By the time the procurement ship returned, it was already deep into the evening. The sky had darkened, and a fine, icy drizzle had begun to fall, clinging like frozen dust.
Many spirit farmers had been waiting halfway up the mountain. Their eyes filled with concern as they took in the battered group aboard the ship.
"Elder, what happened?"
"We were ambushed," Chen Huaiyang replied tersely, focusing on landing the ship.
His words sent a ripple of unease through the crowd.
"At least you returned safely!"
"These bandit cultivators are getting bolder. To strike so close to Spirit Vulture Mountain and the market…"
"Enough talk. There are wounded—help them!"
Soon, the injured were carried to the steward's office. Thanks to the Revitalizing Pills Chen Huaiyang had administered earlier, their conditions had stabilized.
"These are the spirit seeds and supplies we procured. Yongshun, distribute and log them."
Chen Huaiyang handed the storage pouch to Chen Yongshun, the highest-level farmer present.
"No one could've predicted this attack. For serious injuries, I'll compensate twenty spirit stones; minor injuries, ten."
True to his word, he distributed stones accordingly. Chen Jinshu, who'd only suffered scratches, still received ten. As the garrison elder, Chen Huaiyang wasn't obligated to compensate them—yet he did. His integrity earned Chen Jinshu's deep respect.
"Thank you, Elder!"
"Thank you, Third Uncle!"
Nodding, Chen Huaiyang lowered his voice. "Stay on Vulture Mountain unless necessary. Chen Wenshan failed this time, but he won't give up."
"I understand." She knew he'd pieced things together.
Without the Shadowpeak Flich countering the insect cultivator's swarm, their group might not have escaped.
Her decision was firm: with her self-sufficient pill production, there was no need to risk trips to the market. She'd cultivate here for a year and a half before joining Xuanming Sect.
"Third Uncle, do you have any movement techniques? I'll pay in spirit stones. With faster reflexes today, I might've avoided injury."
"You held off that insect cultivator long enough for reinforcements. Consider this a reward." He produced a jade slip. "Rainbow Step—light as a bridge of clouds, ideal for agile female cultivators."
Delighted, she accepted it—then ventured further. "I'd also like to exchange stones for a concealment art. Paired with Rainbow Step, it'd maximize my effectiveness."
"Logical. But this one isn't free." He retrieved another slip. "The Veiled Breath Art conceals aura and cultivation. Fifty stones."*
A bargain. Clan techniques cost fifty contribution points (over 200 stones).
"This is too generous!"
"The discount accounts for your sparrow's role in repelling the insects. Otherwise, it'd be 300."
Understanding his intent, she thanked him.
Three Days Later
Her wounds healed, Chen Jinshu returned to Cold Pine Forest—this time to fully unravel the Shadowpeak Flinch's abilities. From attracting beasts during hunts to repelling insect swarms, its talents surpassed any ordinary bird's.
As she entered the forest, a spirit pheasant pecking at the undergrowth froze under the sparrow's gaze. Golden light flickered in its eyes, radiating a faint halo.
"Is this your innate ability?" she murmured.
"Chirp!" The sparrow shook its head: natural aura.
"An innate… luck-bringing halo?" Astonished, she named it "Auspicious Light."
"Who branded these birds as omens of misfortune?"
Focusing on the pheasant, she conjured a Golden Needle.
"Swoosh!" The needle pierced its skull—"Pop!"—scattering gore.
"Even stronger than before!" The recent battle had honed her power.
Soon, she halted before a hive the size of a human head. Moon Spirit Honeybees—plump, golden-banded—buzzed around it. Their honey purged bodily impurities, a perfect supplement while her Vermilion Sunset Fruits matured.
She'd avoided them earlier due to their venomous, soul-piercing stings. Now, they were perfect test subjects.
"Attack."
The sparrow dove, emitting a mesmerizing chirp—a Sonic Wave that pulsed with spiritual energy.
"Tap… tap…" Bees dropped like stones.
"Incredible! Is this effective only on insects, or all spirit beasts?"
Releasing a captive pheasant, she observed: no reaction.
"A bird's natural counter to insects, then. Let's call it Pest Repelling Song."