Chapter 58: Chapter 43: Rich Girl, I Want It All

Guanlan Peak, in a Quiet Chamber on the third floor.

The crane-beak incense burner spouted a thin, long stream of white smoke, which swirled into a misty cloud.

Accompanied by the sound of breathing exercises, it was as if an invisible hand kneaded the cloud, breaking it apart into wispy threads.

“Senior Brother Jiang! I can’t take it anymore…”

On the wooden couch, Li Ruohan’s cheeks were flushed. Her cultivation breathing was somewhat ragged as she asked in a delicate voice:

“Should I go faster now, or slower?”

Across from her, Jiang Yi pondered for a moment before replying succinctly:

“When your qi descends to your chest, sink it downward and accelerate. When it rises past your face, ease up and slow down.

Junior Sister, you might as well follow my rhythm. Listen to my count. One, rise! Two, fall, then rise again…”

Jiang Yi precisely controlled the tempo of her qi circulation, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the surface of the couch.

It was a rhythm of nine heavy beats and one light one, guiding Li Ruohan in circulating her True Qi.

「Not long after.」

Li Ruohan’s chest and abdomen rose and fell like a bellows being pumped. Her qi and blood radiated outward, and the rising heat steamed her body, leaving her drenched in fragrant sweat.

「After another half-incense stick’s time.」

Li Ruohan let out a soft cry, gasping:

“Senior Brother Jiang! I can’t hold on…”

Her fragrant shoulders and jade-like back suddenly went limp. She collapsed onto her side, her delicate frame trembling uncontrollably, clearly exhausted.

Her pale-yellow gown was soaked through, clinging to her fine, tender skin and revealing her slender curves.

This cultivation session was more satisfying than all her previous ones combined.

“Junior Sister Li, your accumulated Cultivation has reached Nine Tens. Unfortunately, your circulation and refinement are not subtle enough, lacking a sense of skillful naturalness. This causes your True Qi to travel through your body, but your organs struggle to coordinate with it.”

Jiang Yi’s gaze remained fixed forward as he analyzed and explained, point by point:

“When channeling True Qi with your breath, your Heart Spirit must be focused, not scattered. Your consciousness must be steady, not drowsy.

Junior Sister Li, polish your skills more. At a rough estimate, in about twenty days, you should be able to try breaking through to the Fourth Layer again.”

In short, his long-winded explanation meant that Li Ruohan relied on Spirit Rice and Treasure Medicine to advance her cultivation. Her Merit grew too easily, causing her to neglect her regular cultivation, which was now full of flaws.

If he were to summarize it even further, it would only take four words.

You’re a scrub. Practice more!

“Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Jiang. I feel I’ve had a great epiphany.”

Li Ruohan’s cherry-like lips were slightly parted, and she was panting heavily.

It was the first time she had realized there were so many key details and secrets involved in circulating True Qi.

Harmonizing the breath, the rising and falling, the advancing and retreating… all these crucial secrets.

Although they were recorded in the Technique manuals, the descriptions were not very clear.

The annotated manuals provided by her clan also offered differing explanations, making them difficult to sort through.

Some were vague and general, some were ambiguous, and some were profound to the point of being incomprehensible.

None of them were as simple, clear, and concise as Jiang Yi’s words.

The two hours of “instruction” had been immensely rewarding for Li Ruohan.

She felt as if she had been filled to the brim with cultivation knowledge, her body and mind feeling incredibly fulfilled.

“I’ll stop bothering you for now, Junior Sister Li.”

Jiang Yi got up from the couch and slipped on his shoes.

’Men and women should keep their distance; it’s not proper to stay in the same room for too long.’

’Besides, in her current state, Li Ruohan probably needs to bathe and change her clothes.’

’It would likely be inconvenient for her if I stayed.’

’Senior Brother Jiang is truly a graceful and knowledgeable gentleman.’

Li Ruohan forced herself to sit up, praising him in her heart.

Then she found it incredible. ’How could a backwater village produce such a fine specimen as Senior Brother Jiang?’

’His knowledge and understanding of cultivation and Refining Techniques are simply too profound, far surpassing that of many from a Village Clan Direct Lineage.’

Leaving the Quiet Chamber, Jiang Yi went down to the second floor and requested a private room to drink tea.

Since Li Ruohan was covering all the expenses today, there was no need for him to be overly frugal.

’Being from a village clan certainly has its advantages. Their foundation is far superior to that of a common Mortal.’

Jiang Yi’s thoughts wandered as he brewed the pot of Snow Mountain Jade, which was worth one hundred and twenty talisman coins.

’Li Ruohan’s talent is merely above average, hardly outstanding, but the Bo County Li Clan has a deep foundation and ample wealth, allowing her to pass through the Three-Story Floor without any obstacles.’

’But because her path has been too smooth, her foundation was never properly solidified and appears weak.’

’In my view, her situation is like someone who always travels by carriage, resulting in legs so weak they can only walk, not run.’

’’Without wealth, one cannot become accomplished.’ That saying is so true, it hits the nail right on the head.’

’This must also be because the starting point of a village clan isn’t high enough. It would be a different story for a Major Sect or a Dao Race.’

Jiang Yi mused that the speed of one’s cultivation was inextricably linked to the amount of talisman coins one had.

That Senior Brother Xu from the Inner Peak, who was making such a big deal about collaborating with Sewing Peak, had probably learned some inside information and wanted a piece of the pie to make a huge profit.

「Before long.」

Li Ruohan, having quickly changed into a fresh set of clothes, stepped into the private room.

