Shang Wu: "Hmph, you ungrateful disciple..." Xiao Qin's dilemma

"Master, you are actually too late. I've been back for a few days."

"You... you ate it?!"

Shang Wu froze for a moment, watching her beloved apprentice nod with a melancholy expression, then put her hands behind her back and sigh softly to the sky.

Autumn Water Pavilion fell silent.

They looked at each other in silence.

The wind is unusually noisy today.

Seeing his beautiful master covering her mouth, her almond-shaped eyes trembling intensely, Little Li's feelings weren't actually that pleasant.

I always felt that her gaze was very impolite.

I remember when we were kids, he would compete with other children, and when he blurted out, "My brother dares to eat poop," the other kids would give him similar looks.

"Master, actually, if Ying Bing's cooking isn't too bad, then it's alright..."

"I understand, you don't need to say anything more. Your return and your survival are a double blessing. We, master and disciple, are both here to celebrate; it's all in this wine."

Shang Wu uncorked the Small Gourd and took two sips in celebration.

Then he casually stuffed the Small Gourd into Li Mo's hand and patted his shoulder heavily:

"Well done."

"..."

So how did things escalate to the point where we were having a drink together?

With the crisis averted, Shang Wu happily lay back in the rocking chair, her almond-shaped eyes narrowed.

The sun was shining brightly today, and as soon as she lay down, the sunlight painted a beautiful picture.

A poem says: Viewed horizontally, it's a ridge; viewed from the side, it's a peak...

Seeing Li Mo about to leave, she turned back, her eyes still sleepy, and asked:

"By the way, my dear apprentice, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

It means, since you're going out anyway, I'm going to order some food.

Li Mo couldn't help but grin:

"Eating leftovers, you know, the Nine Peaks Martial Tournament is just around the corner, and I'm quite busy with my training."

"Um?"

"I didn't actually finish my meal that day; there was some Nine-Turn Intestines and Stir-fried Pork with Chili left..."

"!"

Seeing that his master was wide awake, Li Mo suppressed a laugh and slipped away.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Shang Wu glanced at the water vat; the spot where the vegetable basket had been was now empty. She then lightly spat out:

"Hmph, you rebellious disciple..."

At the same time.

External Affairs Hall.

"Verification confirmed."

"inner disciple Xiao Qin has hunted down a criminal at the peak of the Blood-Qi Realm. A reward of 1,000 contribution points is given!"

The steward of the External Affairs Hall carefully checked the token, then smiled and nodded to the young man opposite him.

Having just entered the inner sect, the fact that he was able to kill a vicious thug at the Great Perfection of the Blood-Qi Realm in actual combat shows that this disciple is a promising talent.

Many of the disciples who came to hand in their tasks also cast curious glances at him.

The rewards for apprehending criminals are substantial, but the failure rate is high, and there is also considerable danger involved.

Therefore, not many disciples take on this kind of task.

A significant portion of these efforts were also aimed at self-improvement.

"One thousand contribution points..."

"May I ask, Steward, how many contribution points are required for rare treasures that are beneficial to the Will Soul?"

Xiao Qin, however, showed little joy on his face.

"A rare treasure of the Will Soul?"

The inner sect deacon paused for a moment, then shook his head and said:

"I can tell you this without even checking; there aren't any with less than 30,000 contribution points."

"Those are items used only by those at the Divine Observation Realm. It's too early for you to be interested in them now. Don't be overly ambitious."

"I suggest you exchange for some healing items first, to avoid any hidden injuries."

The inner sect steward had a good impression of him, so he said a few more words to him.

Thank you!

Xiao Qin bowed and thanked him, then couldn't help but sigh.

Just as he expected.

When he went down the mountain to do his mission, he inquired about similar items, but either they were unavailable or the prices were far beyond his expectations.

Exchanging points with contribution points within the mountain gate is indeed more cost-effective, but it's still beyond our means...

"Child, don't worry. I'm just a little weak, not yet at the point of disappearing."

The voice of the Thousand Forms Martial Venerable rang out, but it was much weaker than before.

"It's all my fault, I wasn't careful enough."

