Dao Brother

Without making a sound, he secretly used his Law Power to connect with the Prism and probe towards the smaller spiritual embryo.

Prism's response made his heart tighten.

The outer membrane of that spiritual embryo was indeed dim, but the inside was completely different. Its spiritual energy was contained within, condensed and not dispersed, like a bead that had been deliberately sealed. The outer shell was simple, but the inside was a completely different scene. In comparison, although the other sixteen spiritual embryos were in good condition, the spiritual energy inside could only be considered normal, far less mellow than this "second-rate" one.

This is no longer a defective product. This is a superior product that has been deliberately presented in a low-key manner.

Su Yao withdrew his gaze, his face remaining expressionless, but his mind raced. Was that steward from the Flower-Shifting Palace truly oblivious to quality?

Or did they come seeking something, but couldn't say it outright, so they used the guise of giving a gift to stuff the best spiritual embryo into a "second-rate" shell?

Just as she was pondering this, Zhu Xuejie suddenly stepped forward and whispered:

"In my excitement, I forgot that before leaving, the steward from the Flower-Shifting Palace entrusted me with a letter for Daozi."

Then she took a letter from her bosom and handed it over with both hands.

Su Yao took the letter; at the top were the words "To Brother Su Yao".

"Brother Dao?" Su Yao was slightly taken aback. Such a form of address was not used by ordinary disciples, indicating that the person who wrote the letter was no ordinary person.

He gently unfolded the letter, and a delicate floral fragrance wafted towards him. His eyes fell upon several lines of neat, small handwriting:

"Brother Su Yao, I have long admired your name but have never had the chance to meet you. Now that I have come here, I see your men here to exchange for spirit embryos to open the North Courtyard. I have prepared a high-grade spirit embryo as a gift. I will come to visit again after my business in Proclaiming Earth is finished. Lianyue of the Flower-Shifting Palace."

After reading it, Su Yao had already made up his mind. Although the Flower-Shifting Palace had only been established for a thousand years, its founder had listened to the teachings of the Primordial Lady of Purple Void, so he must have entered the Biyou Sect. Otherwise, he would not have addressed him as "Brother Dao".

He couldn't help but recall the old stories of the Investiture of the Gods. Back then, the disciples of Jade Pure One and Biyou fought to the death, but after the Qin Emperor, the two families gradually grew closer. On the contrary, Supreme Purity, which had joined forces with Shangqing to fight against Highest Clarity, was now drifting further and further away from the two families. Thinking of this, Su Yao sighed inwardly, thinking that it was just the way things were.

He pulled himself out of his thoughts, tucked the letter into his sleeve, turned to look at Li Siyi, and said slowly, "Of the five of you, Ziyan cultivates the Metal Virtue Hidden Position, Ziyi cultivates the Water Virtue Correct Position, Yunhe cultivates the Wood Virtue Gathering Position, Xuejie cultivates the Fire Virtue Transformation Position, and you alone cultivate the Earth Virtue Nourishing Position. The Nurturing Position is inherently nourishing, and you cultivate the Wu Earth element, using earth to nourish wood, which is most suitable. These seventeen spiritual embryos are all entrusted to you. During the nurturing period, you may come to me for any spiritual materials you need."

He paused, then said:

"There are still twenty days until the mountain gate opens. I have already investigated and found that by nurturing the spiritual embryo with Wu Earth element, it should be ready for birth in about twelve days. I will trouble you with this task."

Upon hearing this, Li Siyi's expression turned serious, and she bowed in response:

"Your subordinate obeys." After a moment's thought, she added solemnly, "Rest assured, Daoist, my cultivation of the Wu Earth element is adept at nurturing, and I will certainly not fail in my mission. Now, I will arrange a quiet room to take good care of these spiritual embryos, ensuring their successful birth before the mountain gate opens."

Su Yao withdrew his gaze and looked back at Zhang Ziyan and Zhu Xuejie. The two had only been to and from the Flower-Shifting Palace for a few days, yet they had handled their duties efficiently and effectively. The art of rewarding and punishing subordinates was essential for managing them, and he naturally knew when to give what.

"You two did a good job this time." His gaze swept over Zhu Xuejie, landed on Zhang Ziyan's face, and then moved back. "Ziyan go first."

