**Chapter 49: A Bountiful Harvest**

Since both friends had spoken, He Song naturally didn't argue. 

If there were benefits to be had, he would take them first.

As for the favor owed, he could repay it slowly over time.

After all, he had a long life ahead of him.

If he couldn't repay it immediately, he could always repay their descendants.

With this in mind, He Song casually stored the pile of items in front of him and then cupped his hands in gratitude toward the two.

Both waved their hands, indicating it was no big deal.

The matter of Chen Zhou was settled.

He Song gently rubbed the storage bag in his hand, feeling a great sense of relief.

It was good that he was dead.

It was good that he was dead.

Only the dead posed no threat.

For someone like Chen Zhou, who had been offended by He Song and had begun secretly investigating him.

He Song would never give such a person the chance to seek revenge.

He wouldn't allow an enemy to grow and become a threat.

As soon as he sensed a threat, he would eliminate it as quickly as possible.

If he didn't act, that was one thing.

But once he acted, it would be a thunderous strike.

If he couldn't handle it himself, that was fine. Asking a friend to step in would achieve the same result.

Although asking a friend for help came at a cost, as his cultivation improved and his income increased, the cost would become insignificant.

Moreover, Chen Zhou's death had brought He Song a storage bag and a few dozen spirit stones.

While these things would need to be repaid in the future, having them now allowed He Song to strengthen himself more quickly.

A few dozen spirit stones.

If used to purchase spells, He Song felt his strength would increase somewhat.

It might not be much, and it would take time to master the spells, but there would definitely be some improvement.

Only when his strength was sufficient and his enemies relatively weak would He Song consider taking matters into his own hands, eliminating threats in their infancy.

Recalling the events from his meeting with Chen Zhou to the moment Wei Fan brought back Chen Zhou's ashes, He Song's mind gradually settled.

He had handled this crisis almost perfectly.

From offending Chen Zhou to seeing his ashes, it had taken less than a day.

Eliminating the threat so quickly left He Song feeling there were almost no mistakes in his approach.

That Chen Zhou.

Probably never dreamed.

That he had offended someone in the morning.

And not in a way that led to an immediate confrontation, but merely by quietly gathering information about the other party.

Then, by evening, he was already dead.

Not only was his body reduced to ashes.

But his ashes were also placed in a small jar and brought to He Song.

He likely never even knew who had killed him.

But now that Chen Zhou was dead.

He Song only needed to occasionally check if anyone sought to avenge him.

With Wei Fan's and his own connections in the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Marketplace, they would know immediately.

There was no need to worry too much.

He Song's brows gradually relaxed.

Beside him, Wei Fan and Meng Guan began discussing their experiences over the past three years.

Listening in, He Song gained some understanding of the changes in the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Marketplace and the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine over the past three years.

The Bamboo Mountain Immortal Marketplace.

Wei Fan's understanding was similar to He Song's.

Since True Person Bear Mountain returned three years ago, the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Marketplace had begun recruiting rogue cultivators on a large scale.

However, this also led to a mix of quality among the new members of the immortal marketplace.

Some, like He Song, were recruited into the marketplace at the first layer of Qi Refining.

Others, like Chen Zhou, were recruited at the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Most, however, were rogue cultivators at the second or third layer of Qi Refining who were also recruited.

These three types of cultivators also had differences.

First.

Cultivators like He Song, who joined the marketplace at the first layer of Qi Refining, generally adapted quickly to life within the marketplace. Their cultivation progressed steadily, and they didn't cause trouble.

Three years ago, when recruiting internal members for the marketplace, the focus was on those with pure hearts who hadn't experienced the life of a rogue cultivator.

Marketplace cultivators, if fortunate enough to reach Foundation Building, would mostly join the Earthbound Sect. The Earthbound Sect naturally preferred those with pure hearts, as they would continue their cultivation more smoothly after joining.

Second.

Cultivators like Chen Zhou, who joined the marketplace at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, were somewhat tamer after joining compared to their rogue days, but they still retained the rogue cultivator's temperament.

Take Chen Zhou as an example. His unruly nature, bullying the weak, extorting spirit stones, and committing all sorts of misdeeds were part of his daily life.

The higher-ups in the marketplace had some complaints about such cultivators, but since they needed them to work, they turned a blind eye.

Perhaps, when these cultivators were no longer needed, those with unruly temperaments would meet the fate of the hunted hare.

Third.

Rogue cultivators at the second or third layer of Qi Refining.

These cultivators, having experienced the life of a rogue, knew how difficult and deadly it was.

Moreover, due to their low cultivation levels, they were generally cautious.

They didn't make much noise in the marketplace, but their numbers were significant.

However, having experienced a period of rogue life, few of these cultivators exhibited abnormal behavior.

Additionally.

Over the past three years, there had been occasional rumors of demonic cultivators appearing outside the marketplace.

But few paid attention.

As long as these demonic cultivators didn't enter the marketplace, no one bothered with them.

After Wei Fan finished explaining the changes in the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Marketplace over the past three years, giving Meng Guan a better understanding.

He, like He Song, turned his attention to Meng Guan.

With both friends looking at him, Meng Guan naturally understood it was his turn to speak.

Thus, He Song and Wei Fan soon learned some hidden information about the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine.

According to Meng Guan.

The Crimson Spirit Gold Mine was rich in crimson spirit gold.

After the attack by several Foundation Building experts three years ago, which left most of the mining rogue cultivators dead or injured, the mine had been continuously recruiting rogue cultivators.

During his three years as a small overseer in the mine, the tunnels had been dug deeper and deeper.

Frequently, rogue cultivators would die on the spot after digging up something strange.

Others would be rewarded for unearthing rare items.

But more often, it was the increasingly abundant crimson spirit gold found the deeper they dug.

Fortunately, Meng Guan was a small overseer and didn't need to enter the tunnels to mine, naturally avoiding countless dangers.

At this point, Meng Guan couldn't stop thanking He Song and Wei Fan.

Because when he had gone to the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine, only He Song and Wei Fan had tried to dissuade him.

Wei Fan, in particular, had done him a great favor by informing him in advance.

If Wei Fan hadn't warned him, he wouldn't have become a small overseer. If he had gone mining, he might already be dead.

Three years ago, he had promised to properly thank the two upon his return.

(End of Chapter)