Xiao Qin looked ashamed.

When apprehending the thug, he failed to ascertain the man's information and was unaware that the man had accomplices, resulting in him being surrounded.

This caused his master to waste a great deal of his Will Soul in order to save him.

"Everyone has a youthful phase. To achieve this in your first life-or-death struggle is truly remarkable."

"Your Qi and Blood are already at their peak, but unfortunately I am no longer able to refine the Tiger Tendon Qi-Condensing Pill for you."

Although the Thousand Forms Martial Venerable was weak, his tone was filled with relief.

The Nine Peaks Martial Tournament about to begin.

Xiao Qin had originally planned to break through to the Inner Breath Realm before that and achieve a good ranking.

But this unexpected turn of events...

"Senior Brother Xiao? You're here too."

He had just stepped out the door.

Suddenly someone called his name, and Xiao Qin instinctively turned around.

But Li Mo had arrived unnoticed and was smiling at him.

"Junior Brother Li, are you here to hand in your mission too?"

"Yes, I also took on a case involving a criminal."

Li Mo nodded, also noticing that Xiao Qin had recently been in battle and some of his injuries hadn't fully healed.

"A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days' absence."

Xiao Qin couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

Judging from Junior Brother Li's appearance, he clearly completed the task with ease.

It's important to understand that the task of apprehending criminals is arduous, and the targets are at least at the peak of the Qi and Blood-Qi Realm. Those below that level are handled by the local government and will not be reported to the Clear Abyss Sect.

Recalling their first meeting, Junior Brother Li had only just opened his meridians, but now he could easily kill someone who had reached the peak of Qi and Blood.

"I was lucky; that thug was injured and could only muster about 60 or 70% of his strength."

"I see."

Hearing Li Mo say this, Xiao Qin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, Senior Brother Xiao, I came looking for you yesterday."

"Junior Brother Li, what is it? Please speak freely, as long as it's within my power..."

"I acquired something by fortuitous opportunity, but I don't know its specific effects. Senior Brother Xiao, you are known for your extensive knowledge, so I would like to ask you to identify it."

As Li Mo spoke, he reached into his sleeve.

He took out a piece of wood that resembled neither wood nor stone and handed it to Xiao Qin.

"I'm afraid that..."

Xiao Qin gave a wry smile.

He usually asks his master about anything he doesn't recognize.

But after his master spoke only a few words to him, he fell into a deep sleep...

"It's the Yin-Sinking Soul-Nurturing Wood!"

An aged voice suddenly resounded in his mind, and he felt a surge of emotion.

Isn't Master in hibernation?

Why did it suddenly become so intense?

But then, the Thousand Forms Martial Venerable spoke at an even faster pace:

"This is a rare and exquisite item for nurturing the Will Soul. It requires a rare type of spiritual wood that has been struck by lightning and then happens to sink into a water vein, where it is nurtured for many years until it becomes petrified and then turned into jade."

"Many powerful individuals, having no hope of breaking through to the next realm, will use this wood to make a coffin, sealing their physical body and nurturing their Will Soul, waiting to break free in the next era."

"This piece of 'Yin-Sinking Soul-Nurturing Wood' has reached the stage of petrification."

Xiao Qin understood.

The master meant that this item was very precious and would be of great use to him.

Want to.

But this belongs to Junior Brother Li...

Xiao Qin took a deep breath and said solemnly:

"Junior brother, this is the Yin-Sinking Soul-Nurturing Wood, a precious material for nurturing the Will Soul."

"You'd better keep this safe; it will be very useful when you reach the Divine Observation Realm."

Old Xiao, if you had just said this thing wasn't worth anything, I would have just tossed it to you.

But that wouldn't be him anymore...

Li Mo could only ask again:

"Since it's something used by those in the Divine Observation Realm to nourish their Will Soul, why do I see Senior Brother Xiao showing some interest?"

"To be honest, I do need something like that."

Xiao Qin scratched his head awkwardly.

His master is probably cursing him in his heart right now.

Li Mo pondered for a moment:

"Then how about I lend it to you for a bit?"