5 VIP Treatment
Women are weird.
After showing Xiao Lingxi how to wield a sword and sharing the full manual of the Xiao Clan Sword. Then showing how to gather herbs for me. I visited Xia Qingyue a few days later.
Her behaviour was strange. First, she was more clingy, and more intimate, from hugging my arm to ending up sitting on my lap when we are alone.
It was getting intense… then on top of that, she started telling me that she learned that I have a much bigger pavilion and she will be taking her maid with her.
She even dropped several innuendos that I can do anything I want with the maid.
Honestly… who can say no to a hot older sister-like girl?
As I was visiting her again. This time around her father wants to see me.
"Long'er, meet Elder Qiao. He is the Manager of Blue Wind Imperial City Merchant Guild." Xia Hongyi motioned at the old man standing next to him.
Holy fuck…
I can sense his cultivation…the old man is a freaking [Sky Profound]!
"Young man. Your pills reached us quickly. It has been causing a storm through the Blue Wind Empire. Selling this through a regular merchant is not recommended as they have their part to play. Instead, I would like to form a formal contract with you.
Do you wish to sell your pills directly to Black Moon Merchant Guild? The bonuses of being a provider are considerable, you gain discounts on our products as well as favourable terms when you are selling your pills." The old man smoothly explained to me.
"I assume your guild will keep my identity secret?" I asked seriously.
"That's without question young man. Our guild takes the security of our providers." The old man said with a serious nod.
"Good then, I am all in."
"Wonderful."
The old man pulled out a purple card and gave it to me.
"This is the money from the first batch you sold to the Black Moon Merchant Guild."
He then pulled out another item from a storage ring. It was a jade-like pendant with a moon symbol inside of it.
"This is your membership identification proof. Show this to any guild store, auction house, tavern, or other trade-related institution they will give you proper treatment." As he said that he handed it over to me.
Did I just get VIP treatment?
Damn! Xia Hongyi has some insane connections!
"My thanks."
I took the jade pendant. It was like an identification card with a string attached to it. You could use it as a pendant or a card.
"Now to stay in touch. Do you have a communication talisman?"
Shook my head. Nope, I am in the countryside bumping at this moment.
"That's fine. I have one prepared." The old man handed over a talisman with a carving on it.
"This one has contacts of all Black Moon Branches of Blue Wind Empire. The closest branch of Black Moon to this city is New Moon City. Call them and they will dispatch a courier to collect your pills." He explained how the system works which is similar to Amazon… cool, I can work with that.
"Great, this would work. Though I already have 3 leather bags ready for Profound Energy sensitive pills."
The old man at that moment had a delighted look.
"Wonderful! May this old man see them?"
I slowly nodded and pulled them out.
Elder Qiao started to inspect them. He pulled out a special container and started to store the pills in them.
"It appears you are even getting better as we speak. You will receive your money shortly." The old man did a simple bow before he looked at Xia Hongyi.
"Hongyi, there are a few things I need to discuss with you. For now farewell Young man. I hope to see even more impressive pills from you."
After saying his part the pair left. This left me and Xia Qingyue.
"...Amazing! Long! Do you know how big the Black Moon Merchant Guild is?" The girl said with barely controlled giddiness.
"Yes. Biggest merchant power in the Continent."
She nodded at me.
"Yes, and you are one of the most valuable members of this place! Blue Wind Empire Four Major Sects can't even be compared with this guild!"
'That's oddly specific my darling Fiance.' I said to myself as I inspected the money I have in the purple card…
I gulped down as there was a mountain of purple coins inside of it.
To put it specifically, three purple coins are enough for the regular family to live for a year… and I have a mountain of that.
Not only that but now I can use this wealth as well.
'I guess being an Alchemist is a very lucrative business.'
A few moments later Xia Hongyi returned to the room.
"It appears your pills are even better than I thought. Black Moon Merchant Guild Elders are getting interested in you Long'er."
"...Is that good or bad?"
"It's very good because you are a very valuable resource. It's all about money-making for this guild. They hold the monopoly on trade and they will want to keep it like this.
That's why you got that pendant. You can now buy and sell easily with the continent's biggest resource provider."
This was perfect…way too perfect… there should be a catch…
'Ah, yes, the Sacred Grounds. Supreme Ocean Palace. One of the supreme powers of the continent. Thankfully I don't have that shitty pendant. Not that it works in the first place. An item made for Yun Che and his reincarnation tricks, a fall safe when he fucking dies. The guy truly needs a babysitter…'
Just thinking about the number of hacks he had… the guy still fucked up…
Yeah…not going to think about it.
"Long are you alright?"
"Yes. I am fine. I am thinking of making some other pills."
My fiance smiled slightly at me. The smile was a very small one.
"You can do that later. You just got a small fortune we should celebrate. Why don't I cook something for you?"
"...I can't say no to that." I nodded at her before looking at satisfied Xia Hongyi.
"Uncle we will leave unless there is something else?"
