Moon Reflecting Wine Double Kill

Moon Reflecting Wine: Double Kill

Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.

The next day, Xiao Chen carried eighteen freshly refined bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills and was just about to head down the mountain when he noticed that Red Lanterns had been hung all over Azure Water Peak.

"Junior Brother Xiao, you finally decided to come out. A few days ago, everyone made Laba Congee together, but I never saw you."

Shen Siyue's voice came from above. Looking up, he found her standing on a Poplar Tree, using the red ribbons in her hands to tie up lanterns.

It was already late in the Twelfth Lunar Month. The world was draped in white, with only the occasional tiny tuft of grayish-yellow grass poking through.

Dressed in a red gown, Shen Siyue had bright eyes, pearly teeth, and skin whiter than snow. She was exceptionally captivating.

"Phew..." Xiao Chen let out a long breath. Watching the rapidly dispersing "white smoke," he finally realized that it seemed to be New Year's already.

Compared with the long years before, this year had truly flown by.

Thinking back to February, he had still been on Chore Peak, relying on carrying water each day to irrigate Spirit Fields.

In his spare time, he would gaze toward the distant Five Elements Peaks, imagining that one day, he too could become an Inner Sect Disciple and seek the Dao from the sect Elders atop the Five Elements Peaks.

Now, he was truly standing on Azure Water Peak.

"Junior Brother Xiao? What's wrong? Why are you standing there daydreaming?"

With a light leap, Shen Siyue jumped down from the treetop more than a zhang high, her robes fluttering around her.

But when Xiao Chen came back to himself, he asked curiously, "Aren't these tasks handled by the disciples from Chore Peak? How does Senior Sister have the time to come out and hang lanterns herself?"

In previous years, he had hung no small number of lanterns himself. They had to be hung throughout every Branch Academy of the outer sect, and even all the way down at the foot of the mountain.

Shen Siyue gave a dashing smile. "I asked them for these lanterns. Burying your head in bitter cultivation is cultivation, but experiencing the affairs of the world is cultivation too."

"These are Master's teachings. I don't really understand them either. But coming out to relax once in a while and changing one's mood does seem to improve one's cultivation progress."

"Enough of that. Come on, Junior Brother. Since you're here, help me hang six lanterns. Hang them on your courtyard and may everything go smoothly for you in the coming year!"

As she spoke, Shen Siyue handed him the lanterns in her hands.

"Sure. May everything go as you wish too, Senior Sister."

Xiao Chen took them, leaped onto the roof, and in just a quarter of an hour, skillfully tied all six lanterns securely in place.

When he looked back, Shen Siyue had only tied up two lanterns. If they were still on Chore Peak, that pace would definitely earn her a scolding from the overseer for slacking off.

Xiao Chen thought about it. Since it was Elder Qi's teaching, there had to be some reason behind it.

So he simply sat down cross-legged on the spot, mobilized his mana, and circulated it through a Small Heavenly Cycle.

Uh. It didn't feel like his Cultivation Speed had increased at all.

With this time, wouldn't running a Great Heavenly Cycle be better than hanging lanterns?

Forget it. He should head down the mountain first to sell pills and buy new Spirit Herbs. He could study this sort of thing when he had time later.

When he arrived at the market, it too had taken on a new look. Perhaps because the New Year was approaching, it was much livelier than usual.

The streets in particular were filled with Rogue Cultivators coming and going. There were also many more Stalls along the sides, making the place seem like a bustling fair.

"Flying Swords forged from Cold Stone Mine ore, going cheap!"

"Spirit Fruits brought from He Province! Every attribute available, perfect for gifts!"

"Take a look, everyone! Water from Reflecting Moon Spring, brewed into Moon Reflecting Wine! Just Ten Spirit Stones a bottle!"

Hearing this, Xiao Chen could not help walking over.

Reflecting Moon Spring was renowned throughout the entire Southern Domain. Even the "spring" in Quanzhou's name came from Reflecting Moon Spring.

