Big Data Cultivation-Chapter 1277: Local Forces

Seeing Kong Ziyi refuse, Fang Wenping spoke with a smile, "It’s not that valuable; it’s a little local specialty from Songhai Forest, not worth many Spirit Stones. It’s not hard to catch, just a bit tricky to find them."

Qilin Pine Squirrel meat is tender and delicious, with a hint of pine nuts fragrance. Even here, it counts as a rare delicacy. One Qilin Pine Squirrel, about the size of a big dog, can be sold for nearly twenty Spirit Stones.

The combat power of this creature is indeed not strong, its defense is relatively better. Key is that it excels at hiding, making it challenging to catch. Otherwise, its price would be even cheaper.

Anyway, facing unfamiliar outsiders, Fang Wenping prepared a gift worth nearly two hundred Spirit Stones — which would be over a thousand in Taiqing. This truly shows considerable sincerity.

Kong Ziyi shook her head, "Friend Fang, this is indeed too valuable; I cannot accept it."

Fang Wenping could only smile helplessly, "Friend Kong, you already have an abode; why call this little thing valuable?"

"This abode isn’t mine; it belongs to Friend Feng," Kong Ziyi, seeing his insistence, could only directly counter him, "These things indeed aren’t worth many Spirit Stones, but the key is... you and I don’t share such a friendship."

Fang Wenping knew she was right. If it were a Taiqing Intermediate cultivator, it would be different. She is already at Intermediate Level, not bothered about ten Qilin Pine Squirrels, which is normal. So he spoke with a smile, "I just want to make friends, nothing more."

"Make friends?" Kong Ziyi smiled ambiguously. It’s not about being arrogant, but Taiqing Sect is prestigious; generally, they don’t have much involvement with Loose Cultivators — nodding acquaintances are fine, but becoming real friends is quite difficult.

Thus, she naturally replied, "Why not tell me, Friend Fang, what exactly is the situation nearby... Why do I feel you are somewhat resistant to outsiders?"

Fang Wenping sighed inwardly, knowing that the high and mighty Taiqing cultivator ultimately didn’t regard him highly.

But this is normal, as the cultivation hierarchy objectively exists. His cultivation level isn’t as high as hers. She already extended a courteous invitation, speaking politely, truly embodying the nature of Major Sect Disciples.

Therefore, he didn’t mind much, although he felt slightly uncomfortable in his heart, and couldn’t help stealing a glance at Feng Jun, wondering how this person could get along well with this Taiqing Disciple.

However, with a man and a woman together, heh, perhaps it’s just that sort of thing...

Fang Wenping gathered his thoughts and spoke with a smile, "The explanation is simple; I just have a question. I want to ask Friend Kong a bit... Taiqing Disciples also have trial places in Bewildering Soul Forest. Why did you think of coming here?"

On the edges of Bewildering Soul Forest, the Four Sects of Wutai have designated trial spots, almost claiming the area, even setting trial places on two peaks and one valley. It’s just they can’t completely exclude outsiders.

After all, Bewildering Soul Forest is too vast. Even if they claim the area, they can’t cover every place. So most of the edge zones are occupied by Loose Cultivators — such as this place.

Kong Ziyi didn’t mind him answering her question with another question, and casually responded, "Friend Feng and I came for training, not a trial, wishing to explore more places, just tempering our Dao hearts."

Lucky fellow! Fang Wenping couldn’t help but cast a glance at Feng Jun, filled with envy, but not much jealousy — because he could see Feng Jun’s age was very young, certainly not reaching forty, yet already at the peak of Intermediate Level, one level higher than himself.

Both are Loose Cultivators, why is there such a gap?

He cleared his throat and replied, "To be blunt, it’s quite simple. The cultivators here have always stood on the front lines against Spirit Beasts, gaining experience in dealing with Spirit Beasts and Wild Beasts. However, some outsiders, disregarding rules, rashly attempt to intrude, even seeking low-priced information... and use many vile tactics."

"This shows great disrespect to us, as these experiences were gained through blood and sacrifice. If they want to hunt Spirit Beasts, they could completely go to some obscure places. Bewildering Soul Forest is so vast, why come here, isn’t that right?"

Feng Jun understood immediately; it all boiled down to interests. After putting in effort to occupy a territory, naturally, there’s caution against others coming to reap the benefits.

Kong Ziyi wasn’t unfamiliar with this either. Though Taiqing Sect is one of the prestigious Four Great Sects, there are also internal conflicts of interest. But she was here for "training," so she asked again, "Are there any areas on the edge of Bewildering Soul Forest not yet occupied?" ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"There are plenty," Fang Wenping answered without thinking, but then wanted to leave a good impression on Kong Ziyi, so he added with a smile, "Though where no one competes, you understand the profits... we’re both Intermediate cultivators, there’s no need to hide it from you."

Kong Ziyi tilted her head, pondering, and thoughtfully said, "No wonder you first asked me why I came here... If I came for territory, what would you do?"

Fortunately, she is a member of the Four Great Sects. If someone else asked like this, they might immediately start fighting.

