Dragon Canon

Wei Yuan glanced at the hundred or so scions of the Cui Clan. He noticed that they were all carrying backpacks of the same design; it seemed that the Cui Clan had put considerable thought into this expedition.

The group spanned a wide age range, from fifteen to nearly forty. Most of them had reached the peak of the Body-tempering stage. Although they wore identical robes, their speech and demeanor varied. Some were clearly arrogant, while others were cautious and reserved. But for the most part, they were wearing expressions of bewilderment tinged with a touch of bitter resentment.

Just then, someone complained, “Why did they dump us in this godforsaken place? Hey, you there! Why haven’t you come over to pay your respects yet? This scion’s uncle is—!”

Cui Yu interrupted coldly, “Who? Speak clearly. Who is your uncle?”

The spoiled scion jolted to attention. When he finally got a clear look at Cui Yu, he immediately started bowing and scraping with a forced smile.

None of these people had managed to establish a Dao Foundation. Even though they were direct descendants of the Cui Clan, their status was so mediocre they could only flex their muscles outside of the family compound. But with Cui Yu present, they couldn’t even bring up their clan elders—after all, Cui Yu’s branch traced back to the clan head, and above that, the immortal ancestor herself.

Cui Yu was in a foul mood at the moment, so he strode right up to the spoiled scion and slapped him hard across the face, sending him crashing to the ground. He yelled, “You’re putting on airs in front of Realm Lord Wei? Have you got your blinders on or what? You bunch of good-for-nothings can’t even cultivate a Dao Foundation and won’t live past a hundred, and you have the nerve to bear the Cui surname?”

The more he ranted, the more pissed he became. He launched a flurry of punches and kicks at the downed scion then. Even Wei Yuan found it difficult to watch and quickly pulled him back. Ever since Cui Yu had begun leading the troops, his daily conduct had become increasingly blunt and brutal. If he could use his fists, he would never resort to words.

Just then, Wei Yuan recalled he had forgotten to ask the old man something. It was partially because the latter had left in such a hurry. He quickly turned to Cui Yu and asked, “Can you write a letter home and ask what the casualty index is?”

Casualty index? Everyone from the Cui Clan pricked up their ears. That did not sound like a promising term.

Cui Yu slapped his thigh. “Oh yeah! One cannot cultivate a Dao Foundation without spilling blood. I can’t believe I’ve forgotten about that! I’ll write that letter right away. We absolutely must secure ten spots at least.”

The members of the Cui Clan grew increasingly uneasy as they listened. This was just cultivation, right? Why were their lives suddenly on the line?!

Cui Yu glanced at the crowd and added, “If any of you feel your status is special and you absolutely cannot die, I can arrange for you not to go to the battlefield—but we’ll need to discuss this in private.”

After entrusting the Cui clansmen to Cui Yu, Wei Yuan finally opened the small box the old man had given him and froze in surprise. Inside the box were three black grains, each about the size of a finger and shaped like pearls, resembling glass beads.

Are these three the original seeds of the pearl rice[1]?

Pearl rice was also a type of spirit food. It was similar to Liang rice, but classified as a mid-grade spirit plant. All noble clans cultivated this spirit rice, with black pearl rice being a specialty of the Cui Clan and the Xu Clan.

Within the rigidly hierarchical noble clans, pearl rice was a spirit food reserved exclusively for Avatars. Ordinary people weren’t allowed to eat it, even if they had the money.

The pearl rice cultivated by the noble clans differed from the one commonly found on the market. The seeds were distributed every planting season, but these seeds could not be reproduced. That was why the buyers must purchase new seeds from the noble clans every year.

But now, the Cui Clan had given him three original seeds directly. The reward was far more valuable than the three Dao Foundation stage cultivators they requested. The fact that they offered only the seeds of spirit plants—and nothing else—suggested that there was a deeper meaning behind it.

Wei Yuan went to the herb garden, intending to find a plot of land to plant the three original seeds. Just then, he saw Trueman Chu He directing several disciples to set up an array around the garden. Upon noticing Wei Yuan’s arrival, the old Daoist said with a smile, ‘I thought your original array was too crude, so I set up a new one for you. Its effectiveness is roughly two times greater than your previous array.”

“Thank you, Trueman!”

Trueman Chu He smiled. “It was nothing—no need to thank me. I have plenty of other treasures in my possession; you’ll see for yourself in time. Oh, I can smell the scent of spirit plant seeds. What is it this time?”

