Chapter Two: The Mudstone Boar

Xiaoying glanced sideways and saw that Boss Li looked completely composed, standing steadily atop the flying sword, even taking the time to smooth out his wind-tossed hair, as if he might as well have “I’m a handsome man” engraved on his forehead. The little creature sprawled on Boss Li’s shoulder like a piglet, eyes squinted in pleasure.

Unable to hold back her curiosity, Xiaoying asked, “Don’t you feel tired?”

Li Chengzhu was still savoring the memory of his intense encounter with Gu Linglong. Hearing Xiaoying’s question, he turned to look at her, only to see her mouth slightly open, breathing a bit heavily, with a sheen of sweat on her forehead. He asked in surprise, “You’re tired?”

“Of course I am! We’ve been flying for three days, and big sister hasn’t told us to rest yet,” Xiaoying pouted, out of breath. She cast Li Chengzhu a meaningful look, complaining, “Your endurance is amazing. I’m exhausted, but you seem just fine.”

Li Chengzhu grinned wickedly. “Naturally, I’m enduring. Want to try it out?”

Xiaoying’s cheeks, already flushed, turned redder still, and she muttered, “Shameless!”

Just then, Gu Linglong stopped, turned, and said, “Everyone, let’s rest for a while before we continue!” She led the group downwards.

The cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage all let out a collective sigh of relief, clearly worn out from these past few days.

Touching down, Gu Linglong produced sixteen superior spirit stones, arranged them in an Eight Trigram Grand Spirit Gathering Array, and had everyone sit within to recover.

Li Chengzhu made himself comfortable, placed the little creature to the side, and began absorbing spiritual energy using the techniques from the “Spirit Gathering Compendium”.

The group rested for half a day. Among them, Li Chengzhu, with the lowest cultivation, was the first to open his eyes—he needed less than two hours.

He looked up and met Gu Linglong’s gaze. Gu Linglong seemed a bit surprised, perhaps not expecting Li Chengzhu to recover so quickly. Li Chengzhu grinned, showing off a set of perfect teeth.

Gu Linglong ignored him, turning her eyes away.

Li Chengzhu puckered his lips and began observing the others. Half of them had bought his flying swords; even the three Tribulation stage triplets were among them. Recalling the conversation between Xiaoying and Gu Linglong at the City Lord’s mansion, Li Chengzhu realized these three must be the ones Gu Linglong had once saved.

Moments later, the six experts in the Grand Completion stage finished their meditation. Among them was the man in white who harbored ill will toward Li Chengzhu, which annoyed Boss Li greatly. He glared fiercely at the man.

The man in white glared back, though this time he refrained from any psychic attack—perhaps because Gu Linglong was nearby.

The man in white stood, walked to Gu Linglong, and cupped his hands respectfully. “My lady!”

Gu Linglong parted her jade lips and asked, “Are you rested?”

“Yes, my lady!” Though he replied, the man in white’s eyes never left her.

Gu Linglong nodded with a slight smile. “This conscription went so smoothly thanks to your help, Qiufeng.”

So, his name is Qiufeng. I’ll remember you, Li Chengzhu thought darkly.

Qiufeng’s face lit up at Gu Linglong’s smile. “It’s nothing. If not for your usual care for the city’s cultivators, even my help wouldn’t have yielded such good results.”

“I simply guide their cultivation. It’s what a leader ought to do,” Gu Linglong replied coolly, unmoved by Qiufeng’s flattery.

Qiufeng’s expression grew solemn. “My lady, you’ve only been in the Immortal Realm for two years, so you may not know. Although the Immortal Realm is rich in spiritual energy, picturesque, and full of talent, the lowest tier of cultivators lack proper cultivation methods. The powerful factions and immortals look down on those of us without influence or strength. Seeking their guidance? Impossible! So, your guidance has been a tremendous boon to all cultivators in the city.”

Gu Linglong uttered a surprised “Oh”—she hadn’t known this, and it was far from the dreamlike Immortal Realm she’d imagined.

She sighed softly, longing for home.

Though her homeland lacked the Immortal Realm’s dense spiritual energy and had its share of sect rivalries, it was common for those with higher cultivation to guide the less advanced, even across sects, as long as there was no mortal feud. Everyone exchanged cultivation experiences freely, pursuing the Dao together and helping each other through difficulties.

It seems that wherever you go, there’s conflict; nowhere is truly pure.

Qiufeng bowed deeply to Gu Linglong. “My lady, on behalf of all cultivators in the city, thank you.”

“Thank you, my lady!” The other five Grand Completion experts joined him, bowing with solemn expressions.

Gu Linglong’s brows knitted in sadness, as if mourning the selfishness of the immortals. She sent out a wave of immortal spiritual energy, lifting all six to their feet. “No need for such ceremony. If you ever have questions, come to me.”

The six were overjoyed, bowing once more.

Li Chengzhu sneered from the side, tugging on the little creature’s ear and muttering, “You really are hopeless. Don’t end up counting someone else’s money after they’ve sold you!”

“Squeak squeak!” The little creature raised its paws in protest.

“Talking back again?” Li Chengzhu snapped. “If I say so, it’s so. Don’t forget you belong to me!”

“Squeak squeak!”

Gu Linglong’s lovely face blushed slightly, ignoring the implication in Li Chengzhu’s words.

Qiufeng, however, grew angry. This mere Out-of-Body stage cultivator had repeatedly provoked him. He sneered, “May I ask your name, friend?”

Li Chengzhu let go of the creature, grinning. “Li Chengzhu, at your service!”

Qiufeng pressed on, “And what kind of spirit beast is your pet? I’ve never seen one like it.”

“It?” Li Chengzhu pointed to the creature, smiling mysteriously. “I call it the Mudstone Pig.”

“Mudstone Pig?” Qiufeng pondered—he’d never heard the name.

“Yes, Mudstone Pig!” Li Chengzhu continued, tweaking the creature’s ear and chanting, “Mudstone Pig, Mudstone Pig!”

Qiufeng was still racking his brain, but Gu Linglong understood Li Chengzhu’s words, pursing her lips to stifle a laugh.

Qiufeng listened, then suddenly realized, his face flush with anger. “Are you mocking me?” He instantly filled his hand with spiritual energy, ready to strike if Li Chengzhu uttered another insolent remark.

Li Chengzhu spread his hands. “Not at all. Look—it's plump and its fur’s like mossy stone; what else could it be but a Mudstone Pig?”

Qiufeng was momentarily silenced. Li Chengzhu’s explanation was reasonable, and he could only glare fiercely, dispersing the spiritual energy from his hand.