Chapter Forty-One: Chen Zhou

If others wanted him to handle such matters, they would certainly need to spend spirit stones and pull strings. This was one of the ways he could profit as the steward of the Spirit Medicine Pavilion. But for his friends, even if He Song hadn’t asked, Zhao Lin would have taken care of it without a second thought. There are distinctions between people. Some are close, some are distant. The ways of the world. Zhao Lin had always been adept at these things. Now, seeing He Song thank him, he naturally didn’t make much of it.

After confirming the location of his new spirit fields, He Song lingered a while longer in the Spirit Medicine Pavilion. Only when someone came to conduct business did he take his leave. Zhao Lin, as the manager, had his duties to attend to, and it would not be proper to disturb him further.

Leaving the Spirit Medicine Pavilion, He Song hesitated briefly before quickly returning to his spirit fields. Previously, he had only used the Spirit Rain Technique on his original five acres, unaware that he had gained two more acres. But now that he knew, he would not let those two acres go to waste. Fortunately, spirit rice had already been planted there, so He Song didn’t need to reclaim the land—he only needed to come each day and cast the Spirit Rain Technique.

Arriving at the fields, He Song glanced around, recalling the layout, and swiftly located the newly added two acres. Then, forming a seal with his hands, he cast the spell. A cloud, large enough to cover two acres, gathered overhead, enveloping the new fields. A gentle rain began to fall, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy and carrying it down into the fields below. Nourished by the spiritual energy, the spirit rice flourished, lush and vibrant, bringing joy to the heart.

But as He Song was performing the Spirit Rain Technique on his new fields, a figure suddenly approached from afar, coming directly to He Song’s side.

“Fellow Daoist, I am Chen Zhou. May I ask if you are the new owner of these two acres of spirit fields?” Chen Zhou was slender, clad in a green robe, appearing rather frail.

He Song had noticed Chen Zhou approaching him early on. Though the man appeared weak, it was clear he had come specifically for He Song.

Now, hearing Chen Zhou's words, a thought flashed through He Song's mind. Spiritual light flickered in his eyes, and he instantly understood the situation. This man’s cultivation was at the fourth level of Qi Refining, the same as himself. Though his own means of self-preservation were limited, he carried several Earth Shield Talismans given by Zhao Lin, so there was no need to fear Chen Zhou suddenly making a move.

Knowing there was little danger, He Song relaxed, though his vigilance did not waver. In fact, his fingers, hidden in his sleeve, were already holding an Earth Shield Talisman. If anything went wrong, he could activate it instantly to protect himself.

“Yes, I am He Song. I just broke through to mid-stage Qi Refining and have been granted these two new acres. Is there something you need, fellow Daoist?” He Song answered Chen Zhou’s question openly. Yet, as he spoke, he felt the name Chen Zhou was vaguely familiar, as if he’d seen it somewhere before.

Thinking for a moment, He Song’s gaze grew a bit surprised as he looked at Chen Zhou. He remembered now. Earlier, when he and Zhao Lin were looking at the map in the Spirit Medicine Pavilion, he had seen the name Chen Zhou on it. At the time, He Song had remarked that many people, after reaching mid-stage Qi Refining, had their new fields assigned elsewhere, forcing them to visit two places daily and use the Spirit Rain Technique twice—a troublesome affair.

Now, unexpectedly, the person whose name he had casually noticed had appeared before him in the flesh.

If He Song’s memory served, the reason he’d noticed Chen Zhou’s name was that their spirit fields were adjacent to each other. In other words... the two acres He Song had just received were likely taken from Chen Zhou and reassigned to him by Zhao Lin. Chen Zhou’s new fields were now located elsewhere.

Chen Zhou was the sole victim in all this.

He Song was left speechless, unsure what to say, and could only stand there silently, casting the Spirit Rain Technique and waiting for Chen Zhou to speak.

No wonder Chen Zhou had approached him so directly.
No wonder Chen Zhou seemed to have been waiting here.
No wonder Chen Zhou immediately asked if he was the new owner of these fields.

His fields had been reassigned, and he had come to confront the new owner.

He Song’s heart was a mix of emotions. He had become, in someone else’s eyes, the “villain.”

“Fellow Daoist He, these two acres once belonged to me. I wonder if you would be willing to exchange them. I have two acres elsewhere,” Chen Zhou said, cupping his hands in greeting, and took out ten spirit stones from his pouch.

The ten gleaming stones glittered brightly in the sunlight. He Song nearly had his attention drawn away by their brilliance.

Yet as Chen Zhou offered the stones and finished speaking, He Song’s expression grew serious. His hands continued forming the spell, but his body shifted slightly to the side.

Ten spirit stones were not insignificant—they could rent a room in the Immortal Market for a month. But for a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator like He Song, ten stones were pitifully few. In a year, he could earn ninety spirit stones from managing his fields. Moreover, if he agreed to the exchange, he would have to visit two places every day and perform the Spirit Rain Technique twice. The time spent managing the fields would greatly increase, reducing the hours available for cultivation.

Trading so much time for ten spirit stones was not worthwhile. Besides, the reassignment of these fields was a favor from Zhao Lin. Was Zhao Lin’s maneuvering worth only ten spirit stones? If Zhao Lin learned He Song had traded them away for a mere ten stones, how would he feel?

Now, Chen Zhou thought he could exchange these two acres for ten spirit stones alone. Frankly, Chen Zhou was underestimating both He Song and the value of Zhao Lin’s favor.

“There’s no need for the spirit stones. If you wish to exchange, go to the Spirit Medicine Pavilion’s manager. If he agrees, then I will exchange,” He Song replied coldly, refusing outright. Then he added a warning,

“And let me remind you: the manager and I are friends. If you go, consider carefully.”