Chapter 82: Chapter 20: Top-level Task_5
Xuan Yue murmured, "Two steamed buns for a copper coin, so one hundred copper coins would be two hundred steamed buns, five hundred copper coins equal a thousand steamed buns. The purple crystal coins I have given you should be enough then."
Completely stunned by the "magic" just now, the plump shopkeeper responded energetically, his blood pulsing from the shock, "Enough, enough, there is even change, let me give it back to you."
Xuan Yue laughed, "You seem worked up, no need to return it, I’m not as petty as some people. Let’s go, I’m tired, I need to find a place to sleep." After saying that, she took the lead and stepped out of the shop.
After bidding each other farewell, Ah Dai followed Xuan Yue who was not far ahead. He quickly caught up with her and asked, "Miss, where are we going now?"
Xuan Yue replied, "I’ve had a place in mind, just follow me."
Ah Dai had originally thought that Xuan Yue would choose a lavish inn to stay in, considering she was the Red Bishop’s daughter, accustomed to comfort and privilege. Unexpectedly, Xuan Yue took him to a modest inn not far from the West City Gate. Although unluxurious, it was clean and gave Ah Dai a sense of comfort as soon as he stepped inside.
Seeing Ah Dai’s curiosity, Xuan Yue explained, "We don’t have much money left. It’s a long journey from here to the Death Mountain Range, so we have to be economical. If I hadn’t run out of money, I would never have gone to the Mage Guild for any kind of testing. Mages, are they really that extraordinary? Let’s eat something first, as I’m hungry."
After renting two rooms, Xuan Yue and Ah Dai grabbed something to eat. Xuan Yue ate very little, less than a third of what Ah Dai consumed. After finishing, she retreated to her room without saying a word.
Ah Dai paid for the meal using his monthly mage stipend and went to the room next to Xuan Yue’s. Shutting the door, he set down his pack and Tian Gang Sword. Feeling lighter, he breathes out, staring blankly into the distance. His powerful Liquid Life Essence has mostly restored the seams of his arm. The Water Element healing technique provided by Kigg was effective, it had healed without leaving any scars. It didn’t even hurt if he didn’t strain it.
In the short two days since their arrival to the town, so much had transpired. Everything felt like a dream to Ah Dai, who was uncertain of his feelings towards Xuan Yue. The sweet sleep from the previous night and the pain from this morning left a deep mark on his heart. Overwhelmed by fatigue, Ah Dai realized he should start cultivating. He sat cross-legged on his bed, pushed his internal Liquid Life Essence which had just reached the fifth realm, cleared his mind of distractions, and soon became fully focused.
Next door, Xuan Yue tossed and turned but failed to fall asleep. She was really tired, but every time she closed her eyes, she would think of the events of the past two days and couldn’t drift off into sleep. Sitting up, she grumbled, "All because of that stupid Ah Dai, bothering me all the time. Humph, making me lose sleep, see how I deal with him." Remembering the feeling of waking up curled up in Ah Dai’s arm in the morning, she felt a wonderful sense of comfort. It had been a long time since she had last slept so soundly. The sense of security in Ah Dai’s arms was truly beautiful. She wished she could make Ah Dai into a bed. At the thought of this, Xuan Yue blushed. She lay back down, and under the sway of strong sleepiness, her scattered thoughts gradually drifted away, and she fell asleep.
It was the middle of the night, Ah Dai exhaled, the white glow emanating from his body gradually receded. After forty-nine cycles of cultivation, he felt full of energy, as if the blood he had lost yesterday morning had been replenished. His internal Liquid Life Essence seemed to have increased a bit, and his dantian was full, making him feel empowered throughout.
Looking at the outside, it seemed there was still some time before dawn. Reaching the fifth realm of the Liquid Life Essence was different. Before, forty-nine cycles of cultivation would take until daylight, but it seemed to take less time now, indicating that his cultivation had reached a new level.
The night was deep, and Ah Dai had no idea how long it would take for dawn to arrive. Even with his sharp eyesight, he could only see a few meters inside the dimly lit room. To sleep? But he didn’t feel a bit sleepy after meditating. To contemplate? Having witnessed Xuan Yue’s magic yesterday, he had lost all confidence in his Flame Spell and Fireball Technique and didn’t feel like thinking about anything.
Suddenly, Ah Dai remembered the Sword of Hades tied to his chest, jolting him. Right! His Liquid Life Essence had reached the fifth realm, and he could start cultivating the Ultimate Art of Hades.
