Cultivation Starts from Farming-Chapter 620 - 303: Rumors and Exclusion

The night was deep, and outside it was deserted, with only a soft breeze rustling through the treetops, creating a gentle rustling sound.

After ensuring there was no danger, Xie Lu carefully took the dagger down from the wall and untied the note.

The dagger was entirely cyan-blue, extremely sharp, and was clearly a treasured item of a Magical Artifact level.

She unfolded the note and read it carefully by the moonlight.

"Supply intelligence on Elder Yan?"

Xie Lu’s delicate face changed instantly.

The content on the note was surprisingly asking her to be an internal spy, providing all information about Elder Yan Xu Ping, including his daily life, cultivation status, and any peculiar traits.

In return, the sender promised to provide her with everything she needed, including the Foundation Establishment Pill she longed for and even more.

Just as she was contemplating how to respond, the note and dagger suddenly ignited simultaneously, the flames were an eerie cyan, giving Xie Lu no time to react.

She hurriedly let go, but it was already too late.

In just a few breaths, the dagger and note turned to nothingness, leaving not even a trace of ash, as if they had never existed.

Xie Lu was shaken, cold sweat soaked her back.

This kind of method was far beyond her understanding, likely the handiwork of a Golden Core cultivator.

Xie Lu bit her lip, quickly making a decision in her mind.

To report this matter to Elder Yan.

...

Early the next morning, Xie Lu arrived outside Xu Ping’s abode, waiting respectfully.

As per usual, Xu Ping would emerge for a moment every morning to handle some affairs.

Soon, the abode’s door opened, and Xu Ping walked out, dressed in white, his expression calm.

"Elder Xu, I have an important matter to report." Xie Lu hurriedly stepped forward and greeted him.

Xu Ping nodded slightly, his voice calm, "What is it? Speak."

Xie Lu recounted her encounter at the Contribution Hall the previous day and the strange dagger and note she received at night.

Listening to her account, Xu Ping furrowed his brow slightly.

"The dagger and note burned themselves?" Xu Ping pondered, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"Yes, Elder,"

"They burned completely, not leaving even ash."

Xie Lu replied, with a hint of lingering fear in her tone.

A sharp gleam flashed in Xu Ping’s eyes, but it quickly returned to calmness.

A method like that was undoubtedly the work of a Golden Core cultivator, and the person was likely high-ranking within the Valley.

Although there was no solid evidence, Xu Ping already had some suspects in mind as to who it might be.

’Playing these little tricks won’t affect me at all,’ Xu Ping sneered internally.

In the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons, aside from True Monarch Lan Ling and the never-before-seen Fourth Rank Demon Monarch, the others were just mere dust to him, incapable of creating any significant disturbance.

Moreover, he was currently at the critical point of his breakthrough in the Spirit Platform Cyan Clarity Skill, with no interest in engaging in such trivial games with them.

Suppressing his thoughts, Xu Ping’s gaze returned to Xie Lu, with a tone carrying a trace of approval, "You did well, not hiding anything."

"This is what I ought to do,"

At his words, a bright smile appeared on Xie Lu’s face, "With Elder Yan promoting me to the position of steward of Celestial Cyan Peak, I naturally have to do my best."

Xu Ping nodded slightly, and with a flick of his finger, a delicate white jade bottle flew out, landing steadily in Xie Lu’s hand.

"This contains a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill; you no longer need to exchange it at the Contribution Hall."

"Thank you, Elder Yan, for your generosity."

Xie Lu’s eyes sparkled like autumn water, her smile blossoming like flowers, she expressed her gratitude repeatedly.

"Just continue to work well; there will be no lack of rewards in the future."

Xu Ping said indifferently, then added, "However, your foundation is somewhat shallow, remember to hone it for a few more years; this way, your chances of breaking through the Foundation Establishment stage will be greater."

"Thank you, Elder Yan, for the guidance." Xie Lu bowed again, her demeanor respectful.

"Mm, you may leave now."

Xu Ping waved his hand, indicating that Xie Lu could retreat. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"I shall take my leave."

Xie Lu respectfully withdrew, her steps light, her heart full of joy.

Watching Xie Lu’s gradually disappearing figure, Xu Ping narrowed his eyes slightly.

Although he believed Xie Lu’s words weren’t deceitful, to be safe, he quietly planted a Divine Sense mark on her.

This mark was very concealed, nearly undetectable even to a Golden Core cultivator, allowing Xu Ping to sense who Xie Lu came into contact with at any moment.

...

...

In the days that followed, Xu Ping continued to stay quietly on Celestial Cyan Peak, wholeheartedly pouring himself into the cultivation of the Spirit Platform Cyan Clarity Skill.

However, since he did not respond to the rumors circulating in the Valley.

Those negative rumors about him not only did not dissipate but grew increasingly bizarre.

From the initial "timid as a mouse", "all show and no substance".

To the later "secretly colluding with the Red Gauze Sect", "a spy sent by the Red Gauze Sect", the rumors grew more and more ridiculous.

Many disciples in the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons changed their attitude towards Xu Ping from initial curiosity to clear disdain and hostility.

Even Qin Chenfeng, who was relatively close to Xu Ping, couldn’t bear it.

So he came to persuade him to take on an external task.

And Xu Ping naturally refused, citing the crucial moment for a breakthrough in his cultivation technique.

...

Time flowed like water, passing in the blink of an eye.

In a flash, more than three years quietly slipped by.

It had been nearly ten years since Xu Ping arrived at the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons, during which he had always secluded himself on Celestial Cyan Peak, never stepping out of the Valley.

Though rumors about him persisted, he paid them no mind, focusing solely on his cultivation.

That day, in the underground cave.

Xu Ping sat solemnly on the stone bed, his aura restrained yet faintly exuding a powerful atmosphere of impending breakthrough.

With eyes tightly closed, he swiftly formed seals with his hands, chanting softly, silently operating his cultivation technique.

The surrounding Spiritual Qi, drawn by his technique, began to gather towards him frenziedly, forming small whirlpools of Spiritual Qi that swirled around him.