, said, "Hurry home to prepare your belongings and bid farewell to those you need to."


    Wu Xinzhi snapped back to reality, bowed deeply to the immortal master, and ran off in a hurry. However, he didn¡¯t head straight home but instead sprinted toward the Chen family residence.


    Ershun had already heard the news and was busy preparing a small bundle. Her aunt called out to her from outside, and she quickly emerged with the package in her arms.


    "Ershun! I¡¯ve been chosen! I can go now!" Wu Xinzhi exclaimed, his forehead and nose glistening with sweat from running, his voice breathless but filled with exhilaration.


    Ershun beamed with joy. "Brother Xinzhi, with the protection of immortals, I just knew you would be chosen."


    Wu Xinzhi nodded, firmly believing that the red string had played a significant role. At the very least, it was a powerful and auspicious charm.


    Ershun handed the bundle to Wu Xinzhi. "Brother Xinzhi, I¡¯ve prepared wrist guards and leg wraps for you. The journey will be tough, and these will come in handy. The path to the Chongxuan Sect is long, and communication will be difficult. Please, take care of yourself... I hope that when you achieve great things, you won¡¯t forget that your little sister is still waiting for you back in Fancun."


    This gentle and reserved girl, unable to hold back any longer, earnestly shared her thoughts with the man she loved, knowing they would soon part ways.


    Touched by her sincerity, Wu Xinzhi¡¯s excitement gave way to bittersweet sorrow. Overwhelmed, he nodded heavily and embraced Ershun, saying, "Ershun, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll never forget you. You¡¯ll always be in my heart."


    Ershun looked up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her heart was a mix of joy and worry, happy for his future prospects, yet anxious about her own. She could only hope that her beloved brother from the Wu family would keep his promise and return to marry her.


    The couple held each other closely in the courtyard. Though their actions bordered on improper, Ershun¡¯s aunt didn¡¯t intervene. Instead, she clutched the corner of her apron, her eyes glistening with tears as she watched.


    Their quiet embrace was interrupted when someone ran up to the Chen family¡¯s gate. The newcomer called out to Wu Xinzhi, "Xinzhi, hurry home! Everything¡¯s ready. Don¡¯t waste time here. Your parents are still waiting to see you off!"


    Reluctantly, Wu Xinzhi released Ershun and said apologetically, "I have to go."


    Ershun, understanding and composed, nodded. "Go ahead. I won¡¯t see you off. Brother Xinzhi, I wish you a safe journey."


    With the bundle Ershun had prepared in his arms, Wu Xinzhi left the Chen family¡¯s courtyard. Once he was out of sight, Ershun could no longer hold back her sobs. Chen Xiao sighed, stepping forward to pat her on the shoulder. "Don¡¯t be sad. As long as he keeps that red string on his wrist, nothing major will happen to him."


    Chen Xiao, the former feng shui master, still had confidence in his abilities. While the feng shui setup he had arranged wouldn¡¯t guarantee Wu Xinzhi fame or fortune, it would at least ensure his safety and protect him from significant disasters.


    When Wu Xinzhi returned home with the person who had called him, he found several bundles already piled on the Eight Immortals table in the living room. Despite her illness, his mother had personally overseen the packing, determined to ensure her son wouldn¡¯t suffer hardships while away.


    "Pack the dry rations separately, and include these snacks. If you¡¯re hungry on the road, they¡¯ll come in handy," Wu Xinzhi¡¯s mother instructed the two daughters-in-law, who were bustling about under her orders. "Add these thick clothes and this cloak as well. If there¡¯s a cold snap on the journey, at least my son won¡¯t freeze."


    When she saw Wu Xinzhi enter, she grabbed his hand and said with relief, "I knew it! My son was bound to be chosen. That steward¡¯s meddling couldn¡¯t fool the immortal masters. They have discerning eyes. You performed so well that day; it¡¯s clear they remembered you. Xinzhi, once you¡¯re at the Chongxuan Sect, make sure to build good relationships with the immortal masters. This kind of setback should only happen once. Don¡¯t let yourself be slighted again!"


    Wu Xinzhi, proud and upright, frowned at her words, disliking the suggestion of currying favor. His mother, seeing his reaction, grew anxious. "I know you don¡¯t like it, but if you don¡¯t lower yourself a bit, others will take advantage of you, and you¡¯ll suffer for it. Isn¡¯t this situation proof enough?"


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    Wu Xinzhi retorted, "That¡¯s an immortal sect. Everyone there should be noble and virtuous. They wouldn¡¯t tolerate such petty schemes. Mother, please don¡¯t speak like this again. If the immortal masters hear, it might upset them and harm my chances."


    His mother quickly covered her mouth. "Alright, alright, I won¡¯t say it anymore." Then, as if remembering something, she added, "When you¡¯re at the sect, see if there¡¯s a suitable girl for you. It would be better to find a match more fitting for our family. Don¡¯t worry about things here, I¡¯ll figure out how to retrieve your betrothal token from the Chen family."


    Wu Xinzhi frowned deeply and said firmly, "That¡¯s something I won¡¯t do! I refuse to become the kind of heartless man who abandons his promises and earns the ridicule of the entire village."


    His mother¡¯s expression turned dismissive. In her eyes, her son¡¯s future as an immortal master or even just an outer disciple of the sect would make him far superior to anyone in the county. What was the Chen family? A long-term laborer father, a servant mother, how could their daughter possibly be a match for her son?


    Wu Xinzhi grew anxious when he saw his mother refuse to change her mind. ¡°Mother, this marriage must not be annulled! Forget how others might view it, if people in the immortal sect find out, they¡¯ll think my character is tainted!¡±


    He took a deep breath and continued when he saw his mother beginning to listen. ¡°Besides, Chen family¡¯s daughter and I share mutual affection. She¡¯s diligent and capable. With her at home taking care of you and Father, I can focus on my cultivation without worry. Ershun is thoughtful and decisive. Look at this red cord¡ªit¡¯s a protective charm she specifically sought for me. Without it, I might not have convinced the immortal master to change their decision!¡±


    He deliberately brought up this point to improve his mother¡¯s impression of Ershun and to stop her from targeting the Chen family¡¯s daughter. True to his hopes, upon hearing this, Wu¡¯s mother dropped her talk of finding a better match. Whether this change of heart was temporary or permanent, Wu Xinzhi didn¡¯t care. As long as his will remained firm, he believed he could persuade his mother to see reason.


    In a village with poor transportation and limited communication, ignorance often bred blind faith. Respect for the immortal sects and their masters only deepened this tendency. Anything remotely tied to the immortals was believed without question. Wu Xinzhi and his mother were no exception. Neither were the rest of the Wu family.


    But for others, hearing about this so-called "immortal charm" sparked less admiration and more suspicion, leading them down darker paths of imagination.


    The bustling activity in the Wu family home attracted curious neighbors and friends who gathered to share in the joy. Amid the chatter, rumors spread quickly. The story of Wu Xinzhi being chosen by the immortal sect, supposedly thanks to the protection of a red cord charm, grew increasingly exaggerated. By the time it left the village, the rumor had morphed into claims that Wu Xinzhi had used the red cord to manipulate the immortal masters into accepting him into Chongxuan Sect.


    As the rumor spread, it gained traction. Even skeptics found themselves believing as they heard it repeated with such conviction.


    One such believer was Fan Shiming, the young master of the Fan family, who had been dropped from the selection list in favor of Wu Xinzhi.


    When the immortal master had questioned why the most talented boy was absent from the final selection, the steward had been terrified. He assumed the master valued Wu Xinzhi and intended to make him at least an outer disciple if not an inner disciple. Realizing his mistake, the steward admitted his error and hurriedly brought Wu Xinzhi back into the process, sending Fan Shiming home instead.


    Having already tasted the joy of almost joining Chongxuan Sect, Fan Shiming couldn¡¯t accept being replaced so abruptly.


    The Fan family tried to persuade the steward to make another change. After all, there were five spots on the list. While Wu Xinzhi¡¯s position was unshakable, there were still four others to consider. Even if two of those spots were locked in, surely one of the remaining three could be swapped for Fan Shiming.


    However, the steward, still shaken by the immortal master¡¯s earlier questioning, refused to tamper with the list further. Worse, he even mocked the Fan family for their misfortune, blaming Fan Shiming¡¯s position at the back of the lineup during the selection process. The remark only deepened the Fan family¡¯s anger.


    With no help from the steward, the Fan family looked elsewhere for opportunities. When they heard the rumor about the red cord, it felt like a golden chance.


    Fan Shiming ran to the ancestral hall and began shouting at the top of his lungs. He accused the Wu family of colluding with an evil cultivator and using sinister methods to interfere with the immortal sect¡¯s disciple selection.


    The students in the village, educated by minor cultivators with little talent or future prospects, were naturally alarmed by such claims. These teachers often passed on second-hand knowledge, filled with exaggeration and bias, leaving their students unable to discern truth from fiction when it came to matters of cultivation.


    In the world of cultivation, light and darkness coexisted. Just as there were righteous paths, there were also twisted ones. The righteous sects and the so-called evil cultivators rarely saw eye to eye. When they crossed paths, it often ended in deadly confrontation.


    Fan Shiming¡¯s claims spread panic. If evil cultivators had truly disrupted the disciple selection for Chongxuan Sect, it would be a grave matter.


    The immortal master presiding over the selection, upon hearing the commotion, rose to his feet. With a wave of his hand, he summoned Fan Shiming from across the hall. Gripping the boy by his collar, he barked, ¡°Is what you said true? If you dare spread false rumors, I¡¯ll show you the wrath of an immortal master!¡±


    Fan Shiming, both frightened and secretly elated by the master¡¯s intense reaction, thought to himself, This is good! That Wu boy is bound to face harsh punishment now.

 Chapter 13: Making His Presence Known

    When Chen Xiao was suddenly pinned to the ground in the Chen family courtyard, he was completely stunned. With this abrupt action, more young men, all seemingly under twenty years old, began pouring into the courtyard one after another.


    His aunt stood in the middle of the yard, unsure of what to do. Ershun was both terrified and angry, while Sibao burst into tears in fright.


    The elderly, women, and children were powerless in such a situation. Chen Xiao struggled with all his might, but the strength of the person pinning him down was overwhelming¡ªhe couldn¡¯t move at all. Feeling both suffocated and enraged, he shouted hoarsely, ¡°Who are you people? What do you want? Let me go!¡±


    A smug-looking figure entered the courtyard from outside and said, ¡°You¡¯ve been exposed for using evil techniques. The immortal master has ordered me to bring you to him.¡±


    Ershun, furious, retorted, ¡°Fan Shiming! Don¡¯t talk nonsense! My family would never use any sort of evil technique!¡±


    Fan Shiming sneered at her. ¡°The Wu family has already confessed! Stop denying it. Take them all to the Wu family!¡±


    Chen Xiao¡¯s aunt, along with Ershun and Sibao, was driven out of the courtyard and forced to follow the group escorting Chen Xiao. When they arrived at the Wu family home, the once lively atmosphere was gone. Neighbors and guests had fled, leaving only the Wu family, who stood nervously in the main hall.


    At the center of the hall, the immortal master from Chongxuan Sect sat with a grim expression, as though it could drip water. On the table beside him lay a red string.


    Chen Xiao was shoved into the hall and, upon seeing the scene, felt a chill in his heart. While arranging the feng shui layout, he had only considered its potential usefulness in this world. He had never thought about how others might perceive the practice of feng shui or the consequences it might bring.


    In his past life, feng shui had been practiced for thousands of years. Except for a brief period when it was labeled as superstition, feng shui masters had always been held in high regard. This lack of caution was why Chen Xiao had never thought such a practice might be viewed differently here.


    A sense of regret welled up within him¡ªthis was a profound lesson he would not forget.


    Chen Xiao was forcibly made to kneel before the immortal master. Truthfully, in both his lives, aside from being forced as a child or bowing to his teacher during apprenticeship, he had never knelt for anyone. It wasn¡¯t about pride but rather a reflection of the environment he had grown up in. Being forced to lower himself and submit to power and authority like this felt deeply humiliating¡ªsomething hard for someone from a modern, self-assured background to accept.


    However, Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t an ordinary person. Understanding the reality of the situation, he refrained from resisting out of misplaced pride.


    ¡°Immortal Master, I¡¯ve brought the person who used evil techniques to bless himself,¡± Fan Shiming said triumphantly. His tone was so smug that the immortal master frowned in annoyance. With a cold glance, the immortal master silenced him, forcing Fan Shiming to tone down his gloating.


    The immortal master studied Chen Xiao carefully. It was clear at a glance that Chen Xiao was an ordinary person with no cultivation. There was no trace of evil energy on him, nor any remnants of energy from using forbidden techniques.


    Still, the immortal master remained cautious. If the boy had hidden his true abilities deeply, making a misjudgment could be disastrous.


    After some thought, the immortal master turned to survey the room. He said slowly, ¡°Stand up and explain yourself. What is the story behind this red string? Where did it come from?¡±


    Having already investigated the situation, the immortal master knew the red string had been gifted to Wu Xinzhi by his fianc¨¦e, a girl from the Chen family. He had heard Fan Shiming and Wu Xinzhi¡¯s accounts, but not yet from the Chen family. Among the group of elderly, women, and children brought here, Chen Xiao seemed the only one old enough to provide answers.


    Chen Xiao felt a wave of relief. Fortunately, the immortal master wasn¡¯t the type to pass judgment based on one-sided accusations. Given a chance to speak, he was confident he could set the record straight.


    He rose to his feet and raised his head slightly, allowing the immortal master to see his face clearly while keeping his gaze lowered to avoid appearing disrespectful. As a former feng shui master who had dealt with countless people, Chen Xiao understood that a demeanor of modesty and respect could leave a favorable impression on those in power.


    ¡°Immortal Master, if I may explain,¡± Chen Xiao began. ¡°This red string is nothing more than an ordinary thread, woven by my cousin¡ªWu Xinzhi¡¯s fianc¨¦e. She crafted it while offering her heartfelt blessings for him. It carries only her sincerity and good intentions, not any evil techniques. Please see the truth of the matter.¡±


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    The red string was indeed ordinary in its appearance. What wasn¡¯t ordinary was the feng shui energy imbued in it. However, since it had no discernible aura, even an immortal master couldn¡¯t see anything unusual about it. Its sheer ordinariness was what made the immortal master hesitate to make a swift judgment.


    He felt unsettled. He needed to be sure whether his earlier decision to question Wu Xinzhi was influenced by his own thoughts or something more insidious. Until he was certain, he couldn¡¯t relax.


    Fan Shiming grew agitated at Chen Xiao¡¯s calm demeanor. He had expected Chen Xiao to panic and confess everything, leading to Wu Xinzhi¡¯s immediate removal from the selection list and his own replacement.


    But Chen Xiao¡¯s composed and respectful response was far from what he had anticipated, and it left Fan Shiming with a growing sense of unease.


    Yes, it should be Ershun and Sanshuan. Here''s the updated translation:


    He really disliked the feeling of being unable to predict or control the situation, and he was filled with intense anger. Why couldn¡¯t the Chen family just honestly admit their mistake instead of fabricating customs that didn¡¯t even exist?


    This made Fan Shiming impulsively shout, "Stop making excuses!" He quickly turned to the side and said, "Immortal Master! We¡¯ve never had such a custom here. He must have made it up! Please don¡¯t be deceived by his sweet words."


    Chen Xiao calmly turned his head to look at the furious young man. "This method is something I learned from the county town. As the saying goes, ¡®Different places, different customs.¡¯ It¡¯s not surprising if you¡¯ve never heard of it. In the county town, people use it to pray for their family¡¯s well-being, and it¡¯s said to be very effective. I suggested my younger sister try it out, as she is compassionate and wants to protect her fianc¨¦ with all her heart."


    Not only did Chen Xiao defend himself, but he also worked to win favor in front of the Wu family. Otherwise, the Wu family, who had been treated unfairly over something as trivial as a red string, would likely blame Ershun in their hearts. Indeed, Wu Xinzhi, who had been standing with a gloomy expression, softened when he saw Ershun, who was both aggrieved and fearful.


    The Immortal Master had already been displeased with Fan Shiming¡¯s tone. After hearing Chen Xiao¡¯s explanation, he took the red string again and examined it with his spiritual energy. It reacted the same way as before, without any response, and he began to believe Chen Xiao.


    As the situation began to tilt in favor of the Chen and Wu families, Fan Shiming grew more anxious. "Immortal Master, don¡¯t believe him! If it weren¡¯t for doing dark rituals, why would his family be so eager to start construction? The Chen family is poor and has no money. They must have set up a dark ritual altar at home. If they had money, they would have used it to buy land or livestock, not waste it on building a house!"


    The Immortal Master¡¯s gaze grew cold. He shouted, "You¡¯ve seen this ritual altar with your own eyes? How dare you fabricate such lies! I guarantee that your fate will be miserable if you keep making baseless accusations!"


    His voice was chilling, sending a shiver down Fan Shiming¡¯s spine.


    At this point, there was no room for retreat. After all, his family was the largest in Fancun, so he still felt some confidence, convinced that the Immortal Master would give his family some face. After all, his family had once produced a Nascent Soul stage cultivator.


    Steeling himself, Fan Shiming said, "Although I didn¡¯t see it with my own eyes, someone did." He turned and called out to one of his subordinates, "It¡¯s him! His father went to help the Chen family and saw the strange things at their house with his own eyes!"


    The subordinate, feeling a bit scared under the intense gazes of everyone, knew the Chen family was close to his own. However, forced by Fan Shiming, he had no choice but to repeat what his father had told him about the strange happenings at the Chen family¡¯s house.


    "The Chen family¡¯s house construction had two strange actions: they changed the location of the front door and the stove. The front door was fine before, and there was no need to change the direction of the stove. It¡¯s really odd and unnecessary."


    With this accusation, they all marched to the Chen family¡¯s house. As soon as they entered the courtyard, the Immortal Master from the Chongxuan Sect became serious. He sensed a subtle difference from the rest of Fancun, though he couldn¡¯t explain it. He walked around the courtyard, his sharp eyes scanning the other Chen family members before settling on Chen Xiao.


    At this moment, Chen Changgen and Sanshuan, who had been out tending the cows, returned. The family huddled together, uneasy and helpless. Only Chen Xiao stood alone, trying to maintain her composure, making her stand out even more.


    "You..." The Immortal Master began, then closed his mouth. He took a step back, lowered his hands, and slightly bowed. "Greetings, Martial Uncle."


    Chen Xiao¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He quickly looked up, only to be overwhelmed by a massive aura that seemed to sweep toward him, engulfing him. A man dressed in black with long, jet-black hair descended silently, landing before Chen Xiao.


    Seeing Chen Xiao, the man paused, then turned to look at the Immortal Master of the Chongxuan Sect, who was still bowing nearby. Everyone present now realized that the Immortal Master overseeing the test was actually the disciple of the man in black, which explained why he was treated with such respect.


    "Rise." The man¡¯s voice was deep and pleasant. Chen Xiao struggled not to fixate on his imposing aura.


    "Thank you, Martial Uncle, for coming. I¡¯ve encountered a troublesome matter." The Immortal Master spoke, his lips barely moving as he sent a message to his Martial Uncle. The air became silent, and no one dared to speak. Though they were all curious, they couldn¡¯t bring themselves to glance up.


    "Hmm..." The man hummed, raising his hand to send a wave of energy over the area. While others couldn¡¯t sense it, Chen Xiao noticed his aura sweeping through the entire Chen family courtyard like a plow breaking the earth. "Hmm?" The man¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise. He didn¡¯t speak directly, instead sending another message to his disciple.


    The Immortal Master then asked Fan Shiming¡¯s subordinate and confirmed that the decision to change the house had been made by Chen Xiao.


    The man nodded slightly, his gaze locking onto Chen Xiao¡¯s face. At that moment, Chen Xiao¡¯s heart raced wildly.

 Chapter 15: The Doomed Sword Cultivator

    When the head of the Fan family rushed into the Chen household, Chen Xiao suddenly realized the situation.


    No wonder the Wu family was so troubled about their son being rejected; how could such a prominent family like the Fan family remain indifferent and allow their juniors to run amok here? It turned out that the head of the Fan family was secretly supporting this behavior, which explained why the Fan family¡¯s subordinates dared to join in the commotion.


    Such cunning. Chen Xiao sighed inwardly.


    If this plan succeeded, the Fan family would have gained everything without any cost. If it failed, they could simply blame it on their reckless juniors and have the family head step in to apologize later. Even though the Fan family''s young master suffered punishment, it was still better than losing face in front of everyone.


    However, what the Fan family head hadn¡¯t anticipated was that the Chongxuan Sect¡¯s master was so unyielding. With a wave of his hand, he ruined the Fan family young master¡¯s dantian without hesitation. The elite subordinates of the Fan family, who had followed their young master, were all stunned, dropping to their knees as if their cultivation had been forcibly stripped away.


    The Fan family head stomped in frustration. ¡°This has gone too far! Immortal masters, please calm your anger! It¡¯s my fault for not disciplining him properly. This disaster is all on my son. I beg you to forgive him, as a favor to my ancestors.¡±


    He had seen his son writhing in pain on the ground earlier, but now, in front of the immortals, he had to put on an act of being an angry, disappointed father. He chastised his son loudly, as if unaware of what had happened. The performance was meticulously executed.


    Chen Xiao, who had a high emotional intelligence, immediately understood the scene. Even the two immortals, though young in appearance, had lived far longer than the Fan family head, and they too could see through the act.


    If this were an ordinary sect, the Fan family head¡¯s performance might have been enough to avoid further conflict. In such cases, both parties would retreat, leaving the matter unresolved for the time being. However, the Chongxuan Sect was no ordinary sect.


    The senior master of the Chongxuan Sect didn¡¯t follow the usual rules. He looked directly at the Fan family head, his voice calm yet powerful enough to make the Fan family head break into a cold sweat. ¡°Are you saying that today¡¯s actions were done with the approval of the Fan family? If so, why mention the favor of your ancestors? Perhaps we should have them speak for themselves and explain why they intervened in our selection of disciples.¡±


    In that moment, the pressure from the senior master radiated like an unfathomable sea, oppressive and weighty. The Fan family head dropped to his knees, his hands pressed to the ground to keep from collapsing.


    He was stunned. He had heard rumors that this master from the Chongxuan Sect had reached the Golden Core stage, but he hadn¡¯t imagined he would be so formidable. The pressure emanating from him was comparable to that of a Nascent Soul master, and no wonder he had shown no respect for the Fan family¡¯s Nascent Soul ancestor.


    It was a complete miscalculation! The Fan family head had been relying on his family¡¯s prestige, but now, with the lack of any respect, the Fan family had no choice but to submit.


    Gasping for breath, the Fan family head stammered, ¡°It¡¯s my fault for misjudging the situation. My son is completely in the wrong. Please, immortal masters, punish him as you see fit. Whether it¡¯s to beat him or kill him, the Fan family will not complain.¡±


    Chen Xiao, watching from the side, couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit of admiration for the Fan family head. The man was crafty and quick-witted. Even now, with everything falling apart, he still managed to shift the blame entirely onto his son. The earlier punishment had already been dealt to the young master, and it was clear the senior master wasn¡¯t going to pursue him further.


    When dealing with the Fan family, the most they could do was criticize the head for his poor management, without exposing the true nature of their plans.


    Just then, a barely audible snort reached Chen Xiao¡¯s ears, making him doubt if he had heard it correctly. The senior disciple of the Chongxuan Sect, standing just behind the master, suddenly took a step back, looking at the master¡¯s back with both fear and respect.


    ¡°The Fan family has mismanaged their children, behaved irresponsibly, and allowed their son to cause trouble and speak evasively. From this day forward, no member of the Fan family will ever be accepted into the Chongxuan Sect!¡±


    Chen Xiao stared, his eyes wide in shock. As the master¡¯s verdict echoed, his aura intensified. The previously peaceful energy around him suddenly surged and shifted, turning from calm to violent. An eerie, ominous energy emerged from within him. This sinister aura, cold and suffocating, surrounded the Fan family head, making him shiver as if he had been thrown into an ice cave.


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    The different types of dragon veins: True Dragons, Branch Dragons, Sub Dragons, Sick Dragons, and the most feared of all, the Evil Dragons, were well known. The most destructive among them was the Evil Dragon, which rendered the land barren. The energy in a place could change over time, and a once-true dragon vein could turn into an evil one.


    True dragons bring prosperity to their descendants, while evil dragons bring only ruin. It was an immutable truth: extreme vitality leads to decay, and after decline comes renewal.


    Thus, Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t surprised by the appearance of the sinister energy. What amazed him was the master¡¯s ability to control both the positive and negative energies with such ease. He had never witnessed such a skill before.


    Chen Xiao marveled as he watched, but the senior disciple, Zhao Fang, looked at the master with both reverence and fear.


    The master, Xie Yunting, held a high position, leading a group of disciples for the once-in-a-decade recruitment event. His golden core cultivation was enough to outshine many Nascent Soul elders. The Chongxuan Sect treated him with the utmost respect, and his unique ability, which had been honed since childhood, made him a person who was feared and respected by all.


    As a child, he unknowingly brought misfortune to those around him. Over time, as his cultivation deepened, this ability became even more formidable. Now, he could control his aura with his will, and whoever was targeted would inevitably face bad luck.


    Who wouldn¡¯t fear misfortune?


    The consequences ranged from something as small as a failed alchemy attempt to as severe as an untimely death during meditation. Over time, Xie Yunqing became an undisputed figure within the Chongxuan Sect, a person no one dared to offend.


    Within the inner disciples, he was known as the "Doomed Sword Cultivator."


    At this moment, Chen Xiao looked at the head of the Fan family with a wave of sympathy in his heart. It would have been better to just admit the mistake directly, but by attempting to argue and wriggle out of it, the Fan family head only made his master angry. Now, the head of the Fan family would be tormented by bad luck for ten years, unable to shake off the influence of what is called the "Curse Technique" within the sect.


    After announcing the punishment for the Fan family, the air around Xi Yunqing calmed down. He spoke coldly: "Fan family head, do you have any objections?"


    The Fan family head, who seemed as if he had just been pulled out of water, was drenched in cold sweat. He could hardly respond: "I would never dare."


    Xi Yunqing said, "If you have any objections, you may file a complaint with the sect¡¯s Management Hall. I, Xi Yunqing, advise you to remember this clearly."


    When he revealed his name, the Fan family head became even more terrified. His head lowered even further as he stammered, "I would never dare to offend... never dare..."


    Zhao Fang, seeing that his master had asserted his dominance, dared to approach. He stepped forward and said to the Fan family head, "Enough! Take your people and leave now!"


    The Fan family head scrambled to his feet, and the Fan family''s subordinates, who had been motionless in the Chen family¡¯s courtyard, dared to move and quickly followed the Fan family head out.


    Nearly twenty people left, and the courtyard instantly became much quieter.


    Xi Yunqing turned around, his voice flat as he said, "The matter here is settled. Hurry up and take your apprentices on their journey, there are still other things to attend to. I will go ahead. Zhao Fang, don¡¯t waste time."


    Zhao Fang lowered his head and responded, "I will send off the master. Once everything here is sorted, we will depart immediately."


    In the blink of an eye, the two of them disappeared from the courtyard.


    Meanwhile, Fan Shiming, who had been lying motionless outside, was helped to his feet by others. Originally planning to go and complain to his father, his legs gave way, and he ended up dragging the Fan family head to the ground. The unexpected fall caused the Fan family head to knock his head on the ground, losing a tooth in the process.


    Chen Xiao, who happened to witness this through the broken wall of the courtyard, shook his head. Being tainted by the ominous energy was only the beginning of a series of unfortunate events. If the Fan family head was a cultivator, he wouldn¡¯t be able to make any progress until the ominous energy was dispelled.


    It¡¯s important to know that ominous energy and anger don¡¯t mix.


    The Wu family had watched this whole drama unfold. Although they understood that the Fan family was using this incident as an excuse, they couldn¡¯t help but feel some resentment toward the Chen family.


    However, it seemed that this young man from the Chen family had mastered some sort of residential technique, which seemed to be a true immortal¡¯s method. This made them not only hesitant to express their dissatisfaction but also pushed them to find ways to build a good relationship with the Chen family.


    The two families exchanged some polite words. Since Wu Xinzhi was eager to join up with others, their conversation was brief before he left.


    Chen Changgen had originally hoped that Chen Xiao would stay in Fancun, seeing how skilled he had become, but Chen Xiao politely declined, explaining that he had only scratched the surface of the technique.


    With Wu Xinzhi having chosen his path and Ershun¡¯s marriage settled, Chen Xiao went to the county to pick up his nameplate. He wore the new outfit made for him by Ershun, feeling much lighter with his reduced load. With the Chen family¡¯s heartfelt farewell, he boarded an ox cart and left Fancun.


    Following his original route, it took him half a day to reach the county. However, there were no cars available, so he would have to wait until the next morning. Chen Xiao rented a room in the same inn he had stayed at before. In the afternoon, he visited the local market and bought some local specialties to distribute to the shopkeepers and workers at the inn.


    That evening, as he lay in bed at the inn, he finally had time to relax. Chen Xiao rubbed his belly, deep in thought. For the past few days, his appetite had significantly decreased, returning to what was typical for someone his age.


    The only unusual thing he had done recently was arrange a feng shui layout for the Chen family.


    The two events were certainly connected.

 Chapter 14: A Warning to Others

    Chen Xiao had expected the man to ask him something, but instead, it was the elder who stepped in. For some reason, Chen Xiao felt a faint sense of disappointment.


    He quickly realized this was an extremely inappropriate emotion. His heart jolted in self-awareness. No matter how rare and alluring the man''s aura was, it should not affect his mindset or judgment. He immediately began to reflect on his thoughts, silently vowing to correct his attitude from now on and not be so infatuated.


    The elder gazed at Chen Xiao and asked, "Explain why you needed to move the main door and stove during the house repairs. Don¡¯t tell me again that it''s due to local customs."


    On the way back to the Chen family, Chen Xiao had already prepared a response. Of course, he wouldn''t tell the truth¡ªtalking about feng shui wouldn¡¯t make sense to the people here.


    However, as he prepared to speak, the words hung on the tip of his tongue, but the man¡¯s intense gaze made him unable to say them. There was an undeniable feeling that lying in front of this man would be dangerous. This instinct, deep and primal, made Chen Xiao nervous, and his heartbeat quickened, causing pain in his chest.


    He genuinely didn¡¯t want to become an enemy of this unfathomable man. With no other choice, he decided to tell the truth, though it was difficult to make people believe it.


    The thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind, and after a brief pause, he found his words. His expression calm, he spoke clearly, ¡°I¡¯ve already said, I fear that both of you might not believe me, thinking I¡¯m speaking nonsense.¡±


    Before the elder could respond, Fan Shiming couldn¡¯t wait any longer and interjected, ¡°So, you¡¯re showing your true colors! You¡¯re making up lies! It¡¯s obviously dark magic!¡±


    Fan Shiming had already made the elder unhappy by speaking out of turn twice before. Now, with his master present, his behavior was completely unacceptable.


    "Impudent child!" The elder''s eyes darkened as he raised his hand, and with a flick, Fan Shiming was sent flying like he had been struck by an invisible projectile. He crashed into the Chen family''s courtyard wall.


    The wall, made of mud bricks, couldn¡¯t withstand the force. It crumbled, sending dust into the air as Fan Shiming fell to the road outside. Fortunately, the elder had no intention of killing him. Though severely injured and coughing up blood, Fan Shiming¡¯s life was not in danger.


    The elder¡¯s swift and violent action stunned everyone present. Fan Shiming¡¯s attendants, all top students from past academies who had been funded by the Fan family, now stood frozen in silence, too afraid to help him out of the rubble.


    Chapter 14: A Warning to Others


    After dealing with Fan Shiming, the elder turned back to Chen Xiao and said, ¡°Speak quickly, and be clear! We will judge for ourselves.¡±


    Chen Xiao was shaken by the elder¡¯s sudden violence. He nodded and replied, ¡°Yes, Immortal Master.¡± After a brief pause, he continued, ¡°I was once an assistant at an antique shop in the county city, called Taxue Xunxian Pavilion. Both of you, Immortal Master I, know that this shop, besides selling mundane items, sometimes has relics passed down from ancient times, real tools once used by Immortals.¡±


    At this point, the elder began to understand what Chen Xiao was trying to say.


    In the antique district, it wasn¡¯t uncommon to hear stories of lucky individuals who found treasures, buying items at low prices and selling them for a fortune overnight. Similarly, in the cultivation world, there were tales of lucky people inheriting ancient methods or discovering long-lost treasures. It seemed this young man from the Chen family had experienced something similar.


    As expected, Chen Xiao continued, ¡°I was fortunate enough to come across one such relic from the Immortals¡¯ collection. This relic contained knowledge about residential techniques. The teachings were difficult to understand, but I managed to grasp the basics. The part I understood involved the positioning of doors and stoves, which is easy to remember. This technique teaches how to gather life energy in a home. People who live in such an environment are healthier and less prone to illness or misfortune.¡±


    Residential techniques were another term for feng shui. These teachings related to homes where living beings resided, unlike burial practices related to the dead. Chen Xiao¡¯s words were mostly true, except for where he had obtained this knowledge.


    The elder¡¯s expression shifted as he processed this. No wonder the Chen family¡¯s atmosphere felt different¡ªit was because it carried life energy. While this energy was insignificant compared to spiritual qi, it was still noticeable. He hadn¡¯t noticed it immediately.


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    After thinking it over, the elder realized that he had never heard of such a residential technique. But in this world, there were countless cultivation methods. Just because he hadn¡¯t heard of it didn¡¯t mean it didn¡¯t exist. If what Chen Xiao said was true, he was indeed lucky, though somewhat unlucky at the same time. Lucky because he found such a secret technique in a mundane antique shop; unlucky because he didn¡¯t fully understand it.


    However... the elder gave Chen Xiao a thorough once-over. This man was of considerable age yet showed no cultivation skills, implying a lack of talent for cultivation. Whether lucky or unlucky, in the end, it hardly mattered.


    The man¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Chen Xiao as he spoke, then slowly asked, ¡°Can you read?¡±


    Chen Xiao paused before answering, ¡°Yes. Back in the county city, I learned a few characters from the masters at the shop.¡±


    Chen Xiao knew well that, in any place, reading and writing were the most essential tools for understanding the world. So, from the moment he started his job, he¡¯d relentlessly asked the shop masters to teach him how to read. Though they weren¡¯t keen to teach him the high-level techniques for identifying ancient Immortal artifacts, they didn¡¯t reject teaching him basic characters.


    The writing in this world resembled that of his previous life, evolving from pictographs. After learning the rules, Chen Xiao could now recognize most of the common characters used daily.


    The man didn¡¯t look at him any longer and instead surveyed the Chen family residence. He spoke, not directly to anyone, but loud enough for all to hear: ¡°Though this residential technique is minor, it¡¯s quite useful for ordinary people. It could be considered a form of craftsmanship.¡±


    The elder spoke again, acknowledging the man¡¯s words, as he didn¡¯t dare disregard them: ¡°Indeed, ordinary people fear birth, aging, sickness, and death. With this technique, even in the mortal realm, one¡¯s life could be preserved.¡±


    Chen Xiao stood quietly to the side, reflecting on the words. Was that last remark meant for the elder, or for him?


    The Chongxuan Sect was a prestigious Daoist sect, and their cultivators looked down on such minor techniques those that could only gather life energy in a home. Once the questions about the house¡¯s changes were settled, the elder, displaying his composure, didn¡¯t pry into the secrets of others¡¯ cultivation methods. Chen Xiao had worried for nothing, thinking the elder might inquire deeper.


    Once the elder understood that there was life energy in the Chen family home, he realized that it couldn¡¯t be dark magic. One of the hallmarks of dark magic was its ability to drain energy¡ªwhether spiritual energy or life energy. Prolonged exposure would cause illness, and in severe cases, even death.


    Since this wasn¡¯t dark magic, it was simply a misunderstanding.


    The elder also realized that Fan Shiming had been making a scene, trying to bring down Wu family¡¯s young heir and replace him on the list. Had it not been for this, the rumor would have remained just that rumor and would not have been used as leverage against the Wu family.


    Fan Shiming lay on the road for a while, eventually managing to get up. By then, it seemed the situation had settled. He hadn¡¯t yet realized the consequences of slandering the Wu family in front of the Immortals. He hadn¡¯t taken their previous warning to heart.


    Furious, he glared at Wu Xinzhi and then shot a venomous look at Chen Xiao. The Wu and Chen families had displeased him, and now he intended to get his revenge. The Immortals from Chongxuan Sect would ignore the matter for now, but once they left, he would make sure they paid.


    As Fan Shiming stood there scheming, the crowd before him parted, revealing him to the Immortals.


    Confused, Fan Shiming was suddenly faced with the elder¡¯s stern gaze. The elder, standing just behind the man in black, addressed him directly: ¡°Fan Shiming, you have exaggerated, spread rumors, and disrupted justice. Your character is corrupt, and your behavior is improper. Today, you dare to interfere with the Chongxuan Sect¡¯s recruitment process. By order of my master, you shall face severe punishment to set an example!¡±


    Only then did Fan Shiming realize the gravity of the situation. He screamed and tried to flee back to his family. But it was too late. The moment the elder decided to act, Fan Shiming would not escape, no matter how far he ran.


    Suddenly, Fan Shiming felt as if an icy iron hook had plunged into his abdomen, twisting painfully. His internal energy, like a leaking water barrel, drained away completely.


    With a pitiful scream, Fan Shiming collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach. ¡°My dantian! My dantian is shattered! Father! Mother! My dantian is shattered¡ª!¡±


    The attendants from the Fan family were stunned. Fan Shiming¡¯s dantian was destroyed, leaving him crippled and unable to cultivate further.


    Some of the onlookers felt the punishment was too harsh. The Wu and Chen families had not been punished as severely, so why had Fan Shiming been treated this way? What they failed to understand was that, in the eyes of the Immortals, the authority of the Chongxuan Sect could not be defied. Punishing Fan Shiming was not the end of the matter.


    After dealing with Fan Shiming, the elder turned to the Fan family attendants and said, ¡°You have aided evil. While you may escape death, you will not escape the consequences!¡± The elder did not intend to destroy all of their dantian, only to knock them down a level, forcing them to start their cultivation anew.


    These attendants were the elite of the Fan family. Though losing one young master would deeply wound the family, it wouldn¡¯t cripple them. But the loss of their followers¡¯ cultivation would cause a breakdown in their power, something the Fan family couldn¡¯t afford.


    Immediately, the Fan family¡¯s head, who had been secretly observing from the shadows, rushed to the scene, calling out as he ran, ¡°Immortal Master, please show mercy!¡±

 Chapter 16: Best Fan

    Since recovering his health, Chen Xiao had maintained a habit of three meals a day, plus afternoon tea and late-night snacks. He continued this routine even after arriving in Fancun. The former feng shui master wasn¡¯t about to deny himself good food, so naturally, he chose the best for his meals.


    On his first day back, he had Sanshuan go to the village¡¯s evening market to buy half a slab of meat, and also got some fine noodles for his aunt to steam into buns. He claimed it was to improve the family¡¯s living conditions, but in truth, he ate more than anyone else.


    He was already at an age where his appetite was strong, and the Chen family thought he was still in the middle of his training. So, despite eating a lot and getting hungry quickly, no one found it strange.


    His aunt and Ershun took turns making him pancakes and noodles, with meat and oil in almost every meal. Chen Changgen and Sanshuan even traded some sweet potatoes with a neighbor, roasting them in the afternoon and evening to make sure he didn¡¯t go to bed hungry. During his stay at the Chen family, even Sibao went up the mountain to gather last year¡¯s fallen nuts for him to eat.


    Chen Xiao felt guilty, knowing the village typically only ate two meals a day. He had disrupted their routine. But he couldn¡¯t help it; once the time came, the cravings in his stomach would act up. He had tried to ignore them, but his stomach would cramp and his heart would race¡ªit was impossible to withstand.


    Thankfully, the food in the village was cheap. Otherwise, even if it wasn¡¯t his own money, the Chen family would definitely feel the pinch.


    He ate this way for several days, until the day the house renovations were completed. That morning, Chen Xiao ate as usual, but by noon, he hadn¡¯t even noticed anything odd. It wasn¡¯t until afternoon tea that he realized¡ªhe didn¡¯t feel hungry at all.


    So, he skipped both afternoon tea and the late-night snack, giving them to Sanshuan and Sibao. Before bed, he checked how he felt and realized he didn¡¯t have the usual gnawing hunger that kept him awake.


    The next day, before he could figure out what was going on, trouble arose with the Wu family, dragging both him and the Chen family into it. After all the commotion, he had missed both lunch and afternoon tea, but he didn¡¯t feel the hunger anymore.


    With this new evidence, he was finally sure¡ªhe had truly shaken off the inexplicable hunger.


    The only unusual thing he had done in the past few days was arrange a feng shui layout for the Chen family. Chen Xiao found it hard to believe that arranging a feng shui setup could make someone stop feeling hungry.


    Even tonight, he still didn¡¯t feel unusually hungry. Chen Xiao didn¡¯t dare jump to conclusions. It could be that his body had returned to normal, or maybe it was just a temporary change¡ªhe needed more time to observe.


    The next morning, he boarded the mail carriage to the county town. The spacious and comfortable seat made Chen Xiao feel almost no discomfort. It was like sitting on a high-speed train, with the ability to adjust the backrest. He couldn¡¯t help but appreciate the somewhat strange direction of development in this world. At least, as long as one had the money, traveling was not a painful experience.


    By the time he arrived in the county, it was already late, so he had to go straight to the shopkeeper¡¯s house to collect the store keys and report back in.


    The shopkeeper¡¯s house wasn¡¯t far from the antiques street. Chen Xiao delivered the specialties he had bought on the way. The shopkeeper, while being polite, said, "I thought you¡¯d be back in two more days. With the Immortal Sect selecting disciples, things at home must be a bit chaotic, I understand."


    Chen Xiao smiled and replied, "Things went smoothly, so I didn¡¯t want to delay the work at the shop. I rushed back as soon as I could."


    The shopkeeper nodded. "You¡¯ve got a good head on your shoulders, and you handle things well. Now that you¡¯re back, I¡¯ll promote you to a higher position. You¡¯ll work with the master at the Qi Ding Cabinet. Start by managing the display case."


    It was like a dream come true!


    Chen Xiao was both surprised and delighted. He quickly responded, "Thank you, Shopkeeper! But I¡¯m just a fool, not sure how I caught your eye. Please, do enlighten me so I can continue to improve." It certainly wasn¡¯t just because of a bag of specialties¡ªsomething must have happened behind the scenes.


    The shopkeeper chuckled, pointing at Chen Xiao. "You¡¯re sharp, aren¡¯t you? To put it simply, when you went back to your hometown for the Immortal Sect¡¯s disciple selection, I happened to mention it to the owner. Turns out, the owner became very interested and wants to meet with you. Get ready in the next few days, think carefully about what you¡¯ll say when the time comes."


    The shopkeeper had originally planned to mention Chen Xiao¡¯s return to the owner, to serve as a bit of a conversation starter. But he hadn¡¯t expected the owner to be so interested that they wanted to meet with Chen Xiao directly.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Now it made sense¡ªthis was the owner wanting to meet with him. No wonder the shopkeeper had suddenly promoted him.


    Though he was just a small employee, the shopkeeper was the head of the Qi Ding Cabinet, and the owner would certainly trust him more. However, if Chen Xiao were to say something inappropriate during their private meeting, it would be unpleasant. The shopkeeper had raised him simply out of goodwill, and after doing so, he expected Chen Xiao to know how to handle things properly.


    Chen Xiao immediately responded, "I understand. I will never disappoint you, Shopkeeper. I¡¯ll make sure to represent myself well when I meet the owner."


