Heqiu Snow Bud

"This tea is called [Heqiu Snow Bud]. Try some. It's a graded Spirit Tea. It isn't particularly precious, but it is quite rare."

Shang Qingzheng extended her delicate hand and offered him a cup of clear tea.

Jiang Yang took it and examined it. The cup was small and the tea clear, with a single tender bud floating inside, emerald green and so fresh it seemed to glisten with dew.

Before he even drank, its fragrance wafted straight into his nose. A gentle sniff filled him with a rich aroma.

Jiang Yang gave Shang Qingzheng a slight nod, then raised the cup to his lips and took a small sip. A clear sweetness immediately washed over his tongue. Once he swallowed, his Qi Sea surged, and his Magic Power seemed on the verge of boiling.

It truly was a graded Spirit Tea, a treasure Jiang Yang had never encountered before. Just one sip transformed into a mass of Spirit Vigor in his belly, actually helping advance his cultivation.

Jiang Yang fought the urge to drain it in one gulp and set down the half-full cup, praising it with complete sincerity. "Excellent tea."

"As for what makes it excellent, I can't quite explain. It's rather like swallowing an Elixir. In any case, it's excellent tea—wonderfully fragrant and delicious."

Amused, Shang Qingzheng lowered her eyes. Rather than putting on airs with some elaborate appraisal, Jiang Yang had honestly described his own experience, which only made her like him more.

Her face brightened into a smile as she said:

"This Heqiu Snow Bud comes from the snowfield in my homeland. It barely qualifies as a Qi Refining Level One Spirit Tea, and is known for its rich fragrance and clear sweetness. Drinking it regularly clears the mind and brightens the eyes. Improving cultivation is actually its least remarkable benefit."

At the mention of her homeland, the Heqiu Snowfield, Shang Qingzheng's clear eyes dimmed slightly. She changed the subject and asked:

"I still don't know where you come from. Do you have parents or other family?"

Caught off guard by the question, Jiang Yang fell into a momentary daze before answering:

"Uh... I came from a poor family in Weiyang Prefecture, within the Zheng Kingdom. I was orphaned young, losing both my parents. Battered by bitter winds and cold rains, I ended up a little beggar.

"If the Sect hadn't been recruiting disciples, and if I hadn't possessed a Spirit Root, I would probably still be begging somewhere..."

His true homeland was already beyond reach. Jiang Yang could only name the homeland of this body's original owner.

This information was also recorded in the Sect's Registrar's disciple register and could be checked at any time. Jiang Yang had started out completely in the dark and only later learned that he came from Weiyang Prefecture.

Shang Qingzheng listened in a daze, then remained Buyu for a long time. She had thought her own life had been full of hardships, never imagining that Jiang Yang's had been even worse. For a moment, she felt the sympathy of fellow sufferers.

"I see... I'm sorry..."

"Oh, there's no need to apologize. I can't even remember what my parents looked like anymore. What is there to grieve over?"

Seeing that she was feeling low, Jiang Yang waved a hand to show he did not mind. His carefree manner was no act.

Apart from leaving him this body, its original owner had left not the slightest trace of memory or identity. Naturally, he could not mourn people and events that did not exist for him.

Shang Qingzheng pressed her thin lips together slightly. After some thought, she offered him comfort instead:

"That you can now pursue immortality and the Dao is a fortunate opportunity in itself. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, your Spirit Sense will expand dramatically, revealing the events of your past. Every detail of your life will become clear, and then you'll remember your parents and family again."

Unwilling to linger on the subject, she reached out and refilled Jiang Yang's tea, saying:

"If you like it, have some more. Anything left over would only go to waste."

Jiang Yang did not stand on ceremony. After thanking her, he took the cup and drank it all. The spiritual energy within the Spirit Tea was gentle, soothing, and easy to absorb. It truly was a rare delight.

He privately made a comparison. If he could have a cup like this every day, his cultivation would probably rise another level in less than a month. But that was merely wishful thinking.

In reality, how could he enjoy this every day? He had already taken one of the Essence-Nourishing Pills issued by the Sect a few days earlier, and its effects equaled ten days of arduous cultivation. Thinking ahead, if he did not want to run out of Elixirs, he would have to wait until the following month before taking another.

