Chapter 46: Tributes

Chapter 46: Tributes

“Mana has condensed into Azure Essence.” Li Tongya dispersed the pale white moonlight which was the Azure Essence from his hand with a wave, his heart swelling with excitement.

The Azure Essence Chakra, though not a significant milestone, represented the fourth chakra of the Embryonic Breathing Realm. The smooth condensation of his mana over the past six months left him deeply satisfied.

“This Azure Essence mana seems rather unusual. Its growth is impressive, almost similar to the Jade Capital Chakra cultivation described in the Azure Essence Meridian Nourishment Technique. Looks like my family’s Supreme Yin Breathing Meridian Nourishment Sutra is really something special.”

Holding a sharp sword up, Li Tongya carefully wiped it with a piece of white fabric. In the Guli Road region, people mainly used sabers and poles.

He had searched four villages before he finally acquired this valuable sword from his wife’s family in Jingyang Village.

Upon learning of Li Tongya’s quest to find a sword, they eagerly offered it and refused payment from him, insisting that it was part of Liu Rouxuan’s dowry.

“After half a year of cultivation, I’ve finally made progress. Now, I can wield this Profound Water Sword Aura with confidence,” Li Tongya murmured to himself as he gently ran his fingers along the blade of the sword, causing it to emit a light gray sword aura. It was as thin as a cicada’s wing, yet lent the blade an air of sharpness.

He exited the courtyard and then found a secluded spot in the mountains to practice with his sword in solitude.

“Ha!” He fluidly moved through the motions, then raised the sword in his hand and flicked his wrist. With a swift motion, he sliced through a large curtain fig tree, which fell with a loud crash, raising dust off the ground.

“Incredibly sharp,” Li Tongya commented as he observed the cleanly cut stump before him. He was impressed by how effortlessly his sword had sliced through the large tree.

Pleased with his sword’s performance, he continued practicing for a while before returning it to its scabbard. He took a moment to cultivate and replenish his mana before heading back to the small courtyard in Lijing Village.

The White Essence Fruits in the small courtyard were ripe, dangling attractively from the pale yellow shoots.

Unlike the more labor-intensive Spirit Paddies, these fruits were easily harvested using mana and then stored in jade boxes. Li Tongya had borrowed two such boxes from Wan Tiancang, just enough to fit the fifteen White Essence Fruits he had picked.

“Brother Tiancang, about the tributes...”

Upon hearing Li Tongya’s inquiry about the tributes, Wan Tiancang immediately elaborated, “Just travel east along the Guli Road and all the way to the Xiao Family’s Cloud Crowned Peak. Families in Lixia Prefecture gather there to pay their tributes, bringing their surplus goods for trade at the foot of the mountain.”

“The market at the foot of the mountain is overseen by the Xiao Family. While robbing and murders are rare within the market, all transactions are final and not reversible as soon as you leave the stalls. So, the success of the trade depends on your own judgment,” he cautioned.

“I see.”

It was at this moment that Li Chejing realized the person in front of him was a woman with delicate features, dressed in a pale blue dress.

He offered an awkward smile and asked, “Have you accepted the task of traveling to Lixia Prefecture to collect the tributes?”

“Indeed, I have.” The woman looked at Li Chejing and her expression immediately softened upon realizing that he was just a sixteen-year-old boy.

“Is your family in Lixia Prefecture?” she asked softly.

“Yes! I’m Li Chejing from Qingsui Peak. May I know your name?”

“I’m Ning Wan, from Moon Lake Peak,” she introduced herself and nodded for him to continue.

Li Cheijing cupped his fist and said with due respect, “As you’re going to Lixia Prefecture to collect the tributes, I’d be truly grateful if you could look after my family there. I hail from the Li Family of Lijing Village, located near Moongaze Lake.”

“Of course, it’s natural for fellow disciples to help each other.” Ning Wan nodded but then gave him a puzzled look and asked, “If you’re from Moongaze Lake, which is under the governance of Moon Lake Peak, why didn’t you join Moon Lake Peak?”

Li Chejing smiled and explained, “Master Si Yuanbai happened to be traveling through Mount Dali when he stumbled upon me. Fortunately, I was honored with his favor and ended up being brought back to the sect to cultivate.”

Ning Wan huffed in annoyance then grumbled, “Si Yuanbai never stays put in his Mushroom Forest Plain. He’s always poaching people from my Moongaze Lake. How annoying.”

Li Chejing could only chuckle awkwardly, choosing not to respond to her comment.

Ning Wan pursed her lips and then changed the topic. “All right, do you have anything you want me to take along?”

Li Chejing was initially contemplating how to make the request, but he was relieved to hear the woman make the offer first. Li Chejing eagerly accepted, “Yes, I do! Thank you so much for your kindness, Fairy!”

He then handed her a small pouch. Ning Wan weighed it in her hand and then heard the clinking of what seemed like four or five Spirit Stones.

“You’ve never received provisions from home while cultivating in the sect, yet you’re sending items home instead? Why is that?” she asked, slightly puzzled.

Li Chejing quickly shook his head and replied, “My family has sent me some pills before. Everything I need is available on the peak, so I don’t really need to spend these Spirit Stones anyway. Besides, using them for cultivation seems like a huge waste, so I figured it’s better to send them home to support my family.”

“I see. You’re very thoughtful,” Ning Wan remarked, her voice warm with newfound respect. “I’ll make sure this gets there.”