Chapter 5

In the ten-thousand-acre spiritual fields under the jurisdiction of the Green Cloud Sect, a notorious glutton appeared.

Over the past two months, Fang Xing had been eating over ten pounds of meat every day, not to mention the rice, fruits, and various alcoholic beverages. Occasionally, he would also buy some nourishing herbs to strengthen his body. In such an environment, Wang Zhi and the other five young disciples followed Fang Xing, sharing in his bounty. They all had rosy faces and robust bodies, even developing small bellies and double chins.

However, Fang Xing did not gain weight; he even became thinner.

Now, his physique looked very frail, like a piece of paper that could be blown away by a breeze.

Yet his eyes were very bright, and his mental state was excellent. Every move he made exuded strength.

"This Green Cloud Transformation Sutra is indeed extraordinary. I've only practiced for two months, and I've already undergone such a transformation. No wonder my nine uncles, who were all top-notch martial artists, were killed by a hawk and a sword..."

Beside the medicinal fields, Fang Xing sat by a bonfire, staring at a wild rabbit roasting on the fire.

After two months of feasting, the silver coins he had extorted from the young disciples were all spent. What to do without money?

He couldn't really make these guys sell their bodies, and even if he did, no one would probably buy from him.

With no choice, Fang Xing often took the young disciples to hunt in the nearby mountains. The forests around Green Cloud Mountain were teeming with wild animals, and the sect did not prohibit the young disciples from hunting. As long as they had the skills, they could catch some to improve their lives.

Fortunately, after cultivating a strand of spiritual energy, Fang Xing felt his senses and reactions were much sharper, and his strength had increased significantly.

He would carry a handful of small stones in his pocket, and whenever he spotted a wild rabbit or a pheasant, he would throw a stone. Within thirty yards, he never missed.

Once, Fang Xing even encountered a wild wolf. After being bitten twice, he managed to grab the wolf's tail, jump onto its back, and beat it to death with a flurry of punches.

When Fang Xing returned to the wooden house carrying the dead wolf, Wang Zhi and the others were almost scared out of their wits.

From that day on, Fang Xing was like a god to them, and they were almost ready to swear allegiance to him.

Fang Xing was also good to them. His chivalrous nature, cultivated in a bandit's den, did not diminish with his young appearance.

They shared meat and drank together, and if someone couldn't drink, they would pinch their nose and force it down.

Now, the title "Big Brother Fang" was deeply rooted in the hearts of the five young disciples, no longer just a formality.

"My current spiritual energy can successfully complete one cycle. I wonder if that counts as reaching the first level of the Lingdong realm!"

Fang Xing mused. According to the Green Cloud Sect's rules, once the young disciples reached the first level of the Lingdong realm, they could be promoted to outer disciples, raising their status and freeing them from the drudgery of the medicinal fields. There were also other benefits, but the Green Cloud Forging Qi Manual only explained how to cultivate, not how to determine the levels of cultivation.

Because of this, Fang Xing didn't know what level he was at.

"Big Brother Fang, we've brought back the firewood..."

From behind a row of pine trees, Wang Zhi and Little Freckles walked over, each carrying a bundle of dry wood.

Usually, the young disciples had to take turns to accompany Fang Xing on hunting trips. This time, it was Wang Zhi and Little Freckles. When the firewood ran low, Fang Xing sent them to gather more.

Since Fang Xing became the leader of Field C3, the biggest change was the improved treatment of Little Freckles and the others. Previously, they were bullied by Wang Zhi, and although there were only five of them, there was a clear hierarchy. However, after Fang Xing arrived, things became simpler: everyone had to be bullied by him, and no one was allowed to be arrogant. They all worked and ate together.

Whenever Wang Zhi tried to boss around Little Freckles or Dead Man, Fang Xing would kick him. After three months, Wang Zhi was already used to washing his own smelly socks.

Of course, besides his own socks, Fang Xing's socks also had to be washed by them in rotation.

"Taking so long to gather firewood, the fire is almost out. Get over here quickly!"

Seeing Big Brother Fang angry, Wang Zhi and Little Freckles hurried over, drooling at the sight of the wild rabbit on the fire.