Apparently worried about making Jiang Yi wait, she wore no makeup. Her bare face was as pretty as a neighborhood beauty.

“Senior Brother Jiang, your every word is a pearl of wisdom. You have dispelled my doubts. You are worthy of being a teacher.”

Li Ruohan drifted in gracefully. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she took a bottle from her sleeve.

“It’s just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Senior Brother Jiang.”

Jiang Yi took the bottle, opened it, and said in surprise:

“Nourishing Essence Pills? These are quite valuable.”

He could see clearly that inside were two pills about the size of longans, with a lustrous sheen and a fresh, fragrant aroma.

They were unmistakably Nourishing Essence Pills.

“I was buying these from all over before, intending to break through to the Fourth Layer in one go, but I failed at the last moment. These are what I have left.

A while ago, Zhou Zhiyi from the Red Flame Peak’s Forging Room asked me for three pills and paid one hundred and fifty thousand talisman coins.

Now I only have two left, so I’m giving them to you, Senior Brother Jiang.”

Li Ruohan gave a faint, playful smile and said:

“If you don’t accept them, Senior Brother Jiang, then from now on I’ll have to call you ’Teacher Jiang’ and treat you with the etiquette of a disciple in public and in private.”

Jiang Yi’s eyelid twitched. His thoughts drifted. ’The Nourishing Essence Pills that Zhou Guang, the Forging Room Servant, bought for 150,000 talisman coins were probably resold to Luo Tong.’

He then smiled. ’Who says favors aren’t valuable?’

’This is the payback right here.’

’If I had taken a “tuition fee” from Li Ruohan, there would be no favor between us. At best, I would have earned a few tens of thousands of talisman coins. How could I have gotten two Nourishing Essence Pills for free?’

’These things are rare; even for Inner Peak Disciples, they’re hard to come by.’

“In that case, it would be disrespectful to refuse. Thank you, Junior Sister Li.”

Jiang Yi accepted them frankly and tucked them into his robes.

He had been worrying about how to improve his cultivation and advance his Merit, and now this was like getting a pillow just as he was getting sleepy.

Looking at Li Ruohan again, he suddenly felt that she was both beautiful and kind-hearted, positively radiant.

Li Ruohan blinked her bright eyes:

“I heard you’re going down the mountain for a trip, Senior Brother?”

Jiang Yi nodded:

“Marshal Yang is going down the mountain to make some purchases and ordered me to accompany him.”

A smile played on Li Ruohan’s lips as she said:

“I see your cultivation is advancing bravely and diligently, Senior Brother. I estimate that by the start of spring next year, you’ll reach the Fifth Layer just like Senior Brother Xiao. Are you supported by a clan, Senior Brother? Cultivating in the Inner Peak is hardly any easier than working as a Mortal Servant in the Outer Sect.”

’Huh?’

Jiang Yi’s heart stirred. He had caught the meaning behind Li Ruohan’s words.

’Is this Direct Lineage daughter of the Bo County Li Clan trying to become my patron?’

Jiang Yi’s expression was calm as he spoke bluntly:

“No. What Senior Brother Wang said that day about the ’Lujiang Jiang Clan’ was just to flatter me. I’m a commoner from Guling Town, with no significant background or lineage.”

Li Ruohan smiled sweetly:

“If you wouldn’t mind it, Senior Brother, you could accept a stipend from my Li Clan. I can’t say the compensation would be lavish, but we would never neglect you.”

Jiang Yi pondered, understanding that this was a common investment tactic used by village clans.

He thought for a few moments, but chose not to accept Li Ruohan’s offer, replying vaguely:

“Thank you for your kind offer, Junior Sister. But spring has not yet arrived, and I have not yet passed the Fifth Layer. How could I dare be certain of entering the Inner Peak?”

’The position of a retainer is contingent on me advancing rapidly and soaring to new heights.’

’It’s just like the “Nourishing Essence Pills” Luo Tong promised—he swore an oath but then there was no follow-up.’

Therefore, Jiang Yi felt there was no need to eagerly accept Li Ruohan’s offer and reveal his own desperation.

“What you say makes sense, Senior Brother.”

Li Ruohan nodded lightly, thinking to herself, ’Senior Brother Jiang’s steady temperament is truly rare.’

“However…”

Jiang Yi changed the subject abruptly.

“Junior Sister, if you have the funds to spare, could you lend me some talisman coins for an emergency.

This trip down the mountain will have quite a few expenses. I’ll definitely pay you back by the start of spring next year.”

Li Ruohan’s smile froze. The retainer position was an empty promise that might never materialize, but talisman coins were real money that had to come out of her own pocket.

She met Jiang Yi’s burning gaze, full of expectation, and then considered the favor he had done her by offering his guidance free of charge.

She sighed softly:

“How much do you need to borrow, Senior Brother Jiang?”

Jiang Yi took a sip of tea, his smile warm and gentle:

“One hundred and fifty thousand talisman coins should be about enough.”

…

…

’Luo Tong buys Nourishing Essence Pills from Zhou Guang, Zhou Guang buys them from Li Ruohan, and then Li Ruohan lends me one hundred and fifty thousand… Indeed, talisman coins always flow to those who need them.’

Jiang Yi returned to Red Flame Peak with two Nourishing Essence Pills and one hundred and fifty thousand talisman coins, feeling an inexplicable sense of accomplishment, like a hunter returning fully loaded from a hunt.

’I’ve got the Nourishing Essence Pills to take and the talisman coins in hand. Now, to go down the mountain and find some Opportunities. What’s to worry about not reaching the Fifth Layer!’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep