A while later, Xitu held the rabbit up by its ears. Even though it was just a normal animal and not a Magic Beast, he would still eat it for dinner. After all, this was technically his first 'game.' It was only right to enjoy it thoroughly as a sign of respect!
As he walked back to the Blue Cloud District, a surprised voice called out.
"Is that you, Xitu?"
Xitu turned and saw a young man with tanned skin and short, scruffy hair.
"It's you, Lu Fan. Long time no see. How's life in the inner district?"
"Ahh… it's good, very good!" Lu Fan replied, though a hint of awkwardness crept into his voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, just practicing low-level spells. Nothing special. Can't compare to an expert like you, hunting Magic Beasts every day," Xitu teased.
Lu Fan laughed, taking it as praise.
"Haha! It's nothing, honestly. Listen, Xitu, you should drop whatever you're doing and gather the courage to go out like me! Vein Opening Realm cultivators shouldn't waste time practicing spells. They're useless in real combat. Instead, take up a sword and join a hunter group. You could earn several times more than doing odd jobs in the Cultivation District."
Hearing that, Xitu let out a dry laugh.
"You know me, just a talentless scaredy-cat. I don't have the guts to risk my life out there in the wild. Honestly, I'm fine staying inside where it's safe."
Lu Fan shrugged, a hint of impatience in his voice.
"Suit yourself! But you know what they say, cultivation means going against the natural way. You won't make any real progress if you don't dare to face whatever comes your way, whether it's Heaven or Earth."
Xitu shook his head, his tone calm but resolute.
"Well, I don't have any grand dreams of immortality or of splitting mountains and dividing seas with a mere wave of my hand. So, for now, I think I'm okay just as I am."
Lu Fan sighed, frustration evident in his voice.
"Can't seem to steer you onto the right path, huh? Never mind. I've got to go, my friends are waiting for me."
With a final wave, he turned and walked back toward the group of people waiting nearby.
'Haa… the kid from before has changed so much,' Xitu sighed.
'But did I imagine it, or was he trying to change the subject when I asked about life in the inner district?'
'Whatever. We don't belong in the same category anymore.'
Lu Fan had been his neighbor a few years ago. Back then, he was much like Xitu—young and naive, with a Mortal Spiritual Root and no backing from his family, so he came here looking for opportunities. Xitu had even taken a small liking to the boy; he was respectful and often came to him with questions, which gave Xitu the feeling of being a senior guiding a junior.
But Lu Fan got lucky. During a herb-gathering trip, he stumbled upon the cave dwelling of a senior cultivator. Xitu never learned what he found there. However, after that, Lu Fan's cultivation speed soared. Despite being nearly 10 years younger, he reached the Qi Foundation Realm before Xitu.
Afterward, Lu Fan moved to the inner district, where each courtyard was spacious and protected by a formation. Xitu had seen him a few times since, but he was no longer the same person.
He had grown arrogant and conceited. Where once he would greet Xitu politely, now he only nodded in passing. It worsened after he joined a hunter group. Lu Fan liked to lecture Xitu about bravery and hunting Magic Beasts, but behind his words, Xitu could sense the mockery, sneering eyes that seemed to laugh at his cowardice. Maybe Lu Fan needed to look down on someone similar to him to feel superior.
Xitu shook his head to clear away the unnecessary thoughts. He had his own path now, no need to dwell on others' fortune.
He returned home, rabbit in hand. After cleaning up and preparing the meal, he sat down to eat. It was a simple stew of rabbit meat and rice—not as luxurious as his recent meals, but still satisfying. He would cultivate and rest at midnight, as usual.
The morning after, Xitu strolled through the marketplace. He needed to stock up on food and daily necessities. After a few laps, he'd gathered everything he needed for the month: Cleansing Talismans, Purification Talismans, Preservation Talismans, Magic Beast meat, Spirit Grain, fruits, vegetables, spices, and more.
As he walked, a figure caught his eye. It was Luo An, his former neighboring vendor. The man was dragging his feet, eyes half-lidded, shoulders slumped. His robes were wrinkled and misaligned, and a smear of red lipstick clung to his cheek.
Xitu turned to glance in the direction Luo An had come from. Sure enough, it was Red Light Street.
'No wonder this bastard always looks like a dead corpse. And he even had the nerve to mock me before, with that debauched lifestyle!' Xitu thought angrily.
'Should I go say hello? Nah, let him be. I'll pay his stall a visit this afternoon.'
He decided not to mock Luo An yet. After all, the guy looked like he might drop dead if provoked. Besides, Xitu needed to buy a few things from him later anyway.
'For now, let's head back and cultivate a bit.'
A few hours later, Xitu sat cross-legged in his house, eyes closed. He let out a deep breath and opened his eyes, marking the end of his morning meditation.
"My realm has been progressing steadily. No wonder people always say: Resources, Partners, Techniques, Environment. If you want to cultivate, you must have those things. And among them, resources take priority!"
"Even a pig could become formidable if it ate pills like candy every day."
Only now did he truly understand the meaning of those words. With enough wealth, his stagnated cultivation of a few years had begun advancing at a pace never seen before. The future no longer looked bleak and hopeless.
"Just a few more months of this, and I could have everything I once only dreamed of!" Xitu said out loud, his voice filled with excitement.
But having enjoyed smooth sailing until now, he failed to notice the dark clouds gathering on the horizon. Troubles might be waiting for him ahead.