Chapter 63: Chapter 63: A Spar Between Spouses
The Outer Disciple took the picture album and strode away with Fang Cheng’s storage bag.
Fang Cheng waited for the better part of half a day before the disciple finally ambled back.
The Outer Disciple shot Fang Cheng a sidelong glance and said, "Junior Brother, your mission is complete. Give me your Identity Token, and I’ll transfer the merit points for you."
Fang Cheng took out his Token and handed it over. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
The Outer Disciple produced a Jade Ruyi and tapped it lightly on Fang Cheng’s Identity Token. A brilliant spiritual light flared, and a shimmering projection of the number "300" flashed past.
He handed the Token back with a smile. "Elder Qiu was very satisfied with the Spirit Wine you brewed. You should visit the Merit Pavilion more often in the future. The Elder might post similar missions again."
Fang Cheng thanked him again.
It seemed this Outer Disciple had received a commendation from Elder Qiu because of Fang Cheng’s mission... which explained his good mood.
He sized Fang Cheng up for a moment, then asked, "You’re a new disciple, aren’t you? Is there anything you’d like to exchange for?"
Fang Cheng pondered for a moment before saying, "Senior Brother, do you know if the sect has any Dao Pattern Spirit Jade?"
The Outer Disciple chuckled knowingly. "The Yinluo Sect’s Treasure Vault has everything imaginable. The only question is whether you have enough merit points! Wait a moment, I’ll check for you."
With that, he channeled his Magical Power and waved the Jade Ruyi, causing a screen of light to materialize.
He formed a hand seal and activated a Secret Technique. Countless characters surged onto the light screen, cascading down like a waterfall.
After a moment, the characters on the screen froze, then dissipated, leaving only a single line.
"One Dao Pattern Spirit Jade statue. Contains the true meaning of a certain secret technique. Has no practical value. Can be used for decorative purposes. Price: one hundred merit points..."
The Outer Disciple frowned as he read the text on the light screen. He hadn’t expected the vast Sect Treasure Vault to contain only one item made of Dao Pattern Spirit Jade.
This Junior Brother had just earned three hundred merit points, after all!
"Um... do you want this statue?"
The Outer Disciple looked at Fang Cheng and asked, a little awkwardly.
’Who would be willing to spend a hundred merit points on a statue with no practical value?! Do those Elders think us Outer Disciples are idiots...?’
Unexpectedly, Fang Cheng smiled and nodded. "Senior Brother, I’ll take it!"
"Are you sure?" the Outer Disciple couldn’t help but ask again.
Fang Cheng replied solemnly, "I’m sure."
The Outer Disciple said no more. He pointed a finger, and a round, brilliantly glowing Array appeared on the wall of the private room.
"Give me your Identity Token!" he said.
Fang Cheng quickly handed over the Token. The disciple held the Token, swiped it over the Jade Ruyi, and the Array on the wall immediately began to operate.
A moment later, an enormous statue over ten feet tall passed silently through the Array!
The statue depicted a ferocious flood dragon. It was incredibly lifelike, with scales so realistic they seemed to pulse with a Dao rhythm.
Fang Cheng stared, dumbfounded. It was the first time he had ever seen such a massive piece of Dao Pattern Spirit Jade...
The Outer Disciple said flatly, "Hurry up and take your statue."
Fang Cheng quickly flicked his sleeve. A streak of light shot out, enveloped the statue, and pulled it into his storage bag.
’I’ve struck it rich!’
Fang Cheng rejoiced inwardly.
The Outer Disciple gave him a disdainful look, as if he were a country bumpkin, and asked, "Anything else you want to exchange for?"
Fang Cheng shook his head. "Not for now. Thank you, Senior Brother!"
With that, he took his leave.
...
Back at the Jade Tower on Xiaocang Island.
Fang Cheng eagerly took out the Dao Pattern Spirit Jade Flood Dragon Statue and slowly ran his hand over it.
In his sea of consciousness, the Golden Talisman trembled. The characters on it blurred before gradually coming back into focus.
