"Fellow Daoist Qin, a wise man submits to fate. Don’t offend a future Golden Core Blood Demon for the sake of some illusory path of the Dao."

Earth Vein Qi, the path of the Dao...

Qin Xuan keenly caught the keywords in their words.

’Could it be that the enfeoffed Spiritual Fields are related to the Golden Core Blessed Land?’

’Yes, that must be it. No wonder I haven’t been able to refine and expand the Profound Cyan Cave Nether Blessed Land since I obtained it. So that’s the problem!’

In an instant, Qin Xuan had an epiphany. Everything became clear.

’Unfortunately, that fragment of the Profound Cyan Cave Nether Blessed Land was actually swallowed by Xiao Qi Wu... When I have time, I’ll have to get another piece from that little Daoist child!’

Although he didn’t understand the specific method for refining a Blessed Land.

But that didn’t matter!

The little Daoist child Artifact Spirit inside the Eight Desolates Forging Fire Furnace definitely knew.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, what do you think?" Fang Mingshan asked.

Qin Xuan didn’t refuse. "I must ask Master Jiaang about this matter before making a decision."

Hearing this, Fang Mingshan and Wang Qianru exchanged a look.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, words alone are no guarantee. Can you give us a specific time?"

"One year from now, after the field tax collection period is over."

Qin Xuan stood up and said, "However, what’s in it for me?"

Wang Qianru gave a seductive smile. She pressed her heavy chest firmly against Qin Xuan’s back, the sensation of her fine, firm skin astonishing.

"Valley Master Qin, I am what’s in it for you."

Wang Qianru wrapped her arms around Qin Xuan’s waist from behind, her fragrant, hot breath tickling his ear and neck.

"Haha, Master Xiao is quite the character."

Qin Xuan raised an eyebrow and laughed heartily.

He pulled the mature woman in the red dress into his arms, his large hand sinking into her vast softness.

...

Punishment Hall, Assassination Altar

Chen Xuanba, who had not been seen for a long time, finally set foot in the hall again.

Pang Tunyun, who was on duty, saw Chen Xuanba and immediately knelt excitedly, clasping his hands.

"Tunyun, greets the Master Demon Child!"

Chen Xuanba waved his hand. "No need for such formalities. How have things been in the Altar lately?"

"There haven’t been any major changes in the Altar’s affairs. Aside from a few disputes with the Vast Qi Tower, everything is as usual..."

Pang Tunyun reported everything in detail, explaining all the recent events in the Punishment Hall.

As he spoke, Chen Xuanba suddenly asked, "Tunyun, you’re about to guide your Life Star, aren’t you?"

Hearing this, Pang Tunyun’s heart leaped with joy. "I’m almost there. I’m about to open my Star Mansion."

"Mm, in cultivation, you must always look ahead. Guiding a Life Star won’t be difficult for you, but forming a Golden Core is another matter entirely. You need to start preparing to open a Blessed Land now."

Pang Tunyun’s pupils shrank, and his body couldn’t help but tremble slightly. It felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his throat.

"Master Demon Child, d-does... does this subordinate also have a chance to form a Golden Core?"

"Of course. You just need to be prepared by the time you step into the Purple Mansion realm."

Chen Xuanba said, "Right, one more thing. Go to Yinluo Country and take Qin Xuan with you. While you’re there, help him sort out some trouble."

"I’ve always said I would give him a great opportunity, but I’ve repeatedly broken my word. Now is the time to make good on my promise."

"As you command!"

...

「One year later.」

Staring at the Spiritual Field before her, which roiled with crimson waves of blood, Wang Qianru was filled with astonishment.

The Blood Qi throughout her body surged, brought to a slight boil by the drum-like resonance coming from the hundred acres.

Even though she had seen it with her own eyes countless times, Wang Qianru couldn’t help but be impressed by Qin Xuan.

"Valley Master Qin is truly extraordinary. The Blood Marrow Rice that my Blood Spring Mountain couldn’t grow for the life of us due to the Demon Poison has yielded a massive harvest here in Heart Rot Valley."

Of course, there was one thing about Qin Xuan that wasn’t so good.

He "discussed the Dao" with her far too often, so much so that even Wang Qianru could barely handle it.

Qin Xuan, meanwhile, stood to the side with a wide grin.

He skillfully wrapped an arm around Wang Qianru’s slender waist, his large hands beginning to wander restlessly.

