Becoming a blade-for-hire wasn’t necessarily a certain death sentence, but it wasn’t far from it.

One who constantly walks by the river cannot avoid getting their feet wet.

It was only a matter of time before misfortune struck, and when it did, it would mean the end of the road.

“My mind is made up!”

Fu Zhizhou didn’t hesitate. His gaze was firm as he nodded and said in a deep voice, “Unlike you, Third Brother, I don’t have a talent for Talisman Dao. I can’t cultivate steadily in Danqiu Mountain, hoping to reach Foundation Establishment one day.”

“If I don’t take a risk and step outside, I will never have a chance at Foundation Establishment. I’ll just grow old and die in Danqiu Mountain.”

“If that’s the case, I’d rather go out and fight with Daoist Helian and die outside.”

Unlike many of the low-level cultivators in the shantytown who were content with mediocrity, Fu Zhizhou came from a martial background and viewed life and death lightly.

Hearing this, Wei Tu no longer tried to dissuade him.

Back at the Small Marketplace, he had already guessed what Fu Zhizhou’s decision for his cultivation path would be.

After a moment of contemplation, Wei Tu stood up, clasped his hands toward Helian Xiong, and said, “Daoist Helian, I must trouble you to step outside for a moment. I have a few words to say to my Fourth Brother in private.”

Fu Zhizhou’s chosen path was not something Wei Tu could interfere with, nor did he have the ability to do so.

However, as a sworn brother, there were still things he could do to help.

“This…”

Helian Xiong looked surprised for a moment, but after a slight pause, he cupped his hands in return and awkwardly stepped out of the room.

A few moments later, Wei Tu heard the sound of footsteps stopping outside.

He paused, walked to the window, and opened a small crack in the lattice to take a peek.

Only when he saw that Helian Xiong had already walked far away did he return to his seat.

“These are two high-quality Earth Spike Talismans. Their power is comparable to that of a First-Rank Talisman. Take them with you to protect yourself.”

Wei Tu retrieved two talismans from his sleeve and handed them to Fu Zhizhou.

After knowing Fu Zhizhou for over twenty years, Wei Tu understood that his sworn brother was not an ungrateful person.

His actions regarding the Blood Food Pellet had already proved that.

“Third Brother, this gift is too much…”

When Fu Zhizhou saw the two high-quality Earth Spike Talismans before him, he was first shocked by Wei Tu’s skill in Talisman Dao.

Then, as he came to his senses, he quickly tried to refuse.

Having lived in Danqiu Mountain for two years, he now understood how difficult it was to earn spirit stones.

Though his youthful ambition hadn’t been completely worn away, he no longer dared to accept gifts that were too valuable.

He feared he might never be able to repay them.

In the past, when he accepted help from his brothers, it was because he was confident he could pay them back in the future.

Now, he no longer had that confidence.

“The beast hides from Demon Wolf Mountain can be used to craft First-Rank talisman paper. If you get the chance to hunt beasts in the future, save me some hides. That way, we both benefit.”

Wei Tu saw through Fu Zhizhou’s hesitation at a glance and smiled.

The talisman paper that Che Chulong and the others sold at the Small Marketplace was mostly made from Blood Vine Grass, a crop grown in spiritual fields and processed into sheets.

These were only suitable for crafting basic talismans.

For First-Rank immortal talismans, they required higher-grade materials—

And refined beast hides were the most commonly used talisman paper in the cultivation world.

“Thank you, Third Brother.”

“I’ll do my best to bring you beast hides from Demon Wolf Mountain.”

Fu Zhizhou no longer refused.

He nodded solemnly and took the two high-quality Earth Spike Talismans from Wei Tu’s hands.

After that, Wei Tu didn’t stop him any longer.

He watched silently as Fu Zhizhou left Danqiu Mountain.

“I hope… this won’t be the last time I see Fourth Brother.”

Wei Tu sighed.

…

One month after Fu Zhizhou’s departure

That day, Wei Tu was working in the spiritual fields.

Between his fingers, he held an Earth Spike Talisman and chanted a brief incantation.

Immediately, the hardened soil of the spiritual field began to loosen and turn over on its own.

Once the talisman burned out, half an acre of land had been completely tilled and prepared.

Then, he picked up a hoe and began planting this year’s spiritual rice.

After Fu Zhizhou left and abandoned his identity as a spiritual farmer, the marketplace did not immediately reclaim the land that had been allocated to him.

