Witnessing Su Xuanlin’s reaction, as if facing a formidable enemy, Wen Qixue couldn’t help but be amused. He asked, “Do you dislike those two?”
Su Xuanlin shook his head. “No, they… they seem quite kind.” In truth, compared to the people Su Xuanlin had encountered in the past, the two from Danxia Valley, despite saying little to him, had maintained a very gentle attitude. “Plus, it seems they might be able to heal you.”
Though he was still new to the complexities of cultivation and the terminology involved, Su Xuanlin had grasped one vital point: Danxia Valley could help Wen Qixue reshape his body. He remembered Wen Qixue saying that the materials for this had been prepared long ago and were already fused within the puppet body. According to the Danxia Valley cultivators, all that remained was the fusion of the soul and the flesh.
Wen Qixue toyed with the two jade tokens left behind by the Danxia Valley pair and asked Su Xuanlin, “If I go to Danxia Valley later, what are your plans?”
Su Xuanlin tightened his grip on his sleeves. “In that case, does that mean I can only…”
Sensing Su Xuanlin’s unease, Wen Qixue smiled reassuringly. “I told you before, I will certainly arrange a place for you. Do not worry. I’m merely asking what your own preferences are. If I go to Danxia Valley, would you rather follow me, or follow my previous plan and try your luck at another major sect?”
Wen Qixue explained further, “While Danxia Valley has other cultivators, their entire sect is biased toward alchemy. It may not be the most suitable environment for you.”
Su Xuanlin felt a little relieved and replied immediately, “I’m going to Danxia Valley with you!”
“Even if Danxia Valley isn’t perfectly suited, judging by your attitude toward them, they seem quite reliable. And they are fighting so vigorously for their First Senior Sister, so the people there must be decent, right?”
Wen Qixue laughed. “I didn’t realize you were such a good judge of character. Very well, let’s decide on that!”
He took out one of the jade tokens and handed it to Su Xuanlin. “Take it and play with it!”
Su Xuanlin accepted the token and examined it front and back, but found nothing extraordinary. He reasoned that since it was a gift from Danxia Valley, it couldn’t be a mere toy, so he channeled spiritual energy into it. Still, nothing happened.
Just then, he glanced over to see Wen Qixue’s token emitting a soft, warm white light.
Su Xuanlin: “…” He scrutinized his own token once more, but still nothing. He began to doubt himself was his technique for channeling spiritual energy wrong? Or was the energy output impure because his current technique didn’t align with his roots?
Wen Qixue caught the movement. “Oh, I nearly forgot. These messaging tokens require the Foundation Establishment stage to be activated.”
Su Xuanlin sheepishly lowered the token.
Wen Qixue, prompted by this interaction, suddenly remembered: “Xuanlin, do you still lack a suitable cultivation technique?”
Su Xuanlin nodded. “Indeed. I have always practiced fire-attribute techniques, but since you said they might not align with my roots…”
“Would it be better for me to use a general-purpose technique instead of a fire-attribute one?”
Wen Qixue confirmed this. “Precisely.” Pondering for a moment, he asked, “Do you have paper and a brush?”
Su Xuanlin nodded. When he followed his ancestor, he often had to record information, so he still had supplies in his storage bag. He brought them out, took the initiative to fetch water, and ground the ink. “What do you need these for, Senior?”
Wen Qixue flicked the brush. “I am going to transcribe a technique for you.”
Su Xuanlin’s hand trembled, and a splatter of ink landed on the paper. Wen Qixue moved with lightning speed, darting to the doorway. He looked at the ink on the paper and his seat, fixing Su Xuanlin with a reproachful gaze. “Is this how you repay me?”
Su Xuanlin scrambled to clean up the mess. “I am sorry, Senior, this…”
Knowing it was an accident, Wen Qixue merely waved his hand. He performed a minor cleansing spell, and the ink vanished. He sat back down, dipped the brush, and began to write.
Su Xuanlin hovered by his side, whispering, “May I watch?”
Wen Qixue nodded casually. “It is for you, after all. Most general-purpose techniques used today still suffer from root incompatibility. Your roots are unique; if you are rejected by a technique, you would have to start over from scratch, which would be a severe setback.”
He finished one page, set it aside, and began the next. “This technique is called the Origin Heart Sutra. Its greatest characteristic is its capacity to embrace everything; it is compatible with the vast majority of other techniques and even complements them. This means that even if you find a technique perfectly suited to you later, this will not interfere. You will be able to transition smoothly to a new set of techniques.”
“You can even practice them simultaneously.”
Su Xuanlin’s curiosity piqued. “If this technique is so powerful, does that mean I don’t need to change techniques at all? Can I just practice this one forever?”
Wen Qixue’s brush paused. “If you are determined to stick with the Origin Heart Sutra to the end, that is possible. However, I suggest practicing it alongside a technique tailored to your specific attributes. After I found and practiced the Origin Heart Sutra years ago, the spiritual energy I absorbed became much purer than before.”
