Chapter 19

Qi Miao happily munched on the free elixirs while counting the spirit stones with a delighted smile.

A few minutes later, she suddenly sprang to her feet with a “whoosh.”

Chu Chan was startled by the noise and looked at Qi Miao in confusion.

Qi Miao bounced excitedly, her eyes crescent-shaped and sparkling brightly, clearly overjoyed. She leaned close to Chu Chan and eagerly shared her good news, “Senior Sister Chu, I earned fifty thousand seven hundred and twenty-three spirit stones!”

That was a huge sum!

She had struck it rich!

Seeing Qi Miao’s joyful expression, Chu Chan reached out to gently pat her head affectionately. “Junior Sister Qi, you’re amazing—fifty thousand spirit stones in one night. If you keep this up for ten more days, you’ll be able to repay the debt you owe me.”

“…”

Qi Miao immediately wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, her enthusiasm deflating.

Well, fifty thousand spirit stones was nothing compared to her enormous debt.

“Don’t tease her,” Liu Ruzhen glanced at Chu Chan and whispered, “Let’s see what you do after you drive her to the ground.”

Hearing that, Chu Chan anxiously studied Qi Miao’s expression.

Puffing out her cheeks, Qi Miao said weakly, “…I’m fine.”

Chu Chan cleared her throat softly, then smiled warmly like spring sunshine and changed the subject. “Speaking of which, the magma will recede back underground by tomorrow at the latest. What are our plans after that?”

Qi Miao was momentarily stunned.

Chu Chan explained gently, “The magma eruption has probably destroyed about eighty percent of the valley, and there’s a chance it might erupt again. To be safe, we need to withdraw from the valley.”

Liu Ruzhen and the others said nothing but tacitly agreed with Chu Chan.

Qi Miao thought about it and realized there was no room for negotiation, so she began considering where they should go next.

Seeing Qi Miao at a loss, Chu Chan said, “It’s fine to decide after we leave the valley tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Qi Miao nodded obediently.

Chu Chan then told her about other opportunities in the Hunting Grounds secret realm. Noticing Qi Miao still looked a bit tired, she wisely stopped talking and urged her to rest.

Qi Miao complied. With the magma flowing nearby, she didn’t worry about catching a chill while resting on the ground. The restorative elixir from Qiu Tu worked quickly. After two hours of sleep, she woke feeling full of energy.

Liu Ruzhen and the others had their eyes closed. Unsure if they were asleep, Qi Miao hesitated and stayed silent, only peeking around.

Because of Liu Ruzhen’s imposing presence, the cultivators she had brought along with her furnace had been sent to a more distant spot to wait, bored and restless as they awaited the magma’s retreat.

Qi Miao thought for a moment and quietly turned over.

But as soon as she moved, the four resting cultivators all opened their eyes simultaneously.

Liu Ruzhen’s pupils flickered as she hoarsely asked, “Where are you going?”

Qi Miao stood up straight, glanced at the unfamiliar cultivators ahead, and honestly replied, “I want to get their contact information for spirit tablets. Once my refining skills mature, I can sell spirit weapons to them.”

The four exchanged looks but didn’t stop her. Chu Chan and Tang Mingqin also rose from the ground. “Let’s go.”

The cultivators Qi Miao had brought along had been watching her group closely. After arriving on the strange water-travel spirit device, they wanted to talk with its owner.

But Liu Ruzhen and the others guarded tightly, giving no chance to chat.

Their formidable aura made it clear they were not to be trifled with, even if their identities were unknown.

Especially the black-clad sword cultivator, whose cold eyes never left them, silently warning that any attempt to speak more than necessary to Qi Miao would be met with a drawn sword.

These cultivators bore varying degrees of injuries. After suffering a beast tide attack and magma eruption in one day, they were relieved to finally find a safe place and didn’t want any trouble. So despite their displeasure with Liu Ruzhen’s group, they didn’t make a move.

As the girl who had saved them approached, the quickest among them stepped forward, ignoring Chu Chan and Tang Mingqin, and greeted Qi Miao with thanks.

Though they had paid transportation fees, there was no denying that without Qi Miao’s oddly shaped water-travel spirit device, escaping the magma ring would have been difficult even with money.

The girl blushed slightly and shyly waved her hand. “There’s no need to thank me. Though we come from different sects, meeting in the secret realm is fate. As fellow cultivators facing danger, I feel obliged to help when I can.”

Most were touched by her words, and some who had clashed with Qi Miao and Chu Chan the day before felt a twinge of shame.

Chu Chan and Tang Mingqin watched the girl thriving among the group, exchanging smiles.

No wonder they believed her so easily.

Qi Miao was pretty and well-mannered. When she spoke, her voice was clear and confident, her black eyes bright and determined, giving off a sincere impression—if they hadn’t heard her reasoning for rescuing others the day before, they might have been moved as well.

After chatting for a while, as expected, someone couldn’t resist asking about her refining furnace.