    The shopkeeper nodded in satisfaction. "You can go now. It¡¯s getting late. Also, since you¡¯ve been promoted to managing the display case, you won¡¯t need to do the night shifts anymore. When you next get a day off, find a place to rent and move in."


    Managing the display case paid more than the lower-level employees and the average senior employees¡ª150 copper coins a day. Those who managed the display cases usually had some knowledge of antiques and were able to handle customer transactions on their own, placing them as mid-tier employees on the antiques street.


    Although he felt a little sad about leaving the cozy night shifts, where he could just sleep and get paid, Chen Xiao didn¡¯t show it. He quietly accepted the change and excused himself.


    After all, the room¡¯s orientation was bad, it was cold in the winter and likely very damp in the summer. Renting his own place wasn¡¯t a bad option. And besides, keeping a low profile was always better.


    The next day, Chen Xiao was transferred to the Qi Ding Cabinet. Zhao Erhu was envious and jealous, but he admitted to himself that he didn¡¯t have Chen Xiao¡¯s dedication, the spirit to persist even when others ignored him and keep learning.


    The master at the Qi Ding Cabinet and the other employee were both quite welcoming. With Chen Xiao¡¯s arrival, both of them got a slight promotion. The employee was now able to manage the more valuable display cases, and the master didn¡¯t have to spend all his time at the counter¡ªthings were much easier for both of them now.


    Chen Xiao put his thick skin to use, flattering the store manager and the clerk, most of the specialty items he had bought were gifted to the two of them. After all, he still needed to learn about the artifacts in the shop from them, so it was essential to stay on their good side.


    The clerk in charge of the display cases had two days off each month, but all the display case clerks took turns resting. Before Chen Xiao could even take his first day off, he was summoned to the master¡¯s house.


    The master, Mr. Pang, was a well-built man in his thirties. Chen Xiao had seen him a few times at the shop and had even toasted him at a celebration banquet after a big transaction was made.


    However, like most important figures, Mr. Pang had forgotten both his face and his name. What he did remember, however, was that this person was known for his ability to eat.


    Mr. Pang¡¯s family had been passed down to him as an only child. His parents, unwilling to send him far away, and seeing that he lacked any exceptional talents, simply decided to keep him at home and let him enjoy the life of a wealthy man.


    The things we can¡¯t have are the things we yearn for the most. Since he was young, Mr. Pang had been fascinated by the stories of immortals and their trails. He often traveled for business, and whenever he heard rumors of immortal signs, he would rush over to check them out.


    Now, married with two sons and a daughter, Mr. Pang was disappointed to find that none of his children had the talent to meet the criteria for the Immortal Sect¡¯s recruitment. This frustration had led to his growing interest in the Immortal Sect¡¯s process of selecting disciples.


    The recruitment process for Immortal Sect disciples was strict in most major sects. Those with no connections to the candidates were not allowed to be near the selection event. These recruitment events typically only happened once every ten years, so Mr. Pang¡¯s opportunities to witness one were limited.


    This time, it had been years since he had last seen such an event, which was why he had invited a clerk to his house for a personal inquiry.


    The recruitment process was pretty standard, but Chen Xiao knew exactly how to cater to Mr. Pang¡¯s interests. He made the already intricate process sound even more thrilling and captivating.


    The most exciting part was the story of Wu Xinzhi. From being eliminated in the initial screening, to being replaced on the shortlist despite being a strong candidate, and then to a surprising twist where the immortal master personally intervened this was already a plot worthy of a drama. Mr. Pang was thoroughly entertained. However, the story that followed was even more jaw-dropping. The Fan family had slandered the Wu family to sabotage the re-selection, leading to the Immortal Master questioning the Chen family.


    Of course, Chen Xiao didn¡¯t mention anything related to Feng Shui in this twisted tale.


    While he could excuse himself in Fancun by saying he had learned about residential feng shui from the Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, he couldn¡¯t reveal his secret of seeing the aura on the immortals¡¯ antiques in front of Mr. Pang. So, he didn¡¯t bring up Feng Shui at all.


    Even so, by the time he finished the story, Mr. Pang was thoroughly satisfied.


    "Wonderful! Truly wonderful!" He slapped his thigh, not minding the pain. "I really wish I could have been there in person to witness it! Ah¡ªwhat a pity I wasn¡¯t in the county city at the time, and missed it! Such a pity¡ªif only I could have seen what those two immortals were like!"


    Mr. Pang became lost in thought for a while, before finally coming to his senses. During this time, Chen Xiao sat quietly, sipping his tea.


    Mr. Pang looked at Chen Xiao and said, "This incredible experience, nothing I¡¯ve ever seen personally compares. I must reward you properly."


    Chen Xiao hurriedly declined. "I am not worthy, Master Pang. It¡¯s just a small bit of my experience, and it¡¯s my honor to bring some joy to you."


    Mr. Pang laughed. "That joy is precisely why it¡¯s worth something. Don¡¯t decline, you¡¯ve earned it." With that, he turned and called for the steward to give instructions.


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t speak further; his polite refusal was just a formality. He felt completely at ease accepting the reward. After all, storytellers always receive payment for their tales. Furthermore, he had talked non-stop for the past half-day.


    What he hadn¡¯t expected was that Mr. Pang would be so generous, awarding him three hundred silver coins!

 Chapter 17: What to Do When Youre Hungry Again

    Expressing just the right amount of joy and heartfelt gratitude, Chen Xiao left with the heavy three hundred silver coins in his pocket. The master did not invite him to stay for a meal; he wasn¡¯t yet worthy of such a privilege. Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t bothered by being looked down upon; the surprise of the reward was more than enough.


    Deep down, he was a little excited. After all, this three hundred silver was the largest sum of money he had earned through his own efforts since coming to this world.


    Though the reward he had received from Hanwa was also substantial, it was earned at the cost of his life. Most of it had been used to save his life, with a small portion securing his current position. Chen Xiao didn¡¯t feel it truly belonged to him.


    The money that Master Zhou had sent as Hanwa¡¯s personal savings was treated as Hanwa¡¯s legacy. He used it to buy a jade pendant, arrange the feng shui layout, and give back to the uncle and aunt who had helped him.


    It had been a long time since Chen Xiao had experienced the thrill of unexpectedly receiving a windfall.


    In his previous life, he had been a feng shui master, and many influential people lined up to invite him for consultations. Whether it was for tombs or houses, the remuneration was always generous. He had long lost the joy of making money, viewing it as nothing more than numbers sitting in bank accounts or on cards.


    In a good mood, he went to the money exchange and exchanged the three hundred silver coins for three gleaming gold coins. Three hundred silver was quite a large amount, cumbersome to carry and not very secure. Gold coins, on the other hand, were easier to store.


    After enjoying a fine meal at the best restaurant in the county, Chen Xiao didn¡¯t return to the antique street. He planned to use the remaining time to find a house, so that when his next day off came, he could move in directly.


    Chen Xiao was always willing to pay for services to save time and effort, preferring to avoid unnecessary detours. So, he hired a middleman, and within half a day, he had found a satisfactory place to live.


    This place was on the east side of the Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, two blocks away from the antique street. It took only a quarter of an hour to walk to work. He chose it partly because most of the residents here were from well-off families, so he wouldn¡¯t have to deal with complicated neighborly relationships.


    Another reason was that it was an older neighborhood, close to several major streets in the county, with good security. If anything happened, one could simply call, and the patrol team would arrive quickly.


    The third, and most important reason, was that the area on the east side of the antique street had a cluster of food vendors and many tasty options. This allowed him to conveniently grab a meal on his way to and from work, which was ideal for a bachelor who couldn¡¯t cook.


    After signing the contract, sealing it with a thumbprint, and paying six months'' rent and three months'' deposit, he had the property officially registered with the local officials. The small yard, consisting of a main house facing south and a low kitchen beside it, was now temporarily his.


    It was also at this moment that Chen Xiao realized that renting a house in the county required reporting it to the local authorities.


    The political system in the country of Dai was interesting, operating under a feudal city lord system. The city lord¡¯s family, often descendants of immortal cultivators, would receive the authority to govern a city from the country¡¯s monarch, who issued a royal decree officially ¡°granting¡± the city to the family.


    This country did not have a civil examination system like other places. The highest an official could rise was to the city lord¡¯s office. The position of a civil official in a city lord¡¯s household was even lower than that of a cultivator from the family. In this environment, officials had less power but were still highly diligent, and the management system was quite comprehensive.


    The house had some old furniture left by the previous tenant. Chen Xiao took a look and found it too outdated, with creaking sounds. He asked the middleman, who had not yet left, to arrange for people to move it out. The middleman was happy to help, as Chen Xiao said the old furniture could be given to the movers. Who didn¡¯t have a few poor relatives? It was a huge favor.


    After some dust and commotion, the house was cleared out. Chen Xiao took a deep breath, then rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He borrowed a basin and cloth from the neighbors, fetched water from a street well, and cleaned the house inside and out.


    By the time the place was spotless, night had fallen. Chen Xiao checked the time, locked the door, and had dinner on his way back to the shop.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    A few days later, it was his turn to take a break. Early in the morning, he went to a humble shop at the end of the street to look at furniture.


    Anyone familiar with the antique street knew that there were a few shops dealing in second-hand furniture. Although this shop sold used or even several-times-passed-on furniture, they were all high-quality pieces. In fact, some of the older furniture had developed a patina and exuded a historical charm, which collectors of old items often found surprising.


    Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t interested in collecting antiques; he just needed a complete set of furniture in good condition and of moderate material. He had notified the owner in advance to help him find what he needed. This visit was just to inspect the items.


    Since the shop was on the same street, the owner had kept an eye out for him and used his connections to source the furniture Chen Xiao wanted.


    With just the right amount of joy and gratitude, Chen Xiao walked out with the heavy three hundred silver. His employer didn¡¯t ask him to stay for a meal, as he still hadn¡¯t earned that right. Chen Xiao didn¡¯t mind being looked down upon¡ªhis surprise and delight were enough.


    He felt a bit excited inside. After all, this three hundred silver was the largest sum he had earned on his own since arriving in this world.


    Though the reward Hanwa had received was large as well, it had come at the cost of his life. Most of it had been used to save his life, with a small portion securing his current job. Chen Xiao didn¡¯t feel much about that; it wasn¡¯t really his.


    The money that Master Zhou had sent from Hanwa¡¯s savings, Chen Xiao considered as Hanwa¡¯s inheritance. He had bought a jade pendant with it, arranged the feng shui layout, and given it as a token of gratitude to the uncle and aunt who had helped him.


    It had been a long time since he¡¯d felt the joy of suddenly receiving a windfall.


    In his past life, Chen Xiao had been a feng shui master. Many powerful and wealthy people would queue up to invite him for consultations. Whether it was for a grave or a residence, he was always well-compensated. Over time, he had lost the pleasure of earning money, viewing wealth as just numbers on silver or bank cards.


    In a cheerful mood, he went to the exchange store and swapped the three hundred silver for three shiny gold coins. Three hundred silver wasn¡¯t a small sum, making it cumbersome and unsafe to carry. Gold coins were easier to store and safer.


    After a nice meal at the best restaurant in the county, Chen Xiao didn¡¯t return to the antique street. He planned to use the remaining time to find a house so that he could move in during his next break.


    Chen Xiao always preferred to pay for services rather than do things himself. It saved time and effort and avoided unnecessary detours. So, he directly found a house agent, and within half a day, he had found a place that satisfied him.


    The house was to the east of the Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, two blocks away from the antique street. It took only fifteen minutes to walk to work every day. Chen Xiao liked it because most of the residents were people with decent economic standing, so he wouldn¡¯t have to deal with complicated neighborly relationships.


    It was also located in an older neighborhood, near several important streets of the county, with good security. If anything happened, calling out would bring the patrol team quickly.


    The third, and most important reason, was that the east side of the antique street had a cluster of eateries with many delicious options. He could easily grab a meal on the way to and from work. This was the most important factor for a bachelor like him, who didn¡¯t know how to cook.


    He signed a contract with the agent, sealed it with his mark, and paid six months¡¯ rent and three months¡¯ deposit. The contract was also registered with the local authorities, making the small courtyard with a main house facing south and a low kitchen next to it officially his for the time being.


    Only then did Chen Xiao realize that in the county, renting a house had to be reported to the local government.


    The political system of Daiguo was interesting, operating under a feudal city lord system. The families of the city lords were usually descended from immortal cultivators. After securing control over a city, the king would grant them a decree, effectively ¡°fiefing¡± the city to that family.


    There was no examination system like the imperial exams in this country. The highest position one could reach was within the city lord''s household. Even a clerk in the city lord¡¯s office didn¡¯t hold as much power as a cultivator from the city lord¡¯s family. In such an environment, officials had much less power, but they were also more diligent and thorough in their work.


    The house still had some old furniture left by the previous tenants. Chen Xiao found it too old and creaky, so he asked the agent to arrange for someone to remove it. The agent was happy to help because Chen Xiao said the old furniture could be given to the movers. Everyone had poor relatives, and this was a big favor.


    After a cloud of dust settled, the house was cleared. Chen Xiao took a deep breath, rolled up his sleeves, and borrowed a water basin and cloth from a neighbor. He went to the street well to fetch water, cleaning the house inside and out.


    By the time the house was spotless, night had fallen. Chen Xiao locked the door, then went out to get dinner on his way back to the shop.


    A few days later, it was time for Chen Xiao¡¯s break. Early in the morning, he went to a small, inconspicuous shop at the end of the street to look for furniture.


    Anyone who frequented the antique street knew that a few shops sold second-hand household items. Although this shop dealt in furniture that had been through several hands, they were still good quality pieces, better than most new ones. Some of them had even aged beautifully, with a fine patina, giving them a historical charm. Collectors of old items often found surprises here.


    Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t interested in collecting, though. He just needed a set of complete, well-made furniture with decent materials. He had already asked the owner to keep an eye out for what he wanted, and now he was checking on the situation.


    The owner had paid close attention to his request and used his contacts to find the pieces Chen Xiao needed.

 Chapter 18: Gathering Fate

    The small courtyard where Chen Xiao had moved in was, frankly speaking, the worst in terms of feng shui compared to all the houses he had inspected with the people living there.


    First, its location was not ideal. It sat on a curving road, a bend in the street. The road here resembled a reverse bow, curving outward. In feng shui, roads are seen as water, a symbol of energy and fortune. A reverse-bending road passing in front of a door is considered extremely unlucky for a home, leading to loss of vitality, wealth, and prosperity¡ªa home of misfortune.


    Secondly, the courtyard¡¯s gate was aligned directly with the front door, allowing one to see straight into the main house from the street. This alignment, in feng shui, is considered a harmful design. It drains the house of vital energy, leading to decline, illness, and financial loss.


    Standing outside the courtyard, Chen Xiao could already guess what kind of misfortune had befallen the previous owners. Once inside and seeing the dilapidated furniture, his suspicions were confirmed.


    Logically, knowing the feng shui was so poor, Chen Xiao shouldn¡¯t have chosen this house. He should have looked for a place with better feng shui. But he chose this one for a reason: preparation.


    When he realized that the feng shui layout might be linked to his increased appetite, he started thinking about what to do if his body ever returned to normal. He wanted to test the correlation between the two. To do so, he needed a house with bad feng shui to rearrange the energy.


    He hadn''t expected to find the perfect place so quickly, but this little courtyard appeared right before his eyes¡ªlike a pillow given to a person who was ready to nap. Without hesitation, he decided to rent it.


    To ensure he could observe the changes more accurately, Chen Xiao chose to set up the feng shui on his second day off.


    By this time, the screen wall was completely dry. Even with the front door open, passersby couldn¡¯t see into the courtyard. The people inside were also free from disturbances from the street, no longer bothered by pedestrians. The wall had transformed the small courtyard, creating a peaceful space where life could continue undisturbed.


    Adding the screen wall had solved the issue of energy being unable to accumulate. Though it was still early days, with time, the energy would build up, and the people living in the courtyard would feel much more comfortable.


    However, this remedy was only a small improvement. The greatest threat still came from the road outside, which constantly carried away energy and fortune.


    Unfortunately, Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t just change the road like he could with the screen wall. After all, both sides of the curved road were lined with houses. To change the road¡¯s path, he would have to alter someone¡¯s property, and no one would let him demolish their gate or walls without cause.


    The seasoned feng shui master from his past life had an easy solution: add a feng shui painting to the screen wall.


    In his previous life, wealthy and influential people often hung feng shui paintings in their offices. In rural areas, it was common to see feng shui murals or tiles placed on the walls when entering a home. Large hotels often displayed huge feng shui artworks in their lobbies.


    Chen Xiao had been fond of watching TV, and often noticed large landscape paintings hanging on the walls behind leaders during diplomatic meetings. Those were also feng shui paintings.


    Sometimes, arranging feng shui didn¡¯t require using expensive or powerful feng shui tools. Since these tools couldn¡¯t be mass-produced, people turned to everyday items like paintings, which could also achieve the desired results if used correctly.


    This was exactly the situation now.


    Chen Xiao had given specific instructions to a carpenter to create a small space in the middle of the screen wall, like a Buddha¡¯s enclosure. Although the carpenter found the request odd, he still completed the work with care.


    Chen Xiao then took out a special ink painting that he had commissioned.


    Good feng shui paintings were tailored to the needs of the person they were for, in order to achieve the best effect. Hanging a random painting in one¡¯s home or office, without considering the individual''s circumstances, often failed to bring any benefit, and sometimes even caused negative effects.


    Chen Xiao carefully unrolled the scroll and hung the painting on the wall in the space he had set up. The small space, resembling a Buddha¡¯s enclosure, was sheltered from sunlight, wind, and rain.


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    Once the painting was hung, Chen Xiao stepped back two paces and admired it. The painting depicted a stone bridge with railings on both sides. The bridge wasn¡¯t too wide, just enough for a carriage and a few pedestrians to cross. On either side of the bridge were willow trees and peaceful homes, creating a serene and harmonious scene. The artist''s skill was evident, as the painting was vivid and lively¡ªstanding in front of it, one could almost imagine the happiness of the people in the scene.


    Feng shui paintings could serve many purposes, with different themes like mountains, flowers, and auspicious animals. However, the most powerful paintings for stabilizing energy were those depicting mountains.


    Unfortunately, the foundation of this house was too poor, and even a mountain painting wouldn¡¯t be able to suppress the flow of energy in this neighborhood. It was like trying to build a dam out of cement bags in the middle of a fast-flowing river.


    But a bridge was different. While the bridge did block the flow, it didn¡¯t obstruct the rushing water. In this way, not only did it not hinder the movement of energy, but it also directed that energy towards the house, improving the fortune of the inhabitants. Of course, a painted bridge couldn¡¯t compare to a real one, but Chen Xiao was only testing the theory. There was no need to make a grand effort¡ªjust the feng shui painting alone was enough.


    With the screen wall and the painting, Chen Xiao had immediately transformed the house¡¯s poor feng shui. The results were immediate. The combined effects of both changes caused a surge of energy to flow through the door into the courtyard, and a faint, yet steady energy field slowly took form.


    With this energy field, the people who would live in this house in the future would not necessarily become rich and powerful, but they would enjoy a long and prosperous life, with their fortune and health flourishing.


    Chen Xiao stood at the door, holding his breath, carefully observing. Any slight change would prompt him to investigate further. Time passed, and aside from the energy in the courtyard becoming more stable and filling with life, Chen Xiao noticed nothing unusual.


    As the sun began to set, the light turned dim. After standing all day, Chen Xiao felt a bit tired and moved his stiff legs toward the house. But as soon as he took a step, he immediately noticed something unusual.


    He suddenly realized that with each step he took, the energy in the courtyard seemed to ripple like water disturbed by movement. If this had been the old world, such a thing would have been impossible. Ordinary people¡¯s movements didn¡¯t affect the flow of energy. Only spiritual tools with their own energy field or cultivators with high levels of cultivation could influence the movement of energy. But Chen Xiao was neither of those!


    His discovery made him instantly alert, and the fatigue seemed to vanish. His eyes widened as he focused on the energy around his body.


    Now that he had a lead, he quickly found more clues. The energy field in the courtyard was constantly fluctuating, and Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t noticed that when the energy moved near him, it suddenly disappeared. It wasn¡¯t dissipating; it was being absorbed into Chen Xiao¡¯s body!


    This discovery shook him more than the first time he encountered the dragon vein energy in Xi Yun Ting. It left him stunned, unable to think clearly.


    But because he had the previous example of Xi Yun Ting, Chen Xiao quickly understood what this meant. The true dragon vein, with its immense and powerful energy, constantly pulses with waves¡ªthose ripples were the manifestation of the dragon vein¡¯s energy and its transformations.


    Cultivators carry their own energy fields and fortune. Now, Chen Xiao could directly absorb this energy. As long as he maintained stability and didn¡¯t allow it to dissipate, he would eventually form his own energy field!


    Though the process was different, the end result was the same. From a certain perspective, this was almost like being on the path to the powerful cultivation of an immortal.


    In other words, Chen Xiao had discovered a brand new method of cultivation that didn¡¯t require talent or spiritual roots¡ªit could be done through feng shui!


    Although he still didn¡¯t have any clues on how to maintain the energy or form a stable energy field, just this discovery alone had Chen Xiao ecstatic.


    He immediately sat down on the ground, crossed his legs, and began to think deeply.


    After a short while, he began to understand why setting up feng shui would cause him to absorb the energy generated by the feng shui formation. A feng shui master has a direct causal relationship with the feng shui formation, so once the energy field is formed, some of the energy is diverted to the feng shui master.


    He had once heard his master, Fang Gu, say that the most important principle for a feng shui master was to never act against the natural order, to avoid causing harm. If they did, they would pay the price.


    Feng shui could help people, but it could also harm them. A well-designed feng shui arrangement would bring peace, prosperity, and good fortune to an area. The responsible feng shui master would accumulate merit and receive blessings.


    On the other hand, if a feng shui master used their skills for unethical purposes, such as destroying someone¡¯s ancestral tomb or forcing misfortune onto others, they would lose their merit.


    When Chen Xiao was younger and more impulsive, he hadn¡¯t taken his master¡¯s words seriously. As a result, he had forcefully changed his master¡¯s fate, preventing the man from dying when he should have. Later, when his master found out what Chen Xiao had done, he did everything he could to help him accumulate merit by setting up feng shui for him. His master lived another ten years before dying of organ failure at the age of twenty-eight.


    Merit, it seemed, was closely tied to energy. What his master had said was essentially about absorbing the different energies created by a feng shui formation and their impact on outcomes.

 Chapter 19: Was His Feng Shui Good, or Was It a Mistake?

    Uncovering this truth was like opening a door to a new world for Chen Xiao. No longer would he have to feel dissatisfied or gaze enviously at those who could cultivate immortality. He could create an entirely new system of cultivation for himself.


    However, this new method had its pros and cons. The benefit was that it allowed him to walk the path of immortality, even with a body devoid of talent and spiritual roots. The downside was that he had no idea whether this path would lead to heaven or to hell.


    But everything in life carries risk. If you choose a path that no one else has walked before, you must be brave enough to face the danger. And courage was one thing Chen Xiao never lacked.


    After sitting for a while to calm himself, Chen Xiao was able to think about other questions. Why could he absorb this energy now, but not in his previous life?


    Before today, the only two things he knew of that could cause fluctuations in the energy field were feng shui tools with their own energy fields and cultivators. Ordinary people, in either his past or present life, couldn¡¯t do such things. By this logic, anyone capable of drawing energy into their body certainly wouldn¡¯t be an ordinary person.


    At this thought, Chen Xiao paused and placed his hand on his chest.


    His previous life had ended, yet somehow he had transitioned through time and space, arriving in this strange world and inhabiting the body of a boy who had also died. This bizarre experience made it clear that he could not possibly be a ¡°normal¡± person.


    He had never realized this before, because he had been too busy adapting to this new world, learning the skills necessary for survival here. He had ignored such an obvious conclusion, thinking he would simply be one among the thousands of ordinary people in Daiguo.


    Now, as he reflected, Chen Xiao realized that this body, once belonging to an ordinary boy who had grown up doing menial labor and had practiced martial arts with a teacher, had undergone some hidden change. He had forgotten one very obvious characteristic.


    This boy¡¯s life had been one of hard work, building a strong and muscular body, which had quickly recovered from injuries due to youth and good health. But despite his physical strength, he couldn¡¯t seem to gain weight, and his once athletic physique had gradually become more like Chen Xiao¡¯s former, slender body. His skin, once rough and calloused from hard work, was slowly smoothing back to a normal state.


    This wasn¡¯t something he could do on his own. There must be something within his body, something that caused these changes. And it was this unknown that made him constantly feel hungry. It was also this unknown that allowed his body to absorb the energy.


    As for why he always felt hungry, it was likely because this unknown needed energy to sustain itself. And energy, in the form of feng shui, could be absorbed. After absorbing the energy, his body temporarily returned to the ordinary appetite of a normal person, no longer requiring extra food.


    With this realization, the answer became clear. Just like in his previous life, ordinary people could only passively receive energy, while the one actively absorbing the energy in this body was not him, but this unknown entity within him.


    Although the presence of this unknown entity inside him was puzzling, Chen Xiao did not feel fear or unease. He trusted his instincts and judgment¡ªthis unknown was likely connected to his transition into this time and space. In fact, it might even be the reason he was brought back to life. This unknown entity had effectively saved his life, so no matter the danger, he would face it with calm acceptance.


    It didn¡¯t matter if he didn¡¯t fully understand everything now; someday, he would figure it out. With this thought, Chen Xiao felt his mind expand. His emotions, for the first time since coming to this world, became unexpectedly calm. His thoughts were clear, and his heart felt peaceful as if a barrier within him had been lifted.


    Just as Chen Xiao was deep in this tranquil state of mind, someone called out from the courtyard, ¡°Is anyone home?¡±


    Chen Xiao looked up curiously at the sky. The sun, once the source of daylight, had set, and the sky now carried the lead-gray hue of dusk. At this time, most people were preparing dinner, and it was rare for anyone to visit.


    Chen Xiao stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and called out, ¡°Yes, who¡¯s there?¡± As he spoke, he circled around the screen wall by the door and walked to the front gate.


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    A slightly plump woman stood outside. Upon seeing Chen Xiao, her eyes brightened, and she immediately said, ¡°Young Master Chen, I need to talk to you about something.¡± This woman, Aunt Huang, was Chen Xiao¡¯s neighbor. She had been the one to lend him a water basin and cloth when he was cleaning the house and had kindly pointed out the location of the well.


    Chen Xiao had a good impression of this kind-hearted neighbor. So, he invited her into the main hall. However, he had been so busy today that he had even eaten lunch early, a quick meal of steamed buns, and hadn¡¯t had time to boil water. Naturally, there was no hot water, so he just poured her a cup of tea.


    Chen Xiao sat in the main seat of the living room, apologetically looking at Aunt Huang, who had taken a seat at the guest table. "I¡¯m really sorry. I¡¯ve been busy with some things today and didn¡¯t get a chance to boil water. It¡¯s my fault for not offering you a cup of hot tea."


    Aunt Huang didn¡¯t mind the lack of tea; instead, she followed the topic and said, ¡°With such a big house, it¡¯s just you here. Of course, you must be overwhelmed. There¡¯s always something to do around the house.¡±


    Chen Xiao smiled politely. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±


    With three large rooms and a small courtyard, just cleaning the house every now and then took a lot of effort. Chen Xiao only had a day off every ten days, so he didn¡¯t want to waste his rare rest time on chores. That¡¯s why he had hired an elderly woman to help with the work. She came every three days to do the laundry, wipe down the furniture, dust the walls, and sweep the floors.


    Aunt Huang, noticing Chen Xiao¡¯s expression, said, ¡°I¡¯ve noticed you don¡¯t seem to cook at home much?¡±


    Chen Xiao nodded. ¡°Yes. I can get by with whatever food I find. As long as I¡¯m full, the rest doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Aunt Huang shook her head. ¡°You can¡¯t say it like that. Look at your house¡ªcold stove, cold pot. You work hard all day, but when you come home, there¡¯s no one to talk to. You can¡¯t live like this!¡±


    As Aunt Huang spoke, Chen Xiao began to have a bad feeling.


    ¡°I knew from the moment I saw you that you were a fine young man. It¡¯s tough living alone, with no one to care for you.¡± She smiled, then leaned in a bit closer with a playful expression. ¡°You won¡¯t believe it, but today, a few people came to ask about you. Since we live close by and you don¡¯t have a woman at home, they came straight to me. You didn¡¯t see, but three or four of them came!¡±


    Chen Xiao immediately broke into a cold sweat. ¡°Uh¡­ please wait. I feel bad not offering you a cup of tea when you¡¯ve come all the way here. Let me go get that for you.¡± Before Aunt Huang could respond, Chen Xiao quickly stood up and rushed out the door into the kitchen.


    Aunt Huang was clearly trying to set him up for marriage! In all his twenty-eight years, this was the first time he had ever encountered such a situation. It immediately gave him a headache.


    As Chen Xiao hid in the kitchen, Aunt Huang took it as shyness and casually followed him, standing outside the door. She kept talking about who had come asking about him, which families had daughters, and what their circumstances were. She didn¡¯t stop until the water was boiling, and they both returned to the living room.


    Afterward, Aunt Huang, in a tone of earnest persuasion, said to the silent Chen Xiao, ¡°You¡¯re not getting any younger, and it¡¯s time you started thinking about marriage. If you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯m happy to help you find someone. You can just relax and wait to become a groom. You won¡¯t have to worry about anything; just consider me as a matchmaker.¡± She picked up the now slightly cold tea and took a big gulp. ¡°Once you have a wife, you¡¯ll come home to hot meals, and you won¡¯t have to worry about boiling water. Everything will be taken care of, so you can focus on making money outside. The man works outside, and the woman manages the home¡ªthat¡¯s how it should be.¡±


    Chen Xiao pulled the corners of his mouth in a half-smile but remained silent. He didn¡¯t want to get married. Even if he did get married someday, he certainly wouldn¡¯t marry someone just to do chores for him. If that was the case, he might as well hire a maid.


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t blame Aunt Huang for her sudden enthusiasm; the feng shui he had set up in this small courtyard was beginning to take effect.


    A bustling household. Without parents, there would be no siblings. To increase the family size, he would need a wife. A wife would count as adding to the family. Moreover, once the wife was brought into the household, it would guarantee two children within three years. The effect was clear and reliable.


    Even though Chen Xiao resisted silently, Aunt Huang wasn¡¯t easily dissuaded. Chen Xiao had a wide forehead and a sharp chin, with a typical oval face. His thick eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes gave him a striking appearance, and his straight nose added to his features. His lips were his most prominent feature¡ªhis upper lip curved like a bow, while his lower lip was full, and the corners of his mouth turned up even when he wasn¡¯t smiling. His large, clear eyes gave him a refreshing and spirited look that made people instinctively like him.


    Despite Aunt Huang already having grandchildren, she was still drawn to handsome young men! Just because of his handsome face, she was determined to find him a good match.


    For the first time, Chen Xiao felt that having such good feng shui might be a mistake. If it weren¡¯t for the rent and deposit he¡¯d already paid, he might have moved out right away.


    After finally managing to get rid of Aunt Huang, Chen Xiao went out to solve his dinner. As he ate a bowl of hot soup noodles, he couldn¡¯t help but think, having someone cook for him would be nice, but not at the cost of his lifelong happiness. To give up the wide variety of delicious food in the world for just one person¡¯s cooking? How could he be so foolish?


    At this moment, it was clear that Chen Xiao¡¯s experience with relationships was still quite empty.

 Chapter 20: The Immortal鈥檚 Antique

    To the neighbors, Chen Xiao appeared to be a man without parents, someone whose wife would directly take charge of the household and not have to deal with a meddling mother-in-law. He had a decent job with reportedly good pay. On top of that, he was capable, managing to furnish the entire house on his own, which suggested that he wasn¡¯t lacking in wealth.


    Aunt Huang, seeing that Chen Xiao left early and returned late every day, didn¡¯t feel it was appropriate to visit after dark, so she waited for his next day off.


    Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t unaware of the curious gazes directed at him by the elderly people on the street every morning. He didn¡¯t think it was due to his charm, but rather, it just made him deeply uncomfortable.


    When his day off arrived again, Aunt Huang showed up at his door early in the morning. Chen Xiao knew she was coming, so he purposely didn¡¯t sleep in, afraid she might catch him in bed, which would give her the perfect opportunity to bring up marriage again.


    This time, Chen Xiao had already boiled the water in advance. After Aunt Huang had only sat for a short while, the hot tea was served.


    Aunt Huang took the cup, lifted the lid, and immediately recognized the quality of the tea. Since the tea was too hot to drink, she placed the cup by her side, adjusted her posture, and casually started talking to Chen Xiao.


    "Well, Xiao Han, how have you thought things through?" Aunt Huang asked affectionately.


    In fact, if Chen Xiao had a choice, he preferred people to call him by his full name. The name ¡°Chen Xiao¡± was fine, whether it was used in full or just as a first name. He wasn¡¯t particular about how it was said, as it didn¡¯t necessarily convey closeness.


    But ever since Aunt Huang had overheard someone in the restaurant where he often ate calling him ¡°Xiao Han,¡± she had taken a liking to the nickname and began calling him that.


    It was the same at Taxue Xunxian Pavilion. His full name had been written on the nameplate, and despite Chen Xiao insisting that they call him by his full name in the shop, neither the owner nor the staff ever changed the habit. After all, it wasn¡¯t a formal setting, and people often used both formal and informal names casually. If he insisted on changing it, it would seem too peculiar, so he simply accepted it.


    Thus, ¡°Xiao Han¡± had stuck as his nickname, and he figured it could be considered as one, at least making him distinguishable from the nickname ¡°Hanwa.¡±


    In the ten days since, Chen Xiao had been busy planning how to handle the situation. He certainly wasn¡¯t going to accept Aunt Huang¡¯s suggestion to marry an unfamiliar girl and settle down here.


    But Aunt Huang meant well, and he didn¡¯t want to outright reject her. One reason was that rejecting her directly would make things awkward, potentially souring their relationship. After all, he still had to live here for a few more months and didn¡¯t want to deal with unnecessary complications.


    The other reason was that Chen Xiao had been trying to make himself seem more like a native of this world. As a young man, rejecting a marriage proposal without a proper reason would only make him seem strange and abnormal¡ªsomething that went against the way he wanted to conduct himself.


    Although Chen Xiao¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t loud, it was clear in the quiet room. He said, ¡°Aunt Huang, thank you for your kindness, but I¡¯m not in a place to consider such things right now.¡±


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    Upon hearing this, Aunt Huang¡¯s eyes brightened, relieved that he finally responded rather than staying silent like last time. Now that he was talking, she saw a chance to convince him. She said, ¡°How can you not think about it? Marriage is a big deal, and you need to plan ahead. I¡¯m only looking out for you, don¡¯t take it the wrong way. At your age, there are already people who¡¯ve married and brought their wives home. How many families have their children meet and get engaged when they¡¯re eleven or twelve, and by thirteen or fourteen, they¡¯re already betrothed? Since your parents aren¡¯t around, you¡¯ll have to think for yourself.¡±


    Chen Xiao nodded. ¡°I understand that you mean well, Aunt Huang, but I can¡¯t lie to the girl and mislead her.¡±


    Aunt Huang froze for a moment, a confused expression appearing on her face. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    With a particularly sincere expression, Chen Xiao replied with the story he had carefully crafted. ¡°Actually, when I was young, my family arranged a marriage for me.¡±


    "Ah?" Aunt Huang''s chubby face showed a look of surprise as she stared at him. "You were betrothed? Why didn''t you mention it before?"


    At this point, Aunt Huang''s feelings were starting to turn. Anyone who tried to help, arranging one marriage proposal after another, would be frustrated if all their efforts were in vain. She felt irritated. If Chen Xiao had just mentioned he was already engaged ten days ago during his previous day off, she wouldn''t have wasted her time trying to arrange anything.


    Her displeasure showed on her face, and her tone became less friendly. Chen Xiao, however, acted as if he hadn¡¯t noticed, lowering his eyes and showing a faintly melancholic expression. "When I was young, a disaster struck my hometown¡ªan animal plague ravaged the area, and half the county fled. On the way, we were caught in a heavy downpour, and my parents both fell ill from the cold and passed away. The money my family had left couldn¡¯t even buy a coffin. We had to use two straw mats to bury them quickly, and then I continued on with my uncle''s family."


    Chen Xiao appeared deeply saddened, and Aunt Huang, seeing this, felt guilty for her earlier frustration. She sighed. "You¡¯ve had a hard life. But you¡¯re capable now, and your parents¡¯ spirits must be at peace knowing you¡¯ve done well."


    Chen Xiao gave a soft sigh. If they truly had spirits, perhaps they would already have been reunited as a family. Whether they¡¯d be happy or sad about it, he couldn¡¯t say.


    Aunt Huang asked, "So, what happened with your betrothal?"


    Chen Xiao spoke quietly, "We got separated along the way. I haven¡¯t heard from her since, and I¡¯ve been searching for her all these years."


    "I see," Aunt Huang said, her mood complicated. She guessed that Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t mentioned this before because he didn¡¯t want to revisit those painful memories.


    As for the marriage proposals, Chen Xiao¡¯s insistence on not marrying until he found the girl he was betrothed to, or at least had news of her, put an end to it. He said that one must meet the person alive and the body in death before making any decisions. He wanted to know the situation before considering his own future. If he married and the girl was still waiting for him, he would only be causing her harm.


    The older folks who learned about this all praised Chen Xiao for his loyalty and noble character.


    As for Chen Xiao, he couldn¡¯t help but feel proud of his cleverness. With this fabricated excuse, no one would question his single status anymore. In the future, when he left, the reason would be clear and ready.


    Having successfully dealt with the marriage issue, the very next day, Chen Xiao found himself facing something that genuinely made him happy.


    The head steward had gone out with the boss to collect items, and returned with a bronze cauldron that had an ancient, dignified design. The cauldron was intricately adorned with elaborate patterns and had a perfect patina, in remarkably good condition despite a few minor scratches.


    The head steward and the boss both agreed that this cauldron was a great find, one that would fetch a very good price.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s joy wasn¡¯t because of its value, but because the cauldron radiated a stable aura, indicating that it was a genuine immortal¡¯s antique. The remarkable part was that no one else seemed to notice this, except for him.

 Chapter 21: The Bronze Cauldron

    Chen Xiao had never been deeply knowledgeable about antiques, but he knew that large bronze cauldrons were considered national treasures. Due to the limitations of ancient smelting techniques and the strict control over metal resources, crafting a sizable bronze cauldron required not only exceptional skill but also considerable wealth and power to afford the necessary materials.


    The same holds true in this world. In fact, it was even more challenging without coal, the only available fuel for smelting was firewood, making the process even more difficult. Large bronze cauldrons were regarded as rare and invaluable treasures. Just by looking at this one standing as tall as half a person its extraordinary value was evident.


    Word of the bronze cauldron spread quickly among the regular customers, who flocked to the shop to catch a glimpse. Their enthusiasm soon attracted other antique collectors, all eager to see this rare artifact for themselves.


    Among these antique buyers were many seasoned collectors, knowledgeable and experienced, some even more so than the shop''s own master appraisers.


    Chen Xiao and the other clerks were kept busy serving tea, bringing over chairs, and inviting guests to sit. Yet, none of them received any attention. The chairs remained empty, the tea untouched, everyone was too absorbed in the cauldron displayed at the center of the shop.


    Seeing that the guests didn¡¯t care about formalities, Chen Xiao took the opportunity to slip to the side and listen in.


    At the center of the discussion stood an elderly man, likely in his seventies, with a gaunt face and a long, white goatee. He spoke with authority, "This Hundred-Beast Floral Bronze Cauldron undoubtedly dates back over three thousand years to the Zheng Kingdom. Look closely back then, beast motifs featured more ferocious creatures and fewer ordinary beasts. The lines are bold, simple, and vivid!"


    He sounded certain, but an older man in his sixties, wearing a square hat, disagreed. "No, I believe it was crafted later. Look at the floral patterns they are interwoven seamlessly, each motif connecting smoothly with no breaks. This style only emerged during the founding of the Dai Kingdom."


    In this world, kingdoms lasted for exceptionally long periods. As long as there wasn¡¯t an utterly disastrous ruler, most royal dynasties remained stable. Local city lords were content managing their own territories and cared little about who sat on the throne. As a result, though history recorded instances of dynastic changes, they were not frequent.


    Chen Xiao had learned early on from his masters that the Dai Kingdom¡¯s predecessor was the Zheng Kingdom. The Zheng Kingdom had existed for over two thousand years, whereas the Dai Kingdom was relatively young at just over nine hundred years.


    At this moment, the shop owner finally spoke. "I believe Elder Qi''s assessment is correct."


    The elder in the square hat, Elder Qi, nodded as the crowd turned their attention to him. He then explained solemnly, "I acquired this bronze cauldron from a destitute family. According to them, this artifact had been passed down for generations. Their ancestors were descendants of the Zheng royal family, and when the Dai royal family took the capital, their ancestors brought this cauldron with them."


    "As we all know, when the Dai Kingdom was established, they destroyed all Zheng Kingdom ritual vessels. If this cauldron wasn¡¯t newly made at the time, it wouldn¡¯t have survived."


    Elder Qi¡¯s words carried weight, supporting the shop owner''s claim.


    In this world, bronze cauldrons had long been used as ritual vessels for offering sacrifices to the heavens. The ruling class set the trend, and the common folk followed suit, though they could only afford smaller versions.


    The white-bearded elder scoffed. "You¡¯re all seasoned collectors. Have you forgotten that a seller¡¯s story can¡¯t be trusted? And who says all Zheng-era bronze cauldrons were destroyed? We still hear of surviving ones from time to time."


    Elder Qi wasn¡¯t about to back down. "You said ¡®hear of¡¯ but has anyone actually seen one? Seeing is believing!"


    The white-bearded elder raised his voice. "The beast motifs on this cauldron are proof! It is unmistakably from the Zheng Kingdom. And while it¡¯s true that floral interlacing became popular in the Dai era, that doesn¡¯t mean it wasn¡¯t used earlier! There are occasional examples in Zheng-era ceramics."


    Elder Qi¡¯s face turned red. "Ceramics and bronze are completely different! The Zheng Kingdom¡¯s casting techniques weren¡¯t as refined as the Dai¡¯s. They may have managed continuous interwoven patterns on bronze, but there would have been visible breaks!"


    Chen Xiao listened intently, finding the debate even more fascinating than the antique appraisal shows he had watched in his past life. Here, determining the cauldron¡¯s era wasn¡¯t as simple as running a carbon-14 test. Instead, everything relied on expertise, observation, and deduction.


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    Pang Hemu, the shopkeeper, was delighted by the commotion the cauldron had caused. Far from being annoyed by the growing crowd, he welcomed wave after wave of curious visitors. The master appraisers and clerks, however, were completely overwhelmed. Neither the shop owner nor the head appraiser had three heads and six arms, so the staff had no choice but to handle guests one by one.


    The chaos continued well into the evening, only settling down as lanterns were lit. One by one, the visitors from Taxue Xunxian Pavilion trickled out, leaving only the shop employees to clean up returning chairs, collecting teacups, and tidying the shop.


    Chen Xiao deliberately stayed behind, helping the newly hired night watchman finish the last bit of cleaning. The man was grateful for his help, so when Chen Xiao asked if he could linger a bit longer to take another look at the cauldron, the night watchman readily agreed.


    After all, with such a rare artifact in the shop, even the owner wasn¡¯t satisfied with just a quick glance, he¡¯d surely return after dinner for another look.


    Chen Xiao circled around the bronze cauldron once. Compared to other immortal antiques he had seen, this one had a noticeably stronger aura. Of course, its liveliness couldn''t compare to the one in his small courtyard. What made him uneasy was that, while the cauldron¡¯s aura was stable, something about it still felt off.


    Lost in thought, he focused on the upper half of the cauldron. Suddenly, he bent down and took a sniff.


