I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World

Chapter 77: Chapter 66: The Grand Plan (Revised)

Guo Zhen, a robust man of seven feet, couldn’t help but feel a lump in his throat as he stood by the side.

After Tao Fengnian died, they all believed Jiang Yuebai was implicated because of Tao Fengnian’s murder and was exiled to the Yin Mountain Mine.

Everyone thought her life was over and she would never return, but unexpectedly, in just five years, the once little girl returned with new skills!

Lv Ying cried louder and louder. Jiang Yuebai felt her reaction was a bit off, unsure whether she was scared or excited, and could only gently pat her back to comfort her.

”Cough, cough, cough.”

A coughing sound came from inside the courtyard. Jiang Yuebai looked up and froze.

She saw an old woman, her face full of wrinkles and her frame gaunt, slowly walking out from inside. If it weren’t for the familiar pink long dress and recognizable facial features, Jiang Yuebai would never believe it was Song Pei’er.

How could she have changed so much in just five short years?

”Jiang... Jiang Yuebai? You actually came back?”

Song Pei’er widened her eyes in disbelief, a strange joy flashing in them, as she stared at Jiang Yuebai without blinking.

Lv Ying quickly stopped crying and released Jiang Yuebai, wiped her tears, restrained her emotions, and ran over to help Song Pei’er.

”You wretched girl, I’m going to kill you, I’m going to kill you!!”

Zheng Li crawled up from the rubble, clutching his constantly bleeding severed arm, his face full of sinister hatred.

Jiang Yuebai took her time, removing the white jade token from her waist and raising it.

Zheng Li paused, ”Inner... Inner Sect Disciple?!”

Seeing the token, he was dumbfounded, instantly scared out of his wits.

An Inner Sect Disciple could kill him on a whim, and as long as there was a reasonable excuse for the Law Enforcement Hall, a few days of facing the wall as punishment would settle it, while he would be the one losing his life.

Zheng Li knelt down with a thud, covered in cold sweat.

”I was blind to Mount Tai. Senior Sister Jiang, spare me.”

”Scram!”

If not for the fact that the Sect Master just promoted her to an Inner Sect Disciple, and she would not want to use her status to settle personal scores arrogantly, he might have lost his head by now.

Zheng Li picked up his severed hand and hastily fled in a panic.

Shi Xiaowu picked up a stone and threw it, ”If you dare to come again, young master here will beat you every time I see you.”

Jiang Yuebai saw that Shi Xiaowu still had his old personality and thought that Guo Zhen must have treated him well over these years to keep his innocence intact.

”Senior Sister Jiang, you’re amazing! How did you suddenly become an Inner Sect Disciple? Let me borrow the token for a look.”

Shi Xiaowu reached for Jiang Yuebai’s token, and Guo Zhen’s face changed drastically. He grabbed the back collar of Shi Xiaowu and pulled him to his side, speaking apprehensively.

”Please don’t blame him, Senior Sister Jiang. He’s young and doesn’t understand, overstepping his bounds.”

Jiang Yuebai frowned and looked towards Lv Ying and Song Pei’er, who both showed a respectful yet fearful demeanor, avoiding eye contact, quite unlike before.

Only Shi Xiaowu muttered, ”Isn’t she still our Senior Sister Jiang even if she’s an Inner Sect Disciple?”

Jiang Yuebai chuckled softly, ”Senior Sister Song, Brother Guo, though I’m an Inner Sect Disciple, I’m also from Huaxi Valley. You two have higher cultivation than me, so it’s better to call me Junior Sister.”

”To tell you the truth, I have obtained the Spiritual Cultivation Master Token and am in charge of Huaxi Valley. I’ll need your support in the future, and I’m grateful in advance.”

Jiang Yuebai’s words shocked Guo Zhen and Song Pei’er, their eyes wide and incredulous. An Inner Sect Disciple and a Spiritual Cultivation Master?

Were these five years spent punished by mining, or in closed-door cultivation?

”Senior Sister Song, may I borrow Lv Ying for a moment to talk about the happenings of these past two years?”

Lv Ying lowered her gaze, avoiding eye contact, while Song Pei’er gave a tired smile, ”Let Xiaowu talk to you first. I’ll tell Lv Ying a couple of things, then send her to you.”

”Alright.”

Guo Zhen nudged Shi Xiaowu, ”Kid, be careful with your words, don’t babble nonsensically, understand?”

”Nagging... Senior Sister Jiang, let’s go.”

