All Delighted

Fortunately, Yang Yi added, "There's no need for ten years. Three will be enough!"

During the past half month at Qiao Family Fort, another crack had vanished from the Source Crystal. In half a year, spiritual energy would revive. By then, who would still need Myriad-Treasure Dew or Thousand-Treasure Dew?

"Three years..." Qiao Yaoyao pondered. That was equivalent to handing over the Myriad-Treasure Dew of the next ten years to Yang Yi within three years. Compared with before, the price the Qiao Household paid remained unchanged. "Agreed."

"Also... I intend to hand over the Body Tempering Technique I cultivate to the Qiao Household," Yang Yi suddenly said.

"Pfft..." Qiao Yaoyao, who had just taken a sip of tea, sprayed it straight out.

She hurriedly set down her teacup, gave a light cough, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the corner of her mouth, every movement elegant.

Only after finishing all that did she turn to Yang Yi with calm composure, a proper smile appearing on her face. "Attendant Yang, what did you just say? I didn't quite catch that."

"I said I intend to hand over the Body Tempering Technique I cultivate to the Qiao Household," Yang Yi repeated.

Qiao Yaoyao drew in a soft breath, her chest rising and falling.

"Is that not allowed? Third Young Master said it was," Yang Yi said with a frown. Qiao Wuwang had previously told him that if he ever found himself short of resources, he could use this method to ease the pressure. Quite a few Qiao Household Attendants had done the same, and a large portion of the things in the Martial Hall had come from such exchanges.

"If it isn't allowed, then forget it..."

"Of course it's allowed!" Qiao Yaoyao hurriedly interrupted. How could it possibly not be?

Tie Shan had personally verified that the Body Tempering Art Yang Yi cultivated was extraordinarily profound. To the Qiao Household, it held immense value.

She hesitated briefly before saying, "But Attendant Yang should know that the Body Tempering Art you cultivate... is very good."

Qiao Wuwang had said Yang Yi knew nothing about cultivation, so she felt he probably did not understand the preciousness of his own Body Tempering Art.

"I know." Yang Yi nodded. Anything Yue Jian produced was naturally first-rate. He had never doubted that.

"Should we inform your master and obtain his elder's consent?" Qiao Yaoyao kindly reminded him.

Yang Yi waved a hand. "No need. I only met that master of mine once. Back then, he left behind this Body Tempering Art and then vanished without a trace. I can dispose of it as I please."

What sort of master was this? Qiao Yaoyao grew ever more curious about the person behind Yang Yi. Previously, she had only thought the man irresponsible, having ruined Yang Yi's future prospects. But why had he casually passed down such an exquisite Body Tempering Art?

"I still must remind Attendant Yang that the Body Tempering Art is a matter of great importance. You need to think it through carefully."

"No need to think it over." Yang Yi waved his hand again.

The same reasoning applied. Though his Body Tempering Technique was formidable, spiritual energy would revive half a year from now. Once he obtained a true cultivation inheritance, why would he still need these mundane things? Rather than letting them gather dust, he might as well trade them for something useful now.

Besides, no matter how good the Body Tempering Technique was, without golden light, others could never cultivate it as swiftly as he did.

"What would Attendant Yang like in exchange?" Qiao Yaoyao asked.

The matter of the old mountain ginseng had already been settled. What came next was another transaction.

"I want the right to enter and leave the Martial Hall freely in the future. Also, I'm very interested in the Yin-Yang Pool."

Qiao Wuwang had told him about many things, including the Yin-Yang Pool. The greatest reason the Qiao Household had settled here was precisely because of the Yin-Yang Pool.

It was said that cultivating within it could greatly increase one's cultivation speed.

Back then, Old Master Qiao had cultivated in the Yin-Yang Pool. That was how he had achieved mastery of divine arts in such a short time and built the Qiao Household's present fortune.

However, the Yin-Yang Pool was a secret ground of the Qiao Household, not somewhere one could enter casually.

Aside from Qiao Household members, who each had several chances every year, outside Attendants needed to render great service to the Qiao Household before they had an opportunity.

To the current Yang Yi, anything that could increase his cultivation speed was something he desperately craved. He urgently wanted to accumulate his qi and blood to the utmost extreme.

Trading the Body Tempering Technique for a chance to enter the Yin-Yang Pool was something he had planned long ago. Since the opportunity had presented itself today, he raised it now.

