Chapter 61

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Chapter 61

The two people wandered through many stalls on the street. Besides various spirit stones, they also bought many interesting little things. Their hands were so full that they had to put them in a separate storage bag.

They didn’t buy any pills or spirit tools since Yun Chuyou was a master in this area herself. The stalls set up by the younger disciples were average, and there was nothing good that caught her eye.

At one stall, a cultivator was selling all kinds of strange charms. While others sold Transmission Symbols and Fire Charms, he was selling Fart Charms, Laughing Charms, and Itching Charms.

Actually, alchemy could have similar uses, but the pills had to be put into someone’s mouth, unlike charms, which could be directly stuck on the body to work. They’re much more convenient to use.

The vendor’s stall was very quiet, with a pile of things, but the silly charms barely sold at all.

Yun Chuyou remembered that this stall’s charms were described in stories. Although they were quite unusual, they were very useful. If used correctly at the right moment, they could turn something useless into treasure.

"How many spirit stones for a pack of these charms?"

The charm-selling vendor slowly lifted one finger and said, "Ten middle-grade spirit stones, or you can pay with one thousand lower-grade spirit stones."

The vendor beside him laughed and said, "No one wants these worthless symbols you drew, even for free. How can you still ask for ten middle-grade spirit stones?"

He said with a sad face, "I’m not making any money; this is just the cost of the talisman paper. I’m giving away materials and labor for free."

Whether you are a talisman master, pill master, or alchemy master, the profit isn’t from the materials but from the handiwork. After all, these things have a chance of failing, but if you succeed, you can earn a lot of money.

If this vendor could draw popular talisman paper, with so many symbols, he could easily earn hundreds of middle-grade spirit stones.

However, his symbols are almost all unwanted, purely wasting materials. That’s why it’s hard for loose cultivators; during the early learning stage, they are always losing money while working.

Yun Chuyou didn’t haggle, counted out ten middle-grade spirit stones, and the vendor happily took them and ran away, afraid that a big spender would come back looking for trouble.

The materials he used to draw symbols were all collected by himself, and the talisman paper was outdated paper from the sect’s warehouse that he picked up who knows how many years ago, so the symbols he drew came out strange, only making a little profit from the talisman paper.

Yun Chuyou put the symbols away and turned to Xie Fuzhi, saying, "Fuzhi, after the competition ends, please teach me how to draw symbols."

Fuzhi, talisman paper; Yun Chuyou just realized that these two words sound similar, and her master must draw symbols very well.

The game system only allows for the improvement of alchemy and crafting skills. She relies on her own understanding to draw the symbols, and she doesn’t have enough time to practice. However, during this time of doing business, she has gained enough experience.

To make further progress is not something that can be achieved quickly. It would be better to use this time to learn to draw symbols, so she has more ways to protect herself.

Xie Fuzhi simply responded, "Okay."

The two of them walked back with bags of food. Just as they were about to reach the spirit boat, Xie Fuzhi suddenly added, "Earlier you mentioned wanting to learn formations. Can I teach you along with the formations?"

Yun Chuyou was a bit surprised. At first, Xie Fuzhi didn’t show much enthusiasm in teaching her anything; he seemed quite downcast, so she thought her unreliable master was not trustworthy. Slowly, as they spent time together, they developed a bond, and things improved.

Later, Xie Fuzhi took in other students, fully embracing the saying, "The master leads you to the door, but the practice is up to you."

This leading to the door was quite literal, meaning he would bring people back to the sect and then leave them on their own. When teaching a few younger martial sisters and brothers, he acted very lazy and unmotivated, barely moving. This was the first time Yun Chuyou saw him being so eager to teach her something.

She asked, "Did you prepare after I mentioned it before? If so, why didn’t you just tell me directly?"

Xie Fuzhi looked at her with a sigh, "You are always very busy, your schedule is packed. I see you working hard and didn’t want to add to your burden."

Yun Chuyou had always been a strong-willed person, hardworking and diligent. When she returned to the sect, she worked very hard to prepare for the Grand Competition of the Hundred Sects. Xie Fuzhi did not plan to disturb her plans.

"Master has made the preparations, so just tell me in advance. I will arrange my time well and won’t push myself too hard."

Yun Chuyou said again, "I may not learn my spells and formations very well, so why not call the younger martial brothers and sisters to join me in class? That way we can help each other and definitely learn faster."

As soon as she said this, Xie Fuzhi’s smile immediately disappeared.

"Is Master unhappy?"

"Happy, why would I be unhappy?" Xie Fuzhi’s tone was flat, and his face showed nothing but "happy."

Yun Chuyou had a thought and quickly changed her words, "Just kidding. Your one-on-one coaching with me shouldn’t involve others."

Although that would be more effective and better for the sect disciples, just like Xie Fuzhi said, she unconsciously devoted more time and energy to the younger martial brothers and sisters.

Now Xie Fuzhi was truly happy. He suddenly looked up at Yun Chuyou, still in disbelief, and asked again, "Really, just the two of us, no one else?"

