48: Isn't Zhang afraid I'll misunderstand?

After Zhang Ling left, Gu Changsheng was in no hurry to Cultivate.

He took stock of all the wooden boxes inside the Immortal Cave. After confirming everything was correct, he sat back down cross-legged.

Three days later, Zhang Ling arrived as scheduled, offering a thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones and bringing back news that the spirit-calming incense in the market had been completely snatched up.

Gu Changsheng put the Spirit Stones into his pocket and handed a wooden box filled with spirit-calming incense to Zhang Ling.

"Continue," Gu Changsheng only said two words.

Zhang Ling's face was flushed with excitement, his features almost lost in the fat. He understood that Gu Changsheng trusted him completely, entrusting him with this immense wealth.

Over the next three months, the markets of the entire Taiqing Sect, and even those of several surrounding Sects, fell into a frenzy over spirit-calming incense.

Demonic Cultivators were causing chaos in the Yunqi Region, and the harvest of qing ling flowers had failed, leading to a cut-off in the supply of spirit-calming incense.

Those Qi Refinement Stage Disciples who urgently needed to calm their spirits for cultivation did not hesitate to pay high prices to break through their Bottlenecks.

The spirit-calming incense in Gu Changsheng's hands was of superior quality and had excellent effects; as soon as it was released, it was snatched up.

Zhang Ling transformed overnight into the highly sought-after "spirit-calming incense Tycoon" of the market.

Every day, he shuttled between major shops and auction houses, selling the spirit-calming incense provided by Gu Changsheng through various secret methods, and then handing over the Spirit Stones in full.

Gu Changsheng lived in seclusion. Aside from regular transactions with Zhang Ling, he focused on Cultivating in peace.

He used part of the Spirit Stones he earned to buy purer Spiritual Qi stones and auxiliary Medicinal Pills to enhance his cultivation level.

Another part was carefully stored away for future needs.

Under the nourishment of massive amounts of Spiritual Qi, his progress in the Cultivation Technique "Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture" was rapid.

The magic power within his body became increasingly condensed, and he was not far from reaching Qi Refining Layer Five.

Meanwhile, his habit of refreshing the "daily intelligence" every day never ceased.

[Intelligence 1: Hundred Herbs Peak Steward Zhang Ling has been in close contact with the black market recently, and the items he sells have attracted attention from many parties.]

[Intelligence 2: True Disciple Lin Yi suspects something is amiss behind the unusual movements of spirit-calming incense in the market and has sent people to investigate secretly.]

[Intelligence 3: Scripture Pavilion Steward Old Man Ge has become suspicious of Zhang Ling's source of wealth due to his recent lavish spending.]

Looking at the constantly refreshing intelligence in his mind, Gu Changsheng felt a chill in his heart.

Although he acted cautiously and Zhang Ling was greedy and obedient enough, such a large commotion had eventually caught the attention of some observant people.

Especially someone like True Disciple Lin Yi, who had a deep background and immense power.

Once they truly traced it back to him, let alone keeping these Spirit Stones, even his life would be hard to preserve.

An ordinary man is innocent, but treasuring a jade makes him guilty.

Gu Changsheng understood this principle better than anyone.

He knew that relying on himself alone, he could never protect this immense wealth.

He needed a real backer.

And this backer had to be someone of high status, great strength, and someone he could use.

Peak Master of Hundred Herbs Peak, Si Yuanzhi, was undoubtedly the best candidate.

Gu Changsheng closed his eyes, his mind rapidly calculating.

The Spirit Stones he had earned already exceeded ten thousand; this huge sum was enough to drive any Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator mad.

He couldn't just offer the Spirit Stones directly; that would seem too deliberate and suspicious.

He needed a perfect excuse, a "token of loyalty" that could express his intentions without causing offense.

He took out a Talisman from the depths of the Immortal Cave and squeezed it gently. The Talisman turned into a stream of light and shot out of the cave.

This was a Talisman he specifically used to gather intelligence on rare treasures, which had cost him a lot of effort.

The next day, the intelligence refreshed again.

[Intelligence 1: The 'Treasure Pavilion' in the market has received a new Foundation Establishment spiritual item today, 'earth core milk,' which is a miraculous item for Foundation Establishment Cultivators to break through Bottlenecks.]

[Risk Assessment: Medium (The Treasure Pavilion is backed by a Foundation Establishment Stage Elder, and this item is expensive, making it easy to attract attention.)]

Seeing this intelligence, a faint, imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of Gu Changsheng's mouth.

earth core milk!

This was exactly the Foundation Establishment spiritual item he had been searching for.

Although he had not yet reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, Si Yuanzhi was a Late Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator; such a miraculous item would surely be of great use to her.

Gu Changsheng did not hesitate and immediately stood up.

He took out nearly ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch and inventoried all his Magical Artifacts and Medicinal Pills once more.

He put these Spirit Stones and items into a specially made Storage Pouch and carefully checked his clothing and appearance.

With everything prepared, Gu Changsheng took a deep breath and pushed open the stone door.

He turned into a streak of green light, heading straight for the Treasure Pavilion in the market.

Inside the Treasure Pavilion, the crowd was bustling.

Gu Changsheng walked straight to the counter and placed the heavy Storage Pouch on the table.

"Manager, my Peak Master wishes to purchase earth core milk." His voice was calm but carried an unquestionable firmness.

The manager was a Qi Refining Layer Nine Cultivator. He glanced at Gu Changsheng's Inner Sect Disciple robes and, hearing the mention of the Peak Master, immediately put away his disdain.

"Please wait a moment, honored guest." The manager bowed and turned into the inner hall.

