Chapter 138: Life on the Mountain

“Why am I suddenly such a hot commodity?”

Although I knew I had a certain talent for cultivation, it wasn’t like I was some kind of prize everyone was after.

“Have you not noticed the bloodline within you?”

I’d heard this from many people before, but I never really understood. Isn’t the bloodline just about having a stronger recovery ability sometimes?

“Enough talk, it’s pointless. You have to discover it on your own.”

Hearing Old Li say this, I didn’t press further.

After resting for a few minutes, the four of us got back into the car, and Old Li took us to a restaurant for a meal.

On the way, I kept thinking about how the things that happened to me often came out of nowhere, yet they seemed deliberate, as if everything had been planned.

My parents’ identities also seemed complicated, though I still couldn’t reach them.

And the blood running through my veins, as well as my cultivation speed, were unlike those of ordinary people. Could I be a prodigy born once in a century?

I shook my head self-mockingly. If I were a genius, pigs would be climbing trees. I was just a bit luckier than others.

In no time, the car pulled up to a large restaurant nearby.

Old Li had reserved a private room in advance, and the waiter led us straight there.

Before all the dishes arrived, we chatted casually.

“Jianzi, your weapon looks pretty good.”

I happened to think about Li Zijian’s new weapon this time. He seemed to have done his homework and learned the corresponding halberd techniques.

“Well, this one was bought at a high price by my old man,” he said proudly.

Even so, I still thought the spear I bought for Chen Chen was better—it was obvious.

When the dishes were all served, the three of us started eating. Old Li asked where we had been the past few days, but none of us said a word.

I also noticed that the Ghost King had been moving less and less lately. At first, he played several times a day, then once a month, and now I felt the intervals might get even longer.

But does that mean the Ghost King no longer has the power to control our lives as freely as before?

Still, I didn’t want to take any risks. It was best to keep things steady and safe.

After wolfing down the meal, I took a taxi home alone.

I still had nearly a million in cash. Since there weren’t many food options on the mountain, I bought a big pile of groceries at the market to take back.

Leaning back in the taxi seat, I felt a bit tired.

“Hey, young man, where have you been dressed like that?” The driver, an older man wearing a mask, asked.

“Filming a movie,” I replied simply and closed my eyes to rest.

The driver said no more, but I sensed something off.

I noticed the fabric beneath his clothes was black—probably a black shirt.

But the next moment, I saw something else. It wasn’t a shirt but a thin black robe.

Ordinary people don’t wear robes. There was only one explanation: this driver was also a cultivator.

And in my experience, those who wore black robes were assassins!

Suddenly, the driver jerked the steering wheel sharply, steering the car into a ditch. From the start, I knew something was wrong, so I kicked open the door and jumped out immediately.

The car tumbled several times in the ditch before coming to a stop.

The driver had already jumped out and stood facing me. Since things had reached this point, he stopped pretending and took off his clothes, revealing a full black robe. He sneered at me:

“So, just a Level 4 Spirit Bloom brat. The Dong family really made a fuss about this, needing to send me out.”

It turned out to be the longtime rival, the Dong family. This man must have been an assassin they sent.

Besides, who was Level 4 Spirit Bloom? I glanced at his forehead and saw he was Level 5 Spirit Bloom, meaning he hadn’t yet discerned my true cultivation.

“Sigh, brat, hand over the treasure concealing your aura, and I’ll spare your life.”

The man drew his long sword, eyes full of mockery.

I nearly laughed. He must have received incorrect intel, or maybe the Dong family didn’t expect my cultivation to have advanced so quickly.

“Looks like you came here to be a head on a platter.”

I didn’t want to waste words and drew out the Snow Blade.

The battle was about to erupt. We first clashed, probing each other, then pulled back after a few moves.

The man frowned deeply, probably surprised by my strength.

When he charged again, I entered the Wing Shadow Blade technique.

Though he knew his strength and speed were no match for mine, he gritted his teeth and pressed on stubbornly.

While fighting, I unleashed a Thunderbolt Strike. The man scrambled to block it.

Still, there was a big gap between Level 5 and Level 6 Spirit Bloom. Before I could even finish the third form of Wing Shadow Blade, he was already scratched in several places.

“What exactly is your cultivation level?” he shouted.

I focused my mind, and a small flower with six petals appeared on my forehead.

“Let’s just say the Dong family has done you harm.”

Seeing I was a level above him, he immediately gave up, took a few steps back, and dropped his sword.

He then closed his eyes, seemingly resigned to his fate.

Seeing this, I lost the urge to kill and sheathed the Snow Blade.

The man cautiously opened his eyes and glanced at me.

“Why didn’t you kill me?”

“I don’t kill you because I respect you as a man. I want to ask for your help.”

The man was stunned for a moment, then knelt on one knee and cupped his fist.

“Thank you for sparing my life. I am Cui Yuyao.”

I nodded and said,

“You should already know my name. I want you to keep an eye on the Dong family and report any movements to me immediately.”

After speaking, I took out the Qingwen Long Sword from the ring and tossed it to him.

“This is your payment.”

Cui Yuyao was a master swordsman, so he knew the quality of the sword.

“Thanks. How can I contact you?”

I thought for a moment.

“Send me a message on my phone.”

I left him my number and then headed back on my own.

I wasn’t sure if I’d made the right choice, but in this harsh, survival-of-the-fittest cultivation world, men with flesh and blood like him were rare.

We were now very close to Mount Xuanfeng, where Second Uncle lived—only a ten-minute walk to the foot of the mountain.

I looked around cautiously and, seeing no one following, began ascending the mountain alone.

It was afternoon, yet sounds of weapon clashes echoed through the mountain. I quickened my pace, parted the bushes, and saw what was happening inside.

Second Uncle and Nangong Xi were sparring, both wielding long swords.

I took a deep breath, relieved it wasn’t some troublemaker.

I stepped in, and Second Uncle immediately saw me.

Seeing my family, I naturally felt happy, a smile of joy impossible to hide.

“You brat, gone for so many days before coming back. Don’t you miss home?”

I laughed awkwardly and glanced at the obedient Nangong Xi beside him.