254: Chapter 252 A Yuan Becomes an Apprentice

Yun Ming took the key and put it into the map of mountains and rivers.

Hou San rubbed his hands, hesitated for a moment, and spoke again. "Guest, there is one more thing. You mentioned earlier that you wanted to fly in the sky; I can handle that too. A flight permit, a token issued by the government. With it, you can legally fly above Tianyuan City. Except for certain areas, you won't be restricted by the no-fly ban. The procedure takes a bit longer, and the cost isn't low."

"How much?"

"Ten High-Grade Spirit Stones."

Yun Ming thought for a moment. He had already spent a hundred thousand, so ten more didn't matter. "Do it."

Hou San took out a Jade Slip from a drawer and handed it to Yun Ming. "Carve your name, cultivation level, origin, and address into it, and I'll run the errand at the government office for you. Ten days later, the token and the flight permit will be delivered to your residence. You're at Huai Tree Alley, right?"

Yun Ming took the Jade Slip, sent his Divine Sense inside, carved the information, and returned it to Hou San. Hou San put away the Jade Slip and cupped his hands toward Yun Ming. "Guest, take care. I will personally deliver it to you in ten days."

Yun Ming nodded, turned, and walked out the door.

By the time he returned to Huai Tree Alley, it was already evening. The small courtyard was behind the Imperial Palace, deep in a narrow alley. There were few houses around, making it as quiet as a lonely island. The courtyard gate was wooden, with peeling paint and a rusty copper lock. Yun Ming used the key to open the door, pushed it open, and walked in.

The courtyard wasn't large, with three main rooms and two side rooms.

Blue bricks and black tiles; though a bit old, they were still sturdy.

There was an old scholar tree in the courtyard. Its trunk was thick, and its canopy was like an umbrella, covering most of the courtyard.

The stone table and stools under the tree were covered in moss, having not been sat on for a long time.

Behind the courtyard was a Spirit Medicine field, about two mu in size. Some Spirit Medicines were still growing in the field, not of high grade, mostly first or second grade. The soil quality was indeed good, dark and shimmering with a faint spiritual light.

Yun Ming stood in the courtyard for a while, then raised his hand and performed a few hand seals. A refreshing breeze blew from his fingertips, sweeping through every corner of the courtyard, gathering dust, fallen leaves, and spider webs into a ball before throwing them outside. Another water spell, and a spiritual spring fell from the sky, washing the bluestone pavement clean of moss and grime. Then a fire spell, with moderate temperature, dried the moisture in the courtyard. Within a few breaths, the small courtyard was completely refreshed. The bluestone was as bright as a mirror, the window paper as white as snow, and even the leaves of the old scholar tree looked a bit more vibrant.

Yun Ming took out the things Qin Wan had used during her lifetime one by one from the map of mountains and rivers and arranged them in his own room. Bedding, clothes, a sewing box, pickle jars—each item was placed where it belonged.

Ah Yuan stood at the door holding the fox, watching him work without disturbing him.

Night fell. Yun Ming moved a bamboo chair and sat under the old scholar tree, gazing at the starry sky above. The moon was round and bright, bathing the courtyard in silver. The fox lay on his lap, its nine tails hanging down, swaying slightly. Ah Yuan brought a small stool and sat beside him, her chin resting on her hands, also gazing at the starry sky.

"Ah Yuan," Yun Ming spoke.

"Hmm?" Ah Yuan turned her head.

"Do you want to stay by my side, or go out on your own?" Yun Ming's voice was very calm, as if asking what to eat today. "Tianyuan City is very large, with many opportunities. Your talent is good; if you strike out on your own, you might just carve out a world for yourself."

Ah Yuan lowered her head and remained silent for a long time. The fox jumped down from Yun Ming's lap and into Ah Yuan's arms, rubbing its head against her hand. Ah Yuan hugged the fox, looked up, and gazed at Yun Ming.

