ALL NOVEL Chapter 90: The Ceremony
Time flew swiftly, and a month had passed.
At Mirror Moon Lake,
in the herb field area, beneath the central tier-2 spirit peach tree.
Ruan Xingling, clad in a pink palace dress, gently caressed the ancient branches of the peach tree, twisted like coiled dragons. Her expression seemed nostalgic, as if reminiscing…
On the limbs of the spirit peach tree hung a few green peaches, clearly unripe.
“I remember… these peaches take three years to mature, yet they taste incredibly sweet. Sadly, Father never let me have more than a few, saying they were reserved for the children during their foundation cultivation phase. These peaches possess gentle spiritual energy, free from any pill toxicity, making them supreme for cultivating one’s elemental base…” Ruan Xingling murmured almost to herself, “When Lu rebelled, Father could have easily destroyed this tree but couldn’t bear to…”
“Now… this spirit plant has finally returned to my hands.”
“Xingling, enduring humiliation and bearing burdens all these years, you’ve ultimately avenged your grudge. I am truly pleased,” said an elderly voice.
An elderly man in a crane-patterned robe approached leisurely—it was Feng Baimeng.
Gently stroking his beard, he spoke with a kindly tone, “As for your position within the alliance, there’s no need to worry. With my reputation and that old Daoist Xiu Mu’s connections, being the rightful heirs of Peach Blossom Island, suppressing these traitors will leave no room for dissent…”“As far as the nearby families go, our Bai Yufeng Clan and the Moraxi Mo Clan fully support you, considering our kinship ties… Lu Jingqing is aware of this too; instead of aligning with us, he seeks favor from Golden Tooth, the eccentric from Golden Flame Island. But would Golden Tooth truly oppose all three clans just for a mere dead man? Your seat as Island Lord is secure. When do you plan to hold the grand ceremony for assuming the title? I’ll ensure Manlou brings a substantial gift!”
Feng Baimeng continued talking at length, seemingly typical for the elderly who often become more talkative with age. “Oh right, do you still remember Manlou? That little rascal has grown into quite a handsome young man now!”
“But how could you entrust this sacred Peach Blossom Island to outsiders? That old Daoist Xiu Mu might be tolerable, but the other three rogue cultivators are merely at Mid-Stage Qi Refinement with no notable connections or specialized skills…”
Ruan Xingling’s expression remained resolute. “I have my own plans for this matter. The Ruan Family lacks sufficient manpower and requires assistance!”
“Indeed!” Feng Baimeng clapped his hands, smiling. “If you need people, why not rely on the Bai Clan and Mo Clan? We’re all family; would we ever harm you?”
“Sigh… Must you pressure me?” Ruan Xingling’s features gradually hardened. “Since Great-Grandfather is here, let me make it clear… Even if I were to seek a husband from another clan in the future, neither the Mo nor Feng Clans will be considered. After all, I bear the name of Ruan!”
“You…” Feng Baimeng’s beard trembled slightly before he composed himself again, letting out a long sigh. “Ah… Yuanzhan truly has a remarkable daughter.”
At Jade Cliff, a group of mortals armed with blueprints provided by Fang Xi were diligently laying foundations, stacking bricks… working tirelessly.
Whenever Fang Xi came to supervise, they trembled nervously, wearing humble and ingratiating smiles, almost ready to kneel and bow their heads in reverence.
Most wore tattered clothes patched multiple times, appearing gaunt and malnourished. Yet despite this, they seemed somewhat better off than the commoners in Yue Kingdom.
Fang Xi could only silently feel relieved that he hadn’t been reincarnated as one of these spiritually rootless common folk; otherwise, life would have been unbearable from day one.
He ventured into his spirit field, beginning tasks like weeding and fertilizing…
Occasionally, he employed the Spring Breeze and Timely Rain Technique along with the Golden Seventh Metal Grass Cutting Sword, feeling grateful that his old skills had not gone rusty.
“Phew…” After finishing work on another acre, Fang Xi straightened up, taking a deep breath.
