Xu Qingtong nodded to the disciple in greeting, then headed straight for his cave abode.
Along the way, Xu Qingtong thought about many things, but after turning them over and over in his mind, his foremost priority remained bringing Third Senior Sister back to life.
To do that, he needed to gather thirty thousand merit as soon as possible so he could exchange it for the Tiger-Patterned White Jade Lotus and refine an incarnation for her.
After returning to his cave abode, Xu Qingtong lay on the stone couch and considered his next steps. How could he earn enough merit in the shortest possible time?
He still taught a fixed six classes each month. Although he earned somewhat more than ordinary instructors, it was only thirteen hundred merit. To gather thirty thousand, he would need at least another ten months.
Whenever he thought of Third Senior Sister, Xu Qingtong felt he could not bear to wait even a moment longer.
"No! I have to think of something!" Xu Qingtong rolled upright, jumped off the stone couch, and left his cave abode, heading straight for Cloudwater Retreat.
"Sect Master, Qingtong requests an audience!" Xu Qingtong stood outside Cloudwater Retreat and called out clearly.
"Oh, Qingtong! Come in!"
Xu Qingtong entered and saw Sect Master Shen Haotian sitting cross-legged on a couch. He hurried forward and bowed, saying respectfully, "Sect Master, I have a favor to ask. Please grant my request!"
"Oh? What is it? Let me hear it!" Shen Haotian opened his eyes and looked at Xu Qingtong with a smile.
"Sect Master, I would like to take on another teaching assignment in the Puppet Art. Would that be possible?" Xu Qingtong said.
Shen Haotian was taken aback and asked in puzzlement, "Qingtong, you already teach two techniques. If you add