    At that moment, Mr. Pang stepped into the shop and saw Chen Xiao with his head practically inside the cauldron. He chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re curious about it too?¡±


    Chen Xiao quickly straightened up. After greeting him properly, he replied, ¡°Yes. I think the entire county city is curious about it. The shop has certainly made a name for itself this time.¡±


    Mr. Pang, still tipsy from drinking at a banquet, burst into laughter at his words. ¡°Not only will it bring us fame, but we¡¯ll also make a fortune.¡±


    Chen Xiao frowned slightly, though he concealed it well. Despite the chaos of the day, he had noticed quite a few wealthy and influential people approaching Mr. Pang. It was likely that the cauldron would be sold before long.


    However, selling it as an ordinary antique wouldn¡¯t fetch nearly the same price as selling it as an immortal relic.


    Unlike common folk who knew nothing about such matters, antique dealers¡ªwho often came into indirect contact with the affairs of cultivators, understood the truth. The so-called ¡®Immortal Sects¡¯ were nothing more than the mountain gates of cultivators, and ¡®immortal antiques¡¯ were merely objects once used by cultivators, passed down through time. True immortals and cultivators were worlds apart.


    Yet, since there was a vast chasm between the world of cultivators and ordinary people, no cultivator would go out of their way to clarify this misconception. To those in the know, cultivators possessed extraordinary abilities, defying the heavens and the earth, immune to aging and decay. In their eyes, cultivators were no different from immortals. Just as modern collectors prized artifacts once owned by historical figures, ordinary people viewed cultivators as distant and untouchable beings.


    This was why immortal antiques remained so highly valued.


    Whenever the shop made a major sale, the generous Mr. Pang would always reward his employees. The head manager and senior shopkeepers would receive hefty red envelopes, while the assistants would also get a share of the windfall. If he knew this cauldron was an immortal antique, the bonus for the shop hands would be enough for an average family to save up for ten years without spending a single coin.


    Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t particularly interested in the bonus itself. What truly caught his attention was the opportunity it presented, an opportunity to showcase his special abilities.


    Ever since he discovered that he could absorb fortune through feng shui to cultivate like a cultivator, he had changed his mind. He no longer intended to hide his ability to discern immortal antiques. Of course, Mr. Pang wouldn¡¯t understand anything about auras, so there was no point explaining it that way.


    The real challenge was finding a way to make Mr. Pang realize the truth. Now, a perfect opportunity had appeared before him, and he had no intention of letting it slip by.


    Fixing his gaze on his drunken employer, he said earnestly, ¡°Boss, could this cauldron possibly be an immortal antique?¡±


    Mr. Pang had truly had too much to drink that night. His mind was sluggish, and his steps unsteady as if he were walking on clouds. After a long pause, he suddenly let out a snort of laughter. ¡°You brat, you¡¯ve got quite the imagination. Do you think immortal antiques are so easy to find? Just because something looks rare and precious doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s an immortal relic. It¡¯s completely different, completely different!¡± He waved his hand emphatically as he spoke.


    Seeing how drunk he was, Chen Xiao could only sigh inwardly. He helped him to a seat in the guest area, then went to brew a cup of tea to sober him up.


    Fortunately, Mr. Pang had a good temperament when drinking. Even though he thought Chen Xiao¡¯s idea was absurd, he didn¡¯t scold him. He simply muttered while sipping his tea, ¡°Ah, my shop assistant actually thinks that cauldron is an immortal antique¡­¡±


    It wasn¡¯t surprising that Mr. Pang didn¡¯t believe him. Most so-called immortal antiques on the market were everyday items¡ªhairpins, jade belts, household utensils. Weapons, books, and paintings were much rarer.


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t take offense. Instead, he said, ¡°I just find it strange¡­ Why does this cauldron have a lingering scent? After so many years, any scent should have long since dissipated.¡±


    Mr. Pang dismissed the concern, lecturing him with the air of an experienced dealer. ¡°That just shows how little you know. Do you have any idea what incense the royal family uses for their rituals? True spiritual incense, obtained directly from the Immortal Sects! Even after it burns to ashes, its fragrance can linger for centuries. That cauldron has probably been used countless times for burning incense, it¡¯s only natural that it still holds some of the scent.¡±


    But to Chen Xiao, the scent didn¡¯t resemble incense at all.


    If anything¡­ it smelled more like medicinal herbs.

 Chapter 22: The Memorable "School Uniform"

    Before his death in his previous life, Chen Xiao had taken plenty of medicine. The fragrance from the bronze cauldron was pleasant, yet it carried a faint bitterness, one he would never forget. The unique, slightly acrid scent of medicinal herbs was unmistakable.


    However, this alone wasn''t enough evidence. What if this type of spiritual incense naturally produced such a scent when burned? Since Mr. Pang wasn''t convinced, Chen Xiao decided not to press the matter further.


    Instead, he brought up another discovery. "The patterns on the upper half of the bronze cauldron feel oddly familiar to me. After carefully observing and recalling my memories, I realized that I''ve seen similar patterns before on the robes of the immortal masters who came to recruit disciples for the sect."


    Mr. Pang choked on his tea, coughing violently for a long while. When he finally caught his breath, he was completely sober. He took the towel Chen Xiao handed him and wiped the spilled tea from his clothes, his expression a mix of skepticism and surprise. "Are you sure you''re not mistaken?"


    Chen Xiao nodded firmly. "I''m certain. The patterns are remarkably similar."


    He remembered the scene vividly. After all, the sight of three people descending from the sky was unforgettable.


    The three members of the Chongxuan Sect had worn robes of different colors, but they all shared a similar trim and identical patterns. Although the designs varied slightly, it was clear at a glance that they belonged to the same set. He once heard a friend who enjoyed ancient-style games refer to such matching attire as "school uniforms." Given their uniformity, Chen Xiao deduced that these robes were likely the standard attire of the Chongxuan Sect.


    The embroidered patterns on those robes bore an uncanny resemblance to the ones on the bronze cauldron. Compared to other antique motifs he''d seen, these patterns were more intricate, profound, and structured.


    Mr. Pang stood up and walked around the bronze cauldron twice, deep in thought. After a moment, he shook his head. "Using this alone to claim that the cauldron is an immortal artifact is far-fetched. The royal families of Zheng and Dai both originated from cultivator lineages. It''s natural that their household items inherited some of the immortals'' customs and were passed down over time."


    "So you mean to say," Chen Xiao asked, "that the intricate patterns were originally seen on true cultivators'' artifacts, later adopted by the Zheng royal family for their bronze cauldrons, and eventually preserved through the generations?"


    Mr. Pang''s expression grew even more serious. He neither confirmed nor denied it, merely saying, "It''s getting late. Go home and rest. Don''t overthink things. Make sure you''re on time for work tomorrow."


    Understanding his cue, Chen Xiao took his leave. As he walked away, he caught a glimpse of Mr. Pang standing before the bronze cauldron, his back heavy with contemplation.


    It was clear to him though Mr. Pang outwardly dismissed the idea, he had been shaken. However, without concrete proof, he wouldn''t openly agree with Chen Xiao''s theory. He had to keep his thoughts to himself to avoid any leaks.


    If Chen Xiao¡¯s speculation was correct, this discovery wouldn¡¯t just stir up the antique market in the county, it would send shockwaves through the entire Dai nation''s collection circles. A bronze cauldron of this size, potentially an immortal artifact, was something no one had ever seen before.


    The next day, when Chen Xiao arrived at Taxue Xunxian Pavilion for work, the bronze cauldron was no longer displayed in the shop¡¯s main hall. It had been moved to the back.


    In the rear courtyard, aside from the small room where Chen Xiao had once stayed, the main house belonged to the owner. He used it for bookkeeping and private discussions with the chief shopkeeper. On the side was a well-secured storage room, where the shop''s most treasured antiques were kept, only shown to esteemed clients under the shopkeeper¡¯s supervision.


    Curious onlookers who had come after hearing the commotion from the previous day were politely turned away. Only the elderly man with the goatee and the scholar in the square hat were invited into the courtyard.


    Chen Xiao remained at his designated display stand. The master in charge of bronze artifacts had been called inside, leaving only him and another clerk in this section. As he mentally counted the seconds, reaching over three hundred, the master finally emerged, giving Chen Xiao a complicated look. "The boss wants to see you. Think carefully before you speak."


    Following behind, Chen Xiao stepped into the main house of the rear courtyard for the first time. The secondary room was a spacious study, and in the center of the room stood the bronze cauldron. Several figures sat or stood around it: Mr. Pang, the chief shopkeeper, the elderly man with the goatee, and the scholar in the square hat.


    The chief shopkeeper beckoned him forward. "Come closer."


    Chen Xiao approached and stood respectfully.


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    Gesturing toward the two elderly men, the shopkeeper introduced them solemnly. "This is Master Ma and Master Qi, the towering figures in the county¡¯s collector circles."


    Chen Xiao greeted them with proper etiquette, unfazed by the grand titles. He had grown used to hearing familiar phrases and idioms from his past life pop up here and there. Words like "towering figures" seemed odd in a world that lacked both Mount Tai and the Big Dipper, yet their presence suggested some connection to his original world¡ªor perhaps a parallel evolution of language and culture.


    Master Ma scrutinized him. Though thin, his voice was surprisingly loud. "So, you''re the one who suggested this cauldron might be an immortal artifact? You''re young, but bold. Quite the imagination."


    Chen Xiao remained composed. "Master Ma, you are a highly respected elder with vast knowledge. I¡¯m still new to the world of antiques, with limited experience. If my assumptions are mistaken, I hope you can guide me."


    Master Qi shot Master Ma a glare. "Enough nonsense. Let''s get to the point." Then, without hesitation, he grabbed Chen Xiao''s arm and pulled him forward, pointing to an open book on the desk. "Look through this. Do any of the patterns match what you saw?"


    The book was thick, filled with hundreds of designs. Its pages had yellowed with age, and despite careful preservation, the edges showed signs of wear. Master Qi clearly treasured this collection, handling the book himself rather than letting Chen Xiao touch it. With great care, he turned each page one by one.


    The book cataloged a vast array of patterns¡ªfloral, animal, and geometric designs. Toward the end, the motifs evolved into symbols resembling ancient pictographs. The sheer comprehensiveness of this collection amazed Chen Xiao. It must have taken an extraordinary amount of time and effort to compile.


    Master Qi''s voice held a hint of tension. "Look carefully. Do you see the pattern you recognized?"


    Elder Ma snorted. "Didn''t we just go through it twice? Are you still unsure whether there''s a similar pattern?"


    From the fragments of conversation, Chen Xiao deduced that before his arrival, the people in the room had already searched the illustrated book for a pattern resembling the intricate design on the bronze cauldron. However, they had failed to find a match.


    Chen Xiao wasn''t surprised in the slightest. The final pages of the book contained pictographic patterns that bore some resemblance to the one on the cauldron, but they paled in comparison. The cauldron¡¯s design was far more refined and intricate.


    The difference was akin to that between a cheap imitation and an authentic masterpiece.


    Flipping to the last page, Chen Xiao shook his head. "I haven''t seen any patterns here that resemble the ones I saw on the Immortal Master."


    Pang Hemu burst into laughter. "Then there''s no need to argue anymore. This bronze cauldron is undoubtedly an ancient relic of the immortals!"


    Elder Qi took a deep breath, his hands trembling with excitement. Yet, he forced himself to remain composed. "We can''t jump to conclusions just yet. It¡¯s possible that this is merely a pattern that was never documented. Besides, many ancient artifacts from foreign lands exhibit stark differences from our own."


    Elder Ma snorted again. "You''re just deceiving yourself! Yesterday, you were arguing with me until your face turned red! The ''Hundred Beasts'' and ''Entwined Blossoms'' patterns are distinct hallmarks of our nation how could this have come from anywhere else?!"


    Pang Hemu, overjoyed, decided to play the peacemaker. "No need for conflict, gentlemen. If there are doubts, we can discuss them rationally. Elder Ma, why don¡¯t you share your perspective?"


    Elder Ma stroked his goatee and said, "There¡¯s no doubt that the ''Hundred Beasts'' motif originated during the Zheng Kingdom era. If this cauldron was forged by an immortal, then the continuous entwinement of blossoms isn¡¯t surprising either. Elder Qi and I initially assumed that the intricate pattern filling the gaps was merely decorative. Now, it appears we were terribly mistaken. The ''Hundred Beasts'' and ''Entwined Blossoms'' were just filler¡ªthe true focal point was the treasure pattern! During that era, only one person could have crafted such a bronze cauldron¡ªthe immortal cultivator from the Zheng royal lineage. This cauldron must have remained in the family after the immortal departed. Eventually, it was mistaken for an ordinary sacrificial vessel and sold off. Pang Xianjun, congratulations! You¡¯ve stumbled upon an earth-shattering treasure."


    A true master indeed¡ªmerely piecing together scattered clues, Elder Ma had deduced the cauldron¡¯s rightful owner.


    Hearing this, Pang Hemu couldn''t contain his laughter.


    At that moment, Elder Qi spoke up. "Immortal Lord Pang, I have an audacious request. Would you permit me to rub the patterns on this cauldron?"


    Pang Hemu hesitated. "This¡­" Now that the cauldron was confirmed to be an immortal artifact, the treasure pattern became an invaluable relic. As a devoted enthusiast of immortal culture, he was reluctant to let it spread.


    But when he saw the hopeful and pleading look in Elder Qi¡¯s eyes and considered their longstanding friendship, he eventually relented.


    Having uncovered the cauldron¡¯s origins, Pang Hemu now had no intention of selling it. This was the greatest reward of his lifelong pursuit of immortal relics. He resolved to keep it as a family heirloom, so future generations could admire his unparalleled achievement.


    Pang Hemu had always been a generous man, and in celebration of his newfound treasure, he made sure to distribute lavish gifts. Elder Qi, Elder Ma, and the chief shopkeeper all received hefty red envelopes. Even Chen Xiao was handsomely rewarded. After all, it was his one remark that had awakened everyone to the true value of the cauldron, saving it from being discarded as an ordinary artifact.


    News of Taxue Xunxian Pavilion¡¯s latest acquisition, a confirmed immortal relic, spread like wildfire. While Pang Hemu had never intended to keep it a secret, he hadn¡¯t expected the information to circulate so quickly.


    However, this soon led to skepticism from the owners of other prominent antique shops on the street. They suspected Pang Hemu of deception, accusing him of passing off an ordinary bronze cauldron as an immortal artifact to elevate the reputation of Taxue Xunxian Pavilion. After all, there was no concrete proof that the cauldron was indeed an immortal relic. And yet, in just over a decade since its opening, Taxue Xunxian Pavilion had suddenly risen to become the most renowned establishment in the antique district.


    Hearing these accusations, Pang Hemu was utterly furious.

 Chapter 23: Joint Strike

    Chen Xiao even heard from the servants that the boss had gotten so angry he threw a set of tea cups he particularly liked.


    Even Elder Ma and Elder Qi had a displeased look on their faces that day. After all, the accusations from the other party about Pang Hemu forging evidence were essentially questioning their integrity, which was a direct slap in the face. The two old men had been in the business for decades, and this was the first time they had encountered such infuriating behavior. They were both furious inside.


    This wasn''t just a couple of shops, but several well-known antique stores on the antique street that had united to make these accusations. They completely disregarded Elder Ma and Elder Qi¡¯s reputations, as if they were openly tearing their faces off.


    Elder Ma was so angry that his face turned pale, and Pang Hemu were frightened, afraid the old man might collapse in his shop. They quickly sent someone to call a doctor, and Chen Xiao, always quick on his feet, volunteered to handle it. He hurried to the same medical clinic he had visited before, bringing in a doctor who specialized in treating elderly patients with sudden illnesses.


    Because Chen Xiao had explained the situation beforehand, the doctor quickly pulled out a mind-calming pill and shoved it into Elder Ma¡¯s mouth. Within moments, Elder Ma¡¯s face regained its healthy color.


    As he caught his breath, Elder Ma said, ¡°This can¡¯t just be left like this! We need to have a proper discussion! Doesn¡¯t that big boss from Shenghui think he¡¯s capable? He got all the antique shops on the street to wave his flag behind him. We¡¯ll find people, from the capital and from the surrounding counties. I refuse to believe that someone like him can just dominate everything!¡±


    Pang Hemu smiled bitterly. He wasn¡¯t some na?ve newcomer. The Pang family had been in business for three generations, and he had been learning from his father since he was young. He knew very well what had caused this situation. Taxue Xunxian Pavilion was his own creation. In just over ten years, it had surpassed century-old shops on the antique street, becoming the most famous one. Naturally, this had offended the others, and they were now doing everything they could to target him.


    As for the people who pretended to be oblivious, what could they do? Even if they brought in elder experts from surrounding counties, it would only turn into a debate with equal forces. The united shops wouldn¡¯t suffer, but Taxue Xunxian Pavilion would end up with the reputation of gaining fame through falsehoods.


    The real difficulty was that there was no concrete evidence; everything was just speculation. The only "evidence" was a vague account from a shop assistant, which could easily be refuted.


    Pang Hemu¡¯s eyes wandered aimlessly around the room. The doctor was still advising Elder Ma to stay calm and avoid emotional extremes. Chen Xiao stood quietly to the side, holding the doctor¡¯s medical kit.


    As he watched Chen Xiao, whose face was bowed in humble attention, Pang Hemu couldn¡¯t help but think, If only we could get our hands on that immortal¡¯s robes again to see...


    Immediately, he was startled by his own absurd thought. Even if it were just the robes, they had belonged to an immortal. Who would dare make such an audacious request? And where would they even find such things?


    ¡°Ai...¡± Pang Hemu sighed in frustration.


    Chen Xiao glanced at him and, after thinking for a moment, gently placed the medical kit on the tea table. He walked over to Pang Hemu, lowering his voice. "Boss, are you troubled by the copper cauldron issue?"


    Pang Hemu shot him a glare, irritated. "Isn''t it obvious?"


    Chen Xiao pursed his lips and said in a slightly nervous tone, "If it''s about this, I actually have a solution that might work."


    Pang Hemu wasn¡¯t too hopeful, raising an eyebrow dismissively. "What kind of solution?"


    Chen Xiao lowered his voice. "The reason people don¡¯t believe the copper cauldron is an immortal artifact is simply because there¡¯s no solid proof. If the cauldron could be like the immortal¡¯s items, making it obvious from the moment someone sees it that it¡¯s extraordinary and not an ordinary object... do you think these people would start believing?"


    Pang Hemu¡¯s eyes widened, and he looked at Chen Xiao with newfound respect. "I used to think you were just a little clever, but it seems your mind is really sharp." Then, with a resigned tone, he added, "I know that using methods from the immortal world would be ideal. I even foolishly thought of getting those robes you saw. But it¡¯s not something that can be done easily. Even with the connections the Pang family has built over three generations, we can¡¯t just get involved with the immortals. We¡¯d have to rely on the cultivation families in the county."


    As a local businessman in the county, Pang Hemu knew a few cultivators. Through them, he could connect with the City Lord¡¯s Mansion. But those connections were reserved for life-and-death matters concerning the Pang family¡¯s business. Pursuing immortality was his personal hobby¡ªshould he really burn through those hard-earned connections for the sake of the copper cauldron? Pang Hemu hesitated.


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    Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t expected Pang Hemu to have such power behind him. Surprised, he said, "You don¡¯t have to trouble yourself by asking those important people. We can handle it ourselves."


    Now Pang Hemu was intrigued. "Oh?"


    Chen Xiao glanced at the people gathered around Elder Ma, all focused on him. Understanding that they needed privacy, he gestured for Pang Hemu to follow him to another room in the back of the house.


    The layout of this room included a bedroom section, with a screen in the middle to separate the two sides. Pang Hemu sat on a Luohan bed, leaving Chen Xiao to fetch a round stool for himself.


    "Go ahead and explain," said Pang Hemu.


    "In fact, I have mastered a technique called residential arts," Chen Xiao began. "Although Immortal Masters consider this technique to be of little value, it has unique advantages when it comes to channeling vital energy." He then briefly explained to Pang Hemu that residential arts involve using the shape, orientation, and arrangement of furniture within a house to gather vital energy, making the people living in the space feel more comfortable.


    Pang Hemu seemed to grasp the general idea but looked at Chen Xiao with confusion. "And how does this relate to your method?"


    Chen Xiao responded earnestly, "Residential arts can''t be used for cultivation, nor can it defend or attack. But there is one thing: it can definitely be applied here. Vital energy is a kind of power. If the arrangement is done correctly, it can activate the treasure patterns on the bronze cauldron. Whether the energy released by the treasure patterns is strong or weak, it will at least prove that it is no ordinary artifact!"


    Pang Hemu''s eyes began to shine brighter and brighter. By the time Chen Xiao finished speaking, he jumped to his feet, visibly excited. "Excellent! This method is great! We¡¯ll proceed with it!" He took large strides toward Chen Xiao, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder and said solemnly, "If this works, you¡¯ll be a great contributor to Taxue Xunxian Pavilion. I¡¯ll promote you to the third manager of the shop! Not only that, there will be generous rewards!"


    At present, Taxue Xunxian Pavilion had a chief manager, a second manager, and several other shop masters. The chief manager handled daily operations, the second manager took care of the finances, and the shop masters were responsible for sales. These roles were well-defined. The third manager, if appointed, would likely just collect a salary without any actual work to do.


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t care about that. He only felt relieved when Pang Hemu agreed. Originally, his goal was to use the bronze cauldron to subtly reveal his ability to identify ancient artifacts of Immortal Masters. He hadn¡¯t expected things to unfold so quickly. If Pang Hemu couldn¡¯t withstand this united blockade, the reputation of Taxue Xunxian Pavilion would plummet, and other major antique shops might join forces to crush it.


    Chen Xiao was enjoying his time there. He didn¡¯t want to change jobs before leaving. Besides, it would be hard to find another position as high-paying and easygoing as this one. So, this battle was crucial, Taxue Xunxian Pavilion couldn¡¯t afford to lose.


    Moreover, this was a perfect opportunity to subtly showcase his expertise. At this point, no one would question where or when he had learned the residential arts. After all, although it couldn¡¯t be used for cultivation, it was still an auxiliary technique related to Immortal arts.


    Under Pang Hemu¡¯s orders, the workers at Taxue Xunxian Pavilion began following Chen Xiao¡¯s various seemingly strange instructions. They couldn¡¯t understand why the drainage ditch needed to be turned into a hidden channel, with winding, irregular shapes. They also didn¡¯t get why a copper water pipe had to be installed in the shop, with only the lower half visible, showing flowing water.


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t care whether they understood or not; he simply told them to follow his orders. The movements inside the shop couldn¡¯t be hidden from the outside. The boss of Shenghui secretly mocked Pang Hemu, saying he must know he couldn¡¯t keep the business going and was trying to turn the shop into a renovation project.


    Rumors spread quickly, and these words soon reached Pang Hemu¡¯s ears. However, he didn¡¯t get angry. Instead, he invited several prominent shop owners to come to his store in a few days to truly appreciate this Immortal artifact. Everyone knew that the decisive day was approaching.


    While Pang Hemu allowed Chen Xiao to arrange things, he didn¡¯t place all his hopes on him. He spent a substantial amount of money hiring well-respected colleagues from the capital and nearby counties. On the crucial day, if Chen Xiao¡¯s method didn¡¯t work, he would have these experts debate with the other party¡¯s people, making sure the confrontation didn¡¯t result in a loss, at the very least, securing a tie.


    Chen Xiao, however, remained focused on his preparations, ignoring the outside gossip.


    He found a stone basin carved from a single piece of stone¡ªquite rustic and charming. Originally, this basin had contained a miniature landscape with mountains, water, and houses. Chen Xiao removed everything, leaving behind a clean stone basin.


    He placed the basin against one wall of the shop, moving the display shelves in order to make space. The shop¡¯s layout was slightly altered, and the customer area was reduced by a third. Once the stone basin was set, Chen Xiao forbade anyone from touching it. He simply covered it with a cloth.


    A few days later, the boss of Shenghui and several other prominent antique shop owners came to visit. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a fresh, humid atmosphere. They immediately noticed the stone basin placed against the wall.


    The boss of Shenghui was quite surprised, unsure of why Pang Hemu would place such a stone basin in his shop. Curiously, he walked closer to inspect it, followed by several others who were equally puzzled.


    "Mr. Pang really has an elegant taste, even raising fish in the shop," one person remarked.


    The stone basin in front of them resembled a carved inkstone, with uneven edges, almost as though it had been meticulously sculpted. Inside the basin, the water was crystal clear, revealing a few plump, adorable goldfish, their tails swishing as they leisurely swam around. The basin was decorated with water plants and pebbles, creating a simple yet charming scene.

 Chapter 24: The Mysterious Ceremony

    The water wasn¡¯t still; a copper pipe extended from the wall, and a small stream of water flowed through it into the pool. The sound of the water splashing echoed, and the golden fish became even livelier, their fins fluttering as the aquatic plants swayed with the current. There was a hidden outlet at the bottom of the pool where the flowing water silently drained away through a concealed channel, preventing it from ever overflowing.


    Such delicacy and charm were rare sights. Several people paused to watch for a while, only realizing their purpose when someone else entered the room.


    Pang Hemu had no idea how long they¡¯d been standing there. Smiling, Pang Hemu addressed the group, ¡°How do you find the goldfish in this pond?¡±


    The others, embarrassed by their earlier lapse, couldn¡¯t quite figure out Pang Hemu¡¯s intent. Only Sheng Hui, the owner of Sheng¡¯s Antique Shop, gave a half-smile, saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Mr. Pang to indulge in such a refined pastime. I thought you¡¯d be quite busy recently.¡±


    Pang Hemu laughed it off, ¡°No matter how busy, one should always have some leisurely hobbies. Please, come inside. There¡¯s excellent tea and snacks awaiting you in the back garden.¡± His obvious reluctance for them to linger around the pond puzzled the group, but they quickly dismissed it. There were more important matters at hand. If things went as planned, they would have the last laugh at Pang Hemu¡¯s expense.


    Once Pang Hemu and the others entered, and with no one left to admire the stone pool, they felt reassured. He still recalled the words Chen Xiao had spoken when the pond was first set up.


    That day, Chen Xiao had called it a ¡°Feng Shui pond,¡± cautioning him not to move it lightly and to restore it to its original state if absolutely necessary. Chen Xiao¡¯s serious tone had made Pang Hemu listen attentively, a solemnity settling over him.


    Pang Hemu had no idea what a Feng Shui pond was, but Chen Xiao had explained, ¡°Water brings wealth. This pond is designed to attract fortune. The water must flow clearly when it comes and be hidden when it leaves, symbolizing wealth flowing in openly, while the outflow is subtle, ensuring it stays.¡± He then pointed to the lively goldfish swimming in the pool, adding, ¡°With the goldfish, it symbolizes prosperity and abundance. This Feng Shui arrangement is known as the ¡®Golden Jade Prosperity¡¯ setup.¡±


    As the owner of an antique shop, Pang Hemu believed this ¡°Golden Jade Prosperity¡± setup was perfect for his business, but he couldn¡¯t understand how this arrangement would make the bronze tripod show its peculiar qualities.


    Chen Xiao had confidently said, ¡°Once the Feng Shui is in place, it creates its own energy field. When the bronze tripod is placed in the right position, it will activate the energy and reveal the special patterns on the tripod.¡±


    Though the purpose of the bronze tripod remained unclear, Chen Xiao was sure it was no ordinary item. Feng Shui and the tripod¡¯s energy didn¡¯t seem compatible. When these conflicting energy fields collided, it triggered the strange phenomenon that day when Xi Yunqing, from the Chongxuan Sect, fell from the sky, her aura clashing with the one from Fancun causing a disturbance in the air.


    This anomaly, it seemed, was enough to prove the tripod was extraordinary. If the external help Pang Hemu had invited could push things further, it would surely humiliate Sheng Hui and his associates, who would have to avoid Pang Hemu in the future.


    Dressed in the uniform of the shop assistants, Chen Xiao stood with the others, ready to move the bronze tripod as soon as Pang Hemu gave the signal.


    With so many assistants stationed in the yard, even though most of Sheng Hui¡¯s people were present, they dared not mock or provoke Pang Hemu openly.


    Sheng Hui eyed the unfamiliar faces gathered in the area, then sneered. He walked over to Pang Hemu and said, ¡°Mr. Pang, you have quite a number of guests today. Why not introduce them? After all, I¡¯m an old neighbor, and I should play the gracious host.¡±


    Pang Hemu gave a hollow laugh, replying with a forced smile, ¡°Since you mention it, I was just about to introduce these distinguished guests. Come, come, let me introduce Mr. Zhao from Xiangfu Sheng¡¯s in the capital, and Mr. Hong from Jingtai Zhai¡­¡± Pang Hemu proudly introduced the well-known figures from famous antique shops in the capital, some of whom he had invited, while others had come on their own after hearing about the gathering.


    Sheng Hui, unable to stand Pang Hemu¡¯s smugness, pretended to be surprised. ¡°So many esteemed guests? I¡¯m honored. What a coincidence, I¡¯ve brought a few guests myself. I hope Mr. Pang will not mind.¡±


    Pang Hemu¡¯s smile froze. ¡°Of course not! I¡¯m just a humble newcomer, hoping you¡¯ll introduce me to some of these respected individuals.¡±


    Sheng Hui then walked forward, proudly introducing several people who stepped out from the crowd. Their names were just as impressive as those introduced by Pang Hemu. Pang Hemu¡¯s face turned pale, and he struggled to keep his composure, barely stopping himself from dropping his smile.


    He hadn¡¯t expected Sheng Hui to bring so many external guests. Now, he wasn¡¯t sure if he could keep up with Sheng Hui in terms of influence. After all, most of the local collectors in the county were aligned with Sheng Hui, leaving Pang Hemu feeling outnumbered.


    Frustrated and regretting that he had spent too much time focusing on Chen Xiao¡¯s Feng Shui arrangements instead of gathering more support, Pang Hemu stood frozen. Sheng Hui, however, didn¡¯t miss the opportunity. Completely disregarding the tension between the two sides, he bypassed Pang Hemu and led his group to speak with the others.


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    Though some of the groups had arrived at different times, they were all from the same city. The difference in invited guests didn¡¯t prevent them from interacting. Those who knew each other struck up conversations, introducing others they had just met. As collectors from across the region, this rare opportunity to gather together sparked lively exchanges and friendly discussions. The competitive, tense atmosphere that was supposed to dominate the event soon gave way to camaraderie.


    Chen Xiao immediately sensed that the situation was turning unfavorable. Boss Sheng¡¯s maneuver was ruthless by stirring things up like this, the gathering had shifted in nature. Regardless of their original intent, the local collectors would never risk souring their relationships over an outsider like Pang Hemu. As a result, the tension between the two sides had diminished, and with it, Pang Hemu¡¯s advantage. His side had effectively lost a significant portion of its momentum.


    Pang Hemu wasn¡¯t foolish; he quickly understood Sheng Hui¡¯s malicious intent. However, since the two factions were already engaged in conversation, he couldn¡¯t just step in and separate them, nor could he bluntly declare their opposition. That would be far too rude and disrespectful.


    Chen Xiao glanced at the time and decisively stepped forward, murmuring to Pang Hemu, ¡°Master, if we don¡¯t start now, we¡¯ll miss the right moment.¡±


    Only then did Pang Hemu snap out of his thoughts. At this point, he could only rely on Chen Xiao¡¯s plan and hope it worked. Raising his voice, he called out, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen¡ª¡±


    As the crowd¡¯s attention turned to him, he clasped his hands in greeting. ¡°I sincerely appreciate all of you taking the time to visit my humble establishment and witness this grand occasion. Today, we have gathered to observe a rare and precious treasure¡ªthe bronze tripod. The daylight is at its best, making this the perfect time for a close inspection.¡±


    Someone in the crowd immediately shouted, ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting long enough!¡±


    The one who spoke wasn¡¯t a planted supporter but a genuine collector who had previously been denied a viewing of the tripod. Hearing this, Pang Hemu¡¯s expression brightened slightly. Smiling, he responded, ¡°Then, without further delay, let us present the Hundred Beasts Floral Treasure Bronze Tripod. Please, take your time to examine it.¡±


    Chen Xiao, along with a few other shop assistants, entered the storage room and carefully carried out the bronze tripod. The crowd stirred slightly, but everyone remained composed. No one rushed forward; they all waited for the assistants to place the tripod down before stepping closer.


    Unexpectedly, Chen Xiao and the others didn¡¯t set the tripod down immediately. Instead, they began moving around the courtyard, taking deliberate and measured steps. Their slow, careful movements left the onlookers restless.


    ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? Are they stalling on purpose?¡± Boss Sheng remarked loudly, his words inciting murmurs and complaints from the crowd.


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s with all the theatrics?¡±


    ¡°Is there something wrong with the tripod?¡±


    ¡°Are they just trying to buy time?¡±


    Chen Xiao was merely following the prearranged plan, ensuring that they moved in specific patterns. When he had agreed to this method earlier, he hadn¡¯t anticipated such a tense atmosphere.


    Pang Hemu, seeing the rising agitation, knew he couldn¡¯t let the crowd¡¯s frustration grow. If Sheng Hui succeeded in riling them up, they might interrupt the ceremony before it was completed, leading to a complete failure.


    Stepping forward, Pang Hemu laughed and said, ¡°Patience, everyone! We all know this bronze tripod is an ancient artifact with ties to immortals. It cannot simply be placed out in the open without due respect. This ritual is a sign of reverence.¡±


    Someone near Boss Sheng scoffed, ¡°We don¡¯t even know if it truly has any connection to immortals, yet here they are making such a grand show of it. If it turns out to be nothing special, won¡¯t that be embarrassing?¡±


    Pang Hemu¡¯s temples throbbed, but he forced a smile. ¡°It won¡¯t take long. I ask for just a moment of your patience.¡±


    Not everyone sided with Sheng Hui. Some long-time collectors and antique enthusiasts were willing to trust Pang Hemu. They reassured him that they didn¡¯t mind waiting, which allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Meanwhile, a few seasoned collectors who had been invited couldn¡¯t take their eyes off the bronze tripod. Their fascination overrode their impatience. Though they didn¡¯t disrupt Chen Xiao and the others, they couldn¡¯t help but discuss the intricate patterns on the tripod from a respectful distance.


    Despite the earlier tension, the two factions had not directly clashed. Even when their opinions differed, they maintained a veneer of civility.


    Pang Hemu had deliberately refrained from mentioning the crucial clue Chen Xiao had provided. He feared that if he revealed he was relying on the insight of a mere shop assistant, these experienced collectors might question his judgment instead. If they dismissed Chen Xiao outright, it would only work against him.


    Because of this, while the experts acknowledged the uniqueness of the tripod¡¯s ornate design, they hesitated to confirm its authenticity. Their cautious conclusions left Pang Hemu feeling disheartened, while Sheng Hui grew even more smug.


    The only reason Pang Hemu placed his trust in Chen Xiao was due to their previous conversation. Learning that Chen Xiao had witnessed an immortal sect¡¯s disciple selection firsthand and had even spoken with an immortal master gave Pang Hemu confidence in his knowledge.


    At this point, Pang Hemu had no choice but to place all his hopes on Chen Xiao¡¯s method. Inwardly, he prayed that it would work.


    Chen Xiao had no time to concern himself with the crowd¡¯s reactions. He and the other assistants struggled forward, each step feeling heavier than the last. He had anticipated some resistance from the tripod clashing with the shop¡¯s Feng Shui arrangement, but he hadn¡¯t expected it to be this intense.


    As they moved, they felt an unseen force pushing back, as though they were wading through deep mud. Every step drained their strength.


    Though it was only May, the assistants were dressed in light clothing. Yet sweat poured from their foreheads, soaking their jade-green uniforms, leaving dark patches that were starkly visible and deeply unsettling to onlookers.


    Finally, someone in the crowd murmured, ¡°The tripod isn¡¯t that heavy, is it?¡±


    Just then, an inexplicable gust of wind swept through the courtyard, sending a hush over the gathering. All eyes were on Chen Xiao and his team as they took the final step, finally reaching their designated position. The assistants, exhausted, carefully began to lower the tripod.


    However, their arms had long since given out. At the last moment, their wrists went weak, and they lost their grip.


    ¡°Boom!!¡±


    A deep, resonant crash echoed through the courtyard. The sheer force of impact sent people staggering backward, some even tumbling to the ground like rolling gourds.

 Chapter 25: A Treasure Brings Trouble

    The bronze cauldron crashed to the ground, sending a powerful shockwave rippling through the courtyard, as if a massive hammer had struck everyone squarely in the chest. A violent gust of force erupted from the cauldron, sweeping through the crowd. The onlookers were instantly thrown into the air, hurtling backward and slamming into the walls before collapsing in a heap at the corners of the courtyard.


    Chen Xiao, caught off guard like the rest of the workers, was also sent flying by the shockwave. Fortunately, their landing was cushioned by the pile of bodies behind them. Whether they hit the wall or the ground, the impact was softened enough that they remained unscathed.


    Those who had stood closer to the cauldron or at the very edges of the courtyard weren¡¯t as lucky. Some were crushed, others struck by debris, and many sustained injuries from the violent collisions.


    After that single eruption, the bronze cauldron fell silent, standing motionless in the center of the courtyard. The intricate patterns of the treasure shimmered faintly, as if still imbued with residual power. Upon closer inspection, one would notice a subtle tremor running through it, accompanied by an inaudible hum.


    Chen Xiao, regaining his breath, worried there might be another outburst. Ignoring the pain in his body, he scrambled to his feet and rushed toward the cauldron. Seeing that it had calmed, he finally let out a sigh of relief.


    The courtyard was a mess, injured people groaned in pain, scattered across the ground like fallen leaves. Guilt welled up in Chen Xiao¡¯s heart at the sight. It was his fault. He had underestimated this world and recklessly applied his past experiences, failing to recognize the sheer power of the cauldron. He had been too careless, and now innocent people had suffered for it.


    But he didn¡¯t dwell on his guilt for long. The immediate priority was to help the injured. The few who were lightly wounded, though shaken, stood frozen in shock. Chen Xiao quickly took charge, directing them to help the fallen, checking their injuries. He also ordered the unscathed workers to fetch a doctor from the nearest clinic.


    Pulling Pang Hemu out from the pile of bodies, Chen Xiao asked, "Boss, are you all right?"


    Pang Hemu looked utterly dazed, his expression blank as if he had yet to process what had just happened. He stared at Chen Xiao for a long moment before his senses returned. "Xiao Han... what happened?"


    Glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, Chen Xiao lowered his voice. "It was my mistake. I didn¡¯t anticipate the cauldron¡¯s energy field being so strong. The clash between opposing forces triggered this disaster."


    Pang Hemu stared at him in disbelief. "That explosion... it was caused by the Treasure-Patterned Bronze Cauldron?"


    Chen Xiao gave him an apologetic nod. To his surprise, Pang Hemu wasn¡¯t angry. Instead, his eyes widened with excitement, his expression shifting from shock to utter elation. "This is real! It¡¯s a real immortal artifact! A genuine relic from the immortals!"


    His voice grew louder and louder until he finally shouted, "A true immortal artifact¡ªthis is an absolute treasure!"


    Those who had been groaning moments ago suddenly forgot their pain. In an instant, they scrambled to their feet and crowded around Pang Hemu.


    "What did you just say?" someone asked, skeptical. "You¡¯re saying the cauldron did this?"


    "Are you blind? Didn¡¯t you see the shockwave blast everyone away just now?" another retorted. "This is definitely an immortal relic¡ªno, a sacred treasure! A genuine magical artifact!"


    "An immortal artifact!" gasped an elderly man. "It¡¯s real! It truly exists! What an honor to witness such a treasure in my lifetime!"


    Though some had been injured, none were gravely hurt. But at this moment, no one cared about their minor wounds. The reality of what they had witnessed¡ªthe cauldron unleashing an immense power¡ªhad them all trembling with excitement.


    "It¡¯s really true..." murmured Sheng Hui in disbelief. He stood there, disheveled, one hand gripping his fractured arm, his face pale with shock. He didn¡¯t want to believe it.


    Had this happened earlier, he might have been able to argue, to twist the truth and convince people that Pang Hemu had faked the cauldron¡¯s power to deceive them. But now? No amount of silver tongue could overturn what so many had witnessed firsthand.


    The moment the Hundred Beasts Treasure-Patterned Cauldron had displayed its might, Sheng Hui knew he had lost. Regardless of whether it was truly an immortal artifact, Pang Hemu¡¯s shop was destined to rise to fame.


    In an attempt to counteract Pang Hemu¡¯s influence, Sheng Hui had colluded with other shops, spreading rumors to discredit him. He had hoped to use the debate to boost his own reputation instead. But now, his plans had backfired spectacularly. The cauldron¡¯s display of power would soon spread far and wide, becoming legend. Meanwhile, he, Sheng Hui, would forever be remembered as the petty schemer who had tried and failed to defame Pang Hemu.


    What a complete and utter disaster.


    As the crowd swarmed around the cauldron, marveling at its grandeur, a voice rang out from above: "Who was fighting here just now?"


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    Heads turned skyward, and gasps of astonishment rippled through the gathering. "An Immortal Master!"


    A middle-aged man, clad in a tight-fitting robe, his hair and beard streaked with gray, descended slowly from the sky. His sharp gaze swept over the courtyard as he repeated his question. "Who was engaged in battle here? Does anyone know?"


    The crowd fell into a hushed confusion. No one understood what the Immortal Master meant.


    Recognizing the man, Pang Hemu quickly stepped forward. As the owner of the shop, he took the initiative to greet him. "May I ask, esteemed Immortal Master, are you from the City Lord¡¯s residence?"


    The man¡¯s eyes flickered toward him. "Indeed. Are you the owner of this place?"


    Sweat trickled down Pang Hemu¡¯s palm. Though he had always dreamed of interacting with Immortal Masters, those who resided within the city were powerful figures in their own right. One could not afford to slight them.


    Bowing respectfully, Pang Hemu answered, "Yes, I am the owner. My name is Pang Hemu."


    The Immortal Master let out a faint "hmm" before asking, "Do you know the cause of the disturbance just now? Did you see who was responsible?"


    Pang Hemu¡¯s expression flickered momentarily. It dawned on him that this Immortal Master had been drawn here by the cauldron¡¯s outburst. He hurriedly recounted what had happened.


    A glint of surprise flashed in the Immortal Master¡¯s eyes. "I see. The City Lord sensed the disturbance from his garden and feared someone had violated the laws by engaging in combat within the city. He is currently entertaining guests and was most displeased by the disruption. He ordered me to investigate and apprehend the culprit."


    Upon hearing that this matter had alarmed the city lord, Pang Hemu''s legs instantly went weak. Although the city lord rarely intervened in affairs, he was an absolute authority in the county city. If he ever took a disliking to the Pang family, just a mere flick of his fingers could spell their doom.


    Just as Pang Hemu was filled with fear, the middle-aged man strode forward. Seeing him approach, the surrounding crowd hurriedly stepped aside, revealing the bronze cauldron in the center.


    Among the crowd, the unassuming Chen Xiao secretly observed this Immortal Master with curiosity. This was the fourth Immortal Master he had encountered since arriving here, and he was noticeably different from the three from the Chongxuan Sect. First of all, he was older¡ªnot only were his hair and beard graying, but even the corners of his eyes and lips bore fine wrinkles.


    Chen Xiao had no way of determining this man''s cultivation level, but he was certain that he was not as powerful as Xi Yunqing. At best, he was comparable to the other two disciples from the Chongxuan Sect. He based this judgment purely on the aura the man exuded, though he knew his assessment might not be entirely accurate.


    The middle-aged man glanced at the bronze cauldron and remarked, "So it''s an alchemy cauldron, a mid-grade one, no less. A rare find indeed." With that, he circled around it, carefully examining the intricate treasure patterns adorning its surface. After his inspection, a look of regret flashed across his face. "The formation lines on this cauldron have already been severed. It can no longer be used."


