Chapter 90: The Ceremony


    Time flew swiftly, and a month had passed.


    At Mirror Moon Lake,


    in the herb field area, beneath the central tier-2 spirit peach tree.


    Ruan Xingling, d in a pink pce dress, gently caressed the ancient branches of the peach tree, twisted like coiled dragons. Her expression seemed nostalgic, as if reminiscing…


    On the limbs of the spirit peach tree hung a few green peaches, clearly unripe.


    “I remember… these peaches take three years to mature, yet they taste incredibly sweet. Sadly, Father never let me have more than a few, saying they were reserved for the children during their foundation cultivation phase. These peaches possess gentle spiritual energy, free from any pill toxicity, making them supreme for cultivating one’s elemental base…” Ruan Xingling murmured almost to herself, “When Lu rebelled, Father could have easily destroyed this tree but couldn’t bear to…”


    “Now… this spirit nt has finally returned to my hands.”


    “Xingling, enduring humiliation and bearing burdens all these years, you’ve ultimately avenged your grudge. I am truly pleased,” said an elderly voice.


    An elderly man in a crane-patterned robe approached leisurely—it was Feng Baimeng. Gently stroking his beard, he spoke with a kindly tone, “As for your position within the alliance, there’s no need to worry. With my reputation and that old Daoist Xiu Mu’s connections, being the rightful heirs of Peach Blossom Ind, suppressing these traitors will leave no room for dissent…”


    “As far as the nearby families go, our Bai Yufeng n and the Moraxi Mo n fully support you, considering our kinship ties… Lu Jingqing is aware of this too; instead of aligning with us, he seeks favor from Golden Tooth, the entric from Golden me Ind. But would Golden Tooth truly oppose all three ns just for a mere dead man? Your seat as Ind Lord is secure. When do you n to hold the grand ceremony for assuming the title? I’ll ensure Manlou brings a substantial gift!”


    Feng Baimeng continued talking at length, seemingly typical for the elderly who often be more talkative with age. “Oh right, do you still remember Manlou? That little rascal has grown into quite a handsome young man now!”


    “But how could you entrust this sacred Peach Blossom Ind to outsiders? That old Daoist Xiu Mu might be tolerable, but the other three rogue cultivators are merely at Mid-Stage Qi Refinement with no notable connections or specialized skills…”


    Ruan Xingling’s expression remained resolute. “I have my own ns for this matter. The Ruan Familycks sufficient manpower and requires assistance!”


    “Indeed!” Feng Baimeng pped his hands, smiling. “If you need people, why not rely on the Bai n and Mo n? We’re all family; would we ever harm you?”


    “Sigh… Must you pressure me?” Ruan Xingling’s features gradually hardened. “Since Great-Grandfather is here, let me make it clear… Even if I were to seek a husband from another n in the future, neither the Mo nor Feng ns will be considered. After all, I bear the name of Ruan!”


    “You…” Feng Baimeng’s beard trembled slightly before heposed himself again, letting out a long sigh. “Ah… Yuanzhan truly has a remarkable daughter.” <hr>


    At Jade Cliff, a group of mortals armed with blueprints provided by Fang Xi were diligentlyying foundations, stacking bricks… working tirelessly.


    Whenever Fang Xi came to supervise, they trembled nervously, wearing humble and ingratiating smiles, almost ready to kneel and bow their heads in reverence.


    Most wore tattered clothes patched multiple times, appearing gaunt and malnourished. Yet despite this, they seemed somewhat better off than themoners in Yue Kingdom.


    Fang Xi could only silently feel relieved that he hadn’t been reincarnated as one of these spiritually rootlessmon folk; otherwise, life would have been unbearable from day one.


    He ventured into his spirit field, beginning tasks like weeding and fertilizing…


    asionally, he employed the Spring Breeze and Timely Rain Technique along with the Golden Seventh Metal Grass Cutting Sword, feeling grateful that his old skills had not gone rusty.


    “Phew…” After finishing work on another acre, Fang Xi straightened up, taking a deep breath.