The lease for spiritual fields lasted five years.

Only after five years would the marketplace reclaim the land and redistribute it.

However, while privately-owned fields could be left unattended, the public fields leased from the marketplace still had to be farmed—

It was considered a tax paid to the marketplace.

Of course—

This was actually good news for Wei Tu.

He now controlled five additional acres of spiritual farmland.

Even if he didn’t carefully tend to them, after five years, he could still earn six or seven extra spirit stones.

“Third Brother!”

Suddenly, a booming voice called out behind him.

“Second Brother?”

Wei Tu turned around to see Hu Yao leading Wei Fei toward him.

For a moment, he was stunned.

Then, he quickly understood—

Wei Fei must have used the Condensing Moon Pill and Lesser Qi Gathering Pill that Fu Zhizhou had given him and successfully broken through to the Xiantian Realm, allowing him to enter Danqiu Mountain.

“Daoist Wei, I was doing laundry when I overheard this Wei Daoist arriving, saying he was looking for you and Daoist Fu…”

“So I brought him here.”

“I hope you don’t mind.”

Hu Yao smiled.

After finishing her words, she gave a small bow and casually found an excuse to leave the spiritual fields.

“Come, let’s go back to my place first.”

Wei Tu slung his hoe over his shoulder and led Wei Fei back to his hut.

…

Fifteen minutes later.

As Wei Fei stepped into the hut, his eyes widened in shock at the crude furnishings—

The rickety table, the rough wooden stools, and the simple straw bed all left him dumbfounded.

“Third Brother… your living conditions are terrible! This is even worse than in the mortal world!”

“No wonder when you came back to the mortal world last time, I asked you how you were living here, and you barely said anything… just kept saying, ‘It’s alright, it’s alright’…”

Back in the provincial capital, Wei Tu had carriages, servants, and maids attending to him.

His meals were prepared by top chefs from the finest restaurants.

His lifestyle had been luxurious and refined.

Who could have imagined that after entering the cultivation world, Wei Tu was living like a poor farmer?

For a moment, Wei Fei was at a loss for words.

Seeing that Wei Tu remained silent, only furrowing his brow slightly, Wei Fei realized his mistake.

With an awkward chuckle, he quickly shut his mouth.

“The shantytown in Danqiu Mountain was intentionally created to house low-level cultivators. The longer you stay in the cultivation world, the more you’ll understand why.”

Wei Tu explained.

The cultivation world had a strict hierarchical structure, far more rigid than in the mortal world.

Cultivators like them—those at the bottom—might have the ability to transform the shantytown into a palace-like luxury estate, but…

That was strictly forbidden by the marketplace’s regulations.

First, because social order must be maintained.

Second, if the shantytown was turned into a lavish palace with spiritual gathering arrays and other cultivation formations, then who would rent the marketplace’s cave residences?

These points—

Wei Tu had gradually understood them in his first few months after arriving in Danqiu Mountain.

“This is a letter from Eldest Brother.”

After chatting for a while, Wei Fei took a letter from his robe and handed it to Wei Tu.

“A letter from Eldest Brother?”

Wei Tu was surprised.

He quickly opened it and read its contents.

Kou Liang wrote that after their last meeting, he had taken the Condensing Moon Pill gifted by Wei Tu and broken through to the Xiantian Realm.

Afterward, he took his second daughter, Kou Hong Ying, to another marketplace in Zheng Kingdom—Baishi Lake Marketplace.

After much effort, Kou Hong Ying had successfully joined the leading sect of Baishi Lake Marketplace—Jingshui Pavilion, becoming an outer disciple.

Her master was Daoist Qin, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Jingshui Pavilion.

At the end of the letter, Kou Liang mentioned that Daoist Qin had rewarded Kou Hong Ying with a generous amount of spirit stones.

He had used some of them to buy a Earth Essence Pill for Wei Tu, hoping he would accept it.

“Earth Essence Pill?”

Wei Tu was both shocked and overjoyed.

He had originally planned to wait a few years, build his reputation, and purchase one himself to aid his cultivation.

But unexpectedly, Kou Liang had bought one for him in advance.

“A family that accumulates good deeds will always have blessings.”

Wei Tu set down the letter and sighed with emotion.

If he had abandoned Kou Liang back then, believing his aptitude was too poor to be worth helping, then today, when Kou Liang had prospered, he wouldn’t have thought of him at all.

