Chapter Eight: Blessings

Ge Qian feigned innocence and said, “Senior brother, there’s no problem if you want to check. How about we make a wager? If I’m deceiving you, everything in my storage pouch will be yours. But if there’s no Diamond Arts in there, then it belongs to me.”

The burly man spat furiously. “Bah! You must be itching for a beating, thinking you can gamble with me. Take a good look at yourself—what makes you think you’re worthy?”

With a swift motion, the man grabbed Ge Qian by the collar. “You should be grateful I’m even interested in your storage pouch. Hand it over!”

“Stop!” A powerful, resonant voice rang out, clear to everyone in the marketplace. “Shi Lin, you’re breaking the rules here, bullying the weak and forcing unfair trades. Maybe you’d like to spend some time reflecting on your actions at the Cliff of Penitence!”

The speaker was a handsome young man with delicate features, red lips, white teeth, and immaculate attire. He was at the peak of the Qi Absorption stage, just a step away from Foundation Establishment.

Shi Lin drew a sharp breath. Trouble. Wang Yudong, a prodigy in cultivation, was highly valued by the sect elders and tasked with disciplining low-ranked disciples who violated the rules.

The Cliff of Penitence was a desolate, damp precipice, and worst of all, devoid of spiritual energy, making any cultivation there impossible.

Shi Lin immediately released his grip and threw an arm around Ge Qian. “Senior Brother Wang, what brings you to such a humble market? Your presence graces us all! How could I possibly do something as shameless as coercion? I was just joking with Brother Ge Qian, right?”

Cradling the fox, Ge Qian was inwardly startled but hurried to respond, “Yes, Senior Brother Liu and I joke around often. There’s no need to punish him.”

With his strength still lacking, Ge Qian knew he had to keep a low profile and wait for his opportunity.

Wang Yudong’s stern face showed anger. “Is that so? But I clearly heard mention of the Diamond Arts. Don’t worry, Ge Qian, I’ll see justice done for you.”

Sweat beaded on Liu Hai’s brow. He gritted his teeth, picked up the Diamond Arts manual, stuffed it into Ge Qian’s hand, and said, “Senior Brother Wang, you must be mistaken. With our friendship, there’s no need for business between us. I was going to give this to him anyway! If you ever need anything, just come to me.”

Ge Qian was quick-witted enough to see Liu Hai shirking responsibility and gifting him the Diamond Arts for free. Yet his anxiety only grew. Why would Wang Yudong, a law-enforcing disciple, intervene without cause?

Whatever comes, comes. Blessing or misfortune, there’s no avoiding fate—he could only play it by ear.

He said earnestly, “Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Liu speaks the truth. See, he’s already given me the manual. It really was just a misunderstanding.”

Wang Yudong nodded. “A little joking among brothers is fine. But if I catch anyone breaking the rules, I won’t be lenient. Do you have any other business to conduct, Ge Qian?”

Liu Hai quickly answered, “No, nothing else,” wiping the sweat from his forehead. That was all he had left and he couldn’t afford to lose it here.

Ge Qian smiled lightly. “Nothing else.”

“Is there anything else you want to exchange, Ge Qian?” Wang Yudong asked with concern.

“No, nothing.”

“Very well, let’s step aside and talk for a moment, shall we?”

“Of course, Senior Brother.”

Wang Yudong nodded in satisfaction and turned down a path into the mountains. Ge Qian, still clutching the little fox, followed anxiously, feeling unsettled but not daring to refuse, so he steeled himself and followed.

After they had walked some distance, leaving the market behind, Wang Yudong finally spoke. “Ge Qian, I’m about to enter seclusion to attempt breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.”

“With your talent, Senior Brother, success is surely within your grasp. Congratulations in advance!” Ge Qian flattered him.

“Advancing to Foundation Establishment is no easy feat. I only have a thirty percent chance. I wanted to ask you for a favor,” Wang Yudong said, his expression tinged with melancholy, clearly lacking confidence.

Ge Qian felt a momentary pang of disappointment, but quickly set it aside.

Wang Yudong, with dual spiritual roots, had only a thirty percent chance. As for himself, a so-called waste with no spiritual roots, did he have any hope at all? He couldn’t give up—where there’s a will, there’s a way. He still had a long road before reaching the peak of the Qi Absorption stage. He’d worry about it when the time came.

After a brief pause, he said, “If you need anything, Senior Brother, just ask.”

“Good!” Wang Yudong replied immediately. “As you know, I’m a law-enforcing disciple and manage the herb garden. Disciples who break the rules must serve three years in the garden under my supervision.

“Lately, everyone’s been following the rules, and those currently serving have nearly completed their sentences. But now I’m about to enter seclusion, which could last three, perhaps six years, and I mustn’t be disturbed.

“So I’d like you to manage the herb garden. It’s tough work, but the spiritual energy there is several times greater than elsewhere, which will benefit your cultivation. Just endure for a while.

“When I reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll become an elder with real authority, and you’ll be well rewarded under my protection—no one will dare trouble you. What do you think?”

Ge Qian understood—Wang Yudong wanted him to take the punishment so he could cultivate in peace. The hardship didn’t bother him, but the herb garden’s elder was notoriously eccentric.

In the past, managing the herb garden came with a reward of pills, but the elder’s temperament was so unbearable that no one could stand it. Eventually, no one took the task.

The sect leader, at a loss, accepted Wang Yudong’s proposal: all rule-breakers would be forced to serve three years in the herb garden, with harsher punishment for those who refused.

The problem was thus solved, and the leader happily appointed Wang Yudong as the law-enforcing disciple in charge of the garden.

Anywhere was fine—despite the hardship, at least the secret of his dantian would be less likely to be exposed.

Ge Qian swallowed hard, hesitated, and timidly said, “Senior Brother, I’ll be counting on your care when you advance to Foundation Establishment. When should I report for duty?”

Wang Yudong beamed. “Of course, I won’t treat you unfairly. Go report to the herb garden first thing tomorrow morning. Here, take this foundational Five Elements spell. There’ll be a generous reward when all is done! That settles it—I have to prepare for my seclusion, so I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Wang Yudong tossed a jade slip to Ge Qian, then pulled out a palm-sized sword, formed a seal, and transformed it into a seven-foot blade. He leaped on and soared away, graceful and carefree.

Ge Qian hugged the fox and watched as several more senior brothers flew overhead on their swords, a look of envy on his face. He closed his eyes and imagined the joy of soaring through the air himself.

Looking at the fox he’d been forced to buy, Ge Qian said, “Little one, come along. Be careful not to get caught again. Like me, you’re fated to an ordinary life. I have no spiritual roots and am looked down upon everywhere; you’re just an ordinary fox, unable to cultivate without demonic aura.

“But I’ve heard some spirit beasts defy the heavens, cultivating and eventually ascending.

“Never mind, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you. Farewell.”

Ge Qian took a step, and the little fox followed. Mei Die understood that wandering alone would be even more dangerous—if discovered by a demon beast, she’d be eaten for sure; if caught by a human cultivator, she might not be so lucky again. She was safer with this fool.

Ge Qian turned and said, “You may lack demon aura, but you’re clever enough to know it’s safer with me than running wild. Interesting.

“Seems my investment in that Marrow Cleansing Pill was worth it. I’ll let you follow me for now. Liu Hai, that pill was only a loan—I’ll collect interest one day. Come on, you’re pretty smart. From now on, I’ll call you Clever.”

With that, Ge Qian tucked the little white fox under his arm and headed for his dwelling.