Chapter 8: Bountiful Harvest

Zheng Daocai was just about to activate the Wind-Riding Art.

Su Wanyao suddenly flung a Talisman.

First-grade Low-grade, Immobilization Talisman!

The beast could not interrupt spellcasting, but a Talisman could!

Five seconds. This book is originally published on TianTian Kan XiaoShuo, 🅣🅣🅚🅢. 🅣🅦, offering you error-free, non-disordered chapters.

Zheng Daocai was completely paralyzed.

He felt a sweetness in his mouth, a pill rolling into his abdomen.

A chill spread from his dantian to his mind, making him drowsy.

Thud!

Zheng Daocai collapsed without a sound.

"This Forget-Dust Pill acts so quickly—no wonder it's a miraculous pill."

Su Wanyao smirked, her beautiful eyes lingering on Chen Zhao, and said:

"Thank you, Brother Chen, for holding him steady. My earlier misunderstandings—please forgive me."

She glanced at the muddy ground behind Chen Zhao, where he had scrawled messily with his shoes:

"Steady. He has Earth Escape Talisman, Wind-Riding Art."

With this hint.

She had been able to act in the blink of an eye.

"Such quick wit deserves reward, not just thanks."

Su Wanyao laughed softly, seductive, her waist pressed against the chairback, exuding laziness.

She crossed her leg, one slender, exquisite foot curving into a tempting arc, clad in black shoes and silk socks, occasionally twitching:

"Talking about Spirit Stones is vulgar. Here are three Communication Talismans and my Token—I'll act for you once, within my ability."

She swallowed her saliva lightly, voice alluring:

"But such a clever person—if only you could serve Sister."

Chen Zhao smiled faintly at this.

He had always appreciated this body, drenched in sweat, revealing its striking curves.

But as for acting...

Such intimate gestures were too far beyond bounds—he didn't want to stir up internal strife and become another "Zheng Daocai."

"Thank you, Sister, for your kindness, but I am but a vulgar man. Please choose another reward."

Chen Zhao bowed in refusal, glancing at Liu Chen.

The meaning was clear:

You're close to my roommate—I won't interfere.

Not this time.

Su Wanyao burst into giggles.

She knew she couldn't win him over.

She placed five Low-grade Spirit Stones on Chen Zhao's bed.

Two hours later.

"Where am I?"

Zheng Daocai slowly woke up.

He stared at the five people before him, bewildered.

"Who are you?"

After a brief exchange.

Chen Zhao understood.

He had lost only two months of memory and still believed himself a Cultivator.

"Brother Zheng, you misaligned your Qi, clouding your mind."

He glossed over the truth, telling Zheng Daocai the "story" of the past two months.

According to him,

After joining the sect, Zheng Daocai joined the group on a mountain hunt; while searching a Cave Abode, he encountered a beast attack, and the others were too late to rescue him—he was carried off by the beast.

After returning to the sect, everyone mobilized Registered Disciples, searching from mountaintop to valley, desperately seeking his whereabouts.

Except for motive, every detail matched.

"Thank you all—I've caused you so much worry."

Zheng Daocai's nose tingled with emotion.

"I've wandered for years, met too many deceitful people... enough said. I'll repay you all in the future."

Su, Liu, and the other three chuckled awkwardly, saying "It's nothing, it's nothing."

They exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Su Wanyao returned to the point:

"By the way, Brother Zheng, do you remember receiving a Spirit-Avoiding Pill from an Alchemist?"

"I received help from an Alchemist? Then why am I still a Registered Disciple?"

Zheng Daocai's eyes narrowed, his tone slick and mocking:

"Whether I have backing—you should be able to test it easily."

Test?

Isn't that exactly what we're trying?

The four of Liu Su burst into silent resentment.

It seems this man truly had no Spirit-Avoiding Pill before joining the sect.

"Comrade Zheng, do you have the Spirit-Avoiding Pill on you?"

Liu Chen's voice was urgent.

