Chapter 38: To Possess a Treasure is a Crime

Elder Chu watched Qin Haoxuan, who could fall fast asleep even while sitting on a field ridge, and his expression grew even more strange. A hidden Spirit Spring couldn’t be found through simple deduction; it required a combination of deep cultivation knowledge, and even then, the results were not guaranteed.

How did Qin Haoxuan, a country boy who only seemed to meditate and sleep in class, manage to find these three plots of land?

Judging by his resolute attitude yesterday, he must have known this land was special when he chose it.

Thinking about how he had shattered his seed on the first day, and how he had defeated Spirit Sprout Realm cultivators as a mere mortal, the more Elder Chu thought, the stranger it seemed. Could this boy be a one-of-a-kind genius? But if he were, how could he have a withered, weak seed?

If not for his status, he really wanted to grab Qin Haoxuan and interrogate him thoroughly.

After Elder Chu left, the other disciples also began to disperse, starting the arduous task of carrying water to irrigate their fields. Spurred into action, Li Jing, Zhang Kuang, and Zhang Yang were no exception. Although their plots were spirit fields, there were still different grades, and theirs happened to be the lowest among them.

Only Qin Haoxuan remained, sleeping on the ridge, until someone kicked him awake.

“Wake up, wake up…”

An annoying voice, interspersed with pushes and kicks, roused Qin Haoxuan from his slumber.

He opened his bleary eyes and stood up. Before him were several ruffian-like menial disciples. A short, stout one stood with his arms crossed, sizing him up with an arrogant air.

Their expressions were the classic template of bullies picking on the weak. The moment he saw them, Qin Haoxuan knew this was not a friendly visit, especially since they had kicked him. This act of disrespect annoyed him to no end.

Although he could tell they were quite strong—the short, stout one was even at the Seventh-Leaf Spirit Sprout Realm—he asked in a calm and fearless tone, “Can I help you?”

A disciple with the face of a lackey asked haughtily, “Are you Junior Brother Qin Haoxuan?”

“I am.”

“Good. Let me introduce you. This is Senior Brother Gu Xiaoyun, a Seventh-Leaf expert! Senior Brother Gu is here today to take you under his wing. If you’re smart, you’ll be able to walk sideways in the Taichu Sect from now on!”

“Oh? Take me under his wing? I don’t need it.”

Qin Haoxuan yawned and flatly rejected the offer, leaving the lackey with a mouthful of words stuck in his throat.

“Haha, my junior brother doesn’t know how to talk. Please don’t mind him,” Gu Xiaoyun said, stepping forward to smooth things over. He shot his follower a harsh glare before turning to Qin Haoxuan with a warm smile. “I came today to discuss a small matter with you, Junior Brother. A trade, if you will.”

“Senior Brother Gu, please speak freely.” Qin Haoxuan looked up at him and, for a moment, his vision blurred; it was as if he were looking at Master Guyun. He shook his head and saw that it was a different person, though their builds and even their smiles were somewhat similar.

Having already seen through Master Guyun’s scheme, Qin Haoxuan’s guard was now even higher. He was more convinced than ever of the old saying: when someone shows you uncalled-for kindness, they are either a traitor or a thief. After all, he was just a new disciple with a weak seed, no potential, and no backing. For people to still approach him with a smiling face was highly suspicious.

“Well, I also have a field here. Although it’s not as good as the ones belonging to the Tenth-Leaf senior brothers, it is a first-rate spirit field. I heard that you found a plot with a Spirit Spring underneath, so I came to see if you’d be willing to trade.”

“Can we disciples trade land privately? Elder Chu said that was forbidden.”

At this, the lackey interjected with a haughty tone, “Of course, others can’t. But Senior Brother Gu is the nephew of the master of the Ancient Cloud Hall, Perfected Man Guyun. He just wants to trade a piece of land. Who would be so tactless as to stop him?”

So, this Gu Xiaoyun is related to Master Guyun. His nephew, no less. Qin Haoxuan smiled. “I see. In that case, can I refuse?”

“No!” Gu Xiaoyun’s face hardened, and he snapped. Realizing his gaffe, he quickly forced another smile. “Junior Brother Qin, you should think this through. I don’t want to use my status to pressure you, but after we trade, I will protect you. Zhang Kuang and the others won’t dare to touch you. Everyone will have to give me some face.”

“No trade,” Qin Haoxuan said, stubbornly shaking his head. If he agreed today, he would come asking for other things in the future. He would not set this precedent.

