Cultivation Is Money-Grabbing C30

Chapter 30: Are You Guys Messing with Me?

After several rounds, Guan Shize was utterly defeated, barely putting up any resistance.

Lying on the ground, he had completely given up on dignity, staring blankly like a salted fish.

“Lian Mu, be honest—do you already have a master? Do you sneak down the mountain every day to practice swordsmanship?”

He was half right.

Of course, Lian Mu wouldn’t admit it. She kicked him lightly. “Don’t slander me. I’m a model disciple—why would I sneak out?”

Guan Shize: “…?”

Was there even a wall in Gui Xian Sect that could be climbed?

Lian Mu smoothly lied, “I’ll tell you the truth. Before I joined the sect, I fought every day. My experience comes from actual combat.”

This was half true—before coming here, she really did fight daily. Specifically, she used Shen Si as a punching bag.

“I see.” Guan Shize’s eyes lit up. “No wonder you’re so strong.”

Lian Mu sheathed her sword and glanced around. Most of the senior disciples had left, but two people were walking toward her.

They stood out too much. Guan Shize noticed them too and immediately recognized them. “It’s the sect’s Heaven-Spirit-Root Artifact Refiner! And the Heaven-Spirit-Root Talisman Cultivator from our batch!”

Lian Mu didn’t even have to think—Xu Xianxing was definitely up to something again. She shoved her sword into Guan Shize’s arms. “I’ll be right back.”

Guan Shize was stunned for a moment. “…Where are you going?”

Lian Mu pointed in Xu Xianxing’s direction. “To find them.”

“You know them!?”

Lian Mu: “Aren’t Heavenly Spiritual Roots famous? Don’t you know them?”

Guan Shize: “…”

He felt like he and Lian Mu were talking about completely different things.

Xu Xianxing, already growing impatient, simply vaulted over the fence and strode across the dueling grounds, with Bai Li Que following closely behind.

As two of the very few Heavenly Spiritual Root disciples in the sect, they were well-known even if they weren’t from the same peak. The moment they appeared, they immediately drew the attention of everyone nearby.

Xu Xianxing walked over and casually stood beside Lian Mu. “Are you done with class? I mentioned treating you to a meal last time. Both of us are free today—wanna go?”

Lian Mu checked the time. Class had ended fifteen minutes ago, but everyone had stayed behind to practice a little longer.

“Where are we eating? I’m not going to Gui Xian Sect’s dining hall—it’s terrible.” Lian Mu said.

Xu Xianxing: “That’s because you’re eating the free meals. If you pay, the food is much better.”

Lian Mu: “There’s such a thing?”

Xu Xianxing patted the Spatial Pouch at his waist. “I’m a Heavenly Spiritual Root Artifact Refiner. The dining hall gives me a discount. Today, I’ll use my registered jade token to help you clean them out.”

Lian Mu agreed instantly. “Let’s go!”

Bai Li Que, standing off to the side: “…”

He wasn’t sure why he had followed Xu Xianxing here in the first place, but at this moment, he was definitely feeling awkward.

The word “clean out” had never appeared in his life before.

Never mind whatever was going on between Lian Mu and Xu Xianxing—just seeing Xu Xianxing, a Heavenly Spiritual Root Artifact Refiner, blatantly take advantage of his status like this was already shocking enough.

And he even said it out loud in front of everyone, so shamelessly.

Was that really how one was supposed to use their Heavenly Spiritual Root status?

“…Are you short on money lately?” Bai Li Que asked.

Lian Mu glanced at him. “Young Master Xu here is filthy rich. How could he possibly be short on money? You’re underestimating him.”

Any random spiritual artifact he crafted could sell for millions of spirit stones.

Xu Xianxing also chimed in. “What do you mean? Are you looking down on me?”

Bai Li Que: “I just mean, you’re even—”

He couldn’t bring himself to say the word “clean out.”

“Oh, so you’re saying you want to help?” Xu Xianxing smirked. “Alright, since you’re so sincere, you can pay.”

Lian Mu laughed. “Young Master Bai Li is as generous as ever.”