The Cold Stone Mine Flying Swords mentioned earlier were likewise water-element Flying Swords favored by cultivators from Quanzhou.

It seemed that a great many of these Stalls belonged to cultivators from Quanzhou who had fled to Li Province for refuge and were selling the local specialties they had brought with them.

Seeing Xiao Chen approach, the other party immediately greeted him warmly. "Fellow Daoist, this is absolutely genuine Moon Reflecting Wine. Look here—it even has the certification of the Reflecting Moon Immortal Sect."

The stall owner pointed to the side of the wine bottle. Sure enough, the two characters for "Reflecting Moon" were engraved there, with a pattern of the moon reflected in a spring beneath them.

Xiao Chen had seen this pattern on the menu at White Jade Teahouse. A small pot of three taels sold for thirty Spirit Stones, far beyond what ordinary cultivators could afford.

Yet the wine before him cost only Ten Spirit Stones, less than half the price, and one pot appeared to contain at least a jin.

He did not particularly enjoy drinking, but Spirit Wine often possessed unique effects that aided cultivation.

Since he had come across it, Xiao Chen intended to pick up a small bargain. "All right, give me a pot."

"Coming right up!" The stall owner hurriedly set down the Wine Cup in his hand and bent over to retrieve the wine.

He moved too quickly and accidentally splashed a few drops from the cup onto the hem of Xiao Chen's cloak.

The stall owner quickly apologized. "Oh, sir, I'm sorry, truly sorry. How about I wipe it off for you?"

Xiao Chen waved his hand. "It's fine. No need. This cloak of mine isn't afraid of water."

The stall owner immediately sighed in relief. "You're truly magnanimous, sir. Here is your wine."

Watching Xiao Chen wave a hand and place the wine into his Storage Bag, the stall owner's gaze sharpened. His smile immediately became even more enthusiastic. "Take care, sir. We have plenty of this wine—if it tastes good, come back anytime."

Since it was rare for the market to be so lively, Xiao Chen strolled around for a while, waiting until the scent of wine on his cloak had completely dispersed.

Only then did he leisurely make his way to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Ge Changfeng was not there today either, so he once again sold pills for one hundred and thirteen Spirit Stones.

But this time, Xiao Chen added another seven Spirit Stones of his own and bought twenty portions of Spirit Herbs in one go. If buying too much had not made them inconvenient to preserve, he would have wanted to buy even more.

With the New Year about to arrive, once the market closed, it would not reopen until after First Month Fifteenth at the earliest.

Li Fire Sect placed great importance on the holiday season. Over the past few years, even Chore Disciples had not needed to work from the twenty-ninth of the Twelfth Lunar Month through the fifteenth.

He then bought a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills as usual. There was a New Year promotion, so the price was even one Spirit Stone cheaper.

Afterward, he visited several newly opened shops and sampled a bit of Quanzhou style. It was not until dusk that he left the market and returned to the sect.

From the market to Li Fire Sect, one had to make three turns and cross a small river. The entire journey was a little over a hundred li.

For cultivators, that was not considered very far.

But after walking some distance, Xiao Chen frowned slightly. The biting cold wind howled past, while the surroundings were so quiet that he could hear his own heartbeat.

A thin figure stood by the small bridge ahead, masked and emanating the aura of the Mid-stage Qi Refining Realm, with a Flying Sword in hand.

At the same time, a burst of heavy running footsteps came from behind. Another masked figure with a plump build caught up, revealing the aura of Late-Stage Qi Refining.

Xiao Chen formed the hand seal for Earth Shield Art and secretly activated the Magic Robe he wore with mana.

The sect-issued Magic Robes possessed by every Inner Sect Disciple were not merely for show. They were genuine Defensive Magic Robes, each carrying two layers of Body Protection Golden Light Art.

He looked back. Though the person behind him wore a mask, Xiao Chen recognized from his build that he was the stall owner who had sold wine during the day.