Guo Zhen took a sharp breath, wanting to hit, but Shi Xiaowu quickly escaped, leading Jiang Yuebai to Tao Fengnian’s old residence.

”Why would a person become an Inner Sect Disciple and still want to farm?” Guo Zhen wondered, puzzled.

Back at the old house by the village entrance, he pushed open the courtyard gate. Everything inside remained as it was.

Under the grapevines, stone tables and benches stood; the ancient ginkgo tree sprouted new leaves; and chili peppers glowed red on the kitchen wall.

No weeds, no dust, as though nothing had ever changed.

Yet revisiting old places evoked memories and emotions, still bringing a heavy ache to Jiang Yuebai’s heart.

”Since Elder Tao passed away and you left, Senior Sister Lv often came to clean. She always said you would come back, and she didn’t want you to have nowhere to stay when you did.”

With a lump in her throat, Jiang Yuebai felt touched. She led Shi Xiaowu to sit in the courtyard and asked him to tell her about the past few years.

”Actually, there weren’t that many significant events. After Elder Tao passed, people from Huaxi Valley started to move to other valleys due to the lack of a Spiritual Cultivation Master for fear of future disasters without anyone to help. Most were lured by Zheng Li to Purple Cloud Valley, working for Xiao Ankuo.”

”Senior Sister Jiang, you wouldn’t know, but Xiao Ankuo is a black-hearted landlord. Everyone has to farm according to his demands, working every day without rest. After handing over the yield to the Sect, he takes half of what’s left for himself, leaving only the rest for the people.”

”He has a group of henchmen who will cause trouble in people’s homes for any disrespect towards him. Everyone’s just a servant, reporting to the Law Enforcement Hall doesn’t do much. Xiao Ankuo even warned other Spiritual Cultivation Masters not to take in anyone escaping from him, or they’ll be at odds with him.”

Jiang Yuebai rubbed her forehead, ”Let’s not talk about him. Tell me what’s going on with Senior Sister Song.”

Shi Xiaowu voiced his resentment towards Xiao Ankuo, then calmed down and said, ”Master Song was injured by Xiao Ankuo. It was said to be at the behest of that Elder Lin’s mistress, because Master Song was close to Elder Tao...”

”Master Song had taken the Youthful Appearance Elixir before, but this time her Essence Qi and Primordial Spirit were injured, causing the elixir to lose effect and making her age rapidly. Over these years, Senior Sister Lv has really had it tough, having had the chance to serve in the Inner Sect but staying here to care for Master Song.”

Jiang Yuebai nodded, having sensed Lv Ying’s unspoken grievances and helplessness.

With her Four Spiritual Roots, now at Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, surpassing most Outer Sect disciples, it showed she hadn’t given up on her cultivation over these years, certainly enduring much hardship.

Shi Xiaowu also fell into a melancholic mood, ”Everyone has it rough. I miss the past, running in the fields and swimming in the water together. Elder Tao truly was the best, protecting us without forcing anything upon us.”

Jiang Yuebai forced a bitter smile. Grandfather was kind but indeed too soft.

Despite her discomfort, Jiang Yuebai acknowledged that Spiritual Cultivation Masters like Xiao Ankuo, optimizing their advantages, could accumulate resources for Foundation Establishment.

Even if other Spiritual Cultivation Masters weren’t as excessive as Xiao Ankuo, they weren’t much different. The harmony in Huaxi Valley back then was the exception.

But how fortunate she was to encounter such an exception.

People are truly contradictory beings.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yuebai said cheerfully, ”No need to worry. Since I’m back, I will surely rejuvenate Huaxi Valley.”

”Really?” Shi Xiaowu’s eyes lit up.

”Yes, I have a grand plan.”

These five years, farming tirelessly, she had experimented much in that small valley, certain to produce miraculous effects in Huaxi Valley.

”That’s great, Senior Sister Jiang! Just tell me what to do—if you need people, I’ll find people; if you need labor, I’ll provide. Shall we start clearing land or breeding crops first?”

Shi Xiaowu, one foot on the stone bench, sleeves rolled up, was full of fervor and enthusiasm.

Jiang Yuebai took out several scrolls and placed them on the table, ”I need you all to learn first.”

”Carpentry?”

”Take the books back and learn with your master. Spare time to chop wood and bamboo in the mountains to practice skills. They’ll be of great use.”

Shi Xiaowu was surprised. Did chopping trees to learn carpentry have anything to do with farming?