Cultivation: I Can Steal Lifespan from Spirit Beasts

Chapter 136: A Generous Reward and a Gift

Watching the group disperse, Bai Yu cautiously approached Lu Yuansheng.

“Steward…”

Lu Yuansheng waved his hand gently. “There is no need to be so formal when we are alone. Do you have something to say?”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

Bai Yu chose his words carefully. “I shouldn’t speak out of turn, but this Wang Ba is truly skilled at raising Spirit Poultry, unlike the others. Although he has only cultivated Middle Grade Spirit Poultry so far, isn’t it a pity to just send him back like this?”

Lu Yuansheng’s jawbone parted slightly, creating the semblance of a smile. “That isn’t what you really think, is it? You likely believe I am being harsh and ungrateful, deliberately slighting the boy.”

Bai Yu thought, Isn’t that exactly the case? but on the surface, he shook his head repeatedly.

“Senior Brother must have his reasons. Bai Yu wouldn’t dare to judge.”

“Heh. Even if you think that, you aren’t wrong. I am deliberately slighting him.”

“Huh?”

Bai Yu was filled with confusion.

Lu Yuansheng clasped his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance with a sigh.

“You know my background lies with the Eastern Sage Sect. In my position, countless people in the Heavenly Gate Sect are dissatisfied with me. I must tread as if on thin ice, daring not to make a single misstep. If I were to openly favor someone connected to my past…”

“But, heh, those are just excuses.”

Lu Yuansheng turned his head. His dark, empty eye sockets stared at Bai Yu, flickering with threads of ghostly blue light and a dangerous aura.

“When I see him, I am reminded of my seventh brother, and it makes me uncomfortable. So, I simply do not want to recruit him. It is that simple.”

“But what you said also has merit.”

“How about this: from now on, you will handle this boy. Tell him he has ten years—no, five years. If he cannot cultivate a Top Grade Spirit Poultry within five years, I will personally send him to meet my seventh brother. If he succeeds, I will allow him to continue his wretched existence.”

“Do you think this is… appropriate?”

His jawbone cracked open further, widening that skeletal smile.

Five years to cultivate a Top Grade Spirit Poultry?!

You might as well kill him right now!

Upon hearing Lu Yuansheng’s demand, Bai Yu’s first reaction was that the man had gone mad.

Even a layman knew that cultivating spirit beasts was time-consuming and labor-intensive, with no guarantee of results. In five years, it was uncertain if a Spirit Poultry would even lay an egg, let alone evolve to Top Grade.

Perhaps only a Grandmaster of the beast-taming path could achieve such a feat.

Yet, looking at Lu Yuansheng’s skeletal grin, Bai Yu felt a cold sweat drench his back.

“Appropriate! It is absolutely appropriate!”

He sighed helplessly in his heart.

During the campaign against the Mirror Moon Mansion, he had promised Wang Ba a generous reward, but he never had the chance to deliver. When Lu Yuansheng summoned cultivators skilled in raising spirit beasts, Bai Yu had immediately thought of Wang Ba, hoping to secure a Fated Chance for him.

It was meant to fulfill his promise—and perhaps give him the face to ask for some Black Crystal Spirit Peach Wine.

He never expected to touch a sore spot.

The anticipated Fated Chance had turned into a death sentence…

After all, who could cultivate a Top Grade Spirit Poultry in just five years?

At that moment, Bai Yu couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.

Wang Ba, oh Wang Ba. Don’t blame me. I tried my best.

…

Walking away from the ruins of the Eastern Sage Sect’s mountain gate, Wang Ba felt completely at ease.

Lu Yuansheng’s contradictory decision had subjected him to a rollercoaster of emotions—from being the object of envy to the object of pity—but inwardly, Wang Ba was delighted.

Raising spirit beasts for the Sect?

How could that compare to his own cultivation?

Moreover, although he had learned much about beast taming, his only legitimate success was using the Tendon-Severing Nematode and Spirit Stones to evolve a Rare Fowl into a Low Grade Spirit Poultry years ago. Everything else had been achieved by burning his Lifespan.

Simply put, he was cheating.

If he had to cultivate spirit beasts under someone else’s watchful eye, it would be like the God of Longevity hanging himself—he’d be seeking death.