Wang Qianru couldn’t help but shoot him a look. "Valley Master Qin, the year is up. It’s time to fulfill your promise."

"No rush," Qin Xuan said casually. "A conclusion will be reached after the field tax is paid in full."

Nearby, Yu Qi and the others had already prepared the Small Cloud Rain Array, ready to activate it at a moment’s notice.

When the bloody light reached its peak, Qin Xuan gave the order, "Everyone, harvest!"

"As you command!"

SPLASH!

Yu Qi, Tan Fu, and the others formed hand seals to summon the Spiritual Rain. A drizzle of Spiritual Rain fell, neutralizing the Blood Qi.

The bloody light gradually receded as they precisely harvested stalk after stalk of Blood Marrow Rice, each one as smooth as jade and as heavy as metal and stone.

Just as the people of Heart Rot Valley were joyfully harvesting the Blood Marrow Rice, three small Qingyi Ghosts carrying a large, red floral sedan chair gracefully descended.

"Jin Xingzou of the Contribution Hall, here by official order to collect the field tax!"

Jin Wuhai swaggered out of the large red sedan chair and said with a chuckle, "Junior Brother Qin, it’s been a while!"

The moment he saw Jin Wuhai, Qin Xuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

A bad feeling suddenly welled up inside him.

’Something’s wrong. I’m under the Plague Poison Altar, so Master Jiaang should be the one sending someone to collect the tax. Why is it Jin Wuhai again?’

Most importantly, after not seeing him for a year, Jin Wuhai’s cultivation had improved again!

Jin Wuhai waved his hand, and the three small Qingyi Ghosts instantly scattered.

In just a few moments, two of the small Qingyi Ghosts drifted back, their voices high and sharp as they opened the books in their hands.

"Blood Spring Mountain and Withered Marrow Cliff have a total of 488 acres of Spiritual Fields. Of these, 268 acres of Blood Marrow Rice yielded no harvest. The field tax is incomplete. This would normally be a punishable offense, but due to extenuating circumstances, the field tax is waived, and all earnings are forfeit..."

Jin Wuhai nodded slightly.

Even though Wang Qianru already knew this would be the outcome, she still staggered slightly, her vision going dark.

After all, to work hard for a year only to receive nothing in the end was a difficult pill to swallow, even for her.

As for Fang Mingshan, he simply acted like a turtle pulling its head into its shell.

He didn’t even show his face, lest he get his heart broken.

However, everyone waited for a long time before the third small Qingyi Ghost finally arrived, fashionably late.

"Reporting to Jin Xingzou, Heart Rot Valley has a total of 347 acres of Spiritual Fields. Of these, 130 acres of Blood Marrow Rice produced a total of 18,000 jin of Blood Marrow Rice, equivalent to 180 Contribution Points. 117 acres of Ghost Wood Vine and 100 acres of Yin Luo Flower are equivalent to 596 Contribution Points. Due to the tax exemption..."

The more the Qingyi Ghost read, the more terrified it became. It trembled and said, "...Due to the tax exemption, Valley Master Qin Xuan is awarded 596 Contribution Points!"

Jin Wuhai’s smile froze on his face. He looked utterly shocked, clearly not having expected this result.

He gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Junior Brother Qin, what impressive methods. To think you harvested so much."

"Just a stroke of luck," Qin Xuan said dismissively.

However, he received every single one of the due Contribution Points. The number on his Identity Jade Order began to jump.

In the next moment, 596 Contribution Points were deposited into Qin Xuan’s Blood Loan Money Shop account!

Qin Xuan was grinning from ear to ear.

Jin Wuhai took a deep breath, his face once again covered with a smile.

"Junior Brother Qin, could I discuss something with you?"

"Please speak, Senior Brother."

Jin Wuhai said, "It’s like this. Altar Master Ruan wishes to forge a Dao Golden Core and would like to borrow your Spiritual Field. It would just be in name..."

Qin Xuan’s head snapped up.

He knew what wicked scheme Jin Wuhai was brewing before the man could even finish his sentence.

’What’s going on? Why is everyone after my Spiritual Field!’

At that exact moment, the massive ball of light in his mind suddenly began to flicker.

Four Ancient Bamboo Sticks flew out from it.

Aside from the first one, the other three were all bright red—The Worst Draw!