Yun Chuyou suddenly felt a bit guilty. Xie Fuzhi should be a proud phoenix; his proud and pleased look was much more lively and beautiful. He shouldn’t be so cautious, "It’s true, I have never lied to you."

Xie Fuzhi’s eyes brightened immediately, and he quickly said, "You haven’t lied to me, but with the younger martial brothers and sisters, there is much less time for me. For the sake of the younger martial brothers and sisters, it’s not that I haven’t made sacrifices for you, my master."

Yun Chuyou admitted the first part, but she didn’t agree with the last sentence. No matter how much she valued her younger martial brothers and sister, she would never make sacrifices for Xie Fuzhi, her master.

They used to have a simple master-disciple relationship, and there was no need for so much alone time between them.

Yun Chuyou knew that Xie Fuzhi wanted more. With a bit of annoyance, she said, "Xie Fuzhi, what are you saying? The younger martial brothers and sisters were all brought back by you. You took them in and then didn’t care for them. I have to take on the responsibility of making our sect thrive and share so much of the work. Now you blame me, as if I could split myself in two."

Xie Fuzhi mumbled, "In the spiritual world, one can split into two. Like an external avatar, one can do different things at the same time, and they won’t affect each other."

It was better that he didn’t say that because as soon as he did, Yun Chuyou remembered the previous event from the Sword Tomb Secret Realm, "When the younger martial sister joined the sect, I hadn’t yet formed my Golden Core. I was just a small Foundation Establishment cultivator, unable to even separate my spirit, let alone create an external avatar."

Yun Chuyou felt a bit angry as she said, "When the younger martial sister joined the sect, I had just reached the Golden Core Stage. I didn’t see an external avatar of a master falling from the sky to help me, the disciple."

Thinking about her current cultivation level, which was only at the primordial stage of Nascent Soul, she didn’t know when she would reach the Astral Projection Stage.

In fact, she had saved quite a lot of energy in the system space, and she hadn’t used much of it over the years. Calculating the energy pills she had accumulated, Yun Chuyou should be able to jump straight to the late stage of the Nascent Soul Stage now.

However, she didn’t plan to use the pills just yet. The items stored in the system were unknown trump cards to everyone, and she intended to keep them until the right moment to use.

Her progress in cultivating her energy was not slow; compared to her mental state and experiences, it could even be said to be a bit too fast. She could still hold back a little.

Xie Fuzhi thought back to his contributions to the sect over the years and suddenly felt a bit guilty, "Then I won’t fish anymore and will just do more."

"That’s not necessary," Yun Chuyou replied, "The puppets I recently made are pretty useful, just help me make more."

In the past, if Xie Fuzhi had been willing to help actively, she would have been very happy, but as the sect gradually developed, there was less need for Xie Fuzhi to do so many trivial tasks.

Puppets powered by spiritual energy are similar to robots, but they are more flexible, more delicate, and not much different from ordinary people.

They say technology changes lives; her situation is technology changing lives.

After wandering for a while, the sky gradually darkened, and lights were lit on the spiritual boat, while stalls nearby began to bring out their lighting.

Some jewelry stalls even use glowing stones as decoration; they twinkle and look beautiful, attracting many beauty-loving female cultivators.

Xie Fuzhi glanced at it, pushed into the crowd, and picked out a silver bracelet with clouds and flying birds, "Chuyou, this is pretty. I’ll give it to you."

He had noticed this very unique bracelet at a glance, with clouds and flying birds, designed in a very cute way.

Yun Chuyou reached out to take it, but Xie Fuzhi pulled the chain back.

She looked at Xie Fuzhi with a puzzled expression; the material of this bracelet wasn’t particularly expensive and not really a special item.

Xie Fuzhi then took off the fluffy feathers from the bracelet; the flying bird design was inlaid with feathers that belonged to the recently popular colorful Mystic Bird.

He removed the flashy seven-colored feathers and replaced them with a shining fiery feather, which was a Phoenix feather that he had shed during his childhood.

A complete Phoenix tail feather can withstand a full-force attack from a Soul Changing Stage cultivator.

After changing the feathers, Xie Fuzhi looked at the bird’s shape and wasn’t satisfied. He gathered his spiritual power at his fingertips and inlaid two fire crystal stones where the little round bird’s eyes would be, making it look more like he did when he was a chick.

"Chuyou, can I put this on you myself?"

Yun Chuyou didn’t say if it was okay, she just quietly extended her left hand.

Xie Fuzhi carefully wrapped the chain around her, the silver chain inlaid with fire crystal and phoenix tail feathers wound around her snowy white wrist, just like white snow and red plum blossoms.

Xie Fuzhi had held hands with Yun Chuyou before, but holding her wrist felt different.

Her wrist was delicate and fair, her skin smooth and tender; he didn’t dare to hold it tightly, afraid that this gentle and soft skin would break with just a little pressure.

The phoenix’s ears turned red, and he couldn’t think of the beautiful words he had read; he stood there for a moment, only able to awkwardly say five words, "Chuyou is really beautiful."

