https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-41-If-You-Can-t-Beat-Them-Report-Them/12543711/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-43-The-Forty-Third-Fragrance-Clear-Wondrous-Spirit-Tea/12543713/
Chapter 42: Grass Puppet Guarding the Spirit Herb Field
Chapter 42: Grass Puppet Guarding the Spirit Herb Field
"All I want is to live a quiet life tending to my fields. Why must they disturb my peace?"
After obtaining the special light sphere from the spirit herb field, Lu Chen found himself embracing a more detached outlook on life.
He no longer felt the need to desperately scramble for fleeting opportunities like so many other loose cultivators.
This was why he had declined Zhang Hong and the spirit herb master from the Hundred Grass Hall's invitation to explore the secret realm.
Most days, he kept to himself and rarely ventured out.
But now, Wang Shan's possession by an evil spirit threatened his tranquil life, leaving Lu Chen with no choice but to take proactive measures.
"But who should I report Wang Shan to?"
"It has to be someone with significantly greater strength than him, yet not too close."
Lu Chen pondered for a moment, recalling how Wang Shan had once badmouthed one of his superiors behind his back during a drinking session.
He had considered using his connection with the Hundred Grass Hall to resolve the issue but eventually abandoned the idea. After all, he had only recently started collaborating with them, and his words carried little weight. He didn't know anyone in a position of power and the only person he was close to, He Guanshi, didn't hold a high enough position.
"There's also one more thing to keep in mind—I must conceal my identity to avoid getting implicated if the report fails."
Having decided on his target, Lu Chen discreetly gathered information before taking action.
North District Enforcement Hall, Linyangfang City.
A sprawling complex spanning over ten acres, the hall was filled with lush spiritual energy and adorned with rare flowers and exotic grasses.
Ling Peng sat at his desk, perusing a manual on artifact refining.
Preferring solitude, he had chosen an office in a courtyard situated at one side of the Enforcement Hall. Outside the window grew a lush spirit tree, providing a relaxing view to soothe his eyes whenever he needed a break.
He was one of the few high-level Qi Refining cultivators in the Enforcement Hall, usually stationed within its confines. He only took action in person when faced with large-scale invasions by evil spirits.
Suddenly, he let out a soft exclamation as a shield covered in grayish-black scales flashed out of his storage bag, hovering protectively around him.
In the instant the shield appeared, a beam of golden light, like a sharp arrow, shot into the room.
"Ding!"
To Ling Peng's surprise, the golden light didn't rush towards him but instead struck the beam above, lingering persistently.
"Who dares to brazenly attack an Enforcement Hall cultivator?"
A hint of anger flashed across Ling Peng's face, and the shield automatically danced around him as he circulated his spiritual power to its maximum potential.
Several breaths later, there was still no movement outside.
Ling Peng, filled with perplexity, looked towards the golden sword energy on the beam.
"For the sword energy to linger for so long, the cultivator behind it must be extraordinary in the way of the sword."
Ling Peng marveled, noticing a palm-sized piece of white paper pinned to the beam by the golden sword energy.
He dispersed the golden sword energy and used his object manipulation technique to bring the paper in front of him.
On the paper were two lines of crooked writing, clearly done intentionally.
"Wang Shan may be afflicted by an evil spirit, and Tan Xiaodong, who is in charge of patrols, is likely deliberately turning a blind eye."
Ling Peng whispered the small words to himself.
Suddenly, a cluster of dark red flames appeared below the paper, burning it to black ash.
"Is the information on that paper true, or is this some sort of prank?"
"I recall Wang Shan is a mid-level Qi Refining cultivator in the Hall, at the fifth layer of Qi Refining. He holds a mid-level position. If even he has been corrupted by an evil spirit, then the Enforcement Hall may be in great danger."
"The chances of this being a prank are slim."
He gazed at the faint traces left by the golden sword energy on the beam, deep in thought.
"The sword energy deployed by the person behind this was silent and invisible. Even my high-level Qi Refining spiritual sense only detected it when I drew close. The sword energy has lingered for so long, yet it only left a shallow mark."
