Name: Wei Zhong
Cultivation Base: Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement (46%)
Cultivation Technique: Azure Wave Art - Proficient (95%)
Lifespan: 136/137
"Only three days of lifespan remaining! Downgrading from the Eighth to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement will grant ten years of lifespan."
Wei Zhong stared at his wrinkled hands and sighed deeply.
How did I transmigrate into the body of someone on the verge of death?
Wei Zhong was a Spirit Farmer of the Yan Clan. Outwardly, he had spent most of his life cultivating Spirit Fields for them, until yesterday, when his lifespan finally ran out.
The remaining three days were the reason Wei Zhong's soul had transmigrated here.
Knock, knock!
A knock echoed from outside his door. Having spent most of his life cultivating Spirit Fields, Wei Zhong couldn't bear to move into an Immortal's Cave within the spirit ground, instead building a small courtyard amidst the fields.
"Yuan'er!" Wei Zhong called out.
He greeted the young cultivator outside with an unchanged expression. This was Yuan'er, a disciple he had taken thirty years ago from the mortal world. With a Four Elements Root aptitude, he was slightly better than Wei Zhong's own Five Spiritual Roots.
Driven by a fervent desire to tread the Immortal Path, Wei Zhong had brought Ning Yuan to the Yan Family Market City, guiding him onto the path of cultivation. Ning Yuan had since become a cultivator at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, working as a Spirit Farmer for the Yan Clan, just like Wei Zhong himself.
Ten years ago, Ning Yuan had managed to secure a connection with a collateral branch of the Yan Clan and no longer held his former Master, Wei Zhong, in much regard.
Recently, however, having heard rumors of Wei Zhong's impending demise, Ning Yuan had begun visiting him frequently.
The original Wei Zhong had clearly seen through his disciple's intentions—to claim his inheritance. But preoccupied with his own cultivation and dwindling lifespan, he had paid little heed.
Tragically, the original Wei Zhong's poor aptitude had prevented him from reaching the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, and he had died when his lifespan expired.
Now, Wei Zhong had transmigrated into this body, inheriting a life on its last legs.
"Master Wei, you don't look well," Ning Yuan said with concern. "Shall I fetch some spirit herbs from the Spirit Medicine Pavilion for you?"
"There's no need," Wei Zhong replied. "You're still young. Save your spirit stones and focus on your cultivation. Don't trouble yourself over this old man."
Ning Yuan nodded, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then departed.
An old horse about to die, surrounded by hungry wolves! Wei Zhong thought.
Despite Ning Yuan's earnest demeanor, the transmigrated Wei Zhong could clearly see the wolfish ambition lurking beneath.
I still have a way to extend my lifespan by sacrificing my cultivation. How could I let that little brat usurp my legacy?
Wei Zhong closed the courtyard gate, returned to his room, and steeled his resolve.
"Exchange for ten years of lifespan."
With only three days left to live, Wei Zhong had no choice but to sacrifice a cultivation layer in exchange for ten more years.
His cultivation base instantly regressed to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement (46%), and a portion of his spiritual energy dissipated. In exchange, Wei Zhong felt significantly revitalized, the oppressive weight of his impending death lifted.
Name: Wei Zhong
Cultivation Base: Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement (46%)
Lifespan: 126/137
Instead of increasing his lifespan limit, this method directly reduced his biological age. Wei Zhong's face lit up—this opened up far more tactical possibilities.
He formed a hand seal, activating the Mid-Grade First-Tier Technique, Invisibility Technique - Proficient (37%).
These old bones of mine can't rest easy with that treacherous disciple lurking about. I need to follow him and see what he's up to.
Wei Zhong had lived a long life. Though his Immortal Path cultivation was modest, his worldly experience was vast. The Jianghu trials he endured before embarking on the Immortal Path had been a crucial foundation for his predecessor's cultivation, sustaining him until the end of his lifespan.
Meanwhile, Wei Zhong, acutely aware of his limited innate talent, had dedicated himself to mastering techniques. While none of his techniques were particularly advanced, his proficiency was exceptional.
