Entering the Inner Hall

Time flies, and another year has passed.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the morning mist was swirling. The winter mountain wind was rather chilly, so even the sparrows, who were usually early risers, had settled down in their nests in the grass.

In the spirit field, frost flowers were like silver, and the cold wind blew, making the withered grass piles rustle.

Zhou Yixiu had long since grown tired of the exquisite scene before him. He gently swung his spirit hoe, chiseling open clods of frozen spirit soil and scattering handfuls of red floral mud.

He had only been busy for a short while when a fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

This was a sight that Zhou Yixiu hadn't seen for several years while tending to those many Spirit Plant on Little Ring Mountain, demonstrating the immense pressure this Second Tier spiritual field in Hong County placed on this elder of the Chongming Sect's Spirit Plant.

"Phew, Master Zhou, why are you out so early today?"

Kang Rongquan yawned, carrying a hoe, dressed in a coarse cloth robe and straw sandals woven from red spirit straw, looking drowsy.

With this appearance alone, it would be difficult for anyone to associate him with the title of the first True Disciple of the Chongming Sect.

Zhou Yixiu didn't look up. He dug another shallow pit in the spirit field with his spirit hoe, and a handful of red flower mud swished down. "If you don't come soon, the frost and dew will dissipate, and the effectiveness of this Second Tier plum blossom mud fertilizer that the sect leader had worked so hard to obtain will be reduced by at least one percent. Wouldn't that be a waste?"

Kang Rongquan could tell from Zhou Yixiu's dissatisfaction that he was expressing that he immediately replied, "Oh dear, I know about that too. It's just that Senior Brother Pei and Senior Brother Duan came to Hong County yesterday, and we brothers haven't seen each other for a long time, so we drank with them a little late. But don't worry, Master Zhou, I definitely won't let anything else interfere with important matters."

"You lot were more diligent when you were young. Your senior brother, the sect leader, spoiled you too much. He didn't want you to go to the battlefield or do chores. He raised a bunch of spoiled brats." Zhou Yixiu recalled the scene when the entire sect was tending to the white alfalfa in the spirit fields. He sighed softly and said nothing more.

Kang Rongquan, who had made a mistake due to drunkenness, dared not utter a word and simply buried himself in his work.

Kang Rongquan's arrival made Zhou Yixiu much more at ease. Everyone knows that old age is not a time for physical strength, and Zhou Yixiu certainly understood this deeply.

Zhou Yixiu was born in the 350th year of the Qianfeng Emperor's reign, which means he is already over ninety years old and will soon be a hundred.

Among Qi Refinement cultivators, this is hardly considered young. Therefore, even though Zhou Yixiu's experience as a farming master far surpassed Kang Rongquan's, it didn't take long for the latter to take over all the farm work.

Kang Rongquan's talent in farming is truly remarkable. He is only a step away from becoming First-Tier Superior-Grade farming master, just waiting for that final step.

A mixture of relief and loneliness welled up in Zhou Yixiu's heart. After a long pause, she sat back down on the wooden chair by the field.

"Haha, it's really refreshing to have done all that work." Kang Rongquan shook off a bead of sweat, the tips of his hair glistening.

He took out a pot of spirit wine, poured a bowl for Zhou Yixiu, and waited a few moments until the wine was warm before respectfully handing it over, then said softly, "Master Zhou, please try it. This is brewed with spirit fruits grown on Little Ring Mountain. Although it's not top-grade, it still has some flavor."

"Hmm, there's something to it." Zhou Yixiu sipped his drink, a look of enjoyment on his face, but he didn't drink any more. He just sighed, "I'm getting old. If I finish this bowl, I'm afraid I'll get drunk and miss important business."

Kang Rongquan, however, showed no disdain, taking the wine and gulping it down before continuing, "Senior Brother Duan also said last night that this wine tastes good, and suggested I devise a recipe and give it an elegant name, so that it could be sold in the Chongming Small Pavilion, which would bring the sect some additional income."

Zhou Yixiu nodded and sighed, "Of all you juniors, only Anle is truly capable. When you go back and adjust the recipe, ask my apprentice. In her last letter to me, she said that her training of spirit bees within the sect has begun to show results, and the first batch of spirit honey is already of First-Tier Middle-Grade. You might be able to add it to this wine to remove some of the sourness from the fruit."

Kang Rongquan was delighted upon hearing this and said, "Junior Sister Zhang, are you so capable?"

Zhou Yixiu sighed, "She hasn't even managed to become inner disciple. If she doesn't find a way to make a name for herself among the sect's elders, what future does she have?"

Upon hearing this, Kang Rongquan chuckled and said, "Didn't the Changyun Ma Household say some time ago that they wanted to betroth Zhang Le to their eldest grandson's wife? That's Foundation Establishment clan, Master Zhou, are you going to veto it?"