Su Xuanlin’s gaze toward the drying paper burned with excitement. “Can I truly use this?”
The technique was long. Wen Qixue finished another page. “Use it. This technique has a calming effect when practiced over time. Since Danxia Valley has many alchemists with fierce alchemical fires, they may find this technique quite interesting as well.”
After a long while, Wen Qixue set the brush down and shook the final page. “That will suffice for now. The Golden Core chapter is complete. Once it dries, you may examine it.”
Su Xuanlin’s eyes shone with intensity. “Senior, are there subsequent chapters?”
Wen Qixue nodded. “Indeed. This technique can lead one to ascension! However, I only reached the Golden Core stage in my previous life, so I have not seen the later chapters. If you wish to see them, you must wait until I reshape my body and retrieve the rest.”
Su Xuanlin shook his head gently. “No, no, this is already more than enough.”
Wen Qixue stood up. “Let it air dry; it will be ready momentarily.”
The supplies, likely left behind by Old Man Su, were of excellent quality—the standard for a Golden Core-level refiner—and the ink dried thoroughly in moments. Su Xuanlin collected the pages and walked toward Wen Qixue. “It is dry, Senior!”
Wen Qixue glanced at the technique in Su Xuanlin’s hand. “Check for any blurred characters, then store it away or take it to the inner room to begin your practice. And, there is no need to call me ‘Senior’ in the future.”
Su Xuanlin blinked, confused. He asked timidly, “Then… what should I call you?”
“Anything you like, as long as it feels natural.”
Su Xuanlin pondered for a moment. “How about… Xue-ge (Brother Xue)?”
Wen Qixue’s eyelid twitched inexplicably at the address, but he dismissed the feeling of surprise and nodded. “That is fine.”
Su Xuanlin relaxed. “Then, Xue-ge, do you not need this technique?”
Wen Qixue waved his hand. “I have it memorized. Why would I need your set?”
Thus, Su Xuanlin happily stowed it away in his storage bag.
The Fengqin City auction was held as scheduled. Not long after Wen Qixue received his invitation, the two Danxia Valley disciples arrived. Since Wen Qixue had mentioned considering their offer, this pair—who treated themselves like family began visiting frequently, often bringing gifts when they found something interesting. They even asked Manager Ning to switch their rooms to be adjacent to theirs. Fortunately, Manager Ning still possessed a shred of professional integrity and refused.
This time, the moment Wen Qixue received his invitation, the Danxia Valley senior brother, Xia Changxun, was at their door: “Fellow Daoist Wen, my junior sister and I have come to see you!”
Wen Qixue: “…”
Su Xuanlin: “…Are all people from Danxia Valley like this?”
Recalling his past dealings with the sect, Wen Qixue shook his head. “I don’t believe so; this pair is simply particularly restless.”
As if to validate his words, the junior sister, Rong Mingmo, chimed in: “Fellow Daoist Wen, I found some delicious treats outside and brought some specifically for Junior Brother Xuanlin!”
Su Xuanlin looked at the sky.
Wen Qixue laughed. “Go open the door and enjoy what Junior Sister Rong has brought you.”
Su Xuanlin pouted, though his pace was light as he went to open the door.
“Brother Xia, Sister Rong.”
As soon as the door opened, Rong Mingmo shoved a large bag into Su Xuanlin’s arms. “Here, take it and play! I’ve picked through them—many things in Fengqin City are useless, but they are certainly fun.”
Xia Changxun cautioned her from the side, “Exercise some restraint; don’t just think about playing.”
Rong Mingmo scoffed. “You are no different.”
Xia Changxun coughed, masking his embarrassment. “I am merely bringing these back for the younger disciples in the Valley who cannot leave!”
Rong Mingmo looked skeptical. “Do they know you are using them as an excuse?”
Xia Changxun couldn’t win the argument, so he turned to Wen Qixue, who was sitting by the window. “Fellow Daoist Wen, I have just spoken with Manager Ning. Apparently, Fengqin City is teeming with visitors, and the scale of the auction is larger than expected. Private boxes may be in short supply. What would you say to the four of us sharing one?”
Rong Mingmo stepped forward. “Exactly! And once the auction concludes, we can travel to Danxia Valley together. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Wen? Rest assured, if you have any needs, simply state them. Brother Xia and I will never compete with you for items. If you lack spiritual stones, just tell us, Danxia Valley has no shortage of wealth!”
Wen Qixue looked at the pair, seeing them both watching him with burning anticipation. He pondered for a moment and then gestured toward Su Xuanlin. “I am indifferent to these matters. Ask Xuanlin; if he thinks it is acceptable, then so be it.”
Su Xuanlin, suddenly the focus of four eyes, replied: “Ah?”
What happened? Why is everyone looking at me?