Following Ning Yuan, he arrived at a small hut beside the rice paddies. Voices drifted from within.
"How's the old man holding up?"
Ning Yuan shook his head. "He's still alive. I can't believe he's lasted this long. If he doesn't die soon, how are we going to get his inheritance? Should we just finish him off together?"
Ning Yuan's eyes flickered with hesitation, but he ultimately replied, "Master is at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement. You and I are only at the Fifth or Sixth. The risk is too great. Let's wait for him to die of old age."
"Hah, you can wait if you want. By then, the Yan Clan might swoop in and snatch everything, leaving you without even a sip of soup."
Ning Yuan's expression twisted in turmoil. As a renowned Spirit Farmer for the Yan Clan, Wei Zhong's wealth was coveted not only by him but by many others. Recently, numerous branch members of the Yan Clan had been trying to become his disciples.
"I'll visit again next month. If he's still alive, we'll deal with him together."
A joyful smile spread across the other man's face at this response.
"As Brother Ning wishes!"
Wei Zhong, who had been eavesdropping outside the house, felt a flicker of cold fury in his eyes.
Returning to his courtyard, Wei Zhong muttered under his breath, "That ungrateful disciple! He'd kill his own Master for a handful of resources..."
No, I can't just sit here passively and wait to be killed. I need to strike first and nip this threat in the bud.
Having absorbed the memories of his predecessor, Wei Zhong unconsciously began to adopt his predecessor's ruthless pragmatism.
He then glanced at his status panel.
The regression in his cultivation realm had reduced his spiritual energy reserves, but the difference between the Eighth and Seventh Layers of Qi Refinement was negligible. Moreover, Wei Zhong relied primarily on his highly proficient techniques in combat, so his overall strength hadn't diminished significantly.
Techniques were classified into six levels: Beginner, Skilled, Proficient, Grandmaster, Grand Master, and Peerless. Most Qi Refining cultivators lingered at the Beginner stage, barely able to activate their techniques with pitiful speed and power.
Only a select few could achieve proficiency in Techniques.
Wei Zhong, however, was naturally gifted in magical arts and had honed various Techniques to exceptional levels.
This was the foundation upon which his predecessor had built his reputation and made his living. Of course, the cautious old soul had kept everything meticulously hidden, which now conveniently aided Wei Zhong in his endeavors.
Wei Zhong picked up a pebble from the ground, infused it with spiritual energy, and hurled it downward. There was no explosion, only a thumb-sized hole that burrowed deep into the ground, its depth unknown.
Flying Throwing Technique - Mastery (38%)
This was one of Wei Zhong's most proficient Techniques. Though merely a low-grade First-Tier spell, its mastery-level refinement had transformed it into a formidable weapon.
Its spiritual energy was highly concentrated, granting it extraordinary penetrative power.
It could even contend with cultivators at the Peak Qi Refinement stage.
Still, for added security, Wei Zhong retrieved two small black orbs from his Storage Pouch.
Thumb-sized and of unknown material, they remained unscathed even when struck by magic tools.
They proved an ideal complement to the Flying Throwing Technique.
Night fell.
Under the cloak of night, Wei Zhong activated his Invisibility Technique. Dressed entirely in black, he made his way to Ning Yuan's courtyard.
The spirit farmers hired by the Yan Clan had long suffered from Ning Yuan's exploitation. He seized the lion's share of their annual harvests, leaving them with barely enough to survive. As a result, most spirit farmers lived modestly in simple courtyards near their spirit fields, and Ning Yuan was no exception.
To Wei Zhong's surprise, despite the late hour, light still shone from Ning Yuan's room, accompanied by the clinking of cups and the sounds of drunken revelry.
"Brother Ning, we had a deal, right? Old Man Wei's fortune—half for you, half for me!" a slurred voice called out. Wei Zhong recognized it as the man who had schemed with Ning Yuan earlier that day.
"Of course, Brother He. You've guided me to earn so many spirit stones, and I'm counting on your expertise again this time. I wouldn't dream of shortchanging you."
