Hu Wanzhi lowered her head and approached. It was not her first time seeing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but her naturally timid disposition prevented her from daring to raise her eyes to look at the person on the main seat. Fang Erlang, who was behind her, was trembling even more.
His eyes were filled with fear, and his lips were dry and pale. With a single glance, Xu Feng knew this person had a guilty conscience, and after a brief assessment, he averted his gaze. Zhao Chun spoke up to introduce them, "This is my Senior Sister, Hu Wanzhi.
Although she is of the Outer Sect, in my heart, she is like a sworn sister." Xu Feng observed that her cultivation base was only at the Second Level of Qi Refinement, yet her age was already past twenty. He knew what kind of status Hu Wanzhi held.
Upon hearing Zhao Chun say "like a sworn sister," his expression softened slightly, and he gave her a small nod. Hu Wanzhi was overcome with fear and trepidation. She hurriedly said, "This humble one is as insignificant as a blade of grass; how could I dare trouble a great one like you to look upon me."
Xu Feng waved a large hand and asked directly, "I've heard that the conflict between my humble son and Junior Sister Zhao has implicated you. Today, I'd like to ask what exactly happened, so that I, as his father, have a basis for addressing this." Seeing how courteous he was, Hu Wanzhi became a little flustered.
Only after she looked up and saw Zhao Chun nod did she collect her thoughts and recount the matter of Xu Kuangrui bribing a menial laborer to put a substance in the soil. Xu Feng came from humble origins and had also suffered his share of hardships when he first entered the sect.
He understood quite well how difficult life was for cultivators at the bottom. He sighed softly. Xu Kuangrui's methods were truly insidious.
While it wouldn't have cost Hu Wanzhi her life, if it had continued, the deacon of the Spirit Plant Garden would certainly have grown resentful. When that time came, stripping her of her duties would be like a viciously twisting blade cutting into her flesh.
With Fang Erlang as a witness and the yet-to-be-used yield-reducing powder as material evidence, Xu Feng's face showed clear displeasure. For many years, he had often been forced to divert his attention to resolve matters for Xu Kuangrui. The accumulated frustration made his anger surge, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
"I will pick a day and have my son come to your door to offer an apology. In the future, I will surely keep him under stricter control," Xu Feng said, composing himself and taking a deep breath.
Zhao Chun was satisfied with this outcome. After all, the other party was a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator. It was not easy for him to deign to handle this matter personally.
Although it seemed Xu Kuangrui wouldn't be punished, judging by Xu Feng's demeanor, the matter would definitely not be dropped lightly in private. With his promise, Hu Wanzhi was finally able to feel at ease. A great weight was lifted from her heart.
She hastily thanked Xu Feng, all traces of her previous gloominess gone. Now that the matter was settled, Zhao Chun should have taken the two of them and departed, but unexpectedly, Xu Feng asked her to stay. She had no choice but to summon the Smoke Boat to send the other two back, while she herself remained at Heartbreak Cliff.
"Senior Brother, is there anything else?" she asked.
Xu Feng smiled calmly.
"After I reached Foundation Establishment, it was just as you said, Junior Sister. I received an untold number of visiting cards. Among them, whether in terms of priority or sincerity, there were many who surpassed you. Yet, I still chose to meet you first. Do you know why?"
Zhao Chun had indeed wondered about what he said. For him to achieve Foundation Establishment at such a young age and also score a 'Grade B Upper' in the Major Trial, the number of people in the Inner Sect wishing to befriend Xu Feng was like a school of carp crossing a river.
For him to have chosen her visiting card from among all the others, she suspected there must be a deeper meaning. Zhao Chun's gaze flickered.
"I'll have to ask Senior Brother to enlighten me."
Xu Feng placed his hands on his knees and said, "Junior Sister, do you still remember Meng Han?"
"Senior Brother Meng? Of course. If it weren't for his help, I would have long since perished in the Wind-Stopping Forest."
"Haha!"
Xu Feng laughed aloud.
"You both say the other saved your life. At this point, I don't even know who saved whom!"
His tone was different now, much more familiar. Zhao Chun guessed it must be because of his connection to Meng Han. Before she could inquire further, Xu Feng answered his own unspoken question.
"I have known Meng Han for a long time; we are like sworn brothers. My recent travels were spent with him, searching for a spiritual object for Foundation Establishment. He once mentioned to me that your mind is unlike that of an ordinary person and that you surely possess great talent. That's how I came to remember your name."
Zhao Chun offered a few humble words in response. She then listened as Xu Feng explained that Meng Han had been unwilling to use the spiritual fruit from Huiming Mountain Villa for his breakthrough. He had insisted on finding a spiritual object on his own, which was why it had taken so long.
That spiritual fruit was compatible with the earth attribute. It was moderate and stable, making the Foundation Establishment process relatively easy, and the resulting spiritual foundation would be of a standard quality. Meng Han had originally been satisfied with it, but after the incident with Yue Zuan, his ambition was roused.
He became determined to find the more suitable Jade-Earth Root before he would attempt Foundation Establishment. This object was one of the most precious of all earth-attribute spiritual objects. To obtain it from the sect would require trading an unknown amount of treasures in exchange.
Meng Han was short on funds, so he invited his good friend Xu Feng to go treasure hunting with him. Unexpectedly, they actually managed to find some. While the quantity wasn't great, it was enough for him to use for Foundation Establishment.
"Then what about Senior Brother Meng?"
"He reached Foundation Establishment half a month ago. Right now, he's in the middle of the Major Trial. His foundation is solid, so he's guaranteed to get at least a Mid-Upper Second Grade. He might even be able to get a 'Lower First Grade'."
As for anything higher, Xu Feng dared not make any promises. Zhao Chun quickly asked him to pass on her congratulations to Meng Han. Then she heard him say, "There is one other thing.
I heard that you have recently been inquiring about the Earth Fire Forging Furnace, Junior Sister. Do you intend to learn the 'Fire Refining Furnace Technique'?" Inquiring about another person's magical arts was, in truth, extremely offensive.
Though he was Meng Han's friend, she had only just met him. However, from their interaction so far, she could tell he was not one to speak rashly, so she held her tongue and waited for him to explain. Xu Feng knew his words had been abrupt, so he explained, "I won't keep you in suspense, Junior Sister.
I'll be blunt. I have a three-element spirit root and I mainly cultivate the Metal element. Magical arts of this attribute are inherently rare, and it just so happens I've learned this technique.
Seeing that you are now at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, I decided to offer a word of caution."
"The Earth Fire Forging Furnace consumes a tremendous amount of spiritual energy. The slightest lapse in attention can cause harm to one's body. Furthermore, you have a Fire Spiritual Root, and I fear you won't be able to withstand it. It's best to wait until you have perfected the sixth layer of Qi Refining before you attempt this art."
Such cultivation insights were generally not shared with outsiders. His willingness to advise Zhao Chun was also on account of Meng Han.
"So that's how it is. It seems this Junior Sister was ignorant."
Zhao Chun stood and bowed her thanks, feeling slightly ashamed. She thought to herself, 'It's a good thing I made this trip today, allowing me to learn of this. Otherwise, I would have walked right into a fiery pit and harmed my own Dao attainment.'
Seeing that she was young and likely had many things she did not yet understand, Xu Feng went on to explain in detail some key points regarding magical arts and cultivation, from which Zhao Chun benefited greatly.
(End of this chapter)