On the following day, we left the city. We had stayed there for just a single day. Zhao and I worked hard to sell everything he had, collect the money, and return to his village.
His village was far. It would take us at least fifteen days to get there. I wanted to arrive as soon as possible to start my spiritual beast farm, but there was no way to speed up the process.
I had to endure it.
Zhao looked quite happy.
"I can't wait to return home," he said. "I want to see my dear son."
"How old is he?" I asked.
"Twelve," Zhao replied.
That was a pretty early age to start thinking about cultivation. Usually, cultivators began training around fourteen years old—at least in the kingdom I was living in. It might be different elsewhere.
"Young," I said. "If he starts training soon, he might become a powerful cultivator in the future."
Zhao laughed. "Ha, don't get my hopes up. It all depends on you, you know that. We live in such a secluded place—you're our only hope."
"But why didn't you come with him to the cities to look for sects?"
That question had been lingering in my mind the whole time. The previous owner of my body hadn't known the answer.
"Us normal people can't just go to the sects," Zhao explained. "They need to come to us. Only those with connections and cultivators in the family can do that."
Most families didn't have many cultivators. Having even one was already a big deal.
Qi Condensation cultivators were common, but when Zhao said he wanted his son to be the first cultivator in his family in centuries, he meant someone who could reach the Foundation Establishment realm.
To be seen as a decent cultivator, Foundation Establishment was the minimum. Qi Condensation cultivators weren't taken seriously by anyone.
"I see. Well, I'll try to help—not just your son, but others in your region who have talent."
Zhao tapped my back. "I know you will. And I'll do everything I can to help you, don't worry."
It was nice to have someone watching my back and offering support. But I knew Zhao's help wouldn't change everything.
The reason I would become a powerful cultivator wasn't because of him—it was because of my system, and my spiritual beast farm. That, I knew for sure.
*
Fifteen days on the road.
That's how long it took us to reach the Misty Mountains—the region where Zhao Lintao lived.
The journey went smoothly this time. No bandits showed up to attack us, which was a relief. No spiritual beasts either.
Still, I hated being stuck inside a carriage and sleeping in random places. The food wasn't great in some of those stops.
I was used to faster means of transportation than a damn carriage. One of the first things I wanted to master as a cultivator was a way to travel faster.
Cultivators usually flew using swords. I wanted to learn that someday.
Anyway, the Misty Mountains were a unique region. The area was mostly forest, but everything was perched atop towering peaks, and the place was surrounded by fog almost every day.
There were a few villages scattered across the mountains. Zhao lived in one of them.
To get up there, the horses had to work hard to pull the carriage—but they managed.
The temperature dropped noticeably as we climbed. I felt the cold the moment we started ascending.
Zhao was looking impatient, eager to return home to see his son. I could see it in his expression and his movements.
"Is your wife taking care of your son?" I asked.
I didn't know it back then, but that wasn't a nice question.
"My wife died," Zhao said. "My son is with his grandparents."
"I'm sorry…"
I felt like shit for asking that. But Zhao was okay with it. His wife had died many years ago, and although the pain was still there, he was enduring it.
When we reached the village and the people saw the familiar carriage, everyone came out to greet Zhao.
Zhao was the only merchant in that village. With the money he made selling goods, he helped the village grow and supported those who didn't have much.
But money wasn't really needed there. I saw how the villagers produced their own food—plants, cattle—and even made their own clothes.
It was basic, of course, but it was a start. At least they didn't rely on outsiders to survive.
If they did, it would be difficult. Living so high up in the mountains made going up and down a real challenge. I'd seen that myself.
Zhao left the carriage first. He spoke with the villagers, hugged a few of them. His son came running to see him. Their reunion was beautiful to watch.
I saw it through the small window of the carriage. But eventually, I had to step out too.
I knew I'd be like an alien here. The village didn't get visitors—Zhao had told me that. So when they saw me, a few even stepped back, clearly unsure if I was dangerous.
Zhao asked them to calm down. "Relax, everyone. This is my new friend, someone I met on the road. He'll be staying with us for now."
Most of them didn't like that. I could see it in their eyes. But I also knew that time was the only thing that could change that.
They'd have to accept that I was living there. And with time, maybe they'd become my friends. At least I hoped so. I didn't want to live in a place where everyone hated me. That would remind me too much of home…
Zhao introduced me to his son. The young man was named Zhao Bei. Bei didn't look at me the way the others did.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mo Zhen," Bei said. "Welcome to our village!"
"Thank you!" I replied with a smile.
The kid was cool.
Zhao showed me his house. It was slightly better than the others, but not by much.
"I could build a better house," Zhao said, "but I don't want to stand out too much. Mine's bigger only because I need a storage room for my goods."
That was thoughtful of him.
He gave me a tour of the village and explained who lived in each house. There weren't that many people.
Each family had their own profession. Not all of them cultivated plants or raised cattle. Some preferred hunting, or crafting handmade items like clothes, weapons, and tools.
"And where will I be living?" I asked.
What I really wanted to know was where I'd be starting my spiritual beast farm.
It had been days since I'd planted anything. I was eager to increase my power again.
"Come with me," Zhao said. "I'll show you."