Jade River City ,in a modest villa
"Haaa! This is good wine Miss Feng" Chu Xingchen instantly felt refreshed and happy after drinking the wine Xiù Feng provided him
"Glad to see you like it Daoist Chu" Xiù Feng smiled
At this moment, she had already poured another cup of wine for Chu Xingchen who was even more impressed with Xiù Feng and raised his glass.
Chu Xingchen was a free cultivator who was not affiliated with any sect and also one of the few experts in Jade river City who was at the golden core stage
Naturally he was capable of sensing the aura of Xiù Feng's true cultivation level thus was respectful and friendly towards her
"These spirit teas lately seem weaker than they used to be," Xiù Feng commented idly, swirling her cup. "Or maybe my standards are just getting higher. Hard to find genuinely good stuff without a hassle."
"Perhaps Miss Feng has simply been exposed to truly superior quality. On my travels, I find the truly good ones are often very expensive, or are secret recipes guarded by troublesome sorts." Chu Xingchen chuckled
They settled into talking, chatting about common things.
They spoke of unpredictable weather patterns in different regions he'd passed through.
The prevalence of troublesome spirit beasts lately in the wild areas, and the best (and easiest) ways he'd found to deal with them, efficiency over showing off.
He offered points about different regions he had traveled – where decent folks gathered, where outright villains lurked, where chances for resources lay, where dangers were. The kinds of people one met on the road, both decent and... less so.
Xiù Feng mostly listened, occasionally asking questions about the places or people he visited
They finished their fourth cups, and Xiù Feng refilled them.
"You know, Daoist Chu," she began, looking thoughtful, "hearing you talk about things... the world outside, all the chaos and chances, no good places for free cultivators like yourself to settle or find guidance... it got me thinking."
"I've been thinking about an idea. Might sound... big, maybe even risky , with how things are now. Especially given my current... state of operations." She paused, looking around her simple home, its imperfections visible. "But I'm thinking of starting a sect."
Chu Xingchen's fingers tightened around the jade cup, the faint clink loud in the still room, before he set it down his expression serious
"Yes, a proper sect," Xiù Feng confirmed, picking up her own cup. "A place to, teach train and cultivate disciples "
"I will be honest with you Daoist Chu Running things? Dealing with people? Getting people to join? I have no experience. It's not something I'm good at." Xiù Feng stated looking at Chu Xingchen "With Daoist Chu's breadth of experience, gathering wayward talents beneath one banner would be no insurmountable task...Of course if you wish to remain free I understand it is ultimately your choice"
"..." Chu Xingchen sat still for a while
()
The slave yard stank of sweat, iron, and despair. The dirt beneath their boots seemed to swallow the very light, casting a dull pall over the surroundings.
"Daoist Chu... I did not expect this," Xiù Feng murmured softly, her voice almost drowned out by the sounds of clanking chains and hushed cries from the prisoners.
Chu Xingchen's eyes remained steady as he glanced over the rows of shackled bodies. He had seen worse, but that didn't mean he had grown numb to the sight.
"Sometimes, necessity outweighs righteousness," he muttered "You seek strength, and in this world, you take it however you can. The way of cultivation is no different."
"I only seek to build, Daoist Chu. But for that, sacrifices must be made."Xiu Feng muttered in distaste as a person growing up in a free democratic country slavery was one of the top three things she morally opposed alongside hypocritical communists and religious extremists
In this world there were no laws to prevent slavery in fact several kingdom actively encouraged this practice
While the possibility of some of the slaves here having any cultivation talent was rather low it was still a much easier way to recruit disciples especially for unknown sects like theirs
"Who is the chief here? I would speak with him." Xiù Feng turned her gaze to the nearest slave guard
. "Th-the boss is in the office yonder, esteemed cultivator…"The guard, startled by her sharp tone and presence, stammered
"Bring him," Chu Xingchen said flatly. The guard ran without another word.
Moments later, a broad-shouldered man with a a bald head and blue robes approached, wiping his hands nervously. He bowed low.
"Esteemed ones, I am Meng Zhao, the overseer here. How may this humble servant assist?"
"I seek the best stock. Show me the females first. I want those with spiritual power Nothing else."Xiù Feng's eyes flicked toward him.
"Of course, esteemed cultivator , of course! This way!"Meng Zhao straightened, understanding now that these were not idle browsers
He led them into a locked steel cage in n courtyard where several young women knelt, chained and guarded by several men
[Song Meiling ,Bone age 28, Qi Condensation Fourth Stage,
Chen Lili, Bone age 19, Qi Condensation Third Stage
Chen Xue'er , Bone age 15 Qi Condensation Third Stage
Liu Juan, Bone age 26, Qi Condensation Fourth Stage
Zhang Ziyan, Bone age 18, Qi Condensation Fourth Stage,
Li Hua Bone age 18, Qi Condensation Second Stage
Song Fen, Bone age 19, Qi Condensation Fourth Stage]
'This was better than I expected...but why are they all girls...'Xiu Feng looked at the dozen blue screens hovering in her face
"How did you capture them ?" Chu Xingchen asked suspiciously even if these girls are at the lowest stage of cultivation they are still much stronger than an regular human
Considering that the boss slaver and his guards are mortals it should not be possible for them to capture these girls
"One of our contractor is a free cultivator at the third stage of Qi layering he has a good eye for picking talented girls " Meng Zhao explained "The senior also imprinted an protective array on this cage that prevents them from breaking out"
"Ah I see " Xiù Feng nodded "We will buy them all"
"B-b-buy th" Meng Zhao was unable to finish his sentence as a small hill of gold tales dropped near his feet
While cultivators traded in spirit stones mortals traded in gold and silver natural if a cultivator wanted to deal with mortals they would have to use gold
Before arriving to the silver yard Xiù Feng with Chu Xingchen help had traded spirit stones for gold tales with local officer
A single low grade spirit stones was equal to 5 gold tales
Xiù Feng who thanks to her system(what part is still functioning) possessed over tens of thousands of high grade spirit stones each easily worth over five hundred gold tales
As such this she exchanged the equivalent of a small treasury for only forty or so stones
. "Ah, esteemed cultivators! Excellent! An excellent choice! You won't regret it! They are strong girls, strong indeed!" Meng Zhao quickly recovered, his greed overriding his shock as he knowtowed
"Also... is there anyone with skills in alchemy? Herbalists, pill refiners, anyone like that."
"Esteemed one, as a matter of fact... there is someone. A herbalist we acquired recently.... but very skilled, she is...yes "
"Bring her here." Xiù Feng instructed.
Meng Zhao snapped his fingers, ordering three men to go and get the girl from another cage.
A few moments later, the men returned, escorting a young woman. She walked forward quietly her head slightly bowed.
"!"
However that face was very familiar to Xiù Feng who had seen it several times in her past life
'No way. It's her? Here? This can't be happening.'
"You are..."