60-63

Chapter 60

Chen Ren's eyes drifted over the vast farmlands that were stretched out before him. He had guessed the situation was bad, but he hadn't expected to see a sea of buzzing locusts.

Or, perhaps, he couldn't quite call them that.

Though they resembled the crop-eating grasshoppers that plagued farmlands everywhere. They were easily twice—some even thrice—the size of their smaller cousins, their bodies thick with muscle, their wings flicking in erratic movements. Their legs were tipped with sharp claws, and their mandibles gleamed wickedly as they chomped at the crops.

Chen Ren squinted, trying to make sense of the scene. These weren't just any locusts.

These were beasts. What grade, he couldn't say. But his senses tingled with the unmistakable pressure of power, and he could tell—at the very least, they were solidly in the middle of the body forging realm. He had no doubt they were far more troublesome than the bandit-turned-guard had described.

He narrowed his eyes on the locusts for a while, taking in the massive swarms that covered the crops, flitting about in a chaotic dance of hunger and aggression. One thing that unsettled him was the sheer size of the creatures, and another thing was the way they moved—like soldiers, perfectly coordinated and terrifyingly efficient.

Turning away, he caught sight of the guard bandit again, who was now whispering to an older, burly man. The man stood nearly half a foot taller than the guard, his thick arms bulging under his clothing. As soon as they saw Chen Ren's eyes on them, both men straightened. The older man moved to bow deeply in respect, but Chen Ren waved his hand to stop him.

"There's no need for that," he said. "I have some questions."

The old man straightened again, his eyes meeting his. "Of course, my lord," he replied. "I'm the village chief here, Muyang. What is it you wish to know?"

Chen Ren's gaze flicked back to the locusts, narrowing his eyes. "When did those locusts first appear?"

The old man paused, clearly troubled by the memory. He raked his hand through his greyed hair, frustration clearly evident in his eyes. He hesitated before answering, as though it still haunted him. "They came out of nowhere, my lord. About a year ago. At first, we thought it was just a strange season, a few stragglers—nothing to worry about. But then, one day just before the harvest... they came in a swarm. A swarm like no other. They covered the entire farm, like a black tide that swallowed everything. We couldn't fight them off, no matter what we did. We couldn't even drive them away."

Chen Ren's eyes narrowed further as he studied the man, who then lifted his hand, showing a deep scar along his palm. The scar was spiky, the skin still raw. "I got this from them. They don't attack us here, but if we get too close to the crops... they turn on us. All at once."

Chen Ren's eyebrows raised at that.

"They seem more like beasts than ordinary locusts," he said. "I doubt any of you would be able to do anything about them."

Chief Muyang sighed deeply, a weary, regretful look crossing his face. "That's why we sent for a cultivator from the sects," he explained. His eyes flickered to the guard bandit, then back to Chen Ren, before a pause hung between them. "I heard from Zi Han that you are a cultivator. Are you the one sent by the sect?"

Chen Ren shook his head. "No, I wasn't sent by a sect. I won a plot of land here in a tournament held in Cloud Mist City, and the deed to a good area was awarded to me." He glanced at Tang Xiulan, who rummaged through her bag before she passed the deed over to him. He took it and handed it to the old man.

He read through it carefully, his eyes scanning each line. As he reached the end, a spark of recognition lit up in his face. "Yes, this is right. You are indeed the landholder here," he said, looking back up at Chen Ren. "Are you going to live here from now on, my lord?"

"I might not be here all the time," Chen Ren replied, "but I do plan to set up a place for myself and my people here. It will be more than just a few buildings for various purposes."

Chief Muyang nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. Then as the chief of this village, I welcome you to Meadow. If you need anything, my lord, you may come to me. It would be an honor to serve a cultivator such as yourself."

Chen Ren inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Chief Muyang. I would like you to show me my place first, but on the way, I'd like to discuss something with you."

The village chief looked at him in surprise. "What is it, my lord?"

"Just about the bandit activities some members of your village are involved in, and how much you know about it. Based on how you interact with Zi Han, it seems you know more than you let on. I don't know if they told you, but I met them when they attacked my carriage, with little Yuze, the wolf."

At the mention of the wolf, the village chief's face fell, his expression darkening. He glared at the bandit guard standing beside him, fury and guilt flashing in his eyes.

Without warning, the village chief dropped to his knees, his forehead touching the ground in a deep bow.

"Please forgive us, my lord," he said.

***

Chief Muyang remained on the ground for a long while, his forehead pressed firmly to the earth. It was only after Chen Ren promised that he wasn't going to kill or cripple anyone that the man relaxed slightly and the weight seemed to be lifted from his shoulders.

The apologies didn't stop, however. As they moved through the village on their way to Chen Ren's plot of land, Chief Muyang continued to mutter his regrets.

Chen Ren listened, but his mind was elsewhere. Truthfully, he had thought of punishing the bandits, villagers or not, because what they were doing was wrong. But as he walked through the village and saw the malnourished faces around him—people whose eyes lacked the spark of vitality, children who looked more like shadows than young ones—he reconsidered. His heart softened, if only a little.

A part of him knew what desperation could drive people to do, especially when their lives were so harsh. And while what they were doing was a crime, they hadn't taken any lives. A punishment, especially for the villagers, would only sour his relationship with them, and that would undermine—ruin the larger plans he had—plans that required the cooperation of many in this village.

Chief Muyang's continuous words of apology faded into the background as Chen Ren's mind focused on his own thoughts. He needed this place to work, to run smoothly, and antagonizing them now would set things back.

When they reached the plot of land, the village chief all but rushed to leave, eager to put distance between himself and the tension of the situation. "If you need anything, my lord, please don't hesitate to come to me," he said, before practically running off, as though fleeing from some unseen danger.

The people around them seemed to scatter as well, either out of fear or simply because Chen Ren was there.

He noticed the wary glances thrown his way when they were walking away—eyes that lingered just a little too long, then quickly looked away. The village hadn't seen many cultivators, and to them, he must have seemed like a rare, dangerous creature—a panda in a sea of mundane life.

But, he didn't care. He had a task to focus on. The reason he had come here was to inspect his property, and that was exactly what he would do.

He walked toward the plot, the old homes slowly coming into view. It was a far cry from the wide courtyards and rooms of Tang Manor, that much was certain. But it wasn't bad.

There were three houses in total, all two stories tall, their backsides open for whatever they wanted to do with them.

Chen Ren could see the potential immediately. The land didn't end there, either. It stretched far beyond, towards the mountains and fields in the distance. If he wanted to, he could build further, creating something that might even resemble a sect's compound, with towering buildings and expansive courtyards.

But for now, he had to deal with an enemy he never liked—dust. It was everywhere on the houses, thick and persistent.

He looked at the nearest houses and decided to step inside. And just as he did, Yalan entered with the children, her little nose scrunching as she coughed from the dust.

She shot him a look, her eyes wide with distaste.

"I can't live like this," she declared dramatically. "I don't like stuff in my paws."

Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling to her, before offering a small smile. "It's temporary. We'll get it all cleaned up."

Yalan immediately shot a glare at him. "You'll get it all cleaned up," she corrected him firmly, her voice dripping with mock dignity. "Don't put me and you together. You can barely clean up your own mess. Imagine cleaning all this."

Chen Ren chuckled at Yalan's antics, enjoying the banter, but his thoughts were quickly interrupted as Xiulan entered, looking determined. "Young master, I can clean it up with the kids and Anji," she offered, looking at the place with a neutral gaze. If she was

repulsed, she didn't show.

The kids, however, didn't seem thrilled by the idea. All of their faces soured as they looked around the house. It was clear they weren't eager to do any labor, and Chen Ren caught their eye.

"One house is okay," he said. "But there are three houses here, and you'll need to set up a production place for our next products. It'll be too much work for you all."

Tang Xiulan cleared her throat. "Then what are we going to do?"

Chen Ren leaned against the dusty wall, eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "I'll get men from the village chief. Those bandits… villagers," he said, pausing for a beat as he corrected himself, "They probably have some free time now that we intercepted their attack. I'll put them to work here."

Xiulan seemed a bit skeptical. "Will they agree to it?"

Chen Ren smirked, confident. "I'd be surprised if they don't. They'll see it as a way to earn my forgiveness. And while they're working, I can inspect the locusts."

The kids, meanwhile, had wandered off, inspecting the building curiously. Anji was leading the charge, poking her head around corners, while Yalan and the others explored further. Their energy seemed to pick up as they moved through the space, even if they weren't thrilled about the idea of labor.

After a moment, Yalan seemed to walk back into the conversation, her tone suddenly loud and eager. "Do you want to solve the problem?" she asked, looking up at Chen Ren with bright eyes.

"Yes, it's an easy way," he replied, not missing a beat.

Yalan tilted her head, still curious. "To do what?"

"Earn their allegiance," Chen Ren said simply.

Yalan snorted in disbelief. "Ain't you being a cultivator enough? These people treat you like a god. Isn't that enough?"

Chen Ren's smirk turned into a more thoughtful expression, his gaze flicking back to the village in the distance. "A god they're scared of," he replied quietly.

He knew full well the villagers viewed him as something more than just a man—someone with immense power and potential—but fear was the last thing he wanted to cultivate. He would rather have their respect, their loyalty, not just a shaky reverence that could collapse at the first sign of trouble.

Chen Ren took a deep breath, eyes scanning the land before him. He had always prided himself on using his strength wisely, and he knew that fear would only take him so far.

