Borrowing Money

As night deepened, the lights of Wutan City gradually went out, leaving only a few scattered lanterns swaying in the wind. Xiao Yan returned to his room, carefully placed the improved Qi Gathering Powder Elder Yao had made into a wooden box, then sat at the table and repeatedly memorized the incantation of Blazing Art—those profound words were engraved into his consciousness like brands. Every word contained the principles behind the circulation of immense Dou Qi, and the more he pondered them, the more stirred he became. But once the excitement faded, a harsh reality washed over him like an icy tide, instantly extinguishing the heat in his heart—alchemy required medicinal ingredients, and he was utterly broke. Forget the main ingredients for refining Qi Gathering Powder; he could not even afford the most basic supplementary herbs.

He rose and walked to the old wooden cabinet in the corner of the room. The paint on its surface had long since peeled away, revealing the dark grain beneath. When he opened it, there were only a few worn clothes washed pale from use and a blue Money Pouch that had been patched several times. Xiao Yan picked up the pouch, his fingers brushing over the rough fabric, then gently tipped it over. Several worn copper coins fell onto the table with a clatter, rolling a few times before stopping. He lowered his head and counted them. There were only eight coins in total—not even ten. Looking at those pitiful few copper coins, Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile. This was everything he owned.

Ever since his Dou Qi had regressed and he had been reduced from a former genius to "trash," his treatment in the Xiao Clan had plummeted. In the past, the clan elders had always given him extra cultivation resources, and his monthly allowance had been much higher than that of the other descendants. But now, his monthly allowance had been cut down to barely enough to buy coarse grain and keep himself fed, let alone purchase medicinal ingredients for cultivation. He had secretly approached the elder in charge of the clan storehouse to request some basic herbs, only to be politely refused on the grounds that "resources are limited and must be prioritized for promising descendants." The pity and distance in that man's gaze pierced Xiao Yan's heart like needles.

"The main ingredient for Qi Gathering Powder is Qi Gathering Grass. One stalk costs at least eight hundred copper coins. The supplementary ingredients are Green Leaf Grass, Dew Condensing Flower, and Clematis Vine. Those three herbs together cost nearly one thousand two hundred copper coins. All told, refining one batch of Qi Gathering Powder would cost two thousand copper coins in ingredients alone." Xiao Yan sat at the table, his fingers unconsciously tapping its surface as his brows drew tightly together. "My eight copper coins are not even enough for a fraction of one stalk of Qi Gathering Grass, much less a whole batch. Elder Yao may be able to improve pills and raise their efficacy, but he cannot conjure medicinal ingredients out of thin air. Though Blazing Art is powerful, without medicinal ingredients to assist it, relying only on the meager Dou Qi absorbed from between heaven and earth would make my progress slow as a crawl. The Three-Year Pact is close at hand. Miss Yan Ran endured pressure from her sect to give me a chance, and Elder Yao has taught me everything he knows. If I cannot even afford the most basic medicinal ingredients, how can I speak of growing stronger? How can I speak of fulfilling the agreement?"

He closed his eyes, and one possible lender after another flashed through his mind. His father, Xiao Zhan, had lately been running himself ragged to keep the Xiao Clan's business afloat. The clan storehouse was already nearly empty, and Xiao Yan truly could not bear to burden his father further. As for the other clan elders, ever since his Dou Qi had regressed, most of them had avoided him whenever possible. Even when they met him, they merely exchanged polite greetings, much less lent him money. Then there were his former friends, most of whom were descendants of other families in Wutan City. In the past, they had constantly surrounded him, calling "Brother Xiao Yan," but after he had been reduced to "trash," they had all distanced themselves. Now, if they ran into him on the street, they would simply pretend not to see him and hurry away.

After thinking it over and over, only one figure remained in his mind—Xun'er. Xun'er had been fostered in the Xiao Clan since childhood and had grown up alongside him. Though she was a member of the Ancient Clan and of noble status, she had never distanced herself from him because of his changed circumstances. Even when he had been at his lowest point and mocked by the clan descendants, she had still called him "Brother Xiao Yan" as sweetly as before. She would often secretly save some pastries from her own portion and slip them to him. Whenever he was bullied, she would even stand in front of him, stare at the other party with her clear eyes, and say, "You are not allowed to bully Brother Xiao Yan."

But although Xun'er was someone the Ancient Clan had placed in the Xiao Clan, she was not a Xiao Clan descendant. The money she carried with her was surely limited, and she had always been frugal, never wasting a single coin. Xiao Yan found it difficult to ask her for money—he did not want Xun'er to see him in such a miserable state, much less have her think that he had to rely on her charity even to buy medicinal ingredients.

Yet when he thought of Nalan Yanran's expectant gaze, of how she had firmly stood before the sect elders and said, "I will give Brother Xiao Yan three years"; when he thought of Elder Yao teaching him everything as soon as he awoke, passing down a supreme cultivation technique like Blazing Art and helping him improve Qi Gathering Powder; when he thought of the grievances and unwillingness he had endured over the past three years, Xiao Yan suddenly clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms. For the sake of becoming stronger, for the sake of not letting down those around me, what does a little pride matter? He took a deep breath, straightened the wrinkled clothes on his body, pushed open the door, and headed toward Xun'er's residence.

