Chapter 3: Shadows Within the Farm
Xiao Chen's days at the Liu Clan herb farm were uneventful on the surface, but underneath, his life was a careful balancing act. With his breakthrough into the Spiritual Refinement Realm, he was finally on the path of cultivation. However, the real struggle was hiding his progress. The smallest slip-up could lead to questions he wasn't prepared to answer.
The farm bustled with activity, and Xiao Chen was constantly reminded of how many eyes were watching him. Workers tended to the herbs with practiced efficiency, while the stern but kind old steward, Uncle Qin, often checked on the younger workers.
Despite the peaceful façade, Xiao Chen couldn't shake the sense of unease that had crept over him in recent days. The system's Danger Detection had activated sporadically, hinting at lurking threats. He dismissed it at first, but tonight, his suspicions solidified.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the herb farm. Xiao Chen stood in the middle of the fields, pretending to examine a patch of Moonlight Orchids. In reality, he was using this moment of solitude to refine his spiritual energy, his body absorbing the faint spiritual essence in the air.
He was careful to keep his aura suppressed, using the Harmonization Technique to mask his cultivation level. But even with his caution, a sudden alert from the system made his heart skip a beat.
[Warning: Someone nearby harbors murderous intent.]
Xiao Chen froze, his breath hitching. His eyes scanned the fields, the faint rustle of leaves now sounding ominous. The system's warning wasn't to be ignored—it had never been wrong before.
Moving cautiously, he crept toward the source of the disturbance. The rows of herbs stretched endlessly under the moonlight, their faint glow casting eerie shadows. As he approached, he saw a hunched figure near a patch of valuable Spirit Rejuvenation Grass.
It was Steward Fang, the elderly woman who had warmly greeted him on his first day. She appeared to be harvesting the herbs, but her movements were hurried, almost frantic.
Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes. Something wasn't right. The system confirmed his suspicions.
[Target Identified: Demon Cultivator (Heavenly Descending Sect Spy)]
His mind raced. The Heavenly Descending Sect was a notorious organization that thrived in the shadows of the 9 Divine Heavens. Their demon cultivators were known for infiltrating powerful clans and sects, sowing chaos from within.
"Why here? Why the Liu Clan?" Xiao Chen muttered under his breath. He clenched his fists, his thoughts spinning. Reporting this immediately seemed like the logical choice, but it would raise questions about how he had noticed her. Questions he couldn't afford to answer.
Deciding to confront her himself, Xiao Chen deliberately rustled a nearby bush to draw her attention. Steward Fang's head snapped up, her eyes gleaming with a dark, unnatural light.
"Chen?" she called out, her voice sweet but laced with suspicion. "What are you doing out here at this hour?"
Xiao Chen forced a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Ah, Steward Fang, I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd admire the Moonlight Orchids. They're said to be most vibrant under the full moon."
Her expression remained unreadable, but her grip on her basket of herbs tightened. "You have an unusual interest in herbs for someone new here."
"Well, I'm just trying to learn," Xiao Chen said, his tone disarming. "The more I know, the better I can do my job, right?"
For a moment, neither spoke, the tension between them thickening. Then, without warning, her expression twisted into a sinister sneer.
"You've seen too much," she hissed. "It's a shame. I was going to let you live."
Dark energy erupted around her, her previously frail form now exuding a terrifying aura. Xiao Chen barely had time to react as she lunged at him, her clawed hand aiming for his throat.
"Damn it!" Xiao Chen cursed, rolling to the side. He grabbed a nearby hoe, using it as a makeshift weapon. "You've got to be kidding me. First I get dumped into this world, and now this? Can't I get a break?"
"You talk too much!" Steward Fang snarled, her voice echoing unnaturally.
"Let's see how clever you are with your head separated from your body!"
Xiao Chen dodged another attack, his heart pounding. "This isn't exactly how I wanted to spend my evening," he muttered, trying to think of a way to escape.
Before the fight could escalate further, a powerful gust of wind swept through the field. Steward Fang's dark energy flickered and weakened as two figures descended from the sky—Liu Ruoxi and her brother, Liu Feng.
"Fang Yan!" Liu Ruoxi's voice was sharp and commanding. "How dare you betray the Liu Clan?"
The demon cultivator snarled, her disguise fully dropping. "You think your precious clan is safe? The Heavenly Descending Sect is everywhere. This is just the beginning!"
Liu Feng stepped forward, his spear glowing with golden light. "Enough of your nonsense. You've dared to betray us. Now face the consequences!"
The clash that followed was swift and brutal. Liu Feng's spear techniques were precise and overwhelming, forcing Fang Yan onto the defensive. Meanwhile, Liu Ruoxi's green-robed figure moved with elegance, her attacks cutting through Fang Yan's defenses with surgical precision.
Xiao Chen stood at a distance, watching in awe. "Okay, note to self: don't mess with the Liu siblings."
Once Fang Yan was subdued, guards arrived to take her into custody. Liu Feng, his spear resting on his shoulder, turned his gaze to Xiao Chen.
"You," he said, his tone gruff. "What were you doing out here?"
Xiao Chen hesitated, then put on his best innocent face. "I, uh… couldn't sleep. The moonlight was nice, so I thought I'd meditate."
Liu Feng frowned. "Meditating in a open field ? Either you're brave or an idiot."
"Can't I be both?" Xiao Chen quipped, earning a surprised chuckle from Liu Ruoxi.
"You're an odd one," she said, shaking her head. "But you handled yourself well. Just… stay out of trouble."
"Trouble? Me?" Xiao Chen grinned. "Never."
Liu Feng snorted. "If trouble finds you, just run. We don't need more headaches."
Xiao Chen gave a mock bow. "Your concern is touching, Young Master Liu."
That night, Xiao Chen returned to his room, exhausted but alive. As he lay on his bed, the system's interface appeared before him.But he didn't focused on any prompt ,as he self reflected about today's incident.
Xiao Chen's eyes gleamed with determination. If tonight had proven anything, it was that the path to survival in this world wasn't going to be easy. But he wasn't about to give up.
To be continued...