He had bigger plans—plans that required trust and loyalty, not submission through intimidation. He turned to Yalan. "Even if I wanted to take the easy route and just order them around, I can't build something lasting on fear. It will break one day. I need them to see me as a force of good, not just a powerful cultivator who demands their service."

Yalan's ears twitched as she processed his words and her paws stretched. She wasn't one to easily give up a chance for a good verbal fight, but she understood the larger picture.

After a beat, she spoke up. "Then do you want me to burn the locusts down? I'm pretty sure I can do it."

"No. That would burn away the ground too and they might run away before we can kill all of them. We'll have to find another way. But for now," he glanced around at the group, "I need something to take my mind off things before we start making our next product and begin recruiting."

"Recruitment for the sect?" Xiulan asked.

Chen Ren nodded. "Yeah, we need more men before our next product is ready. I'd like you to stay here—this place needs organization and care, and the kids aren't old enough to travel. As for Yalan..." He glanced at the feline, who was lounging nearby, seemingly indifferent, "Well, she's... a cat to others." Yalan let out a huff at the comment, but didn't argue.

Chen Ren turned back to Xiulan, his tone softening. "That leaves me and Anji. I still need to learn more about her, and we need more people—people who can work for us and help spread our products across the empire."

With the conversation winding down, Chen Ren shifted his gaze toward the mountains in the distance, stretching his arms to loosen up. His mind was already working ahead. The locusts were just one problem, and he would deal with them soon enough.

"Either way," he muttered to himself, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It's time to get some exercise against these beastly locusts."

***

As Chen Ren had anticipated, Chief Muyang quickly agreed to send men to help clean up the property, his eagerness revealing how desperate they were for any assistance they can give him.

After giving the orders, Chen Ren moved toward the farmlands, ready to confront the locusts. Yalan, however, didn't come with him. "You can handle the locusts on your own," she had said nonchalantly, "I need to look over the village and its territories."

Chen Ren suspected it was just her way of marking her territory, but instead of her, he brought along Anji, someone he'd been meaning to spend more time with. The two of them stood at the edge of the farm, looking out at the vast stretch of crops, the buzzing swarm of locusts clinging to every stalk.

"So, what are you going to do, young master?"

Anji asked, her eyes scanning the scene.

"They look scary."

Chen Ren nodded. "Yeah, they do. But before I make any real plans, I need to see if the straightforward approach works."

Anji raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

At that, his lips curled into a confident grin, his body surging with renewed energy. "Taking these pests head-on." Without waiting for a response, Chen Ren launched himself into the heart of the farmlands, his bold presence drawing the attention of the nearest locusts.

The way they turned to him almost scared him.

Several of the oversized insects swiveled toward him, their serrated mandibles clicking in irritation. They hesitated only for a moment before charging, their small and pathetic bodies rushing forward like a living tide.

With a sharp exhale, he unleashed a torrent of lightning, rippling from his hands and scorching the air around him. The closest locusts didn't stand a chance, their bodies instantly seared to ash, falling lifeless to the ground.

But the swarm was undeterred. More locusts surged forward, their snapping jaws gleaming like jagged knives. Chen Ren dodged and moved away, trying to maintain distance, all the while his fists lashed out, sending strikes, shattering exoskeletons and leaving broken skeletons. Yet, for every insect he felled, two more seemed to take its place.

Anji stood at a safe distance, her breath caught in her throat as she watched Chen Ren fight. His attacks were relentless and his leg movements were exceptional. Yet the swarm showed no signs of thinning.

Chen Ren knew fire would likely be more effective, but his lightning was enough to keep the locusts at bay—for now. Still, he could feel the tide turning against him, the swarm's endless advance threatening to overwhelm his defenses.

Suddenly, like he had expected, a particularly large cluster of locusts, at least two dozen strong, rushed toward him in unison. Their jaws snapped hungrily, their advance a single, coordinated wave of aggression.

What the—

Chen Ren's eyes narrowed. It was time to retreat. He couldn't possibly take it all at once.

With a powerful leap, he vaulted clear of the swarm, landing uphill in a blur of motion.

"Young master! What are you doing?!" Anji called out, her voice a mix of alarm and confusion as he bounded toward her.

The locusts halted at the base of the hill, their advance stopping abruptly as if an invisible boundary held them back. Chen Ren glanced over his shoulder, his grin returning despite the tension. "They can't follow us here. Let's use this to our advantage."

Chen Ren remembered what the village chief had said: the locusts seemed to have claimed the farm as their nest and wouldn't move out of it, even when provoked.

Reaching the top of the hill without a scratch, Chen Ren glanced back at Anji, who was still watching him with a look of disbelief. "That was reckless," she said. "What if they were poisonous?"

Chen Ren shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I bought potions for just in case, and nothing we know about them indicates they're poisonous." He paused for a moment, his gaze drifting back toward the farmlands, where the locusts were still swarming, undisturbed by his retreat.

"Either way, I learned quite a bit from my fight with them."

Anji watched as Chen Ren stood there, looking deep in thought. "What did you learn?" she asked.

"Like I thought, they're in the mid-body forging realm. They're fast, but if you focus, you can dodge their attacks. I can also kill them with my lightning, but there's just too many of them. I won't be able to handle them on my own."

Anji nodded, processing the information. "So, what do we do about them?"

"Even if I come up with a way to kill them all, there might be more around the forest. They could just return, and then we're back to square one. We need a permanent solution to drive them out."

Anji's eyes narrowed in thought. "Like what?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Instead of answering immediately, Chen Ren turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "You have no idea? Haven't been raised on a farm, I guess?"

Anji hesitated, the question catching her off guard. She paused, as if reflecting on her past before answering. "No, I didn't grow up anywhere near a farm. I know the basics of farming, but nothing more than that."

Chen Ren gave a small nod, acknowledging her response. "Then I'll need to think of something myself." He turned his attention back to the locusts, his mind spinning as he tried to think of a solution.

The locusts continued to swarm the farmlands below, but their presence didn't seem as daunting now. As Chen Ren's mind worked through the options, something clicked in his thoughts. The world around him was full of resources, and although he didn't have knowledge of modern solutions like DDT or pesticides, that didn't mean he was entirely without options. He just needed to approach this from a different angle.

His eyes widened slightly as an idea hit him. He turned quickly to Anji. "I might have a way. But to make it work, we'll need to run some experiments."

Chapter 61

A few days passed since Chen Ren's arrival in Meadow Village, and as time went on, he slowly became accustomed to the peaceful surroundings. The relentless pace of Cloud Mist City, with its endless hustle and clamor, was replaced by a calm quietness that now seemed to settle into his bones.

While the city was vibrant and full of opportunity, there was something about the simplicity of village life—its unhurried days and open, beautiful skies—that made it grow on him. As the days passed, Chen Ren found himself appreciating the stillness more and more, realizing that it was somewhere he could build the foundation for what he wanted.

The cleaning of the houses had been quick. With the help of Chief Muyang's men, and the reluctant cooperation of the bandits-turned-villagers, the once-neglected properties were now livable. The rooms were divided up, each person having their own designated space, though the children would be sharing, much to their displeasure. The houses were simple but functional, with enough space for everyone to settle comfortably.

Among the tasks he had in mind, the most

important was setting up rooms dedicated to his work. Therefore, he made one of the houses become his laboratory, the other his office. The laboratory was the place where he would experiment with new ideas—alchemy, arrays, talismans and product creation in order to advance his business. The office was a space where he could strategize, organize, and reflect on his next moves. He needed both of the spaces.

Having his own office, with the rustic, modest furniture arranged, filled him with a sense of accomplishment. It satisfied the part of him that had always dreamed of running his own business—a college graduate who had once spent hours looking for jobs, imagining what it would be like to one day sit behind a desk and make the decisions. Now, the office felt like a symbol of his journey. It was a place where he could take ownership, a place that grounded him in the vision of what he wanted to create.

But beyond his new responsibilities, Chen Ren's focus was on three main things: cultivating, training, and researching ways to rid the village of the locusts that plagued the farmlands.

Despite his dao, which didn't require him to cultivate in the ways that others did, Chen Ren still enjoyed the meditative practice of an hour spent in his star space. There, he would focus his mind, reaching out, hoping for some sign from the golden dragon that had eluded him since the tournament. He couldn't help but feel the need to grow stronger—after all, in a world like this, danger was ever-present, and survival depended on strength.

As Chen Ren had learned firsthand, cultivation realms weren't the only factors that determined success in a battle. Combat techniques, the ability to stay calm during battle, and clever tactics played just as critical a role.

He had quickly set into a routine, rising early each morning to practice his spear and palm techniques. And every time he put his skills into practice, he felt the growth–in his rhythm and even movements. The time to practise too felt perfect with the calmness in the morning.

Luckily, he didn't have to spar with Yalan, whose strength would surely leave him nursing bruises for days. Instead, he had another target in mind—an unlikely one, but a target nonetheless. The locusts. They were the perfect combat targets for now.

Over the days, he had observed their behavior closely. He learned their patterns, how they would swarm in droves to devour anything in their path, how their movements were slightly erratic yet predictable once you understood the rhythm. The more he studied them, the more he realized he could lure them with food, both meat and anything sweet. And so, he began to attract small groups of locusts to the edge of the farmland, setting up the perfect battlefield for his daily practice.