Zhang Ziyan scratched his head, stepped forward, and had a slightly embarrassed smile on his face. Ever since Su Yao put him in charge of the accounts, his generous spirit had toned down considerably, and now, upon hearing the words "first come, first served," he felt inexplicably nervous.

Su Yao took out a jade box from his Storage Bag. He pushed open the lid, revealing a box full of fine golden sand. Each grain of sand was round and smooth, gleaming with a warm luster in the winter sun, and a faint metallic clang could be heard emanating from the box. He placed the jade box on the stone table and then took out a short sword from his sleeve.

The sword has a long, narrow blade, and is entirely silver-white. A thumb-sized blue Spirit Stone is embedded in the hilt, its spiritual light flowing and condensing without dissipating. The sword, placed beside the jade box, exudes a sharp and piercing aura, causing the teacup on the stone table to tremble slightly.

"This sword is named ' Azure Edge,' a superior-grade magic Law Artifact of the Geng Metal path. It was previously seized from the White Sand Lu Household and was originally intended for the disciples on the mountain, but now it is bestowed upon you." Su Yao pointed to the jade box, "This box of gold sand is also of the Geng Metal, which is compatible with your lineage. Whether you use it for weapon forging or for exchange in the future, you are free to do as you please."

Zhang Ziyan stared at the sword, his Adam's apple bobbing, then he suppressed the burning desire in his eyes and gave a proper bow.

"Thank you for the reward, Daozi."

Su Yao nodded slightly, then took out another jade box and opened the lid. Inside the box were crimson sand grains, each as big as a bean, radiating scorching heat. This was also a Blazing Fire Cinnabar confiscated from the Lu Household.

Then he took out an exquisite red lantern. The lantern's shade was light red, and a flickering flame could be faintly seen at the wick, sealed within a transparent membrane as thin as a cicada's wing.

"This box of cinnabar is your sustenance for cultivating the Path of Radiant Fire." He pushed the jade box toward Zhu Xuejie, then pointed to the lantern, "This lantern is called ' Radiant Brightness,' and it was also confiscated from the White Sand Lu Household. It is most suitable for you. Take it back and refine it slowly."

Zhu Xuejie stared quietly at the lantern for a moment before reaching out to take the jade box.

"Thank you, Daozi." She didn't say anything more, but simply tucked the jade box and lantern into her sleeve and took a step back.

With the reward decided, it's time to get down to business.

"Ziyan," Su Yao's voice softened, "White Sand Mountain has been vacant for a long time. There are Spirit Vein, farmland, and several residences on the mountain. We haven't had the time to manage them before. Now it's up to you. Clear out the storerooms, register the farmland and residences, and gather all the ordinary tenants within a hundred miles. From now on, you will be in charge of purchasing and allocating the daily expenses of the Pear Garden."

He paused for a moment and then said:

"I'll take fifty boxes of cinnabar as the Pear Garden's treasury first, and return them to me when the Pear Garden is on the right track."

After speaking, he took out a Storage Bag and handed it over. Now that the Pear Garden is about to get on the right track, the public treasury and his private treasury should still be kept separate. After all, he is not yet the head of Qixia Temple, but only a Daoist.

Zhang Ziyan's expression turned serious, his earlier smirk vanished, and he took the Storage Bag, saying solemnly:

"Understood. I will go to White Sand Mountain to take inventory immediately, leaving no tree or blade of grass unchecked."

Su Yao nodded and turned his gaze to Zhu Xuejie, who was standing to the side.

"Xuejie, Ziyi in charge of the mountain's talismans, responsible for patrolling the mountain, investigating, and collecting information from all sides." He paused, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. "You cultivate the path of the Radiant Fire, using your own body as fuel, and you are least afraid of dealing with people. From now on, you will work alongside him, patrolling the mountain, investigating, and visiting the mountain gods and local deities—all these tasks will be entrusted to the two of you."

Zhu Xuejie didn't say much upon hearing this, but simply nodded slightly.

Han Ziyi stood to the side, remaining silent throughout. Upon hearing Su Yao's arrangement, he glanced at Zhu Xuejie and nodded slightly to her as a greeting.

Zhu Xuejie returned the greeting, her gaze lingering on him for a moment, already having made up her mind.

This person is taciturn and acts in a way that is compatible with oneself.

Su Yao took in everyone's expressions, said nothing more, and simply waved his hand.

The group bowed in unison, then withdrew, clutching their new belongings.