As for the right to enter and leave the Martial Hall freely, that was merely incidental. It might prove useful someday.

Qiao Yaoyao only pondered for a moment. "If Attendant Yang's Body Tempering Art possesses sufficient value, I can agree to those terms!"

"How should I hand it over to you?" Yang Yi asked.

When Yue Jian had taught him, she had merely pointed a finger at him and it was done. He did not possess such ability.

If he truly had to return and compile a manual, it would be far too troublesome.

Qiao Yaoyao turned to look at Tie Shan. Tie Shan stepped forward two paces and said in a muffled voice, "Sorry for the trouble, Attendant Yang, but please cultivate here once and provide a brief explanation!"

So they wanted him to teach it face-to-face.

Just what I wanted!

Tie Shan immediately began clearing the area. He barked at the Xiude Hall servants to leave, shut the hall doors, ordered people to stand guard outside, then returned to stand before Yang Yi. "Attendant Yang, begin."

Yang Yi rose to his feet and circulated his technique as he moved. While performing the movements of the Body Tempering Technique, he explained to Tie Shan, who was copying him at the side, the essentials of breathing and qi absorption.

To avoid mistakes and omissions, he cultivated very slowly, afraid Tie Shan would not keep up.

Yet he soon discovered that Tie Shan possessed excellent comprehension and aptitude. Even if there were a few errors, they did not matter much.

Gradually, he increased his speed.

After completing one set of the Body Tempering Technique, Yang Yi slowly withdrew his power.

Qiao Yaoyao personally took out a bottle of Myriad-Treasure Dew and handed it to him. Only after watching him drink it did she turn toward Tie Shan, who stood to one side with his eyes closed, sensing the effects.

A moment later, Tie Shan opened his eyes.

"Well?" Qiao Yaoyao asked.

Tie Shan nodded. "It truly is an exceedingly profound Body Tempering Art, even more powerful than the Furnace and Cauldron Tempering Method!" It had only been speculation before, but after personally cultivating alongside Yang Yi once, he could now be certain. The qi and blood refined this time was visibly thirty percent purer than usual. That was only because he was not yet proficient. Once he became familiar with it, the effect would only improve.

Qiao Yaoyao smiled and looked at Yang Yi. "Attendant Yang, the terms I agreed to earlier still stand. You need rest after cultivating, so return to Bamboo Garden first. I will have Myriad-Treasure Dew and Hundred Herbs Liquid delivered there. You may inspect the shops in the outer fort whenever you wish. If you take a liking to one, simply come back and tell me. As for the Yin-Yang Pool, I will arrange it as soon as possible!"

Money and goods had changed hands; everyone was delighted.

After Yang Yi left, Qiao Yaoyao excitedly snatched up the old mountain ginseng and called, "Tie Shan, come with me to see Grandfather!"

Tie Shan followed behind her in silence.

A short while later, in Half-Idle Residence at the deepest part of the inner fort, Qiao Yaoyao led Tie Shan straight inside.

Beside a rockery, an old man sat in a rocking chair, his body gently rising and falling with its motion.

The old man was clearly advanced in years. His hair was snow-white, and age spots covered his face. He was Old Master Qiao, Qiao An.

When Qiao Yaoyao rushed in and saw that the old master had his eyes closed in feigned sleep, she could not help slowing her steps and stopping some distance away.

But what kind of man was Old Master Qiao? He had heard the movement long before his granddaughter arrived. He now opened his eyes, smiling as he beckoned her over.

"Grandfather, I disturbed your rest." Qiao Yaoyao stepped forward and half-knelt beside Qiao An. Her body trembled slightly as she thought, Grandfather's cold aura is growing more severe. It even makes me feel uncomfortable.

It had not been like this five years ago. Although the old master had been advanced in years then, he had still been vigorous in old age. But after a family mishap, he seemed to have aged twenty years overnight.

Even the cold poison left in his body from his youth had erupted along with it. His condition worsened by the day.

She had searched everywhere for old mountain ginseng precisely because she wanted to dispel the cold poison within the old master's body.

"It's nothing. I'm merely stealing a little leisure from the days." Qiao An spoke slowly, his voice no longer as resonant as before. He kindly patted Qiao Yaoyao's head. "Does my eldest girl have good news?"

Qiao Yaoyao immediately beckoned to the person behind her. "Grandfather, I found something good for you."

Tie Shan stepped forward and respectfully presented the old mountain ginseng.