Zhou Yixiu glanced at Kang Rongquan and said in a muffled voice, "They say they're from Foundation Establishment clan, but Ma Wenhan from their family probably won't even make it through this winter. How could our sect leader possibly agree to this? Even if he were willing, I wouldn't allow it."

My disciple is unattractive, and how many more days do I have left to live? After I die, she won't even have the title of elder's disciple anymore, and the eldest grandson of the Ma Household probably won't even bother to give her a kind look."

"Hey-hey"

Zhou Yixiu spoke directly, which amused Kang Rongquan. Just as he was about to say something more, he heard Zhou Yixiu suddenly turn serious and say in a deep voice, "The Moon Fern last season didn't turn out well, and we almost couldn't even gather enough seeds for this season."

This was a mistake on my part. I hadn't remembered that I had planted Dragon Bone Orchid orchids in this spiritual field a few years ago, and I forgot to expel the soil's energy. As a result, the two energies were out of balance, and the yin and yang were out of harmony, causing the Spirit Root of the Moon Fern to rot and making it difficult for it to grow.

We can't afford to be careless this season. It's rare for our sect leader to assign us two to do something like this, so we can't disappoint him again.

Kang Rongquan's smile also faded, and he replied solemnly.

"Is Senior Brother Pei better?" Zhou Yixiu's expression grew even more serious, and Kang Rongquan also showed a hint of worry. After thinking for a moment, he said, "When I returned to the sect last time, I made a special trip to visit Master. He seemed to be in good health."

Zhou Yixiu muttered with dissatisfaction, "What kind of disciple are you?"

A hint of worry appeared in his cloudy eyes. Since Pei Yi failed to establish his Foundation Establishment last year, he had shortened his lifespan and damaged all his meridians. If it weren't for the fact that Sect Leader Kang Da had swallowed his pride and asked the Fei Household to send Second Tier Alchemist to save him, he might have survived for more than a few days.

Even so, the Second Tier Alchemist's assessment of Pei Yi's injuries was not necessarily positive.

After all, meridians are easy to nourish, but lifespan is hard to increase. Pei Yi clearly had a bright future, but after failing at the Foundation Establishment stage, he might even surpass Zhou Yixiu.

Kang Rongquan knew Zhou Yixiu was worried, and while touched, he also comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, Master Zhou, my master has been much better these days. I heard from Senior Brother Pei yesterday that he has already started refining pills."

"If you don't trust me, do you think you don't trust Senior Brother Pei? He's incredibly filial; even my great-uncle praised him. Haven't you seen him out having fun these days? I heard he'll be going back to the caravan to keep Junior Brother Ming company again in a few days."

Zhou Yixiu pondered for a while and found it quite reasonable. After thinking it over, he said, "I also planted seventeen Sun-Longing Grass plants on that half-acre plot in the west. They should be ripe in a few days. Remember to harvest them. When you return to the sect next time, please take them to Senior Brother Pei and tell him to add a little bit when using fire. It will help remove some of the fire poison and benefit his health."

"Heh heh, using the sect's local products to do personal favors, Master Zhou, that's practically using public office for private gain."

Kang Rongquan was smiling then, but the next moment he was hit hard by a handful of dirt.

"Turn the soil over again. My sacred soil is piled up in the storeroom; go and get it yourself! In the afternoon, mix it with sacred water and put it in the field to decompose."

Zhou Yixiu was getting old and had limited energy. After arguing with Kang Rongquan for a while, she felt a little tired, put away her spirit hoe, and left with her back to her side.

The old man muttered to himself as he finished speaking, "That boy, the older he gets, the more unruly he becomes. I wonder if I should Xinran to him. Oh well, Xinran angry with me, and I can't make the decision anyway, so I might as well just ignore her."

Just then, a small sparrow, carrying the mountain breeze, flew gently over Zhou Yixiu's head. The old man looked up and felt that it looked somewhat familiar.

"This looks like the sparrow that Sister- Fei Household always keeps with her. What brings you to Hong County this time, Sister-in-law?"

---- Hong County, the residence of the Chongming Sect

"Disciple Duan Anle / Pei Que pays respects to Master's wife."

Duan Anle and Pei Que were still feeling the effects of yesterday's hangover, having never expected Fei Shuhe to come today. So when they greeted her, they felt a little embarrassed and their faces flushed as soon as they finished speaking.

Fei Shuhe had no intention of blaming anyone; she simply smiled and responded, then waved her hand, and Ping'er and Yu'er each brought over an exquisite serving dish.

Fei Shuhe softly read, "I just returned from Tengwen Prefecture and passed by here. I thought that Junior Brother Zhou and Rongquan must be living in poverty in Hong County, so I thought I would stop here to deliver some supplies."

