The Miaowa Cultivation World

A magnificent restaurant.

"There's Spirit Rice and Spirit Wine here."

The leading cultivator from the Great Sword Sect watched their shocked expressions, pride clear on his face.

The first thing that caught their eyes was a dense crowd of people in coarse linen clothes squatting on the ground outside the restaurant, dozens of them surrounding a stone trough, scrambling to swallow slop...

"Senior Brother, who are these people!"

Like beasts. Seeing this, Lin Chang'an took a deep breath, forced a smile, and asked the leading cultivator.

The cultivator leading them smiled back, acknowledging Lin Chang'an's identity as an alchemist. "These are all martial artists from the mortal world. Every one of them has gone mad with the fantasy of becoming immortals. They work in the sect planting Spirit Fields and mining ores."

"This slop actually has quite a bit of leftover Spirit Rice." A harsh reality—the slop used to feed livestock was, for these mortal martial artists, a slim chance to step onto the path of cultivation.

Lin Chang'an gave a strained smile after hearing this. He could see the other's intent to build goodwill, so he cupped his hands politely. "This Humble One is Lin Chang'an."

"This Humble One is Zhang Qing of the Great Sword Sect. Junior Brother Lin, you're different from them."

The middle-aged cultivator Zhang Qing wore a full smile. "Junior Brother Lin, not only are you at Qi Refining third layer, but you're also skilled in alchemy. No matter where you go, you'll be a figure of honor."

Beneath the fake smile, it was clear this sect was desperately short of alchemists.

"And there's a pregnant woman here!"

Entering the inn, all the male cultivators were low-level, while most of the women were mortals. Most tables had one man with several women, very few had one woman with several men, and nearly all the women had swollen bellies. Lin Chang'an couldn't help but be startled.

Zhang Qing explained with a laugh, "These are all volunteers who joined for cultivation resources. Female cultivators can leave after giving the sect three children with spiritual roots; male cultivators need ten."

"There are plenty of refined, cultured young women in the sect. You newcomers can choose one or several, but finding a female cultivator is much harder."

Good heavens. Not just Lin Chang'an—the youths behind him all had wide eyes. This was truly an eye-opener. The sect even arranged wives.

But everyone understood: children born with spiritual roots would not only become fresh blood for the sect but also likely be sold off in part.

Zhang Qing didn't hide it. He said casually with a smile, "Miaowa Kingdom does all kinds of business, but our Great Sword Sect has a Foundation Establishment Ancestor, so we look down on the lowlifes. You can all rest assured."

"The sect's spiritual energy is enough to support the Foundation Establishment Ancestor's cultivation, but low-grade cultivators with poorer talent have heavier sect duties and less time for cultivation. Still, once you break through to mid Qi Refining, things get much easier..."

After Zhang Qing's explanations, Lin Chang'an muttered to himself. This Miaowa Kingdom had formed its own industrial chain over centuries—how absurd.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Just then, they reached the second floor. A wave of fragrant scents hit them. To the left was a chorus of sweet voices and laughter. The youths stared at a group of glamorous, seductive mature women in the distance, their faces turning red.

Zhang Qing nodded with a smile. "Female cultivators have more options. They can bear children or work at the Flower Pavilion to earn Spirit Stones. Once they save enough, they can buy back their freedom."

Saying this, Zhang Qing looked at them and shook his head. "The one who sold you was an Elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect. I heard he did it to prepare a breakthrough resource for his son. That's why he took such a risk. And with your talent, the sect paid a high price this time."

The youths exchanged glances, many showing expressions of resentment and anger.

Seeing this, Lin Chang'an thought to himself, "The one who sold us is no good, and this Great Sword Sect is a dragon's den and tiger's lair."

When they reached the third floor, the atmosphere grew heavy. Elder Lu sat calmly, a variety of spirit-infused delicacies and wines laid out before him.

"Sit."

A single indifferent word, but the youths shrank back in fear, necks tucked. No one dared meet the elder's eyes. The air was terrifyingly silent.

Setting down his wine cup gently, Elder Lu slowly raised his head. His cold expression gradually softened into a genial smile, but the shift gave them the feeling of a beast wearing human skin.

A shiver ran through Lin Chang'an. Cold sweat soaked his back. A moment ago, he felt as if he'd been devoured. When he snapped out of it and looked at the elder again, he forced a stiff smile. Such terrifying pressure.

Elder Lu smiled warmly at them, gesturing to the tables below. "You're all newcomers. Get familiar with things."

"Sit. Once you sit, you're one of us." Under Elder Lu's casual smile, Zhang Qing respectfully cupped his hands and sat directly at a table.

"Thank you, Elder Lu."

While everyone was still lost in the fear from moments ago, Lin Chang'an took a deep breath, forced a rigid smile, cupped his hands, and signaled to those beside him.

In a place like this, sticking together was human instinct.

Lin Chang'an, Li Han, Murong Yue, and Qi Feng sat at a small square table.

Just as everyone was scrambling to sit, the Great Sword Sect cultivator Zhang Qing, who had led them here, said coldly, "Not just anyone can sit at these tables."

The words made all the youths' faces change at once. But Elder Lu waved his hand with a casual smile. "Don't scare the newcomers. Still, it's true that those without value can't sit here. That's the sect's rule."

The crowd exchanged glances. Clearly, those eating at the tables were the insiders. Some youths who wanted to leave gritted their teeth and stood rooted to the spot, still clinging to the hope that their families would pay a ransom.

"Since you don't want to, then squat. Eating is the same anyway."

Though his smile was casual and kind, it sent a chill down everyone's spines.

None of them had the courage to even look directly at the elder. The entire third floor was dead silent.

"Eat. It won't be good cold. Tomorrow, we'll formally welcome you."

When Elder Lu finally picked up his chopsticks and waved at them with a smile, everyone in the hall let out a silent sigh of relief. Only then did the sound of chopsticks begin.

One man's presence made everyone afraid to even breathe heavily. Such was Elder Lu's authority.

"Lin Chang'an."

Suddenly, Elder Lu walked over. Everyone kept their heads down, not daring to meet his eyes. Lin Chang'an steeled himself, looked up, and forced a smile, cursing inwardly. What rotten luck—there was actually a place like this in the Cultivation World.

Holding a wine cup, Elder Lu said with a smile, "We're quite fated. My son has the same name as you."

Hearing this, Lin Chang'an immediately perked up, his face flushing as he excitedly rose and cupped his hands: "Elder Lu! Chang'an has drifted half a lifetime, only regretting never having met..."

Before he could finish, Elder Lu smiled and waved a hand to cut him off: "With your mid-grade A-rank spiritual root aptitude and status as an alchemist, buying yourself out won't be easy."

At these words, Lin Chang'an's face turned red as he clenched his fists and said in a low voice: "Chang'an dares to ask—how many cultivation resources did my uncle and cousin trade me for?"

Elder Lu squinted and chuckled: "Now that your spiritual root and alchemist identity are confirmed, your uncle and cousin can leave tomorrow."

Hearing this, Lin Chang'an's expression shifted. Good grief—they had used him to buy freedom for the father and son.

"Elder Lu, Chang'an is utterly loyal to the sect..."

Beneath the barrier of the Soundproofing Spell, Lin Chang'an and Elder Lu exchanged unknown words, and soon both broke into smiles.

Thank you, fellow cultivators, for your support.