Gratitude

The Market Town's Core Area.

Four intersecting streets formed a cross, lined with all manner of shops and bustling with activity.

A broad ring slightly farther out.

The large area tightly surrounding the Core Area was also known as the inner district.

This district.

Was filled with houses and buildings.

It was a residential area.

Many of the Market Town's middle- and upper-class cultivators, along with their families, lived here.

This place was very close to the Core Area.

The spiritual energy was much denser.

As he entered.

Chen Sheng could feel the spiritual power within his body becoming much more active.

Accordingly.

Security here was even tighter.

The Patrol Teams moved in groups of seven, every one of them a capable Qi Condensation Mid-stage cultivator.

Several teams took turns patrolling, maintaining a very tight watch.

Along the way, Chen Sheng had already shown his "Spirit Farmer identification" twice.

At last.

He arrived at a two-courtyard residence on the eastern end.

Chen Sheng knocked on the bronze ring on the door.

An old servant-looking man opened it.

"Who are you looking for?"

"My father is Tang Hai. I have come to visit Uncle Qin."

Chen Sheng announced himself.

This was also his first time visiting Qin Dajiang.

The man was his father's sworn brother, a Qi Condensation Late-stage cultivator who now served as a Market Town steward.

When Chen Sheng was young.

The Tang and Qin families had been very close, and the two grown men spent their days together.

Later.

Father Tang went out Hunting Demons and never returned.

With a widow and orphan left behind, Qin Dajiang could not come by often himself, so he only had Aunt Qin come help from time to time.

Later still, Mother Tang died of illness.

Qin Dajiang found Chen Sheng, left him his address, and told him to seek him out if anything happened.

Chen Sheng had grown up under his parents' strict teachings.

He had been young and thin-skinned, always afraid of troubling others.

Therefore, he had never taken the initiative to visit.

Instead, every harvest season, Qin Dajiang would surely bring things to visit Chen Sheng.

Thinking it over carefully.

He had clearly been coming to support Chen Sheng, afraid that he would be bullied for being young.

It was all care and affection.

Chen Sheng could not help but sigh inwardly.

I was still too young. I didn't even know to maintain such a relationship.

As expected.

He was soon politely invited inside.

In the main hall.

A burly middle-aged man sat in the seat of honor, with a long scar on his left cheek. He was Qin Dajiang.

Beside him sat a youth with a scholarly air.

His brows and eyes somewhat resembled Qin Dajiang's, though his features were gentler.

Both men looked at Chen Sheng with smiles.

Qin Dajiang spoke with a hearty laugh.

"Xiaoyun, you came at just the right time. Let me introduce you."

"This is my son, Qin Shuang. He cultivates at the Qinghua Sect year-round and rarely comes home."

"I was planning to visit you in a few days, but what a coincidence—you came first."

He pointed to the youth beside him.

Then he said to Chen Sheng.

"Back then, your father and I agreed that if we had children, we would name them 'Frost, Cloud, Wind, and Rain.'"

"Either they would become husband and wife, or they would become sworn siblings."

"You two have no fate as husband and wife, so call him Eldest Brother!"

After saying that, he burst into laughter.

Qin Shuang also smiled as he looked at Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng had not expected there to be such a Deep connection.

At the mention of the Qinghua Sect, his heart stirred.

The Qinghua Sect, the Lanri Chen Clan.

That had been the main branch of his clan in his previous life.

Chen Sheng hurriedly called out respectfully.

"Eldest Brother."

Qin Shuang responded gently as well.

"Brother Yun, there is no need to stand on ceremony."

"Second Uncle Tang once saved my life. Our two families have always been as close as one."

"As this is our first meeting, I do not have anything good to give you as your Eldest Brother. I will give you a little trinket I made myself."

As he spoke.

Qin Shuang took a talisman glowing with a faint cyan radiance from his Storage Bag.

"This is called a Green Light Talisman. It can form a Green Light Shield capable of withstanding several spells from Qi Condensation Mid-stage cultivators."

Upon hearing this.

Chen Sheng immediately knew it was at least a mid-grade talisman, and quite valuable.

This Eldest Brother Qin Shuang before him was already a mid-grade Talisman Master at such a young age.

Qin Dajiang said with a smile.

"Since Shuang'er gave it to you, take it! Don't stand on ceremony with him!"