It was already late at night. The Xiao Clan courtyard was quiet, with only the rustling of wind through leaves, occasionally mixed with the chirping of insects. A thin layer of moonlight covered the stone path, reflecting Xiao Yan's lonely figure. When he reached Xun'er's door and looked up, he saw a faint candlelight still shining through the window. The dim yellow glow passed through the paper screen and cast warm patches of light on the ground. Clearly, Xun'er was still awake.

Xiao Yan stood outside the door and hesitated for a moment. His hand rose and fell several times before he finally gathered his courage and lightly knocked. His voice carried a barely perceptible tension. "Xun'er, are you asleep? I... I have something I want to ask your help with."

A moment later, the door opened with a creak. Xun'er wore a light green dress embroidered with tiny orchid patterns along its hem. Her long hair was loosely gathered behind her head and held in place with a simple Jade Hairpin, exposing her fair, slender neck. There was a trace of drowsiness on her face, as though she had just looked up from a book, but it could not conceal her delicate beauty. Seeing Xiao Yan at the door, surprise flashed through her eyes before she revealed a gentle smile, soft as moonlight. "Brother Xiao Yan, why have you come so late? Come in quickly. The wind is strong outside; be careful not to catch a chill."

Xiao Yan followed Xun'er into the room. Its furnishings were simple yet elegant, and the air was filled with the faint scents of ink and flowers. The bookshelf against the wall was packed with books, most of them classics about Dou Qi cultivation and the geography of the continent. An open book lay on the table beside an oil lamp, its flickering wick illuminating every word on the page. A pot of blooming orchids sat by the windowsill, its white petals giving off a quiet fragrance. Xun'er walked to the table, poured Xiao Yan a cup of hot tea, and handed it to him. Her fingertips accidentally brushed his hand, and feeling the chill in his palm, she asked softly, "Brother Xiao Yan, did something happen? You look like you are in quite a predicament."

Xiao Yan accepted the teacup. Its warmth traveled through his fingertips, dispelling some of the night's chill and easing his taut nerves slightly. He stared at the tea leaves swaying in the cup and remained silent for a moment. His throat moved several times before he finally gathered his courage. His voice was slightly hoarse. "Xun'er, I... I want to borrow some money from you."

After saying those words, Xiao Yan felt his cheeks burn as though they had been set over a fire. He lowered his head even further, not daring to meet Xun'er's eyes. The teacup in his hand suddenly felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Xun'er was briefly stunned, then smiled gently. Without the slightest hesitation, she asked softly, "Brother Xiao Yan, what do you need money for? Have you run into some difficulty? If it is not enough, I still have some here." Her tone was natural and sincere, without a trace of contempt or prying, as though lending money were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Hearing Xun'er's gentle voice, much of Xiao Yan's embarrassment faded. He raised his head and looked into her clear eyes, transparent as a mountain stream, before speaking frankly. "I want to refine Qi Gathering Powder to assist my cultivation. You know that my Dou Qi has regressed, and my cultivation speed is very slow. I can barely improve even in the most basic cultivation techniques. In three years, I must go to the Misty Cloud Sect and fulfill my agreement with Miss Yan Ran—she gave me three years. So long as I can defeat her before everyone in her sect, she will honor the marriage contract and become my wife."

He paused, touched the Storage Ring on his finger, and continued, "The senior inside the Storage Ring, Elder Yao, has awakened. Not only did he help me uncover the mystery behind my regressed Dou Qi, he is also willing to teach me alchemy and pass down supreme cultivation techniques to me. He said the improved Qi Gathering Powder can help me quickly strengthen my foundation and increase my cultivation speed, but I... do not have the money to buy medicinal ingredients. That is why I wanted to borrow some from you. Once I earn money in the future, I will definitely repay you as soon as possible."

Before he could finish, Xun'er interrupted him with a smile, her tone carrying a hint of relief. "Brother Xiao Yan, so that is what happened! That is wonderful! Elder Yao has awakened, so you can cultivate properly from now on! You do not need to worry about money. I have some. How much do you need?"

Xiao Yan had not expected Xun'er to agree so readily. A warm current surged through his heart, and his eyes grew slightly hot. He hurriedly said, "The ingredients for Qi Gathering Powder will probably cost nearly two thousand copper coins. If you do not have much on hand, less is fine too. I can buy part of them first and refine half a batch, then figure out the rest later." He did not dare ask for too much, afraid of burdening Xun'er.

But Xun'er shook her head, turned, and walked to the bedside. From an exquisite rosewood box, she took out a red Money Pouch embroidered with gold trim. Complex patterns were carved into the box, making it clear at a glance that it was extremely valuable and something Xun'er treasured deeply. She took the pouch, walked back to Xiao Yan, handed it to him, and said with a smile, "Brother Xiao Yan, there are twenty thousand copper coins inside. Take them. You may need to buy ingredients for Qi Gathering Powder often, and there may be losses during refinement. For example, if you fail to control the heat properly, the ingredients will be ruined. Or perhaps you will need to refine several batches before finding the best rhythm. Carrying more money will be more convenient, and you will not have to worry about medicinal ingredients every time."

