The old man comically widened his eyes, seemingly unable to comprehend the connection between the two matters.
Zhuang Yue righteously extended his hand toward him. "My body is too weak right now. Carrying a load of medicinal herbs once a day already leaves me panting like an ox. (氣喘如牛 literally translated as"panting like a cow." It means to be out of breath, gasping heavily from exhaustion.)If I take this Revitalization Pill, it will strengthen my muscles and bones, allowing me to earn more cloud tokens."
With a helpless sigh, the old man couldn't refute Zhuang Yue when it came to making more cloud tokens, so he could only take out the bottle of Revitalization Pills and hand it over. "Take it. This pill is good, but you mustn't take it continuously. Only one every three days."
Zhuang Yue happily took the bottle, uncorked it for a look and saw that it was full to the brim. "Okay."
He couldn't care less about the pained expression on the old man's face. Who knew how much of it was real and how much was an act?
Senior Sister Ji had said that those who knew about the Sea Spirit Silk Robe were no ordinary individual. This means that the old man was certainly not poor either. If he couldn't even bear to part with a few Revitalization Pills, then he was either naturally stingy or simply putting on a show.
Especially since the old man could infiltrate the depths of Mingguang as if walking into a place where no one exists. (入如無人之境 its literal translation is "entering into a place as if no one exists." Which mean to move through an area completely unimpeded, as if it were deserted. Often meant to imply that the person has overwhelming strength.)
Underestimating him was a foolish thing to do just because he looked ridiculous and obscene. From that limited observation, he could say the the old man's influence was unfathomable, and obviously far beyond what Zhuang Yue could comprehend.
Strategically, one could look down on their opponent, but tactically, they must be taken seriously.
The old man was still fuming, acting as if he'd been extorted. He flicked Zhuang Yue's forehead and said, "You shouldn't be so single-minded. How much can you really earn by selling your labor? That Shen Qing is a direct disciple from the Zhengxi Sect. Aren't you with her every day? There's a ready-made golden master (金主 literally translate to"golden master." It means a wealthy backer or sponsor, often referring to someone who provides financial support.)right in front of you, yet all you do is slave away. Are you an idiot?"
Zhuang Yue's heart skipped a beat. The old man not only knew about Shen Qing but was even aware of how closely they had been associating lately! He hadn't noticed at all, but it seemed like the old man had been watching the whole time!
Stuffing the bottle into his inner pocket, Zhuang Yue replied solemnly, "It doesn't matter how rich Shen Qing is. Cloud tokens can't be exchanged for money."
The old man put his hands on his hips in frustration. "Of course I know you can't buy cloud tokens with money! And I'm not telling you to borrow money from Shen Qing either. Her cultivation isn’t low. She's not just at the Foundation Establishment stage, she's already on the verge of forming her Core! At your age, being this accomplished in cultivation is nothing short of having a talent bestowed by the heavens."
Zhuang Yue was completely taken aback. He had assumed Shen Qing was definitely in the Foundation Establishment realm, but he hadn't known he was already close to forming a Core!
"You can leverage Shen Qing's strength. Team up with her and take on missions that yield high cloud tokens. If you keep looking for small fights and small commotions, (小打小鬧 literal translation is "small fights and small commotions." Basically means to do small-scale efforts that don’t yield significant results.)when will you ever save up ten thousand cloud tokens?"
The next morning, they had classes. The four dorm mates went together. They first went to the cafeteria for breakfast and then to the lecture hall afterwards.
Shen Qing, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, finally looked up and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?" Not just this morning, but Zhuang Yue had been acting strange since last night.
Zhuang Yue really wanted to confirm with Shen Qing whether what the old man had said was true, but he held himself back.
Shen Qing had entered the path of cultivation earlier than them and had already been in the Foundation Establishment stage for many years. This was something Zhuang Yue could understand. But the fact that she was already close to forming her Core was nothing short of explosive news among the newcomers.
Originally, due to Shen Qing’s status and demeanor, the newcomers of the same year already felt somewhat inferior to her, not daring to approach or talk to her. Aside from a few classmates from Yue Mao Residence, the rest all kept their distance out of respect.
