Goodbye Bi Qiong

After hearing the instructor's conditions, Xu Yuan raised a brow. "You certainly have confidence in my future."

"There's no business in this world guaranteed to turn a profit," the instructor replied. "But even if the odds are only twenty or thirty percent, I'd still take the gamble."

"What kind of art is the Water-Fire Harmonizing Body Tempering Art?"

"It is a body-tempering art, leading directly to the ninth level of body tempering. With it, one can enter Foundation Establishment directly."

As he said this, a trace of feverish heat flashed through the instructor's eyes. He then added, "After you learn this art, pass it on to me once you descend the mountain. It is not a core inheritance of the Hidden Moon Sect and may be taught externally. I can pay double all related costs."

"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 an age of Qi cultivation. Body tempering has long since declined. Choosing an art upon entering the mountain is a matter of utmost importance. If I am fortunate enough to enter the inner mountain, why would I choose a body-tempering art?"

When Xu Yuan finished speaking, the instructor suddenly gave him an odd look. "With the talent in your muscles and bones, do you truly not intend to walk the path of body tempering? It may be narrower, and unlike cultivating the immortal path, where merely refining Qi can extend one's lifespan, body cultivators are often short-lived ghosts. But for you, at least, there is more hope in it."

Seeing Xu Yuan still shake his head, the instructor found himself unable to make up his mind. He could only assume Xu Yuan was trying to bluff him.

After a long while, Xu Yuan remained unmoved. The instructor suddenly sighed, then sent both items over to Xu Yuan.

"Fine. Since your heart is set on the great path of Qi cultivation, I won't force you. Keep these two items. I only hope that when you make something of yourself in the inner mountain one day, you won't forget me."

Seeing the disbelief still in Xu Yuan's eyes, he laughed and cursed, "What, you don't believe there can be such a good thing in this world?"

"Mhm." Xu Yuan nodded seriously.

He might have believed it elsewhere, but this was the Hidden Moon Sect.

"Then fine, take them with you. Just return one mid-grade spirit stone to me someday."

As he spoke, he even drafted an IOU on the spot. Aside from not specifying a deadline, it was no different from an ordinary note of debt.

After signing his name on the IOU, Xu Yuan suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of security. Thinking that he had, in the end, been assimilated by the Hidden Moon Sect, he put the two items away as well.

The transaction complete, Xu Yuan gave a salute and prepared to leave. Just then, the instructor suddenly said:

"Oh, right, kid. A word of warning: the title of an inner mountain disciple is a useful thing. It may let you run wild through Biyou Market for a time, but if you borrow that title too often, one day you'll have to pay it back."

Seeing Xu Yuan nod, the instructor felt he had fallen into his habit of loving to lecture again. With the cleverness this little brat possessed, he ought to understand the other dangers as well.

"The inner mountain..." Through a corner of the inner courtyard's eaves, he gazed toward the distant mountain ranges shrouded in clouds and mist. That was where the Hidden Moon Immortal Sect truly lay. Biyou Market, along with this crowd of outer mountain disciples, were no more than the sect's servants.

Remembering how he had repeatedly sought out inner mountain disciples only to hit a wall—either being coldly mocked and refused, or having his money swallowed without receiving any help—the instructor felt a chill in his heart. It lasted until his daughter came before him.

"Father, those are things left behind by our ancestors. Why are you still so obsessed?"

"I have to be. That bastard father of mine presented the jade slip containing the art to an elder of the immortal sect. The descendants of our Hu Family can't even look at our ancestors' things. If I can bring back even half a page, I won't have failed our forebears."

"Then what do you think of that person just now, Father?"

"Him? He has talent and temperament, but those alone are still not enough in this devil's den. We'll have to see whether he has that fortune."

Carrying the two items given by the instructor home, Xu Yuan wondered whether he should simply ask someone else for a few more spirit stones. Then, whatever art he chose, he would accept it.

But only moments later, he dismissed that naïve thought. They had met by chance; this much investment was already the limit. Just as he could not possibly have agreed to the other man's request earlier.

Did he think he was the protagonist of some storybook novel? That once he unleashed his kingly aura, every opportunity in the world would scramble to come to him?

He struggled for a while between mining and studying the jade slip, but before he could choose either, a knock at the door interrupted him.

Xu Yuan went to open it and found Bi Qiong, whom he had not seen in a long time, standing crisply before him.

It had been about a month since they last met. Bi Qiong was now wearing a new pale red robe, faint gleams flickering around the cloud patterns embroidered on either side. It was actually a magic robe.

Then he looked at himself, still dressed in a gray Daoist robe. Xu Yuan's face filled with astonishment. "Talisman masters make that much money?"

"I'm not even a talisman master yet." Bi Qiong froze for a moment, then realized Xu Yuan had misunderstood something and explained, "My master gave me this Daoist robe when I learned my first talisman."

"I see."

Xu Yuan recalled Rong Ling saying that this former friend of his had found someone to rely on. It seemed that backer was her master.

He looked at her robe with some envy, wondering how many days of mining in the mine tunnels it was worth.

He then sensed her cultivation. Despite practicing talismans day and night, Bi Qiong's cultivation had not fallen behind at all. If anything, she was faintly a step ahead of him...

After inviting her into his home, Xu Yuan learned through their conversation that she had come to bid him farewell.

"The sect's 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 buy her freedom.

For a moment, aside from the sorrow of parting, Xu Yuan grew curious about her master as well. Even Rong Ling called her a backer—could it be that...

"Tomorrow, I'll be going to the mining grounds once more to bring some pills and spirit sand to 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, saying there was nothing he needed.

The only person he knew at the mining grounds was Wang Quan. One bottle of pills would completely sever their karmic ties. Whether Wang Quan could make it out or not would depend on Wang Quan himself.

"Mhm." Bi Qiong nodded and did not press the matter. Instead, she took two Jade Marrow Crystals from her sleeve.

"Here, these are for you."

"Hm?" Xu Yuan looked up at Bi Qiong, his eyes full of questions. She gave a sly smile. "That's right. They're from the ore deposit in the mine tunnel back then. To keep Rong Ling from noticing, I hid them inside my body."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan froze. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, yet not daring to say it aloud.

Bi Qiong seemed to understand. She raised a hand as though to strike him. "What are you thinking? I hid them here."

As she spoke, she pointed to her mouth, then to her stomach.

"Anyway." She let out a breath. "I don't have many valuable things left on me now. You're my only friend in the Hidden Moon Sect. Take these as a farewell gift."