Hong Yuan's starkly different demeanor couldn't help but amuse Lin Yiru. With her bright and perceptive mind, she immediately understood his concerns.
"It's been a long time, Hong Yuan," Lin Yiru said gently.
She didn't make things difficult for Hong Yuan despite his opportunistic behavior. Instead, after casting a meaningful glance his way, she welcomed everyone into the study of the White Frost Stone House.
Hong Yuan, however, was trembling with fear. The senior brothers were so loving and doting towards Lin Yiru. Should his extortion of Lin Yiru come to light, wouldn't his senior brothers skin him alive on the spot?!
Following Lin Yiru's lead, everyone stepped into the study.
Within the study stood a large rosewood and marble desk. It was scattered with famous calligraphic works, dozens of precious inkstones, various brush holders, and a large brush pot so densely packed with brushes it resembled a forest.
On one side, there was a huge Ru Kiln Flower Vase filled with white chrysanthemums, each appearing like a crystal ball. A large "Misty Rain Picture" hung on the west wall, flanked by a pair of couplets.
The upper couplet read: "Majestic martial arts aspire as eagles compete with deer in flight." The lower couplet read: "Cloud Eaves Asking the Tripod, Tigers Compete with Magic."
This study, filled with a strong personal Martial Arts aura, was a place Hong Yuan hadn't entered during his previous visit to pay respects to his master. Or perhaps, only now had he truly become a disciple of this Elder Master?!
At this moment, Lin Daoyan, clad in a scholar's green garment, was immersed in his painting, zestfully creating landscapes on his paper.
"Master!" four greetings rang out in succession.
Hong Yuan followed behind the three senior brothers to offer his greetings, then he obediently stood behind Zhu Wushang, quietly waiting to the side.
"Hmm, find a place to sit for now," Lin Daoyan hummed softly, continuing to paint with his head bowed.
Zhu Wushang, Bai Ge, and Mo Jiuyou, three figures of great repute outside the sect, waited respectfully, not daring to disturb their master's refined pursuit.
Hong Yuan also didn't dare make any conspicuous moves and closely followed the actions of his Senior Brother Zhu Wushang. When Zhu Wushang stood, he stood. When Zhu Wushang sat, he only dared to sit after receiving a signal from Zhu Wushang.
Utterly cautious.
Although their Elder Master didn't radiate an aura of power—and even seemed less intimidating than Senior Brother Mo Jiuyou, who commanded an army—Hong Yuan knew it was all an illusion. His master was a fearsome existence, just a small step away from advancing to Martial Saint!
"Brother Wushang, have some tea."
"Brother Bai Ge, have some tea."
"Brother Nine Nether, have some tea."
Lin Yiru poured tea for the three senior brothers in turn. Each of them received it respectfully, not daring to show any negligence.
When it was Hong Yuan's turn, Lin Yiru gave him a gentle wink.
"Disciple Hong Yuan, have some tea."
Hong Yuan's heart skipped a beat—not from excitement, but from panic.
Fortunately, he'd inherited an excellent ability to manage his expressions, and Hong Yuan smoothly took the teacup.
"Yiru, you should have let Yuan do these things. You just sit," Zhu Wushang said in a gentle, quiet voice.
"Hmm, Yuan is young; he should learn some social proprieties," Bai Ge also advised.
Logically, tasks like serving tea shouldn't be performed by someone of Lin Yiru's stature, but for some reason, their Master seemed willing to let her do so. Even if she was willing, Zhu Wushang and the others dared not let her serve them. A token gesture would suffice.
Hearing his senior brothers' words, Hong Yuan quickly stood up, took the tea set, and poured a new cup for Lin Yiru.
"Sister Yiru, please," Hong Yuan said humbly.
"Hmm." Lin Yiru found a yellow rosewood armchair, sat down, and accepted the cup of tea Hong Yuan offered her.
Afterward, the group sat in silence, quietly awaiting the completion of their master's painting.
A short while later, Master Lin Daoyan stopped his brush and blew on his painting, a satisfied smile on his face. "Come over, everyone."
"Yuan, pour your master some tea," Senior Brother Zhu Wushang quietly prompted Hong Yuan.
「Afternoon.」
Hong Yuan returned to his courtyard utterly exhausted. He spread his limbs and lay ungracefully on the cotton bed in his bedroom.
