I Cultivate Longevity in the Cultivation Realm-Chapter 75: Might Be a Big Fish

A spell reaches perfection, transforming into a Dharma Seed, which greatly excites Zhou Changwang.

For several consecutive days, he couldn’t help but smile slightly at the corners of his mouth. There was one time when he couldn’t hold back and in the backyard, he released a Geng Metal Finger.

Then he watched helplessly as the previously intact Spirit Field surface exploded into a basin-sized deep pit, not only that, but the area’s spiritual energy was extremely chaotic for the next few days, affecting several Spirit Gathering Grasses nearby, causing them to wither.

When he discovered it the next day, it was already too late; even using the Withered Wood Revival Technique couldn’t save them.

After hurriedly transplanting the affected Spirit Gathering Grasses to other corners, he dared not casually test his spells anymore.

A single test made him lose three or four Lower-Grade Spirit Stones.

Such luxury, he felt, was best avoided.

After that, he didn’t try condensing Dharma Seeds anymore because it was too time-consuming; every day, he felt very busy.

During the day, he had to tend to the Spirit Gathering Grass and Thunder Spirit Rice Tree in the Spirit Field, and at night, he needed to spend at least an hour drawing Spirit Talismans, then cultivate the Thousand Thunder Flashes spell, and finally retreat to the Cultivation Room for deep practice...

Many of the spells he knew were at Great Success, but they were far from perfection, so he might as well let things flow naturally.

In the short term, even condensing one Dharma Seed was enough.

After all, for an Immortal Cultivator, cultivation is fundamental.

He also doesn’t need to fight with others.

"After seven days, the Thousand Thunder Flashes spell is finally about to reach Entry Level."

After another failed spell cast, Zhou Changwang’s face showed a hint of a smile.

After seven days of hard practice, he finally fully understood the rune structure of the Thousand Thunder Flashes spell, able to smoothly condense all the rune structures.

The reason for the failure this time was merely the connection between rune structures still lacked something.

After all, out of the twenty-five rune structures, five were ones he was familiar with and simplified. When connecting with other new rune structures, there were inevitably flaws.

This requires him to continuously adjust and attempt.

To him, it’s not a big issue.

Just a matter of patience and continuous effort.

Buzz, buzz, buzz~!

Just at this moment, a warning sound from the array rang out.

This is the sound of vibration from the array at the entrance, sensing someone stepping into the warning range or directly knocking on the door.

"Who could it be?"

Zhou Changwang wondered.

He has lived here for almost two months, never went out, never greeted any neighbors, so who would come knocking?

Rent?

He pays it annually, and it’s far from due now.

Could it be a friend?

Thinking about it, Zhou Changwang still went to the front yard, first calling out, "Who?"

"We are from the Rakshasa Gang."

Soon, a somewhat thick voice came from outside the door.

"The Rakshasa Gang?"

Zhou Changwang was startled, quickly recalling the Lu Talisman Master he encountered at the Independent Cultivator Marketplace last time.

Could it be that they quickly figured out his background and came looking for him?

"Yes, we are from the Rakshasa Gang.

This time, we’re here to inform you that this area is now under our Rakshasa Gang’s management. In the future, if you encounter any trouble, just inform our hall, and we will settle it for you."

The person outside continued speaking, their tone sounding somewhat calm.

"Settle it for us?"

Zhou Changwang was startled, immediately understanding what it meant.

Offering to settle things, isn’t it just a disguised protection racket?

However, hearing that it wasn’t the Lu Talisman Master knocking, he relaxed and opened the door.

In front of him stood a tall, seemingly majestic and robust middle-aged cultivator. Judging from the intense vitality emanating from him, he was indeed a Body Cultivator.

Moreover, his realm was quite high, at least at the Fourth-Layer Qi Cultivation, possibly even the Fifth-Layer.

Behind him were two young cultivators, one was around twenty, looking slightly slender, about the Second-Layer Qi Cultivation.

The other had a youthful face, appearing much younger, also with First-Layer Qi Cultivation. Yet for some reason, Zhou Changwang felt he looked familiar.

After thinking briefly, he couldn’t recall who it was.

"Yes.

If there’s any trouble, you can tell us, and we will settle it for you."

The middle-aged cultivator nodded with a smile.

Behind him, the young cultivator immediately added, "However, to maintain order here, our Rakshasa Gang also needs manpower to patrol occasionally.

So, you tenants need to generously contribute and support a bit."

"Isn’t patrolling the job of the Market Guard?

When did you need the Rakshasa Gang?"

Zhou Changwang replied calmly.

"You probably don’t know yet, thirty miles from the marketplace, a new Fire Crystal Geng Iron Ore Vein has been discovered.

Most of the guards in the marketplace have been dispatched to the ore vein to clear out disturbances, naturally leaving no time to manage numerous orders within the marketplace.

But such a large marketplace can’t be left unmanaged, so someone needs to keep guard. Actually, we were appointed by higher authorities to maintain security within the marketplace."

The young cultivator spoke quite proudly.

"Is that so?

How much is needed?"

Zhou Changwang frowned.

Instinctively sensing something was amiss.

Even if the Market Guards were dispatched, how could the administrators allow a gang to manage the order?

Despite looking impartial, as if they transformed into Market Guards, a gang remains a gang, dark, always dirty no matter how they try to clean it up.

Having them manage, trouble was bound to arise.

He didn’t think the marketplace administrators couldn’t see through this.