At first, Chen Ren had considered just eradicating the locust while training. But quickly, he understood that while this was an excellent form of practice, wiping them all out would take months. The locusts were numerous, and killing them one by one, though effective, wasn't a permanent solution.

He stuck to his original plan: gather information, find their weaknesses, and eventually devise a strategy that would rid the village of the plague once and for all.

The constant exposure to the locusts allowed him to cut through their bodies and gain valuable insight into their anatomy.

He took notes, observing their reactions to various stimuli, and piecing together patterns

in their behavior. While each small victory over a group of locusts brought him satisfaction, it was his afterstudy that offered the real rewards.

Still, it wasn't until one evening, after countless trials, that he finally found what he needed—not from his knowledge of Earth, but from this Xianxia world itself. .

The very next day, Chen Ren set to work.

His hands worked fast and the occasional hiss of ingredients being added to the cauldron filled the air every now and then. He mixed herbs, ground powders, and added oils into the large cauldron at the center of the room. He could smell the crushed leaves, root juices and the fire of the caudron.

It was soothing in a way. Because the process had to be done carefully—he had already made a number of failed attempts, which resulted in an explosion or a reaction that sent smoke billowing out of the cauldron.

The ingredients had been tricky, and his understanding of the alchemical processes in this world was still limited. But after after countless failures, he finally felt like he was

getting somewhere.

His heart raced as the liquid inside the cauldron took on a shimmering, almost iridescent hue. He stepped back, wiping his brow, and looked down at the brew. There were no explosions, no violent reactions. It simmered peacefully.

"I finally did it," he muttered to himself with a smile, the words barely escaping his lips. "No explosions this time."

For a moment, he stood there in silence, watching the concoction slowly bubble. The mixture had finally stabilized, its rich purple hue swirling within the cauldron. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he took in the result.

The basic alchemical book that Qing He had provided him was filled with information, more reliable than he had initially expected. He'd thought for sure he'd blow something up even this time—but so far, everything had held up.

"I guess every new alchemist goes through a phase of explosions," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "But at least I'm improving. Thanks to Qing He's books, I've actually made some real progress."

He gave the mixture one last swirl, watching as the liquid shimmered in the cauldron.

Satisfied, he turned to a nearby box containing a set of particular herbs, his fingers grazing over them as he began gathering the necessary ingredients. The makeshift alchemical lab he'd created for himself was far from impressive, but it served its purpose. Books, dried herbs, powders, and jars filled with various concoctions cluttered the shelves, their disorganized state a reflection of the rush he had been in to set up a functional space for his experiments.

Though it wasn't much, it was his. And that, he thought, was the most important thing.

As he picked up a bundle of red herbs, his mind wandered back to the task at hand—the locusts. His plan was starting to take shape. He needed something to make them go away, something that wasn't just brute force. The solution he was crafting now would hopefully provide that.

Suddenly, the door creaked open behind him, and Chen Ren looked up to see Anji walking in, her hair tied back into a neat ponytail. She didn't look surprised to find him in the midst of another experiment, though her eyes were curious.

"Tang Xiulan was asking if you were going to have lunch," Anji asked respectfully.

Chen Ren gave her a brief glance. "I'm busy right now," he replied. "I might just eat dinner straight. Once this is done, I'm planning to meet with the village chief."

Anji nodded, but instead of leaving, she lingered by the door, watching him with quiet interest. Chen Ren turned back to his work, mixing the herbs carefully, adding a pinch of spirit grass to the bubbling concoction. As soon as it hit the cauldron, a puff of smoke rose from the mixture. He stepped back, pleased with the reaction.

Nodding to himself, he let out a satisfied sigh. But before he could celebrate his success,

Anji's voice broke the silence.

"What are you doing, young master?" she asked, stepping closer. "Are you making a concoction for your cultivation?"

Chen Ren glanced up, a small smile tugging at his lips. "No, it's not for me," he said, his voice light. "It's for the locusts. I'm making something for them to eat. Poison."

Anji looked down at the herbs scattered across the table, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Poison?" she repeated. "I didn't know there was poison for locusts. And these herbs... aren't they common?"

"Yes, I got someone to get the herbs for me,"

Chen Ren said, nodding in confirmation. "And you're right about there not being a specific poison for locusts or pests in general. I'm actually following a recipe for poison meant for body forging realm beasts and then adding a few herbs that might make it lethal for the bugs."

He glanced at the cauldron. "Though, mostly I'm just following the recipe. In the end, it's poison. It should work well."

Anji nodded, but her curiosity still lingered. "But why?"

Chen Ren straightened and wiped his hands on his clothes, his gaze fixed on the boiling concoction. "To get in their good books," he said with a small shrug. "Solving this problem will make the villagers feel more at ease with us. You know how they look at us right now. If I want to set up my base here, it's paramount we get them to think we're a force of good, not just outsiders causing trouble."

Anji raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "I'm not talking about that. You know that." She paused, her eyes narrowing as she thought of something. "There are better ways of accomplishing this, ways that cultivators are more likely to follow."

Chen Ren turned towards her, leaning slightly against the table. "Making them submit by force? A grand display of my strength?" His tone was dry, almost mocking.

"Yes, just that," Anji said without hesitation, meeting his gaze directly. "Why aren't you going for it?"

Chen Ren let out a slow breath and shook his head, his voice soft but firm. "It's not my path. I can't do that. I'd cringe. And although my acting is good, there are limits to it."

Anji didn't respond immediately. Her brow furrowed as she thought about his words, the silence hanging between them. After a moment, she spoke again. "I don't understand."

Chen Ren turned fully toward her. "Think of it as dao. Every cultivator follows their dao, and there are principles in it. A martial dao person also lives by rules. Sure, there are those who don't follow these principles, who oppress people, but I'm not going to be like that. My dao doesn't allow that." He paused, rethinking his own words. "No, I won't allow that."

He shook his head slowly, turning his attention back to the cauldron. "I know I could force them to submit, but that's not my way. It's not how I want to lead. And that's why I'm going this route." He paused for a moment before turning back to her, his voice quieter, almost as if testing the waters. "What about you? Do you have a path? Principles?"

Anji froze, her body stiffening as the question hit her. Her eyes darted to the floor as if searching for something she couldn't quite grasp. She opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. Her lips parted again, but only silence came. After a long, drawn-out pause, she finally spoke, her voice a bit softer than before.

"I don't," she said, the words slow and hesitant. "I don't have a path. I think... I just can walk anywhere."

Chen Ren studied her carefully, his gaze unwavering. The uncertainty in her voice was palpable, and it was clear to him that this was a question she had never really asked herself before. He remained quiet, letting her words sink in. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sound was the faint bubbling of the cauldron.

Finally, Chen Ren smiled, though it was a small, almost melancholic one. "Are you looking for one?" he asked.

Anji's eyes shifted as she paused, clearly lost in thought. She looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her sleeve, as if trying to put her feelings into words. "I don't know. I don't think I'm worthy of moving on any path."

Chen Ren tilted his head. "Why is that?" he asked, his tone soft but probing, eager to understand her thoughts more deeply.

Before she could answer, the cauldron let out a puff of smoke, drawing both of their attention. Chen Ren turned toward it, and a satisfied smile spread across his face as he assessed the mixture within.

The concoction had taken on a deep, rich purple color—richer than the previous stage. A faint, almost eerie glow pulsed from within, and the air around it shifted with a herbal aroma.

The texture of the liquid was thick, almost syrupy, and the consistency seemed just right. It was the kind of poison that would be slow-acting but incredibly deadly to creatures with weaker vitality—like the locusts. Despite its strength, it didn't look like much on the surface. There were no extravagant colors or unusual effects, but Chen Ren knew better than to judge it by its simplicity.

He leaned closer to the cauldron, inhaling the scent. "I believe it's ready."

Turning back to Anji, he spoke. "It's finally time to go and finish this locust problem once and for all."

***

The group stood silently atop the hill that overlooked the farmland. Chen Ren, Yalan, Xiulan, Anji, Chief Muyang and a few other villagers were all present, looking at the large swarm of locusts hovering just beyond the edge of the farmland.

The buzzing of the wings was now a constant, unsettling noise that filled their ears.

Chief Muyang stood slightly apart from the others, his hands clasped behind his back. He observed the locusts quietly before turning to

Chen Ren. "Young Master Chen, are you sure it's going to work?" His tone was respectful, but there was a subtle hesitation there, as if the chief still had his doubts about the strange method that Chen Ren had chosen to deal with the locusts. "Of course, I'm not doubting your knowledge or anything," he quickly added, as if to ease any potential offense.

"I think so. We just have to keep watching."

His eyes shifted slightly to the edge of the clearing, where a single dead locust lay on the ground. Unlike the others, its body was slick with a faint sheen of liquid, evidence of the poison he had crafted. Chen Ren's gaze hardened as he observed it closely, anticipation building within him.

The moment he had been waiting for arrived slowly, creeping into view as a group of three locusts approached the dead body. They hesitated for a moment, their antennae twitching as they inspected the corpse.

He stood there, watching with a focused intensity as the locusts circled the corpse. A small thrill surged through him when none of them turned away, as he had feared they might. This was the first victory.

He could feel a subtle sense of triumph rising in his chest, but he kept his composure.

Then, one of the locusts leaned forward and took a cautious bite from its fallen comrade.

