Chapter 146: Joy of Returning in Glory — Meeting the Cultivator Behind the Mountain

Suddenly, a sturdy middle-aged man shoved through the crowd and rushed in front of Yu Xian, pride and emotion all over his face.

He looked at Yu Xian, his lips trembling, and said softly,

“What’s the meaning of this…?”

Yu Xian looked at him and said gently,

“Third Uncle… I… I’m sorry. Please forgive me for leaving without a word…”

Uncle Zhang stared at him, then burst into hearty laughter, his eyes full of pride:

“You brat, you’ve always had your own ideas. Whatever you do, there’s always a plan behind it. What can I say? Good! Good! Whatever you choose to do, your uncle won’t interfere. As long as you come back… that’s enough!”

Yu Xian nodded quietly,

“Yes, I’ve come back…”

Surrounded by villagers like stars around the moon, everyone was excited to see one of their own return, successful and refined.

Most of the adults recognized Yu Xian. Though he had been an orphan, nearly every family had helped him in some way.

Now that he returned in wealth and honor, it was natural for them to hope he’d give back a little.

This wasn’t greed, but simple human nature.

Those who think such thoughts are improper are usually the true selfish ones—eager to take, never willing to give back. And when you ask them to repay kindness, they call it “moral coercion.”

Chatter and joy filled the air, and Yu Xian smiled warmly, greeting every uncle, aunt, and elder without missing a name.

Then the old village chief raised his voice:

“Little Xian has made it! He’s returned in glory! This is a joyous occasion! Every household—bring something out!

If you’re better off, bring meat or wine!

If times are tight, bring rice, vegetables, or flour!

Tonight, we’ll hold a great feast to celebrate his return!”

Everyone cheered joyfully.

Yu Xian scratched his head, smiling a bit shyly.

As they walked into the village center, Yu Xian’s smile suddenly froze. His eyes turned complex.

“Grandpa Sun…”

His voice was raspy, barely audible.

“The elm tree… the stump… did you dig it out?”

The central square where the great elm tree had once stood…

Only a patch of open ground remained.

Even the tree stump was gone.

It was natural that the villagers would eventually dig up a dead tree.

Still… even though Yu Xian understood, it hurt.

He wanted to be angry—but had no right to be.

“We did dig it up,”

the chief nodded and sighed.

“We didn’t want to, honestly. That tree brought blessings to our village.

We already felt guilty we couldn’t protect it.

Maybe if the stump stayed, it could sprout again someday.

But two years ago, a cultivator came. He said he needed the stump.

In exchange, he promised to protect the village for two years—no disasters, no trouble, good weather and good harvests…

So… I agreed.”

The chief sighed again.

Yu Xian’s eyes narrowed.

“Grandpa Sun… is that cultivator still here?”

“Of course!”

The chief smiled.

“He keeps his word. Since taking the elm stump, he’s lived behind the mountain.

When there’s drought, he brings rain. When there’s flood, he diverts it.

That’s why we’ve had two straight years of great harvests—just look at the terraced fields!”

Behind the mountain…

Yu Xian nodded slowly,

“He’s a decent man, then. Grandpa Sun, I’d like to meet him.”

“No, no!”

The chief quickly waved his hands.

“That cultivator doesn’t like being disturbed.

He said he’ll leave by autumn. Don’t bother him, lest he get angry.”

“Of course, I won’t disturb him.

Just… tell me which mountain, so I don’t wander into the wrong place by accident.”

Yu Xian smiled harmlessly.

The chief chuckled,

“You’ve always been a thoughtful boy. He’s staying on the first mountain behind the village. Just avoid that one. Anywhere else, you’re free to go.”

“Got it. Got it.”

Yu Xian smiled and nodded—but a cold glint flickered in his eyes.

That evening, the village was filled with celebration.

Every household contributed something to the feast. The entire village came together in joy—Yu Xian’s return brought honor to them all.

Yu Xian responded to every villager’s greetings, drank every cup offered, and chatted happily.

He talked about running a big business, earning piles of money, and seeing the wide world.

Eventually, in his “drunken excitement,” he pulled out silver ingots from his storage pouch and handed them out generously.

None of the villagers questioned how he could keep producing silver from his sleeves. They were too thrilled.

This was a child who had no backing, no support—

And yet, look at him now!

Seeing their joy, Yu Xian’s smile bloomed bright with pride and satisfaction.

