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Jiang Zhi: "Yeah, it looks really weird."

Li Jian spoke thoughtfully, "I think their mentality is understandable. Everyone needs to cultivate, and they use Spirit Plant frequently. Brother Shan planted life-saving Spirit Plant for Yan Liang and the others before, and now he's gained so much fame; his future looks bright..."

Jiang Zhi interjected, "So what if he has a bright future? His current strength is indeed not that great."

Li Jian: "Although Brother Shan's strength is not great, those who are strong might need his help someday. If we challenge him and defeat him, will we be able to ask for his help in the future?"

Jiang Zhi and Shan Heyuan: "..."

Li Jian calmly said, "Besides, there are also weaker competitors; we can just find someone else to challenge. Jiang Zhi, aren't you receiving more and more challenges?"

Jiang Zhi looked completely bewildered, his expression one of utter disbelief. "This works?"

Li Jian: "It's only human nature."

Shan Heyuan thought for a moment, "Maybe no one will challenge me these next two days. But in a couple of days, as those who have won get stronger, everyone will start challenging me, a relatively weaker opponent."

Shan Heyuan was prepared, but several days passed and still no one challenged him.

The chaotic battle wasn't over yet, and someone reached out to him through Huai Liu, wanting to buy the Fertilizer Pill he had.

Shan Heyuan hadn't expected that people could go directly to their dean.

Huai Liu explained to Shan Heyuan, "It's Elder Qu Ying from the Sword Reverence Sect. He's a Nascent Spirit Transformation Realm plant cultivator, and we don't want to offend him, so we wanted to hear your opinion. If you're unwilling, we'll help you decline."

Shan Heyuan's mouth dropped open. "Even a senior in the Spirit Transformation Realm has taken a liking to my Fertilizer Pill?"

Huai Liu: "Your Fertilizer Pill is indeed very effective, and the essence of the Breathing Earth within it is especially beneficial to high-level Spirit Plant."

Huai Liu explained the situation and then waited for Shan Heyuan's decision.

If he could get on the good side of the Spirit Transformation Realm elder, Shan Heyuan would be quite happy.

Having a high-level cultivator as a guide on the path of cultivation can save you from many detours.

When encountering difficulties, having a personal relationship with the other party can bring great convenience.

The temptation of being able to directly interact with high-level cultivators made Shan Heyuan's heart pound and his mouth go dry.

He got excited for a moment, but quickly calmed down.

Dealing with high-level cultivators is indeed beneficial, but he is no longer alone.

Shen Duheng was behind him.

Shen Duheng has enemies.

Given Shen Duheng's strength, if he has enemies, he might get involved with the Sword Reverence Sect.

He needs to go back and ask Shen Duheng what his opinion is.

Shan Heyuan said cautiously, "I need to go back and think about it. Besides, I'm out of Fertilizer Pill on hand; if we're going to trade, we'll have to refine more."

Huai Liu: "Senior Qu Ying has also considered your situation. Even if it's a transaction, it needs to be pre-arranged, and it will at least have to wait until you reach the Core Formation Stage before it can be completed. There's no rush."

Shan Heyuan's cultivation level is currently relatively low, and due to this limitation, the effects of the Fertilizer Pill he refines are indeed not as good.

Since things weren't in a rush, Shan Heyuan asked for a few more days to consider.

After returning home, Shan Heyuan told Shen Duheng about it directly.

The two were talking while standing in the living room.

The instant he finished speaking, Shan Heyuan didn't miss the complex expression that flashed across Shen Duheng's face.

Shan Heyuan said seriously, "If you don't want me to go, I won't go. If it's really inconvenient, I can quit this teaching assistant position and we can leave here."

Shan Heyuan spoke with conviction, clearly speaking from the heart.

Shen Duheng said, "There's no need to leave here. I do have some grudge against the Sword Reverence Sect, but it's only against one person inside, and it has nothing to do with the other disciples. Besides, my appearance, cultivation level, and even Spiritual Power are completely different from before, so they won't be able to find me."

Shan Heyuan said earnestly, "Don't force yourself. You've done me a great favor. Even setting aside the debt of gratitude, our relationship is far more important than this business deal."