[Talisman Master]Fang Cheng
[Divine Power Technique]
Cyan Yuan Demon Tree Skill·Great Success (0/2000)
Cyan Profound Swordsmanship·Great Success (3/1200)
Celestial Fire Body Forging Technique·Great Success (0/10000)
Nameless Gu·Minor Achievement (65/300)
Li Hen Demon Light·Minor Achievement (0/5000)
Nine Heavens Cold Ice Technique·Beginner (1/2300)
Joyful Zen Skill·Beginner (1/1900)
Void Ghost Market Observation Method (200/200)
Creation Points: 10516
He previously had a balance of 71 Creation Points, and now it had skyrocketed by over ten thousand!
Fang Cheng felt as if he had won the lottery in his past life.
In the past, he would have used his Creation Points immediately, but this time, he held back.
For one, his current comprehension of his various techniques and divine powers was sufficient; what he lacked was practice and refinement.
Secondly, he hadn’t yet decided how to best use this new influx of over ten thousand Creation Points.
’I can continue to upgrade the Cyan Yuan Demon Tree Skill. That would be a huge benefit to my cultivation speed!’
’There’s no rush for the Cyan Profound Sword Technique. I can wait until my cultivation breaks through to the Seventh Layer of Sensing before upgrading it...’
’The same goes for the Celestial Fire Body Forging Technique, and upgrading it again would be too costly!’
’I could upgrade the Nameless Gu Technique...’
’Then there’s that Red Nether Condensing Light divine technique from the Joyful Zen Skill, and the method for refining Taiyi Thunder Pills from the Thunder Jade Scripture... I could give those a try as well.’
Both the Red Nether Condensing Light from the Joyful Zen Skill and the Taiyi Thunder Pills from the Thunder Jade Scripture were supplementary Divine Secret Skills that could be cultivated separately from their parent techniques!
Mastering these two divine techniques would greatly expand his combat options. The Taiyi Thunder Pill, in particular, was a trump card that was simply too tempting to ignore.
...
「Three days later.」
While Fang Cheng was meditating and cultivating in the Jade Tower, a palm-sized paper crane passed straight through the tower’s restrictive wards and flew in through the window.
A look of surprise crossed his face. He reached out and caught the crane, only to see that the tiny bird was folded from talisman paper. When he channeled a bit of Magical Power into it, a soft, sweet voice sounded out.
It was Ye Yan, using this method to send him a message, asking him to come to Madam Ye’s Cave Mansion.
"Strange. Could Madam Ye want to see me about something?"
Fang Cheng muttered to himself, then rose to straighten his appearance. He changed into a brand-new Fubo Xuanqing Daoist Robe, tied a jade belt around his waist, and let his cloud-like sleeves hang loose.
He looked in a mirror. His eyes were bright and full of spirit, and his aura was calm and composed.
Only then did he fly out of the Jade Tower, heading for the Star-picking Platform on the highest peak of Cangwu Mountain.
In the blink of an eye, he arrived above the Star-picking Platform.
Ripples disturbed the surface of Ping Lake, where a small boat rested in the center.
On the boat was a pair of peerlessly beautiful women: a mother and daughter.
When Ye Yan saw Fang Cheng, she gave a sweet smile and waved. "Husband, come down."
Fang Cheng gracefully descended in his Escape Light and landed on the boat. He bowed to Madam Ye. "Greetings, Mother."
Madam Ye wore a long gown, her hair styled in an elegant bun. Her bearing was noble and graceful. Paired with her ripe, voluptuous figure, she exuded a mature charm that was utterly stunning.
Ye Yan, in contrast, was youthful and graceful, vibrant and captivating. Seated together, the mother and daughter were each a beauty in her own right.
Just then, Madam Ye spoke slowly. "With your help, Yan’Er has resolved the Profound Yin Cold Qi in her body. During her time here with me, she has finally cultivated that drop of Netherworld Heavy Water into a divine technique. Unfortunately, she lacks combat experience. I’d like you to spar with her and help her polish her skills."
Fang Cheng looked at Ye Yan, who also looked bewildered; she clearly hadn’t known about this beforehand.
But in a sparring match between husband and wife, he naturally couldn’t go all out. So, would it really serve the purpose of honing her combat experience?
’Could it be... that Madam Ye’s real goal is to test me?’
His thoughts raced.
...
