Morning sunlight bathed the fields of Lai's farm in golden warmth. Dew shimmered on neat rows of cabbages, and birds sang cheerfully as if the world knew only peace.
But their songs were drowned out by screams.
Garfield's Lesson
Garfield's golden eyes burned with fury as his body collapsed to the ground. His cultivation—his pride, his strength, his very foundation—had been sealed away by a single word from Lai.
"Master!" Garfield roared, straining against the invisible force that bound him. "You sealed my cultivation?!"
"Mm." Lai crouched by his cabbages, carefully examining a leaf for blemishes. "Too dependent on realms. You'll use your body properly now."
"Properly?! You've crippled me—"
A metallic groan shook the earth as massive figures rose from the soil. Iron golems, forged from dark steel, their glowing eyes burning red, fists like boulders.
Lai pointed lazily with his hoe. "Beat him. Don't kill him."
The golems obeyed.
The first strike sent Garfield flying into the dirt, coughing blood. The second caved in his chest with a sickening crunch. Bones shattered, flesh tore, blood soaked the soil.
Garfield's roars shook the fields. "You… YOU'RE A DEMON!"
"Mm." Lai plucked a weed from the soil and flicked it away. "Good for the body."
Each time Garfield reached death's door, Lai flicked his fingers. "Heal."
Golden light surged through Garfield's veins, restoring his broken body—only for the golems to slam into him again. Over and over. Break. Heal. Break. Heal. His celestial pride screamed in rage, but his body grew harder with each cycle.
By the twentieth strike, Garfield's fists had begun to gleam faintly with golden light, his muscles swelling with newfound density. The Gold Skin was taking root.
And Lai didn't spare him a glance, humming softly as he watered his carrots.
Long Fei's Trial
On the other side of the farm, Long Fei dangled helplessly from ropes binding him to a tree. Dozens of wooden golems surrounded him, faceless and unfeeling.
"Your training," Lai said casually, adjusting a row of bean sprouts, "is to survive."
The first fist hammered into Long Fei's stomach, folding him in half. Blood splattered the ground.
"Ma—Master! I'll die!" he screamed.
"Mm. Then you're weak." Lai flicked a worm off a cabbage leaf. "Try again."
Another fist struck, snapping ribs. Another broke his arm. Long Fei howled, vision fading—only for warmth to flood his body, bones knitting, wounds closing, breath restored.
Before he could gasp relief, another fist slammed into his jaw.
Again and again, the cycle repeated—agony, death, rebirth. Long Fei's throat went raw from screaming. His eyes turned wild, hovering between despair and determination.
From a distance, Garfield bellowed in pain as iron fists broke him anew. Their cries mixed in the air like a symphony of suffering, echoing across the land.
And Lai? He whispered encouragement to a pumpkin.
"Grow well, little one. Don't let the weeds win."
The Farmer's Tender Love
The sun climbed high. Blood soaked the soil, Garfield and Long Fei writhed, but Lai smiled peacefully as he stroked his cabbages like a doting father.
"To be strong, you break first. Just like the soil," he murmured, patting the earth gently. "Break, then nourish. Pain, then harvest."
Luxuries of Pain
By afternoon, when their screams grew hoarse, Lai dragged his two broken disciples into steaming wooden baths.
He tossed in handfuls of spiritual herbs—each worth more than a mortal could earn in a hundred lifetimes. The water glowed emerald, energy rushing into their shattered bodies.
Garfield slumped, groaning despite himself. "Damn it… this feels… incredible."
Long Fei wept openly. "Why… why does torture end with paradise?"
"Mm." Lai stirred the bath with a branch. "Balance."
By the time they climbed out, their skin radiated vitality, their bones denser, their qi richer. Lai handed each a shovel.
"Now," he said seriously, "help me turn the soil."
Garfield twitched. "…We're celestial warriors, not laborers."
"Mm." Lai planted another row of seeds. "Same thing."
Rumors in the Empire
Whispers spread like wildfire in Fallen Village and Fallen Town.
"Did you hear? The Chen elder never came back."
"They say the farmer carved him apart, piece by piece."
"No… impossible. Just a farmer?"
"Shh! Don't let the Chen family hear. But I saw his farm. The soil drank blood that day."
Children played near the town gates, pretending to swing hoes like weapons. "I'm the farmer! You're the Chen dog!"
Fear and awe mixed as the legend of the "Farmer of Fallen Town" spread.
Cliffhanger – Time to Weed
One evening, as the sun painted the fields crimson, Lai stood silently at the edge of his farm. His eyes narrowed slightly, gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
"Garfield. Long Fei."
Both disciples staggered over, battered and bruised from another day of endless torment.
Lai's voice was calm, almost cheerful.
"It's time to clean up some bugs that disturb the crops from growing."
Garfield's lips curled into a savage grin. Long Fei's heart pounded in terror.
And in the distance, the Chen family feasted in their great hall… unaware that their time was running out.
End of Chapter 5