Chapter 7: A Bizarre Bargain

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit exhaled, a breath it hadn’t realized it was holding.

Upon seeing Ye Lan, it had feared the current atmosphere of the cultivation world had become utterly incomprehensible.

Now, at least, it seemed its current master was entirely normal.

“Wait, young man, why be so superficial, clinging to worldly obsessions?”

Before Quan Haoqing could even accept the secret manual with a smile, a line of white text materialized before him, interrupting his movement.

‘It indeed has a spirit too,’ he thought.

Having his own spirit companion, he wasn’t particularly surprised.

While it was rare for a book to develop sentient intelligence, it wasn’t entirely unfathomable for powerful beings capable of attaining immortality.

After all, once they achieved invincibility across the realms, they often engaged in peculiar activities out of sheer boredom; such occurrences were no longer novelties.

Seeing Quan Haoqing remain silent, the white script reappeared.

“These are trivial matters, young man. Why not cultivate this technique, tailor-made for you and leading directly to the path of immortality?”

‘Tailor-made?’

‘Don’t say that; it frightens me.’

Quan Haoqing tactfully replied, “The profundity of this cultivation technique truly leads to the immortal path, yet I perceive that it and I are destined to be without fate.

Therefore, I intend to entrust it to someone more fated.”

The white script flowed forth instantaneously, like an endless stream, the moment Quan Haoqing’s words concluded.

“Having arrived here, and possessing innate Pure Yang Qi, how can you claim to be without fate? You are merely bound by worldly perceptions.

Yet, cultivating the Dao of Immortality inherently involves daring to do what ordinary people would not, and pursuing what they would not attempt.

Should one achieve immortality, all worldly fame, fortune, and opinions become utterly meaningless.”

“Furthermore, the path of cultivation is long and arduous, holding a myriad of possibilities. Who can say if unforeseen changes might occur in the future?

Would it not be better to temporarily set aside a part of your physical body, with the possibility of retrieving it later?”

The persuasive words previously used to coax… or rather, *advise* Ye Lan, were trotted out once more.

However, this time, they did not achieve the book spirit’s desired effect.

Quan Haoqing, facing no threat to his life and having already cultivated the Blazing Starfall Art, spoke from the heart.

“I believe some things, once put down, aren’t so easily picked up again,” he mused.

“Moreover, there are countless paths to immortality; there’s no single strongest one, only the one most suitable for oneself.”

‘Hmph, it’s true that those who aren’t half-dead are harder to fool,’ thought the Xuan Yin Book Spirit.

Quan Haoqing continued, “And I already possess a suitable cultivation technique.”

These words seemed to provoke the Xuan Yin Book Spirit, as a torrent of white text instantly gushed forth.

“Young man, I’m going to tell you something you might not like: there are also differences between cultivation techniques; above ‘suitable’ lies ‘more suitable’.

It’s merely enduring a temporary loss. Why should a cultivator bother with such trivial details…?”

Suddenly, a line of red text appeared directly in front of Quan Haoqing’s chest.

“That’s just malicious of you. Don’t believe it; the Blazing Starfall Art is absolutely not inferior to its.

This thing is just like its master—lacking in everything, utterly useless.”

Xuan Yin Book Spirit: [!!!]

It knew who had written that line, and instantly felt a guilty conscience.

“So, the suitable technique he spoke of was you, eh? Haha, suitable, indeed a very suitable technique.

However, I cannot stand idly by while being slandered. I can allow people to experience a second life! Can you do that?!”

The red text reappeared: “Your very existence and these words you just uttered are the strongest evidence that I have not slandered you or your master!”

This time, the Xuan Yin Book Spirit remained silent for a long while, before finally, a few white characters slowly floated up.

“Those were all misunderstandings back then~.”

Quan Haoqing, however, was quite curious about this.

‘What was that misunderstanding? Do tell.’

Warm sunlight lazily streamed down from the sunless sky, illuminating this lush grotto-heaven.