"That's fine, there is nothing else. I still need to arrange a few things for the wedding." He said with a tired sigh.
I could only grimace internally, Xia Qingyue is pulling him through a grinder with her request for the 'perfect' wedding.
~~~~~~Later~~~~~~
With the wedding around 3 months away, I had time to do some things.
Mentally I opened the Martial Arts window.
Profound Arts:
[Profound Energy Control] (10/10) {100%}
—[Profound Energy Manipulation] (3/10) {56.21%}
[Dash] (10/10) {100%}
—[Lightfoot] (6/10) {58.36%}
[Arm Thrust] (10/10) {100%}
—[Wind Current Thrust] (10/10) {100%}
——[Burning Wind Hawk] (3/10) {34.71}
[Claw Strike] (10/10) {100%}
—[Whirlwind Claw] (10/10) {100%}
——[Wind Hawk Style Martial Arts] (5/10) {73.81%}
[Xiao Clan Wind Sword] (10/10) {100%}
—[Xiao Sect Whirlwind Sword] (10/10) {100%}
——[Burning Whirlwind Sword] (2/10) {31.43%}
[Profound Fire] (10/10) {100%}
—[Alchemist Flames] (6/10) {47.61%}
—[Orange Flames] (8/10) {75.90%}
[Basic Refinement] (7/10) {10.45%}
[Purifying Profound Energy] (9/10) {58.54%}
[River Current Style Profound Energy Absorption] (6/10) {72.45%}
For a moment my eyes stayed on the [Purifying Profound Energy] it was slowly approaching its peak.
By this point, I can convert my Profound Energy into Purifying energy effortlessly.
I have some ideas on how to make this thing extremely useful in alchemy.
Purification flames in alchemy would turn the herbs into the purest form they can be. At least in theory, Herbs tailored for Profound Entrances opening could shorten the amount of effort needed to open them.
And an array of other effects.
'I could use these sorts of flames in cooking as well. Removing all of the impurities from the flesh of Profound Beasts.'
Coming to a conclusion about what to do next I got up from my seat and went to look for my maid.
I went outside and saw her training. She was close to reaching [Ninth of Elementary Profound]. Knowing how easy this can be she is training nearly the whole free time she has.
"Lingxi came over here."
Hearing my voice she stopped and looked at me curiously. The girl walked over and looked at me.
"Turn around and sit. Show me your back."
The confusion only grew but she did as she was told.
I put my right hand on her and started to channel purifying energy into her.
"I am close to having a breakthrough in purifying energy control. I can't use it on myself so you are the next obvious choice."
She slowly nodded but then the maid asked me curiously.
"What does this purifying energy do?"
"It removes impurities from your body. It opens up Profound entrances as well. You simply become better at wielding Profound energy, as your body becomes more sensitive to it."
"Oh…"
After hearing my explanation she relaxed and waited for me to finish with this.
It didn't take long for me to cap the art. As I was quite close to finishing it anyway.
*Ding*
{[Purifying Profound Energy] Art Mastered}
"And done. I think I grasped what I needed."
Xiao Lingxi slowly got up, her nose furrowed deeply as she could smell the stench coming from her.
"Young Master, I will excuse myself. I need to take a bath. Is it alright with you?" She asked me, almost begging.
"Sure, go."
The girl swiftly dashed into the house.
As she was away I looked at the Martial Arts or more like Profound Arts window.
[Purifying Profound Energy] (10/10) {100%}
[Energy Art]
[Base Profound Energy is converted into Purifying one.]
'Now that this is mastered, I can start adding this into my flames…'
Thinking for a bit, there should be an even better version of the Purifying energy as the pearl can simply open all the entrances, effortlessly.
'Refining? Could be that as well. As the Poison Pearl is the best refining tool in Primal Chaos…'
~~~~~~Xiao Lingxi~~~~~~
The Black haired girl submerged herself in the water and closed her eyes. She started to count her Profound Entrances.
'Three, seven, thirteen, seventeen…'
Realising what this means it made her feel strange. Xiao Long was different from the other Xiao Clan members. While the vile bunch was dead, thanks to her Father, the rest ended up focusing on training. So they looked down on her low cultivation.
Now that she was under Xiao Long's protection it made her start feeling guilty that she is using him to get her revenge on that bastard Xiao Yulong.
While she is doing the basics like any servant girl. But it was the same thing she did when she was living with her father and little Che. It just doesn't feel good enough.
Regardless she continued to think about this until she needed to get out of the bath. She was close to that [Tenth of Elementary Profound]. Once the black-haired girl will be at [Nascent Profound] her cultivation will accelerate compared to Xiao Yulong who was still at [Second of Nascent Profound].
That bastard lack of progress is embarrassing, even to the girl who only just started to cultivate properly.
After she got out of the bath she used a towel to clean herself up. She is not at the level where she can just use Profound energy to clean up. Though she is close to it.
Once fully dressed up she cleaned up the bathroom before leaving it. As left the manor she saw her Young Master working on something with Profound Energy.
