My ancestors were spiritual plant growers, so it's not surprising that I hunt demons every day,

"Hehe~ This is a good thing!"

After Wang Rong recounted what had happened at the Lin family to Cui Ying, Cui Ying immediately burst into silvery laughter.

"Now all the cultivators in the village are saying that Lin Yu and the others died for good, and they even praise that bandit as not a bandit, but a great nameless hero who upholds justice."

Wang Rong put down the hoe in her hand and said to Cui Ying with a big smile.

Not long after, Cui Zhengming, who was supervising the construction on Fengxi Ridge, returned home. When he talked about the matter, his face was full of worry.

Clearly, he believed that if the bandits could kill Lin Yu and the others who were highly skilled in cultivation, they could certainly kill them easily as well.

“With a knife hanging over our necks, you and your daughter are still in the mood to laugh and joke here.”

Cui Zhengming also moved a low stool and sat down on the veranda outside. He took out his pipe, which he hadn't used in a long time, and tapped it on the steps. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a sound coming from outside.

"dong dong dong"

"I am Xiao Junwei of the Lei Family Army. All the independent cultivators living nearby, come out and listen!"

"Squeak, squeak"

Countless tightly closed courtyard gates opened one after another, and faces with different expressions emerged from them.

Cui Ying followed her parents out, her gaze falling on several cultivators not far away, dressed in standard rattan armor and carrying guns and knives.

Every inch of land and vegetation within the jurisdiction of Leiyun City belongs to the Lei family, who are the rulers here. However, these armored soldiers are not usually stationed in their villages. They only appear when collecting various types of land rent or when some important event occurs.

Thinking of this, Cui Ying's eyes flickered.

The Lei family sent out eleven armored warriors this time. The leader was tall and graceful, wearing a dark armor and a mask of the same color. He carried a striking light green longbow on his back, and his body exuded strong spiritual energy fluctuations. He was clearly a master of the ninth level of Qi Refining and had considerable combat strength.

If Cui Ying remembered correctly, this woman was the masked female cultivator who had helped him suppress bandits on the outskirts of Thundercloud City.

Besides the ten armored soldiers standing behind her, village chief Xie Qing and Xue Siye, along with other experts, surrounded her, bowing respectfully and talking about something.

After a moment, the masked female cultivator nodded slightly, indicating that she understood. Village Chief Xie Qing then stepped forward and announced, imbued with magical power:

"Please be quiet, everyone. I have gathered you all here today to formally announce two things. The first is something you have all heard about: starting next month, the rent for each acre of spiritual land and the rent for each house will increase by 30%. I will give you three days to prepare. If you miss this deadline, you will be gone."

After speaking, Xie Qing glanced at the silent crowd and continued:

"The second matter, I believe you fellow cultivators have also heard about, is that our main family is recruiting a large number of rogue cultivators to go to Jinsha City. Now, I want to clarify for everyone that the main family recruits you fellow cultivators to go to Jinsha City for two purposes: one is to incorporate you into their ranks, and the other is to recruit rogue cultivators to migrate to Jinsha City and reclaim wasteland."

"Those who are willing to join the Lei family's army will receive a monthly stipend of spirit stones, as well as pills and protective talismans. The key is that all the spoils of the enemies killed on the battlefield will belong to them. Furthermore, once a certain number of enemies are killed, they can obtain additional rewards from the Lei family."

"If anyone is willing to move their entire family to Jinsha City, the host family is willing to reduce the rent for houses and spiritual fields. Furthermore, the host family is willing to pay a high price to purchase any monsters or spiritual plants hunted outside the city. From now on, anyone interested can register with me and set off for Jinsha City with Xiao Hanshuang and Xiao Junwei in three days."

After saying that, Xie Qing didn't waste any more words and once again surrounded Xiao Hanshuang and Xiao Junwei before turning and leaving.

After they left, everyone present wore a sorrowful expression.

"Although I was mentally prepared, I still can't quite accept that it increased by 30% all at once!"

"Hey~ Brother, don't talk about that. I heard that other villages have already implemented it. It seems that this time, in order to compete with the Dong family of Lianyin City for the ownership of Jinsha City, the Lei family used a lot of spirit stones, not only hiring experts everywhere to organize an army, but also purchasing a lot of equipment! Now they must be in financial straits, so they've come to cause us trouble!"

"What should we do? My wife was injured by a demon beast last month, and we can't come up with so many spirit stones right now."

"Didn't our village chief just say that if you can't afford to pay the land rent, you can choose to join the Lei family's army, or go to Jinsha City with your whole family along with Xiao Hanshuang, the military officer?"

"Sigh, it seems there are only these two options left."

Cui Ying returned home with her parents. She wasn't surprised by the news, firstly because the Lei family had already made it public, and secondly because she had experienced this in her previous life.

No sooner had Cui Ying and the others returned home than there was a knock on the door, followed by a familiar voice.

"It's Brother Zhao! It's been a few days, and you've broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refining! Congratulations!"

When Cui Zhengming opened the courtyard gate, he saw that it was his old acquaintance Zhao Sihai, who had brought his wife Ma and grandson Zhao Linyi to visit the Cui family.

However, Zhao Sihai's originally gray hair at the temples had turned bluish-black, which greatly surprised Cui Zhengming.

After all, for cultivators to change their appearance, besides taking beauty-enhancing pills, the only other way is to improve their cultivation level. However, the aura emanating from Zhao Sihai was extremely powerful, clearly placing him in the latter category.

Although he had the help of the pills given to him by Cui Ying, it would still take him some more time to truly break through to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

"Brother Zhao, please come inside!"

Inside, the aroma of hot tea filled the air.

After Cui Zhengming and Zhao Sihai took their seats, Wang Rong brewed them a pot of spiritual tea and then stepped aside to chat with Madam Ma. Zhao Yilin, on the other hand, stayed in the courtyard to play with Cui Yue and the others who had already returned home.

"Brother Zhao, please!"

Cui Zhengming skillfully poured two cups of hot tea and warmly greeted Zhao Sihai.

"Brother Cui, you're too kind!"

Looking at the tea leaves floating and sinking in the bowl, Zhao Sihai sighed:

"I never imagined that in just two months, Brother Cui, your family would be drinking such a spiritual tea that can nourish the soul. I am truly envious."

"Brother Zhao, please stop teasing me. If it weren't for my third daughter's talent, I would still be asking you for a drink right now."

Cui Zhengming took a sip of tea, savored it for a moment, and asked, "Brother Zhao, is there something you want to say?"

Zhao Sihai had visited his home before, but he had never brought his entire family with him.

"Ah, Brother Cui really understands me."

Zhao Sihai lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and said:

“I may have to go on a long trip soon, but I can’t leave my wife and grandson at home. After thinking it over, I think only Brother Cui is someone I can entrust with my care!”

"What? Brother Zhao, you're going on a long trip?"

Cui Zhengming frowned, looking at Zhao Sihai's gaunt face with surprise.

"Yes, after I leave, I'll have to ask Brother Cui to look after my family!"

Zhao Sihai smiled and finally voiced his request.