    Then, he turned to Pang Hemu and asked, "Is this cauldron yours?"


    Pang Hemu, trembling with fear, hastily replied, "I acquired this from a descendant of the Zheng Kingdom''s royal family. It was said to have been passed down from his ancestors. Its provenance is clear and without fabrication. Please, Immortal Master, see for yourself."


    The middle-aged man shook his head. "I am not questioning its origins. This cauldron, though now merely an ornament, is made of rare materials. If word of it spreads, encountering righteous cultivators might not be too dangerous they may simply negotiate a fair trade with you. But should it catch the eye of those with darker intentions, they could easily kill you to seize it."


    Cold sweat broke out all over Pang Hemu''s body. Trembling, he fell to his knees before the Immortal Master. "Immortal Master, what should I do? Please, guide me!"


    The middle-aged man sighed. "Keeping this cauldron will only bring disaster upon you. I will give you some spirit pearls in exchange for it." With that, he retrieved a small pouch, took out a portion of spirit pearls, and tucked the rest away before tossing the pouch to Pang Hemu. Then, with effortless ease, he lifted the cauldron by its ear and gracefully ascended into the air, vanishing in an instant.


    Pang Hemu could only watch helplessly as the city lord''s offering master took the cauldron away. Though he had received a generous payment, he still felt an unbearable sense of loss. He sighed in resignation. The Immortal Master was right keeping the cauldron might have brought him great fame, but it would have been a curse rather than a blessing. The saying "a treasured item invites calamity" could not have been more fitting.


    Pang Hemu was not someone who couldn''t distinguish between fortune and misfortune. No matter how reluctant or sorrowful he felt, he could only accept the outcome. Perhaps it was simply fate that he and the cauldron were not meant to be.


    The onlookers also witnessed the cauldron being taken away, but unlike Pang Hemu, they were not disheartened. Instead, they found the unfolding events even more extraordinary. They had seen a relic from the Immortal world exhibit strange phenomena, which in turn had drawn the attention of a real cultivator. In the end, that cultivator had not only acknowledged the cauldron¡¯s value but had also compensated Pang Hemu handsomely before taking it away. No matter how one looked at it, this was a tale worthy of being passed down through the generations.


    As they discussed the event excitedly, the people in the courtyard also received treatment from the physicians who had arrived. Soon, the legendary story spread from Taxue Xunxian Pavilion to the entire antique street, leaving those who had missed the spectacle filled with regret.


    As the attendees of the appraisal gathering returned to their hometowns, the tale would undoubtedly ripple across the entire Dai Kingdom. Both Pang Hemu and Taxue Xunxian Pavilion would gain widespread fame from this.


    In stark contrast, no one noticed the silent departure of Shopkeeper Sheng. Once one of the central figures of the day¡¯s events, he had now faded into complete obscurity, reduced to nothing more than a forgotten background character.


    Meanwhile, the middle-aged man who had taken the cauldron returned to the city lord¡¯s side, reporting the details of the incident and how he had handled it.


    The city lord was quite satisfied. After dismissing the man, he turned to his esteemed guest of the day, the Chongxuan Sect¡¯s esteemed Golden Core cultivator, Xi Yunqing, and said with a smile, "Artifacts imbued with formation lines like these must never be left in the hands of mortals. Just look at today¡¯s incident somehow, it was accidentally activated. Fortunately, no one lost their life."


    Seated nearby, Xi Yunqing picked up a cup of fragrant spirit wine and lightly wetted her lips. She mused to herself, ''So, that person mentioned that Taxue Xunxian Pavilion was located here¡­''

 Chapter 26: Pang Hemu Encounters an Immortal

    Three days had passed, yet the heated discussions surrounding the bronze cauldron had not died down. However, inside Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, things had already settled, and the shopkeeper, master craftsmen, and clerks had all resumed their daily work.


    Only after his heartache subsided did Pang Hemu remember to pay attention to other matters. The head shopkeeper quietly informed him that, for some unknown reason, all the goldfish in the Feng Shui pond had died, and the water had splashed out, leaving a large area of the shop floor wet.


    Amidst the earlier chaos, the head shopkeeper had the presence of mind to act swiftly, disposing of the dead fish and cleaning up the water immediately. He suspected that the owner might have secretly tampered with the cauldron, so he took care of the aftermath to prevent any further trouble.


    Upon hearing this, Pang Hemu instructed the head shopkeeper to keep the matter to himself. Then, he turned and went straight to find Chen Xiao.


    This incident showed him Chen Xiao¡¯s true abilities. Any lingering sense of superiority he once held vanished entirely. He no longer saw Chen Xiao as just another lowly clerk under his management but as someone truly extraordinary.


    Keeping his promise, Pang Hemu promoted Chen Xiao to Third Shopkeeper, allowing him to come and go as he pleased. He wasn¡¯t assigned any specific duties, he could sell from any shelf in the store at will.


    Besides the promotion, Pang Hemu also fulfilled his promise of a generous reward. The heavy pouch of gold coins was more than enough for Chen Xiao to live comfortably without working for the rest of his life.


    For anyone else, such a lavish reward would have been overwhelming, enough to inspire undying loyalty. Yet, Chen Xiao accepted it with remarkable calmness. Pang Hemu was both astonished and unsurprised, after all, if he possessed such extraordinary skills himself, he too wouldn¡¯t be concerned with mere wealth. The future held boundless possibilities for Chen Xiao. A premonition told him that this young man wouldn¡¯t stay in his shop for much longer.


    To show his respect and sincerity, Pang Hemu invited Chen Xiao to sit on the luohan bed in the living quarters of the main shop. Chen Xiao had changed out of his uniformed work attire, now dressed in a deep green silk robe. The saying "clothes make the man" proved true, his refined appearance and demeanor had undergone a complete transformation.


    After offering tea, Pang Hemu politely asked, ¡°Why did all the goldfish in the pond die? Does it have something to do with the activation of the bronze cauldron that day?¡±


    Chen Xiao nodded. ¡°Yes. The cauldron¡¯s energy was too domineering, and the store¡¯s Feng Shui field couldn¡¯t withstand its force. The goldfish died as a result. They served as the Feng Shui anchor for the ¡®Gold and Jade Abundance Formation.¡¯ Unless they die naturally, their sudden death signifies a disruption in the shop¡¯s Feng Shui.¡±


    Pang Hemu¡¯s expression subtly changed. Having personally experienced the impact, he couldn¡¯t ignore the power of Feng Shui any longer. If the store¡¯s Feng Shui could react to an immortal¡¯s relic, even if it failed to resist, it still proved its effectiveness. That meant Chen Xiao¡¯s claims about attracting wealth weren¡¯t just empty words.


    As a seasoned merchant, Pang Hemu naturally valued any method that could help him amass fortune. Without hesitation, he asked, ¡°What should be done about it?¡±


    Chen Xiao replied, ¡°This time, it was a direct clash of energy fields. Now that the cauldron is gone, the dispersed energy will quickly realign. I¡¯ve already added new goldfish to stabilize the Feng Shui field. The ¡®Gold and Jade Abundance Formation¡¯ remains intact, so you needn¡¯t worry. In the future, if you notice anything unusual, I can make the necessary adjustments.¡±


    This was precisely why powerful figures valued Feng Shui masters so highly. Feng Shui and fortune were constantly shifting, nothing remained unchanged forever. As the saying goes, ¡®thirty years east of the river, thirty years west,¡¯ illustrating the cyclical nature of fate.


    Whenever an issue arose, a Feng Shui master was needed to make corrections. Thus, maintaining good relations with a skilled master was a priority for many influential people.


    Pang Hemu nodded. ¡°With you here, I feel reassured.¡± In truth, his regard for Chen Xiao deepened even further.


    After some thought, he continued, ¡°That day, the energy turbulence was intense, and many people were injured. If we ever acquire another immortal artifact in the future, how should we handle such a situation? No matter how much money I have, if I have to keep paying for injuries, it will become unsustainable.¡±


    While encountering an immortal¡¯s artifact was exhilarating, the injuries it caused were certainly not. Fortunately, the physicians had arrived quickly that day, providing proper treatment, and each injured person received compensation. Thanks to this, no serious disputes arose.


    But Pang Hemu was overthinking things. The likelihood of him stumbling upon another immortal relic in his lifetime was slim. Even if an object with strong energy fields entered the shop, it wouldn¡¯t necessarily disrupt the store¡¯s Feng Shui so easily. Otherwise, specialized Feng Shui shops in his past life wouldn¡¯t have been able to operate at all.


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    Chen Xiao chuckled and said, ¡°You needn¡¯t worry. The dramatic reaction that day occurred because I approached the cauldron using a specific sequence of steps, essentially provoking and stimulating it. That¡¯s why the store¡¯s Feng Shui reacted so strongly.¡±


    Pang Hemu was astonished. ¡°Feng Shui can truly distinguish between provocation and normal presence?¡±


    Chen Xiao confidently said, "Exactly. Once the shop''s energy field forms, everything within it falls under its domain. The pond acts as the formation¡¯s core, and the bronze cauldron posed a threat to its existence, how could it not resist?" After a brief pause, he added, "If the cauldron had been moved into the shop under normal circumstances and placed anywhere but the formation''s core, nothing would have happened. Even if a powerful energy field were introduced, at most, there would be minor turbulence, perhaps a small gust of wind, but nothing anyone would notice as unusual."


    Pang Hemu sighed in amazement. "Truly, there¡¯s no end to wonders. This is an eye-opener for me."


    It had been a long time since Chen Xiao had a proper discussion about feng shui with someone, so he couldn¡¯t help but elaborate further. "And that¡¯s not all. Both the cauldron and the shop¡¯s energy field are imbued with righteous, yang energy. But if an object carrying yin or malevolent energy were introduced, the reaction would be even more interesting. Opposing forces would cancel each other out, competing to see which one could outlast the other."


    Pang Hemu immediately grasped the implication. "So, if someone harbored ill intentions, they could sneak an object filled with yin or malevolent energy into my shop, disrupting my feng shui and directly ruining my fortune?"


    The world was full of intelligent people. Chen Xiao had merely made a passing remark, and Pang Hemu had already deduced one of the more insidious ways feng shui could be exploited. Chen Xiao hesitated for a moment before nodding. "It¡¯s not impossible."


    Pang Hemu¡¯s expression turned anxious. "This time, Boss Sheng¡¯s scheme failed. But what if he tries this method next? No one can keep an eye on the pond every second, even lions take naps!"


    Chen Xiao chuckled. "If he really managed to obtain such an artifact, it would have to be an immortal relic, something on par with the bronze cauldron, to be effective. If he¡¯s actually willing to sacrifice such a treasure just to sabotage you, I¡¯d have to admire his resolve."


    Pang Hemu thought about it and burst into laughter. Just as the two were chatting, a shop assistant came rushing in, looking flustered. After glancing at Chen Xiao, he turned to Pang Hemu and urgently said, "Master! The fish pond in the shop, it¡¯s shaking again! You need to come see this!"


    Even though Pang Hemu hadn¡¯t said anything outright, everyone in the shop had sharp eyes, especially since they had personally helped arrange the setup. They all knew that the bronze cauldron, the underground channels, the copper pipes, and the pond were somehow connected. Though they kept quiet, their hearts were filled with awe toward these mysterious forces¡ªand toward Chen Xiao as well. The proof was clear: aside from Pang Hemu, who insisted on familiarity, no one else in the shop called him by his childhood nickname anymore.


    No sooner had Chen Xiao finished speaking than another incident occurred, leaving him feeling as if he had been slapped in the face. He stood up, but before he could react, Pang Hemu, who now saw the feng shui pond as a treasure second only to the bronze cauldron, was already more anxious than him. He leaped to his feet and dashed out of the main hall. "What?! Who dares touch my golden¡­ my goldfish pond?!"


    For someone with a slightly chubby build, Pang Hemu somehow managed to sprint at the speed of a professional athlete. Even though Chen Xiao was worried as well, he couldn''t help but marvel at how physically impressive the people in this world were.


    Chen Xiao followed a step behind and reached the front hall, where Pang Hemu was circling the pond anxiously. As soon as he saw Chen Xiao, he waved him over. "Xiao Han! Come check this out, what¡¯s going on?!"


    The pond trembled like a water glass at the onset of an earthquake, sending ripples across the surface. The goldfish that Chen Xiao had placed inside not long ago were now flailing wildly, thrashing like fish hauled up in a net during a bountiful harvest. Their frantic struggle made it seem as if some great disaster was imminent, as if they were desperately trying to escape to survive.


    Chen Xiao frowned in thought, then suddenly turned his gaze outward. His heart clenched. Without hesitation, he strode out of the shop.


    In the distance, at the end of Antique Street, a figure approached. Dressed differently from before, he wore a deep indigo robe, wide-sleeved and flowing. His steps seemed unhurried, yet in the blink of an eye, he had already reached the entrance of Taxue Xunxian Pavilion. His speed was so astonishing that none of the people on the street even noticed someone passing by.


    Chen Xiao was struck speechless, frozen in place.


    Pang Hemu, seeing him rush out, hesitated before following. As soon as he stepped out of the shop, his gaze landed on the extraordinary-looking man standing before them. The sheer pressure emanating from the stranger made Pang Hemu instinctively avert his eyes after just one glance. But then, a delayed realization hit him, and he quickly stole another look at the man¡¯s robe.


    The embroidered patterns along the robe¡¯s edges¡­ why did they look so familiar?


    They were almost identical to the "Treasure Pattern" found on the bronze cauldron that had been taken away just a few days ago! The imprint that Master Qi had made from the cauldron had been the last proof of Pang Hemu''s possession of an immortal artifact. He had stared at it just last night for a long time, there was no way he could be mistaken.


    At that moment, Chen Xiao¡¯s earlier words replayed in his mind. The "Treasure Pattern" was closely tied to the immortals. And someone wearing such a robe¡­ there was no doubt.


    This man was an Immortal Master.


    Pang Hemu¡¯s breath caught in his throat. Just three days ago, they had seen off one Immortal Master, and now, another one had arrived. For an ordinary merchant, encountering an immortal was something he could hardly dream of. But the reality of it? Having faced near devastation just from meeting the last one, his reaction was more fear than excitement.


    He nervously mustered the courage to look up again, carefully studying the young man''s face. His features were strikingly youthful, his demeanor otherworldly, completely untouched by the mundane world. Compared to the cultivators in the county city, he was in an entirely different realm.


    For the first time, Pang Hemu felt like the elusive true Immortals he had spent his life yearning for had suddenly appeared before his eyes. It was a feeling of overwhelming joy and disbelief, so intense that it almost didn¡¯t seem real.

 Chapter 27: Unparalleled Thick Skin

    "Xi..." As soon as Chen Xiao spoke, he was startled by his own voice. His vocal cords tightened from the sudden shock, making his voice hoarse. After barely uttering a syllable, he immediately shut his mouth. Feeling a bit embarrassed by his lack of composure, he cleared his throat before speaking again. "Immortal Master Xi, it is an honor to see you again."


    Xi Yunqing gave a slight nod, his deep and powerful voice resonating as he said, "No need for formalities."


    Pang Hemu was trembling with excitement, nearly fainting. He stammered incoherently, "Xiao Han... Ah? This... this person, could it be the one you mentioned before...?"


    His words were so fragmented that no one could understand them, except for Chen Xiao. He completely grasped Pang Hemu¡¯s nervousness and bewilderment because, at this moment, he himself had no idea why this person had suddenly appeared here.


    Maintaining a respectful demeanor, Chen Xiao bowed slightly to Xi Yunqing. He speculated that he had come so discreetly to avoid drawing attention with grand ceremonies. When he met his calm gaze, he felt reassured that his guess was correct. With a deep breath, he spoke in a clear but quiet voice, "Immortal Master Xi, may I invite you inside for a discussion?"


    Xi Yunqing said nothing, simply stepping past the two of them and walking into Taxue Xunxian Pavilion.


    Chen Xiao tugged at Pang Hemu, and the two of them quickly followed inside.


    The incident with the goldfish in the pond earlier had drawn everyone''s attention. Seeing both the owner and Chen Xiao rush outside, the shop staff had crowded by the entrance as well. They had all heard how Chen Xiao addressed him, and before Xi Yunqing stepped inside, they hurriedly stepped aside, not daring to block his path.


    The senior shopkeeper, along with the other clerks and apprentices, were visibly tense, but their emotions were more of awe than sheer fanaticism. Unlike Pang Hemu, who was overly enthusiastic about cultivators, they simply stood respectfully in their positions.


    The moment they entered, the uniquely shaped pond came into view. Chen Xiao immediately noticed that the goldfish inside were exhausted from their frantic struggles, some already floating belly-up. A deep sense of guilt welled up inside him. If he had known this esteemed guest would visit today, he would never have left those small creatures to suffer here.


    Feng Shui objects were incredibly sensitive, any sudden changes affected them first. Even though Xi Yunqing himself had no ill intent, the sheer presence of his dragon vein energy was something no small shop''s Feng Shui fish could withstand. The overwhelming pressure had nearly scared them to death.


    Quickly, he called over a clerk at the door and whispered for him to fish the goldfish out and place them in a basin of water.


    Pang Hemu, meanwhile, had completely forgotten that he was the owner of the shop. He merely trailed behind Xi Yunqing, as if unwilling to miss a single word from his. Seeing this, Chen Xiao sighed helplessly and stepped forward on his behalf.


    Otherwise, with the entire shop standing there like wooden stakes and only Xi Yunqing being left unattended, he couldn¡¯t tell if he would take offense.


    After all, he still remembered that the last time he got angry, the Fan family patriarch ended up cursed with misfortune. He had no desire to be plagued with bad luck for the next decade, so he had no choice but to play the role of host for this unexpected guest.


    "Immortal Master Xi, may I ask what brings you to our humble shop today?" Chen Xiao inquired cautiously.


    Xi Yunqing¡¯s eyes swept over the store. When his gaze landed on the water¡¯s surface, still rippling unnaturally, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. However, the emotion vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and the obsidian-like depths of his eyes soon regained their usual calm, making it seem as if the moment of surprise had been an illusion.


    "I heard the other day that you mastered the art of Feng Shui here at Taxue Xunxian," Xi Yunqing said, his voice carrying a precise and refined articulation. "Upon learning that you were in the county city, I was suddenly moved to come and see for myself."


    His enunciation was impeccable, the most eloquent and formal court speech Chen Xiao had ever heard in this world. However, it was vastly different from the way he had spoken back in Fan Village.


    In the Dai Kingdom, the common way to refer to oneself was simply "I." "This humble one" was a more refined alternative, while a rougher or more self-deprecating term was "this boy," which he used when he was just a shop apprentice. But using "Yu" to refer to oneself was extremely uncommon here.


    Fortunately, Chen Xiao had spent his childhood reading countless ancient texts. Otherwise, he might have struggled to immediately understand what he meant.


    In plain terms, he was saying: The other day, I heard that you had self-taught Feng Shui techniques at Taxue Xunxian Pavilion. Upon learning that you were in the county city, I was suddenly inspired to visit.


    In the Dai Kingdom, those without cultivation talent generally had low levels of education. Even Pang Hemu was struggling to keep up with his speech, while the other employees¡¯ eyes were practically spinning. Simply understanding his words was already an achievement¡ªChen Xiao had no intention of responding in the same archaic style.


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    He simply replied in a straightforward manner, "I appreciate that you still remember."


    Xi Yunqing continued, "I have observed that your mastery of Feng Shui is remarkable. If you continue to persist, your achievements will be extraordinary. By refining your mind and honing your temperament, you may attain a path not inferior to that of cultivation."


    Chen Xiao was startled.


    His meaning was clear, he was saying that his Feng Shui techniques were already quite accomplished. If he persisted, he would have an extraordinary future ahead. He also advised him to cultivate his temperament and refine his mind, as his future achievements might not be any less than those of a cultivator.


    Clearly, he was unaware of his unique physique and had no idea that he could establish an entirely new cultivation system. Yet, despite lacking knowledge of Feng Shui himself he had managed to make such a precise assessment after only two encounters. This genuinely surprised him.


    It was becoming clear that Xi Yunqing was not as aloof and indifferent as he appeared. He was, in fact, an extremely perceptive and insightful observer.


    After all, in this world, cultivation reigned supreme. Everyone prioritized it above all else, and auxiliary abilities were rarely considered valuable. Zhao Fang of the Chongxuan Sect, for instance, dismissed Feng Shui as a trivial and insignificant craft, never bothering to acknowledge its true potential.


    As a cultivator, it was rare and remarkable for someone to set aside prejudice and truly reflect on matters. The fact that he could lower himself to personally make this trip and speak to Chen Xiao, someone he had only met once, showed that beyond those qualities, he also deeply valued talent.


    At this moment, Chen Xiao genuinely felt a sense of admiration for Xi Yunting. The man, who had left such a striking impression as a humanoid dragon vein, suddenly seemed more real.


    At the same time, Chen Xiao couldn''t help but feel a hint of regret. Xi Yunting possessed qualities that made him worthy of befriending, but their identities were worlds apart, and they lived in completely different spheres. He had neither the opportunity nor the qualification to forge a friendship with him. Pushing aside his disappointment, Chen Xiao sincerely said, "Thank you for your kind advice."


    Xi Yunting''s lips curved slightly in what could be considered a mild smile. Then his expression returned to calm, and after scanning the shop one more time without finding anything of interest, he tilted his head in a subtle gesture toward Chen Xiao, he was about to leave.


    Their conversation had been completely incomprehensible to the others, leaving Pang Hemu in a state of growing anxiety. Seeing that the Immortal Master had finished speaking and looked ready to leave, Pang Hemu panicked. It was a rare opportunity to be in the same room as a true Immortal Sect master, how could he let him leave without even exchanging a word?


    In his desperation, Pang Hemu blurted out, "Immortal Master, please take a look at the antiques in my shop! We have a wide selection, everything you could possibly want. Even rare immortal relics, things you won''t find anywhere else!"


    The moment the words left his mouth, Pang Hemu regretted it so much that he wanted to bite off his own tongue.


    The nearby senior shopkeepers were also left speechless, staring at him in shock. This kind of sales pitch might work on ordinary customers, but claiming to have "immortal relics" in front of a true cultivator? Unless it was something as rare as an ancient bronze cauldron, nothing in the eyes of an immortal would be worthy of the title. Their shop mostly had jade belts and ceremonial vessels, if they actually presented everyday items left behind by past cultivators, it would be nothing short of a joke!


    Pang Hemu was mortified, wishing he could find a crack in the floor and crawl into it. To have embarrassed himself so thoroughly in front of the Immortal Master he had admired for so long, he might as well be dead.


    Seeing how well his employer had treated him, Chen Xiao decided to step in and smooth things over. He said, "Yes, the items in our shop are all authentic antiques, fairly priced and genuine. As for¡­ immortal relics, we do have some. I assure you, they are artifacts passed down from ancient cultivators."


    Pang Hemu shot him a look of pure gratitude, while the others gawked at him as if he had gone mad.


    The head shopkeeper, however, suddenly felt that Pang Hemu¡¯s decision to value and promote Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t been in vain. No matter the reason, at least Chen Xiao had the audacity to stand by his employer in a crucial moment. That kind of thick-skinned boldness was something few could match.


    Xi Yunting paused, gazing at Chen Xiao with interest. Chen Xiao fought the urge to squirm under that scrutiny and forced himself to meet the immortal¡¯s eyes. Then, Xi Yunting¡¯s lips, curved like the crescent moon, parted as he said, "Since your shop is so enthusiastic, may I take a look?"


    Why is he suddenly dropping the formal tone now?! Chen Xiao screamed internally. But on the surface, he maintained his stiff smile and nodded. "Of course."


    Pang Hemu was on the verge of tears, moved by Chen Xiao''s loyalty yet dreading the impending embarrassment.


    But Chen Xiao merely gave him a reassuring look before walking over to the miscellaneous display shelf. Carefully, he picked up an ivory plaque from the very edge of the display stand.


    An ivory plaque?!


    Everyone in the shop was utterly baffled. The fact that it was placed on the furthest edge of the shelf meant it was a low-value miscellaneous item. What possessed Chen Xiao to offer such a trivial trinket as an immortal relic? Was he out of his mind?!


    Anxiety gripped the room. Hearts pounded in their throats. They could already picture the Immortal Master flying into a rage and accusing them of mocking him, sentencing them all to death.


    But to everyone''s astonishment, Xi Yunting reached out and took the plaque.


    Chen Xiao, undaunted, continued with a serious tone, "This ivory plaque¡ªI can''t tell what kind of creature¡¯s tooth it was made from. It doesn''t seem like ordinary ivory. There''s something unusual about it."


    Xi Yunting examined it carefully, his eyes flashing with surprise. He lifted his gaze to Chen Xiao, a deep and meaningful look in his eyes.


    "This is indeed not ordinary ivory," he said. "It is the tooth of a Sword Tiger Beast, a fierce creature. And it has existed for thousands of years."

 Chapter 28: The Ivory Plaque

    Chen Xiao was astonished by this revelation. He had only sensed a faint aura from the plaque and guessed it was an object of some significance. He never expected it to be made from the tooth of a ferocious beast that had been passed down for thousands of years.


    Hearing the Immortal Master confirm that the plaque was crafted from the tooth of an ancient beast, the senior employees of Taxue Xunxian Pavilion were equally shocked. The longer an artifact had been preserved, the more valuable it became. Even as a mundane object, such an item would already be expensive, let alone something crafted from the remains of a ferocious beast.


    Ferocious beasts were a level above ordinary wild beasts, much like Immortal Masters stood above mortals. Besides their incredible strength and savagery, some were also intelligent and even possessed innate mystical abilities.


    Whenever a ferocious beast appeared and rampaged through mortal lands, it would either leave on its own once it lost interest, or an Immortal Master would have to intervene, either driving it away or, in rare cases, slaying it. More often than not, they were simply driven away rather than killed.


    Thus, any item made from the remains of a ferocious beast was undoubtedly connected to an Immortal Master. One could rightfully call it a true relic of the immortals.


    Pang Hemu felt a mix of emotions as he looked at the ivory plaque now in the Immortal Master¡¯s hands. He was pleased that Chen Xiao had discovered such a treasure, ensuring that their shop''s reputation remained intact. At the same time, he regretted that such a valuable artifact had been gathering dust in their store, unnoticed for so long.


    The chief and assistant shopkeepers, along with the other senior staff, felt the same way. Had they known they had an ivory plaque from a ferocious beast, they would have realized it was nearly as valuable as the bronze cauldron. In fact, its small size made it even less likely to be targeted for its materials, unlike the cauldron.


    Pang Hemu stood to the side, observing Chen Xiao¡¯s expression of shock. Clearly, he too was taken aback by the discovery.


    This was already the second time Chen Xiao had made such a startling appraisal. First, the bronze cauldron, and now the ivory plaque. It was no longer just a coincidence, Chen Xiao truly had a talent for identifying relics related to immortals. Pang Hemu sighed softly. Unfortunately, someone like Chen Xiao could never be retained by him for long.


    Xi Yunting examined the plaque¡¯s exterior before infusing it with his true essence. His expression briefly stiffened before he raised the plaque toward Chen Xiao and remarked, "I can''t tell whether your luck is good or bad, but this is a fine item, certainly worth collecting."


    Chen Xiao looked at him in confusion, but Xi Yunting did not elaborate. Instead, he retrieved a small pouch from his robe. Chen Xiao recognized it instantly, it was identical to the one carried by the middle-aged man who had taken the bronze cauldron a few days prior. It seemed to be a special pouch used by Immortal Masters to store their wealth.


    Xi Yunting reached into the pouch and grabbed a handful of small, round beads, which he then handed to Chen Xiao. Instinctively, Chen Xiao extended his palm, allowing the beads to fall into his hand. They were smooth like pearls and emitted a crisp, jade-like clinking sound as they knocked against one another.


    Chen Xiao quickly counted, exactly ten of them.


    The chief shopkeeper, who had sharp eyes, gasped, "Spirit pearls?!"


    Standing nearby, Pang Hemu saw them as well. He recalled the middle-aged man who had tossed a similar pouch into his arms, which had contained the same kind of pearls. That man had deliberately left the pouch behind as a gesture of goodwill, ensuring Pang Hemu wouldn¡¯t need to reveal its contents. When Pang Hemu counted the pearls later that night, he found there were fifty inside.


    Comparing the two transactions, Pang Hemu roughly gauged the plaque¡¯s worth, it was about one-fifth the value of the bronze cauldron.


    Hearing the chief shopkeeper¡¯s exclamation, Chen Xiao finally remembered where he had seen such pearls before. It was during a celebratory banquet when their employer had successfully closed a major deal. The hired chefs had brought a specially crafted stove, which was powered by spirit pearls. However, the pearl used at that time had been much smaller and duller in color, which was why Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t immediately made the connection.


    "Taxue Xunxian, this trip was not in vain after all," Xi Yunting murmured in his deep voice. When Chen Xiao looked up again, the Immortal Master had already disappeared.


    Glancing at the water basin, Chen Xiao saw the ripples settling, gradually returning to stillness, a sign that Xi Yunting had truly left.


    The moment the Immortal Master departed, the atmosphere inside Taxue Xunxian Pavilion visibly relaxed. The shopkeepers, senior staff, and clerks all exhaled in relief. Only now did they dare to speak and move freely. Within moments, small groups had gathered, excitedly discussing the Immortal Master¡¯s presence. For most of them, it was their first time seeing an Immortal Master from one of the great sects, so their enthusiasm was palpable. Their voices grew loud, and their animated chatter soon attracted the curiosity of neighboring shopkeepers.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    As onlookers gathered, the clerks eagerly recounted the events, pulling their counterparts into conversation. The shopkeepers, too, exchanged their own interpretations, sparking waves of astonishment and exclamations from the crowd.


    Pang Hemu, however, sighed with a sense of loss. "He''s gone..."


    Chen Xiao extended his palm, offering the spirit pearls to Pang Hemu. "Master Pang, these pearls belong to you."


    Pang Hemu, already irritated by the rising noise in the shop, frowned and took the pearls. Then he said to Chen Xiao, "Come with me."


    The two retreated to the sitting room in the main building. Once seated, Pang Hemu pushed half of the pearls back toward Chen Xiao. "These are yours, take them."


    Chen Xiao stared in surprise at the five pearls on the table. "Master Pang? What do you mean?" He knew that shopkeepers who closed large deals received generous commissions, but a fifty-fifty split seemed excessive.


    Pang Hemu chuckled. "This is my way of thanking you for saving me from embarrassment. My reputation is worth something, after all. No need to refuse, just take them."


    After a moment of consideration, Chen Xiao decided not to decline. "Then I¡¯ll accept them shamelessly."


    Seeing Chen Xiao store the pearls properly, Pang Hemu advised, "Keep those pearls safe. I suspect these spirit pearls serve as currency among the Immortal Masters. You may find them useful in the future, so don¡¯t lose them."


    Chen Xiao had already suspected as much. This world lacked coal and petroleum; areas where such resources should exist were instead home to spirit stone mines. In his previous life, coal and petroleum were controlled by nations or powerful financial groups. In this world, it was only logical that spirit stone mines would be controlled by cultivators.


    Thus, while gold and silver circulated among mortals as precious metals, spirit stone artifacts likely served as currency among cultivators.


    After a brief hesitation, Pang Hemu asked, "Xiao Han, when you chose that plaque, you truly startled me. How did you recognize it as an immortal artifact?"


    Chen Xiao said, ¡°I just have a feeling that the ivory plaque doesn¡¯t really look like it¡¯s made of ivory.¡±


    Pang Hemu had been in the antiques business for nearly twenty years and had seen countless collectibles. He prided himself on his knowledge of ivory artifacts, yet he hadn¡¯t noticed anything unusual about the plaque. Could this really be a matter of natural talent?


    Pang Hemu asked, ¡°When did you realize it? Was it recently, or¡­?¡±


    Chen Xiao smiled sheepishly. ¡°I actually noticed it a while ago. Back when I was just a low-level clerk, I was responsible for cleaning that area. I wiped it every day and saw it up close all the time. One day, I just had a feeling that something was different about it. But I had only just started working here back then, and I was worried I was just overthinking it, so I never brought it up.¡±


    ¡°Different?¡± Pang Hemu muttered, repeating the word to himself. He recalled how, when Chen Xiao had spoken about the bronze cauldron, he had pointed out the odd scent before even mentioning the intricate patterns. That had also been an unusual detail to pick up on, hadn¡¯t it?


    At that moment, Pang Hemu was certain, Chen Xiao truly had a natural gift. He could distinguish immortal artifacts from ordinary objects with just a glance.


    This ability excited Pang Hemu even more than Chen Xiao¡¯s claim of understanding certain arcane arts. He couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Is there anything else you¡¯ve found that seems different?¡±


    Chen Xiao thought for a moment before saying, ¡°There was an immortal artifact the shop sold when I first arrived.¡± That was the big-ticket item that had landed him a banquet on his very first day. But it had only been a simple vessel, far less valuable than the bronze cauldron or the ivory plaque.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Pang Hemu was slightly disappointed but still unwilling to give up. ¡°Nothing else? Even if it¡¯s not in our shop, that¡¯s fine. Tell me.¡±


    Sniffing out treasures from competitors, while a bit underhanded, wasn¡¯t exactly off-limits. It all came down to who had the sharper eye.


    Chen Xiao chuckled, immediately seeing through Pang Hemu¡¯s intentions. There were definitely undiscovered immortal artifacts scattered across the antique market. But he had no intention of playing treasure-hunter for Pang Hemu while the latter reaped the benefits.


    Taxue Xunxian was already too famous, burning hot like a furnace beneath their feet. If they went around picking out underpriced treasures from other shops, they¡¯d be making even more enemies¡ªwasn¡¯t the current level of hostility enough?


    But Pang Hemu was relentless. Pressed for an answer, Chen Xiao finally said, ¡°There was one thing¡ªa jade pendant. But I bought it myself while I was on leave and gifted it to someone back home. As for the rest, they¡¯re all immortal artifacts openly displayed in other shops, guarded too tightly for me to take a closer look.¡±


    There really was something! Pang Hemu was first delighted, then immediately let down.


    Chen Xiao consoled him, ¡°Don¡¯t dwell on it too much, Boss. Immortal artifacts covered in dust are rare to begin with. Finding two is already incredibly lucky.¡±


    Pang Hemu thought about it and had to admit he had a point, finally letting it go.


    With that matter settled, his curiosity shifted to Chen Xiao¡¯s conversation with that Immortal Master. ¡°What did you two talk about?¡± he asked.


    Chen Xiao replied vaguely, ¡°The Immortal Master believes my feng shui techniques have some promise and suggested I focus on refining them in the future.¡±


    At this point, Chen Xiao was starting to understand why Xi Yunting had deliberately spoken in a way that the others wouldn¡¯t comprehend. If he had outright declared in public that Chen Xiao¡¯s future achievements would rival those of cultivators, it would have been too shocking.


    Perhaps Xi Yunting hadn¡¯t expected him to grasp it all at once. But the moment those words were spoken, even if he didn¡¯t understand at the time, he would inevitably seek out answers later¡ªand eventually, he would understand.


    Once again, Chen Xiao felt a pang of regret. A person like that, what a shame they couldn¡¯t be friends.


    Shaking off the thought, he straightened his expression and said to Pang Hemu, ¡°Boss, I have a request.¡±


    Chen Xiao had helped him secure two major deals. Even though Pang Hemu had paid him handsomely, he still felt he owed him a debt of gratitude. Without hesitation, he said, ¡°As long as it¡¯s within my power, I won¡¯t refuse.¡±


    Chen Xiao solemnly said, ¡°I¡¯d like you to help introduce me so I can promote my feng shui techniques in the county city.¡±

 Chapter 29: Dongyu Fang Gu

    The people here didn¡¯t know what feng shui was, so it was naturally difficult for them to accept. But on the flip side, the entire County City was an untapped market waiting to be explored.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s so-called promotion of residential feng shui wasn¡¯t about making a big public spectacle or shouting about it in the streets. Instead, he asked Pang Hemu to introduce him within his social circles.


    This was how feng shui masters typically expanded their business by establishing one successful case and then letting word spread through the client¡¯s social network. Once a reputation was built, those in need would come seeking help. However, since no one here understood what feng shui was, Chen Xiao had to take the initiative and ask Pang Hemu to help spread the word.


    As for yin residences (burial sites), since he hadn¡¯t yet figured out the exact geomantic layout of the region, Chen Xiao was wary of making mistakes and decided not to take on such cases for the time being.


    Instead, he focused on yang residences, residential feng shui. With a few successful cases under his belt, he was gaining experience and confidence. He planned to hone his skills to perfection while also making a name for himself as a feng shui master.


    Having personally experienced the benefits, Pang Hemu readily agreed to help.


    Despite the unsettling experiences of energy clashes and overwhelming pressure, the Golden Jade Prosperity feng shui formation had undeniably proven effective.


    Although Pang Hemu had suffered some heartache and nearly lost face, he had secured two major business deals, earning profits several times or even dozens of times higher than usual. Of course, he would have preferred if the process had been less nerve-wracking.


    With things settling down, Chen Xiao suddenly found himself with more leisure time. He slept until late morning, and after a slow breakfast, he either took a casual stroll to Taxue Xunxian Pavilion or stayed in his courtyard, reading and deepening his understanding of this world¡¯s knowledge.


    Thanks to Pang Hemu¡¯s enthusiastic recommendations, a few people became interested in residential feng shui and, out of curiosity, invited Chen Xiao to take a look at their homes.


    Some did it as a favor to Pang Hemu, while others genuinely had a need.


    Regardless of their reasons, Chen Xiao treated everyone equally, meticulously examining their residences and offering adjustments based on their specific conditions.


    However, while all of them followed his recommendations, the results varied, some homes developed a strong energy field and gathered prosperity, while others absorbed the energy but failed to establish a stable aura. Some houses showed no change at all, remaining exactly as they were before.


    Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t discouraged by this. As a former feng shui master, he understood that not every house could develop its own feng shui potential. Some were built on locations that weren¡¯t particularly good or bad, neutral ground with no inherent geomantic energy.


    For houses like these, there was no way to harness the land¡¯s fortune. Their occupants could only rely on their own luck; their fate had little to do with the house itself.


    Another issue was the house¡¯s orientation. Since Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t yet deciphered this world¡¯s calendar system, he couldn¡¯t determine the owners¡¯ elemental attributes or adjust the feng shui accordingly. In such cases, no matter how he arranged the layout, it wouldn¡¯t take effect.


    Overall, among those who sought his help, one-third saw significant improvement, one-third experienced mild effects, and one-third saw no change at all.


    A 30% failure rate would have been frustrating for a former master like him, but for the wealthy elite of County City, it only fueled their obsession with residential feng shui.


    When it worked, the effects were astonishingly immediate. Even with only a one-in-three chance, these people were more than willing to spend large sums of gold to try their luck. After all, a 30% probability wasn¡¯t low. If they succeeded, their prosperity would benefit future generations. If they failed, it was merely a financial loss, something they could easily afford.


    Before long, more and more wealthy individuals sought out Chen Xiao for feng shui consultations. His courtyard often saw two or three groups of visitors in a single day. But he was only one person, no matter how much he tried, he couldn¡¯t possibly handle them all.


    Pang Hemu took the initiative to organize the requests, setting up a proper queue. It took nearly six months before Chen Xiao managed to finish assessing all the residences.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Of course, with any new phenomenon, there were always skeptics, stubborn individuals who refused to believe and even tried persuading others to reject it. Among them, the most vocal was a businessman named Sheng.


    Chen Xiao had no interest in dealing with such people. By now, he had gained quite a following. He didn¡¯t even need to argue, his loyal supporters would shut the naysayers down for him.


    Dragging his weary steps back to the main house, Chen Xiao collapsed into a chair at the round table in his bedroom. He picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea. The housekeeper had refilled it before leaving, and it was still warm. After drinking a cup, he finally felt a little more refreshed.


    Working non-stop for so long had taken a toll on him. Even with his young and healthy body, he was starting to feel the strain.


    This exhaustion was worse than back when his master, furious over his mistakes and near-fatal backlash, had forced him to run from one feng shui consultation to the next. Back then, at least people understood what feng shui was.


    And with Fang Gu, an undisputed master with an impeccable reputation, overseeing everything, there had been little resistance to his work.


    Here, things were different. He constantly had to explain himself, why he did things a certain way, what the benefits were. Sometimes, he had to make changes to the house itself, even demolishing and rebuilding certain sections. Not everyone was willing to go along with it, so he had to persuade them. Otherwise, the final results wouldn''t turn out as expected, and his own reputation would take a hit.


    If this had been in his past life, he would have walked away without hesitation. Any Feng Shui master personally invited to assess a property would never have to deal with such resistance.


    Feng Shui masters of old never feared anyone or any power. Their reputation was built upon the legacies of countless great masters over the centuries. No one wanted to offend a Feng Shui master¡ªyou never knew how they might retaliate using Feng Shui. Losing money or facing bad luck was the least of one¡¯s concerns. Ruthless Feng Shui masters could go as far as destroying their enemies¡¯ ancestral graves, leaving them bankrupt and their families ruined. The most vicious ones could even employ techniques that severed a family¡¯s bloodline entirely.


    That said, as exhausting as this work was, the rewards were substantial. At first, those who invited him for consultations, out of respect for Pang Hemu, would pay him in gold coins if they were generous, or just silver if they were stingy.


    But as more people sought him out, his reputation grew, and his fees skyrocketed. Now, a single consultation earned enough to support an ordinary family for a lifetime. At first, he kept his earnings at home, but as they accumulated, he had no choice but to deposit them in the bank.


    With financial stability secured, Chen Xiao began pursuing other goals. He had stopped working at Pang Hemu¡¯s antique shop and wanted to resign from his position as the third shopkeeper. However, Pang Hemu refused to let him go, insisting that even if he only held the title in name, he would still receive a full salary.


    Chen Xiao was no stranger to this kind of arrangement. In his past life, wealthy real estate tycoons often did the same, hiring Feng Shui masters as honorary consultants, paying them a salary for essentially doing nothing. It was a disguised way of keeping a capable Feng Shui master on standby for when they needed them.


    After spending so much time together, Chen Xiao found Pang Hemu to be a decent person. Apart from losing his rationality whenever anything related to immortal cultivation came up, he was generally easy to talk to. Of course, their conversations were always about topics that interested Chen Xiao, Feng Shui and antiques, because Pang Hemu made a deliberate effort to cater to his interests.


    It was clear that Pang Hemu, coming from a family with three generations of business experience, truly knew how to win people over. His sincerity made interactions with him feel effortless and pleasant.


    As the first person in this world to treat him with genuine respect as a Feng Shui master, Pang Hemu had earned a spot in Chen Xiao¡¯s circle of friends. Since it cost him nothing and put Pang Hemu at ease, Chen Xiao saw no reason to reject the honorary consultant position.


    That evening, after having dinner outside, he went to the neighborhood bathhouse for a soak before returning home. There was only one major downside to living in this courtyard, there was no bathroom. If he needed to relieve himself, he had to use a chamber pot. Washing his face and hands was fine, but if he wanted a proper bath, he had to heat water himself. And Chen Xiao had no patience for boiling a large pot of water and hauling bucket after bucket into a wooden tub.


    Snuggling into his warm blankets, he quickly drifted into a deep sleep.


    Ever since he started performing Feng Shui consultations, he had never again experienced hunger at inappropriate times. Not only had his meals returned to normal, but in just six months, he had even grown taller. His once narrow shoulders had started to broaden, gradually taking on the frame of an adult.


    Chen Xiao was quite pleased with this. In his past life, he had been tall with a well-proportioned physique. He hoped to grow into the same long-legged frame this time around as well.


    That night, in a half-dreaming state, he felt as if he were wandering aimlessly in a pitch-black space. Then, a faint golden light appeared in the darkness. Slowly, it grew brighter and brighter, drawing him toward it.