“Truly magnanimous,” Xu Xianxing added, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. He patted Bai Li Que on the shoulder. “Remember to use my jade token when you pay. A discount is a discount.”

Bai Li Que: “?”

He had a strong feeling that these two were doing this on purpose, but he had no proof.

Between the two of them playing off each other, Bai Li Que was successfully dragged into the dining hall to foot the bill.

And just like that, Bai Li Que watched helplessly as they ordered a massive feast, leaving him to bleed money from his own pocket.

Halfway through the meal, Bai Li Que finally realized, “…You two set me up?”

Xu Xianxing looked up, not even bothering to deny it. “Good that you figured it out.”

Lian Mu spoke with an air of wisdom. “In life, you have to take a few losses to gain experience. Once you’ve been tricked yourself, you’ll know how to trick others.”

“Well said.” Xu Xianxing didn’t even blink. “You’re too naive. If this were out in the world, you’d be scammed until you had nothing left. We’re just helping you learn a valuable lesson.”

Bai Li Que: “…”

Taking a loss himself, so he could make others take losses in the future?

This kind of shameless and ungraceful behavior… He would never stoop to that. It would ruin his family’s reputation.

But…

Bai Li Que turned to Lian Mu. “Are you free? I have a question about sword cultivation.”

Lian Mu had just finished eating. She took a sip of tea and said, “I’m just an ordinary Three Spiritual Root Sword Cultivator.”

The implication was clear—don’t waste time talking about things she obviously wouldn’t understand.

Bai Li Que was briefly stunned. He hadn’t expected that response.

To be honest, based on her demeanor alone, Lian Mu didn’t seem like an ordinary Three Spiritual Root Sword Cultivator. She actually carried herself more confidently than some of the Heavenly Spiritual Root Sword Cultivators he’d seen.

Lian Mu’s challenge to Senior Sister Luo had already spread throughout Hanlai Peak, and even the disciples of Suiqiu Peak had heard about it.

Senior Sister Luo wasn’t from Suiqiu Peak, but she was widely considered a strong candidate for the next Immortal Sect Tournament’s second-seat Sword Cultivator. Bai Li Que naturally knew who she was.

For Lian Mu to provoke her, there was only one explanation—Lian Mu was aiming for that second-seat position herself.

Only those with real strength would dare to do such a thing. Bai Li Que assumed she had it, which was why he had come to ask her about sword cultivation.

“How do you plan to handle your duel with Senior Sister Luo?” Bai Li Que asked.

Lian Mu nearly choked. “…You know about that too?”

Xu Xianxing’s gaze deepened. “Everyone on Qianling Peak knows.”

Most of the Artifact Refiners on Qianling Peak weren’t interested, but the moment Xu Xianxing found out Lian Mu was the challenger, he immediately dragged Bai Li Que over to find her.

“Lian Mu, are you aiming for the second-seat Sword Cultivator title?” Bai Li Que asked directly.

Lian Mu: “This is all just a misunderstanding.”

She took another sip of tea and explained the whole situation to them.

After listening, Xu Xianxing lowered his head and then burst into laughter. “Hahahaha! Lian Mu, even you have days like this.”

Bai Li Que had never seen him so happy before. He was confused. “Aren’t you two friends?”

Xu Xianxing slung an arm around Lian Mu’s shoulders. “You don’t get it. A friend’s misfortune is the funniest thing.”

Bai Li Que: “…”

Lian Mu: “…Heh.”

Xu Xianxing: “I remember Hanlai Peak’s challenge declarations can’t be withdrawn. Looks like you have no choice but to fight. Don’t worry—we’ll be there to cheer you on.”

Bai Li Que: “?”

Who was “we” exactly?

“If you win, you’ll be a candidate for the second-seat Sword Cultivator in the next Immortal Sect Tournament.”

Lian Mu: “What’s so great about that?”

“There are tons of benefits…”

Xu Xianxing leaned in, ready to explain in detail.

