Cultivation Starts from Farming

"It is truly delightful to see the two of you return safely!" Xu Ping smiled broadly, bowing slightly.

He was sincere in his words, as he certainly did not wish to see old friends perish far from home, given their decades of friendship.

Duan Shuang slightly bowed in return, smiling brightly, "Fellow Daoist Xu, it's been a long time."

Gong Yang sighed helplessly, intentionally playing the victim:

"Our journey to Feng Country, though a favorable battle, was extremely perilous for us Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"Several times we nearly met our demise, and it was thanks to Fellow Daoist Xu's talismans that we narrowly escaped danger!"

"You two have fortune on your side; the talismans merely provided assistance."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping smiled subtly and offered, "You two must be weary from your long journey. How about we move to the pavilion and chat at leisure?"

Duan Shuang and Gong Yang naturally had no objections.

Thus, under Xu Ping's guidance, the two made their way to the pavilion.

...

In the pavilion, the aroma of tea lingered.

Xu Ping, with a face full of smiles, personally poured each a cup of spirit tea for Gong Yang and Duan Shuang.

After some casual conversation, Xu Ping inquired about the matters related to the three-country battlefield.

He understood the basic situation but was uninformed about the specific details.

Especially intriguing to Xu Ping was the hidden Nascent Soul cultivator who ambushed Master Xuan Gu on the battlefield.

Currently, rumors about this mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator were rampant, with numerous speculations yet no reliable information.

"Regarding that Nascent Soul cultivator, our knowledge is quite limited..."

Gong Yang frowned slightly, paused, and slowly recounted what he knew,

"That Nascent Soul cultivator initially hid within the Profound Nether Sect, acting extremely low-key without leaving any trace.

"Until the three True Monarchs were in fierce battle on the battlefield, this person brazenly launched a spiritual sense attack."

"The spiritual sense attack of that hidden Nascent Soul True Monarch was extremely formidable. Master Xuan Gu was caught off guard in the ambush, and nearly lost all resistance immediately..."

Recalling the scene, Gong Yang still felt lingering fear.

"Spiritual sense attack?"

"Master Xuan Gu directly lost resistance?"

Listening to Gong Yang's detailed account, Xu Ping couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.

He had substantial proficiency in spiritual sense attacks.

Though far from being able to injure a Nascent Soul cultivator, the principles were generally similar.

To reach a level where even an Early-Stage Nascent Soul loses all resistance.

One must possess not only a very advanced secret spiritual sense technique but also a spiritual sense strength far exceeding that of typical Nascent Soul cultivators.

Being just slightly stronger wouldn't achieve such a level.

"Could it be that the Nascent Soul cultivator is disguised as a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator?" This thought suddenly and alarmingly crossed Xu Ping's mind.

Nascent Soul cultivators advance steadily, step by step.

The breakthrough difficulty is far greater than the small grade breakthroughs in the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages.

Over the long years in these three countries, Nascent Soul cultivators have emerged intermittently, with as many as ten or so among them.

However, only Nine Nether Elder has surpassed the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul level.

While a lack of resources is partially to blame, one can still imagine how challenging their breakthroughs are.

With such formidable prowess, even within top-tier powers like the One Qi Alliance and the Six Demon Countries Alliance, they count as top existences.

"Then finally, what did True Monarch Jiang and True Monarch Wan Ming have to say when facing this hidden Nascent Soul True Monarch?"

Xu Ping suppressed the tidal wave of thoughts in his mind and asked.

"What more could they say."

Duan Shuang gave a bitter smile, "The two True Monarchs just stood by as the other party took the belongings and leisurely departed with Escape Light, doing nothing."

At that time, they were also part of the forces against Profound Nether Sect, hence their clear understanding.

'A rational move.'

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping subtly nodded.

Whether the adversary was a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator in disguise or a spiritually strong Early-Stage Nascent Soul, they were not opponents two worn-out Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators could confront.

With the other party's spiritual sense means, a rash confrontation would likely endanger their lives.

"Have you two returned because the Yue Country cultivator army at the front has already fully withdrawn?"

Xu Ping paused before asking another matter of concern.

"Yes."

Gong Yang nodded, "The majority of Yue Country cultivators have gradually returned to the Yue Country territory."

"Originally, True Monarch Jiang and True Monarch Wan Ming intended for us to spread out and guard the Yue Country border, to defend against potentially imminent strikes by demonic cultivators."

"Yet recently, for unknown reasons, they suddenly changed their minds, ordering most cultivators to withdraw to the Yue Country."

After speaking, he added this detail.

"Is that so?"

Xu Ping appeared slightly surprised upon hearing this.

Could it be that the two True Monarchs suddenly gained full confidence, no longer fearing the demonic cultivators' invasion?

Or perhaps, the One Qi Alliance and the Six Demon Countries Alliance reached some tacit understanding unknown to outsiders?

Xu Ping's inner thoughts leaned towards the latter.

After all, losing one Nascent Soul cultivator is disastrous for ordinary Nascent Soul powers.

Yet it is not a major issue for the Six Demon Countries Alliance.

More importantly, it concerns face and accountability to those below.

Moreover, over a hundred years ago, the Six Demon Countries Alliance and One Qi Alliance had a war, with heavy casualties on both sides, neither gaining the upper hand.

Currently, both are in a crucial phase of recuperation and strength restoration.

Under such circumstances, neither side would likely want this matter to reignite full-scale war, thus reaching a certain tacit understanding is not impossible.

However, this is merely suspicion, as the precise situation remains unknown.

Undoubtedly, the situation is volatile, and no one knows what might happen next.