Within it, one person and two books were engaged in a ‘friendly’ conversation, presenting an exceptionally bizarre scene.

“Fine, since you’ve already taken a liking to him, just take him away quickly.

Hurry, hurry, don’t be an eyesore here any longer.

You can exit from the northwest corner in a quarter of an hour.”

Although a book couldn’t display emotions, the frequency and tone of the white script clearly conveyed the Xuan Yin Book Spirit’s vexation.

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit fell silent once more, but Quan Haoqing did not depart.

Instead, he gazed intently at the secret manual before him and spoke in a gentle voice.

“Senior Tome Spirit, I observe that you seem quite eager to find a new inheritor for your cultivation technique.

While this junior is destined to be without fate and lacks the fortune to utilize it, that doesn’t mean I cannot assist you in alleviating your worries.”

“Oh?”

These words indeed piqued the Xuan Yin Book Spirit’s interest.

Quan Haoqing, adopting an air of righteous sincerity, declared, “I’ve heard this secret realm opens only once every millennium, a truly vast span of time.

Given your cultivation technique’s numerous restrictions, merely waiting here like a sitting duck in this small corner of the world is an egregious waste of your precious time, Senior.

As a junior, witnessing such a divine technique unable to reappear in the human realm genuinely pains my heart.

Might I suggest, Senior, that you accompany me outside? I vow to find you an excellent destination, where a fated individual can ease your concerns.”

White text immediately followed.

“Hehehe, boy, do you take me for that spirit behind you? This old one has traveled the lands and seen more things than you’ve read characters in your lifetime.

That ‘excellent destination’ you speak of wouldn’t happen to be an ‘auction house,’ would it?”

Quan Haoqing’s figure swayed imperceptibly, yet he spoke with a clear conscience.

“Senior is indeed profoundly knowledgeable and possesses extraordinary insight. An auction house is precisely the most suitable place for you!

Just consider, Senior: within an auction house, those fated individuals willing to spend a fortune to gain your recognition would undoubtedly be driven by the desire to cultivate a divine technique.

Does that not perfectly align with your needs, Senior?”

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit appeared contemplative, then began typing furiously.

“What you say, young man, has some merit, mm~.

However, I cannot simply follow you without reason.

Since you intend to find me a new fated individual, you cannot neglect the present one.

Prepare some cultivation resources for my current fated person.

In the future, I will ensure she remembers your kindness and repays your karma.”

Quan Haoqing paused, slightly stunned.

‘Is it… asking for benefits?’

‘A book is asking him for benefits?’

‘This money-obsessed world; one even has to bribe a book.’

Quan Haoqing’s eyes brightened as he looked at the bare secret manual.

“Naturally. Once Senior finds a fated individual, I will certainly…”

Before he could finish speaking, the Xuan Yin Netherworld Art automatically flipped open its pages.

“Since you are so sincere, I too must treat you with sincerity.

Come, cultivate the divine ability on this page.

If you abide by our agreement, I guarantee you a stroke of good fortune.

Moreover, I am not some greedy, pedantic old fogey; I don’t need magic treasures.

Things like a few thousand spirit stones, high-grade elixirs, or top-tier divine abilities will suffice.”

Quan Haoqing: “……It’s not impossible.”

‘Old ginger is spicier,’ he mused (TL Note: A Chinese idiom meaning ‘the older, the wiser/more cunning’).

‘Forget it, I’ll trick it into the auction house first.

Anyway, I don’t have much money on me right now, so I should be able to sell it for a few thousand spirit stones then.’

However, there was one matter Quan Haoqing still needed to confirm.

“Is the fated individual you mentioned the immortal maiden cultivating in the ice lake?”

“You’ve already met? How truly fated (whispering).”

Then, the Xuan Yin Book Spirit’s tone turned horrified.

“What did you do to her?! That’s the inheritor of my cultivation technique I spent over a millennium searching for!!!! If anything goes wrong, boy, you’ll replace her!”

