Seeing that Fang Ping had guessed it, Zhang Feihu put on a solemn expression. “Junior Brother’s guess is correct. There is indeed a Fated Chance right now that could let us make a fortune in a short time, and perhaps even use it to break through. I wonder what Junior Brother Fang thinks?”
Fang Ping looked at the two men across from him with a half-smile. “Senior Brothers, you need to speak plainly before I can consider joining. With nothing but empty words, how am I supposed to know if this Fated Chance is reliable?”
Seeing that Fang Ping was far more composed than expected, Zhang Feihu was slightly surprised.
Chu Chengwen, who had remained silent since entering, suddenly spoke. “This Junior Brother Fang of yours seems to be a cautious person. Very well, it is not some strict secret anyway, so there is no harm in telling you.”
He weighed his words before saying, “Just a few days ago, the only Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Sun Family—a Foundation Establishment family on Dangyan Peak—exhausted his lifespan and passed away.”
“The Rogue Cultivators of Heishui Lake who are active near Dangyan Peak saw this opportunity and are preparing to pull off something big. They are widely recruiting hands to join in the grand endeavor.”
The Sun Family?
Fang Ping’s expression turned slightly strange. He had not expected to be dragged into matters related to them right after hearing the rumors at Sihai Tower in the marketplace.
The Cultivation world of the State of Liang really did not seem as large as he had imagined.
As for those so-called Heishui Lake Rogue Cultivators?
They were probably Heishui Lake bandit cultivators!
Thinking this, he firmly refused. “If you two Senior Brothers want to invite me to deal with the Sun Family, then please go back. Even if such an established Foundation Establishment family has declined and lost its Foundation Establishment combat power, it is still not something early Qi Condensation cultivators can meddle in.”
If one had mid or late Qi Condensation strength, perhaps they could go and take a share.
Having been decisively refused, Chu Chengwen grinned. “Junior Brother Fang, I am no fool. Of course I would not do something that guarantees death.”
“The Sun Family is not stupid, either. Before their Foundation Establishment combat power passed away, they had already begun actively pulling back their forces. But the businesses they accumulated over several hundred years, their shops in the major surrounding marketplaces, and the medicinal fields they opened outside—those cannot be abandoned in a hurry.”
“Coincidentally, a sworn brother of mine in late Qi Condensation accidentally learned of a rather hidden medicinal field the Sun Family opened in the depths of Dangyan Peak.”
Chu Chengwen’s eyes flickered with ambition, his tone full of temptation. “That medicinal field relies on the Spiritual Qi of a spirit spring, and there are many spiritual herbs inside. The Sun Family’s defensive arrangements there were originally fairly strict, but after withdrawing several Qi Condensation cultivators, their strength is hollowed out. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Having said that, Chu Chengwen looked toward Fang Ping with feigned anticipation.
He felt his pitch was sufficient, and he was quite confident he could drag this person in.
“Senior Brother Chu, what a scheme!”
Fang Ping sighed.
If he had not transmigrated, and if that Perfected Qingyang from who-knows-where had not attempted Body Seizing, the original owner of this body might truly have been persuaded.
But Fang Ping was already at the third level of Qi Condensation and possessed pill-refining skills. How could he possibly take such a massive risk? This chapter was copied from novelping(.)com without permission.
Even if they succeeded by a fluke, it remained entirely unknown whether that late Qi Condensation cultivator leading the group would actually honor his promise!
He directly stood up and extended his hand toward the door, expressing his stance through action.
“You…”
Chu Chengwen had not expected Fang Ping to remain unmoved. He had originally intended to show some contempt to provoke him, but Fang Ping’s gesture of practically chasing them out left him unable to utter another word.
He could only swallow his anger, pull at Zhang Feihu, and leave with a flick of his sleeve.
“Since Junior Brother Fang has no intention of joining, we were presumptuous. Farewell!”
Fang Ping saw them out for a few steps and lowered his voice. “Take care, Senior Brothers. Rest assured, this matter is known only to heaven and earth. I will absolutely not leak it.”
If Chu Chengwen dared to recruit people within the outer sect, he was not afraid of the news spreading.
After all, the Sun Family matter was already buzzing everywhere. Many people had designs on them, and even the Sun Family itself had probably caught wind of it.
