CHAPTER 261: 259, ZHAO YING APPEARS (2/4)

Not to mention the towering trees outside the city, which couldn’t be felled in a day just by ordinary people using axes. Even if we send out Body Refining Cultivators with the ability to clear the trees, it’s still impossible to grow food for ten thousand people within a month—besides, we don’t even have the capability yet.

As Huan Cheng left, Wen Ping fell into deep thought.

"System, is there a way?"

"That’s simple, isn’t it? Immortal Sect still has two mountain peaks empty; just plant seeds there, and feeding tens of thousands of people won’t be a problem."

"Right, since Medicine Mountain is empty, we might as well find someone to tidy it up and plant some rice fields. It can also bring some income to the Sect."

"Using Dustless Soil to plant rice shortens the growth and maturation greatly. Originally harvested every three months, now it can be changed to monthly."

"But that’s not a solution; Medicine Mountain can’t be used to plant rice forever. As long as the Hundred Sects Alliance’s plan continues, surrounding cities won’t sell grains."

Saying this, Wen Ping felt it necessary to visit outside the city tomorrow.

In his memory, there were rice fields outside the city; the question is how many people can be supported if those fields are replanted.

Thus, Wen Ping spent a night in Tingyu Pavilion and the next morning arrived in Cangwu City. His presence immediately attracted the attention of the City Lord’s Mansion. As Wen Ping exited the city, he noticed a scene he had always overlooked: outside, the reconstruction was in full swing.

One house after another rose from the ground.

Full of vitality.

Wen Ping understood that the grain crisis hadn’t spread yet.

When Wen Ping reached the rice fields, he saw that the rice was still in its growth stage, at least 2 months away from maturity.

Huan Cheng said from the side, "The yield from these fields can only sustain ten thousand people for three months, while the city has nearly a hundred thousand currently."

"That’s a big problem."

Wen Ping felt there was indeed a need to plant rice on Medicine Mountain, giving Cangwu City a chance for gradual development until it has its own rice fields; otherwise, this situation would reoccur.

"Uncle, give me some seeds, just enough to fill half a Money Bag. I’ll take them back to try."

"No problem with seeds."

Huan Cheng was delighted by Wen Ping’s words, feeling assured that Wen Ping had a solution.

He instantly beckoned to Murong Xi, who quickly left with a group.

Returning, they carried half a bag of rice.

"Are these harvested every three months?"

"Yes."

Murong Xi nodded.

Huan Cheng continued: "As long as the grain issue is solved, it doesn’t matter if other cities don’t sell us anything else; we won’t perish. Later, they won’t buy our livestock either, unlike us who can rely on a Blood Contract with the Demon King to freely raise them. Their meat consumption largely depends on buying from Cangwu City; once the ban lasts, they’ll be the ones suffering."

Despite saying this, Huan Cheng knew the grain issue was the toughest problem.

Wen Ping didn’t wish to continue this topic; having chosen to use Dustless Soil for rice planting made the grain issue less worrisome.

He was just unsure if Dustless Soil, used for planting the Tree of Life, had any improvement effect on rice.

So he intended to take the seeds back for an experiment.

"Uncle, leave the grain issue to me."

"Really?"

Huan Cheng was delighted.

He trusted Wen Ping to keep his word.

Finally, a burden in his heart eased.

Just when he was preparing to leave, Wen Ping remembered the matter of the woman and asked, "Uncle, have you found that woman?"

"We’ve been searching all along, but..."

Huan Cheng wanted to say the woman seemed to have vanished into thin air.

But halfway through his words, he abruptly stopped.

Because the forest outside the city emanated the aura of the Profound Realm, and not just one.

A single presence was in the lead being pursued by three distinct Profound Realm auras following closely, making quite a commotion as the sounds grew louder and louder.

...

In the forest.

A middle-aged man with a silver spear traversed the dense forest, followed by two others—one wielding a knife, the other holding a sword, closely behind two people continuously fleeing ahead.

Crack!

The lead man saw a tree blocking his path, raised his spear, and swept it forward, his Vein Qi instantaneously transforming into Spear Aura that swept out fiercely. With just one strike, the middle-aged man broke a tree as thick as an adult.

With eyes exuding a chilly killing intent, he continued to chase wildly forward.

He was named Li Mu.

From the pseudo Three-star Sect—Profound Thunder Pavilion, Law Enforcement Elder.

Specialized in eliminating those who betrayed the Sect.

"Zhao Ying, stop running. If you continue, you’ll die anyway. Today, we three Law Enforcement Elders are chasing you together, quite generous towards a useless person like you."

His words fell through the forest like a pebble into a deep well.

No response.

Zhao Ying didn’t stop.

Though Zhao Ying despaired from fleeing, struggling to free herself from the man’s back, "Brother Ye, put me down, carrying me like this, neither of us can escape. The three elders of the Profound Thunder Pavilion are here for me alone; if you hand me over, they surely won’t chase you anymore... You can escape."

"Escape?"

The man carrying Zhao Ying revealed a meaningful smile.

At this moment, if he escaped, leaving Zhao Ying here for the Profound Thunder Pavilion to capture, then he wouldn’t be worthy of being a man.

Moreover, it’s not something a man should do.

"But you’re bleeding; if this continues, neither of us can escape. Listen, Brother Ye, I’m grateful for your company over the past months and for helping me when I felt most helpless. I’m truly happy to have met you. But more than my own death, I fear you won’t survive. Please, put me down."

As she spoke, Zhao Ying shed tears.

Tears slid down her cheeks, landing on the man’s back, causing him to momentarily pause.

In that instant, the Spear Aura arrived!

The man abruptly turned, biting his lip stained by blood, then swung his knife out again.

Boom!

Spear Aura clashed with Sword Aura, the unleashed Sword Qi causing nearby trees to feel as if they’d endured a storm. The next second, the man named Ye staggered back a dozen steps, crashing into a gnarled old tree before stopping. Zhao Ying, who had been thrown several meters away, quickly got up and ran to his side.

"Brother Ye, are you alright?"

"I’m fine. Go quickly, I’ll cover you." Saying this, the man drew his sword, using it to support himself as he stood.

His gaze held resoluteness.

To face death with unwavering determination.

"I..."

"Don’t worry, I’ll use my life to buy you an hour. Hide away, let them never find you."

With those words, the man revealed a mouthful of blood-stained teeth.

A miserable smile.

A sorrowful smile.

As if only autumn’s gust and fallen leaves remained in this world.

Li Mu’s voice followed closely, "Don’t even think about it; you’re all going to die!"