There were many beautiful people in the spiritual world. After wandering the streets for several hours, Yun Chuyou had seen many pretty female cultivators, but when it came to looks, Xie Fuzhi was still top-notch.

Yun Chuyou felt that he was just seeing her through the eyes of a lover, viewing her with a thick filter.

However, she didn’t dislike such sincere praise, "You are beautiful too."

She thought for a moment. Before, the two were master and apprentice. The master provided resources for the apprentice, and if the apprentice had skills, they would honor the master. The contributions from both sides did not need to be equal.

However, it is different between partners; love should be an equal relationship. Xie Fuzhi gave her a gift, so she should respond with a similar gift.

The bracelet is not valuable, but the phoenix feather is very precious. Unfortunately, she was just an ordinary human cultivator, and human hair cannot compare to a phoenix feather.

But gifts are all about the thought behind them.

Yun Chuyou rummaged through her storage bag and pulled out a small trinket she had been working on during her free time, "Fuzhi, this is for you."

"What is this?"

"It is a return gift for the bracelet you just gave me."

Actually, this gift was originally meant for Xie Fuzhi, but according to Yun Chuyou’s plan, she intended to give it during the New Year.

Cultivators live a long time and do not have as many holidays as mortals, but Yun Chuyou had spent so many years as a mortal. Other holidays could be overlooked, but she would still properly celebrate the New Year.

At that moment, she really couldn’t find a suitable gift, so she decided to give it early.

Xie Fuzhi widened his eyes, "Didn’t Chuyou give me a scented pouch before? The bracelet should be a return gift for the pouch. I thought we were exchanging tokens of love."

"Should I take back the candle then?"

Xie Fuzhi quickly put the wooden box back in his storage bag, "No, the things that Chuyou gave me are mine."

"I already said it’s yours. Would I still take it back?" Yun Chuyou said, "Aren’t you curious about what’s inside?"

So Xie Fuzhi took it out again, opened the wooden box, and inside the jade box lay twelve candles, two colors in total: white and red. But the white was not pure white; it was a warm white, and the candles felt like warm jade, smooth and delicate.

More importantly, each candle had a different carved pattern, clearly not bought from outside. Each candle was decorated with little birds.

"These are aromatherapy candles; they can calm the mind when lit," Yun Chuyou said. "I made them myself. I tested their effect; they can speed up the training process, but not by much."

When making medicine, she often picked various materials, and some of the leftover materials were made into by-products.

This scented candle looks very beautiful. It is made from spiritual plants. When lit, it can calm the mind and help with practice. Each candle can burn for a month, making it last for a whole year. It symbolizes a smooth and bright year ahead.

"Is the bird on this carved figure a phoenix?"

Yun Chuyou nodded, "I have never seen my master’s true form, so this bird is based on what is in the painting."

At first, she thought about carving Xie Fuzhi directly, creating a lively and realistic figure. But that would be strange because as the candle burned, Xie Fuzhi’s head would disappear, which would not be good.

Carving a phoenix is better; she made a cartoon-like version with simple lines and round little chubby birds.

The chubby bird stands on a branch, the chubby bird flies in the sky, the chubby bird flies on clouds, the chubby bird drinks wine, the chubby bird goes fishing…

"This carving is simply amazing! I really like it! I love it so much!!!"

Xie Fuzhi’s eyes were wet with emotion. Although the chubby bird looked nothing like him, he could genuinely praise it.

Yun Chuyou blushed from his compliments, "It’s really not that great, just a simple carving. My skills are still a bit rough."

This is her objective evaluation, not modesty.

Xie Fuzhi would not allow it, "Chuyou, I won’t let you put yourself down like that. Look at this bird, so lively and full of life."

Yun Chuyou originally meant for it to be used by him, but seeing Xie Fuzhi’s level of affection, she guessed that he probably didn’t want to use it.

Sure enough, Xie Fuzhi carefully closed the box again, treating it as a precious collection.

"Chuyou."

"What is it?"

Xie Fuzhi said, "I’ll transform into my true self later, would you like to see?"

Yun Chuyou glanced at the nearby cultivators, "There are so many cultivators here. If the master turns into a phoenix, will it attract the attention of others?"

In the original story, it was never mentioned that Xie Fuzhi was a phoenix. After so many years together, Xie Fuzhi has never transformed, so he probably doesn’t want to change in front of others.

Xie Fuzhi whispered to her, "Later, we will fly to the sky on our sword, high enough, and I will show you my true form."

He said, "When I change shape, I will create a barrier… you don’t have to worry."

Yun Chuyou agreed; she was really curious about Xie Fuzhi’s phoenix form.

The two of them flew into the sky on their sword. Just before the big tournament, they set off grand fireworks to practice.

Among the dazzling fireworks, Xie Fuzhi let out a clear cry and transformed into a phoenix.

Yun Chuyou found it hard to describe that feeling. For many days after, she never forgot that night, remembering how she stood on her sword in the clouds, as the phoenix spread its wings, more splendid than the fireworks.

It was so beautiful that her heart skipped a beat.