This was the true meaning of returning in glory.

Late into the night, as the villagers fell asleep one by one, Yu Xian staggered “drunkenly” back to the house he hadn’t seen in five years.

Though long unused, someone had clearly cleaned it periodically.

Apart from a musty smell, nothing had changed.

He dismissed the villagers who accompanied him, shut the door, and slowly walked inside.

Standing before the old bed, he fell silent.

In his mind, he saw…

His parents, playing with a toddler version of himself.

His frail mother coughing in bed…

His eyes grew hot. He reached up to wipe them, then gently ran his hand over the bed frame, closing his eyes.

After a long pause, he opened them again.

Clear. Calm.

All the alcohol had already been purged from his body.

He stepped to the door, formed a hand seal, and flew silently into the night—toward the mountain.

That cultivator who had dug up the elm tree…

Not only had he not left, but he actually protected the villagers.

That surprised Yu Xian.

The elm tree was already dead, and as a spiritual entity, its root was likely a Grade-3 material.

Any cultivator taking it was understandable.

But one who took it and then fulfilled their promise? Rare indeed.

Yu Xian soared swiftly through the air.

The back mountain was his childhood playground—he knew every rock and path.

In just two minutes, he located the cultivator’s residence.

A basic Tier-2 formation surrounded the cave, emitting faint grey mist. It would confuse ordinary villagers, but Yu Xian saw through it instantly.

Rather than forcing his way in, he raised his hand—

WHOOSH!

A water dragon shot out, smashing into the barrier.

Boom!

The formation wavered.

From within, a shout rang out:

“Who dares disturb my formation?!”

Yu Xian said calmly,

“Fellow Daoist inside, come out and meet me.”

The array shifted quickly, the grey mist condensing into stone-like spinning projectiles. Spiritual energy surged.

A balanced offensive-defensive array.

Then a man in a brown Daoist robe emerged from the cave. He frowned at Yu Xian:

“Who are you? Why are you attacking my formation?!

This is not a place you can just barge into!”

He was at late Qi Condensation—young and talented.

Yu Xian replied calmly,

“I come with no ill intent.

I have only one request: return the elm tree root to me.

I’m willing to offer compensation.”

“Ridiculous!”

The man sneered,

“What elm root?! I don’t know what you’re talking about!

If you have no business here—leave! Or I’ll—”

Yu Xian’s gaze turned cold.

He raised a hand and pressed down on the formation.

The array twisted and trembled under a massive wave of spiritual pressure.

In just one breath’s time, the array reached its breaking point.

If Yu Xian exerted just a little more force, it would shatter.

The man’s face changed dramatically. He staggered back.

“Daoist brother! Fellow Daoist, wait!”

Yu Xian’s tone remained calm:

“I want the elm tree root. Please return it.”

The man’s eyes darted, and he gave a strained laugh:

“Daoist brother, ah… that root… I, um, I already turned it into a… a magic item…”

“Hm!?”

Yu Xian’s eyes flashed with killing intent.

He pushed down harder.

“What did you say?”

“No! Wait! I haven’t touched it yet! The root is still there!”

The man screamed in panic.

Yu Xian stopped pressing the array and extended his hand.

“Return it. I’ll pay whatever compensation you ask.”

The man looked like he’d swallowed a bitter pill. His eyes were full of regret.

If only I had left! Why did I agree to guard the village for two years?

Now, halfway through his promise, a powerful cultivator shows up…

The root was cut into ten pieces, just beginning to be refined into formation items.

And now, he had to give it up.

He grit his teeth and shouted:

“Please wait, Daoist friend! I’ll bring it out now!”

The elm root was too large for his storage pouch and had been left inside the cave.

Moments later, he hauled out a huge root—yellowed, lifeless, entirely dead.

Yu Xian looked at it, sorrow in his eyes.

He took a deep breath and waved his sleeve—

The massive elm root, ten meters wide and three meters tall, vanished into his storage.

Then he looked at the man.

“How much compensation do you want?”

The man, wide-eyed, was still frozen—

He just… took the whole thing?

He has… a mid-grade storage pouch?

That means he’s… a Foundation Establishment cultivator!?

Thud!

The man dropped to his knees, eyes shining.

“Senior! This junior greets you respectfully!

I want no compensation—just let me follow you!

Please, senior, take me as your disciple!”