Chapter 88
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Chapter 88: Fear of Thieves is Like Fear of Tigers!
In the room,
a black sandalwood table and a red clay stove stood quietly.
The black ceramic kettle bubbled and steamed,
filling the air with the rich aroma of tea.
"How have you been lately, dear nephew?"
A white-faced, beardless, and elegant middle-aged cultivator took a sip of spiritual tea and asked with a gentle smile, "Have you encountered any difficulties in your life or cultivation?"
It was Lu Defang.
Wang Chen sat half on the chair, feeling a bit nervous, and answered, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I am doing well."
The sudden visit from this generous uncle was unexpected for Wang Chen,
but he did not panic.
He responded according to the original owner’s character,
though it was impossible to imitate perfectly.
People always grow.
"You, you don’t speak honestly with your uncle!"
Lu Defang set down his teacup and pointed his finger at Wang Chen playfully, "I just returned from the outer realm a couple of days ago and learned that now, spiritual grain rice seeds must be bought with spirit stones."
"It must have cost you quite a bit for your ten acres of spirit fields?"
Wang Chen forced a smile and nodded, "Yes."
"Cultivation is not easy,"
Lu Defang sighed, "I find it hard to understand today’s sects."
He shook his head, unwilling to discuss it further.
Then, he took out two envelopes of spirit stones and placed them in front of Wang Chen, "This is just a small token from your uncle. Take it."
Wang Chen was taken aback, "Huh?"
One envelope had ten stones.
Two envelopes meant twenty spirit fragments!
In his memory, Lu Defang had never been this generous!
"In half a month, it will be your birthday,"
Lu Defang said with a hint of compassion in his eyes, "I have kept this in mind. Consider these spirit stones as a birthday gift for you. Go buy something good to eat; don’t treat yourself poorly."
Wang Chen then remembered,
March 18th was the original owner’s birthday.
He would soon turn eighteen!
Wang Chen was overwhelmed with gratitude, "Thank you, Uncle."
"A family doesn’t speak as if they are two families."
Lu Defang waved his hand, "Shaoyuan left early, and I have no children. The family business will definitely be inherited by you. Twenty spirit stones are nothing."
"You should focus on your cultivation. Perhaps you will soon break through to open a house. Then Shaoyuan will feel comforted in the heavens!"
Wang Chen nodded vigorously, his eyes reddening.
Lu Defang smiled and said, "I have another piece of good news for you. If nothing unexpected happens, I will soon advance to the inner sect. At that time, I will find a way to bring you along!"
He had mentioned this before, and now, with certainty in his voice, it felt like a done deal!
Wang Chen was pleasantly surprised, "Really?"
"Of course it’s true!"
Lu Defang picked up the teapot and poured two cups of hot tea for himself and Wang Chen, "Come, let’s celebrate with tea instead of wine in advance!"
Wang Chen quickly cupped his hands around the teacup, "Nephew wishes Uncle success in advancing to the inner sect and achieving the Purple Palace!"
He spoke a bit nervously.
Lu Defang laughed heartily, "Good!"
He drank it all in one gulp.
After finishing his tea, he stood up and said, "It’s getting late. I need to head back. If anything comes up, send me a letter of crane paper. Don’t push yourself too hard, remember!"
Wang Chen nodded repeatedly like a pestle, respectfully seeing Lu Defang out.
Once Lu Defang’s figure completely disappeared,
Wang Chen opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of tea.
It splashed on the ground and was still steaming!
This tea was what he had just drunk,
but he had wrapped it in his magical power to hide it in his mouth.
This technique was something Wang Chen had learned from books and practiced multiple times until he could use it skillfully.
Besides tea, elixirs and small amounts of food were not a problem either.
Speaking did not affect it at all.
As the saying goes, one must always be cautious of others.
Since he knew Lu Defang had ulterior motives, how could Wang Chen dare to eat what he brought?
The skills he learned came in handy perfectly.
This is why one should read more; even cultivators are no exception!
However, Wang Chen felt puzzled. Today, Lu Defang did not show the same malice as before.
When he gave the spirit stones, he even displayed a kind of compassion.
It was as if…
Wang Chen returned to his room and gazed at the two spirit stones placed on his wooden table, a sudden chill creeping into his heart.
"Take this and buy yourself something good to eat. Don’t be too hard on yourself!"
Lu Defang’s voice seemed to echo in his ears once more, clear and unmistakable.
This was the money for Wang Chen’s life.
It was also a meal for the condemned!
It made sense that Lu Defang harbored no malice—who would bear ill will toward meat on the chopping block?
A surge of unnameable rage erupted in Wang Chen’s heart.
Deep within the Sea of Consciousness, the Heavenly Dragon let out a silent roar, thrashing violently to break free from its restraints.
Yet, the chains binding it remained utterly unmoved!
Despite the overwhelming fury, a clear heart of the path kept Wang Chen composed.
A person’s rage often stems from helplessness.
In truth, when facing Lu Defang earlier, Wang Chen had felt the urge to strike.
With the advanced level Metal Finger Technique combined with the Runying Golden Needle, there was indeed a chance for a successful ambush!
But Wang Chen suppressed that impulse.
His intuition warned him that Lu Defang was exceedingly dangerous and not someone he could easily overcome.
A cultivator with perfect mastery of Qi Training would undoubtedly possess formidable means of self-defense.
Moreover, Lu Defang often ventured beyond the mountain gate to explore the outer realms.
If he lacked skill, he would have long been reduced to dust!
To confront such an enemy, one must be absolutely certain before making a move.
Otherwise, it would surely lead to his own demise!
Wang Chen was also not fully prepared to face Lu Defang in a direct confrontation.
Thus, he not only suppressed his impulse but also did his utmost to engage in false pleasantries with Lu Defang.
Conversely, for reasons unknown, Lu Defang showed no immediate intent to take Wang Chen’s life.
It seemed he was waiting for the right moment to arrive.
This might be his opportunity!
Wang Chen placed the two spirit stones into another storage bag.
He currently possessed five storage bags, allowing him to categorize and store different items.
This was a minor matter.
The more pressing concern was that Wang Chen sensed a great danger gradually closing in on him.
He needed to accelerate his preparations!
On the third day after Lu Defang’s visit, Wang Chen dug a new tunnel beside the hidden chamber on the third level.
This tunnel stretched over twenty miles, twice the length of the previous one.
The new tunnel led to the southwest, and its exit was not far from the boundary of the outer realms.
Its location was also more concealed.
Wang Chen completed this expansion project swiftly and smoothly, relying on his master-level Earth and Stone Technique and five storage bags.
The speed of construction even surpassed that of the previous tunnel.
In addition to this, Wang Chen used his master-level talisman-making technique to draw hundreds of Falling Fire talismans in one go!
As an enemy, Lu Defang was indeed formidable.
But now, Wang Chen was fearless.
Or rather, the more prepared he became, the bolder he felt when facing a strong adversary.
He was simply waiting for the battle to begin!