Shen Duheng: "I didn't force you, I just didn't expect you to come into the sights of the Sword Reverence Sect's higher-ups so quickly."

Shan Heyuan himself hadn't expected this. "Supreme Harmony Sect is a second-tier sect of the Sword Reverence Sect. If I stay here for a long time, we're bound to have some interaction."

Shan Heyuan said to Shen Duheng, "Brother Shen, I don't know your past, but if you need any help, please don't hesitate to call me. I will do my best, just like you helped me before."

"Alright," Shen Duheng agreed, then added, "You can deal with the Sword Reverence Sect if you want, but it's best not to join Sword Reverence Sect. Their relationships are quite chaotic, with various factions. Joining them might lead to power struggles, and it won't be very beneficial for your cultivation."

Shan Heyuan: "I understand. I don't want to join any sect. I'm only a Registered Disciple of the Supreme Harmony Sect, so there's no need for me to be bound by any other sect."

Shen Duheng: "Go ahead and do what you want. Just let me know if you need anything. Don't worry about the Sword Reverence Sect. They still maintain the demeanor of a major sect when dealing with outsiders. You generally won't suffer losses when trading with them."

Shan Heyuan nodded, then suddenly asked, "Brother Shen, you seem so familiar with the Sword Reverence Sect? Were you a disciple of the Sword Reverence Sect before?"

Shen Duheng admitted in a deep voice, "Yes. Many years ago I was indeed their disciple, but I later betrayed the sect."

He betrayed the sect?

Shan Heyuan was stunned.

These days, sects are like a second home for cultivators.

Seeing Shen Duheng's expression, and realizing that Shen Duheng was indeed not joking, he finally understood that Shen Duheng was actually a Sword Reverence Sect.

No wonder Brother Shen was so secretive about it!

Shan Heyuan didn't know why Shen Duheng had betrayed the sect, but at this moment, he stood on Shen Duheng's side and said without hesitation, "It must be their problem!"

Shen Duheng: "That's all in the past. Don't worry. Whatever the future holds, I'll solve it with my sword."

Thinking of the spirit swords he had gone through so many times, Shan Heyuan promised, "Brother Shen, I will definitely find you the best spirit sword in the future."

"Then I'll wait."

Shen Duheng didn't mind, Shan Heyuan went back to Huai Liu, saying he was willing to make the deal.

However, he only uses Spirit Plant in his transactions. If he waits until he Core Formation to refine the Fertilizer Pill, the Spirit Plant he exchanges for will have to be at least Nascent Soul.

We'll have a professional agency assess it then and trade it at market price.

Huai Liu relayed his agreement.

A few days later, the senior cultivator at the Nascent Spirit Transformation Realm sent his personal disciple to deliver a Nascent Soul grade Shicang Grass seed to Shan Heyuan, generously stating that it was a deposit and that the remaining amount would be made up with Fertilizer Pill later.

This is too generous and too straightforward. Shan Heyuan saw the precious Nascent Soul grade seed, he dared not accept it for a moment.

Huai Liu helped him take the seed and said to the disciple, "Thank you, Senior Qu. I'll keep this seed for now. Once the deal is done, I'll give it to Assistant Instructor Shan. If it doesn't work out, I won't give the seed to Assistant Instructor Shan; I'll return it to him and apologize to you, Senior."

The disciple smiled and said, "Dean Huai, you flatter me. With Assistant Instructor Shan's abilities, he will definitely succeed in the end, it just may take a little longer."

Judging from the conversation, the Spirit Transformation Realm elder was determined to obtain the Fertilizer Pill.

Shan Heyuan's heart sank as he realized that he had no choice but to make this deal; if he didn't, the other party would find a way to make him.

Even if that wasn't their original intention, with so many people under the Spirit Transformation Realm elder, there would definitely be some eager lackeys willing to volunteer.

Huai Liu gently deflected his request. "We'll talk about the future later. Assistant Instructor Shan is young and inexperienced; you'll scare him by saying that."

"Hahaha, that was my rudeness. No rush, we can take it slow. My master hasn't emerged from seclusion yet, and it will be at least ten or eight years before he does. By then, Assistant Instructor Shan should have already reached the Core Formation Stage."