The amiable expression on Gu Xiaoyun’s face vanished, replaced by a dark scowl. His small, round eyes stared at Qin Haoxuan, and he said coldly, “Junior Brother Qin, let me give you a piece of advice. A person needs to know their place to live comfortably in Taichu.”

Qin Haoxuan just shook his head, his eyes filled with contempt. So what if your uncle is a Hall Master? So what if he was the Sect Master himself? In this world where the strong prey on the weak, why should I rely on you to survive? Trade my Spirit Spring for your spirit field, just to curry favor with a spoiled brat like you who only knows how to throw his elder’s weight around? What kind of future could someone like you possibly have?

Gu Xiaoyun’s followers began to shout, “Senior Brother Gu! If he won’t trade, let’s just rip out his crops! We’ll pull up everything he plants!”

“That’s right! Until he agrees!”

Gu Xiaoyun said nothing, tacitly approving of their threats. Seeing that he didn’t object, they rolled up their sleeves and prepared to make a move.

Qin Haoxuan’s face hardened. He stepped back, blocking their path. “Who dares!” he roared.

At his shout, the lackeys hesitated. They were only at the Second or Third-Leaf Spirit Sprout Realm. Remembering the rumors about him defeating a Fifth-Leaf expert, they were reluctant to act.

“What are you afraid of?” Gu Xiaoyun was not so easily deterred. With his uncle as his backer and his own Seventh-Leaf cultivation, he was used to doing as he pleased in the Spirit Field Valley. Even Purple Seed disciples like Zhang Kuang and Li Jing treated him with courtesy. For a new disciple with a weak seed to challenge him was a grave offense.

Spurred on by him, the lackeys’ courage returned. The situation grew tense, and a fight was about to break out.

Just then, Xu Yu and Murong Chao, returning with water, saw the scene. Xu Yu dropped her buckets and ran over, shouting, “Stop!”

Seeing them arrive, Gu Xiaoyun’s fat face twitched. He felt a moment of fear, but the thought of the Spirit Spring was too tempting to give up. He steeled himself. I still have my uncle. What do I have to be afraid of?

“I am conducting my own business. This has nothing to do with you. Do not meddle!” he said, putting on the air of a senior disciple. “Step aside.”

“Brother Haoxuan’s business is my business! You lay a hand on me and see what happens!” Xu Yu retorted. Ever since she had learned the value of a Purple Seed, her backbone had become much stiffer. Murong Chao said nothing but silently stood by Qin Haoxuan’s side.

With two special seeds, one of whom was an Unsurpassed Purple Seed, taking such a firm stance, Gu Xiaoyun was in a difficult position. But then he remembered that even Zhang Kuang and Li Jing, who had a much brighter future, treated him with respect. For this girl to show him no face at all… if word of this got out, how could he maintain his reputation?

He shot a fierce glare at Qin Haoxuan, then turned and left with his followers, already plotting his revenge.

Zhang Yang, who had been watching from the side, had a vicious glint in his eyes. After Gu Xiaoyun left, he quietly followed him and intercepted him in a secluded corner.

“Senior Brother Gu, please wait.”

The impatient Gu Xiaoyun stopped. Seeing that it was the new disciple his uncle valued so much, he asked, “What is it? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Senior Brother, that Qin Haoxuan has always been arrogant. Backed by Xu Yu, he plays politics between Zhang Kuang and Li Jing’s factions. No one in the valley dares to offend him, which has only fueled his arrogance. You saw it yourself just now. His disrespect to you is disrespect to your uncle, the Hall Master! That is a grave offense!”

Zhang Yang’s instigation, coupled with the embellishments from Gu Xiaoyun’s followers, quickly painted Qin Haoxuan as a great villain who disrespected his elders.

Seeing Gu Xiaoyun’s face grow darker, Zhang Yang delivered his final line. “Senior Brother, you are a dignified Seventh-Leaf cultivator. After a bit more training, your uncle will surely bring you into the Ancient Cloud Hall. If you have no way of dealing with him for now, perhaps it’s best to let this matter go, to avoid bringing shame to your uncle.”

This last provocation was the final straw. Gu Xiaoyun’s face was flushed with anger. “A mere weak seed, relying on some dumb luck and living off a woman, thinks he’s untouchable? If I can’t deal with him, my name isn’t Gu! Besides, I’m a Seventh-Leaf cultivator. How can a waste like the Fifth-Leaf Yuan Shanxiang possibly compare to me?”

With that, he stormed off.

Watching his departing back, a triumphant smile appeared on Zhang Yang’s face. Qin Haoxuan, oh Qin Haoxuan, let’s see how long your arrogance can last.