“I wonder who crafted that water-travel spirit device. Although its shape is unusual, it can resist magma.”

Ignoring any unkind remarks, Qi Miao smiled as if complimented, claiming the spirit device was her own creation.

The cultivators, adept at tailoring their speech to suit their audience, paused briefly before immediately switching tone. “We didn’t expect Junior Fellow Daoist Qi to produce such an extraordinary spirit device at a refining stage below fusion. Truly impressive for your age!”

“Indeed, your water-travel spirit device has broadened my horizons!”

After flattering her, they wasted no time asking if they could purchase one of these devices from her.

Qi Miao naturally couldn’t refuse such business and happily exchanged contact information with them.

When a white-clad woman’s turn came, she looked at Qi Miao hesitantly, struggling to speak. After a brief pause, she said softly, “Junior Fellow Daoist Qi, I also intend to buy a water-travel spirit device from you, but... may I ask if it must be made like yours?”

Qi Miao’s eyelashes fluttered.

Here it came—the question she dreaded most.

The white-clad woman quickly glanced at her, misunderstanding the silence, and hurriedly explained, “I mean no offense. It’s just that I’m a medical cultivator, and seeing the shape of your water-travel spirit device makes me feel a little uncomfortable.”

Qi Miao’s water-travel spirit device looked remarkably like the refining furnace used by medical cultivators.

She had ridden inside it last night, and looking at the boiling magma outside, she momentarily felt like a herb being stewed.

The woman thought for a moment, lowering her voice with a hint of reluctance, “If it can’t be changed, that’s fine.”

Qi Miao: “...”

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed many others listening intently. Clearly, she wasn’t the only one concerned about this.

Truth be told, the furnace-shaped water-travel spirit device was indeed odd. It was fine to use in emergencies like yesterday, but pulling it out during normal times felt somewhat embarrassing.

Qi Miao couldn’t reveal that her water-travel spirit device was actually a refining furnace, nor could she shamelessly refuse the request.

After a brief silence, she opened her mouth and, determined to boost sales, boldly said, “I—I have a special preference, which is why I shaped my water-travel spirit device this way. If you don’t like it, I can make it look like a proper water-travel spirit device.”

The white-clad woman’s face lit up with joy, and before Chu Chan could intervene, she quickly clasped Qi Miao’s hands and said, “Then please make me one that looks proper when the time comes. Money is no object.”

Chu Chan’s ears twitched as she quietly withdrew her half-extended hand.

Others were equally delighted, chiming in, “Mine should also be made in the normal style by Junior Fellow Daoist Qi. I’m willing to pay extra.”

Qi Miao nodded with tears in her eyes, “...Alright.”

Great achievements require overlooking minor details.

If it meant making big money, tarnishing her own aesthetic taste was no big deal!

Having secured potential clients’ contact information, Qi Miao found an opportune moment to take her leave.

Liu Ruzhen and Qiu Tu opened their eyes at the sound of footsteps.

The trio returned, led by the girl whose steps were somewhat heavy, kicking a small stone in frustration every few steps.

The sword cultivator to her left remained expressionless, while Chu Chan on her right moved lightly, a smile playing on her lips, clearly pleased with the outcome.

Liu Ruzhen asked uncertainly, “Did the negotiations go smoothly?”

Why did the three of them look so different?

“Of course,” Chu Chan said proudly.

Liu Ruzhen looked at Qi Miao, who nodded weakly.

“?”

If it went well, why did Qi Miao look so gloomy?

Sensing his gaze, Qi Miao whispered, “Senior Brother Liu, I’m fine. I’m just processing a new insight I had.”

Liu Ruzhen instinctively asked, “What insight?”

Qi Miao replied solemnly, “On the road to success, you always have to lose something.”

Liu Ruzhen: “?”

* * *

News of the beast tide erupting in the southern part of the Hunting Grounds secret realm spread rapidly.

Normally, communication within the secret realm was slow because spirit tablets couldn’t be used, but this time was different. The central forest in the realm had mysteriously vanished by the time they exited one area, revealing much wider visibility.

Though the forest was bare, cultivators’ line of sight improved greatly.

Thus, people in other regions learned about the southern anomaly on the day of the beast tide.

“This secret realm is truly perilous,” Run Yi sighed, staring at the blood-red sky. “A century-rare beast tide is one thing, but I don’t know what disaster befell the forest.”

Gan Jinlei tended her injuries and ignored her junior brother’s ramblings.

Run Yi talked to himself without boredom. “Ah, we must thank the Beast Taming Valley properly. A few days ago, we nearly entered the valley, but thanks to their seniors leaving guards at the entrance, we were warned about the beast tide.”

Gan Jinlei opened one eye. “They weren’t doing it for you.”

“I know,” Run Yi said sulkily. “They were worried about Qi Miao wandering into the valley. I’m her creditor, so protecting her safety is like helping me.”