I didn't expect you two brothers to be here. These are a batch of small jade items I bought from Myriad Treasures Trading Company. They're all inexpensive but usable. I bought them especially for you Yuan Cong disciples to play with. You can choose first."

Duan Anle and Pei Que knew their master's wife's generous nature and knew that if they refused at this time, she would be displeased. Therefore, they did not refuse, but bowed their heads in thanks and stepped forward to choose.

Both men had studied " On the Treatise on Appraising the Sound of Springs" and were quite knowledgeable, but they still underestimated Fei Shuhe's skill.

There were at least thirty or forty pieces of First Tier jade artifacts neatly arranged, most of which were of superior Higher Vehicle among the First-Tier Superior-Grade. In other words, any one of these jade artifacts would require three or four years' worth of salary for these True Disciples.

Pei Que couldn't help but feel a little surprised, thinking to himself, "Just how much dowry did Master's wife bring?!"

After the two younger women bowed and thanked her again, the second Zhou Shan, upon hearing the news, hurriedly came out to greet her, saying she was guilty.

Fei Shuhe was very warm towards his sister-in-law, whom he had only met a few times. After just a few words, the young woman lost all her worries and became much more friendly.

"Oh, sister-in-law's here? I wonder if the sect leader is here too?"

Zhou Yixiu put down his hoe. He was an honest man who was content to bury himself in farming and rarely had such close contact with Fei Shuhe, a noble lady from a wealthy family. Therefore, he looked somewhat bewildered.

"Uncle, you've worked hard. My husband will be here in a while. You brothers miss each other so much after just one day apart; that's something to be envied."

Fei Shuhe's smile is both warm and dignified, making her approachable while also conveying a subtle sense of distance—a remarkable skill indeed.

Duan Anle was a reserved person. As soon as his master's wife finished speaking, he knew that she hadn't come specifically to deliver provisions to Zhou and Kang, but was probably waiting for his master.

Fearing that Zhou Yixiu's rustic attire might offend the noble, Zhou Shan smiled apologetically at Fei Shuhe. Just as she was about to lead the old man away to change into proper ceremonial robes, Zhou Yixiu stopped her and softly asked Fei Shuhe:

"But Prefectural Governor Zhu of White Sand County is urging his troops to join him again?"

Fei Shuhe was clearly surprised that Zhou Yixiu had guessed so clearly. Her astonishment only flashed for a moment before she smiled and said, "Yuan Buwen has gone all out. Even the combined efforts of Acting Sima Gun and my Granny Liu couldn't stop him. The Pill Master of the Zheng Household almost died on the battlefield, so the situation has become even more tense."

Fei Shuhe spoke lightly, but everyone in the hall suddenly changed their expressions. Zhou Yixiu's face was immediately filled with worry, and he hurriedly asked, "What about Second Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother?"

Zhou Yixiu's concerns were not unfounded. Just White Sand County that Yuan and Jiang had each killed a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator on the battlefield, which was the time when they were most likely to be resented.

"Don't worry, nothing's wrong. If something had really happened, why wouldn't I have told you?"

Seeing that Fei Shuhe's expression was natural and not feigned, the people in the hall were finally relieved.

As they were talking, Sect Leader Kang Da strode in, first smiling at Fei Shuhe, then glancing at Duan and Pei, who shouldn't have been there, before saying softly, "Since you're both here, let's talk about some things."

Zhou Shan, being very tactful, bowed and took her leave. After she left, Zhou Yixiu activated the silencing spell, and Kang Dabao spoke in turn:

"We accumulated too much Black-Pupiled White Ape Essence Blood last time. Chongming Small Pavilion sold it for a year, but we haven't even recouped eleven percent of our costs. Que'er, after you return to the caravan this time, you and your nephew Ming should keep an eye on it and see if you can find a big customer to sell it off together. The longer this stuff is stored, the lower the price it becomes."

"Disciple understands," Pei Que immediately accepted the order.

"Junior Brother Zhou, is the harvest of Moon Fern this season better?" When this matter was mentioned, Sect Leader Kang Da's tone became much more serious.

"I will not fail my senior brother's expectations," Zhou Yixiu expression.

"No need for empty talk, Junior Brother, just tell me, is it possible or not?" Kang Dabao tapped the table beside him. Zhou Yixiu immediately turned serious, and he answered decisively and resolutely, "It will definitely be better than this season's harvest!"

"Well then, I'll have to trouble you, junior brother. This matter can't be delayed."

