Chapter 20 - Disaster (Part 2)

 Han Zhen, a dark-skinned man, asked, "Senior Tao, what do we do now? There are only five of us who can use the Locking Edge Sharpness Formula in Huaxi Valley, but three of them haven't reached the second level, so they can't be of much help. Only Senior Fang and Senior Liu Da Shan can remove the pests."

"Now that Senior Fang is injured, only Liu Junior Brother is left, but even if he works himself to death, he won't be able to clear so many acres of fields. Moreover, many of us have severe pest infestations in our fields, and I'm afraid we won't make it through tonight. Even if there is one more person who can remove the pests, there's still a glimmer of hope!"

Tao Fengnian's face was somber, "You don't need to worry too much. This disaster is severe, but the sect won't just sit idly by. I believe the Internal Affairs Hall will soon come up with a way to remove the pests and the snow. We just need to hold on."

Han Zhen's eyes turned red, "What's the use of holding on? The ice-armored insects won't stop eating the young seedlings. Regardless, we need to remove the pests quickly. Otherwise, before the sect takes action, all our winter Lingmai will be ruined."

"Yeah, Senior Tao, please think of a solution. We can only rely on you now."

"Please, Senior Tao, you're a Spirit Master; you must have a way."

Everyone pleaded, but Tao Fengnian coughed violently, his body unable to cope. Even with the aid of spiritual stones, he was nearing the end of his life, and as someone with insufficient spiritual energy, how could he deal with the pest infestation in so many spirit fields?

Furthermore, he still had hundreds of acres of medicinal fields that had not been dealt with, and that was the real priority.

"Grandpa!"

A crisp child's voice struck their hearts, and Tao Fengnian suddenly turned around to see his granddaughter rushing towards him. The heavy mood that had just weighed on him suddenly cleared up.

Song Peier looked over, "It's been a few days since I saw this girl. Where has she... What level of Qi Refinement has she reached?!"

Jiang Yuebai ran up to Tao Fengnian, ignoring Song Peier's astonished gaze, "Grandpa, can I help you?"

Tao Fengnian was delighted to see his granddaughter's aura full and knew that she had not only cultivated the "Five Elements Returning to True Art" but had also formed the "Five Elements Rotating Bridge," significantly advancing her cultivation level.

Facing the inquisitive and astonished gazes of those around them, Tao Fengnian felt a sense of honor.

"Follow me; these are ice-armored insects. They've turned into ice shells covering the leaves, while their true bodies are hidden in the rhizomes. You need to use the Locking Edge Sharpness Formula..."

Tao Fengnian took Jiang Yuebai to the spirit field, while Song Peier stood still, her gaze following them, her jaw unable to close for a long time.

Not only her, but the other cultivators familiar with Jiang Yuebai, including her peers, were all dumbfounded, shocked internally.

Just a while ago, they were mocking Tao Fengnian for treating a five-spirit-root disciple like a treasure, but now they couldn't say a word.

Parting for three days, indeed brings a change in perspective!

"Junior Sister Lü , what are they looking at?" Shi Xiaowu stood next to Lü Ying, inquiring curiously.

"Scammer!" Lü Ying bit her lip while twisting her clothes, feeling sour in her heart.

Jiang Yuebai didn't care about the gazes of others. After Tao Fengnian finished explaining the key points, she began to activate the Locking Edge Sharpness Formula in preparation for her first pest removal task.

"Hold on!"

Guo Zhen stepped out of the crowd; he was the owner of this spirit field and also Shi Xiaowu's master.

A master (shīfu) was different from a master-father (shīfù) ; there was only the responsibility of teaching and guiding, unlike the relationship between an inner disciple and a true sovereign who would accept a disciple. It was a contractual relationship.

TL Note: Usually, 師父／师父 (shīfu) is used to refer to martial arts teachers and Buddhist monks or nuns, while 師傅／师傅 (shīfù) is used to refer to a master or teacher of a trade.

Guo Zhen practiced the Cloud and Rain Technique and the Earthquake Technique. At this moment, facing the field infestation, he was at a loss and could only plead with Tao Fengnian.

"Tao Lao, if you don't want to help us, just say so. How can we let a little girl handle this?"

After Guo Zhen spoke, the people around him nodded in agreement.

They were astonished at Jiang Yuebai's rapid cultivation progress, but they had never seen her doing any work on the ground, making it hard to believe that she could handle the Ice Armored Beetles that required a second-level Edge Sharpness Formula to be slain.

Tao Fengnian protected Jiang Yuebai behind him and asked, "Do you not trust this old man?"

Guo Zhen frowned, "It's not that we don't trust you, Tao Lao, but... in the face of such a disaster, you can't treat our lives as a joke."

Faced with the skepticism, Jiang Yuebai felt indignant and tugged at Tao Fengnian's sleeve.

"Grandfather, if they don't want my help, it's fine. You've been tired all day; let's go back and rest."

As soon as she finished speaking, Guo Zhen got angry, "You, a little girl, dare to speak when the elders are talking!"

"Outrageous!" Tao Fengnian glared angrily, "This old man won't tolerate your disrespect!"

Guo Zhen clenched his fists without saying a word, while others gritted their teeth and grew even more disapproving of Jiang Yuebai. To them, she was just a mischievous kid trying to take Tao Fengnian away, even though he could save their lives.

Tao Fengnian protected Jiang Yuebai and said, "As a Spirit Farming Master, although I am responsible for managing Hua Xi Valley, in the face of such a catastrophe, according to the sect's rules, I should prioritize protecting precious spiritual herbs from disaster. Even if I don't help you save the young Sprit Wheat seedlings, I am not at fault, and no one has the right to blame me."

Jiang Yuebai nodded hurriedly, finally seeing her grandfather's firm side. If only he could be as firm against Jia Wei.

She looked around and didn't see Jia Wei. Could it be that he had gone to drink with her sister again?

Turning her gaze back, Jiang Yuebai noticed that everyone had their heads lowered, clearly harboring grievances but not daring to act out.

At this moment, Guo Zhen, a seven-foot-tall man, had red eyes, covered in snow, and the cold wind whistled. Jiang Yuebai felt a sense of helplessness and indignation emanating from him.

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