Chapter 15: Making Acquaintances (Part Two)

The stall was exceedingly shabby, nothing more than a torn cloth with a dozen odd items scattered upon it. Han Su cast her gaze over them, yet not a single thing was familiar. When it came to unknown objects, she always followed her instincts. She examined each one, eventually selecting two, but hesitated over the last. After much indecision, she picked up the two she favored and spoke, somewhat embarrassed, “Ancestor, I could only choose these two.”

Xuan Lan inspected her choices closely. Han Su had selected a black pearl, dazzling and translucent, and a lotus seed adorned with peculiar patterns. He asked why she had chosen these, and Han Su answered carefully, “Black represents water, so this pearl must carry the water attribute. I sense no spiritual energy from it—perhaps because it is powerful yet restrained, forming its own essence. My mother possesses a single water spirit root and is currently striving for Core Formation completion. Although I don’t know its true use, I thought it might be a good gift for her. This lotus seed is quite unusual; it resembles those described from the primordial era, the Xintang Lotus. It seems fossilized, but perhaps it could still be cultivated. My father is skilled at nurturing spiritual plants. If it grows, the Xintang Lotus is fire-attributed, perfectly matching my father’s spirit root. So I thought I’d give these to them.”

“Oh, your father is that Jiang Lan lad, isn’t he? He’s a fine child. There’s one item left—you can choose it for yourself.”

Han Su’s eyes wandered between a small stone and a jade token, unable to decide. The stone resembled the one described in tales, acquired by Immortal Lu Tan. The person who’d just asked her for something was likely Immortal Lu Tan—should she take it now, causing her to miss out on a treasure? But she had no spatial storage, making it useless to her. Was it worth sacrificing her own opportunity for petty revenge? She felt it was a pity. As for the jade token, though unremarkable, it radiated a vast aura. It was palm-sized, intricately carved with auspicious clouds and mythical beasts, its design both exquisite and complex. In her previous life, Han Su had studied art; she was utterly defenseless against such perfectly composed and fluidly lined motifs. Even if it served no purpose, she truly desired it.

Caught in the throes of a difficult decision, she reminded herself that, now she had entered the cultivation world, her old habits of indecisiveness and procrastination must be shed, lest they become fatal flaws. Sensing the ancestor’s changing expression, she gritted her teeth and chose the jade token.

Seeing her decision, the ancestor’s expression softened once more. He looked at her solemnly and said, “This is no ordinary item. It carries a trace of Immortal Palace energy, but after years of study, I have found no clue to its secrets. May you have the fate to unravel its mystery. I am returning to seclusion now. With your fortunate circumstances and spiritual talent, you must devote yourself to cultivation. Years ago, the sect leader issued a mission to retrieve our lost manual, ‘The Ice and Fire Harmonization Technique,’ for your sake. It is a pity it remains missing. When I emerge from seclusion, I will search the ends of the earth to find it for you before your Foundation Establishment. With it, your cultivation will proceed without hindrance.”

Han Su, whose competitive spirit was largely absent, never cared much whether she found that technique. Yet with the ancestor willing to go to such lengths for her, she was moved to tears and nodded fiercely before leaving the place. Once her figure had departed, the ancestor immediately swept up the stall and returned to the sect’s cave to retreat into seclusion.

Still immersed in her emotional reverie, Han Su was called back by Bai Ke and the other two. They had also finished their shopping and were preparing to leave. The four boarded Bai Ke’s spirit boat, chatting about their experiences at the market, gradually lifting Han Su’s spirits until she was lively again. When the others heard about her encounter with someone requesting her spiritual fruit, they quickly agreed on its meaning. Bai Ke believed those cultivators were trying to make a unique connection with Han Su, so that the woman could one day join the inner sect and enter the Lingwu Peak. Tao Xinran and Senior Brother Zhu Shaoyi concurred, and Han Su suddenly realized that the woman must possess a secret treasure—how else could she have distinguished the two fruits so swiftly? Clearly, Han Su had not acted with enough caution. Fortunately, this took place within the sect; had it happened outside, with her careless nature, she would have been devoured to the bone.

For the first time, Han Su gained new awareness of her environment and began to ponder questions she had never considered in her years here. Could she really live as a rice worm, idle and dependent? She couldn’t cling to her parents forever; if things continued like this, how would she survive? She had never seen blood, and a tiny cut would make her seek comfort from her family. Once, she hadn’t dared to kill even a fish—could she now? Last time, when she killed the one-eyed fish, it felt like a game, but if she ever faced someone who murdered for treasure, would she dare to act?

She always dreamed of eating, drinking, and watching dramas, but this was clearly not a modern, peaceful world. The book never detailed her own appearance—did that mean her life would be smooth forever? She claimed to care nothing for seeking the Dao or immortality, only wishing to return home, but was that thinking too naive? If she continued in this way, would she live to see that day? For a moment, Han Su’s emotions surged wildly. The small setback had prompted an unexpected moment of self-inquiry, ushering her into a new state, a new realm. She heard a soft “pop”—a shackle within her heart was broken, and she actually advanced in cultivation right there on the spirit boat!

However, it was only Senior Brother Zhu Shaoyi, a Qi Refining stage eight, steering the boat. Han Su’s advancement triggered a vortex of spiritual energy, causing chaos around them; the boat began to slip from his control. They happened to be flying over the Weak Water River, where landing was strictly forbidden. Bai Ke split off to guard Han Su, while Tao Xinran sent a distress talisman and hurried to assist Zhu Shaoyi in steering the boat. The spirit boat swayed perilously close to the river, nearly plunging them to their deaths, but Han Su finished her advancement just in time—she jumped two levels, reaching Qi Refining stage seven! In this crisis, she managed not to panic, and together they infused the boat with spiritual energy, barely climbing higher.

Han Su slowly stabilized her spiritual flow, and the others gradually regained control. Working together, they finally crossed the Weak Water River. No sooner had they crossed than the distress talisman summoned patrolling Foundation Establishment disciples. Though the four insisted they were unharmed, the disciples escorted them back to the mountain on their flying swords.