Xiao Yan stared at the Money Pouch Xun'er was offering him, and his heart jolted—twenty thousand copper coins! That was no small sum. In Wutan City, an ordinary family's yearly living expenses were only around one thousand copper coins. Twenty thousand copper coins were enough for common people to live steadily for twenty years! He hurriedly waved his hands and pushed the pouch back, panic in his voice. "Xun'er, it is too much, really too much! I do not need this much. Two thousand is enough. You should keep the rest for yourself. You may not have to worry about food or clothing in the Xiao Clan, but you still need money to buy things you like. I cannot take so much money."

"Brother Xiao Yan, take it." Xun'er stuffed the pouch back into Xiao Yan's hand, her tone gentle but impossible to refuse. Her fingertips lightly pressed against his hand. "In the Xiao Clan, the family provides everything I need to eat, wear, and use. Usually, I have nowhere to spend money anyway. My family gave me this money when I was little. It has been sitting with me all this time, barely used. Rather than let it lie idle, I would rather give it to you for cultivation. You need money right now. With more prepared, you can refine medicine and cultivate with Peace of Mind, without being distracted by how to gather more money. Besides, I believe Brother Xiao Yan will definitely become stronger. In three years, you will definitely win your agreement with Sister Yan Ran. You can return the money to me then."

Xiao Yan held the heavy Money Pouch in his hand and could Clearly felt the clattering of the copper coins within. Its weight was not merely that of money, but of Xun'er's complete trust and support. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something in thanks, but it felt as if something had lodged in his throat. He could only make a hoarse sound, his eyes gradually reddening. "Xun'er, thank you... thank you so much! Do not worry, I will repay this money as soon as possible. Once I refine Qi Gathering Powder, I will give you some too. It may not be useful to you, but..."

"Brother Xiao Yan, there is no need to be so polite." Xun'er interrupted him with a smile, her eyes full of sincerity. "The cultivation technique I practice is different from yours. Qi Gathering Powder truly is of no use to me, so you should use it yourself. As long as Brother Xiao Yan can become stronger, stop being mocked by others, and win your agreement with Sister Yan Ran, I will be happy. Besides, I believe Brother Xiao Yan is not someone who forgets kindness. Once you are capable in the future, you will definitely help me too, right?"

Xiao Yan nodded firmly, indescribable emotions surging through his chest. His tone was incomparably resolute. "Of course! Xun'er, do not worry. No matter what difficulties you face in the future, as long as I, Xiao Yan, can do something about them, I will help you even if I have to give everything I have! Even if I must travel to the ends of the earth, I will never let you suffer the slightest grievance!"

Seeing his serious expression, Xun'er smiled even more brightly. Her eyes curved like crescents, as though filled with starlight. "All right, Brother Xiao Yan. It is getting late, so hurry back and rest. You need to get up early tomorrow to buy medicinal ingredients. Oh, and when you buy them, remember to go to Hundred Herbs Hall in the south of the city. The shopkeeper there is an old friend of my father's. He is honest, his medicinal ingredients are fresh and effective, and his prices are fairer than those of other medicine shops. He will not cheat you. If you mention my name, he might even give you a discount."

Xiao Yan agreed. After thanking Xun'er once more, he held the heavy Money Pouch and left the room with light steps. As he walked along the stone path in the courtyard, the night wind blew against his face, but it no longer felt cold. Instead, it carried a trace of warmth. Back in his room, he placed the pouch on the table. Looking at the red Money Pouch embroidered with gold trim, he felt filled with strength. He knew that this money was not only Xun'er's trust, but also his hope of becoming stronger—the confidence he needed to fulfill the Three-Year Pact.

He silently made up his mind to make good use of the money, carefully refine Qi Gathering Powder, and use the power of the pills and Blazing Art to raise his strength as quickly as possible, shedding the label of "trash" once and for all. He would let Xun'er know that she had not placed her faith in the wrong person. He would let Nalan Yanran know that he had not wasted the opportunity she had given him. More than that, he would let everyone who had mocked and looked down on him know that Xiao Yan would Stand up once more and shine with his own light!

Early the next morning, when the sky had only begun to brighten and a pale streak of dawn appeared at the horizon, Wutan City's streets were already filled with Pedestrians. Vendors selling breakfast set up their stalls, their cries rising one after another. Women buying vegetables carried baskets and haggled before the stands. Many traveling merchants also hurried past, leading horses and carrying their luggage. With the Money Pouch Xun'er had given him tucked away, Xiao Yan quickly left the Xiao Clan and headed toward Hundred Herbs Hall in the south of the city. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves and fell warmly across him. His steps were firm and powerful, and his heart was full of anticipation—he knew that from this moment on, his path of cultivation had truly begun to move onto the right track, and his rise was about to begin.