    “Generally speaking, even a skilled spirit farmer can barely manage three or four acres at most.”


    “Now I have thirteen acres, which under normal circumstances would require hiring several spirit farmers, allowing me to be a small-scalendlord in the cultivation world… Then imagine having beautiful wives, lovely servants, fine clothing, exquisite food, grand mansions - what bliss!”


    “Fortunately, being a body cultivator, I can handle it all myself.”


    After expressing his sentiments, Fang Xi continued to work diligently, head bowed.


    Following the spirit farming legacy, once the spirit field was properly prepared, it was time to sow the Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice seeds.


    This particr spirit rice is nted in spring and harvested in autumn, requiring special irrigation with spirit water throughout the season. Ideally, mixing some wild animal blood, preferably from mythical beasts, enhances its growth.


    By doing so, the resulting spirit rice gains abundant blood qi.


    For other spirit farmers, obtaining mythical beast blood might be challenging, but for Fang Xi, it was as easy as finding ordinary spring water.


    “Fellow Daoist Fang, how’s the nting of spirit rice going?!”


    An hourter, arge paper crane leisurely flew over, and a figure jumped down from it - none other than Xiu Mu the old Daoist!


    With a cheerful greeting, he noticed Fang Xi looking up. “Fellow Daoist Xiu Mu, here to remind me about the spirit stones? I’ve already mentioned that I’ll repay you once the spirit rice harvests!”


    “It’s not just about those twenty spirit stones…” Xiu Mu hastily waved his hand and nced at the fields. “Eh? You’re actually growing Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice? This type doesn’t fetch much price…”


    “The local spiritual energy is insufficient, so I’m starting with varieties that require less energy. Building soil fertilityes first…” Fang Xi hopped onto the edge of the field, rubbing his hands together. “I didn’t expect your visit, Fellow Daoist. What brings you here?”


    “After three days, it will be the grand ceremony for Goddess Ruan’s appointment as Ind Lord.” Xiu Mu’s expression turned serious as he mentioned the main purpose of his visit. “The old Daoist hase to deliver an invitation!”


    “Ah!”


    Fang Xi epted the invitation, nced at it briefly, and casually ced it into his bag of holding. “Many thanks, Daoist friend. Please convey my message that I’ll definitely attend in three days!”


    Xiu Mu was taken aback; Fellow Daoist Fang seemed quite sociable in the market, but upon arriving at Peach Blossom Ind, he appeared somewhat distant. After pondering for a moment, Xiu Mu decided to hint further, “For this ceremony honoring Goddess Ruan, representatives from both the Feng and Mo ns are expected to attend…”


    “Oh!” Fang Xi responded with deliberate ambiguity, aiming to reinforce his aloof image.


    Feeling anxious, Xiu Mu chose to be blunt, “Currently, Goddess Ruan values us four greatly, but we’re essentially guests here. It’s best if we stick together, acting in unison, so we can support each other effectively!”


    Does Fang Xi truly not understand such basic pragmatism?


    “I see!” Fang Xi nodded initially, then shook his head. “However, I only wish to cultivate quietly at Jade Cliff and have no interest in getting involved with external matters. Perhaps your suggestion of moving together is not suitable for me…”


    Left speechless for a moment, Xiu Mu eventually stamped his foot in frustration and departed, waving his sleeves. <hr>


    Three dayster.


    At Mirror Moon Lake’s shore, within the Ruan family mansion.


    Cultivators from the surrounding area gathered together, filling over a dozen tables.


    Red silk banners adorned the estate, creating an atmosphere of festive celebration.


    The tables wereden with freshly picked spirit fruits and pastries made from spirit rice, while tea flowed abundantly like water.


    Fang Xi casually chose a low-grade magical item from his spoils as a congrattory gift and was seated at one of the peripheral tables, coincidentally joining Wei Yixin and his wife.


    Meanwhile, Xiu Mu, adept at social maneuvering, acted as a temporary host, weing guests almost like a member of the Ruan family himself.


    asionally, some cultivators nced at Fang Xi’s group with expressions ranging from envy to jealousy…and even resentment!