Another followed soon after, snapping at the body with urgency. The scene played out exactly as he had hoped—soon, all three were greedily feasting on the carcass of their own kind. Chen Ren had discovered during his observations that locusts were not only vicious feeders, but they would also feast on their own if one of them died—an instinct he planned to use to his advantage.

At the sight, Chen Ren allowed himself a small smile, the tension in his body easing as the plan unfolded in front of him. Xiulan, who had been watching intently, turned to him with a grin on her face. "They aren't being repulsed by the poison on the corpse," she observed.

Chen Ren nodded, the smile on his lips growing faint but proud. "I made sure to add herbs that the locusts feast on during my experiments. I also made sure the poison's smell blended with those herbs. I don't think they know what they're eating." His eyes never left the locusts, still watching them with keen interest as they continued to devour the corpse.

Chief Muyang, though impressed, looked like kept his thoughts to himself for a moment before speaking again. "It seems you've thought of everything," he said.

Chen Ren gave a small shrug, not wanting to let the moment become too celebratory. "It's just a start," he said. "We'll see how it goes

from here."

But deep down, he felt the satisfaction.

Chen Ren watched as the locusts, one by one, fell to the ground, their bodies twitching before they lay still. Within moments, the first group of locusts was dead, and more were following suit. The distant buzzing from the rest of the swarm grew louder as more of the locusts, attracted by the scent of the

poisoned bodies, swarmed toward the fallen.

They too began feasting on their comrades, only to meet the same grim fate.

"Keep watching," Chen Ren instructed.

Xiulan, standing beside him, gave a satisfied nod. "It's working better than expected."

Chen Ren stretched, feeling a small sense of pride in his work. "By tomorrow, the entire farm will be free of them," he murmured, already thinking ahead. He turned toward the village chief, who was still watching in wonder, his expression a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

"I'll leave more poison for you," Chen Ren said casually, his eyes still on the dead locusts. Chief Muyang turned to him, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Young Master. You've solved such a large problem for us. If not for you, we would have been dead in a few months."

He saw Muyang's eyes tearing up.

"You can still be dead," he said bluntly. That earned Chen Ren a confused look. "The farms will take time to recover. Planting crops will be a slow process. But I have an idea to solve that."

Chief Muyang blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of Chen Ren's statement, but then his eyes sharpened, and he leaned forward.

"What is it, Young Master?"

Chen Ren took a breath and adjusted his stance. "Is the locust problem exclusive to your village?" he asked.

"No, not just here. But it's not as bad in the nearby villages. They come from the nests that have been growing recently, because no cultivator has moved to burn them up. But even so, I know a few locusts make their way to the farms in these parts."

Chen Ren nodded, already having pieced things together. "Then I will give you a batch of the poison. Use it for the nests. Sell it to the nearby villages and get food in return. I believe that saving them from a potential catastrophe will make them eager to give you their crops willingly."

Chief Muyang's eyes widened as understanding dawned on him. He seemed to consider the plan for a moment before his face broke into a smile. "That could work. If we can handle the nests and offer this to the villages... We might be able to get enough food to survive while the farms recover."

Chen Ren smiled, his plan coming to fruition. "Exactly. Not only will this help your village, but you'll be in a position to trade with the others for the food you need. It will take some work, but I'm confident you'll make it work."

The village chief nodded, deeply moved by

Chen Ren's foresight. "I'll make sure to use it wisely, Young Master. You've done more than we could have hoped for. Thank you, Young Master," he bowed again. "No one has ever done something like this for our small village before. We are all in your debt." As he spoke, several villagers who had gathered around them also bowed in unison.

Chen Ren felt a sudden wave of awkwardness. The reverence they showed him made him feel like he was standing in the presence of Gods—or more like, he was the God, a feeling that didn't sit well with him. He shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his neck, not quite used to being the center of so much reverence.

Yalan snickered quietly at his discomfort, watching the scene unfold with amusement. Chen Ren shot the cat a glance, narrowing his eyes slightly, but Yalan simply tilted her head, the playful gleam in her amber eyes unmistakable.

Ignoring the teasing cat, Chen Ren turned his attention back to the village chief, who was still bowing deeply. "I do want something out of you," he said.

Chief Muyang paused, looking up in confusion. "What, Young Master? I don't think the village can give you anything. We are poor and have no mystical artifacts to offer."

Chen Ren's expression remained serious as he looked at the old man. "Oh, you can give me something," he said cryptically, glancing at the gathered villagers. "Men and women."

The village chief furrowed his brow, confused. "What do you need them for? Building something?"

Chen Ren shook his head. "That will come, but no, I don't need them as laborers," he said.

"I want you to send word to everyone in this village and the nearby villages that my sect, the Divine Coin Sect, will be recruiting members and checking for spirit roots in people. And even mortals can join us."

"Recruiting mortals? Young Master, you mean as servants? As laborers in your sect?"

"No, not as servants. Actual members, at the same standing as cultivators. Our Divine Coin Sect doesn't discriminate. We see value in all. Whether someone has spirit roots or not, they are welcome. We believe every individual has something to offer, regardless of their cultivation potential."

Chief Muyang stood there for a moment, staring at him in stunned silence. It seemed the concept of mortal members in a cultivator's sect was foreign to him, something he had never encountered in his lifetime.

"You mean… mortal members?" the old man asked, still unsure. "But… in a sect?" He shook his head slightly, trying to make sense of the idea.

Chen Ren nodded firmly. "Exactly. Just get it done and you will know more with time."

Chief Muyang, though still a little confused by the idea, was now bowing once more. "I will get it done, Young Master. Give me three days, and I'll make sure that there will be lines of people wanting to join your sect."

Chen Ren gave a satisfied nod. "Good. I'll be waiting." He turned to leave, but before he did, he glanced at the group of villagers still standing around. Their faces were a mix of curiosity, hope, and disbelief, but Chen Ren knew this would set the stage for the future. His sect would grow—he could feel it in his bones.

As he and his group began to walk away, Yalan kept close by his side, her tail flicking lazily. "This will certainly be interesting," she mused. "I wonder if you will find diamonds in this coal mine."

Chapter 62

Zi Han's steps were quiet as he moved along a narrow dirt path.

The forest was calm, eerily calm in this area and no one dared to walk through it. Sunlight peeked down through the trees, creating a patchwork of light and shadow that covered the ground.

On his back, he carried a sturdy bow—not because he expected trouble, but because years of guarding the village had taught him to always be prepared.

The path sloped upward, leading to a small hill that overlooked the forest. Zi Han didn't hurry. He knew what he would find at the top.

As he climbed, the hill's crest came into view, and there, lying in the dappled sunlight, was the massive form of Little Yuze.

The wolf was resting, its dark obsidian fur shining. Its chest rose and fell slowly, the rhythm steady but marked by the strain of healing wounds. Even now, it bore the marks around its chest and throat from the fight with that cultivator, Chen Ren.

Beside the wolf, leaning casually against its side, was Zi Wen. His older brother sat with his knees drawn up, arms draped loosely over them as he gazed at the sky above. His face carried that familiar, faraway look, the one Zi Han had seen countless times before. It was as if Zi Wen's body was here, but his mind was somewhere else entirely.

Zi Han didn't call out to him. He knew better. Instead, he kept walking, his footsteps crunching faintly on the scattered leaves and twigs. He only stopped when he was a few paces away.

Finally, Zi Wen stirred, his sharp eyes flicking toward Zi Han as if snapping back to reality. He straightened slightly, one hand brushing against Little Yuze's fur.

"Is it lunch already?" Zi Wen asked casually, as though he hadn't just spent hours daydreaming on top of a hill.

Zi Han shook his head. "No. It's still hours away."

"I thought so." Zi Wen stretched, rolling his shoulders and shifting his weight. He glanced briefly at the bow on Zi Han's back before looking back up at the sky. "For a moment, I was worried I'd wasted half the day and didn't even catch anything worthwhile." He paused, then turned his eyes back to Zi Han. "So, why are you here?"

Zi Han crossed his arms and met his brother's gaze. "Do you really not remember? I told you last night—it's time to go."

Zi Wen frowned, his expression darkening. "I've already told you my answer. I'm not applying to another sect." He leaned back against the wolf's side, shaking his head. "You don't understand, Zi Han. You're young. These sects only care about spirit roots, background, and what you can offer them. They're selfish. And if you can't meet their standards, they'll toss you aside like garbage." His voice hardened, his words laced with bitterness.

Zi Han sighed, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. "First of all, I'm in my late twenties. I'm not that young. Second, you've been saying the same thing every time this comes up. And third, the village chief said this is different. Young Master Chen Ren specifically asked for us—for you—to be there."

Zi Wen snorted. "Different how? That cultivator is only interested in Little Yuze. Nothing else."

Zi Han shrugged, glancing at the wolf, which let out a low grunt, almost as if agreeing with Zi Wen's words. "Maybe. Little Yuze is special enough to draw attention. But you know as well as I do that Chen Ren didn't kill us. Any other cultivator would've done it without hesitation."

Zi Wen didn't respond immediately. His frown deepened, his gaze shifting to the wolf at his side, whose teal eyes remained closed in rest. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. He sighed. "Yeah, I do. But—"

Zi Han cut him off this time. "Not only that, he killed the locusts, Brother Wen. Nothing we tried worked against them. Our traps, our fires—none of it made a difference. But in less than a week, Chen Ren wiped them out. And not just that, he let the village chief harvest the poison. Chief Muyang traded it with nearby villages that were struggling with those nests, and you know how much it helped everyone." Zi Han stepped closer, his voice quieter but more pointed. "He didn't ask for anything in return. No payment. No tribute. And he wasn't sent by a sect to do it either. He did it because he wanted to help us."