“Generally speaking, even a skilled spirit farmer can barely manage three or four acres at most.”
“Now I have thirteen acres, which under normal circumstances would require hiring several spirit farmers, allowing me to become a small-scale landlord in the cultivation world… Then imagine having beautiful wives, lovely servants, fine clothing, exquisite food, grand mansions - what bliss!”
“Fortunately, being a body cultivator, I can handle it all myself.”
After expressing his sentiments, Fang Xi continued to work diligently, head bowed.
Following the spirit farming legacy, once the spirit field was properly prepared, it was time to sow the Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice seeds.
This particular spirit rice is planted in spring and harvested in autumn, requiring special irrigation with spirit water throughout the season. Ideally, mixing some wild animal blood, preferably from mythical beasts, enhances its growth.
By doing so, the resulting spirit rice gains abundant blood qi.
For other spirit farmers, obtaining mythical beast blood might be challenging, but for Fang Xi, it was as easy as finding ordinary spring water.
“Fellow Daoist Fang, how’s the planting of spirit rice going?!”
An hour later, a large paper crane leisurely flew over, and a figure jumped down from it - none other than Xiu Mu the old Daoist!
With a cheerful greeting, he noticed Fang Xi looking up. “Fellow Daoist Xiu Mu, here to remind me about the spirit stones? I’ve already mentioned that I’ll repay you once the spirit rice harvests!”
“It’s not just about those twenty spirit stones…” Xiu Mu hastily waved his hand and glanced at the fields. “Eh? You’re actually growing Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice? This type doesn’t fetch much price…”
“The local spiritual energy is insufficient, so I’m starting with varieties that require less energy. Building soil fertility comes first…” Fang Xi hopped onto the edge of the field, rubbing his hands together. “I didn’t expect your visit, Fellow Daoist. What brings you here?”
“After three days, it will be the grand ceremony for Goddess Ruan’s appointment as Island Lord.” Xiu Mu’s expression turned serious as he mentioned the main purpose of his visit. “The old Daoist has come to deliver an invitation!”
“Ah!”
Fang Xi accepted the invitation, glanced at it briefly, and casually placed it into his bag of holding. “Many thanks, Daoist friend. Please convey my message that I’ll definitely attend in three days!”
Xiu Mu was taken aback; Fellow Daoist Fang seemed quite sociable in the market, but upon arriving at Peach Blossom Island, he appeared somewhat distant. After pondering for a moment, Xiu Mu decided to hint further, “For this ceremony honoring Goddess Ruan, representatives from both the Feng and Mo Clans are expected to attend…”
“Oh!” Fang Xi responded with deliberate ambiguity, aiming to reinforce his aloof image.
Feeling anxious, Xiu Mu chose to be blunt, “Currently, Goddess Ruan values us four greatly, but we’re essentially guests here. It’s best if we stick together, acting in unison, so we can support each other effectively!”
Does Fang Xi truly not understand such basic pragmatism?
“I see!” Fang Xi nodded initially, then shook his head. “However, I only wish to cultivate quietly at Jade Cliff and have no interest in getting involved with external matters. Perhaps your suggestion of moving together is not suitable for me…”
Left speechless for a moment, Xiu Mu eventually stamped his foot in frustration and departed, waving his sleeves.
Three days later.
At Mirror Moon Lake’s shore, within the Ruan family mansion.
Cultivators from the surrounding area gathered together, filling over a dozen tables.
Red silk banners adorned the estate, creating an atmosphere of festive celebration.
The tables were laden with freshly picked spirit fruits and pastries made from spirit rice, while tea flowed abundantly like water.
Fang Xi casually chose a low-grade magical item from his spoils as a congratulatory gift and was seated at one of the peripheral tables, coincidentally joining Wei Yixin and his wife.
Meanwhile, Xiu Mu, adept at social maneuvering, acted as a temporary host, welcoming guests almost like a member of the Ruan family himself.
Occasionally, some cultivators glanced at Fang Xi’s group with expressions ranging from envy to jealousy…and even resentment!
