Chapter 133: Traces of Robber Cultivators
“Fairy Zhou, you just came out from Talisman Master Lin, didn’t you? In my view, why should the Zhou Family trouble you to personally deliver these supplies for the spirit beasts?”
At this moment, Chen Qing looked pitiful, as if expressing that with her identity, even he felt it was unseemly.
“Many thanks, Senior Chen, the family naturally has its own considerations.”
Looking at Chen Wen, whose true self she could no longer recognize, Zhou Bingyun bowed respectfully, but in her heart she was both angry and found it laughable.
In this moment, she finally understood the meaning of the saying “like a frog at the bottom of the well.”
Even their Zhou Family had only risen by riding on the momentum of Tianxuan City and the accumulation of centuries.
Even so, they did not dare to call themselves a great clan lightly.
And yet, the Chen Family, with only two newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators, without the foundation of establishing a clan and without the heritage of centuries, dared to be so arrogant.
It was truly laughable to the extreme.
“Miss Zhou!”
Seeing Zhou Bingyun unmoved no matter what he said, Chen Wen’s face revealed a trace of anger.
He was a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet the other party dared to look down on him so openly.
Although the other side was arrogant, Zhou Bingyun remembered her mother’s teachings—unless they were life-and-death enemies, otherwise one should try not to offend others.
“Senior, before departing my father instructed me to stop by the shop to collect a Spirit Fruit, so I must take my leave.”
With proper courtesy, Zhou Bingyun once again bowed to take her leave. At this moment, even the foolish members of the Chen Family could see clearly.
This daughter of the Zhou Family was far too proud.
She was merely a late Qi Refining cultivator, yet her eyes were higher than the heavens, not even sparing their Chen Family’s newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators a glance.
Seeing that the matter had reached its point, Chen Qing stepped forward to smooth things over, clasped his hands with a smile and said:
“In that case, this old man will not disturb Young Friend Zhou further.”
The meaning was enough. In a few days, he would pay a visit to the Zhou Family to probe their stance.
This matter could not be rushed.
However, though Chen Qing was experienced, he forgot that his grandson was young and had achieved success too early.
Seeing himself refused yet again, Chen Wen’s eyes revealed anger, especially recalling Zhou Bingyun walking out from Lin Chang’an’s cave abode.
Adding to the rumors he had heard over the years, he began to suspect that the Zhou Family might be using their daughter to draw closer to Lin Chang’an.
Now that he too had reached Foundation Establishment, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. In the end, Chen Wen blurted out without restraint:
“Miss Zhou, that surnamed Lin only has a Low-grade Spiritual Root. Even if he has some talent in the Talisman Path, so what? In the world of cultivation, strength is what matters above all!”
“Silence!”
As Chen Wen’s words slipped out in his agitation, Chen Qing’s expression changed drastically, and he immediately shouted to stop him.
Zhou Bingyun’s expression also gradually turned cold at those words.
The gaze she cast upon Chen Wen no longer concealed her feelings.
This alone made Chen Wen feel utterly humiliated.
“Wen’er, what has your grandfather always taught you! How could you be so presumptuous!”
Faced with his grandfather’s reprimand, though Chen Wen would usually admit his faults at once, at this moment the dissatisfaction in his heart exploded, and he stubbornly retorted:
“Grandfather, did I say anything wrong?
I am now a Foundation Establishment cultivator too, and my talent far surpasses that Lin fellow’s.
In the future, reaching late Foundation Establishment is not impossible for me!”
Having declared his grand ambitions, Chen Wen finally felt as though the emotions suppressed within him had been completely released.
Chen Qing’s face changed, while Zhou Bingyun, not bothering to pretend, bowed with a distant expression and said:
“In that case, today this little girl wishes Senior Chen an eternal and prosperous Immortal Path.”
Such a person, Zhou Bingyun dared not associate with further.
If one day he provoked disaster and implicated the Zhou Family, that would be a calamity for no reason.
Late Foundation Establishment!
Truly like a frog at the bottom of a well, not knowing how vast the cultivation world really was.
Having grown up in the Zhou Family, Zhou Bingyun knew one truth very clearly.
