Chapter Eight: Reconstruction

The proprietress's eyes sparkled slightly, her red lips parted as she asked, "At least millennium spirit spring, how much do you have on hand?"

"Not much, it depends on the price you offer."

Her implication was clear: if the price was right, she would sell more; if not, perhaps only a single bottle.

The proprietress, seasoned in business, was sharp and shrewd. She set down the jade bottle with a charming gesture and smiled, "Judging by the bottle's capacity and the quality of the spring, I’m willing to offer three thousand low-grade spirit stones per bottle."

Qu Yiqiu lowered her gaze and pondered silently.

The space inside the jade bottle was not large, holding just a little more than a bowlful of spirit spring. The price was fair enough.

But she did not believe this was the highest price the woman could offer.

"Three thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones per bottle. I have nine bottles," Qu Yiqiu replied succinctly.

The proprietress’s alluring eyes narrowed, her lips curved into a smile. "My dear, you are truly fortunate. Spirit spring is born of heaven and earth, rarely encountered by ordinary folk. For nine bottles, I’ll give you thirty-two thousand low-grade spirit stones. I hope we can do business again."

That was five hundred spirit stones extra.

A smile appeared on Qu Yiqiu’s face beneath the bamboo hat. "Very well, we shall meet again."

The proprietress of the Not Drunk Tavern certainly had her ways in business, with a grand vision. No wonder she was the most renowned in Mingde City’s black market.

The deal was done: goods exchanged for spirit stones.

Qu Yiqiu quickly stowed them away and slipped out of the city gates under cover of night.

Once outside Mingde City’s protective zone, she immediately sensed several lurking, watchful eyes behind her.

These were typically idle cultivators, waiting to rob low-level disciples.

She didn’t hurry back to Tianyan Sect but detoured into a secluded grove, hiding in her space for the night before daring to emerge.

Upon returning to Tianyan Sect, she headed straight for the Task Hall.

Here was where one took assignments and paid taxes.

Qu Yiqiu found the tax steward disciple and produced the thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones she had just received.

"Tsk tsk, I really don’t know what’s the point of occupying Xiaoping Peak, so shabby," whispered a man nearby, his words drifting into her ears.

Qu Yiqiu glanced sideways at him—it was one of Qu Youyou’s hangers-on, Zhao Wen.

"That’s right, exactly thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones. I’ll mark off your three months of mountain tax," said the steward, handing back the Xiaoping Peak jade token.

Qu Yiqiu took the token and said, "I heard there are spiritual plant seeds for sale here. Can I use sect contribution points to exchange for them?"

Any tasks issued by the hall could reward either spirit stones, contribution points, or both, depending on one’s strength and needs.

The steward was a little surprised. "Yes, you can use contribution points. What seeds do you want?"

"Heh, Sister Qu, you’re not thinking of planting spiritual crops on Xiaoping Peak, are you?" Zhao Wen sashayed over.

Qu Yiqiu shot him a glare. "What business is it of yours!"

The steward lowered his head, hiding a laugh.

Zhao Wen, stung, darkened in the face. "Sister Qu, I’m only concerned for you—don’t mistake good intentions!"

"Oh, spare me. If you have time, go care for Qu Youyou instead!"

He and Qu Youyou were two peas in a pod—how could he possibly care about her?

Qu Yiqiu found his nonsense tiresome.

"I’d like first-grade and second-grade spiritual rice seeds, and a bag of second-grade spiritual tea seeds."

"Alright, that’ll be two hundred and thirty contribution points," the steward quickly calculated, fetching three bags from the medicine cabinet behind him and looking at her.

Qu Yiqiu understood, opening her palm to reveal a pale violet jade token—the color reserved for peak masters.

The steward glanced at her, not surprised.

But Zhao Wen, unwilling to leave, caught sight of it with sharp eyes. "Oh, so you’ve got the Peak Master’s identity token! No wonder you have the confidence to buy seeds here!"

Qu Yiqiu impatiently scratched her ear—so much pointless chatter, she almost wanted to punch him silent.

The steward checked the number on the pale violet token, summoned a thread of spiritual energy from his finger, and deducted the two hundred and thirty points.

"Done, that’s all set."

Qu Yiqiu took her things and turned with a fierce expression. "If you dare say another word, I’ll give your pretty face a punch!"

Zhao Wen shrank back, nervously shielding his face. "If you dare, I’ll tell the sect master!"

Qu Yiqiu raised her fist. "You’d best stay away, I fear no sect master!"

With that, she tossed her head and hummed a tune as she left the hall.

Leaving behind a furious Zhao Wen and a steward disciple still hiding a smile.

Back at Xiaoping Peak, she found Mu Yunqin keeping vigil outside her door, as always.

"Junior Mu, have your injuries fully healed?" Qu Yiqiu raised a brow.

Mu Yunqin’s smile faded, his voice timid. "Almost healed..."

"Almost means you still need some time, right?" Qu Yiqiu walked up to him, watching him closely.

Mu Yunqin’s finely sculpted face showed a hint of nervousness, sweat beading on his delicate nose. "I’ll work hard at my cultivation. I just saw you didn’t return all night and was worried..."

Qu Yiqiu’s brows knit slightly. "I understand, but a cultivator should prioritize training. If you only wait here for me, even if I encounter danger outside, you won’t be able to help."

Mu Yunqin’s cheeks flushed. "I understand, I’ll strive to improve my cultivation!"

Qu Yiqiu affectionately ruffled his hair. "You must work hard. Don’t wait for me anymore."

Mu Yunqin stole a shy glance at her, nodding under her slightly threatening gaze.

Qu Yiqiu smiled with satisfaction. "Half a year from now, the once-every-three-years sect competition will begin. By then, those from Xiaoping Peak must participate. I don’t want you to go up there with just ninth-layer Qi training and get beaten to a pulp."

No need to fight for first place, but there’s no reason to become a laughingstock.

Better to let him understand early.

Mu Yunqin’s lips parted in surprise, soft as cherry blossoms. "I have to take part too?"

Qu Yiqiu nodded solemnly. "Sect rules demand every peak send at least one disciple to the competition. It’s been me for the past years—this year, it’s your turn."

"Ah? Is Sister not going?"

His pure eyes filled with longing for companionship.

For a moment, Qu Yiqiu felt like she had become his mother.

Was she the first thing he saw when he broke out of his shell? Why was he so clingy?

She shook her head, dismissing the odd thought.

"My cultivation is so low, there’s no point in participating. I’d only be a stepping stone for others."

Besides, she planned to plant spiritual crops and raise spiritual beasts on Xiaoping Peak. She had no time to join.

Mu Yunqin pursed his lips in disappointment.

Qu Yiqiu tapped his head. "Go heal your wounds quickly. When Master returns, you’ll have to learn advanced techniques!"

Mu Yunqin clutched his head and retreated with a look of grievance.

Qu Yiqiu patrolled the mountainside, marking out a fairly level plot to serve as the spiritual field base.

Seeing several wild trees growing nearby, she reached out and, wielding a novice spirit sword, chopped them all down.

Then she cleared away the messy stones, removing them all.

A roughly square spiritual field base soon appeared.