Being kicked out of the selection by Lu Yuansheng was a blessing.

Remembering that Shen Fu was waiting for him at the chicken farm, Wang Ba made a detour through the market. He visited a tavern, buying several jars of spirit wine and some hearty dishes to go.

Bu Chan was wonderful in every way, but her cooking was merely average. And since his own culinary skills had rusted over the years, he decided not to embarrass himself.

Carrying the heavy food box, he returned to the chicken farm.

As soon as he entered, he saw Shen Fu standing straight as a rod.

After months apart, Shen Fu’s brow seemed to carry a sharpness it lacked before—a hint of competence, decisiveness, and cold steel.

However, that sharpness vanished the moment he saw Wang Ba, replaced by pure excitement.

He sprinted over.

“Senior Brother!”

Unexpectedly, Wang Ba’s face darkened, and he slammed a palm into Shen Fu’s chest.

Thump!

Shen Fu was stunned but didn’t dare to block, taking the hit squarely. It hurt, but there was no Magic Power behind it.

“You little rascal!”

Wang Ba gritted his teeth. “I thought you died out there!”

Seeing his usually calm and gentle Senior Brother so agitated, Shen Fu’s eyes instantly reddened. He lowered his head in shame. “I was wrong. I made Senior Brother worry.”

“Worry my ass! Who the hell is worried about you?!” Wang Ba cursed furiously.

Hearing the commotion, Bu Chan quickly put down her winnowing basket and pulled Wang Ba back.

“You talked about Shen Fu every day he was gone. Now that he’s back, why are you scolding him?”

She turned to Shen Fu. “Don’t take it to heart. He’s just too happy to see you.”

Shen Fu hurriedly shook his head. “I know Senior Brother is… Huh?”

He looked suspiciously at Wang Ba and Bu Chan. There was a strange familiarity in the way she pulled his arm.

“Ahem…”

Bu Chan realized her slip and quickly withdrew her hand, pretending to be calm. “I… I’ll go check if the chicken in the pot is dead yet.”

Shen Fu: “…”

Could you be any more obvious?

Her guilty reaction only confirmed his suspicions.

At that moment, Wang Ba grabbed Bu Chan’s hand. “What is there to hide?”

He looked at Shen Fu squarely. “You’ve probably figured it out. She and I have agreed to become cultivation partners. We were planning to tell you once you got back.”

Bu Chan’s face flushed crimson. But seeing Wang Ba so open about it, her embarrassment gave way to a sweet joy.

Shen Fu was speechless.

It certainly wasn’t like this the last time he saw them. But he had long noticed Bu Chan’s feelings for his Senior Brother, so it wasn’t a total shock.

“Alright, alright! Come on, let’s drink!”

Wang Ba dragged Shen Fu to the table in front of the wooden hut.

“I’ll go cook something…” Bu Chan began.

“No need, I bought food. Let’s eat together.”

Wang Ba opened his Storage Bag and pulled out the food box, laying out dish after dish until the table was groaning under the weight.

Delicious food, fine wine, a beautiful companion, and an old friend returned alive.

All three were cultivators; a simple circulation of Magic Power could sober them instantly. Yet, by tacit agreement, they allowed themselves to let go.

Cups clinked, and the night blurred into intoxication.

Wang Ba, face flushed with wine, leaned against the wall of the hut. Bu Chan was rosy-cheeked and breathtakingly beautiful.

Shen Fu, staggering to his feet, walked over to Wang Ba. His usually pale face was bright red.

Wang Ba looked at him with bleary eyes and chuckled. “You little rascal, not down yet? Come on, three more cups!”

Looking at the puddle of spilled wine at Wang Ba’s feet—enough to raise fish in—Shen Fu’s drunkenness faded slightly. The corner of his eye twitched.

“Senior Brother… truly has a capacity like the sea. This Junior Brother cannot compare.”

“By the way… I have a gift for Senior Brother.”

Shen Fu took a small box from his Storage Bag and placed it on the table.

“A gift? What is it…”

Wang Ba curiously reached out and flipped the lid open.

His gaze swept over it carelessly.

But the moment he registered the contents, his drunkenness vanished instantly!

“This is… a Foundation Establishment Pill?!”

Hearing this, Bu Chan sobered up immediately.

