Chapter 13

In the cultivation world, the bond between master and disciple was no less significant than that of blood relations. Most cultivators had no offspring, so if anyone was blessed with a direct bloodline, they would personally take that child under their wing and raise them with utmost care. For those without such fortune, the only choice was to seek a kindred spirit, someone who caught their eye, and instruct them with devotion—a relationship that, in many ways, rivaled that of parents and children.

Though there was competition among brothers and sisters in the sect, behind closed doors they were family. While it couldn’t always be said that they were affectionate, when it came time to face adversity together, they were united without hesitation. Li Mengze had grown up in front of her senior brothers and sisters’ eyes; from a plump little child to a blooming young lady, they had invested no small effort in her upbringing. It was unnecessary for her to speak so distantly.

Li Mengze said no more. Indeed, her senior brothers and sisters had always treated her well. Perhaps at first, it was out of respect for her uncle, but people’s hearts are made of flesh, and after more than a decade together, even pretense becomes reality. Who could clearly distinguish truth from falsehood? As long as, when it mattered to her, they were still by her side, that was enough. Often, being too particular only causes oneself pain and makes others uncomfortable.

The cuisine at Fortunate Destiny Restaurant truly lived up to Ba Yicheng’s praise. Two waiters carried in a serving rack adorned with dragons and phoenixes, exquisitely crafted. At first glance, the dishes themselves did not seem extraordinary; unlike those establishments that emphasized color, aroma, and presentation, these dishes gave no hint of fragrance as they were set on the table. If it weren’t for the faint steam rising from them, they might have suspected these were all cold dishes.

After serving the food and collecting a generous tip of spirit stones, the waiters left, closing the door behind them and rejoicing privately. Luckily, their quick feet had earned them such a hefty reward. For them, a single spirit stone could support a family for two months. It was said that the fairy in this room had recently made a breakthrough, so her mood would be good; they had already bribed the head chef, hoping to impress her when serving the food. To their delight, the immortal master had indeed been generous—five spirit stones each! Carefully tucking them away in their belts, winding them several times for security, they feared only a careless slip or a quick-fingered thief in the bustling crowd.

Li Mengze and her companions were unaware of the waiters’ delight, nor did they care. The moment the waiters left, they eagerly picked up their chopsticks. How long had it been since she last ate a proper meal? Before the age of five, she had been regularly fed; after five, she relied almost entirely on fasting pills. For someone who had eaten real food for thirty years, this was an unspeakable cruelty.

After the first bite, even Li Mengze’s eyes brightened, and the usually reserved Wen Yuanyuan could not resist the temptation. The flavor that danced on the tip of the tongue was irresistible.

The entire table was filled with six dishes, perfectly balanced between meat and vegetables. Li Mengze and Wen Yuanyuan each enjoyed a bowl of spirit rice, while Ba Yicheng drank a small jug of spirit wine brewed from the same rice.

Once sated, Ba Yicheng, in high spirits, paid extra spirit stones to cover the private room’s additional cost.

By this time, the street outside was bustling with cultivators, all heading in the same direction. Ba Yicheng, with his two junior sisters, followed at a leisurely pace, making their way toward the auction house.

This auction was hosted by the Wei family, renowned as the number one clan in the cultivation world. It was held in the Celestial Harmony Pavilion. The Wei family earned its reputation not only for having two Nascent Soul patriarchs but also because wherever there were cultivators, there was sure to be a Celestial Harmony Pavilion. Over centuries, this boast had become reality; at least in every corner of the Azure Water Realm, the Pavilion was famed.

Entry to the Celestial Harmony Pavilion’s auctions was strictly controlled. A platinum card allowed entry for two guests, and two violet-gold cards could sponsor a new member for a platinum card.

As true disciples of the first peak of Kunlun, both at the Golden Core stage, Ba Yicheng and Wen Yuanyuan held platinum cards. Li Mengze’s card, though also platinum, was of a different class—her father was a renowned Nascent Soul-level artificer in the Azure Water Realm, her uncle the head of the foremost immortal sect. She was born with a platinum card in her hands. Upon reaching the Golden Core stage, her card would automatically upgrade to the highest-level black card. Alternatively, if her father or mother reached the Nascent Soul stage and she was their only daughter, she could also receive a black card.

With her black card, she could withdraw up to five thousand high-grade spirit stones unconditionally from any Celestial Harmony Pavilion in the Azure Water Realm, enjoy priority in purchasing auction items or necessities, and receive a twenty percent discount. The privileges were numerous.

