Inside the room.
A small black sandalwood table, a little red clay stove.
A black pottery kettle burbled, steam rising from its spout.
The fragrance of tea filled the air.
"Have you been well lately, nephew?"
A clean-shaven, refined-looking middle-aged cultivator took a sip of Spiritual Tea and asked with a smile, "Have you encountered any difficulties in life or cultivation?"
It was none other than Lu Defang.
Wang Chen barely sat on the edge of his chair and answered with fearful deference, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. Your nephew has been well in all things."
This cheap uncle's sudden visit was not something Wang Chen had expected.
But neither did he panic.
Just as before, he responded according to the original owner's temperament.
Though he could not possibly imitate it flawlessly.
People always grew up, after all.
"You, honestly, you still won't tell your uncle the truth!"
Lu Defang set down his teacup and pointed at Wang Chen twice in the air. "I only returned from the Outer Region a couple days ago, and only then did I learn that even Spirit Grain rice seeds now have to be bought with spirit stones."
"Those ten mu of Spirit Fields must have cost you quite a bit, yes?"
Wang Chen gave a bitter smile and nodded. "Yes."
"Cultivation is not easy."
Lu Defang sighed. "As for the sect nowadays, even I find it somewhat hard to understand."
He shook his head, looking unwilling to discuss the matter further.
Then he took out two pouches of spirit stones and placed them before Wang Chen. "This is a small token from your uncle. Take them."
Wang Chen was instantly startled. "Ah?"
Ten in each pouch.
Twenty Lower Spirit stones in total!
In his memories, this man had never been so generous!