Outside the Court, a Storm Brews in Shanyang

The next instant, the steward's reaction was even more intense than Liu Dongqing had imagined.

"How could that be possible! With so many feathered beasts, is it still not enough to cultivate these two tiny plots of soil? Still not enough for Jade Cloud Fruit to come into being?"

The severity in the steward's voice even gave Liu Dongqing the sense that he was being reprimanded.

Almost instantly, Liu Dongqing thought of the uneven number of spirit stones he had been rewarded.

Damn it, could this old bastard have skimmed off part of even my avian demon beasts?

Though such thoughts raced through his mind, Liu Dongqing remained calm in the face of the steward's harsh rebuke. The moment the man finished speaking, he merely pointed at the soil plots behind him.

"Steward, there are two hundred and six Jade Cloud Fruit plants buried in the fields. Beside every row of plants, I dug a deep trench. The original plan was to bury one demon beast carcass beside every plant to enrich the soil."

Upon hearing this, the steward did not even turn his head, much less give it much thought.

"They are only Jade Cloud Fruit. This is far too wasteful..."

Before the steward could finish, Liu Dongqing shook his head repeatedly.

"No! No! These are not ordinary Jade Cloud Fruit!

These are a new variety of Jade Cloud Fruit that Liu has recently cultivated. Their yield will increase, and their time to maturity will shorten!

Steward, surely you do not think that such an increase and reduction would not consume even more of heaven and earth's spiritual energy?"

As he spoke, Liu Dongqing took another step forward.

"Furthermore, Liu advises you not to make light of this matter. You should know that Senior Sister Zhang gave me forty-six spirit stones."

Sure enough, the steward's expression became somewhat subtle.

Yet Liu Dongqing's voice continued.

"More than two hundred Azure Light Spirit Pearls."

The steward's gaze did not merely grow more subtle. Under Liu Dongqing's momentum, he even involuntarily took a step back.

Liu Dongqing therefore took another step forward.

"And a flask of Azure Fire Heavenly Dew Elixir. She even passed on a self-created cultivation art!

Did Senior Sister give so much because she thinks highly of Liu as a person?

Wrong!

What Senior Sister cares about is whether these Jade Cloud Fruit can set fruit smoothly, whether they can become the foundation for her bid for position! Whether they will delay her great undertaking on Departure Peak!

Compared to that, what are these feathered beasts worth!

Why is it that you, Steward, care more about these beasts than Senior Sister Zhang's great affair?

You may dare to think that way, but Liu does not dare.

If something truly goes wrong, I do not know whether you will bear any blame, Steward. But I, Liu Dongqing, have accepted so many benefits from Senior Sister. In the end, I fear that even staking my life would not be enough to soothe the hatred in her heart."

As he said this, Liu Dongqing's brow furrowed tightly.

The steward's heart jolted. He felt as though an invisible blaze of fury was rising from Liu Dongqing's body, emanating a terrifying force that bore directly into one's mind.

For a moment, he actually felt afraid.

Is this brat prepared to risk his life against me?

What rotten luck!

How can a Daoist master as lofty and refined as I am let a mud-legged peasant like this cling to me?

With that thought, the steward fiercely flicked his sleeve and raised the bright yellow jade slip high.

"Enough! The more you speak, the more outrageous you become!

As the young lady's steward, it is only natural that I ask a few more questions whenever something arises, is it not?

Since you believe these feathered beasts are not enough, then simply explain it carefully to me. Was there any need to heap such a towering accusation upon my head?"

As he spoke, the steward seemed to grow increasingly anxious. In a flurry, he wiped his hand across the bright yellow jade talisman.

"I will make up the missing ones for you!"

At once, Treasure light bloomed again, and one birdcage after another came tumbling back down onto the ground.

Counting those already present, their number came to exactly two hundred and six.

This action seemed to restore the steward's confidence, and he resumed his aggressive bearing.

"This is our first dealing, so this Daoist will let it pass for now. But if there is a next time, and you drag the young lady's affairs into an argument, sullying my master's fortune for no reason, then you will have consequences to bear!"

Having personally seen the number of avian demon beasts restored in full, and seeing another batch of cultivation resources that suited him added to the lot, Liu Dongqing's response was exceedingly practical. The faint flames of anger around him immediately melted away like ice and snow.

In the depths of his gaze, a glimmer from the deeply concealed light of his natal candle flame vanished at once.

By combining the Minor Thought Art with Manager Hou's use of Heavenly Light Bewildering Spirit, its power now seemed even greater—not only that, but it could be employed more silently, making it all the more impossible to guard against.

Liu Dongqing cast the steward's threats to the back of his mind as well.

It was as though he had returned to normal in an instant. He cupped his hands toward the steward and even smiled.

"My mistake, my mistake. I was simply too concerned about Senior Sister's affairs and misspoke in the heat of the moment.

"But we have both been running about for Senior Sister's sake. You and I are working together, after all, so I hope the steward can forgive me.

"Still, let me say this upfront: this is the first time the new Jade Cloud Fruit has been planted. We ought to proceed with greater caution. Liu cannot be certain how quickly the fertility in the fields will be depleted.

"To be safe, I ask that the steward bring the same number of flat-feathered beasts again in twenty days.

"Once we have completed the first full planting, future plantings will have a fixed measure to follow."

Liu Dongqing's sudden surge of emotion and equally sudden calm had tugged the steward's mind this way and that. Now, faced with Liu Dongqing's cheerful smile, he did not know whether he ought to remain angry or laugh and let bygones be bygones.

He stood there dazed for several breaths before listlessly tucking the bright yellow jade talisman into his sleeve.

"Now that sounds more proper. Two hundred and six flat-feathered beasts in twenty days, yes? I understand."

With that, disregarding Liu Dongqing's smiling attempt to continue making small talk, the steward flicked his sleeve again and left directly.

In the courtyard.

Liu Dongqing could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart. The moment the steward left, he hurried over to the birdcages and swiftly sorted the avian demonic beasts into separate groups.

All crow-type demonic beasts were placed to one side. Liu Dongqing then directly pulled out a cloth bag containing the sleeping powder Yan Rong had once used specifically to put avian demonic beasts into a stupor.

These would all become Liu Dongqing's cultivation resources in the days ahead.

As for the remaining small portion of demonic beasts, those were what Liu Dongqing had truly prepared for the Jade Cloud Fruit plants in the fields.

'If there is enough demon blood, the Jade Cloud Fruit parasitizing the offspring plants can ripen in an instant.'

'But I do not need them to grow that quickly. A little faster than normal will be more than enough.'

'That way, a bit of dribbling blood filth and bone fragments buried in the fields will be just right for keeping their speed in check.'

'A few dozen avian demonic beasts will suffice.'

'After all, there will be another batch in twenty days!'

Thinking this.

Having arranged the Jade Cloud Fruit planting in perfect order, Liu Dongqing could no longer restrain his eagerness to test the changes in cultivation brought by this new breed of crow-type demonic beast.

But the next moment.

Before he could even pick up a birdcage and head for the bedroom.

Suddenly.

Several sharp knocks sounded at the door in quick succession.

Liu Dongqing set down the birdcage in his hand and took a few steps toward the courtyard gate, though he stopped some distance away. He then fixed his wary gaze on the tightly shut gate.

"Who is it?"

As his words fell, a coy, enchanting laugh came from outside.

"Junior Brother Liu, this concubine is also a disciple of Sunward Dao Academy. I have come to discuss a business deal with you."