Quiet Cultivation and an Attendant

Chen Ping led the way, and the two eventually arrived before a secluded courtyard. Lin Chen saw green tiles and white walls, with several stalks of bamboo planted by the gate. The place had an understated elegance.

"Sir, the guild prepared this residence specifically for martial artists who hold Purple-Gold Tokens."

As Chen Ping spoke, he stepped forward and pushed open the courtyard gate.

"It isn't as fine as Spirit Charm Lodge on Spirit Mist Mountain, but it's quiet and has a full set of formations to keep out disturbances."

Lin Chen nodded slightly and walked into the courtyard.

The courtyard was small but tastefully arranged. It also had a dedicated cultivation chamber. Though it could not compare to a blessed land, it was more than adequate for a temporary stay and cultivation.

Lin Chen nodded. "Not bad."

Chen Ping smiled. "I'm glad you like it, sir. Is there anything else you need?"

"There is one more thing. Sorry for the trouble."

Lin Chen handed him a Storage Ring.

It contained more than twenty thousand Spirit Stones. Some were his savings, while the rest had come from the Lin Family and the Li Family.

"I need medicinal ingredients to help refine my True Essence so I can switch cultivation techniques smoothly. Remember, the Spirit Herbs must be at least two hundred years old. Buy as many as you can."

Chen Ping accepted the Storage Ring and agreed.

"Rest assured, sir. There's little the Four Seas Merchant Guild can't procure. Give me two days, and I'll have something for you."

"All right. You may go."

Lin Chen nodded. Chen Ping took his leave at once, closing the courtyard gate behind him.

"That should do it."

Lin Chen murmured to himself.

The first revolution of the Three Revolutions Profound Origin Art was the easiest to cultivate and had virtually no barrier to entry. Any Profound Martial Realm martial artist could master it.

Under those circumstances, Lin Chen had no intention of spending five thousand experience points on Attribute Allocation for the first revolution.

After activating the courtyard's formations, Lin Chen entered the cultivation chamber and began studying the Three Revolutions Profound Origin Art.

Two days later, Chen Ping delivered a batch of Spirit Fruits and Spirit Herbs that could help refine True Essence.

And so it went.

Time passed slowly. Before he knew it, more than a month had gone by.

When Lin Chen emerged from seclusion, a wisp of True Essence flowed from his palm. It held together without dispersing, its color much deeper than before, with a faint texture like white jade.

"The first revolution is complete."

The corners of Lin Chen's mouth lifted.

The Evergreen Art he had cultivated was compatible with other techniques. With the help of Spirit Fruits and numerous Spirit Herbs, he had completed the first revolution of the Three Revolutions Profound Origin Art in just over a month.

His total True Essence had increased by nearly forty percent.

"As expected of a Profound Grade Upper-Tier Cultivation Technique..."

Lin Chen smiled.

He looked at the panel. Now that he had successfully switched to the Three Revolutions Profound Origin Art, the notice under cultivation level stating that Attribute Allocation required twice the experience had vanished.

At last, Lin Chen could make great strides forward!

Lin Chen then summoned Chen Ping, ready to set out for Cloud Mist Mountain.

But Chen Ping hesitated before speaking. "About the maidservant, sir—have you made any plans?"

Only then did Lin Chen remember that matter.

After a moment's thought, he asked, "How exactly does selecting a maidservant work?"

Chen Ping explained.

"Sir, the guild has a Maiden Selection Pavilion dedicated to it. They keep records and portraits of several prospective maidservants, all women of clean backgrounds and good character. You can go there to choose one, and if anyone catches your eye, you can summon her for a meeting."

"If you have particular requirements—for instance, someone versed in medicinal ingredients, skilled at tending herb gardens, or with enough martial training to handle outside affairs—you can mention them. The pavilion will do its best to find suitable candidates."

"I see," Lin Chen said.

"Let's go have a look, then."

Chen Ping hurried to lead the way. "Please follow me, sir."

