Chapter 048

Chapter 48: Secret Retaliation

“Alright, we’ll follow Senior Brother’s advice,” Yun Xi and Zong Hao quickly agreed, having no intention of planting too much since this was their first attempt.

Zong Hao glanced at the spiritual field distribution map and said, “Senior Brother, we’d prefer plots next to each other, so we siblings can easily look after each other.”

Yun Xi gave Zong Hao a gentle scolding look, softly chiding him, “Brother Zong Hao, don’t trouble Senior Brother. It’s fine if our fields aren’t side by side. As long as they’re good fields and not too far apart, that’s enough.”

The steward senior brother immediately understood the wishes of the two young disciples. He waved his hand, lighting up two spots on the distribution map, and said while making notes, “These two fields have been rested for a while, so you won’t need extra fertilizer when planting. There’s just one plot, number 59, separating you, so it won’t affect your ability to take care of each other.”

“Thank you very much, Senior Brother.” They both took their identity tokens and storage bags.

“The storage bags contain enough spiritual rice seeds for three acres each. The spirit stones needed for the seeds can be owed and paid after the harvest. There’s also a spiritual hoe and a control array disk for the field. Inside, you’ll find a jade slip containing basic farming knowledge. Be sure to read it before plowing, so you don’t miss anything important.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother.”

Both bowed respectfully before leaving the straw hut. With the senior brother’s helpful advice, they knew they could avoid many mistakes.

“Brother Zong Hao, my field is plot 58 in Area Yi. Which one is yours?”

“I’m plot 60 in Area Yi. There’s just plot 59 between us, not too far,” Zong Hao replied cheerfully. He felt the single low-grade spirit stone they’d spent was well worth it, securing them good plots in Area Yi, far better than the lower grades.

Yun Xi nodded, agreeing, “Indeed. Senior Sister Hua probably lent us her influence, too.”

“Let’s go check out our territory.”

Together they headed toward Area Yi and found their assigned fields. Using their array disks to open the protective shields, they discovered two small straw huts, clearly intended as temporary living quarters.

Inside each hut was a modest five-square-meter space, just large enough for a bed. The conditions were basic, but with the protective barrier, safety was guaranteed.

Disciples taking farming missions often stayed here rather than running back and forth. It saved time, allowing cultivation while keeping watch over their fields.

After a quick look around, they familiarized themselves with their tasks and began working immediately. First, they thoroughly tilled the soil, then carefully planted their spiritual rice seeds. Finally, they cast the Rainfall Technique to water all three acres, completing the first phase of planting.

The entire process took seven exhausting days. By the end, Zong Hao was so tired he didn’t want to move, collapsing into bed for rest.

Yun Xi felt a bit better, thanks to the Milk Fruit that strengthened her physique. Her petite, doll-like face hid surprising strength, though she deliberately concealed it, determined to keep up her image as a graceful young lady.

She secretly decided that after the rice harvest, she’d exchange more Milk Fruits with Tribe Warrior. She’d already consumed more than half her supply, and since adulthood was still far away, it was best to gather more of this excellent resource.

The next day, Zong Hao, fully rested, came to Yun Xi and said, “Sister Yun Xi, I’ve finished all my Spirit Flour Buns. I need to head to the dining hall to buy more food.”

Yun Xi checked her own storage bag and realized she, too, was nearly out of provisions. She nodded, handing him five low-grade spirit stones. “Brother Zong Hao, please pick up some food for us. Also, find a stove. We can occasionally cook something special here. Yesterday, I saw a senior brother nearby stir-frying spiritual vegetables, and it looked delicious.”

“You’re not coming along?” Zong Hao asked in surprise.

“I’ll stay here and guard our fields. It’s our first time planting, and I’m worried something might go wrong if both of us leave,” Yun Xi explained her concerns.

“That makes sense. I’ll make the trip then. I’ll also let Zong Yu and the others know we’re safe. We’ll probably spend this whole month here anyway, but thankfully it won’t affect our cultivation.”

“Yes, exactly. Cultivating here isn’t bad at all,” Yun Xi agreed.

After finalizing their plans, Zong Hao set off directly toward the outer sect market. He intended to buy the stove first, then food, then return home for one night to inform their siblings, and finally head back the next day.

But while Zong Hao’s plans were carefully laid out, he was unaware that someone had set their sights on Yun Xi, waiting for precisely this opportunity.

Since arriving at the Outer Five Peaks, Yun Xi and Zong Hao had never been apart. In everyone’s eyes, Zong Hao’s cultivation was at the peak of Qi Refining sixth-layer, about to break through to the seventh, far surpassing Yun Xi, who publicly appeared to be only at the fourth-layer.

The hidden attacker was not confident enough to deal with them both together, so he patiently waited. Zong Hao’s departure tonight was exactly the opportunity he had been hoping for, prompting him to take immediate action.

Zong Hao had felt comfortable leaving Yun Xi alone, assuming that since both of their spirit-root aptitudes had improved, Yun Xi’s cultivation likely matched his own. The only explanation for her seeming weakness was deliberate concealment.

Having observed how Wei Yun Qing often antagonized Yun Xi, Zong Hao fully understood her choice to hide her true strength, and never confronted her about it.

He guessed Yun Xi’s cultivation was at least equal to his own sixth-layer level, so he confidently left her behind without worry.

During the day, Yun Xi had cast another Rainfall Technique on both fields. After sunset, she activated the protective barriers and entered her small hut to begin cultivation.

She spent the early night drawing talismans until she exhausted her spiritual energy. Afterward, she meditated. Thanks to the spirit-gathering array in place, her energy fully replenished after just two hours.

Just as Yun Xi was about to resume talisman crafting, she detected a faint, almost inaudible movement. In the absolute silence of the night, it was particularly distinct.

Yun Xi immediately extended her divine sense, clearly seeing someone burrowing up from underground and swiftly moving toward her hut.

Her heart tightened nervously as she instinctively gripped a Thunderstrike Talisman, also drawing a low-grade spiritual sword from her storage bag.

This sword was obtained through trading talismans with Senior Sister Hua Xuan Zi, who upgraded to a high-grade spiritual sword after accumulating enough spirit stones, passing this older one down to Yun Xi.

“Bang!”

The hut’s door was violently kicked open, revealing a young man with a twisted, malicious expression.

Yun Xi narrowed her eyes, recognizing him immediately, and said coldly, “It’s you! Are you here to seek revenge against us Wei family disciples?”

Chen Feng sneered hatefully, “Hmph! Little girl, aren’t you just relying on an Inner Sect disciple’s protection? Let’s see what your Wei family will do when you disappear from the spiritual fields! I’ve waited a long time for this day!”

After speaking, Chen Feng unleashed his full Qi Refining sixth-layer aura, intending to seize the initiative.

However, Yun Xi felt excitement rather than fear. Completely unfazed by his intimidation, she swiftly released the talisman in her hand. A fierce purple lightning bolt flashed through the air, striking Chen Feng squarely on the forehead.