Chapter 5 Part 1
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Chapter 5: I Have Traveled All Over the World to Find the Master of the Sword (Part 1)
Walking was exhausting.
After disembarking from the boat, the jade rabbit, for the first time, found walking utterly torturous.
So tired.
She raised her head slightly, and in the bright spring sunlight, her eyes fell on the red cord hanging around Bai Lian’s neck.
If only I could be that pendant! she thought wistfully.
Unfortunately, such a transformation was beyond her reach.
—
Arrival at Hening City
“Here it is!” Su Youwei suddenly exclaimed.
In the distance, at the edge of a vast plain, a long and narrow blue-black wall appeared against the backdrop of the rolling mountains.
Hening City.
Bai Lian, who had visited Castle Peak City and Gray Wind Town before, found those cities pale in comparison.
In the game, it wasn’t until years later—when her second and third younger Martial Sisters had risen to fame—that these places would transform into holy lands for cultivators.
For now, Hening City stood unmatched.
The air was crisp and fresh after the rain. As Bai Lian gazed at the orderly flow of flying cars, boats, and other magic tools navigating the roads, she felt reassured.
“This trip should go smoothly,” she thought.
Order was a wonderful thing, and the royal family of Heluo Country had managed to maintain it, even among unruly cultivators.
—
After passing through the city gates, following a routine inspection by the guards, Bai Lian, her Martial Sisters, and the jade rabbit entered the bustling streets.
Lively was the only word to describe it.
The streets were crowded with cultivators, and stalls lined both sides, hawking various wares:
“Exorcism charm, three medium spirit stones! Buy four for just ten!”
“The whip of a superior tiger demon! Exchangeable for five Spirit Elixirs!”
“Learn to cultivate for just one hundred inferior spirit stones! Female disciples preferred. Ugly ones not accepted!”
This was the foundation of Hening City—trade.
Here, you could buy almost anything.
Even the tree shells Bai Lian had once seen in Gray Wind Town had made their way here, with an entire shop dedicated to them.
“This brings back memories,” Bai Lian thought as she glanced at the secret medicines and training tools displayed on the shelves.
—
A Strange Offer
Just as they were walking through the bustling market, a voice called out from behind.
“Taoist friend, please wait!”
Bai Lian turned to see a young man with bronzed skin, dressed in light gray shorts, running toward them.
“What do you want?” Bai Lian asked, her expression calm.
The man stopped and bowed slightly before pointing at the jade rabbit beside her.
“Taoist friend, I’m Gu Quan, a merchant in Hening City. Your cat has an unusual appearance—almost like a demon. Would you sell it to me?”
“Ah?”
Buy a cat?
Bai Lian quickly realized something was off. She glanced at the jade rabbit.
Sure enough, the jade rabbit, who had been smiling a moment ago, now looked on the verge of exploding.
“Looks like a demon?!”
The jade rabbit’s expression said it all: Who are you calling a demon? Come closer, and I’ll teach you a lesson with my fist!
Gu Quan, oblivious to the jade rabbit’s anger, pulled out a round ball and stroked it gently. In an instant, another cat appeared in his arms.
It had a distinctively unflattering face.
“Taoist friend, I’m serious,” Gu Quan said. “I bought this cat for ten inferior spirit stones. Your cat seems to be a spiritual demon beast. I’ll offer ten intermediate spirit stones for it.”
—
The jade rabbit’s ears twitched.
Am I worth only ten spirit stones?
“Haw!”
She let out a furious cry.
“Calm down,” Bai Lian transmitted a message to her through spiritual sense. Grabbing the jade rabbit’s paw, she stopped her from pouncing on Gu Quan.
Internally, Bai Lian was just as annoyed.
How dare he?!
True, the jade rabbit’s disguise wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t warrant being called a demon.
Gu Quan, seemingly unaware of the growing hostility, continued, “Can this cat speak other languages? If so, I’ll raise the offer to fifteen spirit stones.”
Bai Lian’s face darkened.
“Taoist friend Gu, my cat and I share a deep bond. I won’t sell her. You’d better look elsewhere.”
—
Trading Information
Gu Quan sighed, shaking his head. “Business is tough these days.”
Still, he wasn’t one to give up easily.
“If you’re not interested in selling, perhaps you’d like to purchase some information instead? I’m well-informed about this city.”
Bai Lian hesitated.
“Well, since it’s our first meeting, I’ll offer you a deal: buy one piece of news, and I’ll throw in another for free.”
Reluctantly, Bai Lian handed over two inferior spirit stones.
Gu Quan grinned. “If you’re looking for pill furnaces, the best ones are usually found at auctions in Hening City.”
Auctions? Bai Lian tuned him out. She had no money for such luxuries.
“There’s also a small chance of finding good-quality pill furnaces at roadside stalls,” Gu Quan added.
Unlikely.
“But here’s the real scoop: an alchemy festival will soon take place in Hening City,” he said, smiling.
—
The Alchemy Festival
Bai Lian raised an eyebrow. “What’s the alchemy festival about?”
Gu Quan explained, “It’s centered around restoring an ancient elixir prescription. An Elder from Chuncao Pavilion recently unearthed an ancient pill at a historic site. It’s said to prolong life. Many alchemists have flocked here, hoping to crack the formula. The Elder has promised to gift the Green Grain Cauldron to whoever succeeds.”
Xiao Jinse’s eyes lit up at the mention of the cauldron.
Bai Lian, however, remained silent.
Green Grain Cauldron!
She recognized the name. In the game, this was the second younger Martial Sister’s first alchemy tool, acquired after a series of events.
It seems fate is playing out here too.
Still, Bai Lian couldn’t help but feel uncertain.
“How would I restore the prescription?” she wondered. Her alchemy skills were lackluster, and her confidence wavered.
—
Linggxu Sect Rumors
“Do you have any news about the Linggxu Sect?” Bai Lian asked after a pause.
Gu Quan frowned. “The Linggxu Sect isn’t in Heluo Country, so information is harder to come by. But I’ve heard they recently recruited a new Elder.”
“An Elder?” Bai Lian’s heart sank.
“Yes. She’s said to be incredibly talented—second only to Zhi He. Her name is…”
Si Yunshang!
Bai Lian’s chest tightened as though a sword had pierced her heart.