"Hahaha! It pays to have looked after you all this time. Come on, let's toast to our brotherhood!"
Hmph, so you're still plotting against me, Wei Zhong thought, lurking outside the window. The two tipsy men inside remained completely oblivious to his presence.
If that's how it is, my apprentice, then don't blame your master for showing no mercy.
Wei Zhong gripped the stone sphere, his gaze fixed on one of the men.
Whoosh.
Ning Yuan was clinking glasses with his companion when he suddenly noticed the man's arm slump. The man's upper body collapsed onto the table, a crimson stream of blood pooling from his head.
Ning Yuan's eyes widened, and he was about to shout.
But before he could utter a sound, a sharp pain pierced his skull, and he lost consciousness.
Wei Zhong slipped into the room, a flicker of regret crossing his face as he surveyed the two lifeless figures.
I only wanted to live this life in peace, unwilling to spill innocent blood. Why did they force my hand?
He retrieved their Storage Pouches, summoned two Fireballs, and incinerated the corpses to ash.
The Yan Clan leased out countless Spirit Fields, and countless Loose Cultivators clamored for the opportunity to farm them. The disappearance of two Spirit Farmers wouldn't raise an eyebrow within the clan; new cultivators would quickly take over their abandoned fields.
With a flicker of movement, Wei Zhong vanished.
Back in his courtyard, he emptied the Storage Pouches. His spiritual sense probed their contents, and a smile crept onto his face.
I never imagined my apprentice had amassed such wealth.
However, upon examining the bloodstained, fragmented magic tools, he surmised that his apprentice had undoubtedly engaged in numerous Robber Cultivator activities.
The other Storage Pouch was similar, filled with fragments of magic tools, but the number of spirit stones inside was far less than Wei Zhong had anticipated.
This is far too little. For a Robber Cultivator who had been clinking glasses with Ning Yuan, the number of spirit stones in his pouch was surprisingly small.
After rummaging through the pouch for a while, Wei Zhong finally discovered a bottle of medicinal pills tucked away in a corner.
"A High-Grade Qi Nourishing Pill?"
Qi Nourishing Pills were among the most commonly used cultivation pills for Qi Refining cultivators, categorized into four grades: low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and top-grade.
Loose Cultivators typically used low-grade Qi Nourishing Pills, which offered reasonable effectiveness at an affordable price. Even late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators only occasionally used mid-grade versions.
Wei Zhong had lived for decades and had been at the late-stage of Qi Refinement for over twenty years, yet he had never used a high-grade Qi Nourishing Pill.
Simply put, they were too expensive.
A single bottle of high-grade Qi Nourishing Pills could be exchanged for four bottles of mid-grade pills or ten bottles of low-grade ones. Such exorbitant prices were beyond the reach of most loose cultivators.
How could a mere mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator possess such a valuable item?
"Just in time," Wei Zhong thought. "I need medicinal pills to enhance my cultivation base, so this Daoist will gladly accept them."
Wei Zhong had no way of knowing that the bottle of High-Grade Qi Nourishing Pills was the Robber Cultivator's last resort to break through the bottleneck between the Sixth and Seventh Layers of Qi Refining. He had nearly exhausted all his spirit stones to acquire these pills, driving him to impatiently target Wei Zhong.
After a quick rummage, Wei Zhong transferred the valuable items to his own Storage Pouch, leaving the less important items behind. He then hid both pouches in a secret compartment above the ceiling beam, planning to dispose of them later.
As expected, the disappearance of the two men caused barely a ripple. The Yan Clan's steward overseeing the Spirit Fields noticed Ning Yuan's plot was untended and promptly reassigned it to other Loose Cultivators. Rumors also circulated about the disappearance of a collateral branch member of the Yan Clan.
A collateral branch member of the Yan Clan? Could that be the cultivator I casually eliminated that day?
Wei Zhong recalled the "kind-hearted" man who had carried the High-Grade Qi Nourishing Pills.
Forget it. Who cares who he was? I covered my tracks thoroughly. No one can trace this back to me.