Bai Li Que watched the two of them, feeling strangely conflicted. At the same time, a hint of curiosity arose in his heart—

Could a Three Spiritual Root Sword Cultivator really defeat a Double Spiritual Root Sword Cultivator like Senior Sister Luo?

Lian Mu didn’t seem nervous at all.

He was curious to see her true strength.

—

—

One day before the sect entrance re-exam, Lian Mu ran out of money.

After careful consideration, she decided to take another risk and pick up a couple of bounty missions.

This time, she brought a timekeeping spiritual artifact. The Star-Plucking Tower’s owner was cunning—they had installed many ever-burning lamps inside, making the place as bright as day to confuse people into staying longer and taking more bounties.

Lian Mu headed straight for the north wall, grabbed a few missions, and walked out—only to find the entire Star-Plucking Tower buzzing with excitement.

The crowd was surging toward the exit.

Lian Mu wanted to see what was happening, but the door was completely blocked by the crowd.

“Damn it! You stepped on my foot! Let go!”

“Let me out first!”

“You think you can get ahead of me? Dream on! Nobody move!”

A scuffle broke out, causing an even bigger jam.

Lian Mu remained expressionless. She kicked one of the blocking cultivators aside, instantly clearing the obstruction.

The crowd: “…”

“You… Are you the companion of ‘Eighteen-Year-Old Body Cultivator’?” someone recognized her mask.

Lian Mu ignored them.

That person said, “The Body Cultivator ‘Eighteen-Year-Old’ has met a real opponent this time. He’s on the bounty platform right now, and I heard that his opponent, ‘White Spirit Sparrow,’ is also an expert.”

Lian Mu wasn’t surprised that ‘Eighteen-Year-Old’ had been targeted by a bounty—he attracted too much hatred, and his name appeared on the south wall’s bounty list every day. However, upon hearing the name “White Spirit Sparrow,”(Bai LingQue) she paused for a moment.

He’s the one who put up a one-million bounty on her.

She had to go check it out.

Lian Mu arrived at the bounty platform, where a crowd had gathered. The Body Cultivator “Eighteen Years Old” and Bai Lingque had already started fighting.

The atmosphere at the bounty platform was tense. Surprisingly, “Eighteen Years Old” did not taunt his opponent, and Bai Lingque remained silent.

“The first round is a draw. Do you want to go again?” the man in black asked both of them.

Someone who could fight “Eighteen Years Old” to a draw? It seemed this Bai Lingque was no pushover.

Lian Mu was relieved that she hadn’t taken that bounty. Even if they offered her a free million now, she wouldn’t accept it.

“Eighteen Years Old” nodded at the man in black. In the previous match, he hadn’t been at a disadvantage. It had ended in a stalemate, with no clear winner.

Across from him, Bai Lingque also nodded. He was tall and lean, his hand hovering before him, composed and steady. The lower half of his face was hidden beneath a silver mask, showing no expression.

The moment the gong sounded, both moved simultaneously, clashing at incredible speed—too fast for the naked eye to follow.

Lian Mu was stunned for a moment. She had never seen this kind of combat before—it was different from anything she had experienced.

If her fight with “Eighteen Years Old” had been a battle of speed and endurance, then his fight with Bai Lingque was a contest of sheer strength. Every move landed solidly, without a single wasted strike.

It felt as if they were both aiming for a killing blow, yet neither was overwhelmed, as if they were perfectly matched.

Lian Mu suspected that both of them had uncommon spiritual roots—at least single-attribute roots, if not something even stronger.

The spectators were also shocked: this was clearly the strength of a Heavenly Spiritual Root!

“What’s your problem? Did I piss you off or something?” “Eighteen Years Old” asked while blocking an attack, his other hand striking back.

Bai Lingque showed no mercy as he countered, his tone cold. “No.”

“Eighteen Years Old” couldn’t help but curse. “Are you sick in the head?”

This was ridiculous.

He had just arrived when the man in black stopped him, saying that Bai Lingque had placed a bounty on him.

