After hearing the instructor's request, Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "You certainly have a lot of faith in my future."
"There's no business in this world guaranteed to turn a profit," the instructor replied. "But even if there's only a twenty or thirty percent chance, I'd still gamble on it."
"What kind of cultivation art is the Water-Fire Harmonizing Body Tempering Art?"
"It is a body-tempering art that leads directly to the ninth level of body tempering and can take one straight into Foundation Establishment."
As he spoke, a flicker of feverish heat flashed through the instructor's eyes. He then added, "Once you learn this art, pass it on to me after you descend the mountain. It is not a core inheritance of the Hidden Moon Sect and may be taught outside the sect. I can pay double all related costs."
"Then it seems you've been planning for this art for quite some time, Instructor."
After acknowledging him, Xu Yuan continued, "But you also know that this is the great age of Qi Refining. Body tempering has long since declined. Choosing a cultivation art after entering the mountain is the highest priority. If I am fortunate enough to enter the inner mountain, why would I choose a body-tempering art?"
After Xu Yuan finished speaking, the instructor suddenly gave him a strange look. "With the talent in your bones and sinews, do you truly not intend to walk the path of body tempering? Though it is narrower, and unlike cultivating the immortal path, where Qi Refining extends one's lifespan, body temperers are often short-lived ghosts instead. Still, for you, it is ultimately the more promising path."
Seeing that Xu Yuan still shook his head, the instructor could not make up his mind for a moment, thinking only that Xu Yuan was trying to bluff him.
After a long while, Xu Yuan still made no move. The instructor suddenly sighed, then pushed both items over to Xu Yuan.
"Forget it. Since your heart is set on the great path of Qi Refining, I will not force you. Keep these two items. I only hope that when you make it big in the inner mountain someday, you will not forget me."
Seeing the disbelief still in Xu Yuan's eyes, he laughed and cursed, "What, you don't believe there could be such a good thing in this world?"
"Mm." Xu Yuan nodded seriously.
In another place, he might not have believed it, but this was the Hidden Moon Sect.
"Fine, then. Take these with you, boy. Just return one mid-grade spirit stone to me someday."
As he spoke, he even drafted an IOU on the spot. Other than having no deadline, it was no different from an ordinary promissory note.
After signing his name on the IOU, Xu Yuan suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of security. As he thought that he had ultimately been assimilated by the Hidden Moon Sect, he also tucked the two items away.
The transaction complete, Xu Yuan gave a salute and prepared to leave. Just then, the instructor suddenly said:
"Oh, right, boy. Let me remind you: the title of an inner mountain disciple is a useful thing. It can let you run wild through Biyou Market for a time, but if you borrow that title too often, one day you will have to repay the debt."
Seeing Xu Yuan nod, the instructor felt that he had fallen into his habit of loving to play teacher again. With the cleverness this little brat possessed, he should understand the rest of the stakes as well.
"The inner mountain..." Through a corner of the inner courtyard's eaves, he looked toward the distant mountain range shrouded in clouds and mist. That was where the Hidden Moon Immortal Sect truly lay. Biyou Market and this crowd of outer mountain disciples were nothing more than the immortal sect's servants.
Remembering how he had repeatedly sought out inner mountain disciples only to hit a wall—either being rejected with cold sneers or having his money swallowed without receiving help—the instructor's heart turned faintly cold. Then his daughter came before him.
"Father, those are all things from our ancestors. Why are you still so obsessed?"
"I can't help being obsessed. My bastard father offered the inheritance jade slip to an elder of the immortal sect. The descendants of our Hu Family cannot even look upon our ancestors' things. If I can bring back even half a passage, I will not have failed our forebears."
"Then what do you think of that person just now, Father?"
"Him? He has talent and temperament, but that alone is not enough in this den of demons. It depends on whether he has that fortune."
Carrying the two items the instructor had given him home, Xu Yuan wondered whether he should simply ask others for a few more spirit stones. Then, whatever cultivation art he ended up choosing, he would accept it.
But after only a moment, he rejected that naive thought in his heart. They had met by chance; this much investment was already the limit. Just as he could not have agreed to the other man's request earlier.
Did he think he was the protagonist of some storybook novel? The moment he unleashed his kingly aura, every opportunity in the world would rush forward to offer itself up?
He struggled for a while between mining and studying the jade slip, but in the end, both were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Xu Yuan went over and opened it, only to see Bi Qiong, whom he had not seen for a long time, standing crisply before him.
About a month had passed since they last met. Bi Qiong now wore a new light-red robe, faint glimmers flashing from the cloud patterns embroidered along both sides. It was actually a dharma robe.
Then he looked at himself, still dressed in the same gray Daoist robe. Xu Yuan's face filled with astonishment. "Talisman masters make that much money?"
"I'm not a talisman master yet." Bi Qiong froze for a moment, realizing Xu Yuan had misunderstood something. She explained, "My master gave me this robe after I learned my first talisman."
"So that's how it was."
Xu Yuan recalled Rong Ling saying that this former friend of his had found herself a patron. It seemed that patron was her master.
Looking at her robe with some envy, Xu Yuan thought, How many days would I have to mine in the mine tunnels to equal this?
He sensed her cultivation again. Despite practicing talismans day and night, Bi Qiong's cultivation had not fallen behind. If anything, she was faintly ahead of him...
After inviting her inside, Xu Yuan learned through their conversation that she had come to bid him farewell.
"The sect rules say that outer mountain disciples may not descend the mountain unless they are sixty years old. Bi Qiong, you...?"
Xu Yuan asked curiously. Bi Qiong explained that her master had submitted an application to the Hidden Moon Sect and paid a price to redeem her freedom.
For a moment, aside from the sorrow of parting, Xu Yuan also grew curious about her master. Even Rong Ling called her a patron. Could it be...
"Tomorrow, I'll be going to the mine again to bring pills and spirit sand for everyone in the Seek Immortals Society. Xu Yuan, is there anything you want me to take along?"
Bi Qiong's words pulled Xu Yuan back to reality. He shook his head, indicating that he needed nothing.
Wang Quan was the only person he knew at the mine. One bottle of pills was enough to completely sever the karmic ties between them. Whether Wang Quan could walk out of it depended on Wang Quan himself.
"Mm." Bi Qiong nodded without asking further. Instead, she took two Jade Marrow Crystals from her sleeve.
"Here, these are for you."
"Mm?" Xu Yuan looked up at Bi Qiong, questioning in his eyes. She gave a sly smile. "That's right, they're from the mine tunnel's mineral deposit back then. To keep Rong Ling from discovering them, I hid them inside my body."
Hearing that, Xu Yuan's expression froze. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something but not daring to let the words out.
Bi Qiong seemed to understand. She raised her hand as if to strike him. "What are you thinking? I hid them here."
As she spoke, she pointed to her mouth, then pointed to her stomach.
"Anyway." She let out a breath. "I don't have many valuable things left on me now. You are my only friend in the Hidden Moon Sect. Take these as a farewell gift."
Before you continue