In the Huawel Sect's library, the most sought-after and hardest-to-borrow items were always cultivation method manuals, while travelogues of the cultivation world, miscellaneous records, maps, and other leisure books gathered dust year after year.
The Overseas Cultivator's Mainland Anti-Scam Guide was particularly neglected. Thus, through the charitable assistance of outer sect disciples, Wang Tugen acquired the complete collection—ten volumes in total, containing translations in twenty different ancient overseas scripts, stacked half a person's height.
The four great continents—east, west, south, and north—were vast and resource-rich, collectively known as the Mainland. Beyond the sea, aside from a few Nascent Soul experts who claimed islands as their domains, most islands suffered from scarce cultivation resources, thin spirit qi, and sparse populations.
Some islands were attached to mainland sects or noble families, others were self-sufficient, while a few drifted with ocean currents, hidden in sea mist and barely marked on maps.
Legend had it that centuries ago, an overseas-born cultivator traveled across the four continents and was shocked by the Mainland's complexity and terrors—cultivators schemed endlessly for resources, deploying countless scams. Those raised in simpler environments, having only ever met a hundred people in their lives, were utterly unprepared.
After enduring hardships and achieving fame, he recalled his youthful tragedies and hard-won lessons, pouring them into this book.
It exposed hundreds of conspiracies, honey traps, and setup scams, aiming to inspire later overseas cultivators to follow his example: endure suffering and ultimately achieve the Great Dao.
Upon publication, the manual instantly became an inspirational classic, a guiding light, and essential reading for countless overseas cultivators.
As twilight deepened, the evening breeze carried the cool fragrance of flowers. The queue at Song Courtyard's entrance gradually shortened.
The outer sect disciples chatted and laughed, ignoring the shabby, struggling overseas visitor.
With nothing else to do, Wang Tugen sat on the ground, idly flipping through the manual. Unconsciously, he became engrossed.
Though the book contained thousands of words, its essence could be summarized in four rules:
First, do not trust fellow countrymen.
Second, do not trust Mainlanders.
Third, do not trust anyone.
...
Finally, no matter how many times others cheat, deceive, bully, swindle, slander, or harm you—just keep your head down and cultivate diligently. Youth will eventually have its day; gold will eventually shine. Sooner or later, you can prove to those who looked down on you:
They were right!
Wang Tugen nearly spat blood in bitter resentment—this motivational soup was poisoned.
Suddenly sensing something amiss, he flipped back to the title page and checked the author's pen name: just three simple characters—Duo Qing Zi.
So that was it. He swallowed back the blood.
Few in the current era remembered this name, but he knew.
Wasn't "Duo Qing Zi" the nickname of the Calligrapher Sage in his youth?
And wasn't that beautiful, fairyland-like overseas mountain described in the manual the Calligrapher Sage's current Mustard Seed Space—the "Painted Spring Mountain Within a Box"?
So the Sage had been swindled so badly when he first arrived on the Mainland. No wonder he grew so suspicious in old age, Wang Tugen thought, testing prospective disciples' character and sending us to probe Song Qianji.
He gazed toward Song Courtyard's narrow vermilion gate, seeing only emerald vines crawling over the wall, and felt a sudden pang of sympathy for the young man inside who knew nothing.
To have written this entire set of anti-scam manuals dissecting every human weakness and deception, and now to set up a test for a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old cultivator—who could withstand it?
"Your turn, go ahead." Zhou Xiaoyun's voice startled him.
He closed the book and looked up. The crowd at Song Courtyard's gate had dispersed, leaving only clusters of flamboyant impatiens flowers swaying as usual.
Zhou Xiaoyun advised, "The Mainland's waters run deep and its shores are treacherous. Keep these books in your storage bag, read them thoroughly tonight, and make sure to memorize every word!"Wang Tugen put on a simple, honest smile. "Good fairy, I understand. Thank you!"
"Don’t thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Senior Brother Song for his generosity, kindness, and willingness to teach all without discrimination. Hurry up and ask your questions. Don’t waste time. Go on in."
As soon as Wang Tugen stepped through the door, he froze for a moment.
The garden was filled with vibrant reds and lush greens, a tapestry of deep and light shades. Countless flowers and vegetables grew in every direction, covering the ground and filling the air above.
He had seen many things in his time. He had visited the herb gardens of alchemists and the flower gardens of female cultivators. In terms of the spiritual energy of the land and the rarity of the plants, this small courtyard was ordinary.
And yet, there was something here that was not present in any other place. Something that no number of spiritual energy gathering arrays could replicate: vitality. The most primal, natural, vibrant vitality that had not been shaped by human hands.
He felt as if he were seeing spring itself.
"Foreign cultivator, do you know the rules here?"
He looked up. The person speaking was a young man who looked fifteen or sixteen years old. He was already at Foundation Establishment level. He had delicate features and a heroic aura. He stood tall and proud under the flower trellis. His eyes were bright and sharp, and he seemed intimidating.
Wang Teng thought to himself, "Young people are impressive."
But according to the information his organization had gathered, this person was not Song Qianji. Instead, he was Meng Hezi, Song Qianji's follower.
"This is a tomato seed from overseas. I offer it to Senior Brother Song!" He presented the storage bag and looked past the young man.
"Ask quickly," Meng Hezi said. He checked the seeds and turned to go to the kitchen to cook noodles.
Only two people remained under the flower trellis. One stood, and the other sat.
"I have come to have a treasure appraised. Please take a look at this, Senior Brother Song," Wang Tugen said. He moved closer and discreetly observed Song Qianji.
The setting sun cast a warm glow. Song Qianji leaned against a cushion on his chair, gazing at the sunset and enjoying the breeze. His eyes were slightly closed, and he looked relaxed and content.