Beast Taming Valley disciples had sensed the anomaly on the first day of entering the valley. In the past, they would have left immediately, since they had life tokens and need not worry about their peers.

But half of the disciples who entered the secret realm were Qi Miao’s creditors. Upon discovering the beast tide, they couldn’t just walk away casually. They stationed guards at the valley entrance for three days, ensuring Qi Miao hadn’t entered before leaving.

Gan Jinlei finished her recovery and smiled. “Don’t worry. Qi Miao isn’t in the valley and with those few watching over her, she’s less likely to get into trouble than you.”

Run Yi: “…”

* * *

Qi Miao soon shook off her gloom.

With plenty of time before the magma receded, she couldn’t focus on reading and idly looked around, breaking off a twig to practice sword moves.

Qiu Tu exclaimed, “Hey, are you practicing sword techniques?”

Qi Miao nodded shyly. “Yes, I learned some at Sword Peak but my movements aren’t very precise.”

Her movements were awkward, and Qiu Tu noticed she hadn’t practiced long. “You must avoid mistakes in sword techniques; once bad habits become muscle memory, it’s hard to fix.”

Qi Miao had only studied swordplay for a few days and didn’t know this, so she grew nervous.

“Your movements aren’t bad,” Tang Mingqin said calmly, pointing out her problem. “But your body looks weak, so using a sword is a bit of a struggle.”

Qi Miao: “…”

She had practiced physical training with Gan Jinlei for a month, and her physique had improved greatly. Why was she still labeled “weak”?

Qiu Tu sided with her. “Don’t judge by sword cultivators’ standards. When Junior Sister Qi first joined the sect, she was constantly in the infirmary. She’s much better now.”

Tang Mingqin paused and nodded. “True.”

Liu Ruzhen glanced at Qi Miao. “Keep practicing. It’s rare that Senior Brother Tang is here to teach you a few moves.”

Qi Miao continued wielding the twig, with Tang Mingqin occasionally correcting her imperfect motions.

Qi Miao’s creditors all agreed she needed better self-defense skills; Tang Mingqin was no exception.

Once her sword posture was correct, he generously taught her another sword technique.

His own sword path was the ruthless “Slay,” unsuited for Qi Miao, so he pulled this technique from memory.

Qi Miao was serious about her practice, not wanting to disappoint Tang Mingqin, and studied with full dedication.

They practiced for two hours straight.

Qi Miao’s arm grew too tired to lift. When Tang Mingqin called a stop, she immediately dropped the twig and sat down, panting.

“That’s enough practice for now,” Chu Chan said, producing a talisman to cool Qi Miao down.

Qiu Tu checked her pulse, and Tang Mingqin’s judgment was precise—the practice amount was within her body’s limits.

Tang Mingqin looked down at the twig in Qi Miao’s hand and suddenly asked, “You don’t have a sword yet?”

Qi Miao hesitated.

Seeing no answer, Tang Mingqin continued, “The Hunting Grounds secret realm connects to the Myriad Swords Pool in the northwest. You could find a good sword there.”

“Indeed,” Qiu Tu took out the sword at his waist. “My ‘Deer’ was taken from the Myriad Swords Pool.”

Qi Miao looked at his sword but hesitated before honestly replying, “I do have a sword.”

Tang Mingqin was surprised and asked, “Then why were you practicing with a twig earlier?”

Qi Miao: “…”

How to explain this?

To save space in her storage bag, she only brought her light sword when departing; the plain wooden sword given by Sword Peak was left behind on the Crescent Moon Peak.

The light sword was just a hilt without a blade, not fitting the world’s usual understanding and not presentable.

Qi Miao didn’t want to further tarnish her aesthetic reputation, so she mentally discredited the light sword.

Noticing Tang Mingqin was still waiting for an answer, she hesitated and mumbled, “Practicing with a twig is the same.”

Tang Mingqin frowned, his tone serious. “How can that be the same?”

Under his stern gaze, Qi Miao felt guilty and awkwardly said, “My sword is special. It’s... it’s ugly.”

Tang Mingqin’s expression grew even sterner, his eyes full of reproach. “Junior Sister Qi, how can you say that about your own sword?”

Qi Miao: “…”

She blinked wide-eyed, looking confused.

Qiu Tu clicked his tongue and said to Tang Mingqin, “She’s not a sword cultivator. What’s wrong with her saying a few things about her sword?”

At that moment, Chu Chan told Qi Miao, “That was a mistake, Junior Sister Qi. Don’t say your sword is bad in front of sword cultivators. They treat their swords like their lives and can’t bear to hear such words.”

“…”

Lesson learned.

Qi Miao glanced at Tang Mingqin. Normally taciturn, he was now seriously debating with Qiu Tu.

Tang Mingqin’s words were powerful and earnest as he defended Qi Miao’s sword. “Qi Miao’s sword never complains about her poor swordsmanship, so why does she complain about her sword’s appearance?”

Everyone: “…”

Actually, he made a good point.