I tamed beasts and achieved immortality in the world of cultivation.

The seasons change, and a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhenyuan County, outside Lingjian Mountain.

A figure in a blue robe galloped on horseback, the chestnut-red dragon-scaled horse's hooves churning, kicking up a trail of dust on the mountain road.

Chen Qing tightened the reins and looked up.

Ahead, the mountain rises steeply, shrouded in mist. From afar, it resembles a half-drawn sword thrust diagonally into the earth. The faint sound of a sword echoes through the mountains, said to be the lingering sword intent left behind by a Foundation Establishment master who comprehended swordsmanship here.

"This Spirit Sword Mountain is quite impressive; it's much more grand than my Half Moon Lake."

Chen Qing muttered something, took out the temporary pass token given to him by Xiao Chunan from his storage bag, injected spiritual power into it, and a beam of green light shot into the clouds.

A moment later, the clouds parted to the sides, revealing a passage about ten feet wide.

Chen Qing rode in.

The past year has been relatively peaceful at Half Moon Lake. However, the disciples in charge of collecting spiritual materials at the dining hall were not very honest. They said that the journey was remote and that there were occasional tribulation cultivators. In addition, a first-grade mid-level spiritual vein could not compare to the fourth-grade spiritual vein of Lingyun Sect. The price of a blue carp was reduced to three yuan and three jiao, and the price of a spirit sheep chicken was only two yuan.

The price of carp feed, which originally cost 3200 spirit stones a year, was reduced to 2880 spirit stones by Qian Youfu at 90% of the original price. The price of spirit sheep chicken feed was slightly lower, at 4000 jin of broken spirit stones per jin. 500 chickens would require 24000 jin of feed in half a year, and two batches a year would amount to 48000 jin, or 1920 spirit stones.

The total cost of feed was 4480 spirit stones.

However, Half Moon Lake is a long way away, and a round trip takes twenty days, with bandits lurking along the way.

Qian Youfu had no choice but to escort them personally, and he also invited two fellow disciples at the sixth level of Qi Refining to accompany him, naturally offering them some benefits in return.

Although the Hundred Beasts Hall is large, Qian Youfu can't access many resources. He has to come five times a year, each time costing 50 spirit stones, for a total of 250 spirit stones.

Furthermore, Half Moon Lake was not like a fishpond, and many of the blue carp disappeared. Chen Qing either ate them himself or kept a lot for himself. In the end, he only sold 1535 blue carp and 950 spirit sheep chickens, earning 7065.5 spirit stones.

After deducting 4480 yuan for feed, 250 yuan for shipping, 25 yuan for fish fry, 20 yuan for chicks, and other various expenses.

The final profit was 2290.5 spirit stones.

Qian Youfu divided the money into four portions, receiving 916.2 spirit stones, while Chen Qing divided it into six portions, receiving 1374.3 spirit stones.

In addition to the annual salary of 60 spirit stones for those stationed at Half Moon Lake and 30 spirit stones for those disciples of Beast Taming Peak, the total is 1464.3 spirit stones, which is nearly half more than the income during the Beast Taming Peak period.

With direct income, Qian Youfu increased his efforts even more, and obtained an additional guarantee from Baishouzhai for feed for 2,000 fish fry. Now there are 4,000 fish in the lake, and the income will be much higher when they are ready for market next year.

As for the Spirit Sheep Chickens, five hundred is the limit that Qingtian can take care of, and there is no plan to expand production for the time being.

……

Inside Spirit Sword Mountain.

On both sides of the mountain path, pine and cypress trees are lush and green, and occasionally you can see a few huge rocks that have been flattened by sword intent, with smooth, mirror-like surfaces covered with moss.

Before long, a quiet courtyard appeared before us. A jujube tree grew in the courtyard, and a stream flowed by the side of the courtyard. The water was crystal clear, and several blue carp swam leisurely in the water.

Chen Qing dismounted, and before he could even knock, the courtyard gate opened from the inside.

Xiao Chunan, dressed in a blue robe with his hair casually tied back and a sword hanging at his waist, exuded a more imposing aura than a year ago. He grinned when he saw Chen Qing.

"You came quickly; I thought you were going to dawdle for another two days."

"Things have been settled at Half Moon Lake. Since I had nothing else to do, I came over early." Chen Qing smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. "Brother Chu Nan's complexion has improved a lot this year, and his cultivation has also progressed."

"Don't give me that." Xiao Chunan waved her hand, grabbed Chen Qing's arm and pulled her inside. "Come in quickly, the food and drinks are ready, we're just waiting for you."

The two entered the courtyard and sat facing each other at a stone table, on which were placed several small dishes and a pot of spirit wine.

Chen Qing smiled, took out a foot-long blue carp from his storage bag, and then picked out a cleaned spirit sheep chicken, handing it over: "I brought some things, add a dish."

Xiao Chunan's eyes lit up. Without being polite, he took the fish and chicken and went into the kitchen. After a while, he brought out a plate of steamed carp and a plate of braised lamb and chicken.

The two ate and chatted.

Xiao Chunan swallowed a mouthful of chicken, looked at Chen Qing, and suddenly said, "Chen Qing, you've made great progress this year. I can see that your spiritual energy has become much more solid, and you're a whole step stronger than you were a year ago."