Wei Yuan took out the three original seeds of pearl rice and handed them over. Trueman Chu He raised his eyebrows when he saw what it was. “The Cui Clan’s black pearl rice? It seems they hold that junior in high regard. A pity he’s only in the Heaven-tier. Anyway, leave these three seeds to me. I’ll have my disciples plant them together and converse with them for an hour each day to double their growth rate.”

“Um... isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

“Not at all. They’re just sitting around anyway. If you feel guilty about it, just get this old Daoist more nether soil.”

By now, the six plots of land covered in nether soil had been enclosed by exquisite wooden fences and evenly divided into six sections. Each plot had been compacted, with a small pit in the center containing a bit of water. It was unclear what was to be planted there.

Just then, Xu Wenwu walked into the herb garden, humming a tune. When he spotted Wei Yuan and Trueman Chu He, he went over to them and paid his respects. Xu Wenwu was resembling a native cultivator more and more as of late. The traces that once marked him as an otherworldly visitor had gradually faded with time.

After paying his respects, Xu Wenwu went to the Star Dragon Tree. He loosened the soil around it, watered it, and muttered to himself like he always did. This time, Wei Yuan clearly sensed the Star Dragon Tree, which had been on the verge of sprouting, withdrawing unto itself. At the same time, its aura grew deeper and more melancholic, and the fortune Wei Yuan had imbued into it diminished by nearly half.

Wei Yuan waited for Xu Wenwu to finish his work before leading him to Trueman Chu He’s plots, saying, “From now on, I want you to learn from your senior brothers. You’ll help them out for an hour or so when you come over.”

Trueman Chu He chuckled and said, “My skills are nothing special, so if you find anything that tickles your fancy, young friend, just ask. There is no need to steal my techniques.”

Wei Yuan replied, “I’m asking him to lend you a hand because I think he has a knack for cultivating spirit plants. Besides, he’s just sitting around anyway.”

“Makes sense.” Trueman Chu He agreed wholeheartedly, thinking that Xu Wenwu was just like his own disciples—the kind of people who might as well be put to use.

The duo exchanged a few more words on the art of managing people before Wei Yuan got ready to take his leave. Just then, he suddenly sensed a scorching Dao energy hurtling toward them!

Trueman Chu He’s face changed dramatically when he sensed the energy. He immediately summoned a green light barrier and shielded the entire herb garden.

A dark-skinned cultivator cut through the air, holding an exquisite little golden hammer in his hand. With just a single strike, he shattered the light barrier protecting the herb garden. Beside him, Zhang Sheng was wearing a helpless expression on his face.

As soon as the cultivator arrived, he immediately spotted the plots of land sprinkled with nether soil and grew livid. He yelled, “Chu He, you old scoundrel! So this is why you’ve been deliberately blocking information from coming to me! I can’t believe you’ll go this far just to pocket the nether soil for yourself!”

The old Daoist chuckled and said, “Why are you so worked up, Junior Nephew Yu? I’ve already planted something in every one of these plots. I can’t very well dig them up just to hand over the nether soil back to you, can I?”

The cultivator grew even angrier. “Our cooperation ends here. Give me back the deposit I paid!”

Trueman Chu He replied, “Why should I? As you said, it is a deposit, and our agreement was witnessed by the mission hall itself. Are you planning to renege on our agreement, Junior Nephew? That’s fine. You simply need to pay an additional compensation as stipulated.”

The cultivator’s face flushed crimson with rage. Realizing he couldn’t outargue the old Daoist, he swept his sleeve and turned to leave. Zhang Sheng then signaled Wei Yuan to follow the cultivator.

Wei Yuan took his leave of Trueman Chu He before returning to the central peak. A wooden main hall had been erected specifically for receiving distinguished guests and for the members of the Palace of Absolute Beginning to hold meetings.

When Wei Yuan arrived, he saw that five cultivators were already seated inside. Zhang Sheng was just conversing with the dark-skinned cultivator he had just met.

Seeing Wei Yuan enter, Zhang Sheng introduced, “This is Yu Zhizhuo of the Mastercraft Hall. You should address him as Senior Uncle.”

Wei Yuan’s eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed, “Senior Uncle Yu.”

Yu Zhizhuo waved his hand and replied, “No need for formalities! Now tell me this: where did the nether soil come from, and how much do you have left?”

Wei Yuan mulled over the question before answering, “I don’t have any left at the moment. The next batch won’t arrive until early next month.”

1. A short-grain rice used for dishes where binding ingredients together is essential. Due to its sticky and compact consistency, dishes like sushi rolls or rice pudding often use pearl rice for this reason. It can also be formed into balls and fried for an appetizer or side dish. ☜