Chen Xiao had never realized just how powerful a human's ability to endure pressure could be. After two months of intensive training under Xi Yunqing's careful guidance, Chen Xiao found that he still had enough energy to do other things after his training. At first, he anxiously waited for Xi Yunqing to notice and add even more tasks, but after waiting and waiting without any changes, Chen Xiao began to lose his patience.
One morning, after finishing his basic training at the practice field, Chen Xiao cautiously approached Xi Yunqing and asked, "Big Brother, is the training I've been doing enough?"
His expression was anxious, uncertain whether he hoped Xi Yunqing would say it was enough or that it wasn't enough. His internal conflict was almost overwhelming, which made Xi Yunqing smile. He said, "Your current cultivation is at the Qi Gathering stage, and your physical potential has been maximized. Any further increase would be meaningless."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao's face relaxed in relief. Xi Yunqing's smile deepened. "Once you break through to the Body Refinement stage, the training volume will be increased again, repeating this process until your body, movement, and cultivation are in sync. You're only a small step away from that breakthrough. Don't slack off. Keep working day and night. Before long, you'll be ready for the next stage of enhanced training you've been waiting for."
Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow, surprised that Xi Yunqing could joke, although it was a bit cold.
Had Xi Yunqing not clarified this, Chen Xiao wouldn't have known that the energy-enhanced physique and strength he had now were on par with that of a low-level cultivator in the Qi Gathering stage. He remembered the sensation from the compass; with just a bit more luck, he could break through to the next level and unlock new circles. So, could he understand that each circle on the compass represented a stage for cultivators? If he could break through step by step, would his cultivation progress similarly in the eyes of immortals?
Thinking this, Chen Xiao felt a surge of excitement. He didn't mind the possibility of facing even harsher training after his breakthrough, he was eager to reach the next stage. Even though he had no innate spiritual roots, his cultivation could still progress thanks to the compass, which allowed him to absorb the energy of Feng Shui. While working on residential properties was slower than finding dragon veins, Chen Xiao was content with steady progress. Finding dragon veins was no easy feat, and his steady accumulation of merits from residential properties was slow but solid.
After finishing his training, Chen Xiao planned to go out. Originally, he had thought of inviting Du Rong, who had been in a semi-secluded state recently, focusing on his cultivation. He was digesting the life-or-death experiences from fighting beasts and escaping under the hands of two Golden Core cultivators. He could feel his stagnant cultivation steadily increasing and was reluctant to leave this "enlightenment" state.
Therefore, Chen Xiao decided not to disturb Du Rong's valuable time.
Just as he was thinking about it, Xi Yunqing arrived. "Chen Xiao, are you heading out?" Xi Yunqing glanced at Chen Xiao's attire and immediately guessed his plans.
Chen Xiao had changed out of his tight-fitting training clothes into a frost-colored robe that made him look elegant and refined. He had bought the luxurious fabric from the market some time ago, using it to make this robe. Previously, he had worn it in winter to pose as a young nobleman. The fabric was exquisite, and the craftsmanship was superb, an obvious sign of a wealthy background.
However, no matter how luxurious this robe might seem to an ordinary person, it didn't stand out in the eyes of Xi Yunqing, a cultivator of considerable status. After learning more about the world of cultivation, Chen Xiao knew that for cultivators, good clothing had to meet three criteria: it must be breathable and durable, resistant to wind, water, and fire, and ideally, it should help with warmth in winter and cooling in summer. These materials could only come from spiritual plants or magical creatures.
Chen Xiao tugged at his robe, uncharacteristically self-conscious about how Xi Yunqing would view him. Would this robe make him seem vain? But Xi Yunqing didn't seem to notice his discomfort. He simply complimented, "That color really suits you."
Chen Xiao relaxed and smiled. "I've been out training every day, so I've gotten quite tan. If I want to look elegant, it's all thanks to these lighter-colored clothes."
Xi Yunqing's lips moved slightly. He wanted to say that Chen Xiao didn't look tan at all, that no matter the color, he always looked handsome and refined. But when he looked into Chen Xiao's eyes, the words got stuck. To avoid an awkward silence, he forced out, "Where are you going, Chen Xiao? How about I accompany you?"
Chen Xiao hesitated, then said, "I was planning to take care of some matters at the City Lord's residence. I'd welcome your company, Big Brother, but I don't want to take up too much of your time."
Xi Yunqing's previous frustration at not being able to compliment Chen Xiao faded away, replaced by genuine happiness. "It's no trouble at all. I don't have anything else to do. I was actually thinking of going out for a walk." Those who knew Xi Yunqing's reputation as a homebody at the Chongxuan Sect would be shocked to hear him voluntarily say he wanted to go out. His mentors and juniors alike would be stunned, unless it was a matter of great importance, they'd never expect to see this legendary elder outside.
Chen Xiao nodded. "Alright. But..." He looked at Xi Yunqing and spoke softly, "If, while we're out, you suddenly don't feel like accompanying me, don't hesitate. You can leave whenever you want."
Xi Yunqing frowned, his tone serious. "That won't happen."
