Zhang Deming paused. He didn’t continue explaining the method, but said, "I think you’ve misunderstood something, Senior Brother Fanx. I’m here to help, not to take orders.
It doesn’t matter if it’s you, Senior Brother Fanx, or Ancestor Dang.
Have you been in this Wu Earth Secret Realm for so long that you think this token in my hand is useless?"
’From the moment we met, he hasn’t shown me the slightest bit of courtesy.’
’Of course, it’s somewhat normal for him to be impolite to a mere Duality Cultivator. But I’ve already shown him the token of the Peak Master of Spirit Nurturing Peak and revealed my identity. For him to still have this attitude...’
’Now that I’ve confirmed he’s not a Demon Cultivator, there’s no reason for me to keep holding back.’
’We’re of equal status, and I’m the one here to help. Am I supposed to just be ordered around like this?’
Fanx Yunfei froze for a moment. Right in front of Zhang Deming, he summoned a Light Screen and began to examine it.
When he opened Zhang Deming’s profile, a permission notice popped up. It required him to use his highest level of authority to view it.
He stared blankly for a second, then unlocked the permissions. After a moment of viewing, he paused on the information about the Six Paths Reincarnation and the recently updated entry: "Tier Four, Law-Level Spirit Nurturer."
Anyone who had been to the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land knew exactly what kind of miraculous effects a Law-Level Spirit Nurturer possessed when dealing with plants and animals.
After a long pause, he finally looked up and said, "It seems I was being presumptuous. This way, please, Junior Brother Zhang."
Seeing this, Zhang Deming dropped his stern expression and smiled. "Haha, Senior Brother Fanx is certainly a man of character. I can appreciate that."
Fanx Yunfei’s movements hitched for a second at his words. Then, he smoothly led Zhang Deming to a small, adjacent courtyard, where they both sat down.
Just then, a Child hurried out, set down a tea service for the two of them, and then quickly went back inside the verdant bamboo house.
While Fanx Yunfei prepared the tea, Zhang Deming looked up and surveyed the bamboo house for a moment. "You truly lead a leisurely life here, Senior Brother Fanx."
Fanx Yunfei paused, then gave a bitter smile. "It’s merely a matter of prolonging a useless existence. What leisure is there? I haven’t been able to leave this Secret Realm for a thousand years. How can you call that leisurely?"
Zhang Deming said, "If that’s the case, why did you choose such a difficult path, Senior Brother?"
Fanx Yunfei paused, turning his head to look at the Nine-Turn Profound Spirit Grass planted in the nearby soil. "For Qiaoru," he said, "I’d do more than stand guard for a thousand years. I would wait my entire life if I had to."
’Looking at his face, especially the look in his eyes, I have to stop and reconsider. Okay, so he’s not some old lecher. He’s a man hopelessly in love—the Xianxia version of a thousand-year guardian, the kind who’d sacrifice his own cultivation path just to prolong her life.’
’If a guy like this were in a novel, he’d be the type to go mad, fall to Demonic Possession, and kill without a second thought, all for the sake of his beloved.’
’Well, this one here is just being cruel to himself—sacrificing his path to save a life, planting his girlfriend in the ground to rescue her. That’s probably because his moral compass is, surprisingly, a little too straight and narrow.’
’Still, for someone with a background in farming, he’s a real piece of work. Saving someone with such... creativity. Planting his wife in the ground for a thousand years? That takes some serious talent. He’s basically redefining the entire concept of a Spirit Farmer!’
The two fell into a sudden silence. After a long moment, Fanx Yunfei was the first to speak. "Earlier today, I received a message from your Spirit Nurturing Peak saying someone was coming to assess the situation.
Quite a few people have come and gone over the years with no results, so I didn’t pay it much mind.
In light of that, I was a bit dismissive of you, Junior Brother Zhang. I apologize for that."
Zhang Deming chuckled. "Speaking of which, you really gave me a scare a moment ago, Senior Brother. I thought you were going to kill me to keep me quiet!"
Fanx Yunfei smiled back at Zhang Deming. "You have a sense of humor, Junior Brother Zhang."
After saying that, he paused for a moment before continuing, "Junior Brother Zhang, you said earlier... that Qiaoru can still be saved?"
Seeing that they were getting to the heart of the matter, Zhang Deming nodded. "That’s right. She can be saved. I have more than one way to do it, but..."
An eager look Fanx Yunfei couldn’t quite hide crossed his face. "Junior Brother Zhang, whatever your requests are, please state them freely. Even if I can’t fulfill them myself, I will find someone who can.
As long as it’s within the power of the Celestial Spirit Sect, you have but to ask, Junior Brother Zhang."
’He talks a big game,’ Zhang Deming thought, ’but given his seniority, he probably has the standing to back it up.’
Zhang Deming looked at Fanx Yunfei and said, "We can discuss that later. The main reason for my hesitation is the treatment method itself."
After a pause, Zhang Deming continued, "Right now, the best method would be to fuse her soul with the plant, allowing the Medicinal Herb to transform into a human form. In terms of effect, it’s quite similar to the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique.
And looking at this whole setup of yours, Senior Brother, I imagine you were thinking along the same lines?"
Fanx Yunfei nodded. "That’s right. Over the years, I developed a variant Technique based on Six Paths Reincarnation. My goal was to nurture a human form from the herb, and ultimately have it transform to complete her healing.
But due to an initial backlash from the Profound Grass’s Spirit, the grass’s foundation was damaged. Qiaoru was affected as well, and she fell into a thousand-year slumber.
The whole plan to nurture her back into a human form was essentially dead in the water.
If this Profound Grass wasn’t my Dao Grass, it would have died long ago. Even now, I’m just barely keeping it alive by pouring my life force and all of my Cultivation into it."
Zhang Deming nodded. "That part isn’t too difficult. Since it’s your Dao Grass, as long as you don’t completely abandon your cultivation path, it won’t be hard for me to perform a new Spirit Awakening for it.