C18 Le Bai

Su Jiuming watched as the Inner Sect disciples fixed their intense gazes on him, their eyes practically shining with anticipation. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of frustration.

He hadn't even mastered the basic technique of drawing Qi into his body, yet here he was, expected to instruct a group of cultivators who had already reached the False Core Stage or higher. It was laughable.

He knew nothing of the path of cultivation. However, if they wanted to learn about farming, that was something Su Jiuming could certainly teach.

"I must confess, my knowledge is quite limited. I have nothing of value to offer you. You may all go now."

Upon hearing Su Jiuming's declaration, the disciples understood his reluctance to teach. Some sighed in disappointment, ready to disperse.

It was understandable, after all. As the chief disciple, his insights were lofty, and he was preoccupied with his own cultivation. It was only natural that he might not wish to share his knowledge.

"Chief, that's not fair. As the chief of the Veiled Moon and the personal disciple of our sect master, how can you say you have nothing to teach us?"

"Is it that you look down on us and refuse to teach?"

Almost immediately, someone stepped forward, eyebrows arched in challenge.

Su Jiuming glanced up to see Fann Hong, who had been a constant presence at Qin Fengzhu's side.

After considering Fann Hong's words, Su Jiuming grasped Qin Fengzhu's motives but chose to remain silent.

All Su Jiuming wanted was to live his life peacefully. The grudges of Bai Yifeng and the title of chief disciple held no allure for him. He simply did not care.

He was a mere mortal, destined to live no more than a century—a mere blink in the eyes of these cultivators. He had no desire to entangle himself in their vendettas.

The title of chief disciple had been an impulsive gift from Bai Yifeng, an empty honor that Su Jiuming neither valued nor coveted.

In fact, Su Jiuming would have been quite content if Qin Fengzhu's agitation resulted in his being relieved of the chief disciple's responsibilities.

As Su Jiuming remained noncommittal and Fann Hong's words echoed in the air, the disciples atop Misty Peak began to feel there was merit to his argument.

They had heard rumors of the chief disciple's eccentric nature, but witnessing it firsthand only confirmed it. Not only was he eccentric, but he also seemed to hold himself above the rest.

Some disciples grimaced and took off on their flying swords, while the rest scattered at the sight, leaving a few red-faced from Su Jiuming's rebuke. They had trampled over Su Jiuming's vegetables in their eagerness to seek advice, prompting an irate Su Jiuming to send all the remaining onlookers packing.

"Seriously, is it so easy for me to grow a few vegetables? And then these people just ruin them. They get their meals from the cafeteria every day, while I just want to live my life in peace. Who have I even bothered?"

As Su Jiuming grumbled, he set about tidying up the aftermath. The cultivators were so engrossed in their training that they didn't notice, nor did they care, about stepping on the vegetables.

Now, not only were the vegetables he had carefully grown damaged, but the newly planted seedlings had also suffered.

"Chief, it's been a while!"

While Su Jiuming was still cleaning up, he looked up to see Zhang Liao approaching with an Inner Sect disciple by his side.

"Hey, it's been a long time. You still remember to come see me. I thought you were still upset with me over that technique issue."

Su Jiuming's attention shifted from his sorrows to the newcomer beside Zhang Liao. "And who might this be?"

"I was coming to see my senior brother, and I saw this disciple who also wanted to visit, so we came together."

Zhang Liao, now radiating confidence, greeted him warmly, though with a hint of confusion. "What, you don't know the chief disciple?"

"I'm not acquainted with him. Isn't he a friend of yours?"

Seeing the exchange, the disciple stepped forward and bowed deeply to Su Jiuming.

"I am Le Bai, a new disciple of the Inner Sect. Greetings, chief disciple."

Su Jiuming noticed that Le Bai had carefully avoided the battered green vegetable on the ground. The more he observed Le Bai, the more he appreciated his consideration.

"It's not fitting to just stand around out here. Come inside, and I'll brew some tea for us."

Su Jiuming gestured for the two men to enter the house.

They hurried in, with Zhang Liao radiating excitement and Le Bai appearing somewhat anxious, both clearly eager to speak.

"What brings Little Zhang here? Are you seeking compensation for the soulstone required for that breathing technique?" Su Jiuming inquired, pouring tea and recalling the disastrous Qi Refining Breathing Technique with a twinge of guilt.

"How could I possibly ask that of you? If anything, I should be the one giving you a soulstone," Zhang Liao responded, taken aback.

"Ah? What do you mean?"

"Well, about that breathing technique..." Zhang Liao hastily began, his hands fluttering as he explained the whole story to Su Jiuming in a state of alarm.

As it happened, Zhang Liao had inadvertently gleaned a more sophisticated and effective breathing method from the tarnished technique, which was better suited for him and significantly accelerated his cultivation speed. Not only had he made swift progress, but he had also broken through to the elusive Void Core realm.

Once his advancement had stabilized, Zhang Liao rushed to Misty Peak to express his gratitude to Su Jiuming. It then dawned on Su Jiuming that the disciples who had trampled his vegetable garden that morning had done so after hearing about Zhang Liao's success under his tutelage.

"Congratulations," Su Jiuming said, recognizing that Zhang Liao's insights were the result of his own diligence, with his own role being merely fortuitous.

No longer fretting over his ravaged garden, Su Jiuming felt genuine joy for Zhang Liao's achievement.

"And you, Le Bai? Are you here seeking guidance on cultivation as well?" Su Jiuming asked, turning his attention to Le Bai and feeling the onset of a slight headache.

Le Bai was an exceptional Soul Seed disciple whom Bai Yifeng had fortuitously discovered in the secular world. Despite his impressive Soul Seed and remarkable talent, Le Bai's secular upbringing left him without any foundational knowledge of cultivation, and he struggled to gain the respect of the Inner Sect disciples, some of whom even scorned him.

Eager to catch up with his senior brothers and sisters, Le Bai had sought out Su Jiuming's expertise to accelerate his cultivation journey.

"If the chief senior brother is not inclined to agree, then so be it. I understand that cultivation is a personal journey. Le Bai will go back and diligently pursue his training."

Seeing Su Jiuming's reluctance, Le Bai didn't press the issue. He let out a small sigh and got ready to stand up and leave.

"Well, never mind. Since you're here, finish your tea before you go."

Su Jiuming sighed and invited Le Bai to stay for tea and conversation.

Once they finished their tea, Su Jiuming went back to tidying up the chaos left by the other disciples. Zhang Liao and Le Bai offered to lend a hand.

Cleaning up by himself was quite time-consuming for Su Jiuming, but with three of them working together, the task was completed much more quickly.

After they finished, Zhang Liao volunteered to assist Su Jiuming with his tasks. Le Bai, unusually amicable with the Inner Sect disciples, also offered his help.

Su Jiuming thought for a moment, then, looking at the ramshackle wooden hut he had thrown together upon his arrival, he smacked his forehead in realization.

"Let's fix up this house then."

Renovating the house was certainly labor-intensive, so they began with the warehouse. The foundation was solid; it just needed some reinforcement. Su Jiuming and the others gathered the lumber and set to work.