Chapter 102: Arranging Connections

Liu Jie, upon meeting his benefactor—who was also his idol—could hardly contain his excitement. He said, “I know of a nearby Spirit Tea Pavilion. Why don’t we go there and have a cup together?”

Naturally, Ge Qian did not refuse. The two walked a mile before entering a teahouse, where a refreshing spiritual aura immediately invigorated their senses. They requested a private room and settled in as host and guest. A beautiful, charming attendant, just eighteen and already at the third level of Qi Absorption, served the spirit tea before quietly withdrawing.

Ge Qian took a sip. The tea was crisp and invigorating, instantly sweeping away his fatigue and stress. He couldn’t help but praise, “What excellent tea! Even in Five Peaks City, it’s hard to come by. The Beast Taming Sect must have invested immensely to build their own city—truly an organization of vast wealth and ambition.”

Liu Jie nodded in agreement. “Indeed, and their ambitions are bold. They’re quietly amassing strength. Once their wings are fully grown, they will soar to the heavens.”

Ge Qian pondered a moment before asking, “How were you and your sister able to escape the valley?”

“Liu Xixi used a Morphing Pill to change our appearances. Without close inspection, no one could tell. We donned the Beast Taming Sect’s robes and slipped out among them. Moreover, Sima Liuguang’s attention was all on the disciples of the Celestial Confucian Sect and the reason for their annihilation, so we managed to escape death. Once inside the Beast Taming Sect, the Grand Elder of Jiuhua took my sister under his wing, and I benefited as well. Last year, we both advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage. Honestly, it was all thanks to you, Brother Ge. If you hadn’t acted righteously back then, my sister and I wouldn’t be here today,” Liu Jie said with heartfelt gratitude.

Ge Qian waved a hand dismissively. “It was nothing. Fate brings people together, and lending a hand costs little. No need to mention it. By the way, where is your sister now?”

Worry clouded Liu Jie’s face as he replied helplessly, “After my sister advanced to Foundation Establishment, another Grand Elder took her away to oversee the construction of long-distance teleportation arrays. We rarely meet now. In fact, she’s hidden somewhere in Celestial Cauldron City, working day and night for the Beast Taming Sect.”

Ge Qian fell silent, then said, “So the Beast Taming Sect is using Celestial Cauldron City as a front for their secret schemes. Once the teleportation arrays are complete, I fear they may silence everyone involved. You and your sister must stay vigilant and take extra precautions.”

Liu Jie sighed. “Even with both of us at Foundation Establishment, we’re nothing but ants in the Beast Taming Sect. Escaping our fates is as hard as reaching the heavens.”

Ge Qian took out a jade slip, infused his spirit sense, and began to imprint information. Half an hour later, he handed the jade slip to the bewildered Liu Jie.

He spoke solemnly, “Within this jade slip is the supreme secret art of my Heavenly Star Sect—the Whirlwind Translocation. It is a seamless blend of Daoist arts and array formations. With Liu Qian’s comprehension of formations, she should have little trouble mastering it, and it could be of great help to you both. I’ve also included a special reading method based on her insights into formations: read it by retreating one line every three lines. Even if this falls into someone else’s hands, they’ll see it as an ordinary treatise on formations. Once you’ve mastered this art, make every effort to escape the tiger’s den.”

Liu Jie took the jade slip, his hands trembling with excitement as tears welled up in his eyes. “Brother Ge, thank you. Words can’t express my gratitude. If there’s ever a time when my sister and I can be of use, we’ll go through fire and water without hesitation. I usually get a chance to see my sister every few months. I’ll make sure to deliver this to her personally. Truly, it’s my own incompetence that has dragged her into this.”

Ge Qian nodded. “Don’t belittle yourself. In your sister’s heart, you hold a special place. The only way to repay her is not to wallow in self-pity, but to strive forward with courage and resolve. Don’t let others look down on you.”

“You’re right, Brother Ge. I’ll remember your words,” Liu Jie replied earnestly, his emotions running high as he raised his tea and drank it in one gulp.

Ge Qian also took a sip, setting down his cup gently. “I must return to the Heavenly Star Sect soon. I offended Liu Xixi at the minor temple, and the journey back passes through the Beast Taming Sect’s territory. I’d rather avoid unnecessary trouble, so I wanted to ask if there’s a quicker way to leave Celestial Cauldron City.”

Liu Jie thought for a moment before slapping his thigh. “That’s right. Not long ago, the teleportation array from Celestial Cauldron City to Five Peaks City malfunctioned. Fortunately, my sister discovered and quickly repaired it, which brought her into contact with Elder Wu Jiang, who manages the array. He’s a greedy man. Let me go smooth things over, and you can teleport directly to Five Peaks City. I doubt he’ll refuse, since it’s Five Peaks City’s reputation at stake.”

“Excellent. I’ll wait for your good news at the Fortune Inn across the street,” Ge Qian replied, visibly pleased.

Liu Jie’s heart surged with excitement. A benefactor’s request must be handled with utmost care—no room for negligence. He immediately stood up. “I’ll go find Wu Jiang right now and finalize this. I’ll say you’re a wandering cultivator friend of mine, heading to Five Peaks City to sell fake pills. He shouldn’t refuse, since it would only tarnish Five Peaks City’s name.”

Ge Qian also rose. “No need to rush. Act according to the situation so as not to arouse suspicion. Otherwise, it could backfire. Here, take these few thousand spirit stones to smooth things over.”

With that, Ge Qian handed a storage pouch to Liu Jie.

But Liu Jie refused repeatedly. “Brother Ge, are you treating me like an outsider? I can manage a few spirit stones.”

Ge Qian smiled slightly. “Take them. There will be plenty of times you’ll need spirit stones. When you’re on the run, they’ll come in handy. When you make your fortune, you can pay me back. I’m not short on spirit stones—unlike you, I can always get more.”

In truth, Liu Jie had few spirit stones left; most of what he’d been given had gone to buying pills. Ge Qian had saved him time and again, and he felt unworthy to accept more. He intended to borrow some if needed.

But Ge Qian, a seasoned wanderer, knew that spirit stones were the lifeblood of cultivators. Without them, one could hardly survive, and borrowing everywhere would only draw attention. So he simply pressed the stones into Liu Jie’s hand.

Unable to refuse further, Liu Jie accepted them, bid farewell to Ge Qian, and hurried off to make arrangements.

After finishing his tea, Ge Qian settled the bill and headed straight for the inn across the street.

The inn was small but suffused with spiritual energy, its environment elegant and its rooms clean.

Entering the lobby, Ge Qian walked straight to the counter, where a young man at the fourth level of Qi Absorption, wearing a felt cap and coarse clothes, stood with a lively demeanor. Noting the ordinary features and itinerant-cultivator attire of his guest, he lethargically announced, “Standard rooms are two low-grade spirit stones per day—no discount. Stay if you want, leave if you don’t.”

Ge Qian wasn’t offended. He’d seen this kind of person often. He tossed a mid-grade spirit stone onto the counter. “Take this as a tip. Prepare me a top-tier room, one where I won’t be disturbed. I need to meditate on Daoist arts.”

The attendant’s face lit up with a wide smile. He immediately bowed, his tone now deferential. “Certainly, sir! We happen to have a top-tier room available for distinguished guests. The rate is ten spirit stones a day.”

Ge Qian, not even lifting his eyelids, replied impatiently, “That’s fine. I’m tired. Make it quick.”

The attendant, overjoyed, bustled off to make the preparations. A mid-grade spirit stone was half a year’s wages for him; today he’d met a generous guest—perhaps there would be more rewards if he served well.