Feng Shui Chapter 107: The Invitation

The moment Tong Nuonuo heard this wasn’t from Immortal Master Li, he visibly relaxed his shoulders. But Xi Yunqing was more cautious and asked, “Fellow Daoist, why must we be careful when dealing with this cultivator?”

The man bowed politely and said, “My name is Shi Ming. May I know your honorable name?”

Xi Yunqing replied, “I am Xi Yunqing.”

Shi Ming nodded. “So it’s you, Daoist Xi. I am not speaking without cause. This barbarian cultivator is elusive and mysterious, his movements are swift and unpredictable. His personality is strange; he often appears unexpectedly along the path, and if one isn’t vigilant, he will silently follow behind. Though he hasn’t caused any real harm, his presence is unnerving, making everyone on edge.”

Xi Yunqing pondered for a moment before replying, “Thank you for the warning, Daoist Shi.”

After exchanging information, Shi Ming returned to his camp.

That night, since outsiders were nearby, the three of them kept things simple and ate some rations. After dinner, Tong Nuonuo took out some insect-repelling powder from his mechanism box and sprinkled a circle around their flat camp area. Chen Xiao took advantage of the fading twilight to clear small stones from the ground where they planned to sleep. Meanwhile, Xi Yunqing went to inspect the surroundings, both to ensure there were no dangers and to find a safe spot to relieve themselves. Using grains naturally requires dealing with waste, and as the leader of their group, Xi Yunqing took full responsibility for their safety.

As night fell, the starlight dimmed, and the mountain grew pitch black. Thankfully, cultivators’ heightened senses and Chen Xiao’s improved night vision prevented them from stumbling blindly. After Xi Yunqing returned, the three sat together and talked for a while, taking turns to share and summarize what they had learned that day. Just having these moments of discussion with fellow cultivators was itself a valuable reward from their journey.

Xi Yunqing spoke quietly, “Daoist Shi mentioned there’s an unidentified cultivator nearby with unclear intentions. Starting tonight, Tong Daoist and I will take turns keeping watch. Brother Xiao, you don’t need to join the night watch for now.”

Tong Nuonuo nodded seriously. “Understood. Daoist Xi will take the first half of the night, and I’ll take the latter.”

Chen Xiao moved his lips silently, this meant they would get less rest. But he also knew that at his current cultivation level, he likely wouldn’t be able to detect threats in time. Feeling useless and like a burden, his mood sank, and he lowered his head.

Xi Yunqing noticed the change immediately and paused before saying, “Brother Xiao, don’t be discouraged. It’s just your cultivation level limiting you. Once you improve, with your attentiveness and vigilance, you will be the most alert among us.”

Tong Nuonuo smiled and added, “Yes, when it comes to sensing changes through feng shui, we still have much to learn from you.”

Chen Xiao forced a smile. “Far from that level yet. For now, you two have to bear the burden.”

Xi Yunqing said calmly, “It’s nothing. It doesn’t affect us much.”

Tong Nuonuo agreed, “Exactly. Before meeting you, I was often alone in the wilderness. Now having companions makes everything much easier.”

Xi Yunqing glanced at Tong Nuonuo and thought of how the other had been shunned after getting lost, forced to journey alone, something strangely similar to himself.

Just as they were about to rest, Shi Ming came over again to speak. Xi Yunqing invited him to sit, and Shi Ming settled directly onto the grass. He got straight to the point, “I’m here to invite the three of you to join an upcoming operation.”

Tong Nuonuo asked, “What kind of operation?” He only had experience with one joint action before, Immortal Master Li’s team hunting the Black-Eyed Green once. Although they were badly outmatched, it had been an invaluable experience.

Shi Ming said, “We entered the mountains to collect White Spirit Fruit. About a day’s journey from here is a grove of these fruits, now ripe for harvest.”

Xi Yunqing said, “You’re inviting us because the area has fierce beasts and you lack manpower?”

Shi Ming smiled. “Is there a place on these foothills without fierce beasts? But yes, our numbers are insufficient. With Daoist Xi and your two joining, we stand a better chance and can gather more fruit.”

Xi Yunqing knew without asking that Shi Ming was attracted by his Golden Core cultivation. Among his team, Xi Yunqing was the highest-ranked cultivator. Though many were Foundation Establishment stages, and half were higher, none could match Xi Yunqing’s sword cultivation at Golden Core level. Shi Ming didn’t know Xi Yunqing was a sword cultivator yet, if he did, his eagerness would be even greater.

Xi Yunqing glanced at the quiet Chen Xiao beside him. This trip into the mountains was mainly to broaden Brother Xiao’s experience, and this seemed like a good opportunity. Just rushing through would surely bore him.

After a brief pause, Xi Yunqing asked, “Could you explain the details?”

Shi Ming nodded. “Of course. The White Spirit Fruit grows on the territory of a certain cat beast. If it were only that, we wouldn’t need to invite you. But that fruit is fiercely protected by a troop of black-tailed bat monkeys. To harvest it, we must fight them. I hope Daoist Xi can help lure the cat beast away if it gets disturbed.”

Tong Nuonuo whispered, “So it’s a cat beast. No wonder you dared to provoke them.”

Chen Xiao curiously leaned closer and asked, “Why’s that? Are cat beasts easy to handle?”

