Cultivation: From Poor Peasant to Celestial Lord

"Patriarch, Lord Chu has sent a reply." Wuu Shang handed over the letter.

After Wuu Ping finished reading, he was silent for a long moment, then let out a soft chuckle and set his scissors aside.

"This Lord Chu... he’s presented us with a difficult problem, but he’s also shown us a clear path forward."

Wuu Shang said with some concern, "Patriarch, our Wuu Family has tamed beasts for generations. We’ve never had a precedent for a contract of equals.

If we make an exception now, what if all those Snake Demons start demanding the same treatment in the future? How will we stay in business?"

"Nonsense." Wuu Ping shook his head, his eyes revealing a shrewdness unique to merchants. "How can those common Demon Beasts compare to a Fox Spirit that has gained intelligence?

Wuu Shang, you must remember this: although our Wuu Family made its fortune selling Spirit Pets, what we lack most is the combat power to command respect."

He stood up and clasped his hands behind his back. "If that Fox Spirit can break through to the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, it will be a tremendous asset. If we can make it stay with the Wuu Family willingly—even if it doesn’t take orders—as long as it resides in our ancestral hall, who would dare look down on us?"

"What’s more..." Wuu Ping pointed to Chu Bai’s signature at the end of the letter. "This is Lord Chu’s will. Who in Anping County doesn’t know that his word is his bond? Giving him some face, keeping a Top-Grade Spirit Fox, and in exchange receiving long-term protection... this deal is a real bargain."

As the Patriarch, he saw the bigger picture.

"Don’t you understand yet?" Wuu Ping sighed deeply. "Chu Bai isn’t negotiating with us; he’s drawing a line in the sand.

How was the Luu Family destroyed? How did Team Two collapse? That young man isn’t just a figure of real power in the Evil Suppression Department now—he likely has someone powerful backing him."

"More importantly, what does a Guardian Spirit Beast with the potential to reach the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, personally guaranteed by Chu Bai, mean for the Wuu Family right now?"

Wuu Ping stood up and walked to the window. "It means that in the future, anyone who wants to make a move against the Wuu Family will first have to consider the Demon Slaying Officer behind this Spirit Beast.

Our Wuu Family may have a large household and a big business in Anping County, but no one from our family holds an official position. Besides a few disobedient Snake Demons, what do we have to compete with those powerful clans? This Fox Spirit is a life-saving talisman handed to us by Chu Bai."

Wuu Shang fell silent.

He naturally understood the current situation. The Wuu Family had earned too much from the Spirit Pet business, attracting the envy and resentment of many. If they could use this opportunity to deeply align themselves with Chu Bai, even at the cost of some control over the Fox Spirit, it would be a profitable trade.

"Big Brother, you mean we should agree?"

"We agree." A look of resolve flashed in Wuu Ping’s eyes. "Tell Lord Chu that not only does the Wuu Family agree, but we will do it with great fanfare. Invite Lord Chu to visit in person tomorrow to witness the contract!"

....

In the afternoon, the Wuu Family respectfully sent their reply.

The letter stated: The Wuu Family was willing to follow Lord Chu’s suggestion, abolish all methods of enslavement, and hire the Spirit Fox as the Wuu Family’s guardian Guest Minister. The Wuu Family would allocate a monthly stipend of Spiritual Medicine and resources for its cultivation, only asking that the Spirit Fox intervene once should the family face a crisis of life and death.

At this point, the matter finally saw a glimmer of a peaceful resolution.

The Wuu Family’s estate was located on the east side of Anping County. It covered a vast area, and from a distance, one could smell the fragrance of various plants and trees from the gardens specially cultivated to raise Spirit Pets.

Chu Bai, still in plain clothes and holding the white fox—which now looked quite lively and spirited—in his arms, arrived right on time.

Patriarch Wuu Ping, along with a group of the family’s elders, was already waiting outside the main gate. The moment he saw Chu Bai, Wuu Ping’s face broke into a kind and sincere smile.

"Lord Chu’s personal visit brings honor to our humble home."

Wuu Ping showed no arrogance of a superior. Instead, he was like an elder who had met a rising star, his tone filled with admiration.

Although his Cultivation was not high, his calm and unhurried merchant’s demeanor did indeed make a good impression.

Upon entering the main hall, fragrant tea was already prepared.

Chu Bai didn’t stand on ceremony, placing the white fox directly on a nearby brocade stool.