Without a member card, not even a Nascent Soul patriarch could enter the Pavilion’s auctions, let alone hope for an invitation—the Pavilion simply never issued such things. Only holders of the black card received advance notice of auctions; Li Mengze, with her platinum card, had never once received such a message, much less taken advantage of it.

Yet, despite its exclusive airs, the Pavilion had not only survived but thrived, an enigma in itself.

At the entrance, the greeters were not the usual female cultivators but two handsome young men dressed in white, their presence exuding a righteous air. One wondered where the Pavilion had found them.

Li Mengze did not know them, but Ba Yicheng and Wen Yuanyuan certainly did. With easy familiarity, Ba Yicheng clapped one on the shoulder, grinning mischievously, “Well, if it isn’t you two again, guarding the door. You really are brothers in misfortune. Last time on Tongyuan Isle it was the same. I bet the patriarch saw your solid cultivation and decided to give you a leg up.”

The two young men showed no embarrassment, nor did they take offense. “Senior brother, don’t tease. It’s all his fault—last time he got in a quarrel with a disciple from Tongde Peak, then struck from behind and got caught. Our master was so angry he sent us here as punishment.” Despite their words, there was pride in their tone rather than fear.

“Ze’er, take note,” Wen Yuanyuan said with a smile, clearly well-acquainted with them. “These are disciples of Uncle Meng Huanzhen from Tongde Peak. See, when you can’t win a fight, you strike from behind. Don’t you go learning from them.” She knew Meng Huanzhen to be an eccentric, and his disciples were no different. Their punishment wasn’t for the ambush itself, but for getting caught afterward.

Li Mengze was curious why Uncle Meng’s disciples would be sent to support the Wei family’s auction, but she knew this was not the time to ask. If she needed to know, her senior brother and sister would tell her later.

So she simply bowed politely. “Greetings, senior brothers.” Now she noticed both gatekeepers were at the Golden Core stage, one nearly at peak, surpassing even her senior brother. Their refined bearing revealed their youth and talent.

These two had heard of Li Mengze, the junior sister from Hidden Sword Peak whose cultivation rose so swiftly she had become a source of anxiety for the senior disciples. Her arrival had even prompted a private meeting titled, “How would you feel calling a girl in her teens ‘senior sister’?” Afterward, many found their own cultivation advancing as well, though the matter was kept discreet for the sake of their reputations.

This was their first meeting; they had missed the last sect gathering for secret realm assignments. As was custom, a gift was in order—otherwise, Ba Yicheng would accuse them of being misers.

Rummaging through their belongings, Feng Yucheng produced a Water-Avoidance Pearl and handed it to Li Mengze. “This came from a thousand-year-old giant clam—a top-grade Water-Avoidance Pearl. You may find it useful in the secret realms. Consider it a meeting gift from your senior brother.”

Li Mengze accepted it without fuss. As the youngest of the elite disciples in the realm, she was no stranger to such gifts. There were perks to being young; over the years, she had received so many gifts her hands were sore from collecting them. This pearl was as large as a plate, clear as crystal, and brimming with spiritual energy—a true treasure, useful not only for avoiding water but as a source of light as well.

Han Xiaoyu presented a pearl too, though it was only the size of a fingernail. As soon as he produced it, the spiritual energy around them thickened noticeably. Li Mengze, experienced as she was, couldn’t help but brighten at the sight.

Ba Yicheng’s eyes lit up. “Is that what I think it is?” Both Han Xiaoyu and Feng Yucheng came from noble families, so their gifts were never ordinary, but this pearl was even rarer than the Water-Avoidance Pearl—he had only ever heard of it, never seen one.

Han Xiaoyu smiled faintly. “My father gave me this when I was a child. Now that I’ve formed my core, I have no more use for it. It’s perfect for little junior sister—no need to let such a gem gather dust with me.”

Han Xiaoyu’s gift was well-known in the cultivation world: a Spirit-Locking Pearl, said to continually absorb and store spiritual energy. In places devoid of spiritual energy, it could be used like a spirit stone for cultivation, but unlike spirit stones, its use was unlimited and it absorbed energy from the very air. It was so precious it was called the “mobile spirit stone vault.”

The treasure was almost too valuable, and Li Mengze glanced at Ba Yicheng, unsure if she should accept.

Only after he nodded did she put it away, thanking her senior brothers sincerely. It was only later that Li Mengze understood why Han Xiaoyu would present a gift so much more valuable than Ba Yicheng’s, as if to outdo him—yet Feng Yucheng seemed not the least bit upset, as if it were only natural.