Just then, Little Sixteen returned from racing about the Bamboo Grove. After playing wildly, the little creature was now exhausted, panting with tongue out.

With a leap, Little Sixteen landed on the stone table, sniffed the fragrance wafting from the Spirit Tea, and stretched forward to lick the tea remaining in the cup.

"Shoo!"

Seeing such unruly behavior, Shang Qingzheng waved a hand to chase Little Sixteen away, only for the little creature to duck easily beneath it.

Seeing how tired and thirsty Little Sixteen was, and how adorable the little creature looked crouching there and panting, Jiang Yang spoke up:

"You shouldn't favor one over another. Pour Little Sixteen a cup too."

Shang Qingzheng's eyes shifted as she glanced down at the ball of fur and smiled.

"Just a little kitty, and you spoil this one so..."

Despite her words, Shang Qingzheng did not refuse. She took out a fresh cup especially for Little Sixteen, filled it, and placed it on the ground. Clearly, she adored the little creature herself.

At the sight of the Spirit Tea, Little Sixteen's tail rose high, and the little creature dashed over. Before long, the sounds of licking and lip-smacking reached them.

Watching the lively little creature, Jiang Yang asked curiously:

"Do you normally have to feed Little Sixteen? What does this little one eat?"

Shang Qingzheng raised a fine eyebrow and gathered her skirts before replying:

"Of course. Although Little Sixteen has an unusual bloodline, this little one hasn't reached adulthood yet and still can't draw in Spirit Vigor independently. So I have to provide pills each day, supplemented with fresh fish.

"This greedy little thing can't go a single day without fresh fish from Dew-Covered Lake, and eats several hundred pounds every month. The peak has even made an exception and posted quite a few fishing chores for the disciples because of this."

Good grief... A spirit beast, all right.

Jiang Yang looked at the tiny cat on the ground, finding it hard to imagine that such a little creature ate dozens of pounds of fresh fish every day—many times its current body weight.

Only a direct disciple could manage that. He had no idea how wealthy her family was, but if Jiang Yang had to raise Little Sixteen, selling himself probably would not cover even a month's food expenses.

Jiang Yang lowered his hand to stroke Little Sixteen's head and sighed.

"Tsk, tsk... A true gold-devouring beast."

Shang Qingzheng was using a spell to reheat the cooled teapot. At his words, the corners of her mouth curved upward as she said:

"A gold-devouring beast? How much are gold and silver worth? I'd say this one devours Spirit Stones."

Although Jiang Yang could not afford to raise a spirit beast now, he might well consider it in the future. Spirit beasts possessed unique abilities and could also fight, making them excellent companions on the path of cultivation.

So he sought Shang Qingzheng's advice:

"If an ordinary disciple like me wanted to raise a spirit beast, how could I go about it?"

Shang Qingzheng considered briefly before answering:

"Of course there are ways. Generally, there are three paths. The first is to buy an egg or a young beast at a market and raise it yourself. But the spirit beasts sold at markets vary greatly in quality, so finding one you like is difficult.

"The second depends on luck rather than searching. It usually involves venturing deep into demonic beast dens to find and capture one, or even steal one. The drawback is that it's rather dangerous.

"The third is what I did. Occasionally, the spirit beasts kept by the Sect produce offspring. Their bloodlines are assured, and there are established methods for raising them, making things relatively straightforward."

At this point, Shang Qingzheng paused thoughtfully before continuing:

"As for the drawback... ordinary disciples don't have that opportunity."

Hearing this, Jiang Yang raised a hand and said:

"No need to say any more. I understand. Your method has no drawbacks. Even if it does... the drawback is mine."

It was the first time Shang Qingzheng had heard an answer from such an unusual angle. Amused, she covered her face with her sleeve and chuckled.

"Beasts are crafty and vicious by nature. How do you ensure their loyalty? Is there some way to keep spirit beasts under control?"

Jiang Yang pressed on with his questions.

Shang Qingzheng was still quietly laughing, her eyes curved with amusement. At his question, she composed herself and cleared her throat before answering:

"Of course. That's what a Spirit Pact is for. Here, take a look."

As she spoke, she drew back her long sleeve to reveal a wrist as fair as white jade. A red cord was tied around it, with a miniature scroll dangling from the end.

She stirred her Spirit Sense slightly, and a pale red glow appeared on the Spirit Pact.