Wuu Ping glanced at the Fox Spirit, a flash of unconcealable wonder in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

He knew very well that from this day forward, this was not an object, but a Guest Minister who needed to be respected.

If it were to break through to the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, it could even be called a Clan Elder.

Great Zhou Cultivators practiced by Receiving Talismans, all under the control of the Law Net. But this Spirit Monster, born and raised by heaven and earth, had no such fetters and restrictions.

As for its status, that was easy enough to handle.

"Patriarch Wuu, is the contract ready?" Chu Bai picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

"It has long been prepared. Please review it, my lord." Wuu Ping took two specially made Spiritual Snake Skin Scrolls from his sleeve.

Chu Bai’s Divine Thought swept over them.

The main contents were that the Wuu Family promised to provide ample Spiritual Materials and an independent cultivation chamber, while the white fox was required to offer protection if the Wuu Family faced a life-or-death crisis.

This was more like a partnership of equals rather than one-sided enslavement.

The contract’s contents were no different from what was discussed in the letter. The Wuu Family had even added an extra clause: if the Fox Spirit had aspirations for higher cultivation elsewhere in the future, the Wuu Family would absolutely not force it to stay.

Their sincerity was more than sufficient.

Patriarch Wuu looked at Chu Bai and said sincerely, "Lord Chu, although my Wuu Family is not some great clan, we understand the principle that a melon plucked before it’s ripe is not sweet. The world is becoming chaotic, with Demons running rampant. My Wuu Family seeks only peace and prosperity. To have this Spirit Fox as our guardian is already a tremendous blessing."

Chu Bai nodded.

He could tell that Wuu Ping was a smart man. This intelligence was reflected in his knowing when to let go.

"Good. Since Patriarch Wuu is willing, let’s begin."

Chu Bai didn’t waste any more words. He gestured for the white fox to jump onto the low table.

The contract signing process was extremely meticulous.

Under Chu Bai’s gaze, the white fox also extended a paw, pressed it into the cinnabar, and then stamped it heavily onto the contract.

Two rays of light flashed and vanished. The contract was formed, transforming into two streams of light that entered the space between the eyebrows of Wuu Ping and the white fox, respectively.

The contract was complete.

The white fox, which had been somewhat wary, finally showed a trace of relief in its large, intelligent eyes after feeling the warmth and the bond from the contract.

It leaped off the brocade stool, gave Wuu Ping a slight bow in a less-than-standard gesture of courtesy, and then, with a flash, darted into the garden in the rear courtyard where the Spiritual Qi was richest.

"Haha, excellent! What a wonderfully spiritual little fox!" Wuu Ping stroked his beard and laughed, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

With the official business concluded, Wuu Ping ordered someone to bring another item.

"Lord Chu has gone to great trouble. I heard you have not yet purchased a residence. The Wuu Family has some properties in the city; please accept this."

It was actually a deed to a residence.

Wuu Ping looked at Chu Bai with a sincere gaze. "Lord Chu is busy with affairs at the Department. You must have daily expenses. Please do not refuse."

"This residence is located not far from here. It’s a two-courtyard manor, and no one has lived in it since it was built."

"In the future, if there’s anything in the city Lord Chu needs the Wuu Family’s help with, whether it’s finding rare Spirit Pets or gathering market-town gossip, please don’t hesitate to say the word."

Since the Wuu Family had already shown sufficient sincerity and goodwill, and the matter itself was considered successfully resolved, refusing now would seem distant and unfriendly.

Seeing this, Chu Bai did not refuse again. He reached out, accepted the deed, and then asked, "Patriarch Wuu, do you happen to know any skilled Array Masters? I need to set up a Spirit Gathering Array in my residence to increase my cultivation efficiency."

Ever since stepping into the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, even with the Perfection Level Guiyuan Technique and an extremely fast breathing technique, Chu Bai always felt a little unsatisfied.

Although the Spiritual Mechanism in the Evil Suppression Department’s meditation chambers was decent, it was starting to feel slightly insufficient for his rapidly advancing Cultivation. Thus, he wanted to create a better cultivation environment in his new residence.

Upon hearing this, Wuu Ping quickly said, "Regarding Array Masters, the Wuu Family does have some leads. The Lii Family in the city has a legacy of Array formations and runs a very stable business. I will help you get in touch. When they are free, I will have them find you at the residence, my lord."

’The Lii Family?’

Chu Bai had heard of them. Their family had focused on studying Arrays for several generations. A Spirit Gathering Array should not be a difficult task for them.

"Good. Then it’s settled."