Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Gao Peiyao's Secret
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Chen Jianghe sold the twenty-seven Five Elements Escape Talismans he had at the Mirror Moon Treasure Pavilion, receiving sixty-eight spirit stones and eighty-five grains of spirit sand.
After setting aside the cost and Talisman Master Chu Lang's share of the profit, he returned to the Mirror Moon Immortal Pavilion and gave thirty spirit stones to Gao Peiyao.
Zhou Miaoyun did the same as Chen Jianghe, exchanging her talismans for spirit stones and then giving them to Gao Peiyao.
“I will surely repay the kindness of you two brothers and Sister Miaoyun in the future.” Gao Peiyao thanked them again.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe and Zhou Miaoyun both left Mirror Moon Market City.
“Little Sister Peiyao, wait here. I'll go buy you a high-grade defensive artifact,” Yu Daniu said, taking the spirit stones from Gao Peiyao's hand.
“Thank you, Brother Daniu. For this help, consider me in your debt.” Gao Peiyao thanked him solemnly.
Yu Daniu nodded and left the Mirror Moon Immortal Pavilion.
Just then, a beautiful female cultivator approached Gao Peiyao from behind. She wore the same attire as Gao Peiyao—a light blue long dress with the unique emblem of the Tiannan Sect embroidered on the chest, signifying their status as outer sect disciples.
In the Tiannan Sect, those below the late stage of Qi Refining were handyman disciples, while those at the late stage of Qi Refining were outer sect disciples.
Upon successfully breaking through to Foundation Establishment, one became an inner sect disciple.
Those at the late stage of Foundation Establishment could serve as sect Deacons.
Different statuses came with different annual stipends.
“Junior Sister Peiyao, why must you go to such lengths? You’ve promised a favor for a mere two hundred spirit stones. You are Deacon Lan's most favored disciple, the one she has the highest hopes for. Your future success in reaching Foundation Establishment is all but guaranteed.”
“They are from a different world than you; there's no need to get too involved.”
The beautiful cultivator spoke, then her tone shifted to one of envy. “Senior Brother Xiao Chen is not only a core disciple but also possesses a three-element true spirit root. Moreover, his father is a sect elder. If you just nod, forget two hundred spirit stones—even two thousand would be yours for the taking.”
“Senior Sister Zhirou, you know I don't want a cultivation partner. Besides, Master wouldn't agree to it either.”
Gao Peiyao turned with a light smile.
“Alas, what a shame. Senior Brother Xiao Chen even wanted me to persuade you. Looks like I won't be getting that hundred spirit stones.” Liu Zhirou feigned frustration with a wry smile.
“Hee hee, that’s because you and I are closer, Senior Sister,” Gao Peiyao said sweetly, taking Liu Zhirou's arm.
Before long, Yu Daniu returned with a smile on his face, clearly having brought back the high-grade defensive artifact.
As for where he had managed to gather the one hundred and twenty-five spirit stones, no one knew.
Gao Peiyao naturally didn't press the matter. Since she had already promised a favor, there was no need to delve into the origin of the spirit stones.
With the high-grade defensive artifact in hand, Gao Peiyao and Liu Zhirou left Mirror Moon Market City and headed to the eastern side of the lake's central island.
This was the Yun Clan's territory, where the demon-slaying squad was currently based.
Upon arriving at their quarters, Gao Peiyao parted ways with Liu Zhirou and entered the courtyard where she and her master were staying.
“Did you get it?”
A noble and graceful woman with a curvaceous figure asked softly as Gao Peiyao entered.
This was Gao Peiyao's master, Lan Yi, a Deacon of the Tiannan Sect at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
“Yes, Master.”
Gao Peiyao replied respectfully.
“If I weren't planning for my Core Formation opportunity, I wouldn't have let you go to such trouble,” the beautiful woman sighed, lowering her gaze.
“Master has always cared for me deeply. How could I dare ask for more and cause dissatisfaction among my senior brothers and sisters?”
“Mm.”
Lan Yi nodded slightly, a look of approval in her eyes.