Chen Xiao didn't comment further, just smiled and said, "Just don't forget."
Without further discussion on the topic, Chen Xiao took the lead and headed towards the City Lord's mansion.
He had to go out with someone capable of protecting him because there were still remnants of the Zhong family causing trouble outside. If they happened to encounter a battle, it would be somewhat dangerous for Chen Xiao alone.
By the time autumn arrived, the City Lord's mansion had already reclaimed the Zhishi Hall, and the commercial district, which had suffered from the destruction by wild beasts, had begun its reconstruction. The Zhong family and the forces that hadn't fully understood their loyalty had been jointly suppressed by the Han family and the allied families. The Zhong family's elite forces and their vassals were swiftly eliminated, leaving only the main members of the Zhong family and the family heads who had sided with them, struggling in their final moments.
Hanshan City was vast, and its forces were complex. City Lord Han had allowed the Zhong family to survive for this long to lure out those with rebellious intentions by using the Zhong family's situation as bait.
This time, Chen Xiao wasn't heading to the commercial district or the Zhishi Hall, but rather to the district where ordinary people lived. He was looking for the shop owner, Wang, the primary client behind the first business in Hanshan City.
Previously, when he was out training with Du Rong, he had left a message for Wang. There was no need for direct explanations; being a beneficiary of Chen Xiao's feng shui, Wang would know what to do. If anyone couldn't find the person they were looking for, they would come to the source of the information, Chen Xiao's home. Wang would inform these potential clients that Master Chen was out training, and later, Du Rong would collect their names. Once he returned, he would take the list to Chen Xiao, who would then select suitable clients for feng shui work.
However, Du Rong wasn't with him, so Chen Xiao had to contact Wang personally.
When Wang saw Chen Xiao, he was extremely excited. During the recent turmoil, his family had suffered no losses. Not only had no one been injured, but their property had barely been affected. He firmly believed that it was the feng shui protection set by Chen Xiao that had kept his family safe from the disaster.
Moreover, last time, Chen Xiao had been accompanied by a burly practitioner as a bodyguard, but this time, he had a cultivator whose aura radiated profound strength. This only added to Chen Xiao's mystique. Wang, now even more respectful, handed over the list to Chen Xiao, bowing so low that he almost bent in half.
Feeling overwhelmed by Wang's excessive respect, Chen Xiao checked the feng shui in the house and found it unaffected by the internal chaos. He politely declined Wang's insistence to stay longer, quickly leaving with Xi Yunqing.
After walking several blocks away, they found a high-end restaurant, ordered a pot of spirit tea, and sat down. Chen Xiao opened the list and examined it. Wang had been thoughtful, trying to deepen Chen Xiao's good impression by not only listing the names but also categorizing them, including their backgrounds and occupations. While it wasn't as detailed as the investigation Du Rong had done, it was enough to serve as an initial filter.
Xi Yunqing sat beside Chen Xiao, able to clearly see the paper in Chen Xiao's hands. He spoke up, "Xiao Di, are you planning to use feng shui on the people on this list?"
Chen Xiao folded the list, intending to study it properly when they returned to the City Lord's mansion. He nodded and replied, "Yes. The power of feng shui cultivation isn't the same as the true essence cultivated through cultivation techniques, so I call it 'vital energy.' I've figured out that only by helping others with feng shui can I accumulate vital energy."
Xi Yunqing seemed lost in thought, his gaze softening as he looked at Chen Xiao with a hint of pain in his eyes. His Xiao Di could only accumulate cultivation by helping ordinary people with feng shui. The fact that feng shui was relatively unknown in the cultivation world made this process incredibly difficult for him. If he had chosen a different auxiliary profession, even at the beginner level, he wouldn't have fallen into such hardship.
No wonder, Xi Yunqing thought. Chen Xiao had started his cultivation path through a series of fortunate events and had no one to guide him, forcing him to rely on trial and error. After all he had been through, simply arriving in Hanshan City had been no easy feat. He had taken significant risks to earn his cultivation title. If not for accompanying him on this trip, Xi Yunqing wouldn't have known just how much suffering his Xiao Di had endured.
Xi Yunqing's heart ached as he thought more about it, while Chen Xiao remained unaware of his thoughts. He sipped the spirit tea, noting its slight sweetness, followed by a refreshing fragrance that lingered in his mouth and nose. Besides the sensory enjoyment, a warm current spread from his stomach throughout his limbs, a sensation he realized was the spiritual energy from the tea. It was the first time he had felt this directly. As the spiritual energy circulated through his bloodstream, Chen Xiao broke out into a satisfying sweat, feeling comforted from head to toe.
Just as he was relishing this sensation, Xi Yunqing's voice reached his ears. "It's all my fault. I didn't realize Xiao Di's hardships earlier." Chen Xiao turned his head to see Xi Yunqing looking at him with a gaze full of sympathy. "Don't worry, with me here, you'll never have to suffer like this again."
Chen Xiao blinked, confused. Were they really drinking the same tea? Why did Big Brother Xi say something like that?
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