With the "Spiritual Light Impartation" skill, Zhu Yuyan quickly mastered the "Clear Wind Breathing Technique" and "Clear Wind Body Forging Technique." Although they couldn't perfectly conceal their cultivation like Yang Hong.
However, as long as it wasn't a ninth-tier Mahayana cultivator probing, they wouldn't be able to detect their disguise at all.
One had to know that Zhu Yuyan and the others had only just learned these two techniques.
Furthermore, with a little more cultivation time, their cultivation could be even more deeply hidden. Yang Hong felt that within a year, Zhu Yuyan and the others would be able to perfectly conceal their cultivation.
With their cultivation hidden, Yang Hong also brought out his early spoils of war – a pile of first-tier magical artifacts and equipment, and gave them to everyone.
"Very good, let's go."
The eight of them appeared before the Gobi Desert and slowly approached the mortals who were digging in the sand.
Mu Xiuhui, the Nine-Colored Peony, had been sent by Yang Hong to the Purple Kun Mountain Range. After Yang Hong's infusion, she was now a sixth-tier demon king and it was time for her to gain some experience.
Yang Hong had agreed to meet her again in a hundred years and let her leave.
Mu Xiuhui did not hesitate. As a plant demon, she, like all plant-type demon races, most desired to travel and broaden her horizons.
Therefore, only Yang Hong and his wives entered this red Gobi Desert.
"Outsider, what brings you here?"
As Yang Hong and his group approached, a burly, dark-skinned strong man immediately blocked their path.
"Greetings, fellow Daoist. My wives and I wish to temporarily reside in this Gobi Desert for some time, and we may need to trouble your village."
Yang Hong smiled and cupped his hands in response.
He had already noticed this person. He was a cultivator, only at the third level of Qi Refining, and he had many hidden injuries.
Although he looked strong, a normal second-level Qi Refining cultivator could defeat him.
However, since he had decided to live a low-key life, he didn't want any trouble and maintained a rather friendly attitude.
"Fellow Daoist, you have so many... wives."
The dark-skinned man looked at the seven behind Yang Hong. Although they were disguised and appeared as delicate young women, each with her own charm, his face couldn't help but show envy.
However, he immediately shivered. All seven of these cultivators were at the fourth level of Qi Refining, which was more powerful than his third level.
Can't afford to offend them! Can't afford to offend them!
He then looked at Yang Hong, who was also at the third level of Qi Refining, with pity in his eyes. His gaze involuntarily drifted downwards.
"Fellow Daoist, we wish to stay in this village for a while. May I ask..."
Yang Hong could tell what the other person was thinking from his gaze.
This seemingly honest and kind man had definitely mistaken him for a gigolo who relied on his body for a living.
He didn't explain; the misunderstanding was even better. He asked again.
"Ahem, if you and your family wish to reside in our Red Stone Village, I naturally welcome you with open arms.
However, I would like to ask how long you plan to stay, how large a cave dwelling you desire, and if you require servants?"
The burly strong man, Chen Xiaohu, was very welcome to Yang Hong's intention to stay. Having cultivators reside there, as long as they weren't demonic cultivators, would help the village resist sandstorms and potential bandits, greatly increasing the village's safety.
"We only need an acre of empty land to build a house. We don't need servants. As cultivators, our lives are simple.
As for the duration, let's say three years. Once our cultivation breaks through, we will also go out for training."
Yang Hong organized his thoughts slightly before speaking.
"Three years? Alright.
Follow me, fellow Daoist."
Upon hearing Yang Hong say three years, Chen Xiaohu breathed a sigh of relief, while also showing a hint of disappointment.
The nine people walked forward, heading towards the village.
As they passed a child of about ten years old, Yang Hong curiously stopped.
"Little friend, what are you picking? It looks like you're picking stones."
"Village Chief, can I say?"
The child did not answer immediately but looked at the burly strong man Chen Xiaohu with his round, big eyes.
"Yes, you can. This esteemed cultivator is a good person, and very generous and kind. You don't need to worry, speak freely."
Chen Xiaohu was also shrewd. As soon as he spoke, he flattered Yang Hong, and at the same time, labeled him as a good person.
He was just worried that Yang Hong might not follow the rules and simply destroy everyone.
Chen Xiaohu had witnessed such things many times. To many cultivators, mortals were like ants, able to be crushed in swarms with a single palm.
Yang Hong did not have such thoughts and was not angered. He simply smiled and nodded.
"Immortal, we are picking Jun Stones. Jun Stones, like the 'thousand jun' of a heavy burden. Just one Jun Stone can be exchanged for a bowl of white rice. Slurp~"
The little fellow seemed to think of the delicious taste of rice and not only swallowed a few times but also let his saliva spill from the corner of his mouth.
"Hehe, little fellow, you are so cute.
Did you find any Jun Stones today? I'll trade you some rice."
Wanwan's maternal instincts seemed to be stirred. Before Yang Hong could speak, she stepped forward, patted the child's head, and asked kindly.
However, her action startled the child, making him stiffen and unable to move. He even wet his pants, his face filled with terror.
"Little fellow, answer me. Do you have any Jun Stones? I have rice!"
Wanwan, not noticing the child's abnormality for a moment, took out a storage bag and shook it.
"Little Fatty, did you find any Jun Stones today? If you did, hurry and take them out."
The little fellow was still terrified. Chen Xiaohu, already surprised, urged him on. He recognized what Wanwan was holding – a storage bag, an essential storage tool for cultivators.
He had struggled for over 20 years without being able to buy even the smallest one, but the appearance of storage bags was deeply etched in his mind.
"Village Chief, I don't have any~ I haven't found any Jun Stones for five days. Waaah!"
The child named Little Fatty, whether from fear or grievance, immediately burst into tears, making both Wanwan and Chen Xiaohu freeze. It also attracted the attention of others nearby. The villagers, not understanding what was happening, quickly gathered.
Seeing this, Yang Hong was also a little surprised. Then, he smiled and secretly transmitted a message to Wanwan.
Upon hearing Yang Hong's message, Wanwan's eyes shone brighter and brighter.
When enough people had gathered, she first took out a red cloth and then poured out a mountain of rice.
This rice was not ordinary rice, but first-grade spiritual rice, all planted when it was sealed.
However, to cultivators like Yang Hong, who were at least at the Golden Core stage, first-grade spiritual rice was like garbage that even dogs wouldn't eat.
But now, including Chen Xiaohu, all the villagers' eyes widened, and they couldn't stop drooling.
"If you have any Jun Stones, I will trade them for rice. One bowl of rice for one Jun Stone."
Amidst the villagers' surprise and confusion, Wanwan directly flew on her sword, rising slightly to hover above everyone's heads, and announced a trade.
"I~ I have some!"
Before the ordinary villagers could react, Chen Xiaohu immediately roared, making the villagers stumble and feel dizzy.
Chen Xiaohu was so excited that he even used his cultivation to shout.
This showed how excited he was.
Because he recognized it. This was spiritual rice, a delicacy that ordinary rogue cultivators could only eat once a year, or even once every few years.
"Fellow Daoist, I have seven Jun Stones here. Please take a look. Are you satisfied?"
Chen Xiaohu, with a fawning smile, unfastened the cloth bag at his waist and handed it to Wanwan.
"Immortal~ I have some too~ I have two~ I have..."
Seeing the lively and excited scene, Yang Hong knew that his first step in integrating into this Red Stone Village had been a great success.