"Mr. Yun, I want to stay by your side." Her voice was soft but firm. "I have no family left. Grandpa is gone, and my parents are also gone. It was you who saved me and brought me to Tianyuan City. Wherever you go, I will go. Whatever you ask me to do, I will do. I... I want to take you as my Master."

Yun Ming looked at her. The moonlight shone on her face; her eyes were bright and clear, like a mountain stream.

"Have you thought it through?"

"I have."

Yun Ming nodded. "Good. From today on, you are my Disciple."

Ah Yuan knelt down and kowtowed three times to Yun Ming. "Master."

Yun Ming reached out and helped her up. "Rise. I do not care for such empty formalities."

Ah Yuan stood up, holding the fox, her eyes red, but she did not cry.

Yun Ming leaned back in his chair, gazed at the stars for a moment, and then fell silent. "I will pass on a Cultivation Technique to you named the 'Dao Scripture'. Your talent is excellent—a single-attribute Water Spiritual Root, one in ten thousand. This Cultivation Technique should suit you well."

He closed his eyes and began to dictate. His voice was calm and steady, each word clearly entering Ah Yuan's ears.

As Ah Yuan listened, her eyes grew wider and wider.

Her mouth opened slightly, her face full of disbelief.

She recognized every single character, but when they were put together, she couldn't understand them. However, she could feel that every word was like a pebble dropped into the deep pool of her heart, stirring ripples. Her spiritual power began to circulate on its own, following her Meridians along the direction guided by the Dao Scripture. Spiritual Qi seeped into her body from the world, flowing through her pores, her breath, and her Meridians, converging in her Dantian. In her Dantian, which was originally empty, a wisp of faint spiritual power began to condense.

Ah Yuan was so shocked she was speechless.

She looked up at Yun Ming.

The moonlight shone on his face; his expression was calm, as if he were doing something very ordinary.

But Ah Yuan knew that this Cultivation Technique was not ordinary. Far from it. She had heard her grandfather recite some formulas for techniques and had seen some Cultivators Cultivate, but she had never felt like this. This Cultivation Technique seemed tailor-made for every person on the path of the Dao; every line of the formula perfectly filled the gaps in her Cultivation, and every word struck exactly at the confusion in her heart.

She didn't know who Yun Ming was or why he possessed such a Heaven-Defying Cultivation Technique.

She only knew that she had made the right choice in taking this Master.

Yun Ming opened his eyes and looked at her. "How much do you remember?"

Ah Yuan opened her mouth, only to find she couldn't say a word. It wasn't that she had forgotten; she was simply too shocked to speak.

Yun Ming knew that with Ah Yuan's Comprehension Ability, understanding the 'Dao Scripture' wouldn't be difficult. A single-attribute Water Spiritual Root was one in ten thousand, and her Comprehension Ability was even more Heaven-Defying. He had only recited the technique once, and the spiritual power in her body had already begun to circulate on its own. Someone like her didn't need hand-holding; give her a crutch, and she could cross mountains and ridges on her own.

"Comprehend it on your own. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me." Yun Ming stood up and brushed the dust off his robes. "It's late; get some rest. There's no rush in Cultivation."

Ah Yuan was still immersed in that profound realization. She was startled for a moment upon hearing this, then nodded. She stood up from the ground, holding the fox, and bowed to Yun Ming. "Goodnight, Master." Yun Ming waved his hand and turned back into the house.

Ah Yuan stood in the courtyard, gazing at the stars for a moment. Then she sat cross-legged under the old scholar tree, closed her eyes, and began to Cultivate. The fox lay on her lap, its nine tails swaying. Moonlight shone on her face; her expression was peaceful, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, as if she were having a beautiful dream.

Yun Ming returned to the room but did not sleep. He sat by the window, watching Ah Yuan in the courtyard for a while, then withdrew his gaze. He took out a Jade Slip from the map of mountains and rivers and continued to study the Alchemy insights of the Xuanhuang Pill Mansion. The days ahead were long; there was no rush.