Chapter 031: The Xuantian Sect Is Very Poor

Amidst a chorus of complaints, the group set out once more, finally arriving at the foot of Mount Brahma before sunset on the second day. There, the city of Brahma awaited them.

Entering the city meant stepping into the mortal realm; sword-flying was forbidden within its bounds, and cultivators were not to harm or disturb ordinary people. There were three days left before the opening of the Brahma Secret Realm, and sects both large and small had already begun to arrive in succession. As one of the Four Great Sects, Xuantian Sect was naturally honored by Brahma Sect, the host, who had made ample arrangements.

Willow Branch Qing led them to the inn prepared by Brahma Sect. Including Yan Shu, thirty-two members of Xuantian Sect had come, filling the inn to capacity.

Compared to the previous days of rough meals and sleeping outdoors, entering the inn brought tears of happiness to everyone’s faces. Willow Branch Qing watched their joy and snorted lightly, “If you can’t handle such hardship, just wait until you enter the Brahma Secret Realm—you’ll have plenty to endure then!”

Though his words were pointed, he still handed each person a room key and a jade token. “You are free to do as you please for the next few days. If you encounter mortal danger, crush the jade token. Gather here in three days at noon; I will take you to the secret realm.”

“This jade token is effective for three months. Keep it safe—you may use it within the secret realm as well. If you crush it, I will retrieve you from the realm.”

The newly initiated disciples had never been to the Brahma Secret Realm, but from their seniors they’d already learned how dangerous it could be. With the jade token, their lives had a safeguard, and everyone solemnly tucked it away.

Yan Shu watched them, a little envious—she wanted one too.

But Willow Branch Qing merely patted her shoulder and murmured, “Little Sister, rest well tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll take you out to see the city.”

Yan Shu: …

The original host was stubborn and prone to melancholy—a rebellious youth for good reason. But indeed, Yan Shu was curious about the outside world. From her reading, she knew that Brahma City had risen to become one of the ten greatest cities on the Nine Provinces continent, thanks to the secret realm. There was not only a so-called black market, but also the Treasure Pavilion—an auction house. In the original story, Xiao Jihan earned his first fortune there after emerging from the secret realm.

So she nodded immediately. “Alright.”

Willow Branch Qing smiled slightly. “I knew you’d like it.”

After speaking with him, Yan Shu instinctively searched for Xiao Jihan’s presence. Yet, in that short span, he was nowhere to be seen. Not finding him, she didn’t mind—after all, he was the protagonist. The plot had shifted, his opportunities would too, and all she needed was to wait until he entered the secret realm.

She rested well for the night and, filled with anticipation, waited all morning. Yet Willow Branch Qing did not seek her out. Though anxiety pricked at her, she kept her cold and aloof persona, vowing inwardly that if he forgot, she would never speak to him again.

He had not forgotten. In the afternoon, he finally knocked on her door, handing her a porcelain bottle with an air of secrecy. “This is the Illusion Face Pill. It can alter your appearance—one pill lasts twelve hours. If you wish to return to your true face, simply circulate your spiritual power around your face.”

With those words, he took a pill before her eyes, then looked at her. “Take yours quickly. I’ll show you the world.”

Hearing this, Yan Shu guessed he meant to take her to the black market or the Treasure Pavilion. Without hesitation, she swallowed a pill.

In the blink of an eye, their appearances changed. Willow Branch Qing, though over five hundred years old, carried the look of a man in his thirties. Now, with the pill, he appeared as a handsome youth in his twenties.

Yan Shu’s face, meanwhile, transformed into her appearance from her previous life—a visage bearing six or seven points of resemblance to the original host, but with less ethereal coldness and more alluring charm. From a lofty, aloof fairy, she became an impish spirit who wandered into the mortal world.

Willow Branch Qing studied her face in some consternation and solemnly said, “Sister, you must stay close to me. Absolutely do not wander off, understand?”

She needed no warning—she knew better than to run off. The novel made it clear: the black market and auction house were full of all manner of demons and monsters. With the secret realm about to open, both the Shadow Sect and the Demon Fairy Sect—neither wholly righteous nor evil—were present. She was only at the Golden Core level. If not for Willow Branch Qing offering to show her around, she would never dare step into such places alone.

Seeing her nod with grave earnestness, Willow Branch Qing finally led her out.

The inn was quiet, but stepping outside, she was immediately engulfed by the bustle—crowds thronged the streets, mostly disciples from various sects.

Willow Branch Qing whispered to Yan Shu, “Brahma City makes its fortune from the secret realm, which opens once every ten years. I’ve always suspected those bald monks of Brahma Sect only open it for profit, not for any lofty ideal. Every year, Brahma City must pay tribute to Brahma Sect.”

“Those monks have spiritual rice and spirit plants for daily use. Tell me, why doesn’t Xuantian Sect have a secret realm at the mountain’s foot?”

At this, Yan Shu recalled what Xiao Jihan had said—the spiritual rice in Xuantian Sect was allotted only to those who had taken disciples. She lowered her voice, “Brother, is our sect poor?”

“Not exactly poor,” Willow Branch Qing murmured, “but you know cultivators don’t engage in mundane labor. Though there are many opportunities to obtain heavenly treasures, the path of cultivation is costly. A vast sect must be sustained, so resources are always tight. To make matters worse, the Eastern Clan of Yun Prefecture hasn’t produced a spiritual root in generations, so their tribute has dwindled.”

Yan Shu understood—plainly, Xuantian Sect was poor.

Willow Branch Qing saw her expression and hastened to reassure her. “Don’t worry, Sister. No matter what, you’ll never lack for anything. I’ve refined a batch of pills this time—once we sell them at the black market and Treasure Pavilion, we’ll have a good sum. Your fourth brother has gone to the Secret Realm of Manifestations; when he returns, he’ll have plenty of treasures. Whatever catches your eye, I’ll buy it for you!”

Hearing this, Yan Shu felt a pang. Her fourth brother, Shi Wanqing, had announced a retreat months ago. So he was searching the secret realm for treasures to supplement the sect’s expenses.

They had come to such poverty, yet her third brother still said, whatever she liked, he would buy it for her.

Yan Shu suddenly felt like a child, immature and dependent, while her brothers sheltered her with broad shoulders, shielding her from the wind and rain.

Her nose tingled, and she looked up at Willow Branch Qing, “Alright. Don’t hold back when the time comes, Brother.”