Xiao Chen smacked his lips. "Tsk. You two Fellow Daoists braved the bitter cold to wait here. Don't tell me you were waiting for me?"

The stall owner deliberately made his voice hoarse as he cupped his hands. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist. With the New Year approaching, my sister and I lack food and clothing. We would like to borrow a little Spirit Stone from you to spend."

Well, he was quite polite. Xiao Chen even laughed. "This is the first time I've seen someone borrow money this way."

The thin female cultivator in front, however, snapped, "Enough nonsense. Hand over your wealth to avert disaster, and we'll spare your life. Dare to refuse, and we'll kill you and leave you unburied."

Xiao Chen looked at her. "I only have one question. Is the wine real?"

The female cultivator answered impatiently, "Are you stupid? If I had real Moon Reflecting Wine, would I need to borrow money from you?"

Suddenly, Xiao Chen flung up his cloak and tossed a pearl into the air. A beam of golden light immediately burst forth.

In an instant, it illuminated the surroundings, blazing brightly and stabbing into their eyes.

Then, with his left hand, he scattered a stream of Azure Wood Spiritual Energy that transformed into an Azure Wood Divine General, blocking the rear. With a sweep of his right hand, the Evergreen Sword became a streak of Sword Light and slashed toward the female cultivator ahead.

Of course, the Evergreen Sword was merely a distraction. Xiao Chen's true killing move was still the most ordinary, yet most useful, Fireball Art.

Clang!

Sparks flew. As expected, the Evergreen Sword was blocked, but the female cultivator immediately felt a pain in her chest as a Fireball exploded on the spot.

It tore through her Magic Robe, and even the black cloth over her face was blown away, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face.

The next instant, the Golden Light Pearl fell from overhead, like a watermelon being smashed apart.

"Little Sister!" The stall owner's heart-rending cry came from behind.

Then came his curses. "You actually killed a woman! Are you even a man? I'll kill you and avenge Little Sister!"

As he spoke, he actually flung out a Talisman that transformed into several vines, winding around the Azure Wood Divine General, before charging at Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen said nothing. He grabbed the Evergreen Sword with his right hand and pointed with his left. "Go!"

The Golden Light Pearl immediately became a streak of light once more and shot toward the stall owner.

The stall owner instantly pulled another Talisman from his robes. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a giant python that swallowed the Golden Light Pearl in one bite.

But that delay allowed Xiao Chen's Evergreen Sword to strike again, shattering the Earth Shield surrounding him.

The stall owner threw out the Flying Sword in his hand, blocking the Evergreen Sword.

Then he rushed forward several steps, opened his mouth, and spat out a bloody arrow toward Xiao Chen. "You beast, die!"

Yet before the bloody arrow could strike, another seemingly ordinary Fireball directly vaporized it all. Its remaining force did not diminish, piercing straight through the stall owner's heart.

"How can your Fireball Art..."

The stall owner held on for one breath before falling stiffly to the ground.

After adding another Fireball to verify the corpse and confirm that the battle had ended, Xiao Chen finally had the leisure to complain, "With that kind of intelligence, don't come out and imitate others in robbery."

That female cultivator had only been at the Mid-stage Qi Refining Realm. She had obviously been easier to deal with.

Naturally, one had to squeeze the soft persimmon first and break through from the weaker side. Who cared whether she was male or female? Xiao Chen certainly did not.

He picked up the pair's Flying Swords, along with the forty-two Spirit Stones that had fallen from their robes.

Xiao Chen discovered that the stall owner actually carried a Storage Bag on him as well.

The Storage Bag had restrictions placed on it and needed to be refined first before it could be opened.

So, after hastily dealing with the scene, Xiao Chen jogged all the way back to Azure Water Peak and began refining this new Storage Bag.

A three-thousand-word chapter—please keep reading tomorrow. Tomorrow is National Day, but it is also Tuesday. If everyone has time, please help keep reading after tomorrow night's update. It's really important.