As for the Fire Crystal Geng Iron, he knew it was an important material for refining a Magical Artifact, indeed quite precious. It was said that a pound of Fire Crystal Geng Iron could be worth dozens of Lower-Grade Spirit Stones.

An ore vein could produce thousands of pounds of Fire Crystal Geng Iron, valued at tens of thousands of Lower-Grade Spirit Stones, no wonder the marketplace authorities were tempted and dispatched a large number of people.

"Just five pieces of Lower-Grade Spirit Stone per month."

Upon hearing this, the young cultivator immediately replied.

The middle-aged cultivator then showed a relaxed smile and said, "Rest assured, our Rakshasa Gang is a very fair faction. Once we accept your Spirit Stones, we will certainly protect your safety."

"I hope that’s the case."

Zhou Changwang thought for a moment before handing over the five pieces of Lower-Grade Spirit Stone.

It wasn’t that he was afraid, but given the current uncertain situation, it wasn’t wise to have any conflict with them.

...

Having lost five pieces of Lower-Grade Spirit Stone for nothing, Zhou Changwang’s mood soured immediately, and he lost the heart to continue practicing his cultivation technique. After performing two circulations of the Celestial Essence Eight Techniques in the courtyard and breaking out in a sweat, his mood slightly calmed down.

Then he went into the kitchen and directly took a small bag out of his Storage Bag.

The bag contained Thunder Spirit Rice.

Seeing that the five hundred Thunder Spirit Rice Trees were gradually growing, and if things went smoothly, there shouldn’t be any problem with cultivating Spirit Rice, he finally decided to use the bag of Thunder Spirit Rice.

He carefully washed them, not missing a single grain, and then put them into the pot for steaming.

In no time, a rich aroma of rice wafted out, greatly lifting Zhou Changwang’s mood.

"This Thunder Spirit Rice is indeed worthy of being considered a fine Spirit Rice.

The aroma alone is far superior to ordinary Spirit Grain Rice."

Zhou Changwang marveled, planning to prepare one or two hearty dishes to go along with the Spirit Rice.

...

"Boss Wei.

I recognize that person from earlier."

After collecting Spirit Stones from the second household, the youngest cultivator among the Rakshasa Gang hesitated a bit before suddenly speaking.

"Who? This household?

I didn’t realize Xiaoxu knows people from around here?"

Upon hearing this, the young cultivator dismissed it and continued, "Speaking of which, I also know this person. He’s the steward at the Tingyu Pavilion restaurant, the little uncle of Miscellaneous Affairs Hall’s Steward Bai. His son is even a squad leader among the Market Guards.

I was surprised when he offered the Spirit Stones earlier.

Given his status, even if he didn’t pay, we’d have no option against him."

"He’s just avoiding trouble.

Such a person conducts matters smoothly and appropriately. He wouldn’t waste personal favors over us, and five pieces of Lower-Grade Spirit Stone scarcely matter to him.

After all, those living here are formidable people, deeply connected and complex...so you all better keep it together; otherwise, if you offend someone, the gang won’t help us resolve it.

We collect Spirit Stones, whether they are willing to give or not. We certainly can’t show any discontent, and we shouldn’t use the approach for dealing with the outer loose cultivators."

The middle-aged cultivator glanced at the sturdy gate and issued a stern warning.

He knew well that collecting Spirit Stones from South Street was a hard and thankless task, but what choice did he have after offending someone?

Would he dare defy the orders from above?

"Not this household, the one we visited first."

I know the man, months ago he was working with my grandpa at the foot of Changling Mountain, cultivating Spirit Fields."

"So he’s a Spirit Farmer."

Xiaoxu repeatedly emphasized after carefully observing several times to confirm.

"A Spirit Farmer?"

The young cultivator was stunned.

Boss Wei was equally taken aback.

A Spirit Farmer living in this wealthy area?

If they remembered correctly, the rent here is calculated yearly, starting at least three to four hundred Lower-Grade Spirit Stones per year.

How did a Spirit Farmer with Third-Layer Qi Cultivation aura manage to accumulate so many Spirit Stones? Dare to rent in such a place?

"Are you certain?

Does he have any background or affiliations with any faction?"

Boss Wei showed a hint of interest in his eyes.

"I’m sure; during the chaos at night, I saw him hiding with a female cultivator near the Spirit Fields at the foot of Changling Mountain.

In terms of background, he should have none; his father was merely a mortal martial artist.

I heard from my grandpa that his father intended to teach my younger brother martial arts, which somehow didn’t happen. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Moreover, he was only familiar with the Zhao Brothers in that area; the Zhao Brothers specifically left him behind when we departed."

That female cultivator with him, I heard, was an Alchemy Apprentice from the Hexagonal Pavilion with some background."

Xiaoxu confidently nodded and recalled.

"You should ask your grandpa again.

Get confirmation, but inquire discreetly.

We’ll conduct some investigations ourselves."

Boss Wei contemplated, then promptly instructed.

"Rest assured."

Xiaoxu agreed quickly.

"Boss Wei, that person..."

The young cultivator finally realized, asking in surprise.

"Could be an opportunity."

Boss Wei smiled slightly, saying.

What did they join the gang for?

Safety? To avoid being bullied? To wield power? To command respect?

Ultimately, it was all for cultivation resources, Spirit Stones.

Their primary income source was never protection fees.

Particularly when the marketplace’s security, at least in South Street, was under their jurisdiction.

Previously, he considered this as suppression from above, deliberately assigning him this thankless task.

But now, perhaps this is his chance?