Zi Wen hesitated, his lips pressed into a thin line as he looked down at his hands. For a moment, the only sound was the soft breeze rustling through the trees. He looked as if he was deep in thought, considering everything that has happened so far. "So, what are you saying? That he's different from the others? That he's not like the usual cultivators?"

"Yes," Zi Han said and his eyes steady as they met his brother's. "And we should give him a chance. I know you don't like your current life. You have never enjoyed being just a hunter."

Zi Wen scoffed lightly and shook his head. "You think I don't know what you're doing, Zi Han? You're trying to say I'm unhappy. But you're wrong. My life is peaceful—spending time with Little Yuze, hunting when I need to. What more do I need?"

Zi Han took a step closer and crouched down.

"Maybe you have had enough peace, brother. I know you. You've never been content with just this. You're not happy. You've always had ambition—you just buried it under all this talk of peace. And you're not the only one." He took a breath. "I have ambitions too, Brother Wen. I've just never talked about them. I don't want to spend my entire life as the guard of this village. I want to try for something bigger, and this might be our chance."

Zi Wen stared at him.

"I'm going, brother. Even without spirit roots, I'll try. If they're taking mortals, then maybe, just maybe, I'll find a place there. You're free to stay, but I hope you won't."

With that, Zi Han turned, his steps slow as he made his way back down the hill. Although he knew he couldn't change his brother's heart, a part of him clinged onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, Zi Wen would listen to him. But he'd been wrong, even if he'd said everything he wanted to.

Therefore, he kept walking.

The path he'd come from seemed longer now. He sighed. But before he had gone far, he heard the sound of his brother's voice calling out.

"Wait, Zi Han!" Zi Han stopped and turned around. His brother was already on his feet, shrugging the dust off of his pants and he hesitantly looked up. "I'm… coming with you."

Zi Han's lips widened at that. "Then hurry. I heard a lot of people are already gathering there."

Zi Wen gave a faint grunt, glancing back at Little Yuze as if seeking some silent reassurance before taking a step forward.

The wolf got up with him.

Together, the two brothers and Little Yuze started walking down the hill.

***

Chen Ren stood on the wooden balcony of one of the buildings he owned, his arms crossed as he surveyed the crowd gathered below. The sight before him was more overwhelming than he had expected. Over two hundred people had shown up, their voices blending into a sea of chatter and excitement that echoed across the courtyard.

The crowd was diverse—young parents with their children, curious villagers, and even the odd elder, all gathered for one reason: the chance to test their aptitude for cultivation.

The majority of the crowd he saw were teenagers, some barely in their early teens, standing nervously beside their parents. Chen Ren noted the hopeful gleam in their eyes and the way their parents hovered protectively, their expressions a mix of pride and anxiety.

In the Kalian Empire, the process of the aptitude test hadn't been the easiest to get done. For that, they'd needed a root stone; a tool that was known to detect spirit roots. When touched, it would light up in response to the presence of spirit roots within a person, and the intensity of the glow would indicate the strength of those roots.

It was a simple yet effective method, but one rarely accessible to the average villager.

Aptitude tests were conducted only once every three years in designated cities or sect strongholds, and the cost and journey involved deterred many families from participating. The odds weren't in their favor either—only one in a hundred people might possess spirit roots. For most, the journey wasn't worth the risk of crushing disappointment.

Moreover, only guardian sects and a few established ones had the required capital to get a root stone. For the majority of sects, they didn't have the resources to conduct an aptitude test and could only take in the scraps of the bigger sects. Fortunately, he had no need for such a stone with Yalan's presence.

Chen Ren knew he was making a bold move by hosting this test here, in a place where no sect had ever bothered to hold such an event. But he also knew the potential it held—not just for the people gathered here, but for himself.

This wasn't merely an act of charity or goodwill. After today, one of his most pressing problems would be solved: the lack of manpower for both his business and his budding sect.

As he leaned forward slightly, scanning the crowd, he felt the kind of energy that he could use to his advantage, but first, he needed to bring some order to the chaos. He walked around, descending the stairs and reached the front of the crowd, who'd big smiles plastered on their faces.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his voice. "Everyone, please calm down!" His words cut through the noise, and the crowd gradually quieted, all eyes turning toward him, a lot of the teenagers tried to take a better look at him while getting to their tiptoes. "I know you've been waiting for this chance to see if you or your children have the talent to join our sect or even the intelligence to work alongside us. The tests will begin shortly.

"But first, I need your cooperation. Anyone over the age of fourteen is not eligible to participate in the test—this is a strict requirement. Secondly, please form a line. There's no need to push or shove; everyone will get their turn."

The crowd began to shuffle, the parents guiding their children into some semblance of a line while others stood among themselves. Chen Ren could feel the anticipation building again, but now it was tempered with order. No one wanted to anger a cultivator. Even still, half of the crowd still stood unorganized, pushing each other to get to the front.

Chen Ren turned toward Chief Muyang, Xiulan, and Anji, who stood nearby with expectant gazes. "I'll start the test soon. Make sure everyone forms a proper line and send them in one by one. With this many people—and I'm sure more will come once word spreads—we might need to continue tomorrow. For now, let's begin."

The trio nodded in unison, quickly stepping into action to organize the crowd. Satisfied,

Chen Ren stepped toward the small wooden building that had been prepared for the test.

Inside, the room was simple yet functional, with a single chair in the center and a desk pushed against the far wall. Yalan, in her beastly yet graceful form, lounged on the desk, her amber eyes half-lidded in boredom.

Her tail swayed lazily behind her as she tilted her head.

"Did you see anything interesting out there?" she asked, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

Chen Ren lowered himself into a chair opposite her, the slight creak of the wood breaking the silence. "No," he replied, shaking his head. "They all seemed ordinary. No visible signs of a special physique or unique characteristics. But who knows? Maybe we'll uncover a hidden bloodling or two."

Yalan flicked her tail with a soft thump against the desk. "You're awfully optimistic," she said, smirking. "I suppose a sect leader needs to be."

Before Chen Ren could respond, the door creaked open, revealing the first pair of entrants: a middle-aged man and a teenage girl. Both bowed deeply before stepping inside, their movements stiff with nervous respect.

Chen Ren straightened in his chair, offering a small nod of acknowledgment.

"Are you both here to take the test?"

The man quickly shook his head, his hands gripping his hat tightly. "No, young master. I am just a farmer, content with my life. But my daughter…" He gestured toward the girl, his voice trembling slightly. "My daughter, Zushi, has dreams of something greater. She wishes to take the test."

Chen Ren studied the girl for a moment. Her hands were clenched at her sides, her knuckles white, but her eyes—they were sparkling with hope. "Very well," he said, gesturing toward the chair in the center of the room. "Sit here."

Zushi moved quickly, and lowered herself into the chair. Chen Ren glanced at Yalan, who nodded and then he rose gracefully from his chair. Stepping forward, he put his hand lightly on Zushi's head.

"This will only take a moment," he said, his voice soothing yet firm.

Zushi nodded, her face taut with anticipation. She seemed like she expected a light to come out of Chen Ren's hands, but nothing happened for a few seconds.

Moments later, Yalan's voice echoed in Chen Ren's mind. She doesn't have a spirit root. She's destined to remain mortal.

Chen Ren exhaled softly. This is going to hurt. He pulled his hand back and took a step away.

The room grew quiet as Chen Ren looked at Zushi, her eyes searching his face for any sign of hope. He nodded solemnly, his eyes softening as he looked at the girl. "I'm sorry," he said gently, "but you don't have spirit roots."

The words struck like a hammer. The girl's lip quivered, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears as her shoulders hunched forward. She looked as though she was moments away from breaking down entirely. Her father placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. It was clear he had anticipated this result, though it did little to ease the sting.

"It's okay, Zushi," he said softly. "Let's go back home."

As they turned to leave, Chen Ren raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks. "Wait," he said and that made both of them freeze on their spot. "Before you go, I have something to say."

They turned back toward him. Her father's eyebrows frowned in confusion while Zushi's somber expression turned to one of hope.

"Although you don't have a spirit root, the Divine Coin Sect is unique," Chen Ren explained. "We don't just accept cultivators. Mortals who can contribute meaningfully to the sect are just as valuable to us. If you're interested, you can stay and take an interview to see if you qualify as a mortal member."

Zushi's teary eyes widened in surprise. "Can I really get in?"

"Yes. If you're able to pass the interview, we'd be happy to have you."

The girl's father looked at Chen Ren with a deep bow, gratitude flickering in his weathered face. "Thank you, young master," he said sincerely.

Zushi straightened her back, her tears forgotten. "I will do my best," she declared, her voice steadier now.

Chen Ren gestured for her to sit back in the chair. "Let's begin, then."

As he got comfortable in his own seat, Chen Ren's thoughts drifted to the purpose of this interview. In his previous life, back on Earth, interviews were the backbone of building trust and competency within organizations. He had adapted the process to fit the Xianxia world, asking questions that tested not just knowledge but also character, critical thinking, and adaptability. A sect wasn't just built on raw power—it needed loyal, capable people to function and thrive.

So, he started with a simple question. "Do you know how to read and write?"

