CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: CULTIVATING MANA

「The Qi Family Estate.」

Qi Xiu squatted beside the medicine cauldron, his head down as he sorted herbs. He seemed to be vaguely muttering something under his breath. The syllables were strange, like some ancient dialect.

Deftly tossing the medicinal ingredients into the cauldron, Qi Xiu’s movements suddenly paused, his brow furrowed as if recalling something. A few seconds later, his brows relaxed. Those bizarre and awkward syllables once again spilled from his mouth—deep, guttural, and difficult to mimic.

If this prescription succeeds, it should enhance the potency of Fish Fragrance Muscle-Relaxing Powder by at least thirty percent.

Closing the cauldron lid, Qi Xiu turned back to the courtyard, brushing the loose dust from his clothes as he glanced at the panel.

[Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture: 17.1%]

He was ultimately unwilling to give up the Divine Marvel of the Flood Dragon Pool Ring. This heart scripture for controlling Magic Artifacts, however, had settled securely on the proficiency panel. But the initiation into this heart scripture had been smoother than I anticipated.

Muttering those guttural and twisted syllables, Qi Xiu lay back on the rocking chair, facing upward.

According to the requirements of the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture, to cultivate this heart scripture, one must first find thirty-six dark loaches over fifty years old, extract their heart’s blood, inscribe mystical patterns on their body, and then soak daily in a cold spring. Using these patterns as a conduit, one must chant the scripture’s incantations to absorb the spiritual energy of the cold pool and cultivate Mana.

This process had to continue for three full years before Mana could be generated within the body.

When he first saw this requirement, Qi Xiu had snapped the book shut, ready to throw it away. Fifty-year-old dark loaches? Soaking in a cold spring? For three whole years! With that much time, Qi Someone would have already mastered ten True Cultivation Powers and proven his Dao through strength! What was the point of cultivating such useless Mana?

Fortunately, after some rational self-persuasion and a bout of complaining, Qi Xiu had put aside his disdain and started pondering the incantations for absorbing spiritual energy and cultivating Mana. And with this pondering, a grand path, forcibly pried open by the Divine Marvel of his proficiency, unfolded before Qi Xiu.

Chanting the scriptures is part of cultivating Mana. So, as long as he chanted, it counted as cultivation. Therefore, by the strict logic of ’effort guarantees reward,’ chanting scriptures equaled cultivating Mana.

Legs comfortably crossed, Qi Xiu contentedly watched the progress of the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture on the proficiency panel tick upward bit by bit.

Not bad at all. This spell was well worth cultivating. It not only added an extra skill but didn’t infringe on the time for cultivating other abilities. Apart from being a bit taxing on the mouth, it had no drawbacks.

At this rate, in ten days to half a month at most, I should be able to raise this spell to the First Realm.

Alas, any success Qi Someone had achieved was truly all thanks to his diligence.

Sighing to himself, Qi Xiu was just about to stand up and check on the heat of the medicine cauldron when a mysterious fragrance suddenly wafted through the air.

"Hmm?"

Smelling this aroma, Qi Xiu felt all the hairs on his body stand on end. The rich, far-reaching fragrance stirred the Qi spring in his Dantian, making it restless. The proficiency on the panel flickered, seeming on the verge of jumping up.

What could possibly emit such an extraordinary fragrance that merely smelling it could cause proficiency to increase?

Eyes wide with surprise, Qi Xiu curiously looked in the direction the fragrance drifted from.

This isn’t right. It’s probably a trap.

His mind racing, Qi Xiu narrowed his eyes.

「The Song Residence.」

Sitting upright in the Taishi Chair, Song Tingye gently waved his folding fan. On the desk in front of him, a golden ginseng resembling a human figure, complete with limbs and facial features. Its body was wrapped in red cloth inscribed with ancient Talisman Scripts and slowly emitted waves of an exotic fragrance. This golden ginseng was a kind of miraculous medicine. It could enrich one’s spirit, nourish vitality, and invigorate Qi and blood. Whether a martial artist or a spellcaster, consuming it could grant an additional twenty years of cultivation.

