Chapter 57: Chapter 42: The Siblings’ Thoughts, Vast Prospects

Atop Sewing Peak, in a detached courtyard.

The red sun had just crested the snow-capped mountain peaks when Luo Tong rushed over.

The moment he entered and saw Luo Qian’er, the joy on his face was practically overflowing:

“Sister, it’s great news! The greatest news! Brother-in-law really didn’t fool me this time! Senior Brother Xu from the Inner Peak… I finally met him today! He was truly magnificent, with an extraordinary air about him!”

Luo Qian’er was taken aback by her little brother’s excitement and didn’t quite process it at first.

’Brother-in-law?’

’Which brother-in-law?’

“If I can get into the Heart-Stealing Forest and get the Resources to trade for Treasure Medicine, a spot in the Inner Peak is practically guaranteed!”

Luo Tong’s face was flushed, and he was glowing with energy. He had taken a Nourishing Essence Pill last night, causing his long-stagnant cultivation progress to surge. His Qi Cultivation Third Layer cultivation instantly shot up by a large margin.

This feeling of immense vigor and vitality was like a chronically ill person suddenly taking a powerful tonic, becoming exceptionally virile and brimming with masculine energy!

At this moment, Luo Tong’s confidence was so inflated that he was completely carried away, even having the arrogant thought of making a “three-month pact” with the likes of Xiao Tongquan and Li Ruohan, planning to use them as stepping stones on his path to the Inner Peak.

“Zhou Can… he really introduced you to Senior Brother Xu Yan?”

Luo Qian’er snapped back to reality. Realizing who her brother was talking about, she couldn’t help but look surprised.

“Brother-in-law is reliable! Not only did he take me to see Senior Brother Xu, but he also arranged for a group of people to look after me and ensure my safety.”

Luo Tong felt utterly gratified. He had trekked from the Lianxi Luo Clan to the Qianji Sect, humbling himself from a dignified Young Master of the Direct Lineage to a mere Mortal Servant. He had bowed and scraped before Zhou Guang of the Forging Room and groveled before Xiao Tongquan and Li Ruohan, his heart filled with pent-up frustration.

But now, with the Nourishing Essence Pill in hand, a connection to Xu Yan of the Inner Peak, and a brother-in-law whose star was on the rise, he suddenly felt like the world had opened up and his future was a wide, smooth path!

Luo Qian’er, however, frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in her voice:

“You used to call him by his name, and now you’re happily calling him ’brother-in-law’ every other word.”

Luo Tong waved her comment away dismissively.

“Sister, that was then, this is now. Sewing Peak is highly valued by the higher-ups, and when work resumes next spring, its prestige is bound to grow even more. Brother-in-law’s status will naturally rise with it…”

At this point, Luo Tong paused and lowered his voice.

“In my opinion, Sister, you should associate less with that Jiang Yi from now on. You don’t want brother-in-law to get the wrong idea and become unhappy.”

Luo Qian’er laughed in exasperation.

“Hah! You don’t even have one foot in the Inner Peak yet, and you already dare to order me around? What nerve!”

Luo Tong immediately softened his tone, smiling placatingly.

“Sister, I’m just thinking of you. Even if that Jiang Yi gets shit-lucky and makes it into the Inner Peak, at best he’ll just be an ordinary Disciple with no connections. He’d probably have trouble even finding a master. What kind of future could he possibly have?

Zhou Can is here on Sewing Peak, making a fortune and willing to spend it on you. Those are real, tangible benefits.

We should just keep him on the hook for now. We can talk again after I’ve established myself in the Inner Peak.”

Luo Qian’er’s interest in the conversation waned.

If she really had to choose between Jiang Yi and Zhou Can, deep down, she still leaned toward Junior Brother Jiang.

After all, Jiang Yi was young and handsome, tactful and engaging, and a considerate conversationalist.

Having lost all interest in continuing the conversation, she offered a few perfunctory replies and sent Luo Tong on his way.

Once she was alone, she couldn’t help but fret:

’How am I supposed to choose? If only I could have romantic nights with Junior Brother Jiang, pouring our hearts out to each other, while also living in this spacious courtyard and enjoying the respectable life a real Cultivator deserves… how wonderful that would be…’

…

…

[I beg the Celestial Book, given my current situation, if I follow Yang Xun of the Red Flame Peak Quenching Room down the mountain, what is the probability of encountering danger or unexpected accidents?]

[Deduction Result: Twenty percent.]

Jiang Yi finished his cultivation and stared at the gently vibrating golden paper. He wasn’t surprised by the result.

The Yanfu Vast Land was ruled by the Daoist Lineage. It wasn’t entirely without conflict, but most of it involved infighting and mutual slaughter between Dharma Lineages, which had little to do with the Mortal Servants at the bottom.

Before reaching the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer and opening the Primordial Inner Mansion, all one needed was Spirit Rice and Treasure Medicine to nourish the physical body.

But the one thing that All Cultivators would truly risk their lives to fight over was “Spiritual Energy.”

However, Jiang Yi wasn’t entirely clear on where its specific value lay.

He only knew from Yang Xun that Spiritual Energy was crucial for opening the Primordial Inner Mansion.

It was said that the Sect Leader of the Qianji Sect had left in search of a ’Xiao Yunyu’ and had not returned for a full five years.

’I’m so curious about what the world of Cultivation is like after the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.’

Jiang Yi gathered his stray thoughts. He waited until the dimmed golden paper shone brightly once more before asking another question.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me my current cultivation progress!]

