I opened my eyes to a wooden ceiling, groaning as I sat up on the edge of the bed. Rubbing my temples, I looked around the room. It was the same as last night, painfully plain and devoid of anything extravagant. Getting up, I walk over to the closet next to the bronze mirror. I opened it and looked over the white hanfu in neat folded piles. I shrugged. It's better than my tattered clothes. I take a pair of pants and a hanfu before heading to the springs in the bathhouse.
I came back to the room, dressed in a white robe with a light blue belt and a silver clasp tying my hair in a high ponytail. I flopped down onto the bed, sitting in a lotus position before taking out a Qi gathering plate, then a mid-grade spirit stone, and placed it in the center groove of the Qi gathering plate. I perform the correct hand seals and activate the plate, the spirit stone glowing a blue color upon activation. I moved the plate in front of me, feeling the qi in the area gathering around me. I then relax my posture, taking a few deep breaths to clear my mind before deploying the Basking Dawn technique.
Feeling my body absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy, I guide it through my meridians, circulating the flow of qi eight times before letting it pool in my dantian. After another few cycles, my spiritual sea finally recovered. Letting out a breath before opening my eyes, everything feeling much more clearer.
I deactivated the Qi gathering plate, pocketing it and the half-used spirit stone in my storage bag before standing up to stretch my body. Much better. To recover so quickly, as expected of the sect's genius disciple. As I was praising myself, a knock sounded at the door.
"You may enter," I answered, clearing my throat.
A female Xīngyún disciple entered the room, holding a tray with a small ornate box.
"A gift from the sect leader, He will meet you in the Lotus Pavilion shortly," she said, placing the tray and box on the table near the bed.
I nodded, picking up the box on the table and examining it.
She bowed and, without saying anything else, she left.
I watch the closed door for an instant before turning my attention to the box in my hand. It was small, with an intricate enamel design in the colors of gold, blue, and white. I examined it for a bit before finding the gold latch and unlocked it. Inside was a clear, almost translucent pill cushioned on velvet padding.
This is!
To think that senile old fossil would give me such a treasure. He must want a favor from me.
I closed the box, placing it in my storage bag. Moving my eyes to the door, a smile spread across my face.
Well, I can't keep him waiting.
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I entered the main hall of the Lotus pavilion, the same Xīngyún disciple from before flanking my right. The hall smelled like sandalwood and incense, and similar to the interior of the room I was staying in, the decor was simple and other than a few paintings, was devoid of worldly things.
At the end of the hall sat a white-haired man dressed in white Daoist robes and more wrinkles than you can count with both hands.
I stopped a few meters away from him as the disciple cupped her hands in a bow.
"This disciple greets the Sect Leader."
Watching, I did the same, "Disciple Wang Àiyù greets Sect Leader of Xīngyún sect."
He nodded in turn, "I welcome Disciple Wang Àiyù to my Xīngyún sect. How is your grandfather?"
"My grandfather is well, the thanks is mine for letting this disciple stay in your sect," I said.
He shakes his head, "No need, it's with great honor to accommodate a disciple of the Phoenix Immortal."
"You flatter me," I replied, maintaining my smile as the corners of my mouth twitched ever so slightly. Just tell me what you want already damn it.
"In a world like ours, flattery goes a long way," The old fart advises, standing up from his chair.
He turned his head to the female disciple next to me, "You may leave."
She nodded, shooting me a glance before promptly exiting the hall. I watched her leave before turning back to the old coot before me.
He walks down from the elevated platform, standing only an inch or two taller than me.
"Come, we have much to discuss in private," he gestured to me to follow him as he turned to the entrance of the courtyard.
I followed him a step behind, arriving in a lush courtyard of various plants, even a few emanating spiritual energy. He walks to a table near the pond, motioning me to sit down. I do, noticing the table already being prepared with tea and a plate of dried plums. He poured us each a cup of tea, a sweet aroma wafting from the cups.
He takes a sip, a moment of silence permeating before asking, "I assume you have recieved my gift."
I nodded, taking a sip from my cup, "If you need a favor from me, say it now."
"You were never one for subtleties," he sighed.
"After all this time, I don't believe you aren't aware of that," I smiled, popping a dried plum into my mouth.
Another sigh could be heard from the old man, "Never giving face to your elders, I worry for your grandfather."
"No need, like I said before, he's in good health given the circumstances," I assured.
"With the Demon Hunt going on, the dynasty won't be seeing any peace for a while."
"I'm aware, which is why I want to ask a favor of you."
My smile widening as I take another sip of tea.
"And that is?"
He places his empty cup down, his expression turning grave.
"With the current situation, the demonic sects will surely rebel against us, and when they do, my Xīngyún sect will be the first to take the brunt of it. I ask that, with your standing that you ask your grandfather to put Nánhǎi city under Boshài sect's protection."
"I see," I nodded, my smile fading. Given the current situation of the hunt, that will most likely be the outcome. And when that happens, Xīngyún sect and all of Nánhǎi city will likely be no more. But...
I looked to Xīngyún Sect Leader. Nánhǎi is extremely far from the Běifāng province, where our sect is located. It'll take too long to send help, and setting up a teleportation array would take up too many resources. This is indeed a high ask, no wonder he had given up that pill. That must've been his last bargaining chip.
As the moments of silence ticked by, his expression grew graver.
"I am well aware of what I ask of you, but if you grant me this favor, I and my sect will be eternally indebted to you, and any favor you need in the future will be granted by me personally. So please, consider," he bowed, his forehead resting on the table as if ready to kowtow at any moment.
I pursed my lips. I can't fully guarantee success, but. Shooting a glance at the Xīngyún Sect Leader, I came to a decision.
"I can't guarantee, but I will speak to my grandfather on your behalf."
The Sect Leader raised his head, a wash of relief showing on his face.
"Very well, I will put my faith in your words."
I nodded, my body relaxing now that the serious topic is out of the way. I gulp down my tea, stuffing a few dried plums in my mouth before excusing myself. Just as I was leaving, I placed a hand on my storage bag and looked back at the Xīngyún Sect Leader. I smiled, knowing what I had to do.
Stepping out of the courtyard, a Xīngyún disciple rushed over to me.
"Fellow Daoist! It's urgent!" they shouted, looking haggard and panicked.
My brow furrowed, asking them, "What is it?"
"A female cultivator, says she needs to speak to you, she's in the infirmary," the disciple explained, out of breath from the running probably.
The infirmary? Could it be Senior sister?!
I nodded, instructing the disciple to lead the way. We both arrive in the infirmary, a bandaged woman in tattered robes lying in one of the beds. The moment I saw her, my eyes widened in shock as I ran over.
"Sister Dōngquè!"