Zushi nodded hesitantly. "I know how to read, but… I have trouble writing."

Chen Ren made a mental note of her answer, his expression neutral as he moved on. The questions varied in scope, covering basic maths, logic, and personal values. "If you were trusted with a task by a sect elder and caused an issue that might jeopardize the sect, what would you do? Would you inform the elder or try to solve it yourself?" he asked, testing her integrity.

"I would inform the elder immediately," Zushi replied confidently. "If I try to solve it myself and it gets worse, the punishment will be far worse. I will rather accept my shortcomings."

He nodded, scribbling a tick mark besides her name on a parchment before moving onto the next question that tested her ability to think practically.

"Alright, Zushi. Let's try something a little more difficult. Picture this, you're in a room with three levers. Each lever controls one of three fireplaces in an adjacent room. You can only enter the room with the fireplaces once. How do you determine which lever controls which fireplace?"

Zushi took a deep breath, furrowing her brow as she began to consider the problem. She took some time, her fingers moved as if she was playing the scenario in her mind.

Finally, she spoke. "I would pull the first lever and leave it on for a few minutes. Then, I'd stop and pull the second lever. That'd be all that I'm doing in that room. Then, I would enter the room with the fireplaces. The one that is still warm but unlit is controlled by the first lever. The one that's lit is controlled by the second lever. The one that's cold and unlit is controlled by the third lever."

Chen Ren nodded, pleased. Alright… She could think logically, do very simple math, she knows her structures when it came to sect values, and maybe one more question.

"Let's say there's a war between two cities over resources. How do you think you could make a profit from it? And what do you think are the most important resources during such a time?"

Zushi furrowed her brow, deep in thought. The question clearly caught her off guard, and she chewed on her lip as she considered her answer. Finally, she spoke. "I think I could contribute by supporting the side I believe is most likely to win," she said cautiously. "As for resources… weapons. A war needs weapons."

Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, waiting for more, but she hesitated. After a moment, she shook her head. "I… I can't think of anything else," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chen Ren nodded thoughtfully, tapping his fingers against the armrest of his chair. "Weapons are important," he said slowly, "but wars are fought on more than just the battlefield. Food to sustain soldiers, medicine to treat the wounded, and information to outmaneuver the enemy are just as vital."

Zushi's eyes widened as understanding dawned on her face. She nodded quickly. "I… I'll remember that," she said earnestly.

Chen Ren placed his hand on his chin and studied her and her answers. There was room for growth, but there was also potential. He'd seen enough.

"Alright, you can go now. We'll notify you through the village chief whether or not you've been accepted."

The girl and her father stood, bowing deeply in gratitude. "Thank you, young master," the father said, his voice thick with emotion. The girl followed suit, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she struggled to contain her nervous energy.

Chen Ren offered a small nod of acknowledgment, watching as they turned and left the room. Once the door closed behind them, he turned to Yalan, who had been lounging on the desk with her tail swishing lazily in the air.

"She's… poor," Yalan said bluntly, her eyes narrowing in mild disinterest.

"I believe she's decent," he replied. "Not many around here know how to both read and write. She may not be extraordinary, but at least she tries to think critically. With proper training, she could become a good employee."

Yalan yawned. "Sure, if you're willing to invest the time. But let's see if there are better candidates first."

Chen Ren chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Fair enough."

Before they could linger further on the subject, the door creaked open again. Chen Ren straightened in his seat as the second candidate entered—a middle-aged woman accompanied by a young boy who clutched her hand tightly.

The two bowed deeply as they stepped forward. The woman's posture was stiff, and her eyes darted nervously around the room, while the boy clung to her side, peering at

Chen Ren with wide, curious eyes.

"Start, let's see how this one would go," Yalan said and they began.

For the next two hours, the process became a routine for Chen Ren. Villagers came and went, each hoping to find a spark of opportunity within the Divine Coin Sect. After conducting the aptitude tests, he found that not a single person had even one spirit root.

Disappointingly, even the interviews yielded little promise—most of the villagers didn't know how to read or write, which came as no surprise. Education was a rarity, even in the cities, but the lack of basic skills posed a significant obstacle for Chen Ren's vision for the sect.

Although he was willing to overlook such limitations for individuals who showed promise in other areas, very few demonstrated the curiosity or critical thinking he sought. Most seemed motivated by the prestige of joining a sect or the desire for stable work—reasonable goals, but not the mindset Chen Ren needed. He wanted people eager to grow, learn, and contribute, yet such candidates were proving increasingly rare.

Still, Chen Ren persisted, summoning one hopeful after another, patiently conducting the tests and interviews despite his mounting disappointment.

Just as he finished speaking with yet another uninspiring candidate, a commotion outside the room broke his focus. He frowned, glancing toward the door. The muffled sound of voices rose, followed by the unmistakable low growl of an animal.

"Should we go and see—"

Yalan was soon cut off when two familiar faces appeared in the doorway, both bowing towards him with stiff shoulders. Behind them, a wolf's sharp eyes and bristling fur peeked through the door frame.

A grin spread across Chen Ren's face as he leaned back in his chair. Finally, someone worth recruiting, he thought.

"It's good to see you both," he greeted.

The two brothers straightened. Zi Han, the younger, gave a slight nod, while his elder brother, Zi Wen, crossed his arms and grunted nonchalantly. Meanwhile, the wolf—Little Yuze—stood silently, its intelligent eyes watching Chen Ren carefully.

Chen Ren gestured toward the doorway. "Before we begin, can you have your wolf wait outside? As much as I'd like to see how obedient it is, this space isn't ideal for animals."

Zi Wen turned to the wolf. "Yuze, behave and wait outside."

The wolf gave no sign of protest, trotting off obediently to settle just beyond the door.

Chen Ren's eyes twinkled with approval. He nodded at the brothers, motioning for them to step forward. "So, you two want to join the sect?"

Zi Han replied with a simple, "Yes," while Zi Wen grunted again, his lack of enthusiasm evident.

Chen Ren smirked slightly and fixed his gaze on Zi Wen. "I don't think you need an aptitude test."

Zi Han watched his elder brother, Zi Wen, with a raised eyebrow who looked equally surprised.

"You know?" Zi Wen asked, maintaining his eye contact with Chen Ren.

Chen Ren smiled and shrugged. "Hard to miss when the wolf is always trailing behind you, and I have a decent qi perception." He met Zi Wen's gaze, his smile widening. "You're a cultivator."

Zi Wen's brow furrowed, but he didn't deny it. "Barely," he muttered. "I'm only in the body forging realm and on top of that, in the first star."

"How long have you been cultivating?"

"Twenty years," Zi Wen answered with a shrug.

Chen Ren's eyes narrowed, surprised by the answer. But before he could speak, Zi Wen added, "I haven't really cultivated for nineteen of those years. The first year, I was in a sect. Tried to go against the heavens... but eventually, I accepted my fate and my meager talent."

"How do you know your talent is bad?"

Zi Wen scoffed, bitterness creeping into his voice. "I only have twenty four spirit roots."

At this, Chen Ren couldn't help but chuckle softly, shaking his head. "So, you gave up on cultivating just because of that?"

Zi Wen's frown deepened, and his posture stiffened and he clutched his hands by his sides. "There were other reasons, but yes, that was part of it. What's so funny? Are you making fun of me?"

Chen Ren quickly waved his hands in a placating gesture. "No, no. Not at all. It's just that I don't think having fewer spirit roots really matters that much. I myself have only twenty one spirit roots, and in the past year, I've gone from the third star of the body forging realm to breaking through into the qi refinement realm."

The words hung in the air for a moment as Zi Wen's eyes widened. He looked at Chen Ren, clearly trying to determine whether the young man was lying or telling the truth.

"Sit down," Chen Ren instructed, gesturing toward a chair before he could say anything.

"Before you have any questions, I'd love to hear why you left cultivation behind. And if you're really interested in joining the Divine Coin Sect, we will start the interview after that."

Chapter 63

Chen Ren looked at the duo of siblings. Zi Han and Zi Wen sat there—the latter was stiff, arms crossed, had his emotions masked with a stubborn face.

Chen Ren leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee, and broke the silence with a calm but pointed question. "So, do you want to talk about why you left your sect?"

Zi Wen's brow furrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. The question seemed to hit a nerve. His gaze dropped to the ground, unfocused, as if sifting through distant memories.

"Do you really want to know?"

"If you and your brother are here, it means you at least have some hope of joining my sect. So yes, I'd like to know your background."

Zi Wen snorted softly, his lips curling into a wry smile. "I was just dragged here."

Chen Ren raised one eyebrow, exhaling through his nose. "You wouldn't have been dragged here if you didn't want to come. I like to talk straight, so why don't you?"

Zi Han, who had been quietly drawing, paused. He looked up. "He's right, Brother."

Zi Wen sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. He stared at the ground for a long moment, then shook his head. "Fine. It's not like I have anything to hide."

Chen Ren didn't press him, merely waiting in calm silence. The quietness that stretched seemed to urge Zi Wen to continue. He glanced at Chen Ren, then back to the ground, his voice quieter now.

"It was a long time ago," Zi Wen began, his eyes filled with nostalgia but the scrunch of his nose showed that the man was bitter for whatever had happened. "My parents took me to Lotus City. There was a sect there—Heavenly Lotus Sect—conducting aptitude tests. I was just a kid then, and I was...

fascinated by cultivators. The stories about them, their feats, how they could fight armies single-handedly, how they were practically gods walking among mortals. I begged my parents to let me take the test."

