Chapter 193

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Chapter 193: The Middle-Aged Cultivator with a Story

A day later, the Void Refinement Stage Puppet from the Hidden Spirit Sect flew towards Lin Sen Fairy City.

Using a teleportation formation, it was transported to the distant Joyful Union Fairy City.

At this moment, Xu Fan, filled with excitement, controlled the puppet as he entered the business chamber set up by the Joyful Union Sacred Land.

Ten days later, Xu Fan heard Grape’s report in his ear.

"Master, all twelve beast race teleportation formations near Tianquan Kingdom have been destroyed."

"However, four beast race members vanished immediately after exiting the teleportation formations; their base sizes likely correspond to the Core Formation stage."

"Speed up the crafting of the Precious Artifact Satellite and increase surveillance in the Lin Sen Fairy City area," Xu Fan said.

Four Core Formation stage beast race members wouldn’t cause much trouble in Lin Sen Fairy City.

At that moment, Xu Fan received news that Su Rantian and her colleague were visiting.

Two beams of light flew directly through the opening created by the Hidden Spirit Sect’s lake and mountain grand formation.

In the main peak’s dojo, Xu Fan sat drinking tea with the middle-aged cultivator while Su Rantian likely went to find Li Xingci.

"Elder Xu, is it time for my Spiritual Sword to be repaired?" the middle-aged cultivator asked as he presented a Spiritual Sword before Xu Fan.

Xu Fan picked up the sword and noticed the numerous small cracks.

"Yes, it’s definitely time for repairs."

"Have the materials I asked for been prepared?" Xu Fan inquired, as master craftsmen usually keep a bit of leftover material for future repairs to artifacts.

"Yes, I have it," the middle-aged cultivator said, handing Xu Fan a small piece of Xuan Titanium Steel.

"Three days from now, you can come for the Spiritual Sword," Xu Fan remarked, looking at the small piece of steel in his hand.

At this moment, the middle-aged cultivator rubbed his hands and said to Xu Fan in a somewhat flattering tone, "Elder Xu, didn’t you say my Spiritual Sword could be enhanced?"

Xu Fan, prepared for this, took out a jade slip and replied, "Once you gather the materials listed inside, I can upgrade your Spiritual Sword."

In Xu Fan’s view, it would be better to sell the Spiritual Sword and buy new materials for crafting a new one.

Because this Spiritual Sword didn’t really need an upgrade; even if it were upgraded, it would only be a case of gilding the lily.

The middle-aged cultivator looked at the materials in the jade slip and felt his heart sink, then chuckled bitterly.

"Why is that, senior?" Xu Fan asked.

"The materials here easily cost hundreds of billions of spirit stones. I’m afraid I won’t be able to gather them anytime soon."

"Looks like my Spiritual Sword can’t be upgraded after all," the middle-aged cultivator sighed.

This Spiritual Sword had accompanied him for a hundred years. He had finally met a master craftsman he admired, but he found himself unable to afford the materials.

For some reason, Xu Fan saw the weight of life on the middle-aged cultivator’s face.

"As a Core Formation stage cultivator, why…" Xu Fan didn’t finish his sentence.

"Why am I so poor that I can’t even produce this small amount of spirit stones, right?" The middle-aged cultivator chuckled weakly.

Xu Fan nodded.

"Would you like to hear my story?" the middle-aged cultivator asked. After spending some time together, he felt a strong connection with Elder Xu and thought sharing this wasn’t too much of a secret.

"Please go ahead, senior. I am willing to be a listener," Xu Fan replied. Although they were equal in status, the cultivation world respected strength above all.

However, Xu Fan felt that he had heard a similar opening line before.

As the middle-aged cultivator shared his story, Xu Fan slowly understood why this impressive Core Formation stage swordsman was so poor, to the extent of haggling over the ten billion spirit stones needed for repairs.

The middle-aged cultivator’s tale was essentially that he once had a happy family, but his wife was suddenly attacked by criminals and became a vegetable. Not just any vegetable, but one that required daily medication to maintain her life force, costing as much in a day as an average person would earn in a lifetime.

Luckily, the man earned just enough to get by, but beyond survival, he couldn’t afford to buy anything else.

After listening to the middle-aged cultivator’s tale, Xu Fan let out a slow breath.

"Given your position as a member of the Elder Council, you must have consulted a Great Ascension stage Sovereign about your wife," Xu Fan asked.

"I have. The respected elder who specializes in the Wide Road of Life told me,"

"To awaken my wife, I need a large amount of life spirit crystals, and those can only be found in the demon race."

"But even if I had them, with my current finances, I still couldn’t afford them," the middle-aged cultivator said.

Hearing this, Xu Fan sighed gently. In this world, there truly was only one kind of illness.

Words of comfort rose to Xu Fan’s lips but he held them back, knowing that men like this did not require sympathy; a look of encouragement would suffice.

"Senior, if someone could cure your wife, how would you repay them?" Xu Fan asked.