    “Goddess Ruan isn’t wise here; why would she recruit these rogue cultivators? Their cultivation bases seem quite ordinary…”


    “Indeed! Offering them spiritualnd, even if it’s insignificant, still provides a foundation for their future! They’ve truly hit the jackpot!”


    What defines a rogue cultivator? Like floating duckweed, without a fixed abode, drifting aimlessly,cking support in old age…they represent the lowest stratum of the cultivation world!


    Acquiring a piece of spiritualnd, however, serves as the foundational basis for establishing a n or sect.


    Countless rogue cultivators spend their entire lives yearning for such an opportunity, only to never glimpse any hope.


    Witnessing Fang Xi and three other rogues secure a foothold now naturally fueled envy, with some even harboring resentment!


    “You don’t quite understand; Goddess Ruan’s strategy is truly clever,” said an old cultivator, his face glowing brightly. He took a sip of spirit tea and began exining enthusiastically, “Although she is a formidable Late Stage Qi Refinement expert, being alone has its limitations. By gathering rogue cultivators without established roots as her supportwork and integrating allied familial powers, she creates internal checks and bnces, ensuring temporary stability… Additionally, by promoting spiritual-rooted children from the mortal popce and bestowing them with the ‘Ruan’ surname, she deepens her foundation, forming a tripartite bnce… In several decades, when these trusted cultivators mature, this territory will be as solid as an iron fortress!”


    Fang Xi, with sharper hearing than Wei Yixin and his wife, couldn’t help but feel speechless upon overhearing this. A tiny ind’s territory was being likened to a kingdom?


    Is this old cultivator perhaps a former swindler of geomancy from the mundane world? Did he also dabble in dragon-ying techniques or something simr?


    “Fellow Daoist Fang, please enjoy some tea!” Wei Yixin managed a stiff smile, taking initiative to mend rtions with Fang Xi.


    Over the past few days, after being guided by his cultivation partner, he realized that as a future rooted cultivator, there was no need for constant conflict. Instead, fostering good rtionships with neighbors would be beneficial - without any harm!


    Moreover, Peach Blossom Ind itself wasn’t entirely tranquil either!


    “Hmm, have you settledfortably on West Peak already? What do you n to do for livelihood?” Fang Xi casually asked while sipping his spirit tea.


    “West Peak has several dwellings; they just require minor repairs to make them habitable…” This time, Hua Chanjuan eagerly joined the conversation, herughter charming and full of vitality, her expression brimming with anticipation for the future: “There’s also a beautiful sea of flowers… I know techniques for cultivating jade bees, so we intend to train more of them. Next year, we should be able to harvest spirit honey. However, my husband here, ustomed to wielding a de for battles, struggles even with making bee hives - they turn out crooked and quite unsightly…”


    “Now with our own spiritualnd, we can save on medicinal pills for cultivation and instead purchase more spirit seeds. As fellow Daoists, you being a spirit farmer, please teach us well about farming! I’m tired of living by the edge of a de. Selling some magical artifacts should also allow me to buy a few nice outfits…”


    She chattered incessantly before finally inviting them, “My husband and I n to establish a family lineage, what do you think of calling it ‘Twin Wei’?”


    “Why bring this up now?” Wei Yixin’s face flushed red.


    Fang Xi momentarily paused, then nced at Hua Chanjuan’s t abdomen, feeling somewhat speechless.


    Forming a Qi Refining family would indeed be a long and arduous journey for them.


    Outside, Xiu Mu’s robust voice echoed, “From White Feather Ind, Feng Manlou of the Feng n, and from ck Sand Ind, Mo Qingyu of the Mo n, have arrived!”


    Most guests turned their attention towards the entrance, witnessing two young cultivators, one d in white robes and the other in green, entering together. Both were strikingly handsome, exuding grace and elegance that left many secretly impressed.


    “Hmph! The shamelessness of the Feng and Mo ns, scheming for a marriage alliance? Disgusting!” Hua Chanjuan spat softly, her expression visibly displeased.