    It was a golden Luojing compass, the Luo Pan, as ordinary people called it. It was about the size of an adult''s outstretched hand, with a magnetic needle spinning in the center. Around it were densely packed concentric circles filled with characters, a total of eighteen rings extending outward from the central "Heaven Pool."


    Chen Xiao gazed at the golden Luo Pan with nostalgia, carefully tracing the familiar markings. He had never missed his trusted Feng Shui tool as much as he did now. As the most essential instrument for a Feng Shui master, he had, of course, owned one himself.


    Just then, the Luo Pan in front of him flipped over, revealing an engraving at its central "Heaven Pool" position:


    "Dongyu Fang Gu You Made Luo Pan!"


    "!!!???"


    Chen Xiao jolted awake, shooting up from his bed in shock.

 Chapter 30: Peril

    "Dongyu" referred to the Feng Shui sect that Chen Xiao had belonged to in his past life, while "Fang Gu" was the name of his master.


    In his previous world, Feng Shui had long spread beyond its homeland. Not only had it thrived in Southeast Asia, amassing a large following, but even across the seas in major Western countries, early Feng Shui masters had ventured far, settling down and establishing new sects.


    Among the many branches of Feng Shui, Dongyu was not a particularly renowned one. Historically, it had not produced any famous masters nor left behind any groundbreaking contributions. Its most distinguished figure was none other than the previous generation''s Fang Gu, whose reputation had once shaken the land far and wide.


    During Fang Gu¡¯s youth, the domestic environment was tumultuous, and many sought out Feng Shui for guidance. The trade flourished, and as a result, the craft of Feng Shui artifacts thrived as well. It was during this time that Fang Gu commissioned a master artisan to craft a custom-made Luo Pan compass for him.


    By the time Chen Xiao was born, the chaos had subsided, and the once-devastated Feng Shui industry began to recover. However, the masters who perished in those turbulent years, along with their lost knowledge, could never be restored. By the time Chen Xiao made a name for himself, no one was capable of creating an artifact as refined as Fang Gu¡¯s Luo Pan.


    Although Chen Xiao''s own Luo Pan was of fine quality, it lacked the same spiritual resonance as his master¡¯s. There had been a time when he shamelessly pestered Fang Gu, hoping to borrow the Luo Pan for his own use. However, his usually kind and indulgent master had stubbornly clutched the instrument, refusing to let go. In a rare display of possessiveness, he had even joked that the Luo Pan was like half of his soul, no one could have it while he was alive, and even in death, he intended to take it with him to the grave.


    Chen Xiao understood well that a Luo Pan, after years of use, could become attuned to its owner''s fate. Perhaps his master had not been joking at all and had truly intended for it to be his burial companion. From that moment on, Chen Xiao never brought it up again and instead devoted himself to carefully nurturing his own Luo Pan.


    Now, however, he found it strange, why had he suddenly dreamt of his master¡¯s Luo Pan?


    As he pondered over this oddity, a faint noise reached his ears. It was the muffled thud of someone in cloth-soled shoes landing on the ground from a height.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s heart tightened instantly.


    With utmost vigilance, he reached into a hidden compartment of his bed frame and retrieved a dagger. At the same time, his other hand grasped a rope secured beside his bedpost.


    Apart from the initial sound, no further noises came, no matter how intently Chen Xiao strained his ears. Yet, he did not let his guard down; instead, his senses became even sharper.


    The night was gloomy, with heavy clouds blanketing the sky. Though it wasn¡¯t pitch-dark, the overcast sky reflected ambient light from distant sources, casting an eerie glow.


    Chen Xiao held his breath and fixed his gaze on the window. Soon, he noticed a dark silhouette slowly stretching across the windowpane. The outline clearly belonged to an unidentified intruder with ill intentions. The figure¡¯s hand fumbled against the window frame, seemingly preparing to employ some kind of method, perhaps a knockout smoke, or even poison. Whatever the case, Chen Xiao had no reason to believe this person meant well.


    Suddenly, a sharp cry of pain came from outside, followed by another voice exclaiming in alarm.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s heart skipped a beat. There was more than one intruder. An accomplice was lurking nearby!


    Without hesitation, he yanked the rope in his grasp.


    A bronze gong, hidden in a discreet corner of the house¡¯s outer wall, erupted with an urgent and resounding clang¡ªClang! Clang! Clang!


    At the same time, Chen Xiao gripped his dagger tightly, sprang from his bed barefoot, and rushed to the door.


    With all his might, he shouted, "Fire! Fire! The house is on fire!"


    His voice rang out in the quiet night, and the sound of the gong carried far. The sudden commotion immediately alerted the patrolling night watch. Furthermore, Chen Xiao¡¯s courtyard was small, with only a single wall separating it from the neighboring houses. On ordinary days, even minor arguments between households could be overheard. Now, with his frantic cries, his neighbors were jolted awake.


    Outside the courtyard, one of the intruders cursed under his breath, then shouted furiously, "Abort! Run for it!"


    Hurried footsteps pounded against the ground as they scrambled toward the gate.


    Hearing them flee rather than storming inside to take him hostage, Chen Xiao finally allowed himself a moment of relief.


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    Yet beneath his shock and lingering fear, rage simmered within him.


    These weren¡¯t mere thieves, they were outright murderers! If he simply let them escape, he would never be able to stomach it.


    Without delay, he flung open the door, dashed to the kitchen, and grabbed the torches he had prepared for nighttime illumination.


    With a flick, the flames ignited.


    The courtyard was instantly bathed in a flickering, fiery glow.


    The two bandits had already flung open the courtyard gate and bolted. Chen Xiao rushed out through the wide-open doors, standing in the middle of the street, waving his torch and shouting at the top of his lungs, ¡°Robbers! Catch the robbers¡ª!¡±


    By this time, his earlier commotion, banging the gong and shouting about the fire had already woken up nearly the entire street. Doors and gates swung open one after another, and many of the men emerged, some carrying water buckets, others holding torches, ready for action.


    The sheer momentum of the crowd was enough to terrify the fleeing bandits, causing them to stumble and hesitate. Their slowed pace led them straight into the path of the arriving security patrol, and not a single one managed to escape.


    That night, few people got any sleep. This was a quiet, law-abiding neighborhood, and it had been decades since anything as outrageous as a home invasion by robbers had occurred.


    Aunt Huang and her family, who were on good terms with Chen Xiao, gathered around him anxiously. The rest of the neighbors stood in the outer circle, chattering away in agitation, cursing and condemning the criminals with righteous fury.


    Fortunately, the security patrol had caught them quickly, otherwise, no one in the area would have been able to sleep soundly again.


    As the victim of the crime, Chen Xiao was taken to the patrol station to assist in the investigation. He spent half a day there, and soon, the captured robbers confessed everything.


    It turned out there weren¡¯t just two of them, there was a third man as well, keeping watch outside. These three were notorious thugs in the county city, idlers who spent their days frequenting brothels and gambling dens.


    The leader of the group had the worst luck, he owed the casino a huge debt, and if he didn¡¯t pay up by the deadline, the owner planned to sell him off to work in the pitch-dark mines. Desperate to escape this fate but unwilling to endure hardship, the leader made up his mind and roped in his two underlings. They schemed to pull off one big job, take the money, and disappear.


    After surveying their options, they set their sights on Chen Xiao.


    He had simply been too conspicuous lately, constantly receiving guests, mingling with wealthy merchants. These small-time crooks knew nothing about the intricate art of residential feng shui. All they saw was that Chen Xiao had suddenly become a rising star in the city¡¯s business circles, making a fortune. And after asking around, they confirmed that he had no family to rely on. That made him the perfect target.


    When the patrol searched them, they found a blood-grooved dagger and a pouch of poison smoke. Clearly, these men had never intended to leave any witnesses alive.


    When Pang Hemu arrived and heard the details, he was both furious and terrified. He immediately scolded Chen Xiao, ¡°I told you ages ago to get a bigger house and hire some martial artists for protection! If you¡¯d just listened to me, this wouldn¡¯t have happened!¡±


    Chen Xiao gave a helpless smile and shook his head. ¡°I live alone. There¡¯s no need for such a big house.¡±


    Frustrated, Pang Hemu slammed his hand on the table and dropped into a chair beside Chen Xiao. ¡°At the very least, you need a personal bodyguard! With your current wealth, you can easily offer double the usual pay and hire a truly skilled martial artist. Sure, you installed traps on the doors and windows, and you rigged the courtyard with that alarm gong. But what if next time, they aren¡¯t just after your money, but your life? How many times do you think you can survive that?¡±


    Chen Xiao exhaled slowly. ¡°You¡¯re right. This time was too close, I wasn¡¯t careful enough.¡±


    He had hidden a dagger in a secret compartment and set up a series of security measures, including traps and a rope-triggered alarm gong. But, as Pang Hemu pointed out, if the attackers had been more ruthless, willing to risk everything for a final strike, all of his precautions would have been meaningless.


    ¡°Leave it to me,¡± Pang Hemu declared. ¡°I¡¯ll find you a top-tier martial artist.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll trouble you with that, Boss,¡± Chen Xiao conceded.


    When he returned home, the hired help had already tidied up the place. Chen Xiao sat down in his study, his expression dark.


    Last night, he had been startled and frightened. But now, all he felt was anger and helplessness.


    A gang of ignorant thugs had broken into a feng shui master¡¯s home, completely disregarding the consequences. In his past life, something like this would have been unthinkable. For thousands of years, feng shui had been deeply ingrained in people¡¯s beliefs, influencing every aspect of life. Ordinary folk understood that provoking a feng shui master was unwise, doing so invited the wrath of the master¡¯s sect and peers.


    Even though feng shui practitioners belonged to many different schools, scattered across regions, when it came to matters of personal safety, they stood united.


    Ultimately, those robbers had dared to target Chen Xiao because he lacked that invisible yet formidable backing. He was alone, an easy mark.


    And that realization infuriated him.


    Chen Xiao, who had always taken pride in the legacy and authority of feng shui masters, clenched his fists.


    One day, he swore, he would make sure the name of feng shui masters echoed throughout this world. He would let everyone know that feng shui masters were not to be trifled with!


    Perhaps his determination was too strong, because even though it was broad daylight and he hadn¡¯t been sleeping, his consciousness was suddenly pulled back into that dark, dreamlike space from the night before.


    But this time, his eyes were open. His vision split into two overlapping layers, one showing the familiar furnishings of his study, the other a pitch-black void.


    A moment later, a golden light flickered in the darkness.


    Chen Xiao, now aware that something was amiss, didn¡¯t wake up in shock this time. Instead, he moved cautiously toward it.


    The golden compass grew closer and closer.

 Chapter 31: A Masters Love

    Chen Xiao tentatively closed one eye, and the compass in the darkness became even clearer. So, he boldly shut both eyes and reached out to touch it.


    The compass in the darkness was not solid, it was an illusion. When Chen Xiao extended his hand, the shadowy form of the compass settled onto his palm. He cupped his hands together, and the compass followed his movement, shifting to rest before him.


    He examined it carefully. It was identical to the one he had seen in his dream the previous night. At this moment, he realized that perhaps it had not been a dream at all, he had merely assumed so because he had been asleep when it happened.


    In the darkness, his consciousness became increasingly attuned to the subtle connection between himself and the compass. It was not a bond of blood or body but something more intangible, a spiritual resonance.


    At the center of the compass, in the position of the Celestial Pool, the magnetic needle rested quietly, swaying ever so slightly with his movements. Unlike before, it no longer spun incessantly. Though puzzled, Chen Xiao quickly set aside his doubts. He carefully grasped the edge of the compass and turned it over. As expected, on the back, at its center, was a small inscription: "Compass crafted by Fang Gu of Dongyu."


    The moment he saw his master''s name, all the lingering doubts in Chen Xiao''s heart suddenly unraveled!


    The master''s Luo Jingyi, the geomantic compass, was the very "unknown" that had existed within his body. Perhaps bringing him into this world and merging him with the lifeless body of a boy had consumed too much of its energy. As a result, the compass had to absorb the heat converted from his food to recharge itself, which explained why he had felt so ravenous upon waking. And once it had accumulated enough Qi as energy, the first thing it did was reappear before him.


    Thinking back on how he had been tirelessly reading feng shui for people, accumulating Qi to feed the compass until it awoke from its slumber, he finally understood. What his master had once told him, that the compass was a part of him, was not an exaggeration. Without experiencing all this, he would never have realized that the compass could actually carry Qi itself.


    Now that he understood the truth, a complex wave of emotions surged in his heart. There was gratitude, guilt, and above all, the long-suppressed longing for his master that now spread boundlessly through him.


    His master, Fang Gu, had been the most important person in Chen Xiao''s past life¡ªwithout exception.


    Chen Xiao had not been an orphan, but he knew nothing of his origins or his family. When he was five years old, he had been abducted by human traffickers right from his doorstep. After several transfers, he was taken to a completely unfamiliar place.


    The people there treated him fairly well at first, they had to, since he was meant to be sold, and his appearance had to remain intact. Chen Xiao had been an intelligent child; he could recite his parents'' names and home address. But the traffickers had their methods for dealing with children like him.


    They would repeatedly ask him for his parents'' names and address, and every time he recited them fluently, he would be beaten and scolded. After enduring this for a while, the pain conditioned his mind to avoid mentioning anything that led to his punishment. Eventually, the names and numbers blurred in his memory, until he could no longer recall them at all.


    Months passed, and he stopped crying out for his parents. The traffickers told him that his parents had abandoned him. On the surface, young Chen Xiao remained silent, but inwardly, he never believed them. Though violence had erased his ability to remember names and numbers, he never forgot the truth, that these people had stolen him from his real family. They were not good people.


    Chen Xiao had been a strikingly handsome child, and healthy boys like him were easy to sell. When the traffickers decided he was ready, they sold him to a family. But it did not end there¡ªwithin days, he was returned.


    He was simply too troublesome. Crying and fussing was one thing, but he had a habit of running to the neighbors and telling them he had been bought from bad people. This terrified the family, who feared that raising such a child would be a risk, what if he ran away when he grew up?


    After being returned several times, Chen Xiao became an unwanted burden. The traffickers grew impatient, scolding and beating him, calling him a "money-losing waste"¡ªand in a sense, he was. He cost them food but never brought in any profit.


    Yet, Chen Xiao endured. He knew that if he was sold and taken too far away, he might never find his parents again.


    He continued wandering with the traffickers, moving from place to place, until he was nearly eight years old. By then, he was too old to be an easy sell, he was harder to train and less likely to bond with a new family. The trafficking group decided to get rid of him by selling him to a gang of beggars, who would cripple him and force him to beg for money.


    By then, Chen Xiao had been with them for over two years. A young woman in the group, who had recently given birth to her own child, took pity on him and secretly warned him of their plans. Her original intent was to convince him to behave and accept being sold to a family, better that than becoming a crippled beggar.


    But Chen Xiao understood, he could not stay any longer. Whether as someone¡¯s adopted son or as a tool for begging, neither fate was acceptable.


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    By now, he had been with the traffickers long enough that they were not particularly strict with him. Seizing a moment of carelessness on their part, he fled.


    To avoid being recaptured, he used a method he had learned from them, hitching rides in secret. He would cling to the back of carts or blend in with adults boarding vehicles, switching from one to another before anyone could react. This way, he successfully traveled far from the traffickers¡¯ reach.


    After escaping, he wandered for several months. Eventually, in a place called Xiaoshui, he met his master, Fang Gu.


    At the time, Fang Gu was already seventy-two years old. When he saw Chen Xiao, an impulse stirred in his heart, he decided to take him in as his disciple and pass down his teachings.


    When Master Fang Gu asked if he still remembered his parents'' names, Chen Xiao could only recall a single character, either a surname or a given name, that sounded like "Chen." So, Fang Gu gave him the surname Chen and named him after the place where they met.


    And just like that, after three years of wandering and hardship, living an abnormal life, Chen Xiao finally had a home. One could say that Fang Gu was his great benefactor, the one who saved him from the sea of suffering!


    Knowing that his time was limited, Fang Gu didn¡¯t send Chen Xiao to school. Instead, he opted for one-on-one tutoring, hiring private teachers to lay a solid foundation for him. As for feng shui, Fang Gu personally took on the role of instructor.


    Chen Xiao was deeply grateful. Even though the knowledge Fang Gu imparted was profoundly complex, he studied with all his might. As he grew older and began to truly grasp the essence of feng shui, he became utterly fascinated by it. He no longer needed any urging, he absorbed everything Fang Gu taught with insatiable hunger.


    Ten years after they met, Fang Gu took Chen Xiao to perform his first feng shui job, officially marking his debut in the field. But before Chen Xiao could fully celebrate his newfound independence, he noticed Fang Gu¡¯s health declining rapidly. Before long, his master had grown frail and weak.


    It was only then that Chen Xiao learned the truth, Fang Gu had always known that his lifespan would not exceed eighty-two years, and that this very year would be his final one. He had already prepared his grave and wished to be buried in his family¡¯s ancestral tomb.


    Fang Gu was relieved to see that Chen Xiao had fully inherited his legacy, trusting him completely to handle his final affairs. However, what he didn¡¯t anticipate was that Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t accept his impending death and began seeking ways to alter his fate.


    For most people, such an attempt would have been utterly futile. But Chen Xiao was a feng shui master, and against all odds, he actually found an extraordinary method.


    At the time, his heart was consumed by grief at the thought of losing his master. His entire being was fixated on one goal: no matter what, he had to change Fang Gu¡¯s fate. This obsession made him reckless, causing him to abandon reason and morality in his desperation. One could say that his long-delayed rebellious phase had finally arrived, his youthful arrogance convincing him that if he lost his one and only family, life would be meaningless, and nothing else in the world would matter.


    So, he went to Fang Gu¡¯s hometown and found another auspicious location near the ancestral tomb. There, he severed the land¡¯s energy flow, extracting a rare feng shui treasure from a neighboring burial site. Then, he buried it in Fang Gu¡¯s family¡¯s ancestral grave, boosting its fortune, prosperity, and longevity.


    The effect was immediate, Fang Gu¡¯s health began to improve.


    Had Chen Xiao not suffered a swift backlash, Fang Gu might never have realized what had happened. But by the time he found out, the damage had already been done.


    The village from which Chen Xiao had stolen the energy had once been a place of great fortune, producing many talented scholars and officials. Had he not disrupted its feng shui, it could have thrived for centuries to come.


    But with its energy flow severed, the village¡¯s fortunes turned instantly. The once-fertile land became barren, its waters turned murky and bitter, undrinkable. The villagers'' quality of life plummeted, their living conditions worsening by the day. Many wanted to leave, yet they had no idea what the future would hold.


    Fang Gu immediately took action to remedy the situation, stepping in to clean up his disciple¡¯s mess. He coordinated with various parties to relocate the villagers to another suitable location, not as fortunate as before, but still livable.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s reckless and desperate act left Fang Gu both furious and anxious. But seeing his disciple on the verge of death due to the backlash, all he felt was regret and heartache. To save Chen Xiao, who was now facing death himself, Fang Gu announced that he would take on feng shui commissions once more.


    It had been years since he last worked, but the moment word got out, people flocked to his doorstep.


    Thus, Fang Gu carefully selected jobs that could help mitigate the backlash, allowing Chen Xiao to perform them while he supervised. With a grandmaster overseeing the process, none of the clients had any complaints. Over the years, Chen Xiao gradually built his own reputation, eventually becoming a true feng shui master in his own right. He no longer needed to rely on his master¡¯s name to attract business.


    It was only after that incident that Chen Xiao finally realized just how ignorant and arrogant he had been. The price he paid for his recklessness was steep, a lesson that left a deep imprint on his heart.


    At the same time, he came to understand his own arrogance. He should never have attempted to alter fate when he lacked the strength to withstand the consequences. Throughout history, there had been renowned feng shui masters who severed dragon veins without suffering backlash, because they were truly masters. At the time, he had merely been a fledgling, unprepared for the storm he unleashed.


    Still, he never regretted what he had done. Because his master, his most cherished family, was alive.


    Even though the cost had been immense.


    The thought of his master burying him, a disciple dying before his teacher, saddened Chen Xiao deeply. To make up for it, he devoted himself to making money, ensuring that Fang Gu would have the best possible life in his old age.


    He also took on a few disciples and established a trust fund, ensuring that even after his passing, they would care for his master in his stead.


    When he finally closed his eyes for the last time, he felt at peace. Everything was in place, his master would live comfortably, reaching the ripe age of one hundred and twenty before passing peacefully.


    But now, holding half of his master¡¯s shattered compass in his hands, he finally understood just how much pain and sorrow he had caused him.


    Tears streamed down Chen Xiao¡¯s face.


    He sobbed, his cries filled with heartbreak and regret.

 Chapter 32: The Value of the Spirit Pearl

    Chen Xiao had never cried like this in either of his two lifetimes.


    He could imagine how much effort his master had put into devising such a perilous, near-death opportunity for him after his death. It must have been incredibly difficult. Even as a feng shui master himself, having experienced a temporal shift and possessing the body of a young man, he still couldn''t fully grasp the intricacies of this mystery.


    Thinking back to how he had thought he had everything planned, only to end up dying and causing his master such worry and exertion, Chen Xiao felt a mix of shame and overwhelming gratitude. Despite the eternal separation between them, just knowing that someone had cared for him so deeply gave him a profound sense of security. It was the kind of unwavering devotion from a loved one that filled his heart with warmth and gave him the strength to keep going in this unfamiliar world.


    He couldn¡¯t let his master''s efforts go to waste, he had to make something of himself!


    Lifting his head, Chen Xiao wiped his face with his hands. His cheeks were burning, and he was sure his eyes were swollen beyond recognition. But after such an intense cry, the release of emotions left him feeling lighter, his chest unburdened. He exhaled a long breath, feeling strangely at ease.


    After his emotional breakdown, he slumped into his chair. Just as he braced himself against the armrest to stand up and wash his face, someone walked through the door. Seeing his state, they called out in surprise, "Xiao Han, what¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"


    The visitor quickly stepped forward, grasping his arm with warm, slightly rough hands, and helped him up.


    Chen Xiao looked up in surprise, it was Aunt Huang. He blinked at her, his voice hoarse as he asked, "Aunt Huang, why are you here? Is something the matter?"


    Aunt Huang frowned at him. "Your Uncle Huang said you returned from the Security Patrol, so I came to check on you. But what happened?" The Chen Xiao she knew was a strong and independent person; she had never seen him so vulnerable before. She was deeply concerned.


    Realizing his disheveled appearance, Chen Xiao knew she wouldn¡¯t believe him if he simply said it was nothing. His reddened eyes blinked as he murmured, "I''m fine. I was just thinking about my family."


    Aunt Huang immediately recalled what he had once told her about his past and sighed. She didn¡¯t press the issue, assuming that the recent events had left him feeling lonely and homesick.


    She and her family had always been kind to him, treating him as one of their own. As the saying goes, "Distant relatives are not as helpful as close neighbors." In return, Chen Xiao often sent small gifts and pastries their way.


    When the incident occurred last night, the Huang family was the first to respond, nearly the entire household mobilizing. Chen Xiao had already expressed his gratitude, but he had also taken note of their kindness.


    Without hesitation, Aunt Huang fetched a cloth, dipped it in water, wrung it out, and handed it to him. Chen Xiao thanked her, took it, wiped his face, and then folded it over his eyes to soothe the swelling.


    As she sat nearby, Aunt Huang asked about his experience with the Security Patrol. Since the incident had involved the neighborhood, Chen Xiao didn¡¯t hide anything from her and recounted what he knew.


    Gritting her teeth in anger, Aunt Huang fumed, "Those scoundrels deserve to be skinned alive! They¡¯re nothing but shameless thugs who should be punished severely!" She was so enraged that her breaths came quick and heavy. "What did the Security Patrol say?"


    Chen Xiao''s gaze turned cold. "It¡¯s been a long time since such a heinous crime occurred in the county. The Security Chief said that after reporting to the City Lord¡¯s estate, they will likely be sentenced to death."


    Aunt Huang inhaled sharply. While she believed they deserved the punishment, hearing that they would actually be executed still sent a shiver down her spine.


    Seeing her unease, Chen Xiao set aside the now-warm cloth and reassured her, "This whole incident disturbed the neighborhood. I feel guilty about it and would like to prepare some thank-you gifts."


    Aunt Huang waved her hand dismissively. "That¡¯s unnecessary. We¡¯re neighbors, helping each other is only natural."


    Chen Xiao shook his head. "It¡¯s the right thing to do. When someone lends a helping hand, it¡¯s kindness. Not showing gratitude would make me ungrateful."


    She didn¡¯t argue further. After discussing it, they decided on a gift box containing four types of pastries for each household. Aunt Huang felt it was an appropriate and thoughtful token of appreciation. Since Chen Xiao, despite living here for over a year, was still unfamiliar with certain customs, he followed her advice and went to the pastry shop to prepare the gift boxes before personally delivering them door-to-door.


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    While his neighbors weren¡¯t as close to him as Aunt Huang¡¯s family, they still warmly accepted his gratitude, offering words of comfort in return.


    Once everything with the neighbors was settled, Pang Hemu informed him that he had found a martial arts instructor for him. When the appointed time arrived, Chen Xiao made his way to the Pang residence.


    Instead of taking him straight to meet the instructor, Pang Hemu first invited Chen Xiao into his study and handed him a document detailing the candidates.


    That¡¯s right, Pang Hemu hadn¡¯t found just one instructor but an entire group. He passed the registry to Chen Xiao and said, "Pick a few from this list."


    Chen Xiao stared at the booklet, a vein twitching in his forehead. He couldn¡¯t help but say, "Boss, isn¡¯t this a bit excessive?"


    Pang Hemu gave him a look of disapproval. "It¡¯s absolutely necessary. This time, we¡¯re not taking any chances."


    "They were just three common thieves, completely untrained in martial arts. To put it bluntly, if they were academy-trained cultivators, even an ordinary martial artist might not be able to handle them alone. It would be best to take them down together."


    Those who attended the academy were individuals with innate spiritual roots. Here, when children reached the age of five or six, they would be sent to the nearest academy for testing. If they were found to have talent, they would begin their basic education. As they grew older, they would be taught foundational cultivation techniques.


    Local academies, of course, could not compare to the immortal sects or aristocratic families, which had specialized instruments to directly measure the strength of one''s spiritual roots. Instead, students would practice basic techniques for a couple of years, and their progress would be used to determine their potential. Those who advanced quickly would catch the attention of influential families or even immortal cultivation clans. Those who performed poorly would be allowed to study for a few more years, but by the time they reached adulthood, they would have to leave the academy.


    Such individuals were referred to as cultivators. If they had no fortuitous encounters in the future, they would spend their lives hovering on the outskirts of true cultivation.


    Like any group, these cultivators varied in quality. Once they left the academy, they sought different paths¡ªsome strayed from the righteous path, committing crimes and causing trouble. This was precisely the kind of people Pang Hemu was referring to¡ªmore dangerous than common folk due to their training.


    Chen Xiao closed the booklet and said, "If that¡¯s the case, then there¡¯s no need to hire an ordinary martial artist. Please, find me a cultivator instead."


    Pang Hemu looked at him in surprise. "A cultivator?"


    Chen Xiao nodded firmly. "A high-level cultivator will suffice."


    Pang Hemu had intended to dissuade him, after all, hiring a high-level cultivator was no small expense. But then he reconsidered. As long as Chen Xiao continued practicing feng shui techniques for residential properties, he could certainly afford to hire one. With a solemn nod, Pang Hemu said, "Understood. I¡¯ll find a suitable candidate for you."


    After taking his leave, Chen Xiao returned home, seated himself at the round table in his bedroom, and sipped tea while contemplating.


    He had previously researched academy-trained cultivators. Some went on to become officials in government, others joined law enforcement, and many were employed by noble families as guards. Still, there were those who pursued different trades, taking over family businesses or venturing into various professions.


    These cultivators weren¡¯t without potential, they simply lacked the necessary resources. Without the right conditions or financial backing, they could only struggle forward, unwilling to give up but unable to progress. The ambitious ones sought opportunities, gathering resources however they could in hopes of one day breaking through and truly stepping onto the path of immortality.


    But how did cultivators without powerful connections acquire resources?


    Chen Xiao reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch, opening a hidden compartment inside. Nestled within the soft fabric were five spirit pearls, emitting a gentle glow.


    He thought to himself, these spirit pearls, which could be used directly in transactions with cultivators, would surely be a tempting offer.


    Spirit pearls weren¡¯t just a currency; they could also provide direct energy. The kitchen master he had encountered before had used them in exactly that way. In the world of cultivators, spirit pearls were undoubtedly a valuable resource that could be exchanged for whatever a cultivator needed.


    Moreover, the payment he could offer wasn¡¯t limited to just these pearls.


    Over the past six months, Chen Xiao had earned quite a bit from his feng shui consultations. Though the fees varied from client to client, he had accumulated a total of three thousand gold coins. To ordinary folk, this was an astronomical sum. Even to the wealthy, it was significant enough to warrant careful consideration. But to Chen Xiao, it didn¡¯t seem like much, hiring a high-level cultivator would cost at least this much.


    Because the sum was too large, storing piles of gold coins at home was impractical. So, he had visited a local money house and converted them into deposit slips. The money house only operated within the region, meaning its deposit slips were valid for large transactions within the county but not for nationwide use. If he needed to use them elsewhere, he would have to exchange them for gold coins or convert them into deposit slips from a money house in that specific region.


    At the time, he had lamented how inconvenient it was to carry so much gold. If only there were a more efficient currency for large transactions. The money house manager, overhearing his comment, informed him that such a currency did exist, but the fees for conversion were usually too high, making it impractical for most people. Thus, most still preferred deposit slips.


    Intrigued, Chen Xiao had asked for more details. The manager explained that the only higher-denomination currency was spirit currency, used exclusively by cultivators. The exchange rate was staggering, ten thousand gold coins equaled one hundred spirit coins, which in turn equaled a single spirit pearl.


    At that moment, Chen Xiao had been utterly stunned, instinctively reaching into his pocket to touch the pouch where he stored his spirit pearls.

 Chapter 33: A Devoted Fan

    The steward explained that most people found it unwise to exchange gold coins for spirit coins or spirit pearls. When Chen Xiao heard the specific exchange rates, he felt a pang of pain in his heart. The bank charged a ten percent handling fee for exchanges. In other words, for every ten thousand gold coins, he would only receive ninety spirit coins. This was because spirit coins were rare, making the exchange rate rather predatory. However, converting spirit coins back into gold coins incurred no such fee.


    After some calculations, Chen Xiao realized that exchanging all three thousand of his gold coins at the bank would only net him twenty-seven spirit coins.


    Earlier today, he had deliberately asked Pang Hemu about hiring cultivators. A high-level cultivator''s monthly wage was one hundred gold coins. Based on his bank savings, he could afford to hire a high-level cultivator for two and a half years.


    Meanwhile, the best martial artists only charged ten gold coins per month, the same salary as the chief shopkeeper of Taxue Xunxian Pavilion. No wonder Pang Hemu found the cost of hiring a cultivator excessive. Moreover, the terms of employment included a clause stating that if the cultivator reached a breakthrough in their cultivation, the employer could not interfere or delay their advancement. Additionally, the employer was prohibited from issuing orders that would demean the cultivator¡¯s status or reputation.


    In other words, a high-level bodyguard might leave at any moment or refuse to follow unreasonable demands. These high costs and conditions made it difficult for cultivators to collaborate with ordinary people. However, Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t concerned about those details. Since he lacked the ability to protect himself, hiring a high-level cultivator was his best option for safety.


    Chen Xiao had already resolved to make a name for himself as a feng shui master in this world, which required the assistance of a compass. However, the current amount of fortune the compass had absorbed was barely enough to manifest its effects for a fleeting moment. To accumulate more fortune, he needed to conduct more feng shui work, or rather, larger feng shui projects to gather the necessary energy.


    Feeling restless, Chen Xiao considered moving to a different location. While County City was large, it was still just a regional city. The acceptance of feng shui, a relatively new practice, was slow here. Through Pang Hemu''s network, he had already conducted business with most of the wealthy merchants in the area. The remaining ones were staunch traditionalists who neither believes in nor supported feng shui, and Chen Xiao had no interest in trying to convince them. As for the noble families of the city, he was still an outsider in their circles due to his current status and reputation.


    It was evident that the influential families in this city either had cultivators among them or maintained close ties with the cultivation world. An invisible barrier separated cultivators from ordinary people, making it nearly impossible for someone like Chen Xiao to break into their ranks.


    In the past, he might have been patient enough to find a breakthrough point. But now, he valued his time too much to waste it on these rigid, self-satisfied elites.


    While visiting the Pang family, Chen Xiao discussed his concerns with Pang Hemu after their conversation about hiring help. Pang Hemu agreed that the growth of residential feng shui in County City had reached a bottleneck. He then suggested that Chen Xiao head to the capital of Dai Kingdom to seek new opportunities. Perhaps there, he could gain fresh prospects or build enough reputation to eventually return and break into County City''s upper circles.


    Pang Hemu had some connections in the capital and offered to write a letter of recommendation for Chen Xiao. This would ensure that he could successfully set up his first feng shui project upon arrival. Once he had a successful case under his belt, he would quickly establish his reputation and gain a foothold, just as he had done in County City.


    Chen Xiao thanked him for the offer but had his own plans in mind. However, he couldn¡¯t share them with Pang Hemu just yet. First, he needed to find a suitable high-level cultivator for hire.


    Having decided to leave County City, Chen Xiao began making preparations in advance.


    First, he purchased the courtyard where he currently resided. Having developed an attachment to his first home in this world, he wanted to keep it. This way, when he eventually returned, he would have a place of his own, saving him the trouble of finding a new residence.


    Second, he made arrangements for Chen Changen''s family in Fancun. Although he had repaid his debt to them by setting up a feng shui array, fulfilling Hanwa¡¯s obligations in the process, they were unaware of this. If anything happened, they might still seek him out, and he couldn¡¯t ignore them.


    He entrusted Master Zhou, who was visiting County City again, with delivering a message to the Chen family, informing them that he would be traveling for study. However, he assured them that he was still affiliated with Taxue Xunxian Pavilion as the Third Shopkeeper. If they ever needed help, they could turn to the Chief Shopkeeper, whom he had already spoken to and arranged support with.


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    Since Chen Changen couldn¡¯t read, the message was delivered verbally. In addition to this, Chen Xiao gave Master Zhou three hundred silver coins and asked him to visit the market on his way to Fancun to purchase a strong plowing ox for the Chen family. Thanks to their hard work, they had repaid all their debts. Chen Changen was no longer a long-term laborer and had instead rented several acres of farmland to cultivate. With a plowing ox, their work would become much easier.


    Master Zhou could hardly recognize Chen Xiao anymore. Every time he visited, Chen Xiao had undergone tremendous changes. Over the past six months, his progress had been nothing short of astonishing. A year ago, he was just an ordinary young man struggling to survive. Now, he was a respected figure in County City, with enough wealth to make such generous arrangements. Master Zhou sighed, patted Chen Xiao¡¯s shoulder, and promised to carry out his request faithfully.


    Hanwa had once been just a lowly errand boy, but now he was qualified to sit on equal footing with the caravan¡¯s owner.


    Master Zhou had a habit of smoking a bit of tobacco. As he looked at the fine-quality tobacco Chen Xiao had gifted him, he had a feeling that Hanwa would become someone remarkable in the future, perhaps even one of those figures he had only ever looked up to from afar.


    After wrapping up his tasks, Chen Xiao visited two more places and finished inspecting the last of the Yang residences. When he returned, Pang Hemu informed him that he had found a few suitable candidates. This time, they met in the main hall at the back of Taxue Xunxian Pavilion, where Pang Hemu handed him a thin sheet of paper.


    Pang Hemu spoke seriously, ¡°You know that cultivators are different from ordinary people, both in status and temperament. That¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t summon them all for you to pick from directly. Take a look first, see who seems suitable, and then you can arrange for a proper meeting.¡±


    Chen Xiao understood immediately, this was basically reviewing r¨¦sum¨¦s before conducting interviews. He nodded. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Pang Hemu¡¯s stern expression melted away, and he chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. If anything, I should be thanking you for setting up that ¡®gold and jade prosperity¡¯ Feng Shui array for my shop. Business at Taxue Xunxian has been steadily improving every month since. Feng Shui really works!¡±


    The Feng Shui Chen Xiao arranged for his shop was particularly effective. Pang Hemu had always considered himself lucky to have met Chen Xiao early on, back when he was still struggling, and had made a conscious effort to treat him as an equal. Now, he could only hope that Chen Xiao¡¯s future would be even brighter, if he made a name for himself, it would reflect well on Pang Hemu, too.


    Chen Xiao glanced at him with a small smile before lowering his head to examine the paper. For some reason, he felt like Pang Hemu was looking at him the way a devoted fan would look at an undiscovered star, just waiting for him to shine and take the world by storm.


    The paper listed five names along with their ages, cultivation levels, family backgrounds, and brief life histories. Their ages ranged from twenty to forty, and their cultivation was fairly similar, all at the higher levels. Of course, there were likely more precise classifications within those realms, but such details were rarely shared openly. Even Pang Hemu wouldn¡¯t have been able to find out more.


    ¡°I think this one looks promising,¡± Pang Hemu said, sitting across from him. ¡°He stayed in an academy until he was twenty, then spent five years working in the security forces before setting out on his own. He¡¯s still in his prime and motivated. You might want to consider him.¡±


    Chen Xiao looked up at him, a little curious. ¡°What makes you think he¡¯s a good choice?¡±


    Pang Hemu took a moment to organize his thoughts. ¡°He didn¡¯t neglect his cultivation after leaving the academy, going straight into the security forces shows that. Plus, he has some practical experience and isn¡¯t much older than you, so you won¡¯t have trouble getting along.¡± He glanced at the paper in front of Chen Xiao. ¡°The others are older. You should know that as cultivators age, they lose their youthful drive. If they no longer have hope of breaking through to a higher realm, they tend to slack off in their cultivation.¡±


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t look up, his eyes scanning the names. ¡°I think the most important reason is that younger cultivators are less tied down by family obligations, which makes it easier to convince them to leave the city with me.¡±


    Pang Hemu hummed in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s true. Another thing is that younger cultivators have more time before their next breakthrough. If someone reaches that critical point while under your employment, they might just abandon you midway to go into seclusion. If that happens in a dangerous situation, you¡¯d be completely stranded.¡±


    Chen Xiao blinked. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be that bad, would it?¡± Surely, even if someone needed to leave, they would at least ensure their employer reached a safe place first.


    Pang Hemu frowned. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it be? I know of a major tea merchant who hired a cultivator for protection while traveling a long route, worried about beast attacks along the way. Halfway through the journey, the cultivator suddenly had the urge to break through and flat-out refused to continue traveling. He insisted on stopping right there to go into seclusion. The merchant had no choice but to terminate the contract and continue alone. Fortunately, nothing happened on the rest of the journey. If it had, it would¡¯ve been a real tragedy.¡±


    Chen Xiao furrowed his brows. ¡°That¡¯s... incredibly unlucky.¡±


    Pang Hemu smacked his thigh. ¡°Exactly! Cultivators rarely get opportunities to advance, so when one comes, they¡¯ll cling to it no matter what.¡±


    In the end, Chen Xiao chose the two oldest candidates, one in his thirties and the other in his forties, completely going against Pang Hemu¡¯s suggestion to pick a younger one.


    Pang Hemu was puzzled, but Chen Xiao explained, ¡°Young cultivators may be ambitious and driven, but older ones tend to be more experienced and steady. I¡¯m already young myself. What I need is someone who has seen the world and can help me navigate tricky situations.¡±


    Hearing that, Pang Hemu suddenly remembered, Chen Xiao was only eighteen. When speaking with him, he always forgot that the boy wasn¡¯t even twenty yet, technically not an adult in this world. With a nod, he admitted, ¡°That makes a lot of sense. I should¡¯ve considered that.¡±

 Chapter 34: The Haunted House

    The meeting with the two cultivators was scheduled at the largest and most luxurious restaurant in the county city. Pang Hemu, both out of concern and to offer his opinion, accompanied Chen Xiao as they met with each of the cultivators separately for a more in-depth discussion.


    Of course, the interview wasn¡¯t about discussing aspirations or future plans. Chen Xiao carefully inquired about their experiences after leaving the academy and their family situations. He also asked whether they would have any objections if they were required to travel outside the county city during their period of employment.


    The entire interview process lasted an hour in total, meaning Chen Xiao spent nearly half an hour speaking with each of them. This lengthy discussion allowed him to gain a clear understanding of both individuals. In the end, he made his decision, he chose the forty-year-old cultivator named Du Rong as his personal guard.


    Pang Hemu asked him, "Why hire him? The other one seemed much more spirited compared to Du Rong."


    It wasn¡¯t that Pang Hemu looked down on Du Rong, but when comparing the two, the difference was obvious. Du Rong was clearly inferior to the other candidate, Ma Liang.


    Ma Liang had bright, piercing eyes, an upright posture, and a composed demeanor. He was well-mannered and carried himself with an air of confidence. With someone like him by Chen Xiao¡¯s side, not only could he assist in handling various matters, but his presence alone would command respect.


    In contrast, Du Rong seemed lacking. While he still carried the presence of a cultivator, he appeared far more weathered. His expression was dull, and there was a deep, unshakable weariness about him, giving the impression that he was perpetually exhausted. This made Pang Hemu uneasy.


    Chen Xiao smiled and explained in a calm voice, "Boss, think about their backgrounds, and you¡¯ll understand why I made this choice.


    "Ma Liang left the academy and spent a few years with the city¡¯s security force before being hired by a noble family. The farthest he has ever traveled was a single trip to the capital with his employer.


    "But Du Rong is different. After leaving the academy, he didn¡¯t join the security force but instead ventured out on his own. He has explored uninhabited regions multiple times and traveled to many places. With him around, we¡¯ll be much better prepared for any situation on the road or in the wilderness."


    Pang Hemu looked at him in surprise. "You¡¯re not going to the capital?"


    If Chen Xiao were heading to the capital, then Ma Liang, who had experience traveling there should have been a suitable choice.


    Chen Xiao shook his head. "I will go to the capital, but it¡¯s not my final destination. That¡¯s not the reason I didn¡¯t choose Ma Liang, though. Even though he¡¯s traveled with his employer, he was merely a follower, not the one making decisions. He only moved when the group moved and stopped when they stopped, he likely doesn¡¯t have much firsthand experience with planning travel logistics.


    "But Du Rong is different. He traveled independently, which means he had to decide when to press on, when to rest, and how to handle unexpected situations. Given the choice, Du Rong is the more capable one."


    Pang Hemu rubbed his temples and sighed helplessly. "Fine, I see your reasoning. But still, look at him, he¡¯s completely worn out. He didn¡¯t even bother to freshen up before meeting his potential employer. It doesn¡¯t seem like he values this job very much. People like that are difficult to deal with. You should be prepared for that."


    Chen Xiao pondered for a moment before replying, "It¡¯s not that he doesn¡¯t care about presenting himself properly, it¡¯s that he can¡¯t.


    "If I¡¯m not mistaken, he¡¯s only recently recovered from an injury and hasn¡¯t fully regained his peak condition yet."


    Although Chen Xiao specialized in feng shui rather than physiognomy, he knew enough to notice that Du Rong¡¯s forehead had a pale undertone. That was a sign of weak blood circulation and a deficiency in lung and spleen qi, likely indicating that he had just recovered from an illness or injury. Given that cultivators rarely fell ill due to their strong constitutions, the most probable explanation was that he had recently sustained an injury and had only recently healed.


    Pang Hemu frowned. "You know he¡¯s just recovered from an injury, and you¡¯re still hiring him?"


    Chen Xiao replied, "People like him, who have spent years traveling and surviving on their own, have their own ways of making money. If not for his injury preventing him from earning a living through his usual means, I doubt he would have accepted employment from an ordinary person like me.


    "This tells me that he¡¯s currently short on money. Since he needs the pay, he¡¯ll be fully committed to protecting me in order to secure his earnings."


