I Have You

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Qin Yi actually really wanted to tell her once more: Fairy, Please Behave Yourself.

You were a young woman—weren't you ashamed to run into a man's room alone?

But he also understood that Minghe probably had never considered such things. Two stars hanging in the sky, two great trees standing opposite each other—there was no difference.

He slowly walked in and asked, "Fairy, did you need something from me?"

Minghe turned and glanced at him. "I am not a fairy. You called me Fellow Daoist before—why have you changed it to 'fairy' again?"

Qin Yi said, "You're too beautiful. Calling you Daoist Master or Fellow Daoist both feels awkward."

Minghe gently shook her head. "Is that why you failed to see through it, and protected the snake demon?"

"Perhaps."

"The corpse worms of Zhang Family Village—did you not witness them with your own eyes?"

"Knowing is easy; doing is hard."

Minghe did not press him further. She turned back to study that half of the Swift Travel Talisman, as though it held something immensely captivating.

Qin Yi knowingly asked, "What is Fairy looking at?"

"This talisman of yours... where did you learn it?"

"My master is Mu Feng Zhenren. He wanders the world, and I do not know his sect."

Liusu nearly choked to death.

Minghe did not know whether she believed him. She merely said, "This talisman is profoundly ingenious. It is not a rigid tracing of established methods, but a work of singular insight, freely expressed. Every hook and stroke contains mystery; it alters the great principles within a tiny space and toys with heaven and earth in the palm of one's hand. It has forcibly turned an eighth-rank talisman into something even those without Mana can wield. Whoever created it is truly extraordinary. Their realm has likely reached the formless and shapeless, surpassing mine by more than a hundredfold."

As Qin Yi listened, he picked up a rag and, like an eager lackey, wiped the mud from the front end of the Wolf Tooth Club.

He knew Stickstick was incredible, but he had never expected it to be this incredible. So teaching him talisman-making had not been like making him memorize a text—it had been like creating an entire text from scratch... Perhaps alchemy had been the same before. No wonder he could use it without a shred of Mana.

"But..." Minghe murmured, seemingly speaking to herself, "the way these talismans are conceived is so peculiar... Much like the formation in the rear courtyard, it is also very..."

Qin Yi was startled. "How so?"

Minghe said softly, "I always feel it differs greatly from modern orthodox methods. Its patterns are more intricate, striving to approach the source as closely as possible. This line of thought... resembles the ancient methods seen in certain ruins, methods no one uses anymore."

Liusu was also stunned, falling into contemplation.

Qin Yi cared deeply about this and asked, "Fairy means that this way of thinking has fallen behind the times?"

"The Heavenly Dao moves forward. In less than a thousand years, how many generations of farming methods have been replaced in the mortal world? Let alone cultivation methods, which have existed for who knows how many tens of thousands of years. Other than certain forbidden arts, modern methods surpass those of antiquity as a general rule. That is beyond doubt."

Qin Yi could feel Liusu's fury, as though her fur was about to stand on end. He clutched the rag tighter, cold sweat streaming down his back.

But then Minghe continued, "Yet these ancient ideas are equally sound. Many aspects hold great value for reference, helping one verify gains and losses and comprehend the source... Would Fellow Daoist be willing to grant me one complete talisman? A complete set of methods would be even better. Minghe will certainly repay you."

Ignoring the risk of being discovered, Liusu erupted in rage. "Don't give her one! She thinks modern methods surpass the ancient ones, so let them surpass them! If they're so amazing, what does she want my talismans for?!"

Qin Yi was drenched in sweat. "Well... my master instructed me not to pass on what he taught me. I hope Fairy will forgive me."

Minghe shook her head with considerable regret. "The hundred sects of this world are all like this, with such deep-seated sectarian prejudice. But This Daoist has no standing to mock others; the methods of my Celestial Pivot Divine Palace likewise cannot be spread outside... This proposal was presumptuous of me."