But precisely because she is a Taiqing superior, asking like this... is instead the reaction the Four Great Sects should have.

"Friend Kong, you jest," Fang Wenping replied with a smile, "How could a Taiqing High Disciple fancy a place like this? However, survival is not easy for us, and we indeed value our livelihoods greatly. For example... I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but there’s no Tiantong Commerce Alliance in town?"

"So it was you all who did this?" Kong Ziyi looked at him with interest, "We were originally Tiantong’s esteemed guests, yet when we tried to ask someone for information, we found no one... Is your organization a large one?"

Her curiosity was strong, and her questions were straightforward, though Fang Wenping truly didn’t dare say anything careless, he could only explain, "It’s really not a large organization; can anything be larger than Tiantong? Rather, it’s spontaneous among us, this isn’t something I am making up..."

"Friend Kong, if you’re interested, you can learn more. Around the Bewildering Soul Forest, there is absolutely no Tiantong branch."

Feng Jun didn’t want Kong Ziyi to ask more questions, lest she expose her novice nature to the other party. He spoke softly, "Zi Yi, friend, this situation is quite common. When everyone agrees, law cannot punish the masses, Tiantong then has no reason to provoke public anger... They are primarily concerned with making money; as long as there’s profit, whether they open a branch or not is irrelevant. Tiantong can’t possibly earn all the money."

"Quite right," Fang Wenping gave Feng Jun a thumbs-up, "Friend Feng is absolutely correct. No one can earn all the money; we earn what we should, Tiantong earns what they should. Isn’t that good?"

Kong Ziyi pondered for a moment, then spoke with interest, "But what if Tiantong must set up a branch? How would you deal with that?"

Fang Wenping answered without hesitation, "There’s not much to deal with; setting up a branch is easy; doesn’t someone have to sell them things?"

After a pause, a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "However, this is the edge of the Bewildering Soul Forest. Some Spirit Beast and wild beast invasions or some desperadoes who like to kill and loot treasures... that’s normal too..."

Kong Ziyi tilted her head and spoke pensively, "Are there people who kill and loot treasures? Then I should summon more fellow sect members."

"Friend Kong, you jest again," Fang Wenping shook his head in a mix of amusement and frustration, "Who would dare kill and loot from a Taiqing superior? You just go ahead and practice, frankly, there are often Taiqing disciples here to train, just as long as they’re not stationed permanently... we’re very attentive to their safety."

In essence: Playing is fine; trying to take over a territory is not.

Taiqing is one of the Four Great Sects, that’s beyond doubt. But no matter how powerful you are, you must leave some room for others; superiority is relative. In the Cultivation World, the disciples of the Four Great Sects are ultimately a minority; the Loose Cultivators make up the majority.

If you’re already living well and still don’t let others earn a bit of money... whether or not that’s appropriate, it’s hard to say. Just considering that the Bewildering Soul Forest is such a vast place, expecting the Four Great Sects to guard it is quite demanding, even adding Wutai isn’t enough.

Kong Ziyi didn’t mind the other’s attitude; she was unfamiliar with some grassroots affairs, but she was quite clear on the relationship between the Four Great Sects and Loose Cultivators — Taiqing can be high and unreachable, but without Loose Cultivators, there wouldn’t be a high and unreachable Taiqing.

Therefore, she voiced her question, "Can Friend Fang give a brief introduction to the situation nearby? We’re planning to travel the surroundings for a few days; should be no problem, right?"

To Fang Wenping, a Taiqing disciple traveling nearby really isn’t a big deal. He had previously mentioned, Taiqing disciples also often travel there, just not as openly as now.

As long as they don’t intend to settle, the locals don’t mind at all, and might even guide them to hunt some interesting Spirit Beasts, it’s all the same, whether it’s profitable or not, since it’s just for a few days.

The locals make their living this way and don’t care if someone takes advantage for a few days, as long as they don’t dig up the roots.

Fang Wenping responded readily, "Since Friend Kong wants to know, that’s no problem... Let’s do this, I’ll arrange two guides for you to explore the surroundings carefully."

"That’s not necessary," Kong Ziyi replied with a smile and a nod, "I’ve contacted fellow sect members. In about one or two days, someone will arrive; we just want to simply know what interesting places are around... or rather, places that aren’t so ordinary."

Fang Wenping was a clever man too. He responded with a smile, "The surroundings are all extraordinary places; Friend Kong should be able to appreciate the mysteries here when your fellows arrive. But if you want someone to guide, I can certainly provide someone."

Feng Jun timely asked, "When Friend Fang says ’your side,’ which side do you mean?"

Fang Wenping, ultimately feeling a bit of envy and jealousy toward this person, hesitated a moment before replying with a smile, "Just the locals in this area, I am but a non-mainstream Loose Cultivator, but nearby, there are still some distinguished clans."

He dared to come forward to negotiate, surely unafraid of the other party causing trouble; he is not afraid of problems being alone.

However, the ascended superiors behind him were not merely three or five.