If this news spread, others would likely admire Shen Qing even more, making things even more awkward.
"Actually, I wanted to know, which senior of the Zhengxi Sect are you a direct disciple of?" Zhuang Yue asked curiously.
Hearing this, Zhong Yunyi, who was sitting nearby, perked up her ears and even slowed her chewing. Dong Wan, focused on eating, glanced over briefly to show she was listening.
Shen Qing’s chopsticks paused for a moment before she replied, "Actually, I’m not anyone’s direct disciple. My grandfather is Elder Shen Wenchong of the Zhengxi Sect. Since I was born when my father was already old, I haven’t been out much, so it’s no surprise that the rumors are wrong."
"So your grandfather is an elder…" Zhuang Yue bit down on his chopsticks, feeling strangely relieved. At least that old swindler got things wrong sometimes.
"Then, doesn’t that mean you have a pretty high seniority?" Zhong Yunyi asked with a complicated expression.
In large sects like Mingguang and Zhengxi, only people with high status were called elders. Outsiders weren’t given that title and only past sect leaders, after stepping down, were called elders.
Dong Wan, with a grain of rice stuck to the corner of her mouth, looked up in surprise and also said, "So… should we be calling you ‘Martial Uncle’?"
Based on their ranks, even if they became direct disciples, they would only be grand disciples. Since the Palace Master of Mingguang was on the same level as Zhengxi Sect’s leader, calling Shen Qing ‘Martial Uncle’ made sense in terms of etiquette.
Shen Qing gave Dong Wan a strange look and awkwardly said, "No, no need. I’m just here as an exchange disciple. Let’s just treat each other as equals."
Zhong Yunyi let out a small sigh of relief. "Each to their own, then. (各論各的 a phrase used in a casual way of saying "each speaks for themselves" or "each sticks to their own viewpoint.)That works for me." She had no desire to suddenly drop a generation in seniority for no reason.
Nowadays, the days when Zhuang Yue sought Shen Qing’s guidance had been set—two days out of every five, specifically before and after the cultivation technique class.
And with help, Zhuang Yue progressed rapidly. Now he had mastered over a thousand characters.
At this rate, in three more months, he would have learned all the characters necessary for daily life and shed the label of illiteracy. In a year, he would be able to recognize common cultivation terms and read Daoist texts on his own.
He had always had a knack for learning languages and writing. Back in his foreign language institute, after completing the English credits for his major, and finishing an elective in Spanish, he also had originally planned to take on Swedish next semester. But then he was transported here.
Although the script here was completely different, the spoken language was the same, so he learned quickly. Besides, his current body was still young with an active brain. His progress was almost as if it came with a memory boost.
The literacy book text recommended by the senior sister from Shangshan Ruoshui was now fully studied. Zhuang Yue stretched his neck and rubbed his shoulders, hissing in pain.
Sitting at the table, Shen Qing, who was reading an ancient book in her hand, looked at him, "What's wrong?"
Zhuang Yue grimaced, furrowing his brows. “My shoulders hurt. I think it's an abrasion.”
Shen Qing instinctively stood up, but the words “Let me see” were swallowed before they could escape her lips.
Zhuang Yue didn’t notice her movement. Tilting his head, he pulled his collar aside, revealing an area on his shoulder that had indeed been rubbed raw. From there emerged a shallow gash with tiny specks of blood. When he checked his other shoulder, it was also just as bad.
Shen Qing, with her brows furrowed, could see everything from above.
Originally, Zhuang Yue looked like a malnourished girl. But after a month of good food and rest, Zhuang Yue had gained some flesh. His arms and shoulders had visibly filled out, and his complexion was no longer so dull. Even his skin was slowly turning fairer. But that only made the wounds on his shoulders look even more shocking to see.
Shen Qing turned and walked toward the bedroom without a word.
Zhuang Yue, not noticing Shen Qing's movement, sighed in frustration. He had wanted to advance quickly so that he could become a skilled worker and start handling medicinal herbs, but in his eagerness, he had pushed himself too hard. He had forgotten to consider whether his shoulders could bear the excessive strain, especially with his body being originally weak.
Zhang Yue felt helpless. The