But Fang Ping’s assurance was at least a somewhat comforting promise.
He forced a slight smile, cupped his hands, and said, “Then many thanks to Junior Brother Fang for keeping your word.”
Afterward, he and Zhang Feihu quickly left the small courtyard.
Judging by their direction, they had likely changed targets and were preparing to recruit someone else.
“In my past dealings with Zhang Feihu, although he was a bit simple, he was still quite easy to get along with—not someone blinded by greed… As expected, is he being forced into this by the rule of being expelled from the outer sect and reduced to a Rogue Cultivator?”
Fang Ping felt a bit of worry for Zhang Feihu in his heart, but he could not say for sure that Zhang Feihu’s idea of bargaining with a tiger and risking everything was necessarily wrong. Nor did he have any intention of gifting him Spirit Stones or Pills.
If the man were only missing a final push, Fang Ping would not mind lending a hand.
The key issue was that Zhang Feihu’s aptitude was far too poor. What he lacked was not just a little bit.
Even if Fang Ping played the good samaritan and gave him a large sum of Spirit Stones to barely scrape past this deadline, what about the future?
If Zhang Feihu wanted to become an inner sect disciple, or even attempt Foundation Establishment, and came begging, would he continue to help or not?
Continuing to help would be a bottomless pit.
It was not even certain whether Fang Ping himself could reach Foundation Establishment.
If he stopped helping, the old adage of ‘a bowl of rice breeds a benefactor, a sack of rice breeds an enemy’ might very well play out.
“It is not that I do not value friendship, but the world of Cultivation is simply like this. Besides, our relationship is not deep enough for that!”
Zhang Feihu’s willingness to take desperate risks and target an established Cultivation family just to secure a batch of resources and advance quickly touched Fang Ping in a way.
Although he was already at the third level of Qi Condensation, he was still far from the point where he could breathe easy.
He would set a small goal first: break through to mid Qi Condensation within two years, and reach the fifth level of Qi Condensation within ten years of becoming a Novice!
…
That evening, Zhou Yang came to visit alone.
After a brief chat, he observed Fang Ping’s expression and probed, “During the day, Junior Brother Zhang…”
Fang Ping immediately understood. “He looked for you too?”
Zhou Yang closed his eyes and sighed. “As expected, he approached Junior Brother Fang as well. If I guess correctly, Junior Brother refused him?”
Fang Ping nodded and released his third-level Qi Condensation aura, deliberately making it seem somewhat unstable, as if he had only recently advanced.
“Junior Brother Fang has already advanced a step ahead? Congratulations, congratulations!”
This time, Zhou Yang was genuinely happy for Fang Ping from the bottom of his heart. He said, “I am still a bit short, but barring any accidents, I should also be able to break through before the deadline.”
“As for Junior Brother Zhang Feihu…”
He sighed once more, clearly sharing Fang Ping’s pessimism.
Fang Ping understood Zhang Feihu’s decision. “Both are Four-Attribute Spirit Roots, but quality still varies. Moreover, Senior Brother Zhang’s comprehension is quite ordinary, and his understanding of cultivation techniques is slow. If he does not gamble once, his fate of being expelled from the outer sect is almost guaranteed.”
Zhou Yang knew this as well. Therefore, upon learning of Zhang Feihu’s choice, he, like Fang Ping, did not try to dissuade him and only silently wished him good luck.
“By the way, what about Senior Sister Su?” Fang Ping thought of someone.
Zhou Yang thought for a moment. “Su Lingyun’s progress is about the same as mine, but I can see her mindset is a bit anxious. Sigh, I just hope nothing unexpected happens… In truth, her aptitude is the best among the four of us.”
Fang Ping nodded and raised his teacup. “A blessing for Senior Sister Su.”
Zhou Yang fell silent for a few seconds before clinking cups with Fang Ping. After finishing the fragrant tea in his cup, he immediately rose to take his leave.
Of the two old friends who had gone up the mountain together to seek the Dao, one was risking his life for his prospects, while the other had already scrambled safely ashore. Only he remained. Although he was just one final step away, as long as he had not crossed that threshold, his future was ultimately uncertain.
For the next few weeks, he would enter Secluded Cultivation and go all out in his final sprint.