    That was not Pang Hemu¡¯s concern. He said, "His physical condition is inferior to Ma Liang¡¯s. If something happens, how will he protect you?"


    Chen Xiao said, "For the next stretch of the journey, I¡¯ll be traveling from the county city to the capital. It¡¯s a well-traveled route with minimal danger, so there won¡¯t be any need for Du Rong to fight.


    "By the time we reach the capital, he should have fully recovered. At that point, if I don¡¯t terminate his employment, he won¡¯t be able to just leave on a whim.


    "So, tell me, would you pass up the opportunity to hire such an experienced, well-traveled, and skilled bodyguard?"


    Having made his decision, Chen Xiao signed a contract with Du Rong. The agreement specified his monthly salary and outlined his duties as a bodyguard. Naturally, the standard conditions for cultivators were included.


    However, Chen Xiao added an additional clause, under normal circumstances, Du Rong couldn¡¯t leave until a replacement was found. Otherwise, he would be required to pay a breach-of-contract penalty, an amount several times higher than his wages.


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    When Du Rong saw this clause, his expression darkened. He gave Chen Xiao a long, searching look but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he simply signed his name.


    As per the agreement, Chen Xiao paid him a month¡¯s wages in advance so he could make preparations for their journey.


    Although Du Rong wasn¡¯t married, his parents were still alive, and he had younger siblings who were already settled with families of their own. His parents lived with his younger brother, so before departing, he needed to bid them farewell.


    Meanwhile, Chen Xiao packed a few changes of clothes and some essentials. The rest of the travel arrangements would be handled by Du Rong, there was nothing for him to worry about.


    He also visited the bank to exchange the three thousand gold coins on his savings note for spirit currency. He stored twenty-seven spirit coins and five spirit pearls in a small pouch, keeping them close to his person.


    In addition to those, he also carried some gold and silver for daily expenses. As for Du Rong¡¯s salary, he planned to pay him in spirit currency, something cultivators valued far more than regular gold.


    This way, he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about conversion fees, and Du Rong would have no reason to object.


    With everything settled, Chen Xiao made a trip to Aunt Huang¡¯s house. This time, he was going to bid farewell. He also planned to take a look at their residence as a gesture of gratitude for her care over the past few months.


    Aunt Huang¡¯s house was just diagonally across from Chen Xiao¡¯s. All he had to do was cross the street. Her family was quite large, she had five sons. The eldest was already married with children, the second was also married, and the third was engaged. However, due to the lack of space at home, his wedding had been postponed for now. The remaining two sons were still young and far from the age of marriage. Despite her love for matchmaking, Aunt Huang had already started scouting for potential brides early.


    Honestly, with so many people in the household, they should have been doing fairly well. Yet, oddly enough, their living conditions weren¡¯t great.


    Uncle Huang had suffered an injury in his youth, preventing him from doing heavy labor. He could only take on light work, earning just enough to scrape by and raise his sons. With no real savings and back-to-back weddings to finance, it was already fortunate that they hadn¡¯t fallen into debt.


    Their courtyard was irregularly shaped but quite spacious. Initially, their home was built along the outer wall, but as the family grew, they started running out of space. Thinking they were clever, Aunt Huang and her husband had constructed two small rooms in the middle of the courtyard. They had probably wanted to mimic the layout of a traditional siheyuan with inner and outer courtyards but had failed miserably. The result was a chaotic mess, more like an illegally built hodgepodge of extensions than a well-planned home.


    Chen Xiao had grown closer to Aunt Huang¡¯s family during his busiest six months. On his occasional visits, he usually just sat in the front courtyard, where the couple lived. Since the back courtyard housed the women and children, he hadn¡¯t ventured there before. This was his first time seeing the full layout of their home.


    Standing in the middle of the courtyard, Chen Xiao frowned. Seeing his expression, Aunt Huang¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The neighbors might not know, but she was well aware that Chen Xiao specialized in feng shui and residential layouts. It was said that those who followed his guidance could bring prosperity to their families for generations. However, by the time she had learned of his reputation, his consultation fees had already skyrocketed. She had been too embarrassed to ask him for help since she couldn¡¯t afford his services.


    Now, seeing him voluntarily stepping into the back courtyard, Aunt Huang nervously asked, ¡°Xiao Han, is something wrong with my house?¡±


    Something wrong? This wasn¡¯t just a bad setup, it was a dangerously inauspicious layout!


    The larger houses were built against the outer walls, while the smaller rooms were squeezed into the middle. This chaotic arrangement, with big houses enclosing small ones, was a classic feng shui pattern known as the ¡®Buried Child Formation¡¯¡ªan omen of premature death for the youngest child, decline in family fortunes, and poor financial luck.


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t dare to spell it out too bluntly, fearing he would scare her. Instead, he softened his words, saying, ¡°It¡¯s not ideal. If you continue living like this, it could be unlucky for your family.¡±


    If nothing changed, Aunt Huang¡¯s youngest son wouldn¡¯t live to adulthood, facing a fatal calamity. Worse, she would suffer the heartbreak of losing a child in her old age.


    Aunt Huang was a simple and honest woman. Just hearing the word ¡®unlucky¡¯ was enough to alarm her. She hurriedly asked, ¡°Is there a way to fix it?¡±


    Chen Xiao reassured her gently, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It can still be remedied.¡±


    ¡°What should we do?¡± she pressed anxiously.


    He frowned slightly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll require a major renovation. Those two small rooms in the middle must be demolished. If you want to add more rooms, they absolutely cannot be built in such an unsupported manner.¡±


    Hearing this, Aunt Huang sighed with worry. ¡°But our family is already so big, and my eldest and second sons will continue to have more children. We¡¯re running out of space.¡±


    Her eldest son¡¯s family did want to move out, but in a county city like this, let alone the capital housing prices were exorbitant. They simply couldn¡¯t afford it, so they had no choice but to squeeze in with the rest of the family.


    Chen Xiao followed Aunt Huang back to the front courtyard, where he asked her for a piece of paper. Taking out a homemade charcoal pencil, he began sketching. ¡°If you must add more rooms, you can separate the front and back sections. Open another entrance in the rear courtyard, turning it into two adjacent courtyards instead.¡±


    At first glance, the Huang family¡¯s home was somewhat heart-shaped. By adding a dividing wall, it would transform into a square attached to a rectangle. Aunt Huang had never considered such an idea before, but the more she thought about it, the better it seemed.


    With the front and back separated and a new entrance added, the two removed rooms could be replaced by extending the new courtyard wall. Two large houses could be built on either side of the wall, ensuring they didn¡¯t lose living space. In fact, this new layout would make movement in and out of the house even more convenient.


    Comparing Chen Xiao¡¯s drawing with her own mental image, Aunt Huang found that the only difference was the placement of a new doorway.


    Chen Xiao explained, ¡°If you open the back entrance here, it won¡¯t be directly facing the street, so you¡¯ll have to take a slightly longer route. But it will bring good fortune to your family.¡±


    Aunt Huang gratefully accepted the sketch, carefully storing it away. She had already made up her mind, once her husband returned, she would discuss pooling their money to renovate the house. This way, their home would be more structured, and their living conditions more comfortable.


    After the separation, her eldest and second sons¡¯ families could cook for themselves, which would likely make her daughters-in-law happier too.


    Once they had finished discussing the house, the two sat down for a chat.


    Aunt Huang looked at Chen Xiao and asked with a teasing smile, ¡°Are you leaving this time to go find your wife?¡±


    Chen Xiao froze. He had nearly forgotten about the excuse he had made up back then to avoid matchmaking.


    <hr>


    Mini-Theater: Years later, Chen Xiao really did return with a ¡°wife¡± ¡­ though the gender wasn¡¯t quite what they had expected.

 Chapter 35: Taking a Bath

    Chen Xiao¡¯s momentary daze made Aunt Huang feel puzzled. She couldn¡¯t help but ask again. Only then did Chen Xiao snap out of it and, bracing himself, replied, "Ah, yes, that¡¯s part of the reason. The rest is because of my travels for study."


    Aunt Huang sighed and said, "I just hope your betrothed is still alive and well, and that you two may reunite one day."


    Chen Xiao forced a stiff smile, thinking that if that ever happened, it would be nothing short of a miracle.


    Afterward, he entrusted Aunt Huang with a spare key to his house, asking her to keep an eye on things in case anything happened. If there were any issues, she didn¡¯t need to handle them herself, just notify someone at Taxue Xunxian, and someone would take care of it. Aunt Huang chuckled and assured him not to worry, promising to watch over the house for him.


    The Huang family owed Chen Xiao a great favor, and simply helping to watch over the house was a small matter. There was no need for him to even ask; they would naturally take care of it.


    Before leaving, Chen Xiao handed over one set of keys to Aunt Huang and another to Taxue Xunxian Pavilion for safekeeping. At the shop, they were practically treating him like a treasure. The head shopkeeper even scheduled shifts for the staff to clean his house periodically.


    Chen Xiao found this both amusing and exasperating, promptly declining the offer. He didn¡¯t want to impose extra work on others, who would willingly take on additional tasks without proper supervision? They¡¯d likely do a half-hearted job and end up resenting him for it. Instead, he arranged for the night-duty worker to withdraw some copper coins from his wages and handle the cleaning himself by picking up the keys from the head shopkeeper at scheduled times.


    Early in the morning, Pang Hemu arrived to see Chen Xiao off. He personally handed him a heavy box. Without even opening it, Chen Xiao could tell from the crisp clinking of metal inside that it was money.


    Frowning, he asked, "Boss Pang, what is this for?"


    Pang Hemu grinned and shoved the box into his hands. "A poor man should have money when traveling. Take it!"


    Just as Chen Xiao was about to return the box, Pang Hemu added, "This is your wages for the next five years, given to you in advance."


    Chen Xiao looked at him helplessly. "What if I don¡¯t return? Wouldn¡¯t that be a wasted investment?"


    Pang Hemu shamelessly replied, "That would only mean your reputation has grown so much that you¡¯re too busy to return. In that case, I¡¯d personally come and bring you back. And don¡¯t forget, the shop¡¯s feng shui still needs your expertise. I know your future is bright, but don¡¯t forget your old acquaintances."


    Chen Xiao laughed. "Of course, I won¡¯t forget. Alright, I¡¯ll accept this then. I promise I¡¯ll return. If, for some reason, I really can¡¯t, you can take my house as collateral."


    Pang Hemu burst into laughter. "I don¡¯t want your house."


    Just then, Du Rong approached and said, "Master Chen, it¡¯s time."


    The group stood at the county city¡¯s relay station. Beside them was a spacious carriage pulled by four strong horses. This carriage was much larger and more luxurious than the one Chen Xiao had taken to Fancun. The coachman sitting at the front glanced over and flashed a warm smile upon meeting Chen Xiao¡¯s gaze.


    Handing the money box to Du Rong for safekeeping, Chen Xiao waved farewell to Pang Hemu before boarding the carriage. He found his assigned seat and settled in. This time, the seating was even more spacious and comfortable. If his previous ride had been like a first-class train seat, then this was the equivalent of a business-class seat. The seats could be adjusted, allowing passengers to recline and rest. The carriage accommodated only six people due to space limitations, so there were no accompanying attendants. However, a cabinet at the front of the carriage was stocked with delicious snacks and insulated hot water.


    This carriage exclusively traveled between the county city and the capital. Along the way, it stopped at designated points to let passengers stretch, eat, and handle any needs. At night, it stayed at high-end inns, where rooms were already prepared. There was no need for Chen Xiao and Du Rong to book separate accommodations, their lodgings were included in the service.


    Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how, no matter the time or place, as long as one was willing to spend money, there was no luxury they couldn¡¯t enjoy.


    Thanks to his willingness to pay, the journey to the capital was smooth and comfortable. Du Rong¡¯s complexion also improved day by day. By the time they arrived at the capital, as Chen Xiao had predicted, the sickly look on Du Rong¡¯s face had completely vanished. His sharp eyes and composed demeanor now made it clear that he was someone not to be trifled with.


    After disembarking at the capital¡¯s relay station, Du Rong retrieved their luggage from the carriage¡¯s undercarriage and asked, "Master Chen, is there anywhere you¡¯d like to go? I can arrange accommodations accordingly."


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    Although he was temporarily under Chen Xiao¡¯s employment, he refrained from using any terms that implied submission. Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t offended, this was the pride unique to cultivators. It was simply how they were.


    Chen Xiao turned his head, his gaze deep as he looked at Du Rong. "Can you find an inn where cultivators stay? I need to inquire about something."


    Du Rong was a little surprised. "If there¡¯s anything you need to find out, you can leave it to me. There¡¯s no need for you to go personally. Those places can be quite dangerous for someone like you."


    Though he didn¡¯t explicitly say it, Chen Xiao understood, cultivators had their own exclusive circles, and they wouldn¡¯t welcome someone like him, who had no cultivation talent whatsoever.


    Chen Xiao observed Du Rong closely. Despite his objection, Du Rong didn¡¯t show any sign of looking down on him. No matter what he truly thought, his outward attitude remained respectful. Chen Xiao nodded inwardly. It seemed there were things he could entrust to Du Rong after all.


    Thus, he didn¡¯t insist further and simply asked Du Rong to arrange for a quiet, conveniently located inn.


    Outside the relay station, there were carriages specifically for ferrying passengers. Du Rong skillfully negotiated the destination and fare with the driver before inviting Chen Xiao to board. Then, he methodically loaded their luggage onto the carriage¡¯s rack, preparing for their next step in the capital.


    Through the carriage window, Chen Xiao glanced at Du Rong, feeling that his luck was quite good. To have found such a high-level cultivator as a temporary bodyguard was a rare fortune. If it had been Ma Liang or some of the younger ones instead, they would have been reluctant to do something as menial as carrying luggage. Their upbringing and environment had shaped them to maintain a sense of status. If they weren¡¯t ordering the coachman around, they would have certainly suggested hiring a servant specifically to handle such tasks for Chen Xiao.


    In truth, if he had any other choice, Chen Xiao wouldn¡¯t have wanted a bodyguard at all. He carried certain secrets that couldn¡¯t be exposed before he became strong enough, especially not in front of these cultivators who were just one step away from the immortal path. If that was the case, he certainly wouldn¡¯t want a personal attendant hovering around him either.


    Appreciating both Du Rong¡¯s rare humility and his own good fortune, Chen Xiao decided that when their contract ended, he would reward this diligent and reliable cultivator with a generous bonus.


    Unaware that his temporary employer¡¯s opinion of him was steadily improving, Du Rong boarded the carriage, and the coachman set off at a light trot.


    Chen Xiao admired the prosperity of the imperial capital through the window. Though the social structure here was outdated, the economy seemed remarkably developed. The roads were wide and well-paved with stone, and the streets were bustling with pedestrians. Shops teemed with customers, and people moved in and out with ease. Their spirits were high, their clothes refined, and their expressions radiated confidence and satisfaction with life.


    The capital of the Dai Kingdom was an ancient city with a history spanning thousands of years. Some buildings from previous dynasties had been preserved in pristine condition, their architectural styles vastly different from the current mainstream designs. As someone from a more rural background, Chen Xiao found himself utterly captivated. No matter the era or location, architecture was the purest representation of an era¡¯s artistic achievements, encapsulating the essence of countless crafts. In a way, buildings stood as symbols of time itself. Just by gazing at the structures lining the streets, Chen Xiao felt reassured that leaving the prefectural city had been the right decision.


    Rather than arranging accommodations in the city center, Du Rong had chosen a quieter district on the outskirts, a choice that perfectly suited Chen Xiao¡¯s preferences, peaceful yet conveniently located.


    Du Rong had rented a private courtyard, suspecting that his employer would prefer such a space. And indeed, Chen Xiao made no complaints, settling into the residence in high spirits.


    Chen Xiao handed over the moneybox given to him by Pang Hemu without any intention of taking it back, he planned to use those funds to cover his travel expenses.


    Though Chen Xiao didn¡¯t voice this aloud, Du Rong understood his meaning. Every arrangement he made was just right, not overly luxurious, but always ensuring Chen Xiao¡¯s comfort.


    That evening, Chen Xiao invited Du Rong to the bathhouse for a soak. He had reserved a private room, and the hot spring pool inside was spacious enough to accommodate three to five people at once.


    A waiter delivered a tray of wine and refreshments. Du Rong poured two cups, then placed them on a floating tray, gently pushing it across the water toward Chen Xiao. Leaning against the edge of the pool, Chen Xiao picked up a cup and took a leisurely sip.


    Du Rong lowered his gaze, drinking quietly. His employer was a mystery, even with his twenty years of experience wandering the outside world, facing countless challenges, he still couldn¡¯t quite see through him.


    Chen Xiao had done his research on Du Rong, and naturally, Du Rong had done his own homework on Chen Xiao. He knew of Chen Xiao¡¯s background and the almost legendary way he had risen to success. There was no doubt in his mind, Chen Xiao had encountered some extraordinary fortune.


    That said, fortuitous encounters weren¡¯t unheard of in the world of cultivators. While rare, they weren¡¯t completely beyond expectation. It was surprising and enviable, but not enough to spark any ulterior motives. Everyone walked their own path, what suited one person might not suit another. A cultivator who failed to understand this wouldn¡¯t make it far in their journey.


    From what Du Rong had gathered, Chen Xiao¡¯s skills were largely focused on geomantic arts, useful but ultimately considered an auxiliary discipline. It had little to do with true cultivation and was regarded as a minor, unorthodox craft. Someone like Chen Xiao, who lacked spiritual roots and had no aptitude for cultivation, was a perfect fit for it.


    A bathhouse¡¯s hot spring pool was an excellent place for conversation, more so than a banquet table. The relaxed atmosphere made it easier to open up, naturally drawing people closer.


    Chen Xiao had invited Du Rong here precisely with that intent, to discuss something important. Because what he was about to say might even be difficult for a veteran high-level cultivator like Du Rong to comprehend.


    Taking another sip of the mellow wine, Chen Xiao finally spoke, his voice unhurried.


    "Master Du, I have something to ask you. I hope you¡¯ll answer me truthfully."

 Chapter 36: So This Is the Kind of Person Du Rong Is

    See, this was exactly what he couldn''t understand.


    Du Rong thought to himself as he set the empty wine cup aside.


    A young man who had emerged from a remote mountain village, no matter how fortuitous his encounters, no matter how he rose from obscurity to stand among the distinguished¡ªshould not have undergone such an immense transformation in such a short period. Even Pang Hemu, upon seeing him earlier, had reacted just like any other ordinary person, instinctively feeling inferior.


    Yet this shop owner before him met his gaze head-on, his expression calm and unyielding. He spoke neither servilely nor arrogantly, as if he genuinely held no fear of the power Du Rong carried, as if he truly saw them as equals.


    This peculiarity did not offend Du Rong; rather, he found it refreshing. He never believed that cultivators were inherently superior to ordinary people. However, the world often shackled people with invisible chains, and very few could maintain their dignity when faced with overwhelming power.


    Du Rong turned his gaze to Chen Xiao, his voice resonating within the private room.


    "Shopkeeper Chen, feel free to ask. If it is within my knowledge, I will answer."


    Chen Xiao had no idea what was going through Du Rong¡¯s mind. Even though he had done his best to imitate how people in this world conducted themselves, some things simply couldn''t be learned through imitation alone. Besides, he wasn¡¯t a professional actor. how could he possibly maintain a fa?ade at all times?


    Fortunately, even if his disguise were to be seen through, cultivators like Du Rong wouldn¡¯t burn him at the stake. The cultivation world was filled with too many bizarre occurrences; there were beings even more enigmatic than him. This made people here far more accepting of the strange and unusual.


    Chen Xiao¡¯s voice was clear as he asked, "Is there a place where cultivators and ordinary people frequently interact?"


    Du Rong was momentarily stunned. Confused, he asked, "...Could Shopkeeper Chen be more specific? I don¡¯t quite understand."


    Chen Xiao straightened up, carefully explaining, "I mean, is there a town that is the exact opposite of a county city? In a county city, ordinary people greatly outnumber cultivators, and the two groups barely intersect, each maintaining their own separate circles. What I¡¯m looking for is a place where cultivators are the majority, but they don¡¯t deliberately isolate themselves from ordinary people in daily life."


    Du Rong understood now. He nodded.


    "Shopkeeper Chen is asking if there are cities specifically for cultivators? Such places do exist."


    Seeing Chen Xiao¡¯s curiosity, he decided to elaborate. After all, this wasn¡¯t a secret, ordinary folk simply had no access to such information, so it wasn¡¯t widely known.


    "In the Dai Kingdom, the vast majority of people are mortals without the ability to cultivate, which is why little is known about such matters. But in truth, cultivators are numerous. Not only do they have their own cities, but some sects even control entire vassal states."


    Chen Xiao looked genuinely surprised.


    He had assumed that cultivators in this world were akin to the legendary immortals of his previous life, few in number, secluded in deep mountains or remote islands, quietly cultivating without interfering in worldly affairs.


    Who would have thought that reality was completely different?


    Clearly, his understanding of this cultivation-based world was still far too shallow; he hadn''t even scratched the surface of its core structure.


    It wasn¡¯t that Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t tried to learn more, rather, it was a limitation imposed by society itself. Knowledge wasn¡¯t freely available, and there were simply no avenues for him to acquire certain information.


    For instance, he still didn¡¯t even know whether this world existed on a single planet, whether it had oceans, or if there were other continents.


    What he actually wanted to ask about was the towns located near cultivation sects.


    Yet, instead of learning about minor sect-affiliated villages, Du Rong had directly informed him of an entire city where cultivators were the primary residents.


    A city!


    Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t suppress the surge of curiosity and longing in his heart. He took a deep breath, his eyes shining.


    "Where is this city? Is it far?"


    Du Rong replied, "Extremely far. The journey is also incredibly treacherous. It¡¯s so distant that an ordinary person could walk for an entire year and still not reach it. The dangers along the way are so great that even a cultivator like myself would be courting death by traveling on foot."


    Chen Xiao¡¯s expression fell.


    "I see... No wonder I¡¯ve never heard of such a place."


    This sounded even more perilous than the legendary journey of Master Xuanzang to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from the West. At least Xuanzang had a chance of returning, his journey was one of nine deaths and one life.


    But this path?


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    One could go, but never come back. It was certain death.


    Before he could sink further into disappointment, Du Rong continued.


    "To reach that city, one must pass through plains infested with ferocious beasts, dense forests teeming with danger, glaciers and snow-capped mountains of unbearable cold, as well as scorching deserts and barren wastelands. The journey is long and arduous. Even cultivators dislike taking the land route."


    "So instead, we usually sail by sea and take a detour."


    Chen Xiao stared at Du Rong, expressionless.


    Taking such long pauses while speaking... How infuriating.


    He never would have guessed that beneath Du Rong¡¯s composed and serious exterior lurked such a mischievous streak.


    Seeing Chen Xiao¡¯s stiffened face, Du Rong chuckled.


    It was merely a slight smile, but on his typically stern and rugged face, it immediately softened his sharp features. The cold, distant aura around him lessened, replaced with a hint of warmth.


    The atmosphere in the room was relaxed, and Du Rong couldn¡¯t help but recall his nephew.


    He had left home as soon as he came of age, while his younger brother, lacking the talent for cultivation, had married and had children early.


    As a result, his nephew was around the same age as Chen Xiao.


    Every time Du Rong returned home, the boy would cling to him, constantly pestering him with questions about cultivators and their world.


    Looking at Chen Xiao now, despite the mysteries that shrouded him, at his core, he was still just a young man.


    Unconsciously, Du Rong¡¯s posture eased, his attitude subtly shifting.


    But when Chen Xiao noticed the faint trace of kindness in Du Rong¡¯s gaze, he suddenly felt powerless.


    He had wanted to build harmony, yes, but not to be treated like a junior!


    Relaxing too much during a conversation, it was no wonder he wasn¡¯t being taken seriously. If this were a more formal setting, the other party¡¯s attitude would surely be different.


    Chen Xiao gritted his teeth in silence. Fine, let them treat him like a junior. After all, elders were generally more tolerant toward the younger generation. At the very least, this kind of perception worked in his favor as an employer, bringing benefits rather than disadvantages.


    With that in mind, he simply lifted his youthful face, full of vigor and brimming with energy without needing to feign anything, and said to Du Rong, ¡°Master Du, can I call you Uncle Rong?¡±


    Du Rong replied, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, young master, it would be my honor.¡±


    Chen Xiao responded politely, ¡°Not at all. You completely deserve it, Uncle Rong. And there''s no need to call me ¡®young master¡¯ every time, just call me Xiao Han.¡±


    Even as relaxed as Du Rong was, he still held firm to his principles. His expression turned slightly serious as he said, ¡°Without rules, there can be no order.¡±


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t insist and instead returned to his earlier question. ¡°Then, Uncle Rong, could you tell me how sea routes work? Where does one go to board a ship?¡±


    Du Rong explained, ¡°Regions where cultivators live are filled with spiritual energy and often swarming with dangerous beasts, making them inaccessible to ordinary people. Coastal areas, however, are different. The ocean is vast, and fierce beasts rarely approach the shores, making travel by ship relatively safe. There is an inland river dock near the capital, where one can board a boat to reach the outer port. From there, fleets depart for the cultivator city every ten days, and one can purchase a ticket to board.¡±


    Chen Xiao¡¯s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, ¡°How much do the tickets cost?¡±


    Du Rong shook his head. ¡°Young master, there''s no need to ask, you won¡¯t be able to buy one.¡±


    Chen Xiao frowned. ¡°Why not?¡±


    Du Rong explained, ¡°These fleets only carry cultivators and practitioners; they do not sell tickets to ordinary people.¡±


    He thought this news might disappoint Chen Xiao again, but to his surprise, there was no trace of frustration on his face. Instead, Chen Xiao simply nodded and said, ¡°I see.¡±


    He had already gathered all the information he needed. Although Du Rong mentioned that the fleet wouldn¡¯t sell tickets to ordinary people, Chen Xiao was confident this was a problem that could be solved.


    He wasn¡¯t merely curious, his next step was to head to that city. While continuing to develop and promote his residential techniques in the capital was an option, it would just be repeating what he had done in the county. He had already done business with wealthy merchants, only to find himself blocked from the gates of the aristocratic families.


    Since he had to start from scratch either way, why not go directly to a cultivator city? Such places often provided more opportunities for ordinary people to interact with cultivators, and they tended to be more receptive to new concepts like his residential techniques, which bore similarities to cultivation arts.


    In a city with many cultivators, the barrier between them and ordinary people might be thinner¡ªeasier to break through.


    Ultimately, Chen Xiao¡¯s goal was to learn a method to protect himself. He wouldn¡¯t find what he was looking for if he stayed confined to mortal cities. One way or another, he had to reach that city.


    For now, as he soaked in the bath, he no longer asked about cultivators. Instead, he inquired about Du Rong¡¯s past experiences and the places he had been.


    In his younger years, Du Rong had ventured out with a team to train in beast territories. Such areas often contained valuable resources, including spiritual plants and medicinal creatures.


    Whenever they found something valuable, they would find a way to trade it for cultivation resources, be it pills, weapons, or equipment. They would use these to improve themselves before venturing into even more dangerous territories to acquire more materials, repeating the cycle over and over.


    Through this relentless grind, Du Rong had climbed from a low-ranking cultivator to a high-level one. Truth be told, his natural talent wasn¡¯t great. Though he had a rare dual spiritual root, both were weak. His cultivation efficiency was abysmal, not even achieving half the results for double the effort, but rather a mere quarter of the usual effectiveness.


    During his academy years, he had felt deeply discouraged. Lacking talent, he considered quitting and returning home to find a job. However, his parents and younger brother supported him unwaveringly, so he persisted and stayed in the academy until adulthood.


    After leaving the academy, his family had planned to pool money to get him into the city¡¯s security force. But instead of accepting their help, he left behind a letter and set off on his own, determined not to burden them further.


    Over the years, he had done well for himself, not only honing his skills and advancing his cultivation but also bringing wealth and prosperity to his family. In fact, compared to others with similar talent who had joined the security force or noble families, his cultivation level far surpassed theirs.


    However, a life spent dancing on the edge of a blade could never be smooth forever.


    Not long ago, during a mission, he had suffered a severe injury. His supply of pills was exhausted, and his weapons and gear had been heavily damaged in battle. Though he was fortunate enough to survive, he spent all his savings on recovery.


    Du Rong had never been the type to ask his family for money. Even when he was broke, he preferred to find his own way. After recovering, he needed funds to buy new equipment, so when a wealthy merchant sought a high-level cultivator as a bodyguard, he accepted the offer and ended up working for Chen Xiao.

 Chapter 37: The Absent-Minded Immortal Master

    Du Rong had always thought that after arriving in the capital, Chen Xiao would quickly establish his career. However, to his surprise, the next few days saw Chen Xiao spending his time sightseeing, exploring various attractions, and indulging in the city''s famous local delicacies.


    It was unclear how he gathered all his information, but in just a few days, he had traversed every corner of the capital. Even Du Rong, who had visited the city multiple times before, had never realized there were so many places worth seeing. Especially when it came to the vast array of food, Chen Xiao''s culinary adventures had even restored some fullness to Du Rong¡¯s once slightly sunken cheeks.


    That morning, as soon as Chen Xiao stepped out of his room, he turned to Du Rong, who was already waiting outside, and said, "Uncle Rong, have the shop arrange for a short-distance carriage later."


    "Understood, Master," Du Rong replied without hesitation. By now, he was used to this routine every morning, Chen Xiao would request a carriage. A standard carriage meant they would be moving within the city, while a short-distance one indicated a trip to the outskirts.


    Du Rong was typically serious while working, always maintaining a clear boundary between business and personal matters. Despite the camaraderie they had built, especially after sharing a soak in the bathhouse, Du Rong had not significantly changed his demeanor. While it had brought them somewhat closer, he still maintained a professional distance, which Chen Xiao actually found reassuring. He had worried that Du Rong might suddenly adopt an overly enthusiastic elder¡¯s attitude, but this balanced dynamic suited him just fine.


    After having breakfast in the inn''s main hall, the two set off in the carriage toward a marketplace on the outskirts of the capital. According to the inn¡¯s water-fetching attendant, this particular market was quite unique. It gathered specialties from all the provinces of Dai Country, featuring rare fruits and livestock that were hard to find elsewhere. Due to the large number of merchants and travelers, the food stalls offered a diverse range of regional delicacies. While the market lacked picturesque scenery and grand architecture, it was an excellent place to experience different local customs.


    Of course, Chen Xiao would never admit that he was primarily there for the food.


    The journey took a full hour by carriage. Since they had hired it for a round trip, the driver parked it at a designated spot and went to rest at a nearby teahouse while Chen Xiao and Du Rong explored the market.


    The marketplace was actually an extension of a small town, spilling out from one side and forming a bustling hub of commerce. Goods from all over the country were displayed, and various regional accents mixed together, creating a lively and chaotic atmosphere. Due to its function as a trade hub, the market was packed with people. Thankfully, with Du Rong by his side, Chen Xiao was spared from being squeezed into a pancake by the crowd.


    With such a mix of people, pickpockets were inevitable. After Du Rong intercepted three separate attempts, Chen Xiao finally found something that piqued his interest.


    They had left the fruit and dried goods section and were now in the daily necessities and miscellaneous goods area. This part of the market wasn''t solely occupied by established traders; there were also lone merchants carrying high-quality goods. These individuals, lacking sales channels and unable to secure buyers in the capital, refused to sell their products at a loss and instead came to this market in hopes of finding discerning customers.


    One such stall caught Chen Xiao¡¯s attention. The owner had traveled a great distance with several bolts of exquisite fabric. Unfortunately, the capital¡¯s silk and satin shops had fixed supply chains, and their wholesale prices were significantly lower than what he could offer. Forced to slash his prices, he was on the verge of making a loss, and his anxiety was evident in the chapped corners of his lips.


    When he noticed Chen Xiao¡¯s interest, the vendor immediately stepped forward, eager to make a sale. "Young master, you have a keen eye! These are genuine Zhiyun brocades from the south, the finest silk available."


    He carefully refrained from touching the fabrics himself, merely rubbing his hands together while allowing Chen Xiao to examine them. Compared to the professional salespeople Chen Xiao had encountered in his past life, the vendor¡¯s pitch was clumsy and lacking in confidence. Clearly, he was not skilled in persuasion, hence why he was reduced to waiting here in hopes of attracting the right buyer.


    Fortunately for him, Chen Xiao was indeed interested. Zhiyun brocade was woven from silk, gold and silver threads, and rare bird feathers. The fabric featured intricate cloud patterns, its vibrant colors gleaming with a lustrous sheen. In his previous life, this type of brocade had once been tribute silk, reserved for imperial robes. By then, its production had become extremely limited due to the labor-intensive process of handweaving on large wooden looms, making it a rare find on the market.


    The bolts before him were all solid-colored, available in deep indigo, frost white, azure, tea brown, begonia red, pale pink, silver red, and lilac. Chen Xiao pointed to the frost-white one and asked, "How much for this piece?"


    The vendor replied cautiously, "Three gold coins per bolt, no less." It seemed that repeated rejections had worn down his confidence, making even his quoted price sound uncertain.


    Three gold coins were enough to support a family of five for ten years. Given that most people at the market were just browsing, it was no surprise that many had balked at the price. However, to Chen Xiao, it was reasonable. He instructed Du Rong to pay for four bolts in the colors deep indigo, frost white, tea brown, and azure. His body was still growing, and he needed to replace his clothes frequently. These fabrics would be perfect for his spring and summer wardrobe.


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    Having made his purchase, his enthusiasm for shopping dwindled. He took the lead and headed toward the area with the most food stalls, selecting one that seemed reasonably busy and sitting down.


    Meanwhile, Du Rong temporarily left to find a suitable container to store the fabric. Chen Xiao, under the waiter¡¯s recommendation, ordered several popular dishes and waited for them to arrive.


    As he idly scanned his surroundings, his gaze landed on a young boy of short stature. The boy carried a long rectangular case on his back, about the width of a violin case and wore a deep blue fitted outfit. He stood at around 1.6 meters tall, with a round face and single eyelids. His heavy eyelids gave him a perpetually drowsy look, while his slightly sunken nose bridge made his nose tip appear more prominent. His full lips were tightly pressed together, as if deliberately maintaining a stern expression despite his youthful, baby-faced features.


    Despite his seemingly harmless appearance, Chen Xiao could tell from the aura surrounding him that he was a cultivator. And not just any cultivator, his level of cultivation was at least a full realm higher than Du Rong¡¯s, comparable to the two disciples of Xi Yunqing.


    Strictly speaking, this person was an immortal master.


    Right now, however, this immortal master was lost in the crowd. He looked just like a kid following the adults to wander the martial world, only to accidentally get separated and now circling around in confusion.


    Chen Xiao couldn''t help but stare at him. Every time the boy passed by, the air currents shifted. Others might only feel the faintest breeze, not enough to ruffle a strand of hair, but to Chen Xiao¡¯s eyes, it was completely different, like a mischievous child constantly stirring the surface of a pond. Just as the ripples settled, he would come back to disrupt them again.


    After the round-faced youth passed by him for the fifth or sixth time, Chen Xiao finally couldn''t hold back and spoke up. ¡°Are you lost?¡±


    The boy startled and turned sharply, his expression tense with wariness. ¡°What? I¡¯m not lost!¡±


    Chen Xiao looked at him in silence. Did he really seem like a bad person? Why was this kid so on guard? Besides, the boy was an immortal master, while he was just an ordinary mortal. If he wanted to, a single finger could probably crush him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen you walking back and forth a lot,¡± Chen Xiao pointed out.


    The youth stiffened and replied gruffly, ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ just looking for a place. I¡¯m really not lost!¡±


    What could Chen Xiao say to someone so determined to deny reality?


    Just then, the food he ordered arrived. Chen Xiao pulled a pair of chopsticks from the holder and gave a perfunctory nod. ¡°Alright, suit yourself.¡±


    The round-faced boy froze. He had clearly been the one approached first, yet this guy was now ignoring him completely and had started eating instead.


    He shot a resentful look at Chen Xiao, who was focused on his meal, then let his gaze linger on the bowl in front of him. In the end, he didn¡¯t say anything and turned to leave.


    By the time all the dishes had been served, Du Rong had returned. He carried a rattan box lined with soft fabric, carefully wrapping the woven Cloud Brocade before placing it inside.


    Chen Xiao said, ¡°Uncle Rong, you¡¯ve worked hard. The venison soup is pretty good try some.¡±


    Venison was too nourishing, so as a young and healthy man, Chen Xiao didn¡¯t dare eat too much. However, for someone like Du Rong, who had just recovered from an injury, it would be beneficial.


    Du Rong understood this as well. He didn¡¯t bother with politeness, and most of the venison soup ended up in his stomach.


    It was a cold time of the year, and after finishing a large bowl of hot soup, a thin sheen of sweat formed on Du Rong¡¯s forehead. He set his bowl down with satisfaction and, in a rare display of straightforwardness, said, ¡°That was refreshing! Following you on this trip has been a real feast.¡±


    Chen Xiao slurped up a mouthful of chewy glass noodles, swallowed, and asked, ¡°Oh? So you didn¡¯t eat well when you were out training before?¡±


    Du Rong sighed. ¡°When training outside, you eat whatever¡¯s convenient. In areas with fierce beasts, you don¡¯t dare light a fire. Most of the time, we ate cold and hard food, flatbreads, jerky, things like that.¡±


    Chen Xiao sighed along with him. ¡°Making a living out there really isn¡¯t easy.¡±


    Just then, the air before him rippled slightly. Chen Xiao immediately knew that boy had passed by again. Ever since Chen Xiao had called out to him earlier, the boy had clearly reduced the number of times he walked past. Over the course of their meal, he had only done so three times, each time moving especially fast.


    He was probably too embarrassed now and tried to sneak past. But no matter how much he tried to be subtle, the faint fluctuations in his aura betrayed him completely.


    Perhaps due to the difference in their cultivation levels, Du Rong hadn¡¯t noticed that a cultivator stronger than him had been lingering nearby. Blissfully unaware, he finished his meal, settled the bill, and asked, ¡°Boss, do you have anywhere else you¡¯d like to visit this afternoon?¡±


    No matter how lively the market was, it had its limits. They had already explored two major sections, with only the livestock area remaining.


    Chen Xiao was hesitating, wondering if he should check it out for any interesting animals, when the air before him suddenly rippled again, this time, the fluctuation was even stronger.


    Turning his head, he looked past Du Rong and saw the round-faced youth standing behind him.


    It was only then that Du Rong belatedly sensed something was off. He twisted around, his expression instantly turning serious.


    The round-faced boy stood stiffly, looking down at him with a blank expression.


    Du Rong¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He hadn¡¯t noticed at all when this boy had gotten so close, let alone the fact that he had positioned himself directly behind him, an extremely dangerous spot.


    Oblivious to Du Rong¡¯s alarm, the boy didn¡¯t even glance at him. Instead, he lowered his voice and asked, ¡°Daoist friend, do you know the way to the Inner River Wharf?¡±


    <hr>


    Note: Although Du Rong is a supporting character, he won¡¯t have a major role overall. Meanwhile, this round-faced youth who just appeared will be one of the mainstay companions.

 Chapter 38: Outer Port

    "Daoist friend" was the customary way cultivators addressed each other. The moment Du Rong heard this term and realized that the person had approached him without making a sound, he immediately knew that this individual was far stronger than him, likely an immortal cultivator. Despite the young face before him, he dared not be careless. Hastily rising to his feet, he respectfully said, "Daoist friend, to get to the inner river dock, head east from this town¡¯s market. When you reach an intersection, turn north and travel to the capital. Pass through the city gates and continue straight along the road, and you will arrive."


    Chen Xiao noticed the young man¡¯s expression stiffen. He clenched his fists, his gaze locking onto Du Rong¡¯s collar. "¡­Which way is east?"


    Du Rong was momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, a wave of sympathy and nostalgia surged within Chen Xiao.


    After all, one only had to glance at the sun and shadows to determine the cardinal directions. As a feng shui master, orientation was a fundamental skill. No matter what city or unfamiliar place he found himself in, he would never get lost.


    This boy, however, had a poor sense of direction and a weak spatial awareness, classic symptoms of being utterly incapable of navigation. It was likely due to underdeveloped neural pathways responsible for spatial recognition, coupled with a poor memory for recently seen maps or layouts. In short, he was a natural-born wayfinder¡¯s nightmare.


    Chen Xiao used to struggle to understand how some people could wander aimlessly in circles for twenty minutes, unable to find an exit. That was until he took in a disciple who, upon stepping out of a subway station, train station, or airport, would be instantly disoriented. Without GPS guidance, that disciple would be helplessly lost amidst towering buildings.


    And so, deciding to perform a good deed for the day, Chen Xiao stood up and pointed in the direction behind the boy. "That way is east. You can leave the market from behind you."


    The boy¡¯s single-lidded eyes flickered with embarrassment and frustration. He darted a quick, evasive glance at Chen Xiao before muttering in a low, hurried voice, "Thank you." Then, as if unable to bear the awkwardness any longer, he turned and vanished into the crowd like a gust of wind.


    "Hey¡ª" Chen Xiao raised a hand and called after him. Running around like that is dangerous. You¡¯ll just get lost again.


    Originally, Chen Xiao had planned to escort the boy to the capital since their inn was near the northern city gate. But seeing how the boy wanted to avoid him at all costs, Chen Xiao, having failed in his attempt to do a good deed, could only lower his hand in mild disappointment.


    For the rest of the day, Chen Xiao and Du Rong continued exploring the livestock section. There, he encountered several species of animals he had never seen before. They were categorized into egg-layers, meat-producers, and milk-providers, but their appearances were completely different from the poultry and livestock of his past life. Their looks were wild and untamed, as if they had never been domesticated.


    His instincts proved correct, every so often, there would be a commotion caused by unruly livestock attempting to escape or even attacking handlers. Observing a bull-like beast with horns gleaming menacingly under the light, Chen Xiao decided it was best to leave the area sooner rather than later.


    That afternoon, after an hour-long return trip, they arrived back at the inn. As Chen Xiao settled in, a fleeting thought crossed his mind¡ªhad that boy successfully found his way to the inner river dock? But then, recalling that the boy was a cultivator, he dismissed the concern. Even if he gets lost, he¡¯ll manage somehow.


    Afterwards, he delivered four pieces of Cloud Weave Brocade to a century-old tailor shop in the capital. He had them take his measurements, requesting one set of fitted clothing and another slightly larger. Since he opted out of any embroidery designs, the tailor assured him the garments would be ready in seven or eight days.


    While waiting for the clothes to be made, Chen Xiao decided to visit the inner river dock. Before departing, he had Du Rong check out of the inn but left their luggage stored there temporarily. He only took a set of clothing and his essential belongings. Though Du Rong was puzzled, he did not question it. Instead, he packed everything into a newly purchased rattan trunk and carried it by hand.


    This was something Chen Xiao particularly appreciated about Du Rong, he did his tasks silently and never meddled in his employer¡¯s decisions.


    Upon arriving at the inner river dock by short-haul carriage, Chen Xiao instructed Du Rong to purchase two tickets to the outer port. It was only then that Du Rong realized, his young employer had not given up on his plan to visit the city of cultivators. However, he chose not to dissuade him.


    Chen Xiao was someone with a firm will. Until he saw things for himself, he would not let go of his resolve. As a bodyguard, Du Rong¡¯s only duty was to ensure his safety.


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    That said, deep down, Du Rong harbored his own concerns. Among those who left the academy, some had already realized that their innate talent made further advancement nearly impossible. The weight of this disparity crushed their spirits, leaving them struggling even more than ordinary people.


    If even cultivators found this reality unbearable, how could an ordinary person like Chen Xiao accept it?


    Occasionally, when looking at Chen Xiao, Du Rong would be reminded of his own nephew. At this moment, he couldn¡¯t help but project his thoughts onto him. His employer seemed to have a stubborn streak, if he were to witness the brutal divide between mortals and immortals firsthand, would he be heartbroken?