Foundation Establishment cultivators were many, but fewer than one in a hundred could reach late Foundation Establishment.
Even in their Zhou Family, to this day they had only one late Second-rank Guardian Spirit Beast. Even her father was still somewhat lacking.
“What arrogance! A mere junior who just entered Foundation Establishment, yet already so ignorant of heaven and earth.”
At that moment, a cold and crisp voice rang out. A tall female cultivator, her face veiled in black gauze, appeared with an indifferent expression.
Upon seeing her, Zhou Bingyun was secretly shocked. Wasn’t this the senior she had once seen inside Elder Brother Lin’s cave abode?
“Greetings, Senior.”
Zhou Bingyun respectfully saluted. The newcomer was none other than Yun Yao.
Clad in black, Yun Yao radiated powerful pressure. Especially that faint trace of Baleful Energy made Chen Qing’s expression change instantly.
“This junior was ignorant, may Fellow Daoist not take offense.”
At that moment, not only Chen Qing, but even the formerly arrogant Chen Wen turned pale.
When Yun Yao’s cold gaze fell upon him, a chill rose straight from his heart, rushing to the back of his head. This dangerous aura shocked him awake, and he quickly lowered his head to apologize:
“Senior, I lost my senses. My words earlier were deeply offensive. Please forgive me.”
Once calmed, Chen Wen’s habitual readiness to admit fault immediately reappeared.
Yet Yun Yao merely cast him a cold glance. That icy aura made Chen Wen shiver uncontrollably.
Zhou Bingyun respectfully watched Yun Yao head toward Lin Chang’an’s cave abode, then quietly left without saying another word.
At this time, the Chen clansmen present all stood anxiously in place. What was supposed to be a Foundation Establishment celebratory banquet had turned into such a disgrace.
“A… A female cultivator at mid Foundation Establishment!”
Chen Wen’s face was ugly, and when he looked at his grandfather’s face, fear showed in his eyes.
“Grandfather!”
Chen Qing turned around, and a layer of frost was already spreading across his brows and beard.
Just now, in that instant under Yun Yao’s terrifyingly cold mana, it had been Chen Qing who had stood in front.
“Silence! All of you, return at once!”
“Ancestor…”
But Chen Qing’s chilling gaze frightened the Chen Family into retreating hastily back into their cave abode.
However, as soon as they passed through the Formation Barrier, the hunched figure of Chen Qing suddenly turned, and with a backhand he gave a resounding slap.
Everyone cried out in alarm.Though Chen Wen’s cheek turned red from the blow, he still quickly stepped forward to support his grandfather.
“Grandfather, your grandson was wrong, please don’t be angry.”
Puchi!
A mouthful of fresh blood spurted out, releasing bursts of cold air as it hit the ground.
However, before Chen Wen could speak, Chen Qing directly roared in anger:
"All these years, how has this old man taught you? You’ve only just reached Foundation Establishment, and already you’ve become arrogant, conceited, and blind to others. Do you have any idea that today you almost provoked a powerful enemy?
And such bold words from you—even claiming late-stage Foundation Establishment! Do you even understand that we drifting cultivators, after reaching Foundation Establishment, have no cultivation methods, no resources, no magical artifacts, no spells, no inheritance—nothing at all! Where do you get your confidence from?”
“Who do you think you are? A disciple of Master Lu of Tianxuan City? Or one of the prodigies of the Three Major Sects? You are just a drifting cultivator! One who relied on the painstaking efforts of the Chen family and only managed to reach Foundation Establishment with two Foundation Establishment Pills, and that too by luck!”
Chen Qing was truly furious, his eyes bloodshot as he scolded with rage.
Previously, when dealing with that Zhou family girl, at most their conduct was poor, but they hadn’t gone too far.
But now to directly slander and mock a Foundation Establishment cultivator—did the Chen family really think they were some great clan?
Wasn’t this just making enemies for no reason?
To the side, Chen Feng quickly stepped forward to calm his grandfather.
But Chen Wen was still unwilling to back down. He admitted his words were inappropriate, but he simply couldn’t accept Lin Changan.
