My Portable Spirit Farm: Rise of the Humble Servant

Chapter 184: Heaven and Earth Strange Insect!

Chen Ping found it difficult to calm his restless heart.

The scene before his eyes created a disparity with the Qingyun Sect as vast as the distance between clouds and mud.

The Qingyun Sect’s mountain gate was certainly spiritually elegant, yet its layout was limited. Its buildings clung to the mountainside, exuding a sense of practicality that bordered on simplicity.

The Tianling Sect, however, interpreted the concept of “Immortal Grandeur” to its absolute limit. Floating peaks, cloud ladders connecting heaven and earth, cascading waterfalls, and soaring immortal cranes…

Everywhere one looked, there was an air of deep heritage, raw power, and a transcendent detachment from the mundane world.

The feeling was akin to his childhood memory of stepping out of a remote, dusty mountain village and entering a bustling county town for the first time.

The Qingyun Sect was that familiar yet small “mountain village,” while the Tianling Sect was the dazzling “county town”—or perhaps even the “prefecture capital”—representing a higher tier of existence entirely.

The gap could no longer be described simply by the concentration of Qi or the scale of architecture; it was a fundamental leap in hierarchy.

“Disciples of the Qingyun Sect, follow me.”

The voice of the Tianling Sect cultivator cut through their reverie.

Riding his flying sword, he led their Spirit Ship toward one of the floating guest peaks, which stood about 300 zhang high.

The summit of the peak had been leveled to accommodate a cluster of well-arranged halls, pavilions, and a district of cave dwellings reserved for visitors.

The Spirit Ship descended slowly onto the landing platform.

The Tianling Sect cultivator, a man at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment, addressed Li Lingfeng and the others.

“Headmaster Li, Fellow Daoists of the Qingyun Sect. The Grand Competition will officially commence in two days at the Martial Arts Arena on the Main Peak. During these two days, you may rest here or travel between the 15 surrounding guest peaks to interact with others. However, remember one thing: the Main Peak is a forbidden area for our sect. Anyone who trespasses will be considered to have forfeited their qualification for the Grand Competition, and you will bear the consequences yourselves.”

His tone was plain, yet it carried an unquestionable weight of authority.

Everyone nodded, signaling their understanding.

Once the group was settled, Headmaster Li Lingfeng was politely whisked away by another Tianling representative—likely to handle administrative handovers or to face “inquiries” from the Tianling Sect’s high command.

The temporary cave dwellings on the peak were fully equipped and rich in Qi.

Bai Yue and Zhao Long had no interest in wandering. They each selected a dwelling and immediately entered secluded meditation, seizing the final hours to adjust their condition.

For them, the Grand Competition was the only thing that mattered.

Chen Ping also selected a room and settled in briefly.

Gazing out the window at the other guest peaks drifting faintly in the sea of clouds, and the majestic Main Peak looming in the distance, a thought stirred within him.

“Two days remaining… perhaps I should go out and take a look?”

…

After a short rest, Chen Ping exited his cave dwelling.

He did not alter his physical appearance, continuing to present himself as “Chen Ping, the first-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator.” However, he carefully restrained his aura, reducing his presence to that of a background character.

He rode his flying sword, drifting casually among the guest peaks designated for open passage.

These peaks were teeming with cultivators from the other seven fourth-rate sects, making the atmosphere far livelier than the quiet quarters of the Qingyun Sect.

On the platforms and open mountainsides, numerous small trading zones had spontaneously formed.

Many cultivators had set up stalls on the spot, selling or exchanging various materials, Pills, Dharma Artifacts, and Talismans.

Beyond the disciples of the eight sects, the Grand Competition also attracted a fair number of Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivators and disciples from unaffiliated sects. After all, a Grand Competition held only once every 60 years was a spectacle everyone wanted to witness.

Chen Ping browsed with interest.

However, while the stalls were numerous, high-quality items were scarce.

Most goods were targeted at Qi Condensation cultivators. Occasionally, items usable by Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared, but they were mostly common goods or absurdly overpriced.

Chen Ping walked and stopped, shaking his head inwardly. He found nothing that truly tempted him.