"At this rate, you should be able to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining in another year or two, right?"

Chen Qing nodded, his tone calm: "Pretty much. Although Half Moon Lake is remote and its spiritual vein is only a mid-grade first-level vein, it has the advantage of being quiet. Although the blue carp and spirit sheep chicken take up the majority of the spiritual energy, the remaining spiritual energy is enough for Qingtian, Danyu, and me to cultivate. In fact, we have made faster progress than when we were at Beast Taming Peak."

He spoke of it casually, but in reality, his progress was far more than that.

Over the past year, with the daily feedback on his cultivation from Qingtian and Danyu, and with the help of the bottle of Qingyuan Pill given to him by Xiao Chunu, his cultivation level has already approached the threshold of the sixth level of Qi Refining.

At the current rate, he should be able to attempt a breakthrough in six months at most.

This pace is truly alarming.

Although the two had a very good relationship, adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble, Chen Qing thought about it and decided not to say anything.

"You're quite composed." Xiao Chunan shook her head, not pressing for details, and picked up another piece of fish. "I'm not like that. After breaking through to the sixth level of Qi Refining, I've been thinking about when I'll reach the seventh level every day, I'm as anxious as can be."

"There's no use in rushing," Chen Qing said with a smile.

"That's true." Xiao Chunan sighed, then suddenly became serious. "By the way, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Three days ago, something happened in Zhenyuan County."

Chen Qing put down her chopsticks and listened attentively.

Xiao Chunan lowered his voice: "There is a Huang family in the north of Zhenyuan County. It is a small Qi Refining family. The strongest member of the family is only at the sixth level of Qi Refining. Three days ago, they were completely robbed, and even their spiritual veins were destroyed."

Chen Qing frowned slightly: "A cultivator from the Blood Spirit Abyss?"

"It doesn't seem like it." Xiao Chunan shook his head. "I've dealt with those thieves a few times this year. They're the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. They only dare to rob lone rogue cultivators. They don't have the guts to wipe out an entire family like this, let alone destroy a spiritual vein."

"So your guess is...?"

"Cultivators from the Qian Kingdom." Xiao Chunan lowered his voice a few decibels. "The Qian Kingdom is right across from the Blood Spirit Abyss, under the jurisdiction of the Blood Soul Sect. That place is not like the territory under our Lingyun Sect. It's very chaotic. Rogue cultivators, evil cultivators, and even formal disciples of the Blood Soul Sect dare to cross over and make a quick buck."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing frowned even more deeply.

He had heard Zhao Mingde mention before that Lin Yuan County was located on the edge of Lingyun Sect, and five hundred miles to the north was Blood Spirit Abyss, and further north was the territory of "Blood Soul Sect", one of the six major sects of the demonic path.

Although there haven't been any major conflicts between the two sides in recent years, small-scale frictions have never stopped.

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, then looked up at Xiao Chunan and said seriously, "Brother Chunan, if it really has anything to do with the Qian Kingdom, you must be careful. Although Lingjian Mountain is safe, you will inevitably have to go out when you are on patrol and collecting taxes. If you need any help, please contact me using the sound transmission talisman."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chunan smiled and patted Chen Qing on the shoulder: "Don't worry, with our relationship, if anything happens, I definitely won't hold back."

Chen Qing nodded and didn't say anything more.

The two finished the fish and chicken completely, leaving not even a drop of broth. Xiao Chunan licked her lips, still wanting more, and poured Chen Qing a cup of spirit wine.

"By the way, in three days, we need to go to Yunzhou Market to report to Master Zhang about the past year. Have you prepared everything on your end?"

Chen Qing nodded: "The spirit tax was collected a month ago, and the situation at Half Moon Lake is also recorded. We can set off at any time."

"That's good." Xiao Chunan took a sip of wine. "You've heard of Master Zhang. He hates procrastination the most. Now that this matter has come up, we need to set off in advance, lest we be late."

Of the thirteen states of the Wu Kingdom, Yun State is located in the far north, comprising six prefectures, and faces the Qian Kingdom across the Blood Spirit Abyss.

Master Zhang—Zhang Yanshu, a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, is the commander of the eighteen counties of the three northern prefectures. He is stationed in the Yunzhou market outside Yunzhou City. Every year, he summons his disciples to report on the situation, count the spiritual taxes, and check the status of the spiritual veins in various places.

Yunzhou City is Chen Qing's hometown.

Chen Qing held his wine glass, his gaze slightly lost in thought. The child who left home at the age of nine was now a cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Over the past year, he hadn't been back because he needed to familiarize himself with Linyuan County, feed the chickens and fish, and deal with the appearance of the Tribulation Cultivator. This time, he was going to report to Yunzhou Market, so he would have to stay in Yunzhou City for at least a few days.

"Alright, stop dawdling." Xiao Chunan stood up, wiped his mouth, and said, "Let's set off early while it's still early and try to reach Yunzhou City in two days."

"it is good."

Chen Qing got up, and the two tidied themselves up, led their horses out of Lingjian Mountain, and sped off towards Yunzhou City.

[New book recommendation period, please vote, fellow readers!]