She stared at the small box in shock, then looked at Shen Fu in disbelief. “It’s really a Foundation Establishment Pill? Where… where did you get this?”

That was exactly what Wang Ba wanted to ask.

He sat up straight, examining the pill closely before snapping the lid shut.

Correct! It was a Foundation Establishment Pill!

Although he had never seen one in person, he had studied every scroll he could find on the subject. He recognized it at a glance.

But that certainty only deepened his shock.

Even within the Heavenly Gate Sect, countless Qi Refining tenth-layer cultivators were practically begging for one. How did Shen Fu, a mere Qi Refining fourth-layer cultivator, get his hands on such a treasure?

“What exactly is going on?”

Wang Ba stared at Shen Fu gravely, his mind razor-sharp.

Shen Fu avoided his gaze, but finding no escape, he eventually met Wang Ba’s eyes sincerely.

“Senior Brother, please don’t ask for the details. Rest assured, there is nothing wrong with the pill.”

“It’s not about whether the pill has problems; the problem is you.”

Wang Ba was equal parts anxious and angry. He grabbed Shen Fu’s wrist. “Give me your hand.”

Shen Fu hesitated but eventually complied.

Wang Ba placed two fingers on his pulse.

His expression darkened immediately.

“Qi Refining seventh layer… You switched to a demonic cultivation technique?!”

Shen Fu fell silent. “After I left, I suffered severe injuries. I was forced to switch to survive.”

Wang Ba didn’t know what to say. He let out a long sigh.

Then, under the surprised gazes of Shen Fu and Bu Chan, he pushed the Foundation Establishment Pill back into Shen Fu’s hand.

“Senior Brother?! This…” Shen Fu looked up in astonishment.

“It would be a lie to say I don’t want it. But you risked your life for this. I can’t take it. Moreover, with the speed of demonic cultivation, you will likely reach Qi Refining Perfection before I do. Demonic techniques are fast to train but difficult to break through. You need this pill more than I do.”

Wang Ba sighed.

He desperately needed that pill. If anyone else had offered it, he would have snatched it up. But this was Shen Fu. He couldn’t be shameless enough to accept a gift bought with his Junior Brother’s life.

Besides, Shen Fu had jumped from the fourth to the seventh layer in mere months. That speed rivaled ‘Lin Yu,’ the former human resource of the Mystic Maiden Path.

“Wait,” Wang Ba asked suddenly, a horrible thought occurring to him. “With your speed so fast… were you made into a cultivation cauldron?”

Shen Fu hesitated, then shook his head firmly. “Senior Brother, rest assured. Shen Fu will never become a cauldron for anyone.”

“Furthermore, I already have a method for Foundation Establishment. I truly do not need this pill. And if Senior Brother won’t use it, Bu Chan will need it eventually.”

Hearing this, Wang Ba hesitated.

After a long pause, he finally accepted the box.

“Don’t go out on missions anymore,” Wang Ba said seriously. “Stay at the outpost and temper your Magic Power. I’ve saved up plenty of Spirit Stones recently; it’s enough for the three of us to cultivate for a long time.”

“That’s right, Shen Fu. The Formation in my spirit field still needs reinforcing,” Bu Chan added.

Looking at the two of them, Shen Fu’s eyes grew moist. He lowered his head quickly.

“Senior Brother, Bu Chan… I came back this time to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?”

Wang Ba’s expression changed. “What do you mean? You mustn’t run off recklessly. If you miss three mandatory tasks or summons, you’ll be executed!”

Using a trace of Magic Power to dry his eyes, Shen Fu looked up.

“Senior Brother, don’t worry. I won’t go far. It’s just… I’m afraid I won’t be coming back for a while.”

Seeing the resolve in Shen Fu’s eyes, Wang Ba knew his mind was made up. He sighed and didn’t try to argue further.

“How long?”

“It’s not certain. Four or five years at least. Maybe longer…”

Shen Fu trailed off.

Wang Ba thought for a moment. “Wait here.”

He went into the wooden hut. A moment later, he returned with a Storage Bag and stuffed it into Shen Fu’s hand.

“Take care of yourself out there.”

“Mhm!” Shen Fu nodded heavily.

“Come on. Have a few more drinks with me.”

Wang Ba forced a smile and pulled Shen Fu back to the table. Bu Chan immediately poured wine for both of them.