“Grandfather, forget the Zhou family, they’re indeed above us, but who does Lin Changan think he is? Just relying on his talisman skills—what gives him the right to look down on us!”
Just thinking about how Lin Changan refused to help with even that minor request filled Chen Wen with resentment.
“Now I want everyone to know that I, Chen Wen, have reached Foundation Establishment. Lin Changan misjudged me!”
“You!”
Chen Qing was livid as he glared at this useless thing. He had lived cautiously as a drifting cultivator, never daring to offend others easily, yet his grandson acted otherwise.
Like a civet cat gaining power and roaring like a tiger—completely unaware of his own limits.
Seeing this, Chen Feng and several other clan members hurried forward to comfort the old patriarch.
“Ancestor, please calm your anger. Wen is still young and impulsive—he just spoke too rashly. Besides, didn’t we already apologize?”
“Yes, Ancestor. Today is a grand celebration for our Chen family. Are we really going to let outsiders ruin it?”
Faced with his clan members’ persuasion, Chen Qing shook his head in anger, wanting to continue scolding. But seeing the festive decorations in the cave abode today…
And then looking at how Chen Wen had just formed his foundation only to be berated so severely—his eyes reddened, and he finally let out a long sigh.
“Feng’er, you are steady in your conduct. Take this spirit herb from me and go apologize on my behalf.”
“Grandfather, but that’s for your…”
Before Chen Feng could finish, he saw Chen Qing’s glare and swallowed the rest of his words, nodding, “Yes, Grandfather.”
Inside the Chen family’s cave abode, the Foundation Establishment celebration clearly lost its cheer.
…
At that moment, in Lin Changan’s cave abode.
“Brother Lin, there really are many people in this world who don’t know what’s good for them. They’ll get themselves into trouble sooner or later.”
In the pavilion, a trace of killing intent lingered between Yun Yao’s brows. If this weren’t Tianxuan City, it wouldn’t have ended so simply.
But Lin Changan, sitting nearby, simply smiled and took a sip of spiritual tea, waving his hand dismissively:
“The barking of an ignorant pup—should that really affect my mood? Just look at his arrogance today. In the future, once he provokes a strong enemy, he’ll be pushed while the wall collapses…”
Lin Changan shook his head with a smile. People like that—if you couldn’t smash them dead with one blow, there was no use teaching them a lesson. Better to indulge them.
Let them get into immense trouble. When they’re filled with regret, you can watch from above—it would still be a pleasing sight.
Seeing Lin Changan’s attitude, Yun Yao twitched at the corner of her eyes. She thought he didn’t want to stir trouble, but now it seemed he was even pettier than she expected.
Lin Changan merely shook his head with a grin.
All that was said were some offensive words. At most, a beating could be justified, but could one really kill someone openly within Tianxuan City?
This wasn’t the Demonic Sect, after all.
“Brother Lin, I think you might be better suited to survive in the Sea Abyss of Beasts.”
“Daoist Yun, don’t speak nonsense.”
“I’m serious. Brother Lin, with your petty mind and sharp means, you’d definitely survive there.”
Facing Yun Yao’s teasing, Lin Changan firmly waved his hand in righteous denial. Though he was just a drifting cultivator, he conducted himself upright and honorably.
He was definitely not some villain.
With Chen Wen’s case—did he scold him or beat him?
He did not!
Therefore, he was definitely broad-minded.
While Lin Changan and Yun Yao were drinking tea and discussing cultivation in the pavilion, outside the cave abode, Chen Feng arrived to offer his apologies.
Outside the cave abode, Chen Feng respectfully apologized and even offered a generous gift. Though he didn’t meet anyone, the brocade box in his hands was taken away through the air, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.
Inside the cave abode, when Lin Changan opened the brocade box and saw a spirit fruit, Yun Yao nodded slightly and said:
“A four-hundred-year-old Earth Dragon Fruit. The man does have some sincerity.”
Earth Dragon Fruit, which grew around the caves of Second-rank pack-type demon beasts—the Earth Dragon Beasts—had the effect of strengthening tendons and bones for cultivators.
