Chapter 10

In Dinging City, as the steward of Treasure轩, Zhang Gui was a person of importance wherever he went.

But now, his head was presented as a gift to Fang Ling.

Looking at the head, which still bore a trace of fear and unwillingness, Fang Ling felt no sympathy, only a heart determined to become stronger.

He did not speak, but Lin Mucheng, sitting beside him, said indifferently, "Master Li, can the grievances of my brother be resolved with just one head?"

"Master Lin, you are right. This head of Zhang Gui is merely an apology from Treasure轩 to Young Master Fang. As for the disturbances Young Master Fang has endured, Treasure轩 has other gifts to offer." As he spoke, Li Mingli lightly clapped his hands.

This time, four white-robed children carrying trays walked in. On the first tray was a fist-sized jade bottle; on the second, a sheathed long sword; on the third, a tray full of spirit stones; and on the fourth, a yellowed little book.

After the four children stood still, Li Mingli smiled and said, "Master Lin, Young Master Fang, these small gifts are offered with the utmost respect, hoping to make up for the harm Treasure轩 has caused to Young Master Fang."

Lin Mucheng reached out, and the yellowed little book landed in his hand.

The ability to fetch objects from the air, a skill only attainable at the peak of the Qi Condensation stage, was as easy and natural for Lin Mucheng as drinking water.

He casually flipped through the book and a faint smile appeared on his face. "Xiao Ling, this Light Splitting Sword Technique is quite good and very suitable for your current cultivation."

As he spoke, he handed the book to Fang Ling, then glanced indifferently at the other three trays but did not touch them.

Clearly, the items on these three trays did not interest him.

Li Mingli's heart twitched. The items on these three trays were carefully selected. Without mentioning the other items, just the hundred spirit stones were worth ten thousand taels of gold.

Ten thousand taels of gold could buy a whole street in Dinging City.

But even so, they did not catch his eye.

This made him feel both regretful and more determined to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Once he broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he would no longer be a mere shopkeeper in Dinging City, and the things he would deal with would be much more significant.

Fang Ling paid no attention to Li Mingli's change in expression. He took the sword manual from Lin Mucheng and skimmed through it.

The Light Splitting Sword Technique was suitable for the Qi Condensation stage, emphasizing speed. When perfected, it could produce nine sharp edges with one strike, each strike being lethal.

Although he had not yet practiced it, Fang Ling could sense the value of this sword technique.

This sword technique was far superior to the ten-move Green Willow Sword Technique passed down in his family.

If Treasure轩 were to sell such a sword technique, it would certainly fetch no less than ten thousand taels of gold.

And now, this sword manual had easily fallen into his hands.

"Master Lin, Young Master Fang, if you need anything, just say so. As long as it can be done, Treasure轩 will not hesitate to comply!" Li Mingli respectfully clasped his hands and continued to speak politely to Fang Ling and Lin Mucheng.

Although he was ranked behind Lin Mucheng, Fang Ling knew he had no right to speak.

Lin Mucheng nodded and said, "Master Li, you were unaware of this matter, so let it be. My young brother will still be living in Dinging City, and I hope Master Li will take good care of him."

"Ha ha ha, Master Lin, you are too kind. Young Master Fang's matters are my matters!" Li Mingli, who was prepared to make more sacrifices, said with a smile.

As the four trays were gently placed on the table, Li Mingli left with a smile. Although Treasure轩 had suffered significant losses, he believed it was worth it to appease the anger of a Foundation Establishment cultivator with these valuables.

"This is a very smart person, but what a pity!" Lin Mucheng said, then grabbed the small bottle, sniffed it, and said to Fang Ling, "Although the Qi Enhancement Pill is of average quality, it will be enough to help you reach the fourth layer of Qi Condensation."

Fang Ling did not pay much attention to the Qi Enhancement Pill. He had stored many herbs in his bag, and what he cared about was Lin Mucheng's evaluation of Li Mingli.

"Big Brother Lin, why is Master Li a pity?"

Lin Mucheng smiled and said, "To step into the Foundation Establishment stage, one needs not only medicine but also a heart dedicated to the Dao. Li Mingli's mind is too flexible. Even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, his chances of success are only fifty percent."

Li Mingli, at the ninth layer of Qi Condensation, had only a fifty percent chance of achieving the Foundation Establishment stage, which made Fang Ling's heart feel cold.

No wonder Foundation Establishment cultivators were so prestigious. Reaching the ninth layer of Qi Condensation was already difficult, and among those who reached it, even fewer achieved the Foundation Establishment stage.

Lin Mucheng understood the meaning in Fang Ling's eyes and felt a sense of satisfaction.

"Ah..."

A shrill cry came from outside the room. With the cry, a deep voice said, "Chen Shengnan of the Chen family, seeking an audience with Master Lin."