"Yue Ting, is there any news?" Song Tingye spoke slowly and calmly. The fragrance of this golden ginseng could only be detected by someone with extremely high Inner Qi cultivation. As long as that mysterious expert was still in the city, he would surely be drawn by the scent. Considering the value and allure of the golden ginseng, he was confident in brokering this deal.

"Not yet, Young Master," Sun Yueting replied, shaking his head from his position under the eaves to the side.

"No matter, the day is still young." Though he sounded calm, Song Tingye was somewhat surprised internally. This person certainly has some self-control.

From the early morning birdsong and bustling streets, to the high noon when crowds rested, and then to the sky painted with sunset hues as quiet descended.

Sitting in the courtyard with a gloomy face, the golden ginseng on the table before him, Song Tingye felt as though its indistinct facial features were mocking him.

"Young Master, shall we continue waiting?" Sun Yueting approached, also inwardly amazed. That person is truly patient. A whole day had passed without even a glimpse of him. Could it be that he truly wasn’t interested in the golden ginseng? This was golden ginseng, after all! Out in the world, it would be enough to incite a considerable bloodbath.

"No more waiting." With a snap, Song Tingye closed his folding fan, frowning. This was the first time he had been so thoroughly thwarted.

"Going to such lengths, were you waiting for me?"

Just as Song Tingye stood up, a voice tinged with laziness sounded.

When did he arrive? Sun Yueting’s expression tensed. He looked towards the voice, his face paling slightly. He saw a man in black, his face obscured by a black cloth, leaning casually against the eaves nearby. Arms crossed, he leisurely watched them. He hadn’t noticed when this person had appeared. Such terrifying Qinggong!

Silently moving a few steps closer to Song Tingye, Sun Yueting felt his palms begin to sweat. If this person had decided to attack Song Tingye just now, he definitely wouldn’t have been able to intervene in time.

"You’ve finally arrived. You truly kept Mr. Song waiting for quite some time." Seeing Qi Xiu appear, Song Tingye’s face broke into a smile. His willingness to appear means there’s room for negotiation.

Qi Xiu’s gaze flickered slightly as it fell upon the golden ginseng on the table, which was remarkably humanoid in shape. So that was what emitted that exotic fragrance.

"Since you are here, would you care to come closer for a discussion?" Song Tingye gestured for Qi Xiu to take the seat beside him. He appeared perfectly calm, seemingly unafraid that Qi Xiu might harm him.

WHOOSH—

Almost as Song Tingye’s words fell, Qi Xiu, who had been dozens of paces away, suddenly vanished. The next instant, he reappeared directly in front of the chair.

This eerie and chilling display of Qinggong made Sun Yueting clench his fists. A master of profound skill, yet at this moment, he felt a cold sweat break out on his back.

"What do you want with me?" Sitting down, Qi Xiu faced Song Tingye, though his gaze occasionally darted to the golden ginseng on the side.

"Nothing much. I just have a business proposition I’d like to discuss with you," Song Tingye said with a faint smile.

"Prefect Song is also a businessman? Yet, I recall that the laws of Great Xuan strictly prohibit court-appointed officials from engaging in commerce."

"Hahaha, I like your sense of humor. Let’s get straight to the point. Mr. Song wishes to hire you as a protector. This golden ginseng will serve as a deposit. As for your remuneration, feel free to name your price. As long as it is within Mr. Song’s capabilities, I will not haggle." Laughing freely, Song Tingye revealed his true purpose. He then lifted the teacup beside him, gently blew on the surface of the tea, and quietly awaited Qi Xiu’s reply.

Oh, so he wants to hire me as an enforcer.

Raising an eyebrow, Qi Xiu didn’t mince words:

"I want the secret technique for the Ancient Gathering of Celestial Strength..."

PFFT—