At first, he wasn’t interested, but then Bai Lingque outright provoked him, claiming that all Body Cultivators were weak and too cowardly to accept a challenge. That pissed him off, so he agreed. But when he stepped onto the stage, he realized—he didn’t even know this Bai Lingque.

Placing a bounty on him for no reason? Absolutely insane.

Seeing an opening, “Eighteen Years Old” swung a punch at Bai Lingque’s mask.

But Bai Lingque simply stepped back and deflected the attack with a raised hand.

The two of them fought for nearly three rounds without a winner, yet neither showed any sign of fatigue.

—Evenly matched.

Everyone watching had the same thought. The fight between “Eighteen Years Old” and Bai Lingque was a perfect standoff.

Some spectators were getting hyped.

“One more round!”

“Bai Lingque, knock him down!”

“Eighteen Years Old, fight back!”

The crowd boiled with excitement, voices clashing in chaos.

Bai Lingque looked at “Eighteen Years Old.” “Now do I have the right to ask you?”

“Eighteen Years Old”: “…”

In reality, Bai Lingque had put a bounty on him to extract information. But “Eighteen Years Old” wasn’t the kind to spill secrets just because someone wanted him to.

Back then, he had outright refused: “Screw off. You don’t have the right to make me answer.”

Bai Lingque had taken that personally—and now, here they were.

“Eighteen Years Old” was getting bored. Fighting to a draw over and over was dull. He could tell Bai Lingque wasn’t actually here to fight. “Just spit it out already.”

Bai Lingque was silent for a moment, as if thrown off by his crudeness. Then he asked, “Do you have a Sword Cultivator companion named ‘Cultivation Is Just a Money Grab’?”

“Eighteen Years Old” froze.

Down below, Lian Mu, who had been watching, also froze.

So Bai Lingque was looking for her after all?

“What’s it to you?” “Eighteen Years Old” retorted. “Why are you looking for her?”

Bai Lingque pulled out a name register, filled with names. “She’s the last Sword Cultivator on the first floor that I haven’t fought yet.”

The crowd murmured in shock.

“I remember now—this Bai Lingque has fought every Sword Cultivator on the first floor!”

“He only targets Sword Cultivators. He was about to move up to the second floor but came back after hearing there was a new one.”

“What’s his deal? Does he have some grudge against Sword Cultivators?” A Sword Cultivator muttered under his breath, clearly one of Bai Lingque’s past opponents.

“Wait—’Cultivation Is Just a Money Grab’ is a Sword Cultivator? I thought she was a Body Cultivator too!”

In the crowd, Lian Mu glanced at “Eighteen Years Old,” who also noticed her. He only spared her a brief glance before looking away.

“Eighteen Years Old” said firmly, “I won’t sell out my friend. If you want to find her, you’ll have to prove yourself.”

“Then we continue,” Bai Lingque said coldly. “Until you tell me.”

People in the crowd started cursing.

“This guy’s crazy. Does he have a personal vendetta against Sword Cultivators?”

“I heard he’s a Talisman Cultivator who has a grudge against Sword Cultivators and swore to defeat every single one.”

“He’s so strong. ‘Cultivation Is Just a Money Grab’ won’t dare fight him, right?”

Right next to them, ‘Cultivation Is Just a Money Grab’ herself: “…”

Lian Mu kept a straight face and stood still, as if they weren’t talking about her.

They weren’t wrong. Given the situation, she had no intention of stepping forward recklessly.

“Eighteen Years Old” was just foul-mouthed, but Bai Lingque… He specifically targeted Sword Cultivators and even put up a million-dollar bounty. He was a full-blown lunatic.

With the entrance examination’s second round coming up, fighting someone like him would be a huge disadvantage.

That brief glance from “Eighteen Years Old” had been a warning—he had already fought Bai Lingque and knew he was no easy opponent.

Lian Mu felt that her luck had been awful lately. First one person, then another, all setting their sights on her. It was best to stay out of sight for a while.

Thinking this, she took advantage of the distraction, covered her tracks, and slipped back into the Star-Plucking Tower—where she promptly accepted dozens of bounty tasks.

Might as well make some money before leaving.