Chapter 466: Cultivating Cultivators

Chapter 466: Cultivating Cultivators

The low-level disciples harvesting spirit fruits stared up as an immortal boat descended onto their peak. One or two squinted, a bit confused. Arent immortal boats supposed to be flawless and gorgeous beyond belief? But this is

Third- to low fifth-stage disciples dismounted from the immortal boat. A young female cultivator led them to a flat field just outside the orchard toward the peak, lining them up in an orderly formation. Hui drifted down after them, letting his hair float after him in an imposing fashion. He came to a rest at a slightly elevated location above the field and put his hands behind him, smiling benevolently at the cultivators below.

So, did everyone find something they liked at the library? he asked.

A vague affirmative went up from the cultivators.

Ah, thats right, thats right. This isnt an elementary school field trip. This is a group of serious men and women doing serious free labor ahem, unpaid intern work for me!

He cleared his throat. That is, I mean, did everyone locate a manual that they can cultivate?

A yes went up from the group.

Hui nodded. Then, the first thing we need to do is build the forges! Your first task is to learn enough of your forging technique to build your own forge.New novel chapters are published on

One of the cultivators raised his hand. Hui pointed at him.

Peak Lord, isnt it extremely difficult to craft a forge? he asked.

Call me Master. You see, if you craft a forge yourself, you learn its intricacies by heart. You know the hottest spots and the coldest spots, its weaknesses and strengths! In short, you learn the heart of the forge from the start. In a way, its a shortcut! Hui said, putting his hands on his hips and nodding. Thank you, my ability to bullshit at a moments notice!

His new disciples murmured amongst themselves, glancing at one another. After a moment, a female disciple raised her hand. Master, how are we supposed to make a forge? Are we supposed to craft one from nothing?

No, no. Naturally, you can use my forge to craft your forge. But since the peak currently only has one forge you understand that your Master cant allow you to use the forge indefinitely, no?" Hui tilted his head, smiling at them. That sounds reasonable, right? In any case, Im after parallelization, not sequential operations! Whats the point of having disciples if they cant forge things while one other person is forging things? Thats the same as me working on my own! No, no. Better to have twice the results with half the effort and half the time by parallelizing our efforts!

The crowd murmured amongst themselves. A few nodded, reasonable expressions on their faces.

Another disciple raised his hand. What about resources?

Ah, about that

A dark shadow fell over the peak. Hui glanced up. Tang Fei hovered above him, a spirit barge floating beside her. Spirit metals and other various mystical materials overflowed the barge, shining brilliantly under the sunshine. Master, Ive returned.

Just in time! Hui greeted her, beaming.

The disciples stared, wide-eyed, at the pile of materials. Who on earth is this mysterious man? What kind of backing does he have?

Hui glanced at Tang Fei from the corner of his eye. Though honestly, that is an excessive amount of materials. Where did she get that? Wait is Tang Fei secretly rich?

Tang Fei met his eyes. Her lip twitched in something like derision. Gui Delun wont even notice this much going missing.

Ah. Ahhh. Stolen goods. I understand now.

We we should hide those. And quickly! I dont need to draw Gui Deluns ire this early.

Besides, if we dont get caught, we can steal more in the future.

Hui nodded. Thank you, Elder Sister. Theres an underground forge with an entrance near the top of the peak. Go ahead and store those materials there. Turning back to the disciples, Hui smiled. Please feel free to use my materials as you need. Theres no need to hold back. I can always get more.

Tang Feis eyes narrowed, and an evil smile appeared on her lips.

So long, cute Tang Fei! Ah though, I like this new, evil Tang Fei. I certainly appreciate her newly adjusted three morals. Next time, Ill tag along as she stealsborrows Gui Deluns materials. Its good if I learn her secret route in. Then I might pop by myself to grab a few things, every now and again. After all, Im an experienced thief er, requisitioner of abandoned goods.

Hui smiled. So go ahead!

The female cultivator whod mentioned having some experience with jadeworking sprinted ahead, closely following Tang Feis barge of materials. The others hesitated a moment, then chased after her, jostling one another for a better place in line to access the materials barge.

Hui nodded, looking down on his disciples with a pleased expression. Excellent. Im glad everyone is so eager to get started on their forge!

Ah, well, I understand. If I was in their place, Id be hurtling for the best materials, too! As it stands, Im barely able to craft anything, so theres no meaning to competing. It would only be a question of how many spirit stones Im throwing into the garbage. Better to allow my lovely disciples to learn from these wonderful materials.