    Du Rong¡¯s expression remained indifferent, but inwardly, he was troubled. Chen Xiao, unaware of his thoughts, simply stood near the dock, scanning his surroundings. This was the river port closest to the capital, a crucial hub for water transport. As a result, the entire dock was bustling with activity, surrounded by buildings that had sprung up to support the port''s operations. Porters and laborers came and went, all working to keep the place running.


    The riverbank was lined with boats of varying sizes. The smallest ones resembled the rowboats used by park visitors, evidently belonging to locals who rowed their boats around, seeking passengers. The largest were towering, two-story vessels, some were merchant ships, where laborers hauled cargo on and off, while others were passenger ships, where travelers of different backgrounds, some neatly dressed and others in more refined attire, boarded and disembarked.


    Chen Xiao was observing the people¡¯s clothing, trying to guess their identities, when Du Rong returned.


    ¡°Master, my apologies. I could only secure two seated tickets, there were no private cabins available,¡± he reported. ¡°The journey from here to the outer port takes only half a day, so tickets are in high demand.¡±


    Chen Xiao waved a hand dismissively. ¡°That¡¯s fine. Seats will do.¡±


    By midday, the passenger ship departed on schedule. This wasn¡¯t Chen Xiao¡¯s first time on a boat, but it was his first time aboard a fully wooden vessel of this size. To his surprise, the ride was incredibly stable, with barely any noticeable rocking from the waves. Their seats were in the front row, offering a decent view, but the cabin itself was quite cramped. With the cold weather, the windows had to remain shut, and the resulting atmosphere was far from pleasant.


    After only half an hour, Chen Xiao started feeling uncomfortable. He wrapped himself in a thick cloak, informed Du Rong, and stepped out onto the deck.


    To be honest, this season didn¡¯t offer much in the way of scenery, the riverbanks were barren and dull. Still, Chen Xiao preferred the open air over enduring the stifling cabin atmosphere.


    ¡°Huh?¡± A flicker of movement caught his eye along the shore, prompting a surprised exclamation. The figure moved incredibly fast, too far away for him to discern whether they possessed any spiritual aura. However, their clothing looked strikingly similar to that of the young man he had encountered at the market earlier.


    ¡°No way¡­¡± Chen Xiao muttered dryly. This place was quite a distance from the inner river port, and the person was heading in the opposite direction. If they continued on that path, they¡¯d never reach the port. Chen Xiao smirked to himself, perhaps the boy simply couldn¡¯t afford a ticket and had decided to walk instead.


    After lingering a while longer, he finally returned to the cabin. He wasn¡¯t impervious to the cold, and staying out any longer might make him sick. The journey passed without incident, and by nightfall, they arrived safely at the outer port.


    The outer port was located in a county town called Niancheng. Because of its coastal location, many of the townspeople made a living from the sea, whether as fishermen or in maritime trade.


    Du Rong was even more familiar with this place than the capital. As soon as they disembarked, he led Chen Xiao through the town without the need for a carriage, walking for about fifteen minutes before arriving at an unassuming yet sturdily built inn.


    The moment he stepped inside, Chen Xiao sensed that this place was different from an ordinary inn. There was no lively chatter from travelers, only small groups or lone individuals who moved with sharp precision. Their demeanor, expressions, and posture all carried a clear message: I¡¯m not someone to be trifled with.


    A thought clicked in Chen Xiao¡¯s mind, this must be an inn frequented by cultivators. But why had Du Rong brought him here?


    While Du Rong went to the counter to arrange their stay, Chen Xiao remained seated in the waiting area, guarding their luggage. As night deepened, more cultivators returned, some ignoring him completely, while others spared him a curious glance. Thankfully, no one seemed to find his presence offensive enough to chase him out.


    This inn didn¡¯t have private courtyards, so Du Rong booked a suite with two rooms, one for each of them.


    For dinner, they didn¡¯t bother going out and instead had their meal delivered to their room. Seated at the round table in the main area, Chen Xiao raised a toast to Du Rong.


    ¡°Uncle Rong, just by choosing this inn, I can tell you already know what your nephew is thinking,¡± he said with a smile.


    Du Rong took a sip of his wine and sighed. ¡°You¡¯re the master. My job is to follow your orders.¡±


    Chen Xiao chuckled. ¡°No need to worry, Uncle Rong. I won¡¯t do anything beyond my abilities.¡±


    Du Rong didn¡¯t believe him for a second. If he truly understood the limits of his abilities, he wouldn¡¯t even be here.


    At this point, Du Rong was genuinely exasperated. He had hoped to make some easy money and save up for better weapons and gear. Instead, he had ended up with an employer whose adventurous spirit exceeded his own, determined to charge headfirst into every situation.


    Seeing his disbelief, Chen Xiao merely smiled and downed his cup of wine. Then, reaching into his robes, he retrieved an object and placed it on the table, palm open.


    ¡°Uncle Rong, take a look at this, and you¡¯ll understand why I¡¯m thinking this way.¡±


    Resting in his hand was a luminous spirit stone, radiating a soft glow.

 Chapter 39: Encountering the Chongxuan Sect Again

    ¡°Spirit Pearl?¡± Du Rong blurted out in surprise. He scrutinized the pearl in Chen Xiao¡¯s hand before finally trusting his own eyes. With a puzzled expression, he looked up at Chen Xiao and asked, ¡°Master, forgive my boldness, but where did this Spirit Pearl come from?¡±


    This was a Spirit Pearl, not a Spirit Coin! Spirit Coins could be obtained as long as one had money and was willing to pay the transaction fees. But Spirit Pearls were different. They could be used as energy and were far rarer in the mortal world. They only circulated among aristocratic families and cultivators. Even among cultivators, Spirit Coins were the common currency for daily expenses, while Spirit Pearls were a luxury.


    Chen Xiao explained, ¡°Very few people know this, but I happened to learn a technique related to residential feng shui that allows me to identify certain rare immortal antiques. You should be aware that some of these antiques hold significant value. For instance, have you heard about the bronze cauldron that the Taxue Xunxian Pavilion recently sold?¡±


    Seeing Du Rong nod, Chen Xiao continued, ¡°According to the immortal master who took it, although the formation patterns on the cauldron were damaged, the material itself was extremely rare and valuable. It could be melted down and reused as raw material. This Spirit Pearl was obtained in a similar manner. It was part of my share from selling an ancient ivory plaque.¡±


    Du Rong pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°Master, are you planning to specialize in this trade? In the cities of cultivators, there are second-hand artifact shops, which are great places to find treasures.¡±


    Chen Xiao shook his head. ¡°No, I brought this up to assure you that I have the means to earn enough Spirit Coins and Spirit Pearls for my needs. Uncle Rong, would you be willing to accompany me to a cultivator¡¯s city? I can cover all the expenses.¡±


    Chen Xiao had keenly grasped the key to persuading Du Rong. Over the years, Du Rong had spent all his earnings on purchasing pills, weapons, and equipment to enhance his strength. He had long yearned to visit that city, but the ship fare alone was exorbitant, fifty Spirit Coins! That amount could buy five bottles of pills, ten weapons, or a full set of equipment, which would be enough to undertake twenty expeditions and improve his cultivation by a third.


    If Chen Xiao was truly willing to provide the fare, there was no way Du Rong could refuse. Sure enough, he agreed almost instantly and decided to accompany Chen Xiao to the cultivator¡¯s city. Having made up his mind, Du Rong immediately switched gears, focusing entirely on planning for Chen Xiao¡¯s journey.


    He said, ¡°The first issue we need to address is your identity. When cultivators go on expeditions, they accept and complete tasks through an organization called Zhishi Hall. It also handles exchanges of goods, and if needed, one can even post tasks through it.¡±


    Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow. ¡°There¡¯s actually such a convenient platform in this world?¡±


    Du Rong didn¡¯t quite understand the term ¡®platform,¡¯ but he got the gist of what Chen Xiao meant. Nodding, he explained, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s very convenient. Zhishi Hall is jointly managed by multiple factions, functioning like an alliance. The shipping routes from the outer ports to that city were established by Zhishi Hall. Since it only operates within the cultivation world, purchasing a ship ticket requires a cultivator¡¯s name plaque.¡±


    ¡°A name plaque?¡± Chen Xiao was surprised. ¡°A plaque that serves as proof of identity?¡±


    Du Rong confirmed with a nod. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t expected the name plaque to be so important for something like this. Fortunately, he always kept his plaque close. He retrieved it and placed it on the table. ¡°I just had my plaque replaced last year. It¡¯s an adult¡¯s version and can be used long-term.¡±


    Du Rong picked up the plaque and, using an unknown technique, caused it to flash with a faint glow.


    He then explained, ¡°This name plaque is the most crucial identification for everyone, not just commoners, but especially for cultivators. In fact, the plaque stores some information, and by probing it with true essence, one can read its contents.¡±


    With that, Du Rong recited the details stored in Chen Xiao¡¯s plaque.


    Only then did Chen Xiao realize that this small plaque contained much more than just a name, birth date, and place of origin. It also had a rough physical description, including details as precise as his eye color, whether his hair was straight or curly, the shape of his eyes, and even the contours of his lips and ears. The descriptions were so meticulous that a skilled artist could easily draw a near-exact portrait based on them.


    Chen Xiao was deeply shocked by how strictly this world managed personal identification. Even the ID system from his previous life wasn¡¯t much more advanced than this.


    Du Rong chuckled. ¡°Master, don¡¯t be too surprised just yet. This is merely a commoner¡¯s name plaque. For cultivators, the requirements are even stricter. The plaque must record one¡¯s spiritual roots, cultivation level, and sect affiliation. If a cultivator has a master, that must be noted; if they are a rogue cultivator, the school they studied at must also be documented.¡±


    Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Why such meticulous record-keeping? Wouldn¡¯t this reveal too much about many immortals? Would the immortal sects truly accept this?¡±


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    Du Rong nodded solemnly. ¡°It¡¯s absolutely necessary. In the past, before such regulations were enforced, there were cases where demonic cultivators infiltrated righteous sects by impersonating others. One such incident nearly led to the downfall of an entire orthodox lineage. Though the system is strict, it prevents disasters like that, so the sects have no objections. Besides, the plaque only records basic information, it doesn¡¯t disclose the strength of one¡¯s spiritual roots or cultivation techniques, so it doesn¡¯t truly expose any secrets.¡±


    Chen Xiao felt a heavy weight settle in his heart. Things were far more complicated than he had expected. In a low voice, he asked, ¡°Then, how can my name plaque be converted into a cultivator¡¯s plaque?¡±


    Du Rong frowned slightly, sensing the difficulty. ¡°The simplest way is to undergo a test. Once you pass, your ordinary plaque can be upgraded to a cultivator¡¯s plaque.¡±


    Du Rong told Chen Xiao that the first thing those children did after joining an Immortal Sect was to replace their old identity plaques with cultivator identity plaques. As for those who failed to enter an Immortal Sect and graduated from the academy instead, their identities were reported to the county for reassignment. Aside from these two methods, the descendants of powerful families with spiritual roots could apply directly, while independent cultivators outside the sects could simply visit the Zhishi Hall for verification and receive their cultivator plaques, just as Du Rong had mentioned.


    No matter which method was used, Chen Xiao needed to have a spiritual root, without one, there was no chance of obtaining a cultivator identity plaque. The problem was, if his body had spiritual roots and the talent for cultivation, why would he have bothered to create a new cultivation system based on feng shui in the first place? With a wry smile, Chen Xiao asked, ¡°Is there any other way?¡±


    Du Rong replied solemnly, ¡°There¡¯s only one option left: applying for a temporary disciple plaque.¡±


    As long as there was a way, that was good enough. Chen Xiao let out a breath of relief, but before he could celebrate, Du Rong explained the entire process. First, he needed to find an Immortal Master willing to help. Then, under the guise of being that master¡¯s prospective disciple, he could obtain a temporary identity plaque valid for only three months.


    Du Rong added, ¡°Actually, ordinary people who frequently travel between the capital and the cultivation world also use temporary identity plaques. The key to this method is finding an Immortal Master willing to assist you.¡±


    An Immortal Master willing to help? Easier said than done!


    Chen Xiao rubbed his forehead in frustration. ¡°I imagine such an Immortal Master would be hard to find?¡±


    This time, however, Du Rong reassured him, saying, ¡°No need to worry, Master. The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain, there¡¯s always a solution.¡±


    Unlike before, this time Du Rong took the initiative without waiting for Chen Xiao to ask. The next day, he brought him to the Zhishi Hall¡¯s outpost in the outer harbor. The outpost wasn¡¯t large, just a two-story wooden building occupying a little over a hundred square meters. The first floor was an open hall without partitions, with a waiting area near the entrance and a few service counters inside. A staircase led directly to the second floor, though it was unclear what kind of business was conducted there.


    There weren¡¯t many people inside the Zhishi Hall. Du Rong told Chen Xiao to wait in the reception area while he took his identity plaque upstairs. Chen Xiao sat quietly in his seat, partially hidden by a lush potted plant, observing the others in the hall.


    When he looked at people, the first thing he checked was their aura. Those with a strong presence were Immortal Masters, while those without might still be cultivators. He watched as people came and went, eventually spotting two middle-aged men dressed in luxurious silk robes and heavy fur cloaks, both with prominent bellies.


    There was no way they were cultivators. Just like him, they were ordinary people without spiritual roots.


    At their age, even if they were cultivators, their bodies wouldn¡¯t have changed so much as to grow such large bellies.


    These two men were led inside. Regardless of what business they had, they still needed cultivator identity plaques. Seeing this, Chen Xiao felt much more at ease. Where there was demand, there would be a way. With so many people requiring temporary identity plaques, his own application shouldn¡¯t be too difficult.


    Relaxing, he leaned back in his chair and waited for Du Rong to return.


    At that moment, a few people sat down behind the potted plant. Since this was a place for cultivators, they didn¡¯t bother lowering their voices.


    One of them complained, ¡°This is already our fourth attempt. When will we finally cross this damn sea?¡±


    Another person responded, ¡°Junior Brother Geng, be patient. Since we¡¯re accompanying Uncle Master Xi, we should¡¯ve been mentally prepared for this.¡±


    Chen Xiao had already found one of their voices somewhat familiar, but the moment he heard the name ¡°Uncle Master Xi,¡± he immediately recognized who it was.


    It was Zhao Fang, the disciple who had accompanied Xi Yunqing, the Immortal Master recruiting disciples for the Chongxuan Sect!


    Chen Xiao didn¡¯t dare turn his head. Instead, he stole a glance through the gaps in the potted plant. Sure enough, it was Zhao Fang. A quick scan revealed four people sitting together. Two of them, he had seen in Fancun, while the other two also seemed to be disciples of the Chongxuan Sect.


    The one who had told Geng to be patient was Zhao Fang. His opposite, Junior Brother Geng, looked utterly dejected as he sighed, ¡°How was I supposed to know this mission would be so disastrous? The first time we set sail, we hit a storm and had to turn back. The second time, we got inexplicably lost and ran aground. And the third time, unbelievably, a deep-sea beast swam all the way to the coast to seek a mate¡­ A mere month-long sail has been delayed for half a year. It¡¯s infuriating!¡±


    Another person chimed in, ¡°The elders already intended to test Uncle Master Xi¡¯s control over misfortune when they put him in charge of this trip. Judging from the results¡­ it¡¯s not look great.¡±


    The fourth person reassured them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The administration hall anticipated your delay, which is why they sent us to assist. Your merits won¡¯t be deducted, just focus on escorting these disciples back to the sect, and the mission will be complete.¡±


    Junior Brother Geng sighed, ¡°It¡¯s fine for us since we understand the situation. But those poor disciples¡­ after soaking in seawater three times, nearly every one of them has fallen ill at least once.¡±


    After a moment of silence, he muttered weakly, ¡°Is it just me, or does Uncle Master Xi¡¯s misfortune seem to intensify as his cultivation grows stronger?¡±

 Chapter 40: A Faint Pain

    Chen Xiao listened from the side, feeling a deep sense of surprise. He had never known that people around Xi Yunqing had always suffered misfortunes to varying degrees since childhood. The first time he saw Xi Yunqing use his baleful aura to punish the head of the Fan family, he had been astonished by his ability to shift between two distinct powers but hadn''t thought much beyond that. Now, after hearing these fragmented pieces of conversation, he found it difficult to understand.


    With Xi Yunqing''s commanding presence, logic dictated that those around him should experience an increase in fortune, not the opposite. This contradiction defied common sense, leaving Chen Xiao perplexed.


    "...It must be that as his cultivation level grows, this innate ability strengthens as well," Zhao Fang muttered, wiping his face with a somewhat muffled voice.


    Junior Brother Geng hesitated for a moment before saying, "Immortal Master Xi is only in the Golden Core stage right now. When he reaches the Nascent Soul stage, who would even dare stand within three feet of him?" After this recent journey, no one believed Xi Yunqing could fully control this ability.


    After those words were spoken, silence fell again in the adjacent room. A third voice eventually broke it: "This isn''t something we juniors should concern ourselves with. Right now, our priority is bringing these disciples back. The other elders and immortal masters have already begun training their batches for three months. These disciples have already fallen behind."


    A fourth person added, "No need to worry. Since this delay was due to special circumstances, the Administrative Hall has decided to issue supplementary elixirs upon their return to help them catch up with the earlier arrivals."


    Zhao Fang said, "With two senior brothers escorting us this time, safety is more assured. The ship is ready, we set sail this afternoon."


    Junior Brother Geng let out a dry laugh. "You mean ensuring the apprentices'' safety after they fall into the sea?"


    Zhao Fang shot him a glare. Some thoughts were best left unsaid, why voice them?


    Junior Brother Geng straightened his chest, as if gathering courage, and said, "Actually, I have a suggestion... why don¡¯t we travel separately from Immortal Master Xi?"


    It was as if a binding spell had been lifted in the next room, suddenly, no one moved.


    Geng swallowed hard and lowered his voice, continuing, "Normally, since he¡¯s leading the group, Immortal Master Xi must travel with us. But now that the Administrative Hall has sent two senior brothers, they are qualified to temporarily take over his duties. If we split into two groups, we can get the disciples back to the sect faster¡­"


    At this rate, the senior disciples could endure the delays, but these young disciple would likely suffer casualties. No one wanted to see that happen.


    After Geng voiced his suggestion, the others at the table considered it carefully. To his surprise, no one opposed it. There was just one problem.


    Zhao Fang spoke slowly, "¡­Then who¡¯s going to tell Immortal Master Xi?"


    As if reaching a unanimous decision, the other three all turned to look at him.


    "Obviously, you! As his fellow sect member, it has to be you!"


    Zhao Fang¡¯s expression immediately twisted into one of reluctant misery. The gazes fixed on him carried a mix of encouragement, coercion, and pleading. In the end, he sighed in resignation.


    "Fine¡­ I''ll go now. We can¡¯t delay the departure. The rest is up to you three."


    The four of them stood up and left.


    Chen Xiao only turned around after they exited the Hall of Knowledge, scanning his surroundings.


    Though his encounters with Xi Yunqing had been brief, the impression left on him was profound. He saw Xi Yunqing as an imposing yet contemplative figure, outwardly cold, yet remarkably approachable in private. Chen Xiao had already begun to regard him as someone worth befriending, though he knew that was unlikely to ever happen.


    Hearing how the others avoided Xi Yunqing to this extent left him with a heavy heart.


    If he were in Xi Yunqing¡¯s place and discovered their plan, he would certainly feel hurt.


    Xi Yunqing shouldn¡¯t be treated this way!


    Chen Xiao clenched his fists and slammed his leg in frustration. He hated that he had no tools at hand and that much of his former knowledge had been rendered useless. Even if he wanted to help suppress Xi Yunqing¡¯s baleful aura, he wouldn¡¯t know where to begin.


    He stared down at his hands. If only he knew more¡­


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    For the first time in his life, Chen Xiao felt an overwhelming desire to help someone he barely knew.


    Du Rong returned and sat directly across from Chen Xiao. Seeing him lost in thought, he called out, "Master, I¡¯m back."


    Chen Xiao snapped out of his daze and looked up. "Uncle Rong, how did it go?"


    Du Rong nodded first, then shook his head. "The situation is better than I expected. There''s an immortal master in charge of this matter who made things much easier. However, they set a clear price, five Spirit Pearls for a temporary disciple¡¯s medallion."


    "Five Spirit Pearls?!" Chen Xiao was taken aback.


    Had Du Rong not looked so composed, Chen Xiao would have suspected that immortal master of having X-ray vision. Otherwise, how else could they have set the price so perfectly at exactly five Spirit Pearls?


    "This price is too steep!"


    Du Rong had thought the same. Yesterday, Chen Xiao had only shown him a single spirit pearl, which was already beyond his expectations. He hadn¡¯t believed his employer would have more.


    With a solemn expression, Du Rong said, ¡°The Zhishi Hall likely set up this process specifically for cultivation clans and powerful elites. Those families and influential figures are wealthy, five spirit pearls mean nothing to them.¡±


    Chen Xiao recalled the middle-aged cultivator from the City Lord¡¯s manor, who had casually taken out a large handful of spirit pearls to purchase the bronze cauldron. Clearly, five spirit pearls were insignificant to people like him.


    ¡°Five spirit pearls won¡¯t work,¡± Chen Xiao shook his head. He only had five pearls and twenty-seven spirit coins on him. If he used the pearls for the identity plaque, he wouldn¡¯t have enough left for the boat ticket.


    Du Rong glanced at Chen Xiao and said in a low voice, ¡°Master, there¡¯s no need to worry. Since we know there are immortal masters who specialize in this kind of business, there must be a way. The Zhishi Hall is the official route, but behind the scenes, there are certainly immortal masters who charge much less.¡±


    Chen Xiao immediately understood, so even immortal masters weren¡¯t all rigid and above worldly matters.


    ¡°I¡¯ll inquire thoroughly,¡± Du Rong continued. ¡°I will certainly find the right person to get the temporary identity plaque for you.¡±


    This wasn¡¯t something Chen Xiao could help with, so he left it to Du Rong. The two of them left Zhishi Hall, and since it was still early, Chen Xiao suggested they go see the ships that traveled to cultivator cities.


    The outer harbor docks were far larger than the inner river port, and the ships here were generally much bigger. The vessels on this sea route made regular stops for resupply, so they didn¡¯t need to exceed ten thousand tons. According to the information Du Rong had gathered, this particular ship was a six-story tower ship with a crew of two hundred, eighty inner cabins, one hundred and twenty outer cabins, and a capacity of over eight hundred passengers, bringing the total onboard to over a thousand.


    Chen Xiao had seen even larger modern ships before, but those were made of steel. The massive vessel before him, towering over twenty meters high and stretching more than fifty meters long, was built entirely of wood!


    Unlike the other docked ships, the most striking feature of this tower ship was that it had no sails, it wasn¡¯t powered by the wind. Chen Xiao guessed it operated similarly to that magical stove, using spirit stones as an energy source. No wonder the tickets were so expensive and only available to cultivators.


    The tower ship had a dedicated docking area, separate from the other sea vessels. From a distance, Chen Xiao could see people maintaining order at the pier, while a queue of over a hundred young people was slowly boarding. They all seemed to be of a similar age, but he couldn¡¯t tell if Wu Xinzhi was among them.


    His gaze swept through the crowd, searching for a familiar face. He watched for a long time, until the last few young cultivators boarded, his eyes growing sore, yet he still didn¡¯t see the person he was looking for.


    Rubbing his eyes, he blinked a few times. When he looked again, he suddenly spotted a lone figure in a dark robe standing a short distance from the pier, silently watching the tower ship.


    Just as Chen Xiao tried to get a clearer look, the figure abruptly disappeared.


    That was Xi Yunqing. He was certain of it.


    The thought of her standing there, watching the group she was supposed to return with leave without her, left behind, all alone, sent a faint pang through his heart.


    ¡°Master, what are you looking at?¡± Du Rong asked in confusion.


    Chen Xiao turned away and said casually, ¡°Nothing. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Back in his previous life, when the backlash from his injuries had eased enough for him to get out of bed, his master had once told him: the stronger a feng shui master¡¯s abilities, the more compassion they should have.


    Chen Xiao wondered, was this what he was feeling now?


    For the next three days, Du Rong went out daily to make inquiries, while Chen Xiao stayed in his room to avoid unnecessary trouble. Du Rong discreetly contacted several immortal masters, whose prices ranged from four spirit pearls to two.


    Chen Xiao frowned. ¡°Try to get it down to one spirit pearl. If that¡¯s impossible, then go with the one offering it for two.¡± Since they had no idea what to expect in the other city, they needed to conserve as many resources as possible.


    Those who were willing to take on this job all had some connection to Zhishi Hall. They were merely trying to earn a little extra on the side without angering the hall¡¯s management too much. Even after paying off Zhishi Hall, two spirit pearls was already the lowest they could offer.


    Du Rong took a deep breath and said firmly, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    Meanwhile, the clothes Chen Xiao had ordered from the tailor in the capital were almost ready. Du Rong, now growing more frugal himself, asked Chen Xiao for permission to make a quick trip back to pick up the clothes and their belongings left at the inn.


    Chen Xiao nodded in agreement. Every little bit saved counted.


    A day and a half later, Du Rong returned, but he wasn¡¯t alone. Behind him was a round-faced boy with a serious expression, trying his best to look like an adult.


    Chen Xiao stared, dumbfounded. He looked at the boy, then at Du Rong, and finally asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    Du Rong looked relaxed, a hint of amusement at the corners of his mouth as he explained, ¡°Fellow Daoist Tong is a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He has agreed to help obtain a temporary identity plaque, as long as Master covers the cost of twenty spirit coins for a boat ticket.¡±


    Chen Xiao¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. He turned to look at Du Rong with newfound admiration.


    Uncle Rong, you¡¯re amazing. Absolutely incredible!

 Chapter 41: The Cost of Mastering Mechanisms

    Afterward, Chen Xiao privately asked Du Rong how he had encountered the young cultivator with the surname Tong. The last time Chen Xiao had seen him on the boat, the boy had clearly lost his way, wandering who knew where.


    Du Rong¡¯s expression became difficult to describe as he explained, ¡°I ran into Immortal Master Tong just as I was picking up clothes from the tailor. I have no idea how long he had been wandering around the capital, but when he saw me, it was like a drowning man finding driftwood, he immediately asked me where the docks were. I was quite surprised. It had already been a few days, yet he was still stuck in the city. So, I gave him directions again, but he just stood there without moving. Seeing this, and since I was heading that way anyway, I invited him to come along. To my surprise, not only did he readily agree, but when he heard I was going to the outer port, he simply followed me all the way.¡±


    Chen Xiao understood immediately. Someone with a terrible sense of direction would never let go of a living, breathing navigation system once they found one.


    He then asked, ¡°Uncle Rong, how did you convince Immortal Master Tong to arrange a temporary identity plaque for Xiao Han? And for only twenty spirit coins?¡±


    Du Rong¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile before he quickly suppressed it. ¡°Once we boarded the ship, our seats were next to each other, so I decided to probe a little. When Immortal Master Tong heard that my employer needed a temporary identity plaque, he agreed without hesitation. I asked how much he wanted for it, and he only asked for twenty spirit coins. He said plainly that if he hadn¡¯t been short on money for a boat ticket, he wouldn¡¯t have taken anything at all.¡±


    It seemed that Du Rong¡¯s kindness had been repaid with good fortune. Not only had he formed a valuable connection, but he had also solved one of their most pressing problems. Naturally, he was in high spirits, his joy evident.


    Chen Xiao also felt incredibly lucky, it was like dozing off and having someone bring him a pillow. The young cultivator named Tong just happened to be at the Foundation Establishment stage, meeting the minimum requirement to issue an identity plaque.


    Over the past few days, while they had been busy securing the paperwork, Chen Xiao had asked Du Rong many questions about cultivators. Du Rong, knowing everything he did, answered in full detail.


    According to Du Rong, students of cultivation academies typically left as low-level cultivators, with the lowest realm in Daoist cultivation being the Qi Gathering stage. Advanced cultivators like Du Rong were in the Body Refinement stage. Many cultivators never officially stepped onto the path of immortality because they got stuck at this stage, unable to break through no matter what they tried.


    Beyond the Body Refinement stage was the Foundation Establishment stage, marking the beginning of true cultivation. Those at this level could be addressed as ¡°Immortal Masters¡± and had the qualification to issue temporary disciple identity plaques.


    So far, the highest-level cultivators Du Rong had interacted with were in the Foundation Establishment stage. Many at this level left their sects to gain experience and often took on bounty tasks through the Zhishi Hall, much like regular martial cultivators.


    In reality, Foundation Establishment cultivators who traveled alone for training weren¡¯t much different from martial cultivators at the Body Refinement stage. Those willing to team up with martial cultivators were usually rogue cultivators or disciples from weak sects with little backing or wealth. Immortal Master Tong was a perfect example, he had been trained by a rogue cultivator and had chosen to specialize in mechanism techniques.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with mechanism techniques?¡± Chen Xiao asked.


    Du Rong explained, ¡°Cultivators often study auxiliary skills alongside their cultivation, using them to support their practice. Common disciplines include artifact forging, alchemy, talisman inscriptions, formation arrays, and jade inscription techniques. Those proficient in these fields are called artifact refiners, alchemists, talisman masters, formation masters, and jade inscriptionists, respectively.


    Apart from these mainstream fields, there are also niche and less popular skills, such as mechanism crafting, puppet mastery, and beast taming.¡±


    Chen Xiao had never heard of these before, so he listened intently.


    ¡°Immortal Master Tong is studying mechanism techniques, so he will become a Mechanism Master in the future,¡± Du Rong continued. ¡°But mechanism techniques are notoriously difficult to master, and the materials needed often overlap with artifact refining materials, making them both expensive and hard to obtain. The initial investment in this field is enormous. Worse still, early-stage mechanisms have limited combat effectiveness, making mechanism cultivators unpopular as companions for training expeditions.¡±


    Du Rong sighed. ¡°Mechanism Masters have a tough road ahead. Without help from friends or family, they are often forced to work alone. The harsh treatment they endure in their early years shapes them into formidable but difficult personalities later on. Their combat power becomes fearsome in the long run, but by then, they are rarely easy to get along with.¡±


    Chen Xiao immediately understood. ¡°So, Immortal Master Tong didn¡¯t even have fifty spirit coins for a boat ticket because he must have spent all his money on gathering materials.¡±


    Du Rong nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s the only explanation. It¡¯s an unfortunate paradox, once someone becomes a Mechanism Master, everyone in the cultivation world wants to associate with them. But during their struggling years, no one wants to train alongside them. Otherwise, a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him wouldn¡¯t be so broke.¡±


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    Chen Xiao was deeply moved. He had assumed that all cultivators beyond the martial stage lived comfortably, with wealth to spare and no worries about food or expenses. But now, he realized that every tier of society had its share of struggles, and many cultivators found themselves in dire straits for various reasons.


    The next day, the ever-stoic Immortal Master Tong led Chen Xiao and Du Rong back to the Zhishi Hall¡¯s outer port office. It was still early in the morning, and there weren¡¯t many people around. Immortal Master Tong walked straight to a counter, slammed his identity plaque onto the desk, and said, ¡°Issue a temporary identity plaque.¡±


    The clerk behind the counter was only a martial cultivator. Regardless of whether the immortal cultivator before him was young or old, fresh-faced or experienced, his attitude remained the same, always polite, always smiling. With both hands, he picked up Immortal Master Tong¡¯s plaque and carefully infused it with true essence to examine it.


    After checking, his smile grew more genuine. He returned the plaque and asked, ¡°Immortal Master Tong Nono, you are eligible to issue one temporary disciple identity plaque. Who is the recipient?¡±


    Immortal Master Tong Nono clearly hadn¡¯t expected the clerk to read his name out loud. He stiffened slightly and glanced awkwardly at Chen Xiao behind him. Seeing that Chen Xiao didn¡¯t react, he turned back to the clerk and said, ¡°The young one over there.¡± Then, tilting his head slightly, he added in a stiff tone, ¡°Chen Xiao, hand over your identity plaque.¡±


    Chen Xiao stepped forward and handed his plaque to the clerk, who used the same method to examine it before looking up to scrutinize him. Chen Xiao remained calm under his gaze, and after failing to find anything unusual, the clerk retrieved a small device resembling a modern card reader, a flat, rectangular box.


    He placed Chen Xiao¡¯s plaque on it for a brief moment before picking it up again. Standing up, he handed it back to Chen Xiao and said, ¡°This temporary disciple identity plaque is valid for three months. Please use it within the designated period.¡±


    Chen Xiao only felt at ease once he had the name tokens in his hands.


    Du Rong stepped forward and said to the two of them, ¡°Please hand me your name tokens so I can purchase the boat tickets.¡±


    Tong Nuonuo replied, ¡°No need, I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    Chen Xiao then said, ¡°Uncle Rong, let¡¯s go buy the tickets together.¡±


    The three of them left the name token counter and walked a few steps to the side. Du Rong approached the ticket counter and requested three boat tickets. Behind the counter sat a female cultivator, who had a much better attitude. In a soft voice, she asked Du Rong to present the name tokens.


    Du Rong and Chen Xiao handed theirs over, but when it was Tong Nuonuo¡¯s turn, he hesitated, his gaze lowered as if he had no idea how to interact with a woman.


    His flustered expression carried a youthful innocence that was rather endearing. The female cultivator¡¯s eyes glimmered with amusement. Chen Xiao guessed that this Immortal Master must have grown up in an environment lacking female presence. Suppressing the upward curve of his lips, he took a step back, he didn¡¯t want Tong Nuonuo to think he was mocking him.


    Strangely enough, Tong Nuonuo could still converse normally with Du Rong, even though he always wore a stern expression in front of him. But whenever he faced Chen Xiao, his entire body tensed up, and his words were filled with wariness. Not wanting to make things awkward, Chen Xiao simply minimized his interactions with him.


    Tong Nuonuo placed his name token on the counter. The female cultivator checked all three tokens before looking up at Du Rong to confirm, ¡°Three tickets for the boat departing in four days, heading to Hanshan City?¡±


    Du Rong responded in a deep voice, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Up until now, Chen Xiao had only heard the city mentioned in vague terms while they dealt with the temporary name token issue. This was the first time he had learned its exact name¡ªHanshan City. It had a pleasant and poetic ring to it.


    As he savored the name, he heard the female cultivator¡¯s clear and gentle voice say, ¡°Inner cabin tickets cost fifty spirit coins, outer cabins eighty spirit coins, and top cabins one spirit pearl. Fellow Daoist, which would you like?¡±


    Du Rong answered, ¡°Inner cabin tickets.¡±


    The female cultivator said, ¡°Thank you for your patronage. That will be one spirit pearl and fifty spirit coins in total.¡±


    Immediately, Chen Xiao noticed Tong Nuonuo, standing diagonally ahead of him, freeze in place. Even his back radiated frustration.


    Chen Xiao couldn¡¯t help but find it amusing, this young man was far too transparent with his emotions. He was clearly regretting his decision not to let Du Rong handle the ticket purchase earlier. If he had, he wouldn¡¯t have to face the embarrassment of pulling out his money only to realize he had just thirty spirit coins on hand.


    Fortunately, Du Rong hadn¡¯t intended for Tong Nuonuo to pay his share at this moment. That morning, Chen Xiao had directly given him two spirit pearls. Du Rong took the three tickets and the fifty spirit coins in change, then distributed the tickets.


    Chen Xiao held his ticket up to examine it carefully.


    To be precise, the ¡°ticket¡± was actually a card, light beige in color, with neatly printed black characters displaying the departure date and inner cabin seat number. Most notably, a multicolored stripe ran across it, shifting hues when exposed to sunlight.


    ¡°There¡¯s even an anti-counterfeit mark,¡± Chen Xiao remarked in surprise.


    Du Rong moved to his side. ¡°Master, what is it?¡±


    Chen Xiao waved the ticket slightly. ¡°How do they make these color-changing lines?¡±


    Du Rong, seeing this type of ticket for the first time as well, examined it for a moment before saying, ¡°It¡¯s likely made using a special herbal extract as dye. During my past experiences traveling, I once happened to collect a similar type of spirit herb.¡±


    In his past life, technology accomplished such feats; in this life, cultivation techniques did the same. Each had its own wonders. Chen Xiao chuckled to himself, he really shouldn¡¯t be so easily surprised anymore.


    Once they left the Zhishi Hall, Tong Nuonuo immediately stuffed thirty spirit coins into Du Rong¡¯s hand.


    Chen Xiao had originally intended to cover the cost of his ticket. After all, the other party had helped them immensely, and simply giving him twenty spirit coins in return felt a little too stingy. But Tong Nuonuo stubbornly refused to accept any favors.


    Seeing that further insistence would only aggravate him, Du Rong, at Chen Xiao¡¯s signal, accepted the thirty spirit coins.


    Having settled the matter, Tong Nuonuo seemed relieved. Without another word, he turned and walked away.


    His lodging was different from theirs, and neither Chen Xiao nor Du Rong knew where he was staying.


    As he tucked away the spirit coins Du Rong returned to him, a thought crossed Chen Xiao¡¯s mind, was that kid going to end up sleeping on the streets?

 Chapter 42: The Pride of a Directionally Challenged Person

    Four days later, Du Rong carried a rattan suitcase, following behind Chen Xiao as they lined up to board the ship. Their other luggage had already been marked and handed over to the crew, who would deliver it to their cabin shortly.


    Their cabin was located in the central part of the ship, on the second level. This was one of the better spots when sailing, it remained relatively stable, unlike the cabins near the sides that rocked with the waves. However, there was a downside: cabins in the inner section lacked windows. To get fresh air, they would have to leave the door open occasionally, which compromised both security and privacy.


    After presenting their tickets and receiving their room key, Chen Xiao and Du Rong walked down the ship''s corridor, one after the other. The hallway was somewhat cramped and low-ceilinged, though at least it was wide enough not to feel suffocating.


    Following the room numbers, they found their assigned cabin. Chen Xiao stepped forward and unlocked the door. The room was not as small as he had imagined. It was about the size of a standard twin room in a budget hotel, equipped with two bunk beds. The bed frames were firmly fixed to the walls, ceiling, and floor. Chen Xiao gave one a shake, it didn¡¯t budge at all.


    At the foot of the beds stood two tall cabinets that reached the ceiling, each divided into upper and lower sections. In total, there were four compartments, each secured with a brass lock and key, assigned according to the corresponding bunks.


    Besides the beds and cabinets, there was a foldable wooden board attached to the wall between the bunks. When lowered, it could serve as a table. Chen Xiao thought that if they had a deck of cards, playing a few rounds here would definitely help pass the time.


    Apart from these, the cabin had no other amenities. If they needed to use the restroom, they had to go to a shared facility in the corridor. The area had several stalls with communal toilets, as well as designated spaces for washing up and bathing. There were no personal sinks, only a few brass pipes providing running water all day. Beneath them were basins, plugging the drain would allow for washing clothes. As for bathing, there were separate stalls with wooden tubs. However, getting hot water required fetching it from the designated heating room, which was far from convenient.


    After stowing their luggage in the cabinets and locking the door, the two decided to explore the ship.


    This ship was called the Ascending Tide. The name had no special meaning¡ªit was simply named after its captain. The Ascending Tide charged expensive fares, but in return, it provided a full range of services. The deck was spacious, and there was even a dedicated training room. It not only offered secluded meditation chambers for closed-door cultivation but also had shops selling pills, weapons, and equipment. Chen Xiao curiously peeked inside, but before he could take a closer look, Du Rong, whose face had turned slightly pale, dragged him away. The reason? Everything here could be summed up in one word: expensive.


    Beyond the cultivation-related areas, there were places where both cultivators and ordinary passengers could gather, such as restaurants and teahouses. These were further divided into different tiers: the lowest catered to regular cultivators, the middle-tier served higher-ranking cultivators and those on a budget, while the highest-tier was reserved for aristocrats, powerful sects, and influential figures. Entering these establishments was free, but ordering food or drinks came at a hefty price, one that increased proportionally with the establishment¡¯s tier.


    Initially, Du Rong worried that Chen Xiao might feel uncomfortable about this hierarchical treatment. However, to his surprise, the young employer remained completely unfazed, showing no trace of resentment or frustration. This deepened Du Rong¡¯s appreciation for Chen Xiao¡¯s composure and mindset.


    Most of the ship¡¯s facilities were beyond Chen Xiao¡¯s reach, but he wasn¡¯t particularly concerned. He merely toured the ship out of curiosity. The final destination of their exploration was the place he cared about most¡ªthe ship¡¯s cafeteria.


    After all, with such high ticket prices, providing free meals was the least they could do. However, rather than being served in an elegant restaurant or teahouse, meals were offered in a place with a much humbler name¡ªthe cafeteria.


    The food served was also tiered based on ticket class. But in reality, most wealthy passengers wouldn¡¯t bother eating here, so the differences weren¡¯t too glaring. At most, the higher-tier meals included an extra dish of meat or an additional bowl of soup.


    Since the food was designed to be suitable even for cultivators, it was bound to taste decent. As someone with a fondness for good food, Chen Xiao eagerly stepped through the cafeteria doors, only to stop dead in his tracks.


    Du Rong looked at him curiously. ¡°Boss? Why aren¡¯t you going in?¡±


    Chen Xiao¡¯s voice was uncertain. ¡°Look over there¡­ isn¡¯t that Tong Nuonuo?¡±


    Tong Nuonuo had bought a ticket alongside them, so it was expected that he would be on the same ship. Earlier, when they saw that the storage cabinets in their room were empty, Chen Xiao had worried that he might have gotten lost again and missed the departure. Yet now, here he was, or at least, someone who looked like him, inside the cafeteria.


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    Why only looked like him?


    Not far ahead, someone sat sideways at a table, several plates of food in front of them, eating ravenously. There was not even a trace of an Immortal Master''s dignity, if anything, they looked quite disheveled.


    Du Rong hesitated. Even when he had gone without food and water for days during a wilderness training, he hadn¡¯t eaten this desperately. They had only been apart for four days, how could someone change so drastically in such a short time?


    Seeing Du Rong remain silent, Chen Xiao simply walked over. The person, still hunched over their food, sensed someone approaching and lifted their head.


    Their round face looked a bit thinner but was still largely round. Their single-lidded eyes were bloodshot, clearly from lack of sleep. A low nose bridge, slightly upturned nose tip. Their plump lips were stuffed full of food, glistening with oil.


    Chen Xiao nodded to himself in confirmation, there was no doubt about it. This was Tong Nuonuo.


    "Immortal Master Tong?" Du Rong''s voice was full of disbelief.


    Tong Nuonuo was just as shocked to see them. His eyes widened in panic, his face flushed red, then turned deathly pale. Just as Chen Xiao was about to say something, Tong Nuonuo suddenly jumped up and started rushing around frantically.


    Du Rong was completely baffled. He lowered his voice and asked, "What is he doing?"


    Watching the flustered youth rummaging around in a panic, a realization suddenly struck Chen Xiao. He smacked his forehead in frustration and shouted, "Quick! Get some water, he''s choking!"


    After a brief moment of chaos, a gulp of water and several forceful thumps on the chest later, Tong Nuonuo''s face finally returned to normal.


    Du Rong, looking apologetic, said, "This is our fault. We startled you."


    Tong Nuonuo wiped his mouth, took a deep breath, and replied, "It¡¯s not your fault, I just ate too fast."


    Du Rong sat across from him, and seeing this, Chen Xiao also found a seat. Du Rong, still concerned, asked, "Immortal Master Tong, what happened? Why are you in such¡­ a state?"


    Perhaps because of the earlier act of kindness, Tong Nuonuo visibly let down his guard. For the first time, he didn¡¯t look at Chen Xiao with his usual wariness.


    With an embarrassed smile, he said, "After we parted that day, I got lost by accident. Catfish City is too big. I tried asking for directions a few times, but I just couldn''t find the right place."