That night, they drank until they passed out.

…

Early the next morning.

Shen Fu looked back at the two figures standing side by side in front of the chicken farm, a surge of reluctance welling up in his heart.

“What? Can’t bear to leave your trash of a Senior Brother?”

A strange, eerie voice suddenly whispered in his ear.

Shen Fu wasn’t surprised. His expression merely turned cold.

“Watch your tongue. Senior Brother is the person I respect most in this world.”

“Heh! The most respected… then what the hell am I?”

The eerie voice scoffed but said no more on the subject.

Shen Fu sighed softly. “Besides, what does it matter if I’m reluctant? This land will eventually fall into chaos. If I don’t become stronger quickly, how will I protect Senior Brother and Bu Chan when the calamity arrives?”

“Hmph. At least you understand that much,” the voice replied.

“However, although your Senior Brother isn’t much of a cultivator, he does seem to be a man of virtue. To have a Foundation Establishment Pill sitting right in front of him—clearly tempted—yet still manage to refuse it… I don’t usually like such repressed types, but if my old rival were here, he’d have been delighted to take him as a disciple.”

“Oh? Can you find your old rival and introduce him to Senior Brother?” Shen Fu asked.

“Do you think my relationship with my old rival is good?” the voice sneered.

Shen Fu shook his head. He was just asking.

He reached into his sleeve and pulled out the Storage Bag Wang Ba had given him.

The eerie voice immediately mocked him. “Alright, stop wasting time. What good stuff could that useless Senior Brother of yours possibly give you? Listen to me, let’s hurry to ‘Emerald Foothill Mountain’ on the border of the State of Chen and the State of Fu. There are plenty of spiritual essences there, and even second-tier Magical Artifacts you can use…”

Shen Fu ignored the voice and pulled out a large box. Opening it, he found it filled with frozen Spirit Poultry essence.

The voice laughed derisively.

“Heh, see? I told you. This stuff is probably his most precious treasure. Valuable for a Qi Refining cultivator, sure, but garbage compared to what I’m offering you.”

Shen Fu ignored the commentary and carefully put the essence away. Then, he took out another small box.

Inside were two colorless droplets of water suspended in a container.

“Yi? Is that… Divine Essence Dew?”

The eerie voice sounded surprised. “That actually counts as a good item. Your soul is average, which will be a weakness when you attempt Foundation Establishment. This will be of great use to you.”

“Your Senior Brother has some capability after all. That stuff isn’t easy to find in these parts.”

Shen Fu then pulled out a short, rod-shaped object.

The voice identified it instantly.

“A second-tier Middle Grade offensive artifact. Your Senior Brother has a few tricks! But look at this workmanship—it’s terrible. You can’t even inject Magic Power into it. It’s useless…”

“Wait! There’s a mechanism!”

Shen Fu was startled and almost threw the rod away, but the voice stopped him.

“Idiot! Not a trap! It’s a concealment mechanism!”

Under the voice’s guidance, Shen Fu performed a hand seal.

Crack.

The surface of the rod split open, revealing a short sword hidden within.

“A second-tier Top Grade offensive artifact…” The voice was stunned. “It requires blood essence to activate… This thing is useless to others, but once you reach Foundation Establishment, it will be as powerful as a third-tier artifact in your hands!”

“Did your Senior Brother see through your cultivation?”

The voice was filled with shock. “Are you sure he’s just a Qi Refining eighth-layer waste? Damn it, even I wasn’t this wealthy when I reached Foundation Establishment!”

Shen Fu stared at the sword, astonishment written on his face.

He never expected his simple, peace-loving Senior Brother to possess a treasure that could shock even this ancient spirit.

Clearly, Senior Brother was not as simple as he appeared.

Yet, despite the risk of exposing his own secrets, Wang Ba had given these treasures to him out of pure concern.

The weight of the gift was heavy.

Shen Fu felt a warmth in his chest and a renewed sense of spirit.

“Let’s go. To the ‘Emerald Foothill Mountain’ you mentioned.”

“Wait, don’t rush! I want to see what else he gave you… Oh, a Top Grade first-tier flying artifact. Never mind. That’s just standard. Useful for you, though.”

The voice faded into the wind as Shen Fu turned and walked away.