Zi Han seemed to hold his breath while Zi Wen continued. Chen Ren guessed that even his brother hadn't heard the story in detail and knew only bits of it.

"My parents had no reason to say no, but I'm sure they expected me to fail. No one in my family had ever cultivated. Not even a trace of talent." He laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. "But when fate plays its hand, even the impossible becomes possible."

Chen Ren remained silent, his calm gaze unrelenting. Zi Wen met it for a moment before looking away again.

"They found I had spirit roots. Just a meager amount, but it was enough. They took me in. The Heavenly Rift Sect was an Established sect. They didn't take in just anyone, but they made an exception for me since they needed a specific number of disciples from the city."

Zi Wen paused. "At the time, I thought I was the luckiest person alive. My parents were happy for me when I was taken in. I was excited too. I thought, despite my meager talent, I'd defy the heavens and reach the top.

The kind of foolish confidence only a child could have."

Zi Han watched his brother with wide, unblinking eyes.

"But that confidence didn't last," Zi Wen continued, his voice heavy with old wounds. "A month in the sect, I learned just how far from the top I really was. I was at the bottom of the bottom. A servant."

Chen Ren's brows furrowed slightly, though he didn't interrupt.

"They gave me tasks—sweeping the training grounds, scrubbing the hallways, fetching water. The kind of jobs that reminded you every day just how worthless you were. And even when I had time to cultivate, I barely made any progress. My talent… it was like trying to fill a broken jar with water." Zi Wen clenched his fists. "Every day, my confidence cracked a little more. And then he found me."

"Who?" Chen Ren asked.

Zi Wen exhaled sharply, his hands relaxing. "The son of one of the elders. He'd lost a fight to someone before and must've been looking to vent. I was weak enough, and I guess I looked pathetic enough to make a perfect target." His voice turned hard. "We sparred. I lost—badly. And he laughed at me. After that, he decided I'd make a good punching bag. And that's what I became."

Zi Han's mouth to interrupt. "Brother, you weren't just a punching—"

"I was one! Just one that didn't give up!" Zi Wen cut in sharply, his voice rising for the first time. He paused, his hands trembling, before continuing, softer now. "I kept trying. I learned every technique I could, cultivated every spare moment. But no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried... I kept losing. Over and over. Until... I couldn't take it anymore."

"I ran," Zi Wen said quietly. "I left the sect and ran back to Meadow Village—home. My family was just happy to have me back. I told them I didn't want to be a cultivator, and they didn't care about my failure. They just wanted their son back." He forced a small smile. "I helped on the farms, became a hunter, and tried to live peacefully. Especially after I found Yuze."

"The wolf." Chen Ren said.

Zi Wen nodded, his face now lit with a soft smile. "Little Yuze. A stray beast wolf. Barely alive when I found him in a trap. I raised him, and he's been my companion ever since."

Zi Wen's gaze returned to Chen Ren, his shoulders sinking. "That's my story. Pathetic, I know. I actually came here because... I was curious about you. But now I know even someone like you wouldn't want a cultivator like me—someone with no prospects, who ran away from the first real challenge they faced."

Silence fell, heavy and unyielding. Zi Wen's words hung in the air, raw and unfiltered.

Chen Ren studied him, his expression unreadable, but behind his calm exterior, his thoughts churned.

He thought of all the cultivators like Zi Wen—those who were cast aside, mocked, and crushed under the weight of expectations. How many had given up? How many were bullied into believing they were worthless by others who thought themselves superior?

Zi Han shifted closer to his brother, resting a hand on Zi Wen's shoulder. "You know that's not true, Brother."

Zi Wen let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "I didn't lie. That is what happened. I gave up. I went back on everything that makes a cultivator—resilience, growth, strength. I abandoned all of it."

Zi Han's grip tightened. "No, you didn't. You tried—"

"I failed," Zi Wen snapped, cutting him off. "That's what matters. I couldn't overcome it. I ran. Doesn't that prove I wasn't cut out for it?" His voice cracked slightly, but he steadied it with a deep breath.

Before Zi Han could respond, Chen Ren spoke. "I don't think you went back on what a cultivator should be."

Both brothers turned to him, surprised. Zi Wen frowned, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I don't think you're weak, and I don't think you failed in the way you think you did. From what you've told me, you didn't just roll over. You stood up every day and tried to beat that so-called young master. You kept going, even when the odds were stacked against you. That shows resilience."

Zi Wen let out a hollow laugh. "Resilience doesn't matter if you lose in the end."

Chen Ren shook his head. "You only lost because the martial dao isn't your path."

"What?"

"You were walking a dao that rejects you—and you reject it—even if you don't realize it yet," Chen Ren explained.

"I don't understand," Zi Wen admitted, frustration creeping into his tone.

Chen Ren didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted to the door, where a wolf-shaped shadow lingered just outside. A smirk played on his lips as he turned back to the brothers. "I'll explain it to you. But right now, I don't think we have the time. Because there's a long line of candidates waiting out there. So, for now, I'll just say this—I don't care about your past. What I care about is whether you're ready to move forward. If you are, I'd be more than happy to have you and your brother in my sect."

Zi Wen's eyes widened slightly. "You… You would?"

"Of course," Chen Ren said with a shrug, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "But let's be clear—I'd still need to conduct an interview first. No free passes, even for interesting candidates like you. If you pass, I'll welcome you both into the Divine Coin Sect."

Zi Wen hesitated, his mouth opening to say something, but Chen Ren held up a hand to stop him.

"And I know you've had bad experiences in your previous sect," Chen Ren continued. "But let me make one thing clear—no one in the Divine Coin Sect will treat you like that. We'll have strict regulations to ensure that stronger members don't bully weaker ones. Sparring is for growth, not for venting frustrations or showing off."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. "So, what do you say?"

Zi Wen froze. He looked at his younger brother, who was already smiling.

Zi Han spoke up before his brother could. "We're in."

Chen Ren gave a small nod, then glanced at Yalan, who sat, appearing for all the world like an ordinary cat. With that, Chen Ren turned back to the brothers.

"All right," he said. "Let's start the interview."

Like with the candidates before them, Chen Ren's questions ranged across various topics—goals, integrity, mathematics, and more. He wanted to see not only their capabilities but also their character.

Zi Wen was composed but cautious in his answers. His desire to rekindle his ambition as a cultivator shone through, though there was a lingering hesitation in his voice. His brother, Zi Han, on the other hand, surprised Chen Ren. Despite lacking spirit roots, Zi Han excelled in mathematical questions, answering them faster and more accurately than Zi Wen. His sharp mind compensated for what he lacked in cultivation potential.

Both brothers could read and write, which was another point in their favor. Their reasons for joining the Divine Coin Sect were honest and grounded: Zi Wen sought redemption and growth, while Zi Han, tired of his past as a guard and occasional bandit, yearned for purpose and belonging.

Chen Ren found himself nodding as their answers aligned with what he had in mind. The two might not be extraordinary by conventional standards, but they had qualities that could help build the Divine Coin Sect into something greater.

Finally, he inhaled and asked the final question. "This will be a hypothetical scenario."

The brothers exchanged a glance, then focused on Chen Ren as he outlined the scenario—the same question about profiting during a war. As Zi Wen opened his mouth to answer, Chen Ren held up a hand, stopping him. "I'll give you a different question," he said, turning his attention to Zi Han.

Zi Han furrowed his brow, thinking deeply before responding. "I've never been in a war," he admitted, "but if something like this is happening, there's no point in siding with anyone. Instead, it's better to stay in the shadows."

Chen Ren's eyebrows raised slightly in interest. "Why is that?"

"Because," Zi Han said after a brief pause, "until the end, you don't know who might win. You can make a bet on someone, but that's always a risk. There's no reason to take it when better options exist for making a profit."

"What are these better options you mentioned?"

Zi Han straightened. "In war, the essentials are rations, weapons, manpower, and countless other supplies. Controlling those industries is the way to profit. You can sell to both sides using proxies, staying neutral and earning a fortune while others exhaust themselves fighting."

Chen Ren's smile deepened, a spark of approval lighting his expression. "Very well. That's a good answer." He turned to Zi Wen.

"As for you, I'm not going to give you a similar question."

Zi Wen nodded cautiously, bracing himself.

"If you were given the chance to take revenge against the sect that cast you out," Chen Ren asked. "Would you take it? Would you kill the young master who forced you to give up on cultivation?"

Zi Wen froze, his eyes widening. The question clearly caught him off guard. He glanced at his brother, who gave him a subtle, encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, Zi Wen lowered his gaze, deep in thought.

"I won't lie. If I became strong enough and that man stood before me again, I'd want to spar with him. To prove to myself that I could beat him." He paused, his fists clenching. "But would I kill him? I don't know. Revenge doesn't drive me anymore. It's been too long, and I'm not petty enough to chase after someone who might not even remember me. I've realized something: it's better to focus on improving myself than wasting time on the past."

Chen Ren gave a genuine smile, satisfied with the answer. "Very well. You've both passed. Welcome to the Divine Coin Sect."

Zi Han's face broke into a wide grin, and he immediately bowed low. "Thank you, Sect Leader Chen!"

Zi Wen, more reserved, rose from his seat and bowed as well. Though stoic, there was a quiet sincerity in his voice. "Thank you, Sect Leader Chen."

