Chapter Ten: The Scuffle Among Servants and Chang Feng’s Resolution

The crowd buzzed with chatter as Dong Changfeng smiled faintly, saying nothing, but he raised the Moon Spirit Herb high in his hand. A wave of astonished exclamations erupted from the crowd, some even whistling in disbelief.

At that moment, a sarcastic voice called out from the outskirts of the crowd: “Well, well, isn’t this our worthless Dong Changfeng? What luck did you stumble upon to actually find a Moon Spirit Herb?”

Dong Changfeng turned his head to see a young man dressed in a brocade robe, looking at him with disdain.

“Senior Brother Zhao, are you just jealous?” Dong Changfeng’s lips curled into a playful smile.

The labor disciples nearby instinctively took a step back, their hurried footsteps sounding like startled little animals. Dong Changfeng noticed Senior Brother Zhao’s face darken as he snorted coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a shard of ice: “A good-for-nothing is a good-for-nothing. No amount of luck can change your true nature!”

As Zhao spoke, he appraised Dong Changfeng from head to toe. Dong could feel the contemptuous gaze like cold hands brushing over him.

“This Moon Spirit Herb—hand it over quietly before you bring trouble upon yourself.”

Dong Changfeng ignored the provocation and headed straight to the labor quarters. He could feel the burning stares piercing his back like needles, their heat almost tangible, making his skin flush.

Inside the labor quarters, a faint musty smell greeted him. Carefully, he placed the Moon Spirit Herb down, his fingers brushing its rough yet vibrant stem. A vague unease stirred in his heart.

“Supervisor Sun, I saw Dong Changfeng sneaking out today!” a sharp, shrill voice shattered the quiet, stabbing into Dong’s ears like a sharp awl.

Looking up, Dong saw Senior Brother Wu standing before Supervisor Sun with a sycophantic grin, his eyes gleaming with sinister intent, stirring a wave of revulsion inside Dong.

Sun furrowed his brows and turned his gaze towards Dong, scrutinizing him sharply. “Dong Changfeng, is what Senior Brother Wu says true?”

Dong took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs. Calmly, he replied, “Supervisor Sun, I did go out today. I went to the back mountain to gather herbs.”

“Gather herbs?” Sun sneered, his laugh harsh and unsettling like a night owl’s call. “You’re just a labor disciple. What right do you have to wander off and gather herbs on your own? That’s breaking sect rules!”

Before Dong could explain, Senior Brother Wu added fuel to the fire: “Supervisor Sun, I heard he found a Moon Spirit Herb! That’s an essential ingredient for refining Foundation Establishment Pills! How could a simple labor disciple possess such ability? I suspect he stole it!”

Sun’s face darkened, resembling a sky heavy with storm clouds. He fixed his gaze on Dong as if trying to see through him.

“I…” Dong started, his voice steady but his heart pounding.

He glanced around. Some labor disciples showed sympathy, others relished his misfortune, while Senior Brother Wu displayed a smug, petty grin, fueling Dong’s disdain.

“I admit I broke the rules by going out without permission, but I did not steal. I gathered it with my own effort.” He produced the faintly glowing Moon Spirit Herb from his bosom, its subtle fragrance filling the air. “This herb is proof.”

Sun’s eyes lit up greedily as they lingered on the herb. Dong saw the hunger in his gaze, like a wolf eyeing prey, but then Sun’s expression hardened again.

“Hmph, smooth talk! Even if you did gather it yourself, you still broke the rules. You’re punished with double the labor duties and half the cultivation resources this month!”

“What? Double work and half resources?!” The labor disciples erupted in uproar, their voices crashing in Dong’s ears like a tidal wave threatening to drown him.

Labor duties were already grueling, and cultivation resources scarce. Halving them was almost a death sentence to Dong’s path of cultivation.

Clenching his fists until his nails dug into his palms, the pain biting like tiny insects, Dong kept silent.

“Supervisor Sun, I have a proposal.” He lifted his head, eyes firm, a cold smile playing in his heart. He had long anticipated this day. Since consuming the Moon Spirit Herb, his strength had changed dramatically. Senior Brother Wu was merely the first stepping stone on his path to power.

Looking Sun in the eye, he said, “I’m willing to prove my dedication through my cultivation results. My unauthorized outing was for the benefit of the sect.”

Sun was momentarily stunned, then burst into a harsh laugh, grating in Dong’s ears. “Cultivation results? From you? A worthless mortal root? Are you joking?”

Senior Brother Wu joined in derision: “Yeah, a waste like you wants to prove something? That’s hilarious!”

Dong ignored their mockery and turned to Sun, his voice calm: “I challenge Senior Brother Wu to a duel one month from now. If I win, my punishment will be lifted and my cultivation resources restored. If I lose, I accept any consequences.”

The entire room fell into stunned silence.

Sun and Wu were both taken aback; they hadn’t expected Dong to dare make such a challenge.

The labor disciples murmured among themselves—some thinking Dong arrogant, others hopeful.

Dong’s gaze swept over the crowd before settling on Wu, a slight smile curling his lips. “Senior Brother Wu, do you dare accept my challenge?”

Wu was first shocked, then laughed uproariously as if hearing the biggest joke. “You? A worthless mortal root? Do you even know the meaning of death?”

Dong remained unmoved, calmly circulating his spiritual energy.

Since ingesting the Moon Spirit Herb, his cultivation had surged forward. Now he stood at the peak of the third layer of Qi Refinement, just one step shy of breaking into the fourth.

A pale azure spiritual aura enveloped him like a thin veil, exuding a faint fragrance that soothed him, making the very air around him seem alive.

“Peak third layer Qi Refinement?!” Sun and Wu’s eyes bulged in disbelief.

The labor disciples gasped in amazement, their voices filled with astonishment.

“No way! You must have used some forbidden method!” Wu shouted in a frenzy, his face turning ashen.

Dong ignored him and slowly produced a handful of fresh herbs from his storage pouch.

The moment the herbs appeared, the labor quarters seemed bathed in a holy light. The herbs’ spiritual energy overflowed, invigorating everyone present.

Sun’s eyes widened as if beholding a rare treasure, his mouth agape as if to fit an egg inside. The labor disciples erupted into cheers, treating Dong like their savior.

Dong handed the herbs to Sun. “Supervisor Sun, these are from the back mountain. They can help everyone accelerate their cultivation. Please accept them.”

Sun took the herbs, his expression a complex mix of embarrassment, shock, and greed—a master of changing faces.

He had intended to make things difficult for Dong but unexpectedly ended up benefiting, leaving him caught off guard.

“Well… this is… quite generous…” Sun coughed awkwardly, masking his discomfort.

Dong smiled faintly. “Supervisor Sun, it’s nothing. We’re all fellow disciples and should support one another.”

The labor disciples cast grateful looks at Dong, the atmosphere turning harmonious.

Senior Brother Wu wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, standing alone in a corner, ignored.

In the days that followed, Dong’s status in the labor quarters rose noticeably.

Sun became more polite and ceased his deliberate harassment.

Wu became the target of scorn and isolation, lamenting his misfortune daily.

Though Dong had secured a temporary foothold in the labor quarters, he knew he could not be content.

He lifted his gaze toward the Outer Gate direction.

“Outer Gate Selection…” Dong muttered, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes. “I will definitely participate!”