A path to wealth

The lesson had ended, and Li Jinyuan and Wang Xiaoliu left first. Only Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe remained inside, putting away the meditation cushions.

"Chu Bai, Gu Qinghe, stay a moment."

Daoist Zhang, who had been sitting cross-legged beneath the tree with his eyes closed, suddenly spoke.

The two paused, then hurried forward and bowed respectfully. "Master Zhang, what are your instructions?"

Daoist Zhang opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over their clothes, washed almost white, and their slightly gaunt cheeks.

Tutor Liu's earlier request still rang in his ears. Besides, these two truly were the most gifted seedlings among this group of disciples. It would be a pity if worldly concerns delayed their cultivation.

"Tutor Liu told me about your families' circumstances." Daoist Zhang's tone was even. Dispensing with pleasantries, he went straight to the point. "Cultivation has four essentials: wealth, companions, methods, and a place to practice. Wealth comes first, and those are no empty words. If you cannot even fill your stomach, you will not get far on the path to immortality."

Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe exchanged glances, then both lowered their heads in agreement.

"I... am indeed short of money."

Gu Qinghe nodded as well. There were many students at the school, and they knew one another. Their family circumstances were hardly a secret.

Chu Bai admitted it frankly. There was little point hiding anything from Daoist Zhang.

"Now that you have captured spiritual energy and crossed the threshold of cultivation, you should no longer sustain yourselves by selling cheap physical labor like ordinary mortals." Daoist Zhang flicked his horsetail whisk and said evenly, "That wastes both your talent and your time."

"I understand, but I have no way to find anything else..." Gu Qinghe said with a bitter smile. He had considered working as an assistant at a medicine shop in town, but they thought him too young and inexperienced. Only backbreaking jobs hauling heavy sacks would take him.

"As it happens, there is a job quite suited to you."

Daoist Zhang took a wooden token from his sleeve and set it on the small table before him.

"The Zhao family in the south of town is wealthy. One of their younger members is already over eighteen and missed the best age to enter the Dao Academy. But his family has deep pockets, so they hired a private tutor, determined to force a path through the Heavenly Examination."

"He has reached the qi refining first layer and has just begun learning offensive spell arts. He needs practice partners."

"Practice partners?" Something stirred in Chu Bai's mind. He had a vague idea what that meant.

"Indeed. Practice partners in name, 'spiritual targets' in truth," Daoist Zhang explained. "When he practices the Water Bullet Technique, Fireball Technique, and other spell arts, he needs someone to act as a moving target so he can hone his aim and anticipation."

"Mortals react slowly and cannot sense fluctuations in spiritual energy. They could easily be struck by accident and crippled. You, however, can already sense qi, and your five senses are keen. You can detect a spell's trajectory in advance and evade it, making you ideal candidates."

At the words "spiritual targets," Gu Qinghe's expression shifted slightly.

Wasn't that just being a living target?

Seeming to notice their concerns, Daoist Zhang continued, "It may sound dangerous, but most of the spells he uses are practice versions with reduced power, and protective gear will be provided. As long as you do not take a heavy hit head-on, you will suffer little more than cuts and bruises."

At that, Daoist Zhang held up three fingers.

"Each practice session lasts roughly four hours and pays three hundred copper coins."

"Three hundred copper coins?!"

Gu Qinghe jerked his head up, his breathing growing heavier.

In Anping County, a strong laborer could work himself half to death hauling sacks at the docks all day and earn only thirty copper coins.

Three hundred copper coins—ten times the wages!

And that was for only four hours!

Chu Bai began rapidly doing the sums as well.

Although the academy's lessons were tightly scheduled, they still had weekends off.

If he went twice a week, that would be six hundred copper coins.

Over a month, that came to two taels and four mace of silver!

There were risks, of course, but...

With that money, he could not only afford meat but even save a little, finally dealing with the hunger brought on by [food injury leaks elegance]. He might even be able to put money aside for the renewal three months from now!

How was this a practice partner job? This was practically the God of Wealth handing out money!

"Apart from the money..." Daoist Zhang gave Chu Bai a meaningful look. "During these sessions, you will be able to observe at close range how a true qi refining cultivator directs spiritual energy and forms hand seals to cast spells. For you, who have yet to learn spell arts, that practical experience is more precious than money."

A keen light flashed in Chu Bai's eyes.

Exactly! That was the real point!

He had his panel, and his comprehension had received a boost from his fate destiny.

If he could watch someone casting spells up close, even without the incantations, perhaps he could steal a move or two just by observing the forms, their intent, and the flow of spiritual energy. Or... grind out some proficiency in a new skill?

"Thank you for the recommendation, Master Zhang! I'm willing to go!"

Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe cupped their hands almost simultaneously, their voices ringing out.

What were a few cuts and bruises? Poverty was the most terrifying disease in the world!

Daoist Zhang nodded in satisfaction and handed the wooden token to Chu Bai. "This token will serve as proof. Tomorrow happens to be a day off. Go to the Zhao Residence in the south of town and ask for Steward Zhao. Tell him I sent you."

"Remember, once you get there, focus on the work and speak little. Do not let it delay your own cultivation."

"Yes!"

By the time they left the academy gates, darkness had fully fallen.

This time, however, both Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe walked with exceptionally light steps.

"Brother Chu, three hundred copper coins..." Gu Qinghe gripped the wooden token tightly, as though clutching some priceless treasure. Even his voice trembled. "With that money, I'll be able to pay for my mother's medicine."

"Yes, and I'll be able to put some better food on my family's table."

Chu Bai smiled and patted his shoulder. "But don't think only about the money. Keep your wits about you at the Zhao Residence tomorrow. Those are a qi refining cultivator's spells. Even if they're only for practice, getting hit will still give you a bitter cup to swallow."

"Of course." A wild gleam shone in Gu Qinghe's eyes. "We crawled our way out of the mud. We may have nothing else, but these hides of ours can take a beating. As long as they don't kill us, this is a deal with all profit and no loss!"

They parted at the fork in the road.

On the way back to the village, Chu Bai touched the wooden token tucked against his chest, his heart burning with excitement.

Second Aunt's sour, spiteful face, his parents' cautious hopes, and the hunger that had haunted him these past few days...

The shadow of it all seemed to have lifted considerably in the face of those three hundred copper coins soon to come.

If the work proved steady, he would earn over two taels of silver a month—a handsome income.

After all, his family toiled for an entire year to earn a dozen or so taels. Once expenses were deducted, they might have only two or three left, and that was in a year with a decent harvest.

"Qi refining cultivators..." Chu Bai gazed toward the distant Zhao Residence, anticipation rising in his heart.

He had yet to truly witness the might of spell arts.

The water control Tutor Liu had demonstrated at school already verged on a miracle in the eyes of ordinary people.

And that had not even been meant for combat, merely a minor trick. What would true offensive spell arts be like...?

"Tomorrow, let me see just what a true cultivator's methods look like!"