Gao Peiyao was not her only disciple; she had three others. If she were to bestow a high-grade flying sword and a high-grade defensive artifact upon each of them, would she have any resources left for her own cultivation?
“Yao'er, if you were willing, you could accept Xiao Chen's pursuit. With his three-element true spirit root and his father being a sect elder, he is a worthy match for you.”
A hint of helplessness was in Lan Yi's eyes as she said softly, “Though I do not favor the path of dual cultivation, if you are interested, I will not stand in your way.”
“Master, your disciple will not become cultivation partners with Senior Brother Xiao Chen. My heart belongs to the Dao. I seek only immortality and have no other distractions.”
“Immortality? How difficult it is. Even if I secure a Core Formation opportunity, my chance of success is only thirty percent.”
As Lan Yi spoke, her phoenix-like eyes turned to Gao Peiyao, filled with gratification.
“But you have a chance. Although you have a four-element pseudo spirit root, your speed of absorbing spiritual energy is even faster than those with a three-element true spirit root. I suspect your four-element pseudo spirit root is a facade; you may possess a hidden spirit root.”
“Moreover, your soul is twice as strong as that of other cultivators, which gives you an innate twenty percent higher chance of reaching Foundation Establishment.”
“Therefore, Yao'er, you must remember this: during the siege against the demonic cultivator, you are not to rush forward to claim merit. Let your senior brother and sister take the main credit. Your safety is paramount.”
“Yes, I will follow Master’s arrangements.”
——
Chen Jianghe purchased five sheets of high-quality yellow paper and four boxes of spiritual ink before returning to his aquatic farm.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Tiannan Sect had arrived. It shouldn't be long before Lan Tianxiang and his nephew were brought to justice.
He could cultivate peacefully at Mirror Moon Lake until he reached the age of fifty.
On New Year's Eve, Chen Jianghe made a trip to Mirror Moon Market City and went to the Listening Rain Pavilion, the place he had agreed to meet Talisman Master Chu Lang, to deliver his share of the profits—thirty-one spirit stones.
He had learned from Gao Peiyao that a first-tier talisman arts inheritance was for sale in the Immortal Gate Market City at the foot of the Tiannan Sect's mountain.
It was valued at sixteen hundred spirit stones.
A mid-grade talisman arts inheritance would cost around three hundred spirit stones.
By that calculation, his deal to trade ten years of equally split talisman profits with Talisman Master Chu Lang for a mid-grade talisman arts inheritance wasn't a loss.
But it wasn't a gain either.
As his skill in talisman crafting improved, the amount of spirit stones he would have to share with Talisman Master Chu Lang would only increase.
However, he had obtained the mid-grade talisman arts inheritance ahead of schedule, which boosted his income. It was a win-win.
Otherwise, his annual income from crafting talismans would only be about twenty-some spirit stones at his current level.
That was far less than what he was making now.
Once New Year's Eve passed, Chen Jianghe dived to the bottom of the lake.
He was thirty-eight this year, and Xiao Hei was twenty. According to the principle of their shared lifespan, Xiao Hei should be considered an adult.
But he needed to ask to be sure.
“Spirit Nurturing Flower.”
Xiao Hei blurted out excitedly upon seeing Chen Jianghe descend.
“Master, look! Those little green fish have great potential. They have a good chance of becoming spirit beasts by the time of the harvest.”
Noticing a slight change in Chen Jianghe's expression, Xiao Hei quickly changed the subject, pointing a claw at several skinny Green Scale Fish.
Chen Jianghe followed his gaze and saw that these little green fish were brimming with spiritual energy. They would probably be delicious made into a medicinal meal.
Suddenly, he too felt that these particular fish had a promising future.
“Xiao Hei, among the Black Crystal Mystic Turtle race, are you considered an adult now?” Chen Jianghe asked.
“An adult?”
Xiao Hei craned his long neck, looking above his claws. Seeing none of the black spots that marked adulthood for a Black Crystal Mystic Turtle, he quickly shook his head.
“What are you thinking? I was only born twenty years ago. I'm still an adorable little turtle hatchling.”