Both he and Fu Zhizhou had trained to cultivate the Earth Yuan Body, so they both needed the Earth Essence Pill.

But Kou Liang had only sent one to him and didn’t mention Fu Zhizhou at all—

That alone said everything.

“Jingshui Pavilion is one of the three major sects in Zheng Kingdom.”

“Being accepted by a Foundation Establishment cultivator as a disciple… Kou Hong Ying has essentially skipped ahead in the cultivation world.”

Wei Tu glanced at the letter again, feeling a bit envious of Kou Hong Ying’s fortune.

Although becoming a disciple of a Foundation Establishment cultivator didn’t guarantee reaching Foundation Establishment, compared to them—mere rogue cultivators—she would encounter far fewer obstacles.

“This is what Eldest Brother entrusted me to deliver to you.”

Seeing that Wei Tu had finished reading the letter, Wei Fei took out a jade bottle and placed it in Wei Tu’s hands.

Afterward, he glanced around and asked curiously,

“It’s been a while, and I still haven’t seen Fourth Brother. Where is he?”

Wei Tu carefully stored away the Earth Essence Pill, then let out a soft sigh before explaining Fu Zhizhou’s situation to Wei Fei.

At the same time, he shared some common knowledge about the cultivation world.

“What?!”

“Fourth Brother became a blade-for-hire?!”

Hearing this, Wei Fei was shocked.

Back when they had sworn brotherhood, Fu Zhizhou had been the youngest, the most talented, and from a prestigious family in Xiaoyi Prefecture.

In terms of strength, background, and status, he had once stood above the rest of them.

Yet now—

Time had changed everything.

Eldest Brother Kou Liang had a talented daughter, who had entered Jingshui Pavilion under a Foundation Establishment master. He would naturally benefit from this connection in the future.

Third Brother Wei Tu, while not as fortunate as Kou Liang, had a strong foundation in Talisman Dao. He was steadily progressing in Danqiu Mountain, with a realistic chance of reaching Foundation Establishment.

But Fu Zhizhou—

Lacking any specialized skill, he had no choice but to take the most dangerous path, gambling with his life for a cultivation opportunity.

“Second Brother, we’re done talking for now. Let’s go meet Deacon Liu to register your residency.”

Wei Tu reminded him.

Danqiu Mountain’s marketplace rules stated that:

Visiting rogue cultivators could only enter Danqiu Mountain twice per month and could not stay for more than a day at a time.

Violators—

Would receive a warning the first time.

Would be expelled the second time.

Would be executed on sight the third time.

“No, Third Brother.”

Hearing this, Wei Fei shook his head without hesitation.

“I don’t plan to stay in Danqiu Mountain.”

“You mean…?”

Wei Tu furrowed his brows, confused.

As a rogue cultivator, Wei Fei had the option to settle in Danqiu Mountain or another marketplace like Baishi Lake.

However—

By all logic—

Danqiu Mountain was the best choice for him.

After all, among the four sworn brothers, Wei Fei had the closest relationship with him.

He was his most trusted confidant.

“Third Brother, you misunderstand.”

Seeing Wei Tu’s thoughts, Wei Fei smiled bitterly and said,

“I meant—I won’t be joining any marketplace for now. I want to experience life as a true rogue cultivator.”

Before coming to Danqiu Mountain, he had been eager to enter the cultivation world.

But after witnessing Fu Zhizhou’s struggles, his determination wavered.

He wasn’t sure if he wanted to walk this harsh path, spending his days like a wandering monk, chasing after an uncertain dream of immortality.

“Compared to Danqiu Mountain, I think… the mortal world suits me better right now.”

Wei Fei added.

“The mortal world…”

Hearing this, Wei Tu was momentarily stunned.

With his Late Bloomer Destiny, he had the patience to endure hardship and persist through struggles.

But Wei Fei was different.

If he saw no future in cultivation, then returning to enjoy the mortal world was probably the best choice for him.

After a brief silence—

Wei Tu nodded in agreement.

“I’ll escort Second Brother to the gates of Danqiu Mountain then.”

He said.

“Hold on, Third Brother.”

Just as Wei Tu stepped out to lead the way, Wei Fei stopped him.

“Second Brother, what is it?”

Wei Tu was puzzled.

“That Daoist Hu from earlier—she was very gracious and courteous in leading me here. I truly appreciate it…”

“I’d like to visit her residence before I leave.”

Wei Fei patted Wei Tu’s shoulder as he spoke.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep