Chapter 82: Gifts and a Return

Chapter 82: Gifts and a Return

Halfway through the meal, the lights in the room dimmed, save a single pure white beam shining from the heavens on the highest table in the house. A silvery shower of snow rained from the heavens as Bai Bing, Matriarch of the Bai clan, descended to her rightful spot, treading on air as simply as though it were firm ground. Wrapped in a pure white sheet in her arms, a tiny infant slept peacefully, its hair white as the falling snow.

A hush fell over the cultivators. All eyes followed the sight of mother and child.

Oh, another in the bloodline, how lucky, the Golden Merchant whispered to Hui.

A baby girl, too, Hui said, then bit his tongue at realizing how meaningless his words were.

The Golden Merchant chuckled. Few know this, but babies who inherit the Bai clan bloodline are born white-haired regardless of gender. Only later, in early toddlerhood, do their male halves develop black hair.

Huh, Hui muttered. He took another bite of his food.

Bai Bing settled into her spot, then gazed around the room. She gave a small smile and a nod, and the lighting returned to normal. Bai clan cultivators rushed from the corners with the main course and a fruit-scented spirit wine.

As his food was set before him, Huis servers hand met his. A small, hard object exchanged hands. Hui retreated his hand under the table and inspected the object with his qi.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

To his delight, a space at least as large as the interior of his old sedan opened before him. At last, a spatial ring!

Not just a space, either, but a space already halfway full of items. A quick scan revealed a gracious number of spirit stones and some items suited for talisman-writing: paper slips, cinnabar ink, spiritual brushes. A note and a few drawn talismans laid in a corner, awaiting a closer examination. A few miscellaneous items had been added as well, including extra robes and other sundries. Nothing exciting, but enough to support him for a good while.

Hui smiled. Even if they cant publicly recognize me, its fine, as long as I get rewarded! Itll be sad to watch all these spirit stones vanish, but on the other hand, I cant wait to see the Sect Masters face when I put a hefty dent in

Sect Masters face

He glanced at Weiheng Wu. Right, what are we going to do about that? Id assume Master has a plan, but Im worried that Masters plan is to simply crush everyone with his pressure. That works for most people, but Im not sure it works for the Sect Master, and even if it does, it doesnt work for this small cultivator once Master absconds back to seclusion again!

Hui cleared his throat. Master, er, maybe we should prolong our stay in the Bai clan? As long as were here, Sect Master cant throw me back into forced seclusion! And if I stay here for long enough, maybe I can make up all the debt I owe. Maybe then Sect Master will be appeased enough not to throw me in forced seclusion!

Weiheng Wu shook his head shortly. Weve already wasted enough time. Its time we return to the sect.

But Master, theres so much to do in Twin Elemental City, weve barely scratched the surface!

Weiheng Wu shook his head. Hui opened his mouth, only to close it again. The argument was already over.

Alright. No luck. So what if I er, thats right, Ive got a copy of Fatty right here! One blood qi copy and ninety-nine death qi copies, in fact, for a hundred total! If I just show him

Three three years? Hui stuttered. I spent longer in the second stage!

Weiheng Wu nodded. Indeed. I hoped your forced seclusion might have accelerated your progress, but It seems that you are better stimulated by field work, as I suspected. The Sect Master should not interfere in my disciples cultivation, as only a peerless master such as myself can best calculate your needs.

Mentioning the Sect Master and calling yourself peerless in the same sentence? Ah, yes, its Master, after all! Hui cleared his throat. Next objectives? he probed.

Weiheng Wu stared ahead.

I guess that means Ill find out when I get there. After a moment of thought, he glanced at Weiheng Wu again. Er, Master, I dont mean to pry, but from my understanding, a cultivator stops aging at the third stage. If you ascended in three years, shouldnt you be er, thirteen? In appearance, I mean.

Do you doubt me? Weiheng Wu asked.

Not at all! Not at all. It is the furthest thing from my mind, Hui replied honestly. I was more curious if you used an aging technique, or had some other secret.

Weiheng Wu gave a small nod. A cultivators natural age progression does halt when they reach the third stage, yes. However, you can will your age to progress, either at a natural or accelerated rate, or even will your age to regress.

Ah. Forgive me for not knowing this common knowledge, Hui apologized humbly.

For reasons beyond even my comprehension, this is not common knowledge. I suspect that other cultivators have not attempted to alter their age of appearance, or have somehow failed in the attempt, Weiheng Wu replied.

Eh? Then, doesnt that suggest that Master created an age-alteration technique, rather than it being something third-stage cultivators can alter at will? Age-alteration wait, thats incredibly useful for playing dead! If I play dead by rapidly accelerating my age, I can mimic withering or life-force-draining techniques! Alternatively, if I suddenly make myself younger after playing dead, I can slip out of chains and bindings and, additionally, vanish into crowds more easily. Its the same as having a permanent, immediate disguise that no one can take away from me!

Hui glanced at Weiheng Wu. Master, is it possible could you impart some of your knowledge of age-alteration to this small disciple?

It is simplicity itself to comprehend the mysteries of aging. A moments devoted meditation should be more than enough.

This small disciple is not as gifted in the arts of comprehension as you are, Master. Surely you could bear to impart this small disciple with a morsel of your knowledge? Hui pushed.

Weiheng Wu glanced over his shoulder at Hui. Perhaps a few decades of seclusion to work on your comprehension would do you well, after all

Hui paled. No! I still have the debt to pay off, and I hate that cave! I want to stay outside and play in the sunlight! No need, Master, no need! This small disciple will work hard on comprehension!

Satisfied, Weiheng Wu gave him an approving nod. Weve almost returned. Prepare yourself.

Prepare myself for what? Hui asked, peering around Weiheng Wus shoulder.