This was one of the questions the Celestial Book answered most frequently.

Therefore, the reply came quickly.

[Deduction Result as follows:]

[Celestial Book’s Master: Jiang Yi]

[Realm: Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer (42% Complete)]

[Cultivation Techniques: “True Meridian Qi Flowing Technique” (Ungraded), “Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique” (Ninth Grade)]

His cultivation was increasing slowly. Even after taking the Iron Pill, it had only increased by less than five percent.

On the other hand, his progress with the “Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique” was extremely fast, breaking through from the Mid-Stage to the Great Success stage.

’Could it be that I’m truly a Refining Talent?’

Jiang Yi formed a hand seal with his right hand. With a casual flick, he gathered clusters of Fire Attribute energy, transforming them into thirty-six candle-like flames.

They flickered and floated above his palm, exceptionally nimble and lively.

After cultivating it to the Great Success stage, it was no longer just a straightforward line of fire, but had gained numerous flexible variations.

It could gather in clusters, linking together. It could expand, surging like a sea of fire with blazing crimson waves. Or it could concentrate, sweeping like a long spear or piercing like a great hammer. It was capable of a thousand changes in an instant.

’It can be used for both offense and defense, perfectly integrated.’

Jiang Yi practiced a few simple drills, a satisfied look on his face.

With this Fire Manipulation Technique, he could fight his way out even if surrounded by dozens of heavily armored soldiers.

How could mere flesh and blood withstand the might of fire and water?

Putting other things aside, even if they were wearing iron armor, a single touch of his Fire Attribute energy would light them up like human torches!

’Since it’s eighty percent safe, it’s worth making the trip down the mountain.’

Jiang Yi flipped his palm, and the clusters of flames instantly extinguished, retracting into his body to continue refining his Primordial Essence.

Ticking off the “Cultivation” section in his mind, he pondered for a moment, carefully calculating the round-trip travel time.

’Is it feasible to spend thirty days to deduce an ’Opportunity’?’

Jiang Yi silently calculated, feeling uneasy and unsure. What if he was unlucky enough to hit that remaining twenty percent and run into some terrible danger? What would he do then?

’Without the Celestial Book as a safety net to guide me when necessary, how would I find a way to survive?’

As the two thoughts wrestled in his mind, Jiang Yi suddenly slapped his thigh.

“I must be going crazy. Why don’t I just ask the Celestial Book about things I can’t figure out myself!”

He thought for a moment, contemplating the best way to phrase his question.

This was a rather important point.

About half an incense stick later.

A thought flashed, and words appeared.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me the Opportunity I am most likely to obtain on this trip down the mountain.]

[Additional condition: No need for exhaustive details, just the key points will suffice.]

Ripples spread out gently, the vibrations not particularly strong.

[Subject of Inquiry: Opportunity]

[Deduction Time: One incense stick.]

Before long.

[Deduction Result as follows: Pick up an overlooked Eighth-Grade Technique, happily obtain a damaged Magical Artifact, win a bid for rare Cinnabar, gain an astonishing master… ]

Jiang Yi’s eyes widened. Could a single trip down the mountain be so fruitful?

’Did I just stumble upon a hornet’s nest of Opportunities?’

A hint of joy had just appeared on his face before he forced it back down.

’This kind of vague answer isn’t necessarily reliable. There could be hidden risks behind it.’

Jiang Yi suppressed the possessive urge welling up inside him, forcing himself to swallow the words, “I want them all.”

He waited a moment longer for the golden paper to shine brightly again.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me the most harmless choice among these Opportunities.]

This question took a considerable amount of time. Noon passed, and the sun began to set in the west.

Only then did the Celestial Book tremble slightly, startling Jiang Yi from his meditative breathing.

[Win a bid for rare Cinnabar.]

’An Opportunity bought with money has the fewest downsides.’

Jiang Yi seemed to grasp the logic. Seeing that the Celestial Book still had power remaining, he closed his eyes and continued to ask questions.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me the most dangerous choice among these Opportunities.]

He waited until nightfall, when an inky darkness enveloped Red Flame Peak.

[Pick up an overlooked Eighth-Grade Technique.]

’Something for nothing, therefore it carries the heaviest price?’

Jiang Yi continued to circulate his True Qi to pass the time.

Before sleeping, he made one last query.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me the choice among these Opportunities that I am most likely to obtain and which offers the greatest benefit.]

Then he fell into a deep sleep.

「The next day.」

Jiang Yi awoke fully rested, feeling wonderfully comfortable after a long, uninterrupted sleep.

He opened his eyes and habitually checked the Celestial Book. The result was already there.

[Gain an astonishing master.]

’It’s this one. Could it be? After I go down the mountain, will some True Inheritance Daoist from a Thousand-Year Great Sect or a ten-thousand-year Upper Sect take a liking to me? Will they see my extraordinary temperament and outstanding aptitude, accept me directly into their sect, and begin my legendary life of conquering the Demon Dao?’

Jiang Yi’s thoughts ran wild, his imagination soaring, but he quickly reined in these baseless fantasies.

He composed himself. Since “gaining a master” was the most suitable of all the Opportunities, he would set that as his goal!

He didn’t ask where this master was, nor who this master might be.

Such specific information would surely take a long time to deduce.

Therefore, Jiang Yi chose to cut straight to the chase!

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me a reliable method to obtain the Opportunity of gaining a master!]

[Deduction Time: Fifteen days.]

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep