Trouble

Early morning.

Inside the thick fog surrounding Qingfeng Spiritual Land, Fang Yuan anxiously watched the cliff.

There, a sneaky white shadow crawled forward like a thief. It reached the white beach beside the cold pool, extended its sharp claws, and quickly rummaged around for something.

"Chirp, chirp!"

On the sheer cliff, countless Red-eyed White Birds spread their wings and played, leisurely preening their feathers. None of them noticed anything amiss on the beach.

Before long, the white shadow successfully retreated into the thick fog.

"Haha... Flower Fox Ferret, well done!"

That white shadow was none other than Flower Fox Ferret.

In the end, Fang Yuan couldn't bear to leave behind the Spiritual Fertilizer here, so he had Flower Fox Ferret repeat its old trick and go steal some.

After all, Flower Fox Ferret was small, its fur made excellent camouflage, and it was incredibly fast. Even if it were spotted, it could still get away in time. It was undoubtedly the perfect choice for the job.

And with Fang Yuan as its accomplice, the efficiency was on another level.

He took the pouch hanging around Flower Fox Ferret's neck. Seeing it full of Spiritual Fertilizer, he smiled. "Good. One more trip, and we'll have enough for a season's worth of Red Jade Rice and Spirit Tea!"

"Chitter!"

Flower Fox Ferret raised a little paw, unwilling to be left out. It seemed to be bargaining.

"Fine, fine. One tael of Spirit Tea. I know—you'll get your share!"

Fang Yuan looked a little awkward. Flower Fox Ferret had grown much more cunning; it had even learned to negotiate terms with him. Hmph! This was a bad trend and couldn't be allowed to continue!

"Go on!"

He glared at it. Flower Fox Ferret swished its tail and scampered off to steal some more.

It didn't care what Fang Yuan thought, as long as he agreed to its terms.

"A Spiritual Land like this... and yet it can't belong to me for now. What a pity..."

Fang Yuan looked at Qingfeng Mountain, a trace of regret flashing through his eyes.

Of course, he knew there were plenty of good things left in this Spiritual Land. But the Red-eyed White Birds were its undisputed overlords. With them around, he couldn't develop the land at all.

So, for now, he could only accomplish his main goal for entering the mountain: get enough Spiritual Fertilizer.

"Only, this Spiritual Fertilizer..."

Fang Yuan looked at the white specks that occasionally descended from the cliff above. His expression grew even more awkward. "Damn... who would've thought that Flower Fox Ferret and I would end up working as dung collectors!"

That was right!

After observing for a while, Fang Yuan had realized that the white beach was actually the Red-eyed White Birds' designated latrine!

That Spiritual Fertilizer with its incredible effects, capable of promoting the growth of Spirit Plants, was actually bird guano!

It was a discovery that left Fang Yuan speechless, staring up at the heavens.

Of course, however awkward it was, he still had to keep at this promising line of work as a dung collector.

"Still, guano is a natural, highly effective fertilizer. And this guano came from unusual Red-eyed White Birds, even Spirit Birds. It makes sense that it would have such effects..."

Fang Yuan had been used to farm work since childhood, so he didn't think much of it. After letting his thoughts wander for a moment, he took stock of what he'd gathered.

Thanks to Flower Fox Ferret's relentless thieving—though perhaps the Red-eyed White Birds' carelessness had helped too—Fang Yuan had reaped a bountiful harvest. The full basket of Spiritual Fertilizer was enough for him to cultivate and harvest Red Jade Rice once more, and to pick Spirit Tea once as well.

He had also seized the chance to ambush several Red-eyed White Birds that had strayed from the flock, feasting on bird meat for several meals. At last, he had gotten revenge for being chased into such a sorry state before.

In truth, the real reason was that Fang Yuan coveted the benefits of eating bird meat. He and Flower Fox Ferret had joined forces and hunted Red-eyed White Birds like mad.

Before long, however, the flock grew wiser. They rarely stopped anywhere beyond the cliff, and when they did, they traveled in groups. The Bird King began patrolling its territory more frequently, forcing Fang Yuan to stop hunting, much to his regret.

To be honest, when he first saw the Red-eyed White Bird King, with wings spread nearly a zhang wide, like a great roc, he was utterly shocked.

There was no doubt about it: the other was a Spirit Bird!

Some of the white birds that served as leaders had even reached the level of Spiritual Beasts!

After realizing this, Fang Yuan immediately gave up on his plan to take control of all of Qingfeng Spiritual Land in the near future.

"Chitter!"

Flower Fox Ferret quickly scampered back, bringing another pouch full of Spiritual Fertilizer. This trip had been a great success.

That was only natural. Even if the Red-eyed White Birds were as clever as people, who would keep watch over their own droppings for fear of someone stealing them?

"Time to go!"

With a full basket of spoils on his back, Fang Yuan emerged from the thick fog. He looked back at the hazy landscape and quoted a famous line from the dream world: "I'll definitely be back!"

At that moment, Fang Yuan, carrying all the resentment of a defeated underdog, was not alone!

"Red-eyed White Birds, just you wait. One day, I'll turn this Spiritual Land into my Spiritual Field..."

For someone who loved farming, watching a vast stretch of good land lie fallow was a sin that deserved to be struck by lightning.

Though he had come away with a rich harvest this time, there was no need to mention the resentment he felt toward the Red-eyed White Birds.

With resentment filling his heart and even more spoils in tow, Fang Yuan set off home.

The journey back was smoother than the trip there. By the time Hidden Valley came into view, visions of a bountiful harvest of Spirit Tea and Spirit Rice had already appeared in Fang Yuan's mind.

But when he reached the mouth of the valley, his expression changed at once. "Someone's here!"

The area around Hidden Valley was a mess, and there was blood on the ground. It was obvious someone had been there.

"Judging by the traces, it hasn't been long!"

Fang Yuan touched a spot of blood on a blade of grass. His gaze deepened. He set down his basket and strode into Hidden Valley.

"Come out!"

Flower Fox Ferret sniffed the ground and immediately dashed toward the Spirit Cottage.

Standing before the Spirit Cottage, Fang Yuan spoke in an even tone.

A moment passed, but there was no response.

Fang Yuan furrowed his brows and waved a hand. Flower Fox Ferret darted into the Spirit Cottage, then poked its little head back out, looking puzzled.

"Hmm?"

Fang Yuan strode inside and saw someone lying on his back on the ground. His face was deathly pale, blood stained his chest, and Fang Yuan recognized him at once.

"Zhou Wenwu of the Zhou family? How did he end up like this?"

He stepped forward and felt Zhou Wenwu's pulse. "He's badly wounded, but even though he's unconscious, it's not life-threatening... Only, this little brat ran all the way here in such a brazen fashion. Wasn't I already dealing with enough trouble?"

Fang Yuan grumbled helplessly, then went outside.

Just now, Flower Fox Ferret had warned him that another stranger was approaching.

"Who goes there?"

He stepped outside and immediately saw a middle-aged man, around thirty or forty years old, dressed in black and with a fierce look on his face.

"Oh? You actually noticed me?"

The man was a little surprised, but the arrogance on his face remained. "I'm Song San, senior disciple of Elder Song Zhong of the Gui Ling Sect. I've been ordered to hunt down the Zhou family's remnants. If you know what's good for you..."

"Oh! The remnant is inside. Take him away."

Fang Yuan nodded calmly. Song San was left speechless, unable to get out the threat he had prepared.

What was this feeling of not even having to scare someone before they confessed on their own?

This person wasn't playing by the rules at all!

Song San felt as if all his strength had nowhere to go. Then he saw Zhou Wenwu tossed out as if he were a piece of trash. "I'm just the doctor treating this man's family. Take him away."

As far as Fang Yuan was concerned, what did the Zhou family mean to him?

He had saved Old Master Zhou, taken his secret manual, and sheltered Zhou Wenxin for a while. He had done more than enough.

Was he supposed to risk his life against another expert for the old man's son too? Had his surname secretly been Lei all along?

"So it really is Zhou Wenwu!"

Song San went over and examined him carefully. A satisfied expression appeared on his face. Then he turned back to Fang Yuan. "You're the doctor here?"

"I know a little about medicine, nothing more..."

Fang Yuan nodded.

"Then did you cure Old Master Zhou's poison?"

"Poison?!"

Fang Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

He knew Old Master Zhou had been poisoned with Lover's Intoxication, and Old Master Zhou had realized it too. But how did this man know?

Unless his faction was the one behind it!

"What poison? I don't know anything about that!"

Fang Yuan cautiously made his position clear.

"Knows his place and understands when to back down!"

Seeing Fang Yuan act this way, Song San inwardly approved. If one of his other senior or junior fellow disciples had been sent instead, they might have let the doctor off the hook and forged a favorable connection with him.

People so perceptive and accommodating were rare in this world.

Unfortunately, Song San had just been scolded by his master and was in an extremely foul mood. That made Fang Yuan's good fortune nothing but bad luck.

Song San's face darkened, a vicious grin twisting his lips. "With nowhere else to turn, Zhou Wenwu didn't go to anyone else. He came straight to you. That proves you're an accomplice of the Zhou family!"

As soon as he said this, he saw the young man's expression turn cold.

"I clearly didn't want trouble..."

Fang Yuan sighed softly. "Why are some people in such a hurry to get themselves killed?"

Whoosh!

The instant he finished speaking, his body became a black shadow, rushing forward at incredible speed. His entire body took on the dark sheen of refined iron, as if he had put on a suit of armor.

"Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt?!"

Song San had naturally heard of this famous Cultivation Technique. Not only had he heard of it, he had even seen Yu Qiuleng use it.

And judging by the other's cultivation, he was at most at the third or fourth layer. How could he possibly be a match for a Fifth Gate martial artist like Song San?

"Brat, you're asking for death!"

Song San's grin widened. He clenched his right hand into a fist, gathering his strength and preparing to strike.

But at that moment, a smile appeared on Fang Yuan's face as well. "Idiot, you fell for it!"

In midair, his move suddenly changed. He turned his claw into a palm, a ring of black spreading across its center. The palm came down in a flash, its force a thousand jun, like a sledgehammer smashing down.

Black Sand Palm, fifth layer of mastery!

"You..."

Song San's expression changed drastically. One slap sent him flying, and he spat blood in midair.

"So it was you!"

He lay sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, filled with bitter regret.

In almost an instant, he had guessed that this seemingly harmless young man was the real culprit behind Song Yujie's death. But now, he had no way to send that news out.