    For someone who could even get hopelessly lost in a small town marketplace, a city of this scale was practically a labyrinth from hell.


    "In the end, I had no choice but to spend all my remaining money to hire a carriage to take me to the docks."


    Hearing this, Chen Xiao felt a bit relieved, only for the next words to send his heart sinking again.


    "But I arrived too early. The ships hadn¡¯t even come into port yet. I had no money left to hire another carriage, and I was afraid I¡¯d get lost again and miss the departure. So, I decided to stay in one spot and not move as much as possible. I ended up starving for two days. The moment I got on the ship, I asked the crew to bring me straight to the dining hall."


    After hearing the full story of Tong Nuonuo¡¯s four-day ordeal, Chen Xiao had only one thought:


    What kind of heartless master lets someone this hopelessly bad with directions wander around alone?!


    Du Rong was at a loss for words, only managing a sigh.


    Chen Xiao said, "If you don¡¯t mind, while we''re on this ship, why don¡¯t you stick with one of us at all times?"


    Letting a walking disaster like him roam alone would just feel criminal.


    Without hesitation, Tong Nuonuo replied, "I would be extremely grateful!"


    After he finished eating, the two led him back to his cabin. Having him memorize the room number was useless, so one of them had to stay and help him fetch water and wash up.


    Living in the same space naturally provided opportunities to understand one another better. Now that Tong Nuonuo was no longer forcing himself to maintain a serious front, he quickly became familiar with Chen Xiao and Du Rong.


    Chen Xiao eventually asked him why he had been so wary of him at first.


    Without hesitation, Tong Nuonuo admitted, "I was too overconfident before. I thought that as a cultivator, ordinary people couldn¡¯t possibly harm me. But I got burned badly because of that. Ever since then, I instinctively become alert around mortals."


    It had happened the first time he left his master¡¯s side for independent training.


    Having spent his whole life under his master¡¯s wing in the same place, he had never truly realized how bad his sense of direction was. Filled with ambition, he had set himself a far-off destination.


    At first, he had joined a team of fellow cultivators in a nearby town, traveling together. But because he kept getting lost, missing meeting times, wandering off constantly, his teammates grew frustrated with searching for him. Before they even reached their destination, they politely suggested he leave the group.


    Despite being directionally challenged, Tong Nuonuo still had his pride! So, he decided to continue the journey alone.


    It turned out to be a terrible idea.


    He had to ask for directions at every turn, and eventually, in some remote place, he ended up asking the wrong person.


    That seemingly ordinary man turned out to be a heartless swindler. Seeing Tong Nuonuo¡¯s naive face, he tricked him into following him straight into a black-market mine.


    When Tong Nuonuo realized he had been deceived, he killed the corrupt mine boss on the spot and freed all the enslaved laborers.


    The rescued miners wept with gratitude, thanking him profusely as they ran toward their newfound freedom.


    And as for the unfortunate Tong Nuonuo?


    He followed them, only to lose sight of them in an instant and get hopelessly lost in the twisting mine tunnels.


    For days, he wandered aimlessly, his rations dwindling, before he finally stumbled upon the right path and saw the light of day again.

 Chapter 43: The Worlds Direction

    If the disdain from cultivators merely bruised Tong Nuonuo''s self-esteem, then the deception from ordinary people left an indelible psychological scar. Perhaps due to lingering trauma from his time trapped in that dark and suffocating mine, his sense of direction worsened significantly after he got out.


    It was no wonder that Tong Nuonuo was so wary of unfamiliar commoners. Before boarding the ship, he had tensed up both times he encountered Chen Xiao, fearing that he might once again fall into a trap and be sold off if he wasn¡¯t careful. But now that they were all on the same ship, surrounded by the vast, endless sea, he felt reassured, after all, there was nowhere for Chen Xiao to take him. Only then did he finally lower his guard.


    After learning about Tong Nuonuo''s past experiences, how could Chen Xiao possibly blame such an unfortunate youth? For someone as pure-hearted and directionally challenged as him, having a bit more caution and vigilance was certainly not a bad thing.


    Their cabin was a four-person room. Aside from the three of them, a burly, high-ranking cultivator moved in just before the ship set sail. He was much younger than Du Rong but had a rather unpleasant temperament. When he first arrived, he barged in with an arrogant attitude, forcefully pushing the door open in an attempt to assert dominance. However, upon discovering that Tong Nuonuo was actually in the Foundation Establishment stage, far stronger than himself, his demeanor shifted immediately, shrinking back like a frightened quail.


    For someone who flaunted arrogance in front of the weak but cowered before the strong, none of the three had any interest in befriending him. Their attitude was clear, and the burly cultivator took the hint, keeping his distance. He left early in the morning and returned late at night, spending most of his time either in the training hall or idling away in the ship¡¯s tavern and teahouse.


    Du Rong and Tong Nuonuo were both from humble backgrounds, and while Chen Xiao enjoyed comfort, he wasn¡¯t about to squander money recklessly when their future remained uncertain. Thus, aside from taking occasional strolls on the deck for fresh air, the three of them spent most of their time in the cabin. From the start, Chen Xiao had thought that the folding-leg table in the room would be perfect for playing cards, and now, it was finally put to good use.


    Unexpectedly, Tong Nuonuo had brought a board game with him. It was a game somewhat similar to the "Monopoly" of Chen Xiao''s past life, consisting of several different colored pieces, a dice, and a gridded game board.


    Each of them chose a piece to represent themselves, rolling the dice in turns to move across the board. Some grid spaces contained instructions that simulated different environments and locations, if a player landed on an inn, they had to skip a turn to "rest"; encountering a vicious beast meant returning to the starting point; stepping into an immortal sect allowed extra movement; and triggering a fortuitous encounter granted an additional dice roll. The game had plenty of variety and was surprisingly engaging.


    Given Tong Nuonuo¡¯s age, Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t particularly surprised that he owned such a game. What did intrigue him, however, was the rectangular box strapped to the boy¡¯s back. While rummaging for the game pieces, Tong Nuonuo pulled out an assortment of items, clothing, personal belongings, game materials, and even mechanical components, along with materials he had collected during their journey. At first, Chen Xiao hadn¡¯t paid much attention, but as he watched, he found himself increasingly dumbfounded.


    Judging by its capacity, the box had to be some kind of spatial storage device similar to a Sumeru pouch; otherwise, there was no way it could hold so much. Since Du Rong showed no surprise, Chen Xiao deduced that such items were likely commonplace in the cultivation world. Once again, he reminded himself to stay composed and not overreact.


    Their life at sea followed a predictable routine. Each morning, Chen Xiao would get up early, stretch his limbs on the deck, take in the boundless view of the sky and ocean, and breathe in the fresh, salty air. Afterward, he would head to the dining hall for breakfast, then return to the cabin to play board games, passing the morning in leisure. After lunch, he would find a well-lit spot to read for the afternoon. By nightfall, after dinner, he would retire to bed early.


    Du Rong and Tong Nuonuo, on the other hand, were far more diligent. Du Rong often visited the training hall to spar with other cultivators or spent time in the secluded meditation chamber. Tong Nuonuo would follow him to the chamber for meditation but stayed in the cabin to tinker with his mechanical components whenever Du Rong went off to spar.


    Neither of them had any complaints about Chen Xiao¡¯s relaxed lifestyle. After all, he lacked spiritual roots and couldn¡¯t cultivate, forcing him to adopt their rigorous schedule would be pointless. What they didn¡¯t realize, however, was that Chen Xiao was far from idle. Each day, he devoted significant time to studying the compass in his consciousness.


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    Given that the compass¡¯s fortune energy was barely enough to manifest, he summoned it as infrequently as possible. The palm-sized device had a central area called the "Heavenly Pool," where a magnetic needle was embedded. One end of the needle was sharply pointed, while the other featured a tiny ridge. The base of the Heavenly Pool bore a red line running through its central axis, with two dots positioned at one end of the line.


    Anyone from Chen Xiao¡¯s past life would instantly recognize it as a compass. As the core mechanism of the entire device, it was no surprise that it was referred to as the "Central Pivot of the Heavenly Pool." By standing with feet apart and holding the compass level in both hands, aligning the ridge-end of the needle with the two dots on the red line would reveal true north. The other end of the needle then pointed toward the south.


    The compass had a wide range of uses, not just for feng shui masters, but also for travelers, geological surveys, expeditions, maritime voyages, and military campaigns.


    That morning, when no one was paying attention, Chen Xiao summoned the compass in his consciousness. He aligned the Celestial Pool Needle with the red line, but the direction it pointed was not north. Although he had expected this result, it still left him with complicated feelings.


    A compass functions because the planet¡¯s core beneath the mantle contains vast amounts of ferromagnetic elements. The entire planet acts as a giant magnet, naturally forming north and south magnetic poles.


    However, after observing the ocean over the past few days, Chen Xiao realized he might not actually be on a planet. Instead, this world could very well be a flat plane. That raised an important question¡ªif there was no magnetic field, then where exactly was the "true north" that the compass pointed to? And what force was causing the needle to align in that direction?


    He had wrestled with this mystery for days, nearly pulling his hair out in frustration, yet he still couldn''t figure it out. Since he couldn¡¯t find an answer, he temporarily set the matter aside. Instead, he turned to a more practical issue, direction was the most crucial reference for geomantic site selection. Should he rely on the compass¡¯s orientation or follow the natural landmarks of this world? That was something he would only be able to determine after reaching land and conducting field tests.


    Despite his seemingly idle days aboard the ship, no one knew the depth of his thoughts.


    Each morning, he used the brief period when the sun rose at its most precise angle to compare it with the compass in his consciousness. He carefully calculated the discrepancy between the two and committed it to memory, again and again. He wasn¡¯t content with just remembering it mentally¡ªhis body had to instinctively recall it as well. Only then could he instantly convert real-world directions into compass coordinates whenever necessary.


    He didn¡¯t know if this effort would prove useful or if it was all a waste of time. But he was accustomed to studying feng shui diligently, always preparing for a future where his knowledge might come in handy.


    Only when he had trained himself to instinctively distinguish both sets of directions the moment he stepped out of the cabin and saw the rising sun did he finally conclude his silent, unseen training.


    By then, the voyage was nearly over.


    This maritime journey had been smooth, though they encountered storms, none were severe enough to force them to turn back. There had also been encounters with sea creatures, but they were nothing more than massive beasts, swiftly driven away by the escorting immortal masters aboard the Ascendant. The ship followed its predetermined route without getting lost or running aground. Clearly, the Chongxuan Sect¡¯s three failed return trips had been far from ordinary occurrences.


    A normal sea voyage would have taken three to four months, depending on favorable winds. But the Ascendant, powered by spirit stones, far outpaced wind-driven vessels. In just one month, it had already crossed the coastlines of seven or eight different countries. Every few days, the ship docked to replenish fresh water and provisions, giving restless passengers a brief chance to disembark. However, with only one or two hours per stop, no one dared to wander too far, most simply stretched their legs near the port.


    Chen Xiao had gone ashore with Du Rong once, though Tong Nuonuo refused to join them. He was too afraid of accidentally losing sight of the two of them, if he got left behind, it wouldn¡¯t be a laughing matter. The Ascendant certainly wouldn¡¯t delay its journey for just one person.


    At the harbor¡¯s small marketplace, Chen Xiao and Du Rong browsed the stalls. Though they were in different nations, the people¡¯s appearances and languages were quite similar. Even the currency was standardized¡ªgold, silver, and copper coins circulated freely. The only noticeable difference lay in the designs minted on them, but their weight and specifications were identical.


    This realization led Chen Xiao to suspect that a single power must have unified the minting process in these countries. Either that, or the casting techniques and equipment had been provided by a central authority. After all, such precise and advanced coinage far exceeded the capabilities of these nations. His first thought was Zhishi Hall, only an alliance of multiple cultivation forces like them could achieve such widespread economic standardization.


    That morning, as usual, Chen Xiao stood on the deck, soaking up the sun for some much-needed calcium. Suddenly, the ship¡¯s bronze bell rang three times, its crisp chimes echoing across the deck.


    Almost immediately, someone among the passengers cheered excitedly. Like a pebble dropped into water, their enthusiasm spread, rippling through the ship. Soon, even those inside the cabins were stirred into a frenzy. Some people couldn¡¯t contain themselves and rushed to the deck¡¯s edge, shouting toward the horizon.


    It took Chen Xiao a moment to react, but he soon understood, Hanshan City was near.

 Chapter 44: Everything Depends on Cultivation

    Although the ground appeared flat, Hanshan City was unimaginably far away, barely larger than a speck of dust in the vast expanse. Combined with the minuscule particles in the air and the effects of light refraction, Chen Xiao¡¯s eyesight was no match for that of cultivators. No matter how hard he squinted, he couldn¡¯t see anything. It wasn¡¯t until another day had passed that he finally caught sight of a faint strip of land emerging at the horizon.


    Early the next morning, Chen Xiao was awakened by the commotion in the corridor. The cultivators staying nearby, like him, were all first-time visitors to Hanshan City. The excitement of nearing land had roused them early, and they were busy packing their belongings. Chen Xiao yawned and got out of bed, finding that Du Rong had already packed both of their luggage, only waiting for him to get up.


    Blinking groggily, Chen Xiao rolled out of bed and woke up Tong Nuonuo, who was drooling in his sleep. The two of them first made a trip to the public restroom, then grabbed their face cloths, tooth powder boxes, and pig-bristle toothbrushes for their morning routine. Throughout the process, Tong Nuonuo remained half-asleep, his eyes barely open. Chen Xiao had to keep a close watch on him while walking, knowing that if he let his guard down, he¡¯d have to spend twice the effort searching for him later.


    It wasn¡¯t an unlikely scenario. After they had been living here for half a month, Tong Nuonuo once insisted on going to relieve himself alone in the morning without waking anyone. Chen Xiao figured that after staying in the same place for so long, he should be able to find his way back, right?


    Yet the next morning, Tong Nuonuo disappeared. After Chen Xiao and Du Rong finished freshening up, they waited for him to join them for breakfast, but he never returned. Left with no choice, they went searching for him, only to find him half an hour later in a completely opposite section of the ship.


    From that day on, Chen Xiao and Du Rong gave up on letting Tong Nuonuo navigate on his own. No matter where he went, one of them had to accompany him.


    After freshening up, they returned to the room to find only Du Rong remaining, the burly cultivator who shared the space with them had already left. Chen Xiao handed his toiletries to Du Rong to store in the rattan case and changed into a thick set of clothes. Snowflakes had begun falling the previous day, and the closer they got to Hanshan City, the colder it became. Unlike cultivators who could resist the cold with their spiritual energy, Chen Xiao had no such advantage and had to bundle up properly. Tong Nuonuo, on the other hand, simply stuffed his belongings haphazardly into his box and considered his packing done.


    When they stepped onto the deck, the sight before them left Chen Xiao in awe.


    Hanshan City was completely enveloped in ice and snow, draped in a silver-white coat like a scene from a dream. Everywhere he looked, the world was blanketed in white, the sky merging seamlessly with the land and the city.


    The city was built against a mountain, and from the vantage point of the ship, the streets crisscrossing from the docks to the base of the mountain were clearly visible. The buildings from the foothills to the mid-mountain were grand and imposing, exuding an air of majesty. Each residence was spaced far apart, occupying land several times the size of an average home in the capital. This contributed to Hanshan City¡¯s immense scale, wherever the eye reached, rooftops laden with thick snow extended endlessly.


    At the foot of the mountain, there was a stretch of land that gleamed like a silver mirror, it seemed to be a frozen lake. The buildings lining the roads near this area were packed closely together, forming a bustling district.


    As Chen Xiao gazed into the distance, he suddenly caught sight of something unusual. The snowflakes drifting down from the sky, which should have been falling in layers, were instead swirling into a spiral mid-air near the mountainside, as if drawn in by some unseen force.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Chen Xiao asked.


    Both Du Rong and Tong Nuonuo followed his line of sight. Du Rong, also a first-time visitor to Hanshan City, had no answer. Fortunately, Tong Nuonuo did.


    ¡°That¡¯s a teleportation vortex. What, you two have never seen one before?¡± he asked, looking surprised.


    ¡°A what?¡± Chen Xiao frowned, not quite grasping the concept.


    Du Rong, on the other hand, seemed to have a sudden realization. ¡°So that¡¯s what a teleportation gate looks like, it¡¯s actually a vortex?¡±


    Chen Xiao felt like he understood every individual word they were saying, but when strung together, their meaning completely eluded him.


    Raising a hand, he said, ¡°Wait, explain it to me properly. What exactly is a teleportation gate? And why is it a vortex?¡±


    Before Du Rong could answer, he glanced behind them. A line had already started forming, and the gangway was about to be lowered for disembarkation. ¡°This isn¡¯t the best place to talk. Let¡¯s wait until we¡¯re with the boss before explaining.¡±


    Left with no choice, Chen Xiao suppressed his curiosity for the time being.


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    Hanshan City¡¯s port was not particularly large, as fishing wasn¡¯t the city¡¯s main industry. In fact, it was even smaller than the docks of Nian City. However, despite its size, it was still bustling with activity. When the ship arrived and hundreds of people disembarked at once, the port was instantly packed.


    The crowded environment made Tong Nuonuo uneasy. He always got flustered in large crowds, prone to losing his sense of direction. It was frustrating, he hadn¡¯t learned Wind Riding techniques, nor did he have any floating treasures. Unlike the cultivators who could simply soar into the air and leave effortlessly, he had no choice but to squeeze through the throng like everyone else.


    As more cultivators took flight one after another, the crowd thinned significantly. Tong Nuonuo let out a quiet sigh of relief. Beside him, Chen Xiao smiled and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go now.¡± After a brief pause, he added, ¡°If you ever get separated from us in the future, stay where you are and don¡¯t move. We¡¯ll come find you. If you wander around aimlessly, you might end up farther away, making it even harder for us to find you.¡±


    Chen Xiao only gave such instructions because they were already familiar with each other. Otherwise, with the boy¡¯s pride, who knew how much he would take it to heart? But now, Tong Nuonuo understood his good intentions and obediently nodded. ¡°Alright. But if I ever get lost, I won¡¯t run around.¡±


    With that, the three of them followed the crowd away from the docks. This area was far from the center of Hanshan City, and there weren¡¯t any inns nearby. Because there were so many cultivators, even carriages that typically served ordinary people were scarce. They waited a long time before finally finding one. Once seated inside, Du Rong instructed the driver to take them to a regular inn.


    Although Tong Nuonuo had only briefly passed through Hanshan City before, he at least had a general idea of the costs here. As long as one avoided the high-end establishments catering to Immortal Sects and wealthy individuals, lodging and meals were still reasonably priced. With Chen Xiao¡¯s finances, he could easily afford it.


    The inn they chose was similar to the one in the capital. It mainly accommodated ordinary travelers, but cultivators also came and went. The rooms were even more spacious, and the courtyard of their private residence was large enough to host a full basketball game. After settling in and having a meal at the inn¡¯s restaurant, the three of them gathered in the sitting room of Chen Xiao¡¯s room, sipping tea. That was when Chen Xiao brought up his previous question again.


    Du Rong said, ¡°Before I talk about that teleportation gate, I must first give you an overview of this world. My apologies for not mentioning it earlier. It¡¯s not exactly a secret, but cultivators rarely discuss it with ordinary people, mainly because it¡¯s difficult for them to understand.¡±


    Chen Xiao said in a steady voice, ¡°It¡¯s fine, Uncle Rong. Go ahead.¡±


    Du Rong explained, ¡°This world is far larger than you realize. The land and seas we currently inhabit are collectively known as the Gengsheng Minor Heaven Realm. That teleportation vortex serves as a gateway to other Heaven Realms.¡±


    Tong Nuonuo nodded and added, ¡°That¡¯s right. I came from Taizhen Middle Heaven Realm, which belongs to the Gengsheng Minor Heaven Realm.¡±


    Chen Xiao had already suspected that this world wasn¡¯t simple, but he hadn¡¯t expected it to have a completely different structure from his past life. He was momentarily stunned. No wonder the constellations here didn¡¯t match, this wasn¡¯t even the same celestial system!


    ¡°Wait, wait!¡± Chen Xiao pressed his fingers against his forehead, groaning slightly. ¡°Let me process this for a moment¡­¡±


    Du Rong understood his reaction well. When they had learned about this in their studies, they had been just as shocked.


    However, to their surprise, Chen Xiao merely wiped his face with his hands before looking up again, his expression serious. ¡°If there are Minor Heaven Realms and Middle Heaven Realms, then I assume there are also Major Heaven Realms?¡±


    Tong Nuonuo nodded. ¡°Yes. This world is made up of seven Major Heaven Realms, twenty-eight Middle Heaven Realms, one hundred and eight Minor Heaven Realms, and thousands of Micro Heaven Realms, whose exact number remains unknown.¡±


    ¡°Seven, twenty-eight, one hundred and eight¡­¡± Chen Xiao murmured, repeating the numbers. These figures felt incredibly familiar, they correspond exactly to the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, the Twenty-Eight Constellations, the Thirty-Six Celestial Generals, and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends. There was no way this was a coincidence!


    Du Rong continued, ¡°Every Heaven Realm has portals leading to others. Some of these portals are rifts, while others are stable passageways. The vortex-shaped teleportation gate on the mountain is one of the more stable types.¡±


    Tong Nuonuo added, ¡°Minor Heaven Realms are only connected to specific destinations, and they each lead to a single designated Middle Heaven Realm. If you want to travel to a different Middle Heaven Realm, you must first transfer through the one assigned to you. The same rule applies to Middle Heaven Realms, they can only link to specific ones, and each can only connect to one Major Heaven Realm. To travel between Major Heaven Realms, you have to transfer through one.¡±


    Chen Xiao thought through this layered structure. He could vaguely see the pattern, it was likely that these realms were divided into zones, with the larger ones encompassing the smaller ones. Different zones couldn¡¯t connect directly; they could only be accessed through a higher-tier realm.


    After a moment of contemplation, he asked, ¡°Are there any requirements for using these portals?¡±


    Du Rong and Tong Nuonuo exchanged a glance before Tong Nuonuo replied, ¡°Only cultivators can use the teleportation gates. Ordinary people cannot.¡±


    Chen Xiao wasn¡¯t surprised at all. He had already guessed as much. ¡°What are the specific conditions?¡±


    Tong Nuonuo answered, ¡°The vortex teleportation gates are managed by the Hall of Omniscience. To use a Minor Heaven Realm¡¯s portal, one must have at least Foundation Establishment cultivation. For Middle Heaven Realm portals, only those at the Golden Core stage or higher are qualified. Major Heaven Realm portals have even stricter requirements, one must be at least at the Nascent Soul stage to pass through.¡±


    Chen Xiao clenched his jaw. A world where everything was determined by cultivation!


    Tong Nuonuo continued, ¡°Of course, these restrictions only apply when traveling upward to a higher-tier realm. If you¡¯re descending from a higher realm to a lower one, there are no such requirements.¡±


    An idea flashed through Chen Xiao¡¯s mind, and he immediately voiced his question. ¡°Where is the Chongxuan Sect¡¯s mountain gate located?¡±


    Tong Nuonuo looked at him in surprise. ¡°Chongxuan Sect? Its mountain gate is in Luochen Major Heaven Realm, which is even higher than Taizhen Middle Heaven Realm.¡±

 Chapter 45: Identity is Shaped by Presentation

    No matter how much was said, Chen Xiao still couldn¡¯t quite imagine what the teleportation portal would look like. Fortunately, while its use was restricted to cultivators, there was no rule against ordinary people getting close to it.


    After finishing their tea, Tong Nuonuo suggested taking Chen Xiao to see it with his own eyes. Du Rong shot Tong Nuonuo with a subtle look of disapproval. He had noticed the obvious disappointment on Chen Xiao¡¯s face upon learning that mortals couldn¡¯t use the teleportation portal. Letting him witness it in person, wouldn''t that only make him feel worse?


    But Chen Xiao was intrigued and readily agreed. Tong Nuonuo slung the long box he always carried onto his back and walked out with Chen Xiao. Du Rong, helpless against their enthusiasm, could only follow along.


    It was still early when the carriage arrived at the foot of the mountain, and Chen Xiao decided to walk up. Snow blanketed the landscape, and the trees lining the road were coated in frost, creating a breathtakingly dreamlike scene. The path was paved with smooth stone slabs, and because people lived along the way, the incline was gentle.


    After nearly half an hour, they finally reached the teleportation array. Chen Xiao was awestruck.


    A vast open space stretched out before them, with a massive transparent curtain-like shimmer hovering in the air near the mountain face. Within that shimmer, a slow-spinning whirlpool was projected. The vortex-like teleportation portal was as tall as a five-story building, over twenty meters long, and seven or eight meters wide.


    The area surrounding the portal had been cleared into a flat plaza. Though there were no walls enclosing it, its location on a mid-mountain platform meant that sheer cliffs surrounded it on almost every side, leaving only one accessible route. Zhishi Hall had stationed guards at the entrance, setting up a checkpoint-like gatehouse. Even in the short time they stood there, they saw several people passing in and out.


    As those individuals approached the portal, their figures were stretched and distorted by the swirling vortex, gradually fading until they suddenly disappeared. Conversely, others materialized from the portal as streaks of color, their forms solidifying into fully intact human shapes as they stepped out.


    Watching this miraculous sight, a longing stirred deep within Chen Xiao¡¯s heart. A phrase from his past life echoed in his mind¡ªThe world is so vast; how could I not see it for myself?


    That night, Tong Nuonuo stayed in Chen Xiao¡¯s private courtyard. The next morning, he came to bid farewell.


    "You¡¯re leaving? Why?" Chen Xiao was caught off guard. After traveling and living together for this period, he had unconsciously assumed they would continue on together indefinitely. It hadn¡¯t even occurred to him that they might part ways, let alone so suddenly.


    Tong Nuonuo¡¯s round face was unusually serious. He said, ¡°Now that we¡¯ve arrived at our destination, it¡¯s time for me to take my leave. My purpose in coming out was to collect materials, and I must continue my journey and hone my skills. No banquet lasts forever there¡¯s no need to feel reluctant.¡±


    Chen Xiao was speechless. The way Tong Nuonuo phrased it made it sound as though he had been escorting them with deliberate intent, rather than simply tagging along as a human compass. He had grown so accustomed to worrying about Tong Nuonuo¡¯s poor sense of direction that it had become second nature.


    "Are you going alone? Won¡¯t you get lost?" Chen Xiao asked, carefully phrasing it as a question to spare Tong Nuonuo¡¯s pride.


    Tong Nuonuo¡¯s serious expression tensed. ¡°I admit, getting lost is a weakness of mine. But as a cultivator, I can¡¯t let that hold me back. The greater the flaw, the more I must face it head-on and overcome it!¡±


    Chen Xiao thought, Are you serious right now?


    Looking at Tong Nuonuo¡¯s determined round face, he had the urge to pat him on the shoulder and say, Give it up. Being directionally challenged isn¡¯t like oversleeping, it¡¯s not something you can fix with sheer willpower.


    Perhaps Chen Xiao¡¯s skepticism was too obvious, because Tong Nuonuo¡¯s expression twitched, and he finally showed a hint of dejection. "I know it won¡¯t be easy. But I have no choice. I came out to gain experience, I can¡¯t always rely on others. The path of cultivation is long, and no one can accompany me forever. Sometimes, I¡¯ll have to rely on myself.¡±


    Chen Xiao could already imagine the hardships awaiting him. He sighed. ¡°Your resolve is commendable. I can only support you.¡±


    Moved by his encouragement, Tong Nuonuo nearly burst into tears. He leaned in and hugged Chen Xiao, pressing his face against his shoulder. ¡°If only you could cultivate! Then we could travel together. As long as you¡¯re willing to bring me along, I swear, one day, when I become a master of mechanisms, I¡¯ll repay you!¡±


    This was the first time they had physical contact. Chen Xiao stiffened, awkwardly holding his arms up, caught between surprise and amusement. Hearing Tong Nuonuo¡¯s pitiful words, he replied earnestly, ¡°Alright! If I ever gain cultivation abilities, I¡¯ll journey with you. That¡¯s a promise!¡±


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    Tong Nuonuo was simply feeling lost and vulnerable at the prospect of facing the unknown alone. Though he appreciated Chen Xiao¡¯s reassurance, he didn¡¯t take the promise seriously. At that moment, he couldn¡¯t possibly imagine that one day, Chen Xiao would truly be able to cultivate.


    While the two of them were talking, Du Rong stood off to the side. Seeing Tong Nuonuo preparing to set off on her training journey, he couldn''t help but show a hint of envy and longing. Now that they had arrived in Hanshan City, surrounded by such an environment, his desire to grow stronger and reach a higher level of cultivation stirred restlessly within him.


    Chen Xiao noticed this but pretended not to see it. At this point, he couldn''t let Du Rong leave just yet. They had signed a contract, Du Rong could only be released when Chen Xiao no longer needed him. Of course, if Du Rong wanted to leave early, he could, but only if he found someone to take his place as Chen Xiao¡¯s bodyguard. That said, Chen Xiao had no intention of keeping him for too long. He didn¡¯t want Du Rong to start resenting him over this.


    Tong Nuonuo let go after a brief hug. Even before Chen Xiao could react, she was already looking a little embarrassed.


    Chen Xiao said, ¡°Wait a moment, I¡¯ll pack some food for you to take on the road.¡± Then, he turned to Du Rong and added, ¡°Uncle Rong, could I trouble you to escort Tong Nuonuo later?¡±


    While Tong Nuonuo and Du Rong waited in the living room, Chen Xiao went into his bedroom. He wrapped up some untouched pastries from the table in oiled paper and took out a brand-new handkerchief. Then, he emptied his coin pouch and counted out eighty spirit coins, placing them inside. The pouch went at the bottom, the food on top, and he carefully wrapped everything into a small bundle with the handkerchief.


    Stepping out of the room, Chen Xiao handed it to Tong Nuonuo with a calm expression. ¡°Here, eat these if you get hungry on the road.¡±


    Tong Nuonuo didn¡¯t overthink it. She took the bundle, opened it up, and immediately popped a pastry into her mouth. Watching this, Chen Xiao felt reassured. Not only had he returned the thirty spirit coins Tong Nuonuo had originally given him, but he had also added fifty more. By the time she realized it, even if she wanted to refuse, getting the money back would be another matter. These spirit coins might not be much, but at least she wouldn¡¯t have to sleep on the streets or go hungry. If she got lost, she¡¯d have enough to hire a carriage.


    After seeing the two off, Chen Xiao returned to his room. Sitting by the round table, he carefully counted his remaining assets.


    Buying a boat ticket had cost him one spirit pearl and fifty spirit coins. He had given Tong Nuonuo fifty coins and paid Du Rong one spirit coin as his monthly salary. Now, he had three spirit pearls and twenty-six spirit coins left.


    For an ordinary person in Hanshan City, this was more than enough to live comfortably. But for cultivation? It wasn¡¯t much at all.


    Chen Xiao had been living frugally for long enough, it was time to loosen up and do some real shopping. The first thing on his list was to properly equip Du Rong. In their current state, they couldn¡¯t even intimidate the average wealthy merchant in Hanshan City.


    Around noon, Du Rong returned.


    Chen Xiao asked, ¡°How did it go? Is she settled in?¡±


    Du Rong replied, ¡°She went to Zhishi Hall and took on a mission near Hanshan City. Since there are fierce beasts in the area, they needed more people. The leader of the group is a Golden Core cultivator, one realm higher than Tong Nuonuo. He has joined up with them.¡±


    Chen Xiao nodded. ¡°Does he have a place to stay?¡±


    Du Rong said, ¡°Yes. The leader has a courtyard, and there¡¯s enough space for a dozen people.¡±


    A place to stay, food to eat, and someone to oversee things for now¡ª


    ¡°Not bad,¡± Chen Xiao sighed. ¡°Hopefully, that Golden Core cultivator is patient.¡± That was all they could do for Tong Nuonuo at this point, hope for the best.


    After lunch, the two took a carriage to the lakeside district of Hanshan City. The area surrounding the lake was a bustling commercial zone. The eastern side was for ordinary people, while the western side catered to cultivators, separated by a long embankment.


    Their carriage could only go as far as the end of the embankment. Beyond that, ordinary carriages weren¡¯t allowed.


    After paying the fare, Du Rong and Chen Xiao got off and walked into the marketplace. The district was packed with towering buildings, colorful banners swaying in the wind. Store names flashed everywhere, overwhelming Chen Xiao with their sheer variety, pill shops, clothing stores, talisman shops, enchanted jade vendors, weapon forges, musical instrument stores, herbal markets¡­ The selection was vast, with hardly any duplicates.


    Dazed by the number of choices, Chen Xiao leaned in and asked Du Rong quietly, ¡°Isn¡¯t there a place that sells everything in one go? A shop where I can get everything I need at once?¡±


    Du Rong also lowered his voice. ¡°No such place exists. However, there is one option that carries a wide range of goods¡ªthe pawnshop. They don¡¯t just deal in pawning items; they also sell second-hand goods and hold auctions.¡±


    Hearing this, Chen Xiao¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention before that there are specialty second-hand stores?¡±


    Du Rong hesitated. ¡°In the Dai Kingdom, larger cities usually have them. Given Hanshan City¡¯s size, it should have one too.¡±


    Chen Xiao thought for a moment before shaking his head. ¡°We¡¯ll look for it when we have more time. Right now, the priority is getting you properly armed and equipped.¡±


    Only then did Du Rong realize the purpose of their trip. His eyes widened in surprise, quickly followed by delight. But once the initial excitement passed, he furrowed his brows and said, ¡°Master, there¡¯s no need for this.¡±


    Having weapons and full armor would certainly boost his strength, and he was happy about that. However, if his only duty was to escort Chen Xiao, checking residences and arranging feng shui formations, there was no need for such gear. If they weren¡¯t going into dangerous areas outside the city, the weapons and armor would just sit there, unused. Spending money on something that wouldn¡¯t be used was a waste.


    Chen Xiao chuckled. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s necessary. This is an important part of our image. Our status depends on it.¡±

 Chapter 46: The Art of Pretending

    As the saying goes, "Clothes make the man, gold makes the Buddha." As long as he played his part well, Chen Xiao was confident that he could pass as a cultivator, even without a spiritual root. Back when he posed as a feng shui master under his master''s name, he had successfully deceived many. Of course, his confidence came from his master standing behind him and his own acquired knowledge. Now, with similar circumstances, he quickly came up with a plan.


    He had Du Rong walk ahead while he followed behind, playing the role of an apprentice. In truth, he didn¡¯t even need to act. With his identity token, he was a legitimate temporary disciple. Besides, it wasn¡¯t as if people carried spiritual root-testing artifacts around just to check every stranger¡¯s aptitude.


    Du Rong, a man from the countryside, initially felt uneasy walking through a street filled with cultivators. But the moment Chen Xiao positioned himself behind him, a sense of responsibility quickly overcame his nervousness. He straightened his back, squared his shoulders, and kept his gaze steady. As someone who had survived life-or-death struggles, he exuded an undeniable air of competence. The honed, blade-sharp aura surrounding him was something every cultivator here recognized. Blending into the crowd of practitioners, he no longer stood out.


    Before long, Du Rong¡¯s shoulders relaxed. While Hanshan City was full of cultivators, its strict regulations prevented fights from breaking out over minor disputes. As long as no one made a move, walking through the city with an employer was relatively safe.


    The two soon arrived at a pawnshop named Taixiang. Located at the heart of the street, its prime location was evident. The storefront was massive, with three wide doors open to welcome customers.


    Inside, the shop was bustling. Some were there to pawn items, others to reclaim them, but most were browsing under the guidance of shop assistants, selecting items that had been forfeited.


    Du Rong wasn¡¯t exaggerating when he said this place had everything. Hanshan City was teeming with cultivators, and with the frequent task postings from Zhishi Hall, many practitioners offloaded their unused items here. Rather than letting old gear go to waste or struggling to sell it at low prices, they simply pawned them for some quick spirit coins. Even traveling immortal masters passing through Hanshan City often left behind unwanted items in exchange for money. As a result, the pawnshop always had a plentiful supply.


    What was interesting about Taixiang Pawnshop was that, despite its vast inventory, it didn¡¯t open a separate general store. Instead, it set up several towering shelves right in the main hall, packed with all sorts of second-hand items. Some were visibly aged but still functional. This setup created a treasure-hunting atmosphere that appealed to less affluent cultivators, drawing in a constant stream of customers and making the shop lively and bustling.


    Discreetly shielding Chen Xiao, Du Rong guided him to the shelves. Chen Xiao scanned the assortment of goods, noticing faint spiritual fluctuations among many of them. He began sorting through the items, but most turned out to be insignificant trinkets, none as valuable as the jade pendant he had bought before.


    Realizing he wouldn¡¯t be able to find any hidden treasures here, he concealed his disappointment. It made sense, if the shopkeeper lacked the ability to appraise goods properly, they wouldn¡¯t be running a successful pawnshop in the first place.


    Adjusting his mindset, Chen Xiao moved to the equipment section and carefully examined the selections. As he browsed, he casually told Du Rong, "Uncle Rong, don¡¯t look down on second-hand equipment. Only gear that has been tested through trials and hardships proves its durability and practicality."


    Du Rong¡¯s voice carried a hint of excitement. "Master, you don¡¯t need to convince me. I understand." In Daiguo, he had never even seen such gear before. Normally, Foundation Establishment cultivators would pass down their old equipment to close friends and family, it was rare to find such items on the market.


    The racks displayed both complete sets and individual pieces. Chen Xiao instructed Du Rong to pick out the gear he needed first, then he would make the final selection. Though puzzled, Du Rong obeyed, choosing two different chest plates and some scattered accessories. The two chest plates were made from different materials and inscribed with distinct runes, one enhanced speed, the other increased strength. Among the accessories, some reinforced defense, while others boosted explosive power.


    Du Rong explained in a low voice, "This one focuses on speed, while this one emphasizes strength."


    Chen Xiao asked humbly, "Which one is more useful to you?"


    After a moment of thought, Du Rong replied, "They¡¯re about the same. I have dual wind and earth spiritual roots. Wind-attribute techniques make my body lighter and increase my speed, while earth-attribute techniques strengthen my muscles and enhance my power." At the Body Refinement stage, cultivators primarily enhanced their physical attributes. Only after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage could they start learning spells.


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    Chen Xiao concentrated and used his ability to observe auras. The strength-enhancing armor had a clearer and more intact energy field. Based on this, he recommended that Du Rong choose the strength-focused chest plate and a defensive wrist guard from the scattered items.


    At the counter, Chen Xiao finally realized the advantage of his ability to perceive auras, it gave him an edge in a pawnshop setting. Both the speed and strength chest plates were priced the same, at 150 spirit coins each. However, the strength armor had much less damage to its runes compared to the speed armor. In other words, for the same price, he could choose the item with the best value. This discovery reassured him, he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about being shortchanged when buying such items in the future.


    Beyond the minor rune damage, another reason for choosing the strength armor was that it was an outer chest plate. Made from lightweight leather, it was processed to be as flexible as possible, but wearing it directly against the skin would still be uncomfortable. It was meant to be worn over clothing, earning its name as outer armor. The speed armor, on the other hand, was an inner chest plate made from thick fabric, adorned with silver runes that looked impressive but remained inconspicuous when worn under clothing.


    Chen Xiao had Du Rong put on the outer armor and wrist guard immediately. Du Rong was already a man of strong presence, but once equipped, his aura became even more imposing and battle-ready. Chen Xiao was highly satisfied with the result; appearance, demeanor, and gear were all in place.


    Circling Du Rong, he still felt something was missing. Observing the other cultivators in the pawnshop, he suddenly realized, Du Rong lacked a weapon.


    While the pawnshop offered affordable armor, rune-engraved weapons were exorbitantly priced. Rather than wasting time asking for details, the two left and headed to a weapons shop instead. There, for three spirit coins, they purchased an economical yet sturdy steel blade, the standard weapon for Daiguo cultivators. When Du Rong first set out as a bodyguard, he had planned to save up and buy exactly this type of weapon.


    Du Rong fastened the steel blade to his waist, sighing, ¡°A standard steel blade like this would cost five spirit coins in Dai Country. I never expected it to be so cheap in Hanshan City.¡±


    Though the craftsmanship was the same, Hanshan City had far more artisans catering to cultivators, naturally driving prices lower.


    Armor cost one hundred and fifty spirit coins, bracers fifty, and a steel blade three. In just half a day, his spirit coins had drained away like running water, all exchanged for the gear now worn on his body or hanging at his waist. The weight of the purchases sat heavy in his stomach, as if he had swallowed a stone.


    ¡°Master, what¡¯s next?¡± Du Rong was eager to do something for Chen Xiao, at the very least, to prove himself worthy of this new equipment.


    ¡°No rush,¡± Chen Xiao said, the corners of his lips lifting in a smile. ¡°The real battle starts now.¡±


    The next morning, the snow had cleared, revealing a bright sky, but the air was even colder. Stepping out of his room, Chen Xiao shivered as the chill seeped into his bones.


    Following behind, Du Rong frowned. ¡°Master, you should wear something warmer.¡±


    Chen Xiao was dressed in a newly tailored cloud-pattern brocade spring robe. The blue-white long coat accentuated his striking features¡ªthick brows, almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and full lips¡ªmaking him appear even more vibrant and youthful. However, Du Rong couldn¡¯t understand why his employer, who was clearly sensitive to the cold, insisted on wearing spring attire right after a snowfall.


    Chen Xiao sucked in a trembling breath of icy air, feeling the chill seep through his entire body. He resisted the urge to curl up for warmth, forcing himself to adjust. Through chattering teeth, he said, ¡°Have you ever seen a cultivator bundled up like a walking cotton ball? They all wear a single thin outer robe, don¡¯t they? I even have a lined layer underneath, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be fine!¡±


    Isn¡¯t this just self-inflicted suffering? Du Rong sighed. ¡°But isn¡¯t it a bit extreme to freeze yourself just to look the part?¡±


    Chen Xiao¡¯s tone was firm. ¡°One mistake leads to another. A flaw this obvious isn¡¯t an option.¡±


    Du Rong couldn¡¯t help but worry. No matter how fit and young Chen Xiao was, he still didn¡¯t have a cultivator¡¯s physical resilience. After a moment of thought, he suggested, ¡°Master, I understand you¡¯re aiming for the appearance of a noble-born cultivator, and paying attention to clothing details is important. But even disciples from aristocratic families don¡¯t only wear a single layer outdoors. Many wear a luxurious cloak, not necessarily for warmth, but for the look. Your mink fur cloak would suit the image well.¡±


    Chen Xiao was nearly frozen solid and to make things worse, he realized with horror that his nose had started to run. That was completely unacceptable! How could a noble cultivator¡¯s son appear so undignified?


    Moreover, if he stubbornly continued dressing like this, he might end up visibly unwell by the time they arrived at their destination. Not only would he fail to maintain his composure, but he might even look sickly. Forcing his sluggish brain to function, he found Du Rong¡¯s suggestion reasonable. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wear the mink cloak.¡±


    After enduring the cold for a while, he seemed to have somewhat acclimated. Adding only the mink cloak, he immediately felt much warmer.


    Pulling it tightly around himself, he said, ¡°That¡¯s much better. I¡¯ll keep it on while I¡¯m outside and take it off once I¡¯m indoors. That should be manageable.¡±


    Du Rong still wasn¡¯t sure about Chen Xiao¡¯s plans, but seeing how much effort he put into preparation, he could tell it was something significant. Straightening his posture, he focused his energy, determined not to hold him back when the time came.


    Thus, dressed in fine clothes and exuding the aura of a wealthy noble scion, with a formidable-looking bodyguard at his side, Chen Xiao appeared before the gates of a residence in Hanshan City.


    Expressionless, Du Rong knocked on the door, then handed a letter to the gatekeeper. ¡°Please deliver this to your master. Tell them a guest has come to visit.¡±