Chen Shengnan, the head of the Chen family, was a powerful figure in Dinging City.

It was his absolute authority that had shaped the arrogant and unruly character of the Chen family's eldest son.

Lin Mucheng said, "Come in," and five people entered from outside.

No, the last person was dragged in.

The person dragged in was the Chen family's eldest son, Chen Zhenghua.

He was dragged in because his legs had been broken.

Drops of blood stained the Fang family's floor, and the high and low cries of pain came from this Chen young master.

Walking in front of him was an old man who bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Chen Zhenghua but looked even more cold and sinister.

The old man glanced at Lin Mucheng and then clasped his hands. "Greetings, Master Lin."

Lin Mucheng nodded but did not speak. Although Chen Shengnan was dissatisfied with Lin Mucheng's attitude, he still respectfully said, "Master Lin, my son's ignorance has offended you, and it is my fault for not disciplining him properly. Please forgive us."

As he spoke, he took out several sheets of paper and gently handed them over. "A small gift, offered with the utmost respect. I hope you will forgive us."

Fang Ling glanced at the papers and saw them filled with writing and several red seals, but he could not immediately tell what they were.

Lin Mucheng looked at the papers and a strange smile appeared on his face. He glanced at the Chen Zhenghua, who was howling like a dead dog on the ground, and then said to Chen Shengnan, "Head of the Chen family, if you have a son, you must discipline him well. Otherwise, one day, you might lose not only your son but your entire family!"

Chen Shengnan was already very uncomfortable coming to apologize to Lin Mucheng, and it was even more humiliating that he had broken his son's legs at the door.

Breaking legs was not difficult to heal, but the Chen family's dignity had been trampled on.

He thought this was enough!

But he did not expect Master Lin to be so disrespectful to him.

However, he also felt a chill. With Lin Mucheng's Foundation Establishment cultivation, if he were to go on a killing spree in the city, the Chen family would have no way to resist.

Although his brother was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was too far away to help.

Under Lin Mucheng's pressure, Chen Shengnan had to put aside his pride and said more respectfully, "Master Lin, you are right. I will discipline this beast properly when I return."

As he spoke, he kicked Chen Zhenghua's legs again.

"Ah!"

Chen Zhenghua was already in great pain, and now his father's kick added to his suffering, both physically and mentally.

He had never endured such humiliation in his life. At this moment, he had only one thought: to kill Fang Ling!

It was all because of this boy that he had lost all his dignity.

As soon as he returned home, he was slapped hard by his father.

Then he was dragged to the small Fang family to apologize, and his legs were broken at the Fang family's door.

"Alright, you can leave. But I hope nothing happens to Fang Ling in Dinging City." Lin Mucheng looked at Chen Shengnan, his voice firm and unyielding.

Chen Shengnan nodded rapidly. "Master Lin, rest assured. I guarantee that the Chen family will live in peace with the Fang family."

After Chen Shengnan and his son left, Lin Mucheng handed the papers to Fang Ling. Fang Ling saw that they were not just any papers, but contracts.

Contracts for the houses around the Fang family, which were originally part of the Fang family's large courtyard.

These houses, which had been taken away from the Fang family by various means after their decline, were now back in their hands.

Reviving the family was the main dream of the Fang family, and one of the goals was to reclaim all their houses.

This dream, which seemed to require a lifetime of struggle, was now easily achieved.

Lin Mucheng looked at Fang Ling's joyful expression and said indifferently, "Xiao Ling, since the matter is settled, I need to return to the sect to refine medicines. In the future, you should focus on cultivation and living a good life. Although your spiritual sense is good, it's best not to go to the Lashan Secret Realm again."

"Thank you, Big Brother Lin." Lin Mucheng's words were simple, but Fang Ling heard the sincerity in them.

He understood that Lin Mucheng was afraid he would enter dangerous situations again. After all, many skilled swimmers die in the water. Lin Mucheng was afraid that Fang Ling would die in the Lashan Secret Realm while relying on his spiritual sense to gather herbs.

Lin Mucheng nodded and took out a talisman from his sleeve. "This is a Golden Sword Talisman. In times of danger, it can unleash an attack equivalent to a seventh-layer Qi Condensation cultivator, but it can only be used three times. Keep it safe."

Placing the talisman on the table, Lin Mucheng did not wait for Fang Ling to speak and transformed into a beam of sword light, flying out of the Fang family's residence.

Riding the sword, he flew ten miles in an instant.

Outside Dinging City, Lin Mucheng sighed. Although Fang Ling's spiritual sense was good, his talent was average. It was almost impossible for him to become a cultivator. Introducing him to the sect would harm him, so it was better for him to live a simple life.

PS: Brothers, a change in direction is not easy. Please support me. Xiao Mao thanks you all!

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends