Chapter 97: A Second Encounter

Chapter 97: A Second Encounter

Days passed. The paper slowly filled, until at last Hui had a batch of every type of talisman. Every so often, he paused to check the back of his hand, but the mark remained a blur of silver, unchanged.

It seems theres lots of matchups going on out there. Either that, or theyre giving competitors a chance to heal and recover after the first match. Im benefiting from it, so I cant complain. Hui stretched, yawning, then climbed out of his sit. He stored the talismans in the ring. Well, now that Im done with that its time to cultivate life qi!

Eh, but thats boring. Ive just sat on top of this mountain for days on end. Ill take a break first, then get back to studying.

Besides, I havent left my body in days, not since Master gifted me the life qi. Maybe its enough to keep my soul fixed in my body, already! And the rabid Li Xiang fans should have forgotten about me by now probably.

Hui breathed in, feeling the mountains natural qi circulate in and out of his body as he did so. Feels good to be home. I didnt realize how little qi Bai Clan had until I returned here.

Humming a tune to himself, he descended the peak, following the well-trod path toward Starbound Peak.

Starbound Peak brimmed with cultivators. Green-, blue-, white-, and expensive-robed cultivators mingled. The other peaks had set up stalls in Starbound Peak. Jade Garden disciples peddled fresh fruits and spiritual ingredients. Cauldron Peak disciples offered pills, incense, and elixirs, and one particularly familiar, slightly shady stall offered masks, as well.

The one peak Hui had never trod on, Butterfly Pavilion, had the most diverse stalls. Fairy maidens whose beauty rivaled Li Xiangs or Bai Xues offered snacks and tea, perfume sachets, and ornaments. Unlike Li Xiang, who had a fresh, raw beauty, or Bai Xue, whose beauty shone through despite a seeming lack of care, their beauty had a polished air to it. Makeup perfectly done, a beguiling fragrance in the air, even a shimmer of qi to brighten their eyes, they looked as perfect as models in a magazine, and knew it. Butterflies flapped in the air around them, never straying far from the fairy maidens.

Hui nodded to himself. Dangerous, theyre the most dangerous of all. This small disciple should steer clear of them. Instead, he approached the familiar stall. Despite being no older than a few days, it somehow had the same air of dilapidation, clutter, and general disrepair as the shop itself.

Recovery pills! Qi recovery pills, only fifty spirit stones! Xixing shouted through the hubbub. Oh, treasured customer, please her eyes alighted on Huis face, and she scowled. Eh. What are you doing here?

Spirit stones? Hui asked, looking around the shop.

Xixing nodded. Were required to sell internally for gold, but externally, we can sell for whatever we like. Even with the spirit stone tax, getting these suckerser, valued customersspirit stones is worth it, compared to the usual gold. Thanks to Jade Garden Peak, were mostly self-sustaining when it comes to pill ingredients, but its nice to be able to afford outside materials from time to time.

Spirit stone tax? Hui asked. First Ive heard of that.

Thirty percent, I think? Its hefty. The Sect Masters committing daylight robbery, I tell you. Ah, oh well. It just means Ill have to hike the price up for these suckers that much more. Sixty spirit stones, fourth-stage qi recovery pills!

Mmm Ill pretend like I didnt hear that. Id never repay my debt if I had to pay a thirty percent tax on all the spirit stones I made, on top of everything else! He glanced around. Whats all this about, anyways?

She rolled her eyes. Sure, say that on the battlefield. In an honorable tournament with our fellow righteous sects? Not so much.

Do you think I could win any fights fairly? Hui sighed.

Then why enter the tournament?

Hui opened his mouth, then sighed and shook his head. Never mind. Its too much trouble to explain.

Xixing leaned against her counter. Are you here to buy, or just chat?

Elder sister, does this small cultivator need a reason to seek out

Yes. Shoo, youre disrupting the customers, Xixing said, waving him away.

Hui furrowed his brows at her. What customers?

Ah, this Hui, are you asking to die? Xixing burst, jumping at him.

Apologies, apologies, sister, I forgot, my tongue, lately, its been Stumbling over his apologies, Hui backed out of the shop and back into the plaza. His back struck a small form, and a girl cried out.

Hui whirled, already bowing. Apologies! Its all this small cultivators fault, apologies.

Eh, Xiao Hui? a soft voice asked.

He looked up. Su Caiyi stood there, her head tipped to the side, small hands clutched together. Hui smiled. Oh! Greetings.

Greetings, Su Yan grumbled back, standing over her shoulder. He glared fiercely at Hui, arms crossed.

Huis smile wilted. Su Caiyi, please call off your guard dog! Hes going to glare me to death, seriously!