The Sect Leader Kang Da's eyes seemed to brighten slightly. Having received Zhou Yixiu's affirmative reply, he felt somewhat relieved and then said, "Before I came, I received an urgent message from Prefectural Governor Zhu, saying that Yuan Buwen had gone mad again yesterday, not only injuring Granny Liu but also killing eleven Foundation Establishment True Cultivator. Therefore, Lord Marquis urgently ordered me to dispatch troops to reinforce him. This time, only sending the Second and Third to cover the tracks is insufficient; we cannot refuse."

Although his words were more menacing than Fei Shuhe's, no one was alarmed. After all, if Yuan and Jiang were in trouble, Sect Leader Kang Da would not be acting like this.

However, rushing to White Sand County to provide assistance is a difficult task.

Governor Zhu Tong was thoroughly humiliated there by the local tribes of Jingnan, led by the Yuan Household family, and the reinforcements from the Two Instruments Sect. Even the Fei Household's True Cultivator suffered losses there, which shows how urgent the situation was.

Actually, if they wanted to talk, they could. If Kang Dabao were willing to hand over Yuan Xiyue, Yuan Buwen might start slacking off. Once this top-tier Pill Master, who could rival Golden Core cultivator, was gone, Zhu Tong's pressure would drop dramatically.

However, neither the Earl of Nan'an nor Prefectural Governor Zhu would agree to this decision. It wasn't out of sympathy for Sect Leader Kang Da, but because it concerned the Earl of Nan'an's reputation.

Yuan Xiyue is not someone who cannot be given away, but she cannot be given away as a condition for peace.

Even if Yuan Xiyue Yuan Buwen to be sent home, it should only be after Yuan Buwen has been suppressed by the state army and is never allowed Gui Household rise again.

"Then what is Master doing in Hong County?" Duan Anle, who had been silent until now, asked.

Kang Dabao replied calmly, "Ask the Four Friends of Cold Mountain if they have any intention of going on the expedition. As long as they are still living in Cloud Horn Prefecture and as long as they are reluctant to give up these jars and pots that they have just swallowed, they will be recruited by the prefectural government sooner or later."

There was no escaping it. The Yue Household and Tie Liuyun's side also encountered trouble. The Ding Prefecture cultivators they had recruited last time betrayed them on the battlefield. Yue Lin didn't have time to escape and suffered minor injuries. Even several Foundation Establishment from the Yue Household died in the battle. If it weren't for the support from the Stone Mountain Sect in Pu Prefecture, I think their situation would be no better than that of White Sand County."

"So, Lord Lord has given Master permission to form a separate force?!" Duan Anle immediately guessed and exclaimed in surprise.

"You could say that. Lord Kang has granted me permission to gather soldiers from all seventeen counties in the prefecture, recruit volunteers, and train troops. Ideally, we should have the troops assembled within two months. However, as long as Prefectural Governor Zhu doesn't leave, he will still be the leader of Jingnan Prefecture." The weary voice of Sect Leader Kang Da was barely concealed.

"Master, this time you're not just a general, you're a commander-in-chief?" Pei Que understood the meaning and immediately said.

"Don't spout nonsense about generals and commanders," Kang Dabao warned, his face showing displeasure.

Fei Shuhe had only just learned of this news, and her beautiful eyes immediately changed. However, the change in the state court's attitude towards Kang Dabao Double Brightness, was only to be expected.

After all, the Chongming Sect already has four Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, just counting the sect itself. If you include the concubines of Sect Leader Kang Da, then there are seven.

Although there wasn't a single late-stage cultivator among them, and apart from Kang and Jiang, they were all only at the Azure Leaf Dao Foundation, there were very few mediocre individuals among them.

Kang and Jiang need no further introduction; they already have enough heads of their peers to string together. Yuan Jin, who is just about to reach the Foundation Establishment, has already True Cultivator several fellow cultivators of the same level on the battlefield of White Sand County.

Fei Shuhe a family with a long and distinguished academic background, and no one knows what her trump cards are; regardless of whether Yuan Xiyue's identity is awkward or not, she has made great progress in her cultivation over the years thanks to the nurturing of the Sect Leader Kang Da, and she is not far from breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

Even though Ye Zhengwen and Zhang Qingran were not as skilled in combat, they were not pushovers.

Therefore, no matter how you look at it, Chongming Sect is already considered a major sect in Cloud Horn Prefecture. If you add the Daoist Black Shoes, it becomes even more formidable. In Kuang Liuting's eyes, its importance is probably unmatched even by the Yunwei Zheng Household.

Fei Shuhe had just thought of this when she heard Kang Dabao call her name.

"Madam, please come with me to Crane Spirit Mountain later, so you can support me."

"Yes, of course." Fei Shuhe wasn't afraid of the impending war. After replying, she felt a sudden surge of sweetness in her heart. "So, my chubby husband is finally going to be allowed into my home?!"