"This indicates that they have immersed themselves in the sword path for at least a decade, attaining a level of Small Achievement or even Great Achievement in sword energy manipulation. Their cultivation level is likely high-level Qi Refining. After all, it would be extremely difficult for a mid-level Qi Refining cultivator to possess such profound sword skills."
Not far away, on the street, Lu Chen walked slowly along the cobblestone path. Before long, a surging spiritual sense swept over him.
With the help of the Concealment Art, Lu Chen was only revealing the cultivation level of the third layer of Qi Refining, and the spiritual sense found nothing amiss, disappearing just as quickly as it had come.
Lu Chen maintained a normal walking pace, showing no signs of panic.
"With the Great Perfection level of the Sword Key of Metal, sending out such a message, the high-level Qi Refining cultivator with a casual relationship with Wang Shan will surely take my warning seriously. At the very least, they will be more vigilant towards Wang Shan."
"As for Tan Xiaodong, who wasn't satisfied after taking my spirit stone, I'll just set a trap for him. When the time is right, and I have the strength to crush him, I'll settle the score."
Lu Chen reviewed his own actions in his mind.
With the Concealment Art, he had moved silently and unnoticed, approaching his target cultivator. He had used the Great Perfection level of the Sword Key of Metal to deliver the warning, and then disguised himself as a cultivator at the third layer of Qi Refining to avoid any potential inspections.
"Let's see if it will be effective."
Having come this far, regardless of whether Wang Shan's corruption by the evil spirit was discovered or not, Lu Chen could only adapt to the changing situation and quietly observe how things unfolded.
"Spirit Glow Herb, Scarlet Cloud Pine, Sword Grass, hurry up and mature!"
He returned to the courtyard and looked at the dozens of Spirit Glow Herbs that were close to maturity in the spirit herb field, as well as the five Scarlet Cloud Pines that were growing larger and darker in color, and the Sword Grass that stood tall and straight like sword blades. This sight eased his worries considerably.
"As long as these spirit plants mature, I can continuously accumulate my strength. By then, even if the evil spirit within Wang Shan's body wants to harm me, I'll be able to deal with it myself."
At the edge of the Spirit Spring Pool, the Cloud-stepping Lynx with azure eyes had dug up a strange insect.
It placed the insect down, and when the three Red-whiskered Carps in the pool fought over it, its snow-white paws moved swiftly, grabbing the insect back onto its palm while also seizing the whiskers, yanking one of the carps out of the water.
The whiskers stretched and contracted in the air, causing the carp below to bounce up and down continuously.
"I told you not to catch the fish, and you still won't listen! Do you want a spanking?!"
Seeing this scene, Lu Chen couldn't help but give the Cloud-stepping Lynx cub's pointed ears a firm pat.
The Cloud-stepping Lynx cub indifferently returned the Red-whiskered Carp to the Spirit Spring Pool and walked to the side, fiddling with the barely alive strange insect in the ridges of the spirit herb field.
Lu Chen was worried that the cub would be unhappy after being hit, so he focused his mental energy on it.
"Meow~ Today, Master petted me again~"
"This little guy..."
Lu Chen couldn't help but laugh. It turned out that the lynx had been trying to attract his attention by catching the carp, even if it meant getting hit.
He had a sudden idea and approached the Grass Puppet that was patrolling the spirit herb field.
The Grass Puppet took the same steps, slowly circling the spirit herb field.
"After absorbing the Grass Spirit Primal Liquid, the Grass Puppet has undergone quite a change and even developed a bit of spiritual intelligence. I wonder what its current state is."
Lu Chen was curious and focused his mental energy on the Grass Puppet's ashen-black body.
"Guard the spirit herb field!"
"Guard the spirit herb field!"
"Guard the spirit herb field!"
...
The same phrases echoed in Lu Chen's mind.
Apologies for only having one chapter today. I'll make up for it tomorrow.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
