Chapter 323: Chapter 268: Thirteen Years
Looking at the mysterious and pure power being controlled in his hand, Wang Sheng had a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He had spent nearly half a year searching for this free-floating spiritual power.
This time period was definitely not long, one could even say short; to obtain energy that would greatly aid him in such a span was definitely worth it.
He glanced at the energy that would vanish the moment he released it and did not relax his vigilance inside.
Discovering this energy was only the first step.
The most critical thing was to analyze this pure energy. He didn’t suffer from paranoia, but he still needed to confirm its safety to avoid major problems later on.
…
Time continued to march forward, and soon it was the end of the year 544 in the Great Zhou calendar.
Wang Sheng emerged from seclusion on the last day of that year.
He had confirmed that the pure energy had no issues.
At first, he suspected that this energy might be from “Incense Fire Faith,” but after comparing it with the suppressive force, he discarded the thought.
More than that, he also compared the pure energy with the spiritual energy replenished by the “Nine-flavor Calming Heart Pill.” Although different, they were extremely similar, sharing a common feature—simplicity.
The pure spiritual energy, while mysterious, had an incredibly simple structure, which he easily analyzed thoroughly.
Simple meant there was nothing hidden and it was easier to control.
“After the New Year, I’ll start using the harvesting method and then step into the breakthrough phase.”
He hadn’t partaken in the village’s annual celebration for two years and decided to join this year, having been personally invited by the village chief.
Many years ago, Wang Sheng had provided the seeds of ingredients for the Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Pill. Without the augmentation of his planting skill, the seeds could only grow at a slow rate, but by this year, they had all matured.
This meant that after this year, the village would be able to supply their own Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Pills without relying on him.
Although the medicinal herbs planted in the village were only for breaking through three times, and the quality would suffer a bit, the corresponding time they took to grow wasn’t unbearably long.
Added to this, even with reduced efficacy, they were genuine spiritual pills that were somewhat effective even for Grandmaster Level Martial Artists.
This was the most suitable elixir for Qingshan Village.
To produce such medicinal herbs, the village planned to have a grand celebration.
This year, snow, which had been missing for a long time in Shuzhou, fell, not heavily. After emerging from seclusion, Wang Sheng looked at the snow and thought of the year when the Martial Artist epidemic broke out.
“Over ten years have passed, huh!”
He had been cultivating until now, and without realizing it, ten years had passed, and he was quickly approaching the next realm.
He had gradually grown accustomed to life here.
Repetitive, but not dull.
The joy that cultivation brought was hard for others to imagine.
“Senior!”
He had just arrived in the yard when he heard a voice—it was from the White Lotus in the yard.
He hadn’t left seclusion for a year and a half, but he had used his Divine Thought to water these White Lotus and stimulate the planting skill.
Not to mention the three White Lotus, but the ones that looked close to death had slowly recovered over this year and a half.
The planting skill could not bring significant improvement anymore, the rest was up to them now.
However, the White Lotus Clan was resilient, and with his care, they should fully recover in another year or two.
The one just speaking was the one that had recovered the best.
And now the boss of all the White Lotus, Xiao Si (Little Four).
The ones sent out for help back then were Xiao Qi (Little Seven), Xiao Ba (Little Eight), and Xiao Shi (Little Ten).
They were the youngest of the direct descendants of the White Lotus Spirit King.
The ones saved and from the direct line also included Xiao Si (Little Four) and Xiao Wu (Little Five).
“How’s your recovery, Xiao Si?”
“Senior, I should be able to recover soon. I heard that today is New Year’s Day; this is our gift.”
Saying so, three Lotus Seedpods and several sections of lotus root flew toward Wang Sheng.
Wang Sheng looked at the lotus seedpods and, for some reason, felt a sense of guilt.
For the White Lotus Clan, the lotus flowers, Lotus Seedpods, roots, and leaves were all part of their bodies, with the lotus flower and Lotus Seedpod being the core. The offerings they had made, they weren’t from their bodies, were they?
Xiao Si obviously knew Wang Sheng would misunderstand and hurriedly explained, “Senior, these are not our bodies, just a byproduct. The lotus seeds can enhance spiritual power, and the lotus root can increase Qi-Blood Power, extending life, and are Medicine King Level.”
Having followed the White Lotus Spirit King for so long, he knew about things like spiritual power.
“It can also increase spiritual power?”
“This is influenced by the mother, so it has this effect,” Xiao Si did not hide anything.
“I see, thank you for your gift.”
Wang Sheng did not refuse and accepted the gift before leaving the yard to take part in the village celebration.
Qingshan Village was now on the right track, with much expansion of the settlement.
Since it was New Year’s Eve, the village had already become lively.
Wang Sheng saw Li Wenguang, Li Yongfeng, and their grandchild, Li Longqing.
Li Wenguang and Li Yongfeng were a Third Grade Martial Artist and Seventh-Grade Martial Artist respectively, both strong and sturdy, and they were helping out. He exchanged a few words with them and gave them some gifts.
Ten years had passed, but their friendship had not faded by much.
