Lie Zhanfeng descended Westmount at a brisk pace, his steps light and steady. The journey felt shorter this time, thanks to his growing familiarity with the terrain and his improved physical strength. He could have gone even faster if he hadn't lingered at various points, hoping to gather news about the Xie family.
Lie Zhanfeng was not one for elaborate schemes, but he wasn't above creating a "chance encounter" with Xie Dongyi. Unfortunately, his inquiries bore no fruit; the Xie family had already moved on. Disappointment flickered in his chest, but it was fleeting. "No use crying over spilled milk," he muttered, shrugging off the setback as he continued toward Zhao Village.
The village came into view just as the sun began its slow descent, bathing the land in a warm, golden light. Yet, the idyllic scene was marred by the sharp buzz of gossip that reached his ears even before his feet touched the dusty road.
Lie Zhanfeng paused for a moment, frowning. His newfound cultivation had sharpened his senses to a startling degree. He could now hear the villagers' chatter with perfect clarity, even from a distance.
"Bet he's off stealing again. What else could he be doing, disappearing for days on end?"
"Stealing? That's nothing. Heard from Old Liu that he's been seen sneaking around the Yamen. Maybe he's running from the law this time."
"Pfft, the law? Probably just spent all his money whoring and can't show his face around town."
The words stung, not because Lie Zhanfeng cared about their opinions, but because of how annoyingly vivid they were. He rubbed his temples in frustration, muttering, "Can't a man go about his business without everyone poking their noses in?" Still, he pressed on, his expression neutral. Giving them a reaction would only fan the flames.
When he reached his humble plot of land, he found the hired laborer still hard at work, hauling the last of the soil into neat mounds. The man glanced up and gave a nervous wave.
"Here's the rest of your payment," Lie Zhanfeng said, tossing the pouch of coins to him. The laborer caught it with surprising agility, his eyes lighting up as he confirmed the amount.
"Thanks, Master Lie! You're too generous!" the man exclaimed before scurrying off, coins jingling in his pocket.
Lie Zhanfeng watched him go, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Generous? If only he knew," he chuckled to himself. His reputation in the village was a strange mix of fear, disdain, and begrudging respect.
Once the laborer was out of sight, Lie Zhanfeng knelt by the water barrels he'd set up earlier, brushing the dirt from his hands. A quick glance confirmed no one was around, and with a small nod, he reached into his spatial space.
A thin stream of shimmering water poured directly into the barrel, its clarity blending seamlessly with the mundane water. Grabbing a wooden stick, he stirred the mixture thoroughly, ensuring the Spiritual Water was evenly distributed. Though it looked no different from ordinary water, he trusted its potency to work wonders on his crops.
"Morningdew Turnips and Moonshade Basil, you'd better thrive," he muttered, his voice carrying a mix of hope and exasperation. "This stuff doesn't come cheap, and I'm not about to pamper freeloaders."
Lie Zhanfeng carried the bucket along the rows of seedlings, watering each plant with steady care. Once the last patch was done, he straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow. The job wasn't flashy, but it was necessary, and now it was complete.
Satisfied with his work, Lie Zhanfeng wiped his hands on his pants and stood, casting a brief glance at the seedlings. His efforts might seem small now, but he knew they'd yield results that no one could ignore.
As the plants absorbed the enriched water, Lie Zhanfeng leaned against the fence, wiping his brow. Despite the villagers' incessant gossip, he found moments like this oddly peaceful. "If only life could stay this simple," he thought, though he knew better than to entertain such fantasies.
The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the field. Lie Zhanfeng stretched and made his way inside his modest home. Once the door was securely shut, he activated the Void Bracelet with a thought. The world shifted, and in an instant, he was in the serene expanse of his spatial space.
The air here was thick with spiritual energy, though not as abundant as before. Lie Zhanfeng could feel the subtle decline, and it gnawed at him as he settled into a meditative posture. "I've been too careless," he mused. "This place isn't some bottomless well. It needs fuel."
But first, cultivation. Lie Zhanfeng opened the Heavenly Book of Intangible, a glowing script unfurling before his eyes. The technique he practiced was called The Primordial Tyrant Codex, an ancient method that combined physical cultivation with spiritual refinement.
The technique had six levels, each exponentially more difficult than the last. Lie Zhanfeng had recently broken through the first level, a milestone that had reshaped his body. His muscles were denser, his bones sturdier, and his recovery rate astonishing. As long as he had sufficient energy, his body could regenerate from even the gravest injuries.
"Powerful, but expensive," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. The energy cost of regeneration was steep, and he'd already burned through a significant portion of the space's spiritual reserves during his last training session.
Closing his eyes, he began circulating his energy, letting the codex's teachings guide him. The process was grueling, but he relished the challenge. Sweat dripped down his brow as he pushed his limits. Lie Zhanfeng felt the faint stirrings of progress but it's still far from advancing to the second level.
Hours passed in the blink of an eye. When Lie Zhanfeng finally opened his eyes, his body ached, but his spirit felt sharper. He glanced around the space, noticing the significantly weakened spiritual energy lingering in the air. "Damn," he muttered. "This place is running low on energy."
The realization struck him with a sense of urgency. If the space ran out of energy, it would be little more than an empty void. Worse, his cultivation might stagnate. "I need spiritual stones. And treasures. Anything to keep this place alive."
Lie Zhanfeng stood, stretching his sore limbs. He had a long road ahead, but he wasn't daunted. "Well, at least life won't be boring," he said, smirking to himself.
For now, he needed a plan—a way to earn spiritual stones without drawing too much attention. But that was a problem for tomorrow. Tonight, he would rest, recharge, and prepare for whatever came next.