Chen Ren waved his hand lightly. "You can both return for now. Once recruitment is complete, I'll call for you." He then focused on Zi Wen. "I know you have questions—about my spirit roots and what I said about martial dao not being your path. I'll explain everything after recruitment is done."

"Thank you."

With that, the brothers left, leaving Chen Ren and Yalan alone in the room.

After the brothers had left, the room fell silent, save for the faint scratching of Chen Ren's quill as he jotted down notes. Setting it aside, he turned to Yalan, who was perched lazily behind

"Looks like we got two good members," Chen Ren said with a small smile.

Yalan stretched, her tail flicking lazily before she glanced at him. "One."

Chen Ren raised an eyebrow.

"The older one might have some potential," Yalan clarified. "But the younger one? He doesn't even have spirit roots. At best, he'll make a good worker. I doubt he'll ever be of much use offensively."

A low chuckle escaped Chen Ren. "Give it time. You'll see."

Yalan narrowed her eyes, studying him intently. "What's going on in that mind of yours, Chen Ren?"

"Nothing much," he replied, the corners of his mouth curving into a sly smile. "You'll know in time."

"Hmph." Yalan snickered, hopping down from her place. "Always so cryptic. Fine, let's continue with the recruitment then. Though I doubt your so-called optimism will bear any fruit."

Chen Ren stood and stretched, motioning toward the door for the next candidate. "Who knows? We might just find another cultivator among these villagers."

Yalan let out a dry laugh. "If we do, I'll eat my tail. I'd be surprised if there's another cultivator in this entire group."

Chen Ren grinned. "Then let's see whose predictions come true."

As Yalan settled beside him, Chen Ren called out for the next candidate.

***

The smell of sawdust filled his nostrils. The man sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of his small hut, his hands deftly carving patterns into the wooden puppet in front of him. The puppet, no larger than a toddler, was detailed down to the folds of its clothing, its wooden fingers joined for mobility. A set of tiny symbols, snaked along its limbs.

"The balance is off. If the hand's embedded here, it'll throw off the leg's flexibility... I need to realign this section—"

Knock, knock.

The sudden interruption made his hand slip, the blade nicking the puppet's arm. His jaw clenched, irritation flaring as he set the carving tool down with a loud thunk. Rising to his feet, he stomped toward the door.

"Who dares—" He flung the door open, only to be greeted by the sight of a scruffy-haired boy grinning up at him. The boy barely came up to his waist, his patched-up shirt hanging loose on his thin frame.

"What do you want, little Guo?" the man growled, his tone sharp.

"Brother Hong," the boy chirped, undeterred by the glare. "Did you hear? A sect's recruiting people in Meadow Village!"

Hong's eyes narrowed, his irritation giving way to faint curiosity. "A sect? What's its name?"

"The Divine Coin Sect!" Zhou declared proudly, his grin widening.

"Divine Coin Sect?" Hong repeated, his brows knitting together. He rolled the name around in his mind but came up blank. "Never heard of it. Why are you telling me this?"

Zhou crossed his arms, clearly enjoying himself. "My mom said they're taking mortals too. She told me to tell you because maybe you can join and stop sitting at home playing with your dolls."

Before Hong could react, Zhou let out a loud laugh, turned, and sprinted away down the dirt path.

"Damn brat," Hong muttered, shaking his head as he closed the door. He returned to the puppet, picking up his tools, but his focus was gone. The boy's words nagged at him.

"A sect taking in mortals?" he murmured, his knife pausing mid-cut. "That's... unusual. No sect worth its name recruits mortals, not even for menial work. That's what outer disciples are for."

His thoughts spiraled. "I've never heard of this Divine Coin Sect either. A new sect? Or..." A sudden chill ran down his spine as his mind conjured the worst possibility.

"A demonic sect." The words escaped his lips like a curse. "They're trying to gather mortals for a ritual sacrifice, aren't they?"

The more Hong thought about it, the more convinced he became. "It's too suspicious. A sect no one's heard of, recruiting mortals? It's either a trap or something worse."

He glanced at the puppet on his workbench, its incomplete form seeming to mock him. With a sigh, he set down his tools and stood, grabbing his cloak.

"I need to check this out," he muttered,

striding toward the door.

Once outside, Hong glanced toward the edge of the village, where the forest was. He took a deep breath, then tapped into his qi. The energy surged through his body, and with a leap, he disappeared into the trees, his speed a blur to the naked eye.

The dense forest whipped past him as he pushed his cultivation, covering miles in mere minutes. His mind raced as fast as his feet. If this really is a demonic sect, I need to find out before they harm anyone.

As the trees thinned, the sprawling fields of Meadow Village came into view. Hong slowed his pace, his keen eyes scanning the area. He didn't have to look far.

A large crowd had already gathered in the village square, forming a line that stretched toward the entrance of the house. A burly old man stood at the front of the crowd, his hands clasped in front of him as he nodded and talked to the village men, who were clearly excited. Behind him was a small young woman—probably a maid. Around them were a group of kids, helping to keep the line in order because of the eager crowd.

Hong frowned as he approached the scene. "Looks like I've found them."

As Hong found himself among the crowd, the murmur of voices reached his ears. Villagers whispered excitedly about two brothers who had been accepted into the sect. Snippets of conversation flitted past him,

"They say they had to go through an

interview... they say he is asking questions."

"Must be nice to get in so easily."

"Easily? I heard they answered a lot of questions."

The more Hong listened, the deeper his frown grew. His confusion was mounting. He felt no trace of demonic qi in the air—none of the sinister energy he expected to find if this were truly a trap. Instead, there was an odd sense of anticipation and unease, but nothing outright malicious.

As he pushed closer to get a better look at the house where the so-called "recruitment" was taking place, a voice yelled at him..

"Hey! Get in line like everyone else!"

Hong turned to see an older man glaring at him, arms crossed. Several other villagers shot him similarly annoyed looks.

"I..." Hong started, but then quickly clamped his mouth shut. Drawing too much attention to himself could jeopardize his cover. With a reluctant sigh, he muttered, "Fine," and shuffled to the back of the line.

He stood there, arms crossed, his sharp eyes taking in everything around him. People came and went from the house, most emerging with crestfallen faces. He could hear snippets of their disappointment.

"He said I didn't have a spirit root."

"He didn't even take me for labor work..."

"Young Master Chen Ren said he'll let me know through Chief Muyang."

So, they're not taking just anyone, Hong mused. He scanned the area again, his senses reaching out for even the faintest trace of foul play, but there was nothing. The people leaving were sad, not terrified. This... doesn't feel like a demonic sect at all. So, what are they up to? Chen Ren, was it?

The line moved slowly, and with each step forward, Hong's curiosity deepened. By the time he reached the entrance, his nerves were taut with a mix of confusion and suspicion.

Finally, his turn came, and he stepped into the room.

The interior was surprisingly bare. Two chairs, but the only other occupants were a man seated calmly behind a wooden table and a sleek white cat curled up at his feet. Her amber eyes fixed on Hong the moment he entered.

Hong's gaze raked over the room again, looking for an aptitude stone or any other tools typically used in such tests, but there was nothing. No aptitude stone? he thought, his brow furrowing. How is he testing people then?

His sharp eyes flicked back to the man who was seated.

At first glance, the man—Chen Ren—seemed ordinary. Dark hair, robes that spoke of wealth—but not too much wealth, just the right amount. And the demeanor of a usual mortal, but as Hong extended his senses to probe him, he felt the unmistakable aura of a cultivator. It was subtle but undeniable.

So, he's the real deal. But what's his game?

"Welcome. Please, take a seat," Chen Ren spoke up.

Hong hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. "What's your name?" the man asked.

"Hong Yi," he replied curtly, eyeing the man warily.

Chen Ren nodded, jotting something down on a piece of parchment. "Good. Sit down, Hong Yi. We'll begin the aptitude test shortly."

Hong barely suppressed a snicker as he lowered himself into the chair. No aptitude stone, no array... let's see how you plan to pull this off. If this is your way of lying to people, then I will show everyone the truth.

Hong sat stiffly in the chair, his silver eyes locked onto the man in front of him. The calm behavior of this supposed sect leader was unsettling. There was no grand display of power, no oppressive aura to assert

dominance—just a quiet confidence. The white cat still sat at the man's feet, its gaze unbroken as if it saw straight through him.

He suddenly rose from his chair and stepped closer, extending a hand toward Hong.

"What are you doing?" Hong asked, moving back—out of reach.

"Relax, this won't hurt."

Hong tensed as the man placed a hand on his shoulder, but to his surprise, no surge of qi invaded his body. He had been prepared to resist any attempt to pry into his cultivation base, yet there was nothing—no force, no invasive technique.

What is this?

Instead of focusing on the man, Hong's attention drifted to the white cat. Something about the way it watched him sent a chill down his spine.

Chen Ren's eyes began to shift, his brow furrowing, then his lips twitching in what might have been amusement or annoyance. After a moment, he removed his hand and crossed his arms.

"You have sixty-seven spirit roots," the man said flatly.

Hong's jaw tightened, his mind racing.

"And you're in the qi refinement realm. First star."

Hong's breath caught, his eyes narrowing sharply. His concealment technique should have masked his cultivation base entirely. There was no way this man could have seen through it so easily.

"Why are you here?"

Hong's eyes widened at that question. "How... How do you know that?"