Lin Changan didn’t pay it much mind and casually stored it in his storage pouch.
…
Back in the Chen family’s cave abode, Chen Wen, who had been waiting anxiously, smiled when he saw his brother Chen Feng return empty-handed.
“Brother Feng, did Lin Chang… Daoist Lin accept the spirit fruit?”
“Mm, he did.”
“That’s good.”
Hearing that Lin Changan had accepted the spirit fruit, a satisfied smile appeared on Chen Wen’s face. But Chen Feng looked a bit puzzled.
“Big Brother, Grandfather asked us to bring a spirit herb. Why did you switch it?”
Hearing Chen Feng’s question, Chen Wen maintained his expression and feigned guilt, sighing deeply.
“This matter arose because of me. That spirit herb is for Grandfather’s healing—I don’t want to burden him any further.”
Chen Wen’s remorseful expression made Chen Feng secretly breathe a sigh of relief. His elder brother had grown arrogant after reaching Foundation Establishment.
Perhaps this lesson was a good thing.
“Don’t tell Grandfather about this. I’ll find an opportunity to refine that spirit herb into a healing pill for him.”
“Alright.”
Chen Feng didn’t doubt it at all. After all, both of them had been raised by Chen Qing and shared a deep bond.
Chen Wen’s expression of guilt completely fooled his younger brother.
Though the Chen family’s Foundation Establishment celebration had some hiccups, the rest of the clan still couldn’t contain their excitement.
After all, the Chen family had produced two Foundation Establishment cultivators—this could secure the clan’s prosperity for a hundred years.
…
After the banquet, under the cover of night, Chen Wen visited Alchemist Song’s cave abode.
“Alchemist Song, the target for that spirit fruit you gave me has been selected—Lin Changan, a mid-grade Second-rank Talisman Master, early Foundation Establishment cultivation. That should be enough, right?”
This white-haired Alchemist Song revealed a satisfied smile upon hearing that and nodded:
“Good, not bad. This old man truly didn’t misjudge you. A mid-grade Second-rank Talisman Master with early Foundation Establishment cultivation—he’s of decent value.”
At that moment, Chen Wen’s expression was uneasy. Everyone believed the Chen family had traded a spirit field with Alchemist Song to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill—and succeeded.
But in reality, even with the second Foundation Establishment Pill, he had failed. Just when he was at his lowest, this Alchemist Song had approached him.
From the moment he received that Foundation Establishment Pill, he had stepped onto a path of no return.
“Alchemist Song, as agreed—I’ll find you three Foundation Establishment cultivators. After that, we’ll have no more ties.”
Chen Wen knew what he was doing. He was helping Robber Cultivators, but he had been forced into it. Now, he just wanted out.
People like Chen Wen—Alchemist Song had seen many. He sneered.
“Daoist Chen, you’re a Foundation Establishment cultivator now. Don’t you understand the gap between Foundation Establishment cultivators? Cultivation methods, spells, resources for post-Foundation Establishment—you have nothing!
And your Chen family—even if you struggled for another hundred years—you’d still be irrelevant.”
Hearing Alchemist Song’s scornful words, Chen Wen felt indignant but couldn’t deny the truth.
The reality was—after reaching Foundation Establishment, he lacked the cultivation resources to match it.
Unless he went to hunt demon beasts—but the Chen family still needed him.
“Relax. We’re not asking you to be a Robber Cultivator. You’re just handing over some spirit fruits or herbs to these Foundation Establishment drifters at the right time. As long as they leave the city, someone will be watching them.
You’ll be completely safe. And in the future, if you don’t want to stay in Tianxuan City anymore, you can move to the Palace of Blazing Fire—take the Chen family with you.”
Under Alchemist Song’s temptation, greed gradually surfaced in Chen Wen’s eyes.
Just like Alchemist Song said—he wasn’t asked to do the killing.
If the Chen family were to rise under his hand, then all those who once looked down on him—Zhou Bingyun! Lin Changan! And that black-clad Foundation Establishment female cultivator from today…
Thinking of their condescending gazes, Chen Wen’s face twisted even more.
One day, he would become a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
And make all those who looked down on him regret it.