Tired, so tired! People say serving a king is like accompanying a tiger; serving a master is hardly any different.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly. He had successfully caught Lin Daoyan's attention and earned his approval, no longer a nominal disciple like Zhao Gonghe.
Although today was tiring, the gains were quite rewarding.
The White Bull Bow, gifted by his Senior Brother Bai Ge.
The Qinglu Mountain Moving Skill and its accompanying medicinal formula, gifted by his Senior Brother Mo Jiuyou.
And most important of all, the Phoenix Feather Token gifted by his Master, Lin Daoyan. This crimson token allowed him to enter the third floor of the Phoenix Creek Sect's Book Pavilion once; its significance went without saying.
The third floor of the Book Pavilion housed fifth-level Martial Arts Skills. It was heavily guarded and accessible only to those with the relevant permissions. Generally, only members who had contributed a huge amount of Sect contribution points were qualified to enter.
In other words, acquiring fifth-level Martial Arts Skills required permission. Acquiring fifth-level Martial Arts Skills required permission!
It wasn't long ago that Hong Yuan realized how naive his idea of saving up Energy Stones to directly exchange for a fifth-level Martial Arts Skill had been. Those fifth-level skills couldn't be exchanged with Energy Stones at all!
Fortunately, his master was generous! He'd obtained a chance to acquire a fifth-level Martial Arts Skill for free.
It's just that... With a wave of his hand, a pile of small white porcelain bottles was taken from his storage bag and placed steadily on the cotton bed.
All told, they were of similar size, totaling twenty-two bottles.
Hong Yuan felt helpless as he looked at the twenty Heart Cleansing Pills before him.
My one hundred and twenty Energy Stones! Hong Yuan lamented internally.
To clear the misunderstanding, he had spent the one hundred Energy Stones from Zhu Wushang, plus one hundred and twenty of his own.
Hong Yuan still vividly remembered Lin Yiru's gloating expression. It seemed that woman hadn't forgotten his act of taking advantage of her plight. Hong Yuan didn't plan to, nor did he dare, ask Lin Yiru for those two hundred Energy Stones back. It would be best if she simply forgot about the whole thing.
Oh well, let it be. Consider it money spent to ward off misfortune. The master and senior brothers have helped me so much; one cannot be too greedy.
Hong Yuan roused his spirits, preparing to request a day off tomorrow to go to the Book Pavilion and select a Martial Arts Skill.
A fifth-level Martial Arts Skill! Countless disciples in the Phoenix Creek Sect would go their entire lives without ever possessing one. Its preciousness was unimaginable.
Becoming Lin Daoyan's disciple was indeed the right path!
「That night,」
Hong Yuan sought out Xu Hongde, asking if he had any channels to help sell a batch of Heart Cleansing Pills.
Hong Yuan still remembered Xu Hongde's shocked expression upon discovering how many pills he possessed: it was stupefaction, utter bewilderment, sheer disbelief.
After some haggling, Hong Yuan sold twelve bottles of Heart Cleansing Pills to Xu Hongde, obtaining eighty Energy Stones.
Besides Xu Hongde, Hong Yuan also went to Le Congsheng.
He sold two bottles of Heart Cleansing Pills to Le Congsheng and gifted him an additional one. Including the Energy Stones Le Congsheng already owed him, Hong Yuan received a total of twenty-two Energy Stones from this transaction.
Le Congsheng watched Hong Yuan's departing figure with great reluctance.
Hong Yuan, my dearest friend!
Thus, Hong Yuan now had one hundred and two Energy Stones and seven bottles of Heart Cleansing Pills in his storage bag.
Hong Yuan had initially considered approaching Zhao Gonghe, thinking that as a descendant of a sect family, he would surely have the means to buy them all. But as soon as he remembered Zhao Gonghe's constant loitering in pleasure quarters, he dismissed the idea of trading with him.
Feasting and drinking, womanizing, gambling, and drug use—the five poisons in their entirety. Although Zhao Gonghe hadn't sunk to that level yet, Hong Yuan felt he already showed such tendencies.
To avoid unnecessary conflict, Hong Yuan decided to limit his social interactions with Zhao Gonghe.
With that, all preparations were essentially complete.
Hong Yuan planned to head to the Book Pavilion early the next morning to select a fifth-level Martial Arts Skill!