His Forget-Dust Pill was meant to deal with inner demons.

How could he not be anxious, losing a life-saving method?

Upon hearing this, Zheng Daocai began rummaging.

Storage Bag, pockets, shoe soles, pillow interior…

"No."

"No?"

The four of Liu Su drew in a sharp breath, each face displaying its own expression.

They had been on edge for days.

And in the end, you have no one above you?

"Perhaps cultivators from outside sects all hoard secrets—he's just pretending not to mention it."

Liu Chen clutched his chest and whispered through suppressed anger:

"After all, he did take the Spirit-Avoiding Pill, and Wan Bao Lou disciples confirmed the pill was freshly refined."

Zhao Dehai and the other stared at each other, utterly baffled.

"Or… is it fake…?"

Su Wanyao's lips trembled, disbelieving.

Everyone hearing this shook their heads.

No motive.

With an Alchemist's help, why hide and pretend?

Long silence.

She let out a soft sigh.

"Enough. Since Brother Zheng has found it, our matter is settled."

Su Wanyao gently stroked Liu Chen's chest and comforted him:

"I'll find a way to make up for Xiao Chenzi's loss."

Liu Chen's expression finally improved.

Chen Zhao sat in the corner, watching everything in silence.

He truly wanted to laugh—he was barely holding it in.

The whole affair began when a Registered Disciple doing chores found her own opportunity in the Alchemist's Ling Tian.

And he took a share, directly acquiring something far beyond his station.

And out of caution, he used another's identity to make the transaction.

Who would believe this?

He watched the three depart.

Chen Zhao and the other two returned to their beds.

Chen Zhao sat in meditation, mentally tallying his gains from this affair.

Two Yellow-grade Intermediate Techniques, two Lightness Talismans, and thirteen Low-grade Spirit Stones.

And he himself carried one Yellow-grade Intermediate Technique, two Spirit-Avoiding Pills, and a vial of Qi Gathering Powder.

More importantly,

he had "deeply participated" while remaining detached.

He had dispelled Su and Liu's suspicions and hostility, and made Zheng Daocai forget any lingering resentment toward him.

Finally, he could meditate in peace.

Chen Zhao swallowed the Qi Gathering Powder, gripped a Low-grade Spirit Stone, and entered deep absorption.

…

Six months later.

At sunrise.

Chen Zhao let out a soft hum, his body trembling slightly.

Dirt and grime fell from him in a shower; the Spirit Stone in his hand turned to ash.

Breaking through to Qi Refining Third Layer felt like cleansing his meridians and marrow—truly refreshing.

During this time, he had also practiced the Wind Blade Technique in secret, and now had achieved minor mastery.

"Tending Ling Tian, cultivating for immortality—plainness is the true way."

Chen Zhao hummed a tune, preparing to leave for work.

Out of habit,

he glanced toward the cave—Liu Chen's spot was empty.

Chen Zhao felt a flicker of confusion.

Liu Chen trained longer than he did; he only left for meals when Su Wanyao invited him.

Why did he leave so early today?

Chen Zhao suddenly remembered.

The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall tasks haven't refreshed yet; there's still half a month left—could the Su Family have already found him a task?

He turned his head and saw a man and woman outside the cave.

Seeing this, Su Wanyao couldn't help but laugh:

"Chen Shi-di, stop staring—your sister has broken through today and successfully advanced to Outer Disciple."

"Afterward, go to the Discipline Hall and take Xiao Chenzi to get familiar with the faces there."

Chen Zhao heard this.

He wasn't surprised by Su Wanyao's advancement.

But why the Discipline Hall specifically?

It oversees rewards and punishments, patrols and alerts—he couldn't avoid it even if he wanted to.

Chen Zhao sighed lightly.

Better check the Divination Lines—hope nothing weird happens.

He silently invoked the Divination Tube; ink and water surged into his palm.

【Divination Lines have refreshed】

【Today's Divination Lines·Peaceful】

Chen Zhao let out a long breath.