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Ascension of the Divine Farmer (Web Novel) - Chapter 18: The Winds of Change
Chapter 18: The Winds of Change
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
A heavy silence blanketed the town as Wei Long stood atop the watchtower, staring out at the distant horizon. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden light over the land. His thoughts churned like the clouds above, wondering what news Lin Mei and Li Cheng would bring when they returned. They were out there, seeking allies to stand with them against the looming shadow of the Jade Serpent Sect.As the day unfolded, Wei Long descended from the tower to join the townspeople, moving between the training grounds and the bustling marketplace. The people were industrious, strengthening not just their bodies but their spirits. Spiritual cultivation wasn’t limited to warriors. Farmers tended their fields with enhanced vitality, artisans infused spiritual energy into their crafts, and the town’s overall strength grew in small, tangible ways.
The balance Wei Long sought to preserve was delicate. The town’s people had grown proud of their self-sufficiency and their determination to resist the Jade Serpent Sect. But even in their newfound strength, Wei Long knew they were walking a razor’s edge.
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Two days later, Lin Mei returned from the western mountains, her body showing signs of exhaustion from the arduous journey. She wasted no time and went directly to Wei Long, finding him in the courtyard where he often sparred with the town’s most promising warriors.
“Wei Long,” she called, her voice low but urgent.
He turned, pausing mid-motion as he lowered his weapon. “You’ve returned.”
She nodded, eyes sharp and focused. “The independent cultivators agreed to a meeting. Their leader, Lei Feng, is a formidable figure, and he understands the threat the Jade Serpent Sect poses. They’ve lived apart from sect politics for a long time, but even they cannot ignore the growing influence of the Jade Serpent Sect.”
Wei Long wiped the sweat from his brow and gestured for Lin Mei to join him under the shade of a large tree. As they sat, Lin Mei continued, “They’ll send representatives in a few days to discuss terms of an alliance. Lei Feng is cautious, but he’s willing to listen.”
A wave of relief washed over Wei Long. This was a critical step forward. “Good. If they agree to join us, it’ll be a huge advantage. We need their strength.”
Lin Mei’s eyes narrowed. “But we can’t take them for granted. They’ll expect equal say in how things proceed, and they won’t follow orders blindly. If they sense we’re trying to control them like the sects they left behind, they’ll walk away.”
Wei Long nodded, his expression serious. “We’ll treat them as equals. We need allies, not subordinates.”
Lin Mei hesitated, then added, “There’s something else. Lei Feng mentioned an ancient site deep in the mountains—an old relic of a forgotten sect. He said there might be something there, something powerful enough to shift the balance in our favor. But the journey to reach it is dangerous. I didn’t want to mention it until we had more information.”
Wei Long’s mind raced at the possibilities. An ancient site could hold valuable resources, weapons, or even cultivation techniques long lost to the world. But it was a risk. “We’ll keep it in mind. For now, the alliance is our priority.”
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As the sun dipped low in the sky on the third day, Li Cheng arrived from the east, accompanied by several warriors from the villages. He looked tired but determined, his weathered face lined with satisfaction.
“They’re in,” Li Cheng said, stepping forward to shake Wei Long’s hand. “The eastern villages are willing to fight. Zhou Tian, the village chief, is bringing their best fighters. They’ve been resisting the Jade Serpent Sect for years, but now they’re ready to stand with us.”
Wei Long could see the strength in the men and women who had come with Li Cheng. Their eyes were fierce, hardened by years of defending their homes. They weren’t as polished as sect warriors, but they were tough, resilient, and loyal to their cause.
“That’s excellent news,” Wei Long said, his voice filled with gratitude. “We’ll need their help when the time comes.”
Li Cheng sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly from the long journey. “They’ve had their doubts, but they respect strength. They’ll fight, but we need to show them that we’re committed. This won’t just be a battle for control—it’s about protecting our way of life.”
Wei Long’s gaze shifted from Li Cheng to the warriors gathered in the courtyard, some already exchanging techniques with the town’s fighters. “We’ll show them. Together, we’re stronger than the Jade Serpent Sect realizes.”
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With both Lin Mei and Li Cheng’s missions successful, Wei Long called a council meeting that evening. The leaders of the town, along with the newly arrived representatives from the villages and the independent cultivators, gathered in the great hall.
Lei Feng himself had come, his silver hair catching the flickering torchlight as he surveyed the room with calm authority. Zhou Tian, the village chief, stood beside him, a broad-shouldered warrior with a weathered face and eyes that missed nothing.
Wei Long addressed the assembly. “We’ve come together because we share a common goal: resisting the Jade Serpent Sect’s control. They’ve shown time and time again that they’re willing to destroy anyone who stands in their way. But if we unite, we can stop them.”
Zhou Tian stepped forward, his deep voice filling the room. “We’ve resisted the sect for years, but we’ve always done so alone. This is the first time we’ve stood together with others. I won’t lie—there are risks. But the alternative is to be crushed one by one.”
Lei Feng’s voice was quieter but carried a weight of authority. “We’ve seen the sects rise and fall, and we’ve chosen to live apart from their games. But the Jade Serpent Sect’s ambition has grown too large to ignore. They seek control over everything. If we don’t stop them now, there will be no place left for those who value freedom.”
Wei Long took a deep breath and looked around the room. “We have the strength. We have the will. Now, we need a plan.”
The discussion that followed was intense. Strategies were debated, resources tallied, and plans set in motion. It was agreed that Wei Long would lead the defense of the town, while Li Cheng and Lin Mei would coordinate with the villages and independent cultivators. Lei Feng’s people would provide reconnaissance, watching the Jade Serpent Sect’s movements closely.
As the meeting drew to a close, the sense of unity in the room was palpable. They were different people from different places, but they shared the same goal.
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That night, as the town settled into an uneasy calm, Wei Long found himself standing once again atop the walls, staring out into the darkness. The Jade Serpent Sect’s forces hadn’t moved yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time.
The winds had shifted. The sect would strike soon, and when they did, Wei Long would be ready.
But even as he prepared for the coming storm, the thought of the ancient site in the mountains lingered in his mind. There was something there—something powerful, something that could change everything.
But was it worth the risk?
The answer would come soon enough.
