10: Chapter 10 The Great Sun Fusang Sutra

But to her great disappointment, Xu Changsheng really only took one look.

Then, he cupped his fists and departed.

Wu Qingqing watched Xu Changsheng's receding figure, filled with regret for her past actions.

She shouldn't have accepted Huang Laifu's petty favors, nor should she have catered to the malicious words of Zhao Wujiu and the others at the gathering.

And she certainly shouldn't have pretended to advise Xu Changsheng.

"So it turns out he already had cultivation skills to rely on."

She sighed in self-pity.

Hearing the sigh.

Wu Laoxie turned his head. "Qingqing, there's no need to sigh. Fellow Daoist Xu is not a petty person. If you work harder, there will be a chance."

"Really?"

A glimmer of hope reappeared in Wu Qingqing's eyes.

Wu Laoxie continued to encourage her, "With my connection, Fellow Daoist Xu will give you some face no matter what, but the outcome ultimately depends on your own efforts."

Wu Qingqing's eyes brightened.

Her mind was filled with images of her and Xu Changsheng becoming Dao Companions and successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.

She nodded vigorously.

...

Holding the Xie Family token, Xu Changsheng soon arrived at the residence Xie Wantang had given him.

He opened the residence.

In the next instant.

A dense wave of Spiritual Qi rushed towards him.

"This?"

Xu Changsheng smiled.

After confirming, this courtyard was situated directly atop a broken Rank One Spiritual Vein; its Spiritual Qi intensity was even superior to that of Nangui Inn.

He walked inside.

Using the token to manipulate the courtyard's Restriction, he made some minor arrangements before entering the master bedroom, where he sat cross-legged and began to Cultivate.

This continued until evening.

[Today's Intelligence (Silver): Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique]

[Inside Yichun Courtyard, Mortal concubines will be sold tomorrow, including a blind girl. She has a jade pendant that hides a Low Grade Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique, the "Great Sun Fusang Scripture," which requires the blind girl's essence blood to open.]

"It's actually a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique!"

Xu Changsheng's eyes were filled with shock.

Cultivation Technique ranks are divided into Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow, with each rank further split into High, Medium, and Low Grades.

The highest techniques sold in the market shops barely reached High Grade Yellow Rank.

He had only ever seen Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques mentioned in shops specializing in leisure books.

Such techniques were usually grouped with ancient secrets and legends of Great Emperors, serving as conversation topics for Cultivators after their tea and meals.

The technique Xu Changsheng currently practiced was the "Evergreen Art," a Low Grade Yellow Rank technique, essentially common street-stall junk.

By comparison, this "Great Sun Fusang Scripture" would provide immense assistance to his cultivation, perhaps even enough to compensate for his Low Grade Spiritual Root Aptitude!

Excited, he wished he could set out immediately.

At the same time, he began to recall information about Yichun Courtyard.

True to its name, it was actually a place of pleasure for Cultivators bored with their arduous cultivation to find some entertainment.

It housed both Cultivators and Mortals.

Having received a full education on Blue Star, Xu Changsheng naturally looked down on such places, but he wouldn't say anything; after all, everyone was just trying to make a living.

The world was harsh.

Yichun Courtyard also faced situations where supply exceeded demand, so it would sell off some Mortal women to reduce operational pressure and gain Spirit Stones.

Tomorrow's sale was one such instance.

...

The next morning, the dawn light was faint.

Calculating that the time hadn't arrived yet, Xu Changsheng continued to meditate on his cushion.

At that moment.

"Clang, clang."

The doorbell suddenly rang.

Xu Changsheng's closed eyes slowly opened.

"Only one day, and they've already come knocking?"

The image of Huang Laifu bringing people to cause trouble surfaced in his mind.

With vigilance, he walked out of the house.

"Eh? It's actually her."

After detecting the visitor with his Divine Sense, Xu Changsheng looked surprised.

He opened the courtyard gate.