"I would swear a heavenly path oath, and that person would have my loyalty," the middle-aged cultivator replied without hesitation, looking at Xu Fan with hopeful eyes.

"Could it be that Elder Xu can obtain a large amount of life spirit crystals?"

"Not exactly. I was just thinking that we are indeed in a special era of the fusion of the two realms, and perhaps in the near future, someone from the human race will acquire what you need."

"When that time comes, you just need to have your spirit stones ready," Xu Fan said.

At that moment, the middle-aged cultivator’s expression grew distressed; in the end, the problems circled back to square one.

"Senior, there are many ways to earn spirit stones. If the Elder Council permits, you could become a guest elder at the Hidden Spirit Sect."

"I have several important tasks that require your expertise to earn spirit stones," Xu Fan mentioned.

Once he advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, he could craft Sea Ships that could traverse the Endless Sea, and he wanted this middle-aged cultivator to be the captain.

Not for any other reason, but in this complex cultivation world, a man who stands by his wife would not have bad intentions.

"You’re feeling sorry for me," the middle-aged cultivator frowned.

"Senior, we can consider ourselves friends, right?" Xu Fan asked.

"Yes."

"I have several tasks that require the cooperation of Core Formation stage cultivators, and you are my only Core Formation stage friend I can talk to."

"You need spirit stones, and I need a Core Formation stage cultivator; this arrangement seems quite reasonable," Xu Fan said, spreading his hands.

"I can serve as a guest elder at the Hidden Spirit Sect," the middle-aged cultivator nodded.

"Great, the Hidden Spirit Sect will offer one hundred million spirit stones each year, and for any trouble caused, there will be generous rewards," Xu Fan said.

The middle-aged cultivator nodded; while the offering seemed a bit high, it was still within the market range.

"Grapes," Xu Fan called out.

"I’m here~"

"Pick a mountain peak for the senior to rest," Xu Fan instructed.

"Understood."

"If the senior isn’t in a hurry, you can wait here for another three days," Xu Fan said.

"Alright, I’m not on duty right now, so I’ll wait until you finish repairing my Spiritual Sword," the middle-aged cultivator nodded.

Then Xu Fan had the tool puppets guide the middle-aged cultivator to the Guest Peak, a place specifically for hosting visitors.

In the underground space, Xu Fan opened the door to find the first and second clones hard at work.

The task of crafting the Transformation Stage heavy armor puppet was almost complete.

"Master, I don’t have time for other tasks right now; you’ll have to handle it yourself," the first clone said, holding the Spiritual Sword.

"Unless you’re writing an extra chapter," the second clone added.

"Keep working; I’ll take care of this myself."

Xu Fan started to wonder if, in the future, giving only half a chapter might make these two clones rebel.

In the artifact crafting room of the underground space, Xu Fan summoned the long-unused spirit fire and began repairing the most basic Spiritual Sword.

Looking at the sword’s craftsmanship reminded Xu Fan of the first treasure he ever crafted, a Spiritual Sword named Tong You.

"Sigh, I’ve never seen such a pitiful Core Formation stage cultivator."

With that, Xu Fan threw himself fully into repairing the Spiritual Sword.

Meanwhile, in a sea of flowers before the summit of Hidden Spirit Island,

Su Rantian and Li Xingci strolled through the blooms, with Su Rantian sneaking glances at Li Xingci like a little girl.

She realized she was falling deeper for him.

"Xingci, tell me about your past," Su Rantian said.

"There’s not much to tell. My father died before I was born, and my mother passed away when I was two."

"Then my master took me in, and that’s how it’s been ever since," Li Xingci said lightly.

"Xingci, besides your master, I’ll also be by your side."

Su Rantian leaned closer to Li Xingci, ready to make her move.

"You know I don’t have feelings for you right now," Li Xingci said. Was the power of the Path of Desire really this strong?

"I know, as long as you know I like you, that’s enough."

Su Rantian moved even closer and suddenly hugged Li Xingci, pressing her face against his chest.

Li Xingci tried to pull away but quickly realized he couldn’t break free.

"From now on, call me Tian’er, okay?"

Su Rantian’s voice was sweet, her eyes filled with hope as she looked up at Li Xingci.

"Aren’t we moving a bit too fast?" Li Xingci asked, struggling again, but it was no use.

"It’s not too fast. If you’re willing, we could even consummate our marriage today," Su Rantian said, her face turning red.

Li Xingci was at a loss for words.

"Uh, Senior Su, could you let go, please?" Li Xingci asked.

Su Rantian nuzzled her face against his chest without responding.

At that moment, Li Xingci felt helpless. He couldn’t fight back, and talking didn’t help. As for scolding, he figured he could endure it for thousands of years under his master.

"Tian’er, let go," Li Xingci said softly. Honestly, he was a bit uncomfortable.

"I didn’t hear you," Su Rantian teased.

"Tian’er, let go," Li Xingci said a little louder.

"Okay," Su Rantian replied shyly, then gazed at Li Xingci’s handsome face with longing.

"I really want to kiss you; what should I do~~"