Witnessing that string of exclamation marks, especially the final sentence, was truly terrifying.

Quan Haoqing, who had absolutely no desire to become an inheritor, hastily explained, “Although a slight misunderstanding occurred, I immediately departed upon realizing I’d mistaken her for someone else, absolutely without the slightest offense.”

“You did nothing at all?”

Quan Haoqing affirmed, “Truly, I did nothing!”

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit asked, puzzled, “That shouldn’t be right.

She doesn’t even have clothes on right now.

Isn’t she beautiful?”

Quan Haoqing honestly replied, “Beautiful.”

“As a man, weren’t you tempted?”

‘What is this thing trying to do?’ Quan Haoqing wondered, but out of curiosity, he continued to answer, “A little.”

“Could it be that you’re not very capable in *that* regard?”

Quan Haoqing didn’t even need to think, replying bluntly, “Of course not!”

“Then why didn’t you act?”

Quan Haoqing: “……Perhaps I’ve evolved to the point of being a normal person whose brain isn’t controlled by his lower body.”

Quan Haoqing didn’t quite understand; this book’s thought process seemed a bit off.

One couldn’t say it was bad, as it knew to demand benefits for its cultivator and worried about safety.

But to say it was good… what exactly was this thing expecting?!

‘Its brain isn’t quite right, is it?’

Quan Haoqing secretly inquired of his own book spirit.

‘Why do I feel like it’s a bit devouring of its master?’

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit replied without hesitation, “No need to doubt.

Considering its previous master, you cannot judge its thoughts using normal human reasoning or common sense.

However, this guy’s reaction is indeed suspicious.

Could there be something from back then that I don’t know about?”

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit fell into contemplation.

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit had come into existence earlier than it, and the peculiarities of its cultivation technique might exceed even its imagination.

Quan Haoqing genuinely sighed to the Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit, “I’m truly fortunate to have encountered you.

If I had encountered it first, I dread to think what I would have become.”

“Naturally.

Be careful, ‘unsolicited favors hide ulterior motives’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘wushi xian yingqin, feijian jizhao,’ meaning offering kindness without reason is suspicious).

Also, that woman…”

“Right, I almost got sidetracked.”

Quan Haoqing finally remembered what he wanted to ask.

“Since that Fellow Daoist has cultivated your technique, that means the second cultivation requirement…”

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit jolted.

‘Is he finally going to discover it?!’

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit also fell silent at this moment.

‘This child is terrifying! Has he perhaps already noticed the anomaly?!’

“…isn’t mandatory for females?”

Quan Haoqing finished his sentence, and both book spirits fell silent.

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit was the first to react, spilling forth a torrent of verbose text.

“Ah, well, haha, after all, this is the first time the cultivation technique has been practiced by anyone.

Whether the cultivator must be male is indeed not a definitive matter.

Females possess an innate Yin constitution, and if a woman with Xuan Yin Qi cultivates it, she might even be more formidable than a man.”

“I see.”

Quan Haoqing nodded, finding it reasonable.

Even the creator of a cultivation technique cannot fully grasp its characteristics before someone has practiced it, and immortals are no exception.

Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit: [“……This guy is completely dodging the question.”]

‘But whether a female can cultivate that technique, it really doesn’t know.

However, the person currently in the ice lake was very likely male before cultivating!’

“Hm?”

Quan Haoqing was somewhat perplexed by the Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit’s words, but it said no more.

The restriction of the enchantment was extremely potent; as long as it perceived that revealing this information could expose the Xuan Yin Book Spirit’s ability to transform males into females, it would be utterly incapable of describing it.

“Forget it, a forced melon isn’t sweet.

Come, come, bring over the agreed-upon compensation.”

Quan Haoqing smiled, remaining silent.

‘What did we agree upon? Didn’t you already steer the conversation off-topic?’

Seeing this, the Xuan Yin Book Spirit urged, “What’s with that bewildered expression on your face?

Believe me, as long as you give the compensation to my cultivator, you can copy this cultivation technique of mine as much as you want.

Fine, I won’t even split it fifty-fifty with you; all the auction money will be yours.”

Quan Haoqing raised an eyebrow.

If the Xuan Yin Book Spirit had suggested accompanying him, he would never have believed it.

However, if it was merely for copying, by making the second hint a bit ambiguous, it should still fetch a good price at auction.

Yet, judging by its previous reactions, this book spirit clearly had issues with its mind and was full of malicious schemes.

Its sudden generosity was definitely suspicious.

Fortunately, he had one of the same species he could consult.

Quan Haoqing asked his own book spirit, “It’s up to something, isn’t it?”

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit affirmed, “Definitely up to something.”

After a moment of thought, Quan Haoqing asked, “Do you think it might suddenly kick me out of this grotto-heaven after I hand over the items?

Or perhaps do something to me?”

This was one of the most common tactics in grotto-heaven trials: setting up restrictions to expel idlers, either to filter out unsuitable inheritors or to protect newly accepted ones.

These had become common knowledge within the cultivation world.

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit stated, “I don’t possess that ability, but considering the unique nature of its cultivation technique, that possibility cannot be ruled out.

However, we can test it.”

The more the Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit pondered, the more likely this scenario seemed.

Thus, it spoke to the Xuan Yin Book Spirit, “You’re waiting for my master to hand over the items, then you’ll kick him out of the grotto-heaven, won’t you?”

Xuan Yin Book Spirit: [“……You’re slandering me! This is clearly a mutually agreeable matter.

It’s just a cultivation method I recorded, how could I not give it to him!”]

Although the Xuan Yin Book Spirit hesitated for only a fleeting 0.1 second, the Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit, which knew it inside and out, had already seen through it.

It asked, somewhat shocked, “So you truly can do that, eh?

Hmph, that person actually snuck in some private goods!

There were already restrictions set upon entering the grotto-heaven, yet you also possess a restriction?!

”

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit froze for a moment, then regretfully stated, “Hmph, I was tricked.”

Quan Haoqing’s mouth twitched slightly.

‘In this day and age, have even books become so impure?’

‘Thankfully, I have enough cunning.’

At this point, his own book spirit began to exert itself.

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit spoke again, “Share some of the cold energy from the frigid pond with my master.

It’s not impossible to give you what you want.”

The white text suddenly doubled in size.

“Dream on! You and I know each other inside and out; how can you make such an unreasonable demand?!”

“So you do know that you and I know each other inside and out, eh?

Her first stage of entry doesn’t require so much cold energy; merely letting my master cultivate by the frigid pond will suffice.”

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit began to mock it.

“Heh heh, exchanging a pile of worthless junk for pure Yin cold energy? You’ve got a lot of nerve.”

But then the Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit slowly stated, “I’ve preserved primordial earth fire, which I can trade.

Since you’re still trying to fool him, yet she hasn’t yet completed her cultivation, primordial earth fire would be of immense benefit to her.”

Quan Haoqing silently questioned the Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit, “……Why did I know nothing about this?”

The Blazing Starfall Tome Spirit replied, “It’s to fool it.

Once we get our hands on it, we’ll leave; that person has just completed her refinement, so its master won’t be able to stop us.

The cold energy in the ice lake will greatly benefit you in solidifying your foundation.”

‘Excellent, between the two of you books, there must be ten thousand schemes.’

Although tempted, Quan Haoqing didn’t entirely agree.

He said, “That’s inappropriate.

There are things one should and shouldn’t do.

However, a trade could be considered.”

The Xuan Yin Book Spirit pondered for a moment or two, then said, “Agreed.

However, um, can you give me my things now?”

Quan Haoqing placed the storage bag into his own storage bag, his eyes slightly bewildered as he asked, “What ‘your things’?

I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Xuan Yin Book Spirit: [……]