Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

White oak city~

As news of Catfish Village spread like wildfire. Where every mother and their neighbours knew about it, Ace dropped. Bomb to take things a step further.

He announced the beginning of a grand event that would be held in the village next week—a once in a lifetime opportunity where commoners could actually purchase a spirit product!

There were even rumours that one could actually get a glimpse of spirit cattles that could be eaten.

But that wasn't the main hype, the showcase of the event had to be 'Spirit Apples.'

What was so good about it?

It was the rumours that floated around this apple. It was an established fact that people are born with a talent and that talent decides your path in life.

But what if there was something that can upgrade that talent?

Something that pushes you to go one more step ahead?

Won't you want that? Nobody really wants to bow their head when something that can advance their life exists.

In the meantime, Ace had met up with the Village Chief and told him about the events planned.

Although the chief tried to deny him the event, Ace pushed through with the project.

The villagers were already happy with the irrigation and supported his decisions.

What more could they ask for?

They could now till their lands, they now had hopes to survive this year instead of starving, going to the city to find work.

Aside from Ace, well, even more than Ace, the villagers worshipped the tiny spirit, Rei who occasionally calls upon clouds of rain every two days.

And just like that, a week passed by, and the village soon saw its first few visitors.

"Mei'er, quick, go tell your master that the visitors have started arriving," Liu Hong said, walking over with a basket of fruit.

Contained in her basket were just ordinary fruits—not the prized spirit apple.

"Okay, Momma! But let me put these down first!" Liu Mei chirped, balancing a heavy box of Spirit Apples in her small arms.

She set it down with a thud, puffing up her cheeks before dashing off with little bounce in her every steps.

This was the village's first time hosting an event—or in the words of Ace, a festival.

The villagers bustled about, eager to carry out their tasks, their excitement growing with every passing moment.

....

....

Currently in the Hua Family's main hall, the place was filled with tension as a meeting was underway.

"Family Head, the Xiao Family has already taken control of the Alchemists. When are we going to retaliate?" one elder asked, his voice laced with urgency.

Another elder, her eyes weary from years of struggle, sighed. "That Xiao Bo… He's utterly shameless. I've met him three times, and each time, he's tried to scam me."

At the corner of the room, Hua Ting—clearly drunk—turned toward the elder who had just spoken.

He squinted, swaying slightly, and then smirked.

"Elder Lesy, you're a beauty. Who wouldn't want to scam you... and then bed you?" His voice carried a suggestive tone.

A sharp glare from Hua Hua immediately snapped him out of his drunken daze.

"Tiger, control your brother before he gets beaten up by Elder Lesy again," Hua Hua warned.

Elder Lesy, visibly irritated, crossed her arms. "Hey! I only beat him up lightly once! And it was his fault—why are you saying as if I'm going to commit a crime again."

The first elder, the one who had brought up the Alchemist issue, exhaled deeply. His disappointment was obvious, and he didn't even bother hiding it.

The reaction earned him a sneer from the three troublemakers.

However, he pressed on. "Family Head, the Forbidden Land will be opening soon. We need Alchemists to concoct suppressant pills. If we don't act, the Xiao Family will surpass us before long."

Hua Hua looked at him. "Elder Mo, what do you think of our relationship with Master Zhi, the envoy of the Divine Garden?"

Elder Mo was momentarily confused. This didn't answer his concerns about the urgent need for alchemists, but he chose not to question the Family Head's direction.

"I'm more inclined to believe it's dangerous and risky," he admitted.

"And why is that?" Hua Hua asked calmly.

"Divine Garden envoys… they're always weak. Scapegoats used to lure out the greedy. History has proven this twice," Elder Mo replied.

"But there was also that one time when a Divine Garden envoy led a small house to become the current Empire of Eden," Hua Hua countered.

"I'm still inclined to believe it's risky." Elder Mo's tone remained firm.

He was never one to shy away from sharing his thoughts, and this openness was one of the reasons the Hua Family remained strong.

Unlike the Xiao Family, Hua Hua did not rule with an iron fist—though he could when necessary.

Instead, he preferred to foster genuine respect rather than fear, allowing his elders to voice their opinions freely.

After a moment of silence, Hua Hua finally spoke.

"I plan on taking a gamble with Master Zhi."

The room stilled as he continued.

"I've seen Xiao Wuzi. The last time I confronted him, he was weakened. I don't know why, but it was clear. And last night, I sensed it—someone attempted to ascend to Legend Rank. They nearly succeeded… but ultimately failed."

"Isn't this the perfect time for an attack, then?" Elder Mo asked. "Family Head, wouldn't it be wise to strike now?"

Before Hua Hua could respond, Hua Ting interjected. "Do you think it's that easy? You want us to be branded as demonic cultivators?"

Elder Mo exhaled sharply, then nodded. "Well… he does have a point. I was being rash."

Hua Hua simply smiled. "It's fine. We are still human."

….

….

"Are you sure this is the place?"

Xie Ninger's voice carried a trace of unease as she followed the two veiled women ahead of her.

Their faces were obscured, only their cold, unreadable eyes visible beneath the dark cloth.

The narrow path they took twisted through dim corridors, each step echoing ominously in the silence. A faint scent of incense hung in the air—masking something more metallic beneath it.

Doubt gnawed at her.

"Is this really the right path?" she asked again, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her sleeve.

Still, no clear answer.

"Is my brother truly here?"

One of the women finally responded, her voice smooth yet distant.

"The Huntress has already made preparations. Do not worry."

But Xie Ninger was worried. Something felt off.

When they reached the final door.

The veiled women stepped aside, allowing her to enter first.

And as soon as she did, her breath hitched.

On the floor before her lay a dead body. His robes were torn, stained dark with dried blood.

But the worst part was that the body was missing a head yet she knew who the body clearly belonged to.

Her world spun.

A choked gasp barely left her lips before movement from behind sent her instincts to tingle.

A silent and swift dagger plunged toward her back.

She twisted at the last second, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow, but pain exploded along her side as the blade found its mark.

She staggered, her hand flying to the wound. Warm blood seeped between her fingers.

The two veiled women had now stepped closer, their dark eyes locked onto her like predators circling wounded prey.