Li Longqing was now almost ten and had already become a Martial Artist. Because he had been helped by Wang Sheng and Yue while still in the womb, he had excellent talent. Not even ten years old yet, he was already a Third Grade Martial Artist, and that was the result of suppressing his progress.
Then there was Xu Qu, now a Ninth Grade Martial Artist, preparing to advance to Grandmaster.
At Wang Sheng’s level, he could now see a lot of things.
“I suppose even if your head were chopped off, you might not die, would you?”
Xu Qu’s complexion changed instantly, but soon he recovered.
“I can’t hide anything from you.”
“Don’t be nervous, I don’t intend to do anything to you. You are very special, cherish this uniqueness!”
Xu Qu might have concealed many things back then. Being stabbed dozens of times without dying was not some stroke of luck; it was due to his unique constitution.
One might even say he possessed a special constitution.
And as he grew stronger, this constitution seemed to be further enhanced.
Wang Sheng could feel the immense life vitality emanating from Xu Qu.
With such a huge life vitality, he was a treasure for all demon beasts, and he likely knew this himself, which is why he had never left the village.
However, Wang Sheng had seen many unique individuals before, and since Xu Qu had fully integrated into village life, he didn’t wish to pry too much.
“Since you’ve decided to stay, then live a good life!”
“I will.” Xu Qu nodded. After so many years, he had grown accustomed to life here; he had watched many of the younger generation grow up and could no longer leave them behind.
Wang Sheng didn’t say much more, simply nodded, then continued to wander around.
Eventually, he met the village chief, Zhou Zhengwen.
The village chief was very old now, assisted by Liu Jian’an.
The two found a quiet place to sit.
“Village Chief, this lotus root can extend one’s life…”
The village chief was already considered elderly. When the village started training martial artists, he was too old to cultivate, and ten years later, he had aged even more.
This was something Wang Sheng could not change.
He could help extend life to a certain degree but could not defy the natural order of life and death.
The ability to help someone of Li Wenguang’s age cultivate was already pushing his limits.
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but you should keep it for yourself; it would be a waste on an old man like me!”
The village chief was accepting, not fearing death at all.
He had lived his life childless, dedicating all his energy to the village, and the development of the village had exceeded his expectations.
Later, when he adopted Liu Jian’an, and Liu Jian’an proved to be self-motivated. Now at only eighteen or nineteen years old, he had already reached the strength of a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, and he was dutiful, requiring no worries on his part.
“I have no regrets!” he sighed.
A shadow passed through Liu Jian’an’s eyes as he quickly said, “Grandpa, didn’t you say you wanted to see me become a Grandmaster and get married?”
“Ha, that’s true. You need to hustle, don’t end up like Yun Sheng…”
Speaking of which, the village chief glanced at Wang Sheng.
Wang Sheng just silently drank his tea. He truly had no interest in such matters and had to disappoint the village chief’s good intentions, so he changed the topic, “Jian’an, do you have someone in mind?”
Liu Jian’an scratched his head, a rare sight, “No…”
He had spent a long time in the village, and there weren’t many girls around.
He and Wang Lingwei were somewhat childhood sweethearts, but neither of them was interested, and the elders didn’t want to force it either.
Mentioning this, the village chief also felt concerned.
“After the New Year, let’s send the young people out. Staying in the village all the time isn’t the answer.”
Marriage was a big issue in a village with so few people.
“That’s fine, but try not to venture into the territories of the four great dynasties.”
The four great dynasties had been waging war against each other in recent years, creating chaos.
The Eastern Dynasty seemed on the verge of collapse.
“I understand, Uncle Li.”
Liu Jian’an lit up; he had been eager to venture out for a long time.
Wang Sheng didn’t say anything more; this was an inevitable step.
Liu Jian’an and the others ultimately weren’t like him. When they had sufficient strength and age, going out to gain experience was the best option.
Wang Sheng continued talking with the village chief until the annual village event began.
This year’s event was indeed different, the highlight being the “Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Pill” he had created.
Wang Sheng had tried it himself; the efficacy was about what he had expected, slightly less than his own Breakthroughs, but still useful for Grandmaster Level Martial Artists.
This year’s event wasn’t hosted by the village chief but by Li Yongfeng, clearly indicating he would be the next village chief.
There were none in the village who objected.
Before long, the event ended, and Wang Sheng returned to his own courtyard. It was now the year 545.
“Nearly fifteen years now!”
King Yong Nian and River King had officially gone to war in the year 532 of the Great Zhou calendar.
Bringing us to the current year 545, thirteen years had passed.
“Thirteen years, mostly spent in cultivation, it seems like only a moment!”
“Roar~”
Da Bai walked over. It had been with Wang Sheng for over ten years and was now equivalent to a Ninth Grade Martial Artist.
Wang Sheng stroked its head, its fur still smooth: “I’m going to cultivate now; you should make an effort too. After following me for so many years, you still can’t compare to Grandmaster Level Martial Artists!”
After patting Da Bai, he once again entered the seclusion of his cultivation chamber.
Before long, a powerful spiritual force burst forth, and the harvesting of laws officially began!