The Maiden Selection Pavilion stood in the southeast corner of the Four Seas Merchant Guild's inner grounds. It occupied its own courtyard and, unlike the solemn Martial Arts Pavilion, had an air of everyday life.

They had just reached the entrance when a middle-aged woman in a pale purple dress came out to greet them.

She appeared to be in her forties and had a kindly face. When she saw the Purple-Gold Token at Lin Chen's waist, her eyes gleamed.

"My surname is Wang. I'm the manager of the Maiden Selection Pavilion."

The woman gave a graceful bow. "Please come in, Young Master Lin."

Lin Chen returned her greeting with a nod and followed Manager Wang into the courtyard.

The courtyard was elegantly laid out, with winding corridors.

A few young women could be seen walking through it. They cast curious glances at the visitors.

Manager Wang led Lin Chen into a spacious reception room, served tea, and brought out a booklet.

"Young Master Lin, this is the roster of this group's prospective maidservants. Each woman has a detailed entry covering her age, abilities, temperament, and other assessments, along with a portrait. Please take your time looking through it."

Lin Chen took the booklet and opened it.

Each page recorded one woman, with a portrait on the left and a written introduction on the right.

The portraits were lifelike. The artist had clearly been skilled, capturing each woman's expression and bearing.

Lin Chen turned the pages slowly. The women were all quite capable, each with her own strengths.

As for their backgrounds, some came from minor families, while others were daughters of traveling merchants who did business with the Four Seas Merchant Guild. A few had parents who worked as low-ranking managers for the guild.

Lin Chen's finger stopped on one page.

The woman in the portrait looked seventeen or eighteen. Her looks were above average, but it was her quiet composure that gave her a steady air.

Lin Chen read her introduction.

"Liu Yun, seventeen. Abandoned as a child and taken in by an elderly guild servant. After her adoptive father died of illness when she was fifteen, she was transferred to the Maiden Selection Pavilion for her reliable work and steady temperament."

"She'll do."

After a moment's thought, Lin Chen closed the booklet and pointed to Liu Yun's page.

Manager Wang leaned over to look and praised his choice. "You have a good eye, sir. Liu Yun may be an orphan, but she's capable. She keeps every task assigned to her in perfect order and has never made a mistake."

She paused, then added, "Would you like me to summon her so you can meet her? If she doesn't seem suitable, you can always choose someone else."

Lin Chen considered it, then nodded. "Very well."

Manager Wang immediately instructed a young woman outside the door to fetch her.

Before long, a woman in a gray dress entered.

It was Liu Yun.

After entering the reception room, she bowed properly to Lin Chen and Manager Wang, quiet and composed.

"This servant is Liu Yun. Greetings, Young Master Lin and Manager Wang."

Lin Chen studied her.

Her appearance was as the portrait had shown: above average, but not striking. Her expression was calm, and she carried herself with a steadiness beyond her years.

"I spend most of my time cultivating and don't like being disturbed by trivial matters."

Lin Chen spoke evenly. "You would tend to my residence, relay messages, and handle various affairs. You must be attentive, discreet, and never act on your own authority. Can you do that?"

Only then did Liu Yun raise her head and meet Lin Chen's gaze. She answered in a steady voice:

"I will know my place and do my utmost to carry out every task you assign me, sir. I will never cause you trouble."

Lin Chen nodded.

He needed a capable, reliable maidservant who would keep him from wasting energy on trivial matters.

So far, Liu Yun seemed suitable. Her background was simple, with no family or other outside ties to complicate matters.

"She's the one."

Lin Chen turned to Manager Wang.

"Yes. Thank you, sir, and thank you, Manager Wang."

Liu Yun bowed again, then quietly withdrew.

Lin Chen had to admit that the Four Seas Merchant Guild's trained maidservants lived up to a dependable standard.

"Congratulations on finding an attendant to your liking, sir."

Chen Ping, standing nearby, added her congratulations.

Lin Chen gave a noncommittal smile and rose. "Make the preparations. We leave for Spirit Mist Mountain first thing tomorrow morning."