Disciples of the Tianling Sect also set up stalls occasionally, mostly selling local specialties like low-grade Spirit Grass, ores, or standard-issue Talismans—clearly looking to earn some extra pocket money.

As the sky grew dark, lanterns began to glow. Some peaks were illuminated by embedded crystals, while others hung spirit lamps, creating a mesmerizing nightscape.

After browsing for most of the day and feeling slightly disappointed, Chen Ping was about to return to his dwelling to meditate when his gaze was drawn to a small, antique pavilion built on the edge of a cliff.

The pavilion was three stories high, exuding an air of quiet elegance.

At the entrance of the first floor hung a simple banner:

Fellow Daoists of Foundation Establishment: Savor tea, discuss the Dao, and exchange needs. Zi Hour, three quarters. Awaiting your esteemed presence.

Beside it was a line of smaller text:

Second Floor, Elegant Gathering.

“A gathering for Foundation Establishment Fellow Daoists?”

Chen Ping’s interest was piqued.

Such informal, private gatherings often yielded more unexpected treasures than the chaotic public stalls outside. They were prime locations for “picking up leaks”—finding undervalued gems.

He checked the time. It was less than half an hour until the third quarter of the Zi Hour (approx. 11:45 PM).

“Let’s take a look.”

Changing his plans, Chen Ping strolled toward the pavilion.

The first floor was tastefully decorated, with a dozen cultivators already scattered about, sipping tea and conversing in hushed tones. Chen Ping didn’t linger and headed straight for the stairs.

The second floor was smaller but furnished with greater refinement.

Over 20 cultivators had already gathered. Judging by their attire and auras, most were participants from the other seven sects, though five or six were clearly Tianling Sect disciples, mostly in the early stages of Foundation Establishment.

The guests stood in small clusters, whispering or resting with their eyes closed. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of Spirit Tea and a tacit atmosphere of anticipation.

Chen Ping found a secluded corner in the back. He stood silently, his aura retracted, blending into the surroundings like a piece of furniture.

He ignored the mutual flattery and networking happening around him, his calm gaze sweeping the room as he waited.

Not long after, a young cultivator dressed in brocade robes, holding a fine iron folding fan, walked to the center of the room.

He had a face like jade and wore an amiable smile. His cultivation was at the second layer of Foundation Establishment.

Swish.

He snapped the fan open and spoke with a clear, projecting voice.

“Greetings, Fellow Daoists! I am Liu Mubai of the Tianling Sect. I am honored that you have all graced us with your presence. Let us dispense with pleasantries and follow the old rules. Shall we begin ‘exchanging what we have for what we lack’? Which Fellow Daoist would like to start?”

As expected, “Savoring Tea and Discussing the Dao” was merely a polite euphemism for a trade meet.

As soon as Liu Mubai finished speaking, a sturdy cultivator stepped forward, producing a palm-sized bronze shield.

“Tier 2 Middle Grade defensive Dharma Artifact, the ‘Green Rock Shield.’ When activated, it can withstand several full-force strikes from a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. I wish to exchange it for cultivation-enhancing pills—True Essence Pills or Solid Essence Pills are both acceptable.”

Chen Ping glanced at it. The defense was decent, but not what he needed.

Soon, a cultivator from the Scarlet Flame Sect produced two bottles of True Essence Pills and successfully traded for the shield.

Following this, cultivators stepped forward one after another, displaying their wares and stating their needs.

Some sold Talismans, some offered refining materials or Spirit Grass, and others sought specific rare ingredients. Transactions succeeded and failed in turn, but the atmosphere remained harmonious.

Then, a female cultivator in a plain white dress stepped forward. Her temperament was gentle and graceful, but when she revealed her item, Chen Ping’s eyes narrowed sharply.

In her palm rested a small jade box.

Inside, nestled on soft velvet, lay nine insect eggs the size of longan fruit. They were a dull grayish-white, their surfaces covered in strange, spiral patterns.

The eggs lacked luster, and their life force was so faint it was nearly imperceptible.

The woman’s voice was soft, carrying just the right amount of regret.

“Fellow Daoists, my family obtained these by chance. According to ancient records… these are suspected to be the eggs of the ‘Soul Devouring Insect,’ ranked ninety-seventh on the Heaven and Earth Strange Insect List!”