Before Tong Nuonuo could answer, Xi Yunqing explained quietly, “Cat beasts are rare among fierce beasts. As long as they’re well fed, they won’t attack lightly. Passing through their territory unnoticed is generally safe. But black-tailed bat monkeys are favored prey of cat beasts. If we fight the monkeys and disturb the cat beast, it could become enraged.”

The moment Xi Yunqing finished speaking, Tong Nuonuo quickly added, “Yes. But cat beasts are quite interesting creatures. As long as you lure them away, once they realize they can’t catch up, they won’t waste their energy and will give up quickly. Cat beasts also have a special trait, they fiercely protect their young. This extends even to human children. There’s a legend in the mortal realms about a child who got lost in a ferocious beast’s territory when very young and was taken in and raised by a cat beast. That child later left the wilderness, found a master, learned the arts, survived a tribulation, and ascended to immortality. Because of this legend, common folk have a custom of worshipping cat beasts, praying for the protection of their children and blessings for offspring.” Tong Nuonuo smiled suddenly, “I even heard that Lord Han of the city lord’s mansion recently started worshipping cat beasts too, hoping his brother and sister-in-law would conceive successfully.”

Chen Xiao’s eyes widened. He never expected Lord Han not only to rely on folk remedies but also to embrace superstitions and legends. Still, after hearing the story, Chen Xiao developed a clear image of the cat beast, and even felt a bit fond of it. A creature that cares for human infants was rare even in his previous life.

Shi Ming cleared his throat when Tong Nuonuo casually mentioned the gossip about the Cold Mountain City lord. He didn’t know they had ties to Lord Han or that Han Yuan and his wife were now expecting. Shi Ming didn’t have the nerve to talk so openly about the out-of-body stage cultivators’ antics.

The three fell silent, all their gazes turning toward him. Shi Ming said, “If Daoist Xi agrees to join, I promise you’ll receive thirty percent of the spoils, whether or not the cat beast appears during the expedition.”

Tong Nuonuo’s eyes lit up immediately. Even as a mechanist, he knew White Spirit Fruit was a key ingredient in making the solidifying pills, and it fetched a good price. If they got thirty percent, this trip’s gains would be much more worthwhile. But only the team leader had the authority to decide. Though tempted, Tong Nuonuo held back and just looked at Xi Yunqing.

Xi Yunqing’s voice was calm and cold: “If the share is increased to forty percent, I will agree to join your expedition.”

Shi Ming frowned in surprise. “Daoist Xi, I sincerely invited you. Thirty percent is already very generous.” After all, he had over a dozen men under his command and couldn’t give more without risking dissatisfaction.

Xi Yunqing said lightly, “Although I am at the seventh layer of the Golden Core realm, my primary discipline is swordsmanship.”

A sword cultivator! Among peers, sword cultivators were unrivaled in single combat. Xi Yunqing’s current combat ability could be considered the highest among Golden Core practitioners. Compared to spellcasters and other martial cultivators, he inspired greater confidence. Shi Ming’s expression brightened instantly. “Very well, it’s settled! Forty percent!”

Shi Ming left happily. Xi Yunqing turned back, and Chen Xiao and Tong Nuonuo looked at him with admiration. Just one sentence had raised their cut by ten percent, sword cultivators were truly powerful! Xi Yunqing suppressed a slight smile and, feigning sternness, said, “Go rest now.”

Under Xi Yunqing’s imposing gaze, Tong Nuonuo hurried away. Chen Xiao grinned and leaned close to ask, “Big brother, since you’ve agreed to cooperate, why not camp together? That way, there would be more people on guard at night, and you and Tong Nuonuo wouldn’t have to take separate shifts.”

Xi Yunqing lowered his voice. “Though this is a temporary joint expedition, people’s hearts are hard to read. We don’t know their true situation. For safety, it’s better to camp separately and rest apart. We’ll regroup tomorrow during the march.”

Nothing happened through the night. The next morning, after breakfast, Shi Ming came to invite the three to travel together. Xi Yunqing didn’t object and led Chen Xiao and Tong Nuonuo to join the dozen or so from Shi Ming’s group.

The scouts ahead were cultivators with reconnaissance duties. They scouted the path in advance and reported back constantly. If they encountered any ferocious beasts, they would warn the main group in time to avoid a direct clash.

Traveling with a large team felt novel, and Chen Xiao enjoyed the experience. Shi Ming’s subordinates glanced curiously at the two newcomers now and then, but no one spoke much during the march to conserve energy.

As they walked, Chen Xiao suddenly felt uneasy, as if someone was watching them from the shadows. He gripped Tong Nuonuo’s hand tightly.

Tong Nuonuo, walking beside him with protective instincts, immediately leaned in and whispered, “What is it? Do you sense something wrong?”

By now, this was routine, whenever Chen Xiao detected something with his feng shui senses, he quietly shared it. It was dangerous to speak loudly here, as there might be wild beasts nearby.

Chen Xiao’s expression grew serious. “I feel like someone is following us.”

With Xi Yunqing nearby, the other cultivators’ auras were too weak for Chen Xiao to detect. But this mysterious outsider’s aura was subtly different. When they neared, it disrupted Xi Yunqing’s aura like a stone dropped into a pond, rippling the surface.