A graceful figure stood outside the gate—it was none other than Wu Qingqing.

"Miss Wu, so early. What business do you have with This Xu?"

Today, Wu Qingqing wore exquisite makeup; her lips were red, her skin fair, and her eyes held a hint of spring. "Big Brother Xu, may I come in for a moment?"

"Of course." Xu Changsheng extended an invitation.

Arriving at the tea table in the hall, he poured some tea leaves and prepared to brew tea. "Miss Wu, I only moved into this residence yesterday, so I'm not fully prepared. Please forgive my lack of hospitality."

Wu Qingqing shook her head. "Not at all. Big Brother Xu, you should just call me Qingqing. No need to be so distant."

Her cheeks were flushed, as if she were holding back some words.

Xu Changsheng thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright, I'll call you Qingqing from now on."

Hearing this.

Wu Qingqing smiled like a blooming flower. "Thank you, Big Brother Xu."

Xu Changsheng smiled back and poured boiling water into the teapot.

Immediately, steam rose, and the aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Seeing this.

Wu Qingqing's gaze was deep.

Her chest rose and fell slightly as she plucked up the courage to ask, "Big Brother Xu, you've been in Liuyun Market for so many years; have you ever thought about starting a family?"

Having said that.

Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she looked at Xu Changsheng expectantly.

"Hmm?"

Hearing this question, Xu Changsheng was first taken aback, then shook his head:

"No. The situation in the cultivation world changes in an instant; those below Foundation Establishment are all mere ants. How could This Xu indulge in pleasure and put a family in danger? I once swore that I would not start a family until I reached Foundation Establishment!"

His words were righteous.

Hearing Xu Changsheng's answer, Wu Qingqing's eyes dimmed.

She also knew that Xu Changsheng now possessed the skill of Rank One Medium Grade Talisman-making, allowing him to earn enough cultivation resources and giving him a slim chance at Foundation Establishment.

His current heart for seeking the Dao was exceptionally firm; he wouldn't easily become Dao Companions with anyone.

While she was thinking.

The tea was ready.

Xu Changsheng poured tea for Wu Qingqing. "Qingqing, do you have anything else today? If not, you should head back early. I need to head out in a while."

"Ah?"

Wu Qingqing looked like she was about to cry. "Is Big Brother Xu driving Qingqing away?"

Xu Changsheng ignored her and took a light sip of tea. "I truly have business. If you have more to discuss, you can come back in the afternoon."

...

Wu Qingqing still insisted on drinking tea for half an hour.

During that time, she tried several times to hint at her desire to become Dao Companions with Xu Changsheng, but he brushed her off with various excuses.

She tried to pry into the purpose of his outing but failed to get an answer.

Ultimately, she walked out of the residence dejectedly.

Xu Changsheng watched her leave, tidied up the tea set, and also left the residence.

He soon arrived at the western part of Liuyun Market.

Yichun Courtyard was located right there.

At this time, Yichun Courtyard was decorated in vibrant reds and purples, with red ribbons fluttering, as they were selling their Mortal women.

There weren't many male Cultivators passing through the corridor; after all, they were just Mortal women and of little use to Cultivators.

The female attendants were dressed flamboyantly, all greeting with smiles, hoping a male Cultivator would take them home.

That way, not only would they have no worries about food and clothing, but if they were lucky, they might even receive a few Immortal Pills as rewards from their masters, making life much happier than in the Mortal world.

Xu Changsheng walked among them.

Women kept winking at him, and the procuress stepped forward to pitch them one by one.

"You've come early, guest. Have you taken a liking to any of the girls? Let me introduce them to you."

"This Hua Niang has a round waist and large buttocks, perfect for bearing children..."

Xu Changsheng frowned; he didn't see the blind girl he was looking for.

He cupped his fists and asked, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist, is there a blind woman here? I don't see her."

Hearing the question.

The procuress was suddenly startled. "What? You want her?"