Chapter 331: Hu Yueer's Request

In a flash, three days passed.

Zhang Nongqian looked at the seeds before her, had no clue, tried many methods, but could not activate vitality nor increase it.

The seeds remained unchanged, the vitality inside still as abundant; Zhang Nongqian feared a mistake would make even that last bit vanish, leaving her with irreparable regret.

Over these three days she had tried many methods, read many books, also recalled Chen Chuyang's reminder, attempted it once—effect not obvious—she kept simulating in her mind, constantly thinking, hoping to find the safest way; some methods were too risky, not worth doing, for she had only one chance, and failure would be real failure.

Liu Yuer watched her daughter's face gradually grow gaunt; at such a young age she had acquired many worries her mother never had, that mature visage made one's heart ache—how old is her daughter, already so sensible, sensible from childhood.

Liu Yuer wanted to help but was powerless; in this regard she knew nothing, not even a chance to offer advice or interject.

"Qian'er, rest well, don't be anxious, there's plenty of time."

"I know, Mother."

Zhang Nongqian did not go to rest, nor did she cultivate; she simply kept thinking.

How to increase vitality, how to let it break out of its shell.

After taking root and sprouting, no further management is needed; the vitality of Longshe Shan and the spirit spring water can nourish the fruit trees' growth.

"Spirit spring water—right, let's try spirit spring water."

Upon realizing this, Zhang Nongqian promptly fetched a bowl of spirit spring water, diverting it at the mountainside—this was untaken spirit spring water, most effective and richest in spirit qi—she soaked the seeds in it, observing their movements.

Holding a small notebook, she recorded any change.

Liu Yuer saw her daughter had no mind to chat or rest, shook her head, left the daughter's room, and went to work alone, tending the dragon blood rice and dragon tooth rice; the newly planted dragon tooth rice had increased greatly, basically all dragon tooth rice with only a small portion dragon blood rice.

Dragon blood rice needs close attention—this was Chen Chuyang's order, and it is the most precious.

Their values differ greatly; dragon blood rice's effect is astonishing, its maturation takes twice as long as dragon tooth rice—only one harvest per year—this still relies on Longshe Shan's abundant spirit qi and the endless spirit spring water.

Dragon tooth rice, conversely, needs far less spirit qi and little oversight.

Hu Yueer and her two companions helped, joining the labor force; being Monster Race, their strength is certainly greater than humans', their stamina several times that of people, and as their strength grows, this gap will widen.

Reclaiming spirit fields, weeding, etc., all require human help.

These tasks forbid the use of true qi, must be done with bare flesh, increasing the difficulty; yet even working together they find it easy.

Hu Yueer whispered, "Yu'er, is your daughter his disciple?"

During these days on the mountain, Hu Yueer also understood the relationships among those on the mountain, and realized who the mountain's master is.

Who truly is the master here? It is Chen Chuyang. Though she is an elder, she dares not be presumptuous, nor meet his gaze; for some reason she always feels her petty thoughts are seen through, laid bare—a sensation never before felt, causing her to dread Chen Chuyang.

The two children are better off—carefree, without such thoughts, naturally they do not fear Chen Chuyang's gaze.

"Exactly, following him to learn planting spirit herbs and pill refining."

"This is no secret; Liu Yuer did not conceal it, openly admitting."

She did not look at Hu Yueer, knowing that woman's thoughts.

Neither is a naive woman; Liu Yuer has endured so much, she is no longer the girl she once was.

Hu Yueer drew near; at a glance she saw through her thoughts.

"Is he very strong?"

Liu Yuer paused, looking doubtfully at Hu Yueer.

"I don't know."

"You don't know either?"

Liu Yuer pondered a moment, then said, "Anyway, I've never seen anyone stronger than him."

As for how strong he is, she doesn't know and doesn't want to know; as long as she does her own duty, that's enough.

She strives to cultivate; conditions here are excellent, cultivation resources ample—this is a dream‑come‑true paradise; she does not wish to ruin her present life. Regarding Hu Yueer, she is on guard, for this woman is not kind‑hearted, but harbors ulterior motives.

Liu Yuer will not allow anyone who schemes against Chen Chuyang.

"Then what does he like?"

Liu Yuer stared fixedly at Hu Yueer and asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"

Those words carried dignity.

Her eyes filled with solemnity as she questioned Hu Yueer.

It seemed the next moment she would directly strike to educate this Monster Race woman.

Hu Yueer hastily waved her hands: "I don't mean that, I'm not scheming against him—it's just that my two children need Foundation Establishment; they've reached the age for it, I don't want them to miss it, so…"

For the Fox Clan, Foundation Establishment is crucial; upon reaching a certain age, it must be done.

Successful Foundation Establishment allows formal cultivation thereafter.

If missed, they might remain thus forever.

Actually, other Monster Races lack this step; only the Fox Clan has it.

Pure‑blooded Fox Clan all have this step; having left the clan, they cannot use the clan's method for Foundation Establishment, so she wants to see whether Chen Chuyang can help them achieve it.

Hu Yueer's departure from the Fox Clan this time is also for this reason.

Within the Fox Clan, danger abounds; if she does not leave soon, she and her children may die without a grave.

After all these days, she has tried every method, without exception, all failed.

Having no recourse, she can only seek Chen Chuyang's help; yet she cannot approach him directly, not knowing this person, and she senses his aloofness toward them—though they have been at Longshe Shan for many days, he has never visited them once, nor allowed them near.

She can only move about near the mountain's base; elsewhere are forbidden zones.

Their status is clearly different from others; she wishes to seek Chen Chuyang's aid, so she must know him—these days she has been gathering any news about him, not missing a detail, such as his methods and what he excels at.

No matter how trivial, she inquires about it once.

On Longshe Shan, aside from Liu Yuer who attends to her, no one else is willing to deal with her.

She had approached Shang Hongxue; that woman said nothing, merely urging her to behave.

Watching time slip by, she grew anxious.

She could only take a risky path.

"You can go find him directly." Liu Yuer showed no mercy, driving her away.

Regarding some secrets of Chen Chuyang, she saw them, and she would not speak them out.