“Goddess Ruan isn’t wise here; why would she recruit these rogue cultivators? Their cultivation bases seem quite ordinary…”
“Indeed! Offering them spiritual land, even if it’s insignificant, still provides a foundation for their future! They’ve truly hit the jackpot!”
What defines a rogue cultivator? Like floating duckweed, without a fixed abode, drifting aimlessly, lacking support in old age…they represent the lowest stratum of the cultivation world!
Acquiring a piece of spiritual land, however, serves as the foundational basis for establishing a clan or sect.
Countless rogue cultivators spend their entire lives yearning for such an opportunity, only to never glimpse any hope.
Witnessing Fang Xi and three other rogues secure a foothold now naturally fueled envy, with some even harboring resentment!
“You don’t quite understand; Goddess Ruan’s strategy is truly clever,” said an old cultivator, his face glowing brightly. He took a sip of spirit tea and began explaining enthusiastically, “Although she is a formidable Late Stage Qi Refinement expert, being alone has its limitations. By gathering rogue cultivators without established roots as her support network and integrating allied familial powers, she creates internal checks and balances, ensuring temporary stability… Additionally, by promoting spiritual-rooted children from the mortal populace and bestowing them with the ‘Ruan’ surname, she deepens her foundation, forming a tripartite balance… In several decades, when these trusted cultivators mature, this territory will be as solid as an iron fortress!”
Fang Xi, with sharper hearing than Wei Yixin and his wife, couldn’t help but feel speechless upon overhearing this. A tiny island’s territory was being likened to a kingdom?
Is this old cultivator perhaps a former swindler of geomancy from the mundane world? Did he also dabble in dragon-slaying techniques or something similar?
“Fellow Daoist Fang, please enjoy some tea!” Wei Yixin managed a stiff smile, taking initiative to mend relations with Fang Xi.
Over the past few days, after being guided by his cultivation partner, he realized that as a future rooted cultivator, there was no need for constant conflict. Instead, fostering good relationships with neighbors would be beneficial - without any harm!
Moreover, Peach Blossom Island itself wasn’t entirely tranquil either!
“Hmm, have you settled comfortably on West Peak already? What do you plan to do for livelihood?” Fang Xi casually asked while sipping his spirit tea.
“West Peak has several dwellings; they just require minor repairs to make them habitable…” This time, Hua Chanjuan eagerly joined the conversation, her laughter charming and full of vitality, her expression brimming with anticipation for the future: “There’s also a beautiful sea of flowers… I know techniques for cultivating jade bees, so we intend to train more of them. Next year, we should be able to harvest spirit honey. However, my husband here, accustomed to wielding a blade for battles, struggles even with making bee hives - they turn out crooked and quite unsightly…”
“Now with our own spiritual land, we can save on medicinal pills for cultivation and instead purchase more spirit seeds. As fellow Daoists, you being a spirit farmer, please teach us well about farming! I’m tired of living by the edge of a blade. Selling some magical artifacts should also allow me to buy a few nice outfits…”
She chattered incessantly before finally inviting them, “My husband and I plan to establish a family lineage, what do you think of calling it ‘Twin Wei’?”
“Why bring this up now?” Wei Yixin’s face flushed red.
Fang Xi momentarily paused, then glanced at Hua Chanjuan’s flat abdomen, feeling somewhat speechless.
Forming a Qi Refining family would indeed be a long and arduous journey for them.
Outside, Xiu Mu’s robust voice echoed, “From White Feather Island, Feng Manlou of the Feng Clan, and from Black Sand Island, Mo Qingyu of the Mo Clan, have arrived!”
Most guests turned their attention towards the entrance, witnessing two young cultivators, one clad in white robes and the other in green, entering together. Both were strikingly handsome, exuding grace and elegance that left many secretly impressed.
“Hmph! The shamelessness of the Feng and Mo Clans, scheming for a marriage alliance? Disgusting!” Hua Chanjuan spat softly, her expression visibly displeased.