It seemed he had just walked through the fields. His clean shoes were stained with mud, but he didn't seem to care.
"Alright, let me see," Song Qianji said. His voice was gentle.
Wang Tugen was surprised. Song Qianji seemed approachable and good-natured.
Why were the Outer Sect disciples so respectful of him? Why did the tough Meng Hezi trust him so much?
A half-inch stone sword was placed in Song Qianji's hand.
As soon as Song Qianji touched it, he straightened up and looked serious.
He held the stone sword up to the light. It was small and delicate. Its surface was rough, like the texture of the stone itself. Only if you looked closely with your spiritual eyes would you see the intricate patterns on it.
This was something he had seen before in his previous life. It was powerful and had no restrictions. It would activate upon contact with blood, but it could not be recognized as a master.
It was a weapon that anyone could use. Whoever used it would be the master. These two characteristics made it a weapon that caused a lot of bloods. It was a weapon that caused a lot of bloods. It was a weapon that caused a lot of bloods. It was a weapon that caused a lot of bloods. It was a weapon that
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"这个Song Qianji pondered for a moment before asking further, "Are the four seasons distinct in your region? How long is the rainy season? What is the soil quality like? What crops are most commonly grown in the fields, and how many harvests do they yield per year? What are the staple foods and main dishes?"
"Ah? This, this..."
Wang Tugen was taken aback, instantly breaking into a cold sweat.
If Song Qianji had asked him about his sect's heritage, what cultivation methods they practiced, what magical artifacts they used, or whether there were spirit stone mines on the island, he would have answered fluently, as he had prepared for such questions and had no fear of being interrogated.
But soil quality and the rainy season? By the Dao Ancestor, do cultivators really care about such things?
Thinking quickly, he described the climate and local conditions based on those of Painted Spring Mountain. Fearing Song Qianji might grow suspicious, he remained anxious and hastily changed the subject:
"Senior Brother Song, what exactly is this thing? Even my master didn't know!"
Song Qianji sighed. It seemed there were no barren mountains to cultivate over there, so he stopped probing further and simply replied:
"It's a talisman sword. If you want to use it, trigger it with a drop of blood. Once activated during a duel, it can forcibly elevate your cultivation by one major realm. Although the effect lasts only half an incense stick's time, if used skillfully, it's enough to turn defeat into victory or escape with your life!"
"Really? Is it valuable? Could it be worth thirty spirit stones?" Wang Tugen marveled inwardly at his honesty—he had held nothing back—but outwardly, he grinned foolishly.
"Very valuable. It's worth three hundred, even three thousand." Out of gratitude for the tomato seeds, Song Qianji added, "Take it to a pawnshop in Hua Wei City and have them auction it. You'll naturally gain many benefits. But I suggest you keep it for self-defense."
Wang Tugen looked crestfallen. "Senior Brother Song, my sect is completely wiped out. What's the point of me cultivating alone on the mainland? I just want to exchange it for passage back to the island. I don't dare go to a pawnshop. How about you give me twenty spirit stones, and I'll sell this treasure to you!"
His words carried many implied meanings.
First, his cultivation was low, his perspective narrow, and he was unaware of the immense value of the treasure he held—making him easy to deceive. Second, he had no kin or connections; even if someone killed him for the treasure and he died on the mainland, no one would seek revenge for him, allowing the thief to rest easy. Third, who wouldn't want to buy a duel treasure for just twenty spirit stones?
But Song Qianji said, "No."
Wang Tugen was shocked. "Why not?"
Song Qianji shook his head. "You gave me seeds, and I appraised the treasure for you. As far as I'm concerned, this matter is concluded."
He tossed the talisman sword back to Wang Tugen.
"Wait, Senior Brother Song!"
Wang Tugen hurriedly caught it, thinking, How dare you throw this thing? Do you think it's a potato from the fields?
"Xiao Meng," Song Qianji called directly. "See the guest out."
Meng Heze, wearing an apron tied around his front, rushed out in a flurry and shouted, "Let me see who's still here at mealtime?!"
Wang Tugen was driven out.
Ever since he started running the disguised rouge shop for the Calligrapher Sage, it had been many years since he had been thrown out like this.
And it was with a large spatula and a strainer, as if shooing a stray dog. The bean leaves by the door rustled in the wind, seeming to mock him for his futile scheming.
His feelings were complicated. If Song Qianji had been tempted, he would have felt heartache and regret. But since Song Qianji remained unmoved, he felt his trip had been in vain, devoid of any sense of accomplishment.Wang Tugen walked with his head down, preoccupied with the Black Shop crew's second scheme, and nearly collided with a female cultivator.
"My apologies," he said.
"It's fine," the woman replied softly.
She wore a wide-brimmed hat with a sheer veil covering her face, dressed in a plain and simple white dress that accentuated her slender waist.
This flower-lined path led only to Song Courtyard. Wang Tugen wondered why she concealed her face and why she had come to visit Song Qianji.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up when he spotted the qin in her arms.
Green Ripple Platform.
With the Grand Assembly of Distinguished Appraisals' Music Examination approaching, Huawel Sect had countless Sound Cultivators and countless qins. But the qins crafted by Xiao Zhuo of the Black Shop Pawnshop had subtle distinctions from the others.
For this female cultivator to visit Song Courtyard with Green Ripple Platform after nightfall, she must have a close relationship with Song Qianji.
Could it be that Song Qianji pawned his sword to buy this qin as a gift for her?
She must be a stunning beauty!
Was it possible that he didn't covet treasures but instead had a weakness for beautiful women?
His earlier claim that Miaoyan wasn't beautiful was merely because he didn't favor the noble and ethereal type.
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