After recognizing Fang Xing as their leader, the austere life of the sect was finally over, and they had a much richer diet.

They were just about to tear the rabbit apart and share the meat when a hurried figure ran over, shouting, "Big Brother Fang, the higher-ups are inspecting the medicinal fields and are furious because they can't find you..."

Everyone looked up to see Dead Man, who had been left to watch the fields, running over with a worried face.

"Isn't the inspection day tomorrow? Why are they here today?"

"I'm not sure, but it seems a senior disciple surnamed Yu passed by and decided to check on things..."

Wang Zhi stood up in shock, his face turning sour.

Usually, the five young disciples were free to do as they pleased as long as they tended the ten-acre medicinal fields, and no one disturbed them.

However, every three months, the sect's Medicine Department would inspect the fields to ensure the young disciples were not slacking off.

If everything was fine, it was all good, but if they found any faults, the young disciples would lose their monthly wages and face other punishments.

The black-hearted monks of the Medicine Department often used this as an excuse to withhold the young disciples' wages.

Now, it was broad daylight, and not a rest day, yet they were out hunting in the forest, which was a significant issue.

Hearing this, Little Freckles became frantic, his face turning pale.

"Who cares, I'll go back and check!"

Fang Xing spat out the grass root in his mouth and ordered Wang Zhi to wrap the roasted rabbit in leaves.

In front of Field C3, three monks were coldly watching them emerge from the forest, their faces dark as if they could drip water.

The leader, with a malicious smile and beady eyes, was particularly menacing.

"Is it him?"

Fang Xing recognized the monk from a distance and felt a surge of amusement.

The leading monk was the fat monk he had scolded at the sect's entrance. His name was Yu Sanliang, an outer disciple of the sect. The other two were young disciples, temporarily brought along to bolster his authority.

"Hehe, Brother Pig, what a rare visit. Please take a seat..."

Fang Xing walked over with a smile, pretending to order the young disciples to offer the fat monk a seat.

"Rubbish, who is surnamed Zhu? I am surnamed Yu..."

The fat monk's face twitched with anger, and he pointed at Fang Xing, shouting.

Fang Xing smiled and sized up the fat monk, contemplating how to deal with him. At that moment, a strange piece of information appeared in his mind: "First level of the Lingdong realm, weak body, amount of spiritual energy in the meridians..."

It was information about the fat monk's cultivation, and all of it appeared in Fang Xing's mind.

"Can that treasure mirror actually see someone's cultivation?"

Fang Xing was surprised and his expression changed.

Seeing Fang Xing's expression change, the fat monk thought he was afraid and felt very pleased. He fanned his face with his large hand and sneered, "What's the matter? Scared? Kneel and kowtow to me, and I'll let you off this time..."

Fang Xing's expression was uncertain as he slowly circled the fat monk.

The fat monk felt uneasy under his scrutiny and shouted, "Brat, what are you doing? Do you want me to slap you?"

Fang Xing had a plan and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Are you from the Medicine Department?"

The fat monk was taken aback and replied, "What if I'm not?"

Fang Xing asked again, "Did the senior disciples from the Medicine Department send you to inspect?"

The fat monk said, "I just passed by and decided to check if you were slacking off..."

Fang Xing suddenly jumped up and slapped the fat monk's face, shouting, "Slack off your own ass!"

Although Fang Xing was small, he had to jump to reach the fat monk's face, but the slap was very hard. It made a loud crack, leaving a clear handprint on the fat monk's plump, white face. Blood trickled from his nose, and he was dazed, his vision blurred.

"Little brat, you dare to hit me?"

After a moment, the fat monk finally shouted.

However, before he could finish, he felt a kick to his knee, and he fell to the ground. Fang Xing then stepped on his back.

"A mere杂司监 (Miscellaneous Department) monk, coming to the Medicine Department's territory to show off? I'll beat you up!"

Fang Xing shouted, and his fists and palms rained down on the fat monk, beating him like a dead pig.

The fat monk screamed and cried, trying to use his spiritual energy to push Fang Xing away.

To his surprise, Fang Xing also used his spiritual energy, canceling out the fat monk's protective energy and continuing to beat him mercilessly.