sinovels Chapter 24 Being Watched
Chapter 24 Being Watched
Moreover, with his current level three body refinement, he can exert physical strength that allows him to completely contend with a level five Qi Refining cultivator in close combat. He has no rivals on the surface.
As Yang Changsheng headed towards his own stone chamber, he caught a fleeting glimpse of the scarred, burly man, Zhao Kui, and the greed in his eyes as he turned to leave.
"Is it this guy?"
A chill crept into his heart, and his previous suspicions became somewhat certain; the other party was likely the source of the danger.
This Zhao Kui has reached the third level of Qi Refining and his physique looks quite strong. He can be considered a figure among low-level rogue cultivators.
However, the strength he displayed posed no threat to him whatsoever. This strange situation immediately set off alarm bells in Yang Changsheng's mind.
The world of cultivation is treacherous and unpredictable. It's not uncommon for someone to possess all sorts of tricks. Perhaps the other party is hiding their cultivation level or has some powerful magical artifact.
He remained outwardly calm, continuing to chat and laugh with Wang Ergou, discussing the thrilling battle they had just fought, but inwardly he had already built a high wall around his head.
This person needs to be guarded against!
The second month of construction passed quietly amidst the daily toil.
The cultivation of Jade Crystal Rice has entered a stable period, no longer requiring the enormous effort of seedling raising and soil preparation. Instead, it requires meticulous daily maintenance.
As dawn broke, Yang Changsheng got up.
He stood on the ridge of the field, his hands forming a hand seal, performing the Lesser Cloud and Rain Technique.
"Buzz!"
The magical power of the second level of Qi Refining in the Dantian Qi Sea flowed out, and with the guidance of the incantation, it transformed into a misty light blue water mist, which then rained down and sprinkled evenly on the lush and crystal-clear rice seedlings.
After more than a month of arduous practice, his control over spiritual power has become increasingly refined with the basic spells that come with the Xuan Yuan Technique. The water mist is fine and gentle, which can fully nourish the spiritual plants without washing away the spiritual soil at the roots of the seedlings.
In the distance, snow covered the landscape, while the fields were warm as springtime. The mist reflected the morning sun, creating shimmering golden rays that accentuated his focused and serene handsome face.
After irrigation, topdressing is applied.
The Liu family provides specially made mineral powder for the breeding period, mixed with spirit beast excrement to make block fertilizer, which needs to be crushed and evenly spread into the field.
With one hand, Yang Changsheng used his water-controlling technique to create a fine stream that washed away the fertilizer, dissolving it. With the other hand, he carefully parted the weeds near the roots of the rice seedlings.
These weeds may seem ordinary, but they stubbornly compete for the meager spiritual energy in the soil and must be removed promptly.
Occasionally, one can see tiny white aphids, about the size of rice grains, clinging to the back of the leaves. With a flick of his fingertip, he unleashes a newly mastered, weak yet precise water jet, instantly piercing and knocking it down without harming the seedlings in the slightest.
Wang Ergou was busy sweating profusely in the field. His sensitivity to water and soil spiritual roots was only at the lower grade, so the coverage of his Minor Cloud Rain Technique was much smaller and his efficiency was far inferior to Yang Changsheng's. He was also busy weeding and killing insects.
Yang Changsheng noticed this and would stroll over in his spare time to whisper a few words of advice on water control techniques, how to identify weeds and pests, and how to simplify the workflow.
Wang Ergou's gratitude was palpable, and he admired his friend and fellow member of the Immortal Path Mutual Aid Association even more.
As the sun began to set, the work was over.
The cultivators, dragging their weary bodies, returned to the simple but well-equipped Spirit Farmer's Abode to rest.
The canteen on the left was filled with the smell of sweat and the sound of conversation.
"That day, I grabbed a big knife..."
Zhao Kui was the loudest at the table, boasting about his bravery in killing the Iron-skinned Boar that day, but his eyes would occasionally sweep over Yang Changsheng, who was sitting alone in the corner eating quietly, with a hint of sinister intent.
Yang Changsheng seemed oblivious, slowly chewing and savoring his second bowl of jade crystal rice porridge, but his mind remained highly alert, sensing every subtle movement around him.
That night, the moonlight was as clear as water.
After completing his routine four-hour cultivation of the Profound Origin Technique, Yang Changsheng sat cross-legged in the corner of his hut, circulating the Nine Revolutions of the Sun and Moon Tribulation Scripture to draw upon the essence of the Taiyin Moon to temper his body.
The biting cold strengthens the physical body and the mind; although it is painful, I have long been used to it.
He has not yet broken through to the fourth level, but the enhancement of his five senses brought about by the peak of the third level is already extremely keen. In particular, the divine sense, which should only be possessed in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, shows signs of being born ahead of schedule.
The rustling of withered leaves in the cold night wind, the faint crowing of chickens raised in the distant town of Fanren, the soft snoring of Wang Ergou next door... everything was clearly audible to him.
Suddenly, a faint, deliberately suppressed fluctuation of spiritual energy emanated from Zhao Kui's room, where he had already been keeping track of the location.
If he weren't in a state of cultivation with all five senses open, it would be extremely difficult for him to detect it.
Immediately following was a series of intermittent, low, excited, and chilling whispers:
"...Black Wind...the weak, fat sheep...returning in a month...lots of spirit stones...keep a close eye on them..."
The sound stopped abruptly, followed by a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy—the ripples unique to one-time communication talismans, which burn immediately after use.
Yang Changsheng suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes, a glint of light flashing in the darkness!
These coded messages were in the dialects of ordinary people from different regions, completely incomprehensible to them. Yet, the excitement of hunting for a fat sheep pierced through their previous doubts like a cold steel needle.
After pondering for a moment, he drew a conclusion based on the conversations at the Immortal Path Mutual Aid Association and the rumors circulating in the market.
There may be professional robbery gangs targeting these short-term workers who are about to complete their work and are heading home with their wages.
Judging from his deliberate observation, Zhao Kui was definitely suspicious. He wasn't just after the eight spirit stones he possessed; his target was much bigger.
Convinced of the source of danger, a murderous intent rose from the depths of Yang Changsheng's heart, but he forcibly suppressed it.
Stirring up the enemy is the worst possible strategy. The enemy is not exposed in the shadows, and the Liu family will not allow a fight between laborers. Moreover, they may have accomplices. We must not act rashly at this moment.
He took a deep breath, his eyes regaining their calm, stillness, but his mind was already racing, deducing all the possible dangers he might encounter and how to deal with them.
"Act prudently, plan carefully before acting, and be extremely cautious..."
Yang Changsheng muttered to himself repeatedly. This was the life principle he summarized when planning his path to immortality after awakening his past life memories and obtaining a cheat system.
Even if there is no absolute certainty, one must have sufficient means to deal with any doubts. One must never be caught off guard and fall into a rash and unprepared situation when things come to a head.
Yang Changsheng clearly understood that only a stronger cultivation level could provide the fundamental guarantee against all dangers.
……
The next day, he found an excuse to secretly visit Manager Liu, who was in charge of all affairs in Luojiagang Immortal Cultivation Town.
The manager, who was at the sixth level of Qi Refining, had a very good impression of Yang Changsheng. Whether it was his advanced skills in cultivating seedlings, his amazing efficiency in preparing the soil, or his calmness and strength when besieging monsters, he felt that this young man had extraordinary potential.
"Manager Liu, I feel that my cultivation bottleneck has loosened slightly recently, and I would like to purchase a few Marrow Cleansing Pills to assist my cultivation. Do you know if you have any connections here?" Yang Changsheng adopted a very humble posture and spoke respectfully.