Song Wei fell silent. He scowled. Its not my fault. I

Song Wei, Hui interrupted, cutting him off. If you continue to think like that, and victimize yourself forever, youll never be anything but a victim. Youll continue to accumulate grudges until your heart is completely black, or until you die under the weight of the persecutions youve sought out.

Sought out? Song Wei asked, startled.

Hui snorted. Have you never heard that treasuring a jade ring might become a crime? Owning riches makes you a target. You took this ore, knowing that you couldnt handle it, because you knew it was valuable. But what you forgot was your own strength. If you cannot protect the powerful ore, then what youve picked up is not a boon, but instead, your own death certificate. If you make a mistake like this again, dont expect me to step in.

Song Wei scowled. If there were no bullies

If there were no rain, wed never get wet. If there were no lightning, no one would die of lightning. The world wont change because of wishful thinking. The world only changes if you take action to change it.

Song Wei frowned petulantly. Then what are you saying I should do?

Isnt it obvious? Dont fight back. Play dead, play dead! Hui said, nodding. And after you play dead, quietly watch your adversary and wait for the perfect moment to strike, when he isnt expecting it. Only by using unusual tactics can you overcome those stronger than you!

Song Wei blinked at him. You arent telling me to get strong?

Getting stronger happens naturally with time. No, no. Theres more than one way to fight back against bullies. The important thing is that you properly judge your own strength and figure out the best possible way to strike back, not that you immediately get stronger. After all, how long do you think Hong Lu has cultivated for? You arent Ying Lin or Wei in any case, the heavens havent favored you. Purely focusing on getting stronger will take far too long, and youll be bullied for that whole time. Instead instead, tactics! Techniques! And strategies! Hui cheered, hoisting the ore high.

Er I guess? Song Wei said.

You say yes enthusiastically, thats how you respond, Hui informed him, rubbing the top of Song Weis head with his fist.

Yes, Song Wei replied, though somewhat dimly.

Oh, well. I cant expect someone with a lot of practice being a victim to immediately understand how to play counter-victim. With time, maybe hell come to understand and maybe he wont.

In any case, the lesson here is dont make trouble for Master, understand? Act within the limits of your abilities. Dont go out to cause trouble expecting that Master will come save you. What Master hates the most is extra work, understand? Harmony is what I want, harmony! Dont take items you cant protect. Dont challenge rivals you cant fight! Most importantly, dont waste Masters money by taking materials you cant use! Hui declared boldly, putting his hands on his hips.

Song Wei scowled, but nodded. Disciple understands, he grumbled under his breath.

Hmm. This negative pattern, this dark attitude ahhh, have I burdened myself with a troublesome black lotus? A small disciple who pretends to be cute and pure, only to turn out to be vicious and evil later? This kind of ungrateful disciple who forgets all gratitude and repays double for grudges ah, though its fun to read about, I dont like encountering one. If Im not careful, he might ascend past me and come back to tear me apart!

Hui sighed deeply. He shook his head at Song Wei. No matter what, remember that Im the one Xie Hao transferred his debt to. Treat me the same as the one who healed your wounds that no one else could heal. You might not like the lessons Im teaching you, but theres no need for ingratitude.

Disciple understands, Song Wei said quickly, bowing.

Hui gave him a look. I feel like he doesnt understand oh, well. I did stop the bullying, so

Hong Lu! he shouted.

The man reappeared. Master.

Did you find the ore?

Hong Lu hesitated, then opened his hand. A chunk of ore equally large as the one Song Wei had taken sat in his hand.

Hui nodded. Good, good. So I can give this lump back to the black lotus! There. Now he shouldnt hold a grudge. He tossed the Brightblack Ore to Song Wei. There. Now everythings settled. And Hong Lu dont let me catch you stealing from other disciples again. It wont end with a bit with a slap next time.

Hong Lu saluted. Disciple understands.

Song Wei! Do you understand? Hui asked, looking at him.

I why give it back to me, Master? Song Wei asked, confused. Didnt you just lecture me about owning a jade ring?

One must also bear the consequences of their own actions. If you have karma with that ore, I wont be the one to cut it short. But if you continue to carry it around, Master might not notice the next time someone steals it from you. Because Master is going to be resting his ass up a tree, eating spirit fruits and reading manuals, dammit! Stop causing trouble, you black lotus!

Song Wei hesitated. He looked at the Blackbright Ore, then kept it in his sleeve and saluted. Disciple understands.

Do you? Do you!? Hui looked at Song Wei for a long moment, then turned away, hair swishing after him. Well, its none of my problem. I left things clearcut and obvious. If Song Wei chooses to cause trouble for me, at this point, its his own choice!