A moment later, he brought out a jade box and respectfully handed it to Gu Changsheng.

When the jade box was opened, a mass of milky white liquid lay quietly inside, emitting a warm and rich Spiritual Qi. It was indeed earth core milk.

Gu Changsheng confirmed it was correct and paid the Spirit Stones directly.

He did not linger in the Treasure Pavilion. After obtaining the earth core milk, he turned and left the market, heading straight for Hundred Herbs Peak.

Wen Yuechan's pavilion was still quiet, the wooden door slightly ajar.

Gu Changsheng stopped three paces from the door and bowed.

"Disciple Gu Changsheng requests an audience with the Peak Master." His voice was respectful, echoing in the courtyard before the pavilion.

A moment later, Si Yuanzhi's slightly lazy voice came from inside the pavilion.

"Come in."

Gu Changsheng pushed the door and entered.

Si Yuanzhi was still reclining on the main seat, playing with a purple-gold gourd, while little Li Yan was meditating seriously nearby.

Gu Changsheng maintained his bowing posture as he walked up to Si Yuanzhi.

He took out the jade box containing the earth core milk from his Storage Pouch and offered it with both hands.

"Disciple has come specifically to thank the Peak Master for the grace of your guidance," he said in a deep voice.

Si Yuanzhi's movements paused slightly, and her narrow Phoenix eyes slowly fell upon the jade box in Gu Changsheng's hands.

With just a light glance, she saw the treasure inside the jade box clearly.

earth core milk!

Her originally lazy expression instantly tightened a bit.

"Thanking me for the grace of guidance?" Si Yuanzhi's red lips parted slightly, her voice betraying neither joy nor anger.

"I only spoke a few casual words; why do you need to go to such great lengths?"

Gu Changsheng lowered his head, his tone sincere.

"The Peak Master's words were like gold and jade, suddenly enlightening this Disciple and causing my medicine refining skills to advance by leaps and bounds. This kind of grace is engraved in my heart, and I have no way to repay it."

"This earth core milk was obtained by chance. Knowing the Peak Master's profound cultivation, it will surely be of great use, so I specially offer it to the Peak Master to express my humble gratitude."

A playful curve appeared at the corner of Si Yuanzhi's mouth.

"You certainly know how to talk." She picked up the purple-gold gourd and took another swig of wine.

"Do you think I, the Peak Master of Hundred Herbs Peak, would be lacking in a mere bit of Foundation Establishment spiritual item like this?"

There was a hint of imperceptible pressure in her words.

Hearing this, Gu Changsheng's heart stirred.

She didn't refuse directly!

He knew this was exactly the "push and pull" he had expected.

"The Peak Master naturally does not lack it," Gu Changsheng replied without hesitation.

"But this is a small token of this Disciple's heart, a sign of my respect for the Peak Master. It's not that the Peak Master needs it, but that I wish to contribute my humble effort."

He placed "heart" and "respect" first, minimizing the value of the earth core milk.

Si Yuanzhi put down the wine gourd, her Phoenix eyes staring straight at Gu Changsheng as if trying to see through him.

The atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly became somewhat heavy.

Little Li Yan was startled awake by this invisible aura. She looked curiously at Gu Changsheng and then at her Grandmaster.

"Oh?" Si Yuanzhi drew out the sound.

"Just a humble effort?"

She stretched out her fair, slender fingers and lightly tapped the jade box, producing a crisp sound.

"Gu Changsheng, as a small Disciple at Qi Refining Layer Four, where did you get the Spirit Stones to buy such a Foundation Establishment spiritual item?"

Her gaze suddenly became sharp, piercing straight into Gu Changsheng's heart.

Gu Changsheng's heart skipped a beat; he knew the real test had come.

He took a deep breath, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"In response to the Peak Master, this Disciple stockpiled some materials to practice last year. After coming out of seclusion, I found that spirit-calming incense was in high demand in the market, so I used the medicine refining techniques I learned to refine and sell some spirit-calming incense."

He paused, slowly delivering the explanation he had prepared long ago.

"This Disciple's Aptitude is mediocre, and I know that Cultivating is not easy. Therefore, I wanted to put more effort into the Dao of medicine refining to earn some Spirit Stones for my future cultivation needs."

"This earth core milk was purchased with all the Spirit Stones I earned during this time."

He displayed his "ambition" and "caution" to the fullest while perfectly explaining the source of his wealth.

Si Yuanzhi did not speak immediately after listening.

She picked up the wine gourd again, tilted her head, and took a swig, her throat moving.

Gu Changsheng stood bowed quietly, waiting for her decision.

He knew he had shown all his cards.

What followed depended on whether this Peak Master of Hundred Herbs Peak was willing to accept this "token of loyalty."

Si Yuanzhi put down the wine gourd with a light thud.

Her Phoenix eyes fell upon the jade box in Gu Changsheng's hands once more.

"You certainly know how to do business," she said slowly.

"However, this earth core milk is indeed of no use to me."

Si Yuanzhi shook her head slightly.

Gu Changsheng's heart sank. Was she really going to refuse?

However, Si Yuanzhi's tone shifted again.

"But, since it is a token of your heart..."

She reached out and gently took the jade box from Gu Changsheng's hands.

Gu Changsheng looked up abruptly.

Si Yuanzhi's fingers lightly brushed the edge of the jade box.

"I'll accept it," she said calmly.

"But for a small Disciple like you to give me a gift for no reason, aren't you afraid I'll misunderstand?"

Her gaze turned to Gu Changsheng again, carrying a hint of scrutiny, a hint of playfulness, and a hint of expectation.