"Thank you, Eldest Brother."

Chen Sheng obediently accepted it.

Only then did Qin Dajiang turn to the main matter.

"Xiaoyun, this is your first time coming to visit me."

"You are just as stubborn as your father."

"Did you run into some trouble this time?"

He looked at Chen Sheng with concern.

Chen Sheng frankly explained his purpose.

"Your nephew has farmed for two years and saved up thirty-seven Spirit Stones..."

He had barely begun when Qin Dajiang interrupted him in surprise.

"Thirty-seven?"

As a steward, Qin Dajiang knew perfectly well how much income Chen Sheng's ten mu of Spirit Fields could bring in a year.

At most, it would be a little over twenty Spirit Stones.

That meant this kid had practically been unwilling to spend anything over the past two years!

"No wonder your cultivation has been stuck for so long. You are far too frugal."

Qin Dajiang shook his head, then revealed an approving look.

"But it seems you have a plan. You saved money because you want to learn a trade?"

Chen Sheng nodded in admission.

"Uncle, your insight is sharp. Your nephew does not wish to farm for the rest of his life and is planning to learn a trade."

Qin Dajiang nodded without saying much more.

He directly took a pouch from his Storage Bag and forcibly stuffed it into Chen Sheng's hands.

"There are one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones in here."

"I know the rules for taking in apprentices in the Market Town this year. Even the worst ones require sixty or seventy Spirit Stones in tuition."

"If you want to learn, choose a better line of work."

"You do not need to repay these Spirit Stones. Consider them your uncle's support."

Qin Dajiang's tone was firm and decisive.

Chen Sheng was truly moved upon hearing this.

In his previous life, even blood-related clansmen would only give rewards when someone had a child.

But look at this.

He had done nothing and had not even opened his mouth to borrow money.

Yet Qin Dajiang had thoughtfully offered him money.

And would not even let him repay it.

Tears streamed down Chen Sheng's face as he hurriedly kowtowed in thanks.

"Your nephew truly has no way to repay this kindness."

"You child, why are you crying?"

"With the relationship between your father and me, I have always treated you as my own child."

Qin Dajiang hurriedly helped him up.

Chen Sheng wiped away his tears and spoke.

"Thank you, Uncle. Your nephew originally planned to save for another two years."

"But the recent Secret Realm matter has left everyone uneasy. Seeing those Spirit Farmers in their fifties and sixties still risking their lives..."

"Your nephew truly does not wish to waste several more years for nothing. That is why I shamelessly came to borrow money."

"Please rest assured, Uncle. Your nephew will definitely repay you with interest in the future."

Qin Dajiang pretended to be angry.

"Repay what? I said you do not need to, so you do not need to!"

"If you mention 'repaying money' again, I really will be unhappy!"

Chen Sheng declined several more times.

But seeing how resolute his uncle was, and unable to refuse any longer, he finally agreed.

"Yes, your nephew will listen to you."

Qin Shuang watched the two of them repeatedly refusing each other, a smile on his face as well.

Setting aside Second Uncle Tang's life-saving grace.

He had quite a favorable impression of this "Brother Yun" whom he had just met.

—He had backbone, was sensible and courteous, did not spend recklessly, had plans, and knew how to repay kindness.

Qin Shuang thought for a moment and decided to help him a little more.

He spoke to his father.

"Father, I think you should still lend a hand with the apprenticeship matter."

"You have been in the Market Town for many years, know many people, and have broad sources of information. You know which families are reliable and which masters are willing to sincerely teach their apprentices."

"Brother Yun is still young. He does not understand these ways as well as you do."

Qin Dajiang waved his hand, wearing an expression that said, "Did you really need to tell me that?"

"You need not worry about it. I know what I'm doing!"

He turned and patted Chen Sheng on the shoulder.

"In a few days, it will be harvest time as well. Uncle will come find you for a drink at noon."

"By then, I will definitely have investigated everything clearly for you."

Chen Sheng clasped his hands again in thanks.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Qin Dajiang smiled.

"No need to be polite. We are family, so do not feel embarrassed."

"Come visit your uncle more often from now on. Do not always make me come see you."

Chen Sheng looked ashamed.

"Your nephew will definitely come pay his respects often in the future."

"That's more like it!"