AZI Volume 2 Chapter 30

"You asked me for a cultivation method that's designed for the Spirit Assimilation realm."

"…"

Despite feeling a bit off—with how abrupt this change in topic had happened, Bai Wen still chooses to follow along.

Much like Long Hua, Bai Wen also has matters that cannot be said to someone that he had just met.

"That I did."

With his memories being in the current state that they are in, Long Hua has no idea if he actually does possess such a cultivation method.

"Lao Long, I'm more than willing to compensate you for it. Money in the form of spirit stones isn't an issue, so long as I am given ample time to prepare them."

"…?"

Towards Bai Wen's words, Long Hua can't help but ponder about the former's standing in the Ling Yuan family—for them to be so frivolous with money.

"My memories are in a fragmented state, so I currently don't have what it is that you're looking for."

Shrugging his shoulders, Bai Wen replies—

"Your honesty is appreciated. Now, about what you said, it's not surprising—since you are someone who hails from another world. You most likely arrived here through reincarnation; otherwise, your memories wouldn't be in their current state."

Having his secret spoken aloud in such a blunt manner, Long Hua constricts his eyes with a frown.

(My reaction when we talked about the names of this world's cultivation realms must hav-… No, he probably came looking for me because he already had his suspicions, and my reaction only serves to confirm his theory.)

Arriving at this conclusion, Long Hua asks—

"A cultivation method, that's the true reason for why you sought me out, correct?"

Nodding his head with a chuckle, Bai Wen answers—

"I have… Let's say, a special problem, that requires a special solution—that cannot be found in this world; hence your knowledge that comes from another realm is of extreme value to me. In any case, is there a specific method that can aid you to hasten the recovery of your previous life's memories?"

"You're saying it as if it's inevitable that I will recover them."

Picking his tea cup up, Bai Wen replies—

"Reincarnation is something that is seen often in the Everlasting Spirit Realm. All those who have undergone it—will eventually recover their memories; I would assume, there's no real difference, even if you came from another world."

"Everlasting Spirit Realm?"

"That is the name of the world you are currently in."

(I wonder what the name of the world shizun is in is called…?)

Setting these thoughts aside, Long Hua goes on to say—

"You say—reincarnation is seen often in this world; then you should know how I can go about recovering my memories better than me."

"You don't have any specific method that works best? Generally speaking, the higher the individual's cultivation base is, the more memories they can recover. At least, that's the case under normal circumstances."

"Normal circumstances?"

Taking a sip of tea, Bai Wen answers—

"By the time an individual reaches the Nascent Soul realm, they should instantly recover all their memories. It's a safety feature that is incorporated into the standard methods used to perform reincarnation. Reason for it being this realm of cultivation specifically—is because prior to the Nascent Soul realm, an individual simply doesn't have a divine sense that is strong enough to process the information flood that they are made to go through."

"So, if I don't recover my memories upon reaching the Nascent Soul realm, I would fall under the unusual circumstances category?"

"Even then, it's theorized and believed that any of these unusual circumstances—are just a matter of the individual needing to raise their cultivation base further. If that really doesn't work, then there are outside factors interfering with the memory recovery process. Usually…- Let's not go on a tangent."

Picking up his cup for a sip, Long Hua contemplates for a brief instance, before asking—

"And what if—after I recover my memories, I still don't have what you want?"

"I would very much doubt that."

"And where does your confidence come from?"

Being asked this, Bai Wen smiles in an odd manner, and points to his right eye, while answering—

"I have faith in my one eye—in being able to judge a person's worth; the average individual couldn't possibly demonstrate a sword Qi as refined as yours."

Refilling his cup, Long Hua says—

"That sword Qi isn't a creation of mine. It was… Something akin to a legacy—passed over to me by my shizun."

"In that case, let's say I have faith in your shizun—for having taught you plenty of knowledge that would prove to be useful to me; hence I am willing to gamble on you."

"To gamble means you must fork out a sum of cash first."

"Didn't I already give you some spirit stones?"

Raising his head, Long Hua puts on a smile of amusement, and replies—

"That was the price for my name."

"…"

Despite not having much attachment for these materialistic resources, Bai Wen still feels the price to be a bit unjustified.

(Hmm. Well, a person with an average background cannot possibly hope to reincarnate from one world to another, and that sword Qi… Whoever his shizun is—they cannot possibly be any weaker than some of the elders in the Ling Yuan family.)

Contemplating about these matters, Bai Wen asks—

"Lao Long, other than you, did your shizun take in any other disciples?"

"As far as I know right now, I don't think so."

"In that case, you would be considered something similar to a sect's legacy disciple—where the mentor's core teachings are taught to you alone."

Turning the cup in his hand, Long Hua asks—

"Does that make me more worthwhile to gamble on?"

"It does. However, I wish to see some concrete evidence of your worth—before putting more cash down on the table."

Sipping away a portion of the tea, Long Hua asks—

"Meaning?"

"Pass Lao Zhen's test."

"Test?"

"Content of the test is something that you'll have to take up with Lao Zhen. For all I know, it could just be a show of brute strength, or a business conversation over a cup of tea."

Raising an eye, Long Hua remarks—

"This Lao Zhen…? Would you consider them to be a person—who is very strict in business dealings?"

Despite not having met this person yet, Long Hua's instincts told him, that this should be the case, and towards the former's question, Bai Wen chuckles, while answering—

"Their family is renowned for being shrewd merchants in the practitioners' circle, so yes. Finding the village shouldn't be too difficult—since you are a practitioner."

"Does the sewer network have something that I can use—to navigate my way there, without using the map that my employer has?"

"You'll know when you head down there."

"…"

"No need to give me that look. Some things are better off to be discovered, and experienced on your own—rather than to be told by another."