With that, she turned and headed toward the rear courtyard. Qin Yi was somewhat dazed. Shouldn't it have been effortless for you to seize a talisman? You just gave up?

That state of mind—that was true cultivation...

Liusu was still cursing. "A Daoist Nun, wearing such a gaudy Daoist robe—what cultivation are you pretending to practice? I... mmph mmph mmph..."

Qin Yi had pressed her beneath the blanket. In a hurried whisper, he said, "Bear with it. If you want to curse, wait until she leaves. Didn't you say fluctuations in soul power might be detected? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Liusu snorted, calming down a little at last. With a head full of tangled troubles, Qin Yi left the rear courtyard and saw Minghe standing beside the wooden sword, studying the formation.

"What a remarkable formation," Minghe sighed softly. "A mere sword with an attached art has been turned from one into two, two into three; layer upon layer, its killing intent surges into the heavens. It can slay demons, but also kill men. Though it is plainly This Daoist's own sword, if I rashly entered this formation, even I would be in a sorry state... What Fellow Daoist has learned is truly extraordinary."

Qin Yi did not know whether Liusu beneath the blanket had heard that. It would be best if she had—perhaps it would soothe her anger.

Just as he was worrying about Liusu's mood, Minghe said, "There is much in Fellow Daoist's courtyard that may be contemplated. Might This Daoist lodge here for the next few days?"

Qin Yi nearly burst into tears. "Fairy, Please Behave Yourself!"

Minghe's usually tranquil expression finally became somewhat exasperated. "Fellow Daoist is fixated on appearances, constrained by the barriers between men and women, his thoughts foul... In any case, your heart is impure and your Dao practice unclear. You do not resemble a cultivator at all."

Qin Yi snapped, "If you're not fixated on such things, then let me hug you!"

"These are two different matters." Minghe did not grow angry, merely said calmly, "Fellow Daoist's residence is not a single isolated room. It clearly has several courtyards and chambers, more than enough to accommodate guests without disturbing one another. A cultivator's true heart should be as open and bright as the wind and moon—why must you always think of such filthy things?"

So you finally said that word. Qin Yi shamelessly replied, "I already told you—I have no cultivation at all. I'm not a cultivator."

Minghe suddenly said, "In other words, that Mu Feng Zhenren only taught you minor arts and never transmitted the Dao to you. If that is so... would you be willing to cultivate with me?"

Qin Yi stared, dumbfounded. His first reaction was to rush into the room and pin Liusu down on the bed, or she would probably truly explode.

Yet the bed was quiet. Liusu did not fly into a rage.

Qin Yi breathed a sigh of relief and conscientiously said, "My master has already transmitted the Dao. It is only that my mortal heart remains impure, and I have yet to begin cultivating. I appreciate Fairy's kindness."

Minghe gazed at him for a long while, then sighed softly. "You are very suited to cultivation. To be entangled so deeply in this mundane mortal world is truly a pity."

Qin Yi could sense her goodwill. After pondering for a moment, he said, "My Humble Abode is indeed not convenient for housing guests, but Fairy is welcome to look around this courtyard. You may visit whenever you wish."

Minghe nodded and did not insist. She performed a Buddhist greeting, then drifted away.

Qin Yi's shoulders sagged. He felt utterly exhausted.

Too much had happened today. It was mentally draining...

He staggered back to the bed. Liusu said sullenly, "Why not learn from her? You really do want to cultivate immortality. You even said you wanted to seek immortals on your own, like Li Qingjun... Minghe's methods are better suited to this era than mine, and she definitely wouldn't leave some backdoor to seize your body. Besides, she's so beautiful you practically drool over her, and she thinks highly of you. You might kill two birds with one stone—cultivate the Dao Fruit and taste her fragrant grace besides."

Qin Yi lifted the blanket, gently stroking the handle of the rod. In a low voice, he said, "Having you is enough. I'll learn that Inner Alchemy Technique tonight."

At last, Liusu fell silent.