My Portable Spirit Farm: Rise of the Humble Servant

Chapter 200: The Big Fish Takes the Bait

A perfect plan requires logic in every detail.

The first step of the layout was to ensure that everything appeared natural and unobtrusive. Only then would the fish be tempted to take the bait.

It was just like fishing.

Before hooking a big fish, one had to chum the waters. Only if the bait was laid perfectly would the fish willingly bite the hook.

The next day.

Chen Ping quietly slipped out of the cave dwelling arranged by the Tianling Sect. He made his way to the nearby pavilions where cultivators gathered and spent 1,000 Spirit Stones to hire three Rogue Cultivators.

They all appeared to be ordinary cultivators at the first layer of Foundation Establishment. For Rogue Cultivators to reach this stage was no small feat.

Chen Ping had occasionally pondered a question: If he had started as a Rogue Cultivator like them, would he have had the chance to succeed in Foundation Establishment?

Before initiating his plan, Chen Ping sat down with these men and chatted about their life journeys.

After all, this was the best way to bridge the gap between strangers.

Through their conversation, he learned the harsh reality of their world.

Rogue Cultivators had almost no opportunities to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills.

Those lucky enough to get one usually had to sell their lives to a Sect or a powerful clan, hoping to be rewarded with a pill in exchange for servitude.

As for ordinary Rogue Cultivators, they could only wait until they approached the sixty-year limit—a Jiazi—and attempt a forced breakthrough.

The chances of success were less than 5%.

But at least there was a chance.

Chen Ping asked them, “Why not join a Sect or a family? Wouldn’t the chances of obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill be much greater?”

The Rogue Cultivators shook their heads helplessly.

Joining a Sect or family was certainly useful, but when it came to Foundation Establishment, it still depended on fate.

Even within Sects and clans, didn’t 90% of cultivators still fail to reach Foundation Establishment?

In their view, it was the same everywhere.

Joining a Sect or family meant being bound by their rules. Being alone meant going wherever one pleased—free and unfettered. Wasn’t that delightful?

Why bother seeking discomfort in a cage?

Moreover, their talent was average. Even if they joined a Sect, they would be transparent existences, ignored and undervalued.

It was better to be a Rogue Cultivator, living a carefree life of freedom! Even if they failed their breakthrough, they would have at least lived happily for 60 years.

Chen Ping was thoughtful.

If I had chosen to be a Rogue Cultivator, would I have had a different life?

However, he had already chosen his path… so there was no room for regret.

Life is like a game of chess; once a piece is placed, you cannot take it back.

As cups were raised and exchanged, the group began to open up.

Chen Ping sensed the timing was ripe and began to explain his request.

“Fellow Daoists!”

Chen Ping slid a small bag of Spirit Stones across the table.

His purpose in inviting them had always been to implement his plan.

“I need to trouble you to help this younger brother with a favor. Tomorrow evening, please go to the small path on the east side of the main peak, beneath ‘Thunder Attraction Peak.’ That path is the only route to the Thunder Viewing Platform on the summit…”

“Easy, easy! Little brother is so straightforward! We older brothers certainly won’t spoil the fun!”

After a few more jars of wine, the Foundation Establishment veterans actually refused to accept Chen Ping’s Spirit Stones.

“Little brother, your nickname ‘Lucky Brother’ will probably follow you for a lifetime! To be honest, don’t think it’s a bad name. Perhaps your fate will undergo a great change because of it! In the future, when you achieve glory and prosperity, you must not forget us old brothers!”

One of the Rogue Cultivators, a man named Xiang Huaqiang, even shoved the Storage Bag back into Chen Ping’s hands.

Chen Ping, slightly buzzed from the wine, felt a surge of appreciation.

The personalities of these veterans were truly straightforward and magnanimous, and they possessed unique insights into the Cultivation world.

Chen Ping couldn’t help but feel a desire to genuinely befriend them.

“My name is Chen Ping. We’ve chatted for so long, yet I still don’t know the names of my older brothers!”

“Xiang Huaqiang!”

“Zuo Xuan!”

“Bi Yun!”

The men answered without hesitation, announcing their names proudly.

They continued drinking late into the night.

The table was a mess of empty jars and dishes.

In the end, Chen Ping insisted they take the Spirit Stones.

Business was business, and relationships were relationships; the two shouldn’t be confused. He told them he wouldn’t feel at ease if they didn’t accept the payment.

Only then did the three Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivators helplessly accept the bag.

The task Chen Ping assigned them was simple.

They only needed to pretend to be friends who had coincidentally gathered on that specific path to discuss matters.

The topic of their discussion: a Qingyun Sect disciple named Chen Ping (Lucky Brother) had invited them to explore the hidden “site where an Alchemy Master passed away.”

They needed to show great interest but also hesitation. Their voices had to be loud enough for passersby to hear.

Ideally, they should argue, with no one convinced by the other.

“If someone inquires, especially if a disciple of the Tianling Sect asks,” Chen Ping emphasized, “Older brothers, you only need to act ‘panicked’ and say you didn’t know the area was private. Claim you only came there to discuss because it was secluded. To express your apology, you can ‘unintentionally’ reveal that I invited you to explore the Master’s legacy site. Remember, act naturally, as if you accidentally let it slip.”

To dispel any confusion or suspicion the men might have, Chen Ping offered a “reasonable” explanation for the charade.

“I have always admired Senior Brother Mo Xiuyuan’s attainments in Yin Lightning Arts and wanted to use this opportunity to get to know him. But I have no proper introduction. Using this method might attract Senior Brother Mo to take the initiative to inquire. Then, I would have a chance to chat with him.”

“At that time, we can drink and talk together. Wouldn’t that be delightful!”

This reasoning sounded logical. A disciple from a fourth-rate Sect wanting to curry favor with a core disciple of a third-rate Sect often used little tricks like this.

After pocketing the Spirit Stones, the three men patted their chests and guaranteed there would be no problems.

For them, it was just acting out a scene at a specific location to help Chen Ping with a favor. Why not do it?

On the evening of the third day.

As the sun set in the west, the small path beneath Thunder Attraction Peak appeared particularly secluded.

Chen Ping did not go to the scene. Instead, he rested in the tavern, eyes closed, quietly waiting.

Time passed, bit by bit. The light inside his cave dwelling gradually dimmed.

Just as Chen Ping began to think the plan might have failed—or that Mo Xiuyuan hadn’t gone to Thunder Attraction Peak that day—the Restriction outside his cave dwelling was triggered.

A voice carrying a hint of arrogance and urgency rang out.

“Qingyun Sect’s Chen Ping, are you inside?”

Chen Ping opened his eyes, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold arc.

He’s here.

He removed the Restriction and opened the door.

Standing outside was none other than the Tianling Sect’s newly crowned Champion of the Elite Battle… Mo Xiuyuan!

At this moment, Mo Xiuyuan’s face carried a trace of impatience and a hidden, feverish excitement.

The moment he saw his target, Chen Ping secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If Mo hadn’t come, the entire plan would have failed.

Chen Ping also sighed with admiration in his heart; the three Rogue Cultivators were truly reliable.

Straightforward personalities, dependable work ethics, and outstanding execution.

Chen Ping began to consider inviting the three of them to join his faction in the future.

With this, the first step of the layout was complete.