She looked at him for a while. Unlike her little Che, she had a different feeling towards him. He doesn't need pampering or something like a mother hen to watch over him like little Che.
It's strange…and even relieved that he is strong? Is she feeling secure when she is around him? Unlike before when it was she who would watch over Little Che.
Regardless… She needs to do something to deal with this gnashing feeling which keeps on growing in her stomach.
~~~~~~Xiao Long~~~~~~
To take this to the next step I summoned the [Purifying Profound Energy] and started to make it move the same way I use fire.
The issue is that the characteristics of this type of energy are different. As in cultivation terms it operates under a different set of laws.
Like it's a different spectrum of light it works differently to the base fire principle.
But this doesn't mean I am simply going to stop using this. No, I continued to try. My control over Profound Energy is no longer just simple control but it's the manipulation of it.
Simply going through several speeds of friction until it ignites like other fires.
Slowly orange sparks started to dance before erupting into flames.
*Ding*
{You have created [Purifying Flames] art!}
'Hell yeah!'
Swiftly I opened the Profound Arts window and checked this new art.
[Purifying Flames]
[Fire Art]
[Flames created via the use of Purifying Profound Energy, they are potent in purifying Ghosts, Impurities, Darkness, and Yin-related things. Though they are not as strong as regular flames.]
'So, a lesser version of Phoenix Flames… I guess I could find ways to create something at a similar level as Phoenix Fire.'
After making the art it was time to explore. Xiao Lingxi joined me as we went outside towards the mountains.
"We should travel further away this time. We have more than enough daylight."
"As you wish. I am here to follow you, Young Master." The girl said respectfully.
I nodded at her as we proceeded to delve further into the wilderness.
From my understanding of geography. If we go East we will end up at the open Ocean. Which is not far. So going purely North is the way.
The Frozen Cloud is situated around the North West. So technically we could end up in a snowy area of some sort if we walk long enough.
'Ice-related herbs could be useful… or maybe some sort of vitality-related herbs could be fantastic in refining and improving the body.'
"Is there something specific we are looking for?"
"Anything new would be fantastic. I have walked our mountain countless times over the years. So I know all the useful and not useful herbs. So checking other mountains could lead to some sort of discovery."
"...I understand. I will look for something new."
A few hours later, we arrived at the new area. Not new-new but new for me. Some of the people from the city do come to visit this place. But not that many…
As we proceeded to explore we already encountered some Profound Beats.
"Stay behind me Lingxi…three of them are in [Nascent Profound]." As I said that my cultivation base roared to life and pinned them down in place. Spreading out Profound Energy and using it as Gravity is something only a [Sky Profound] and above should be able to do. But, my manipulation of the energy is far superior. I can copy what a [Sky Profound] could do, though with less energy behind it.
As the beasts ended up pinned down, I took the [Wind Hawk Martial Arts Style] stance and proceeded to attack the wild wolves.
The style is a set of claw strikes, it's purely copying how a hawk uses its claws and they are infused with wind.
Though when the attack comes from someone of my cultivation level it was quick work.
Sounds of broken bones, and pained groans followed as the beasts collapsed one after another.
When I finished I looked at my maid. She had a look of disbelief and her eyes were wide open.
It took her several moments to get over it. She eventually snapped out.
"...Y-You are [Spirit Profound]!"
"Indeed. Now check if any of them have Profound Cores."
"A-Alright!"
The girl once more snapped out before swiftly walking over and awkwardly started to cut open the beasts. A multitude of different expressions are going through her face.
Seeing that it's taking ages I walked over and started to instruct where to cut them open.
Most of the time it's around the heart area as the beasts don't usually have dantian, as one is needed to store Profound energy.
Some time later I sighed. There is not a single Profound Core.
This was annoying. So far I haven't got even a single one!
I truly need to find stronger Profound Beasts.
After pulling the corpses up I used my flames to burn them before we started to walk deeper into the mountain range.
…
…
…
Later, we arrived at a water stream which is flowing eastwards towards the open Ocean. It should either merge with a wider river or flow directly into the Ocean.
Well, it doesn't matter. What matters is that certain herbs are growing on rocky ground.
"...Young Master, what do you think these are?" The maid asked me as she was looking at them as well.
"...Hmm, the roots are extremely durable."
This time I find interest in the roots instead of the grass itself. The grass itself is a regular type without any sort of traits. But what is impressive is the roots.
'Could I possibly cross-breed sensitive grass with these types of roots?'
"They are brimming with vitality," I said after using my Profound Energy to scan them.
"Very interesting…"
As I said that I pulled some of the grass out and then started to refine the roots. What I got was a brown pill.
Then I used the purifying flames to turn the pill from dark brown to light brown.
What was left after this was to swallow it.
"...Are you sure it's wise just to —" She didn't finish saying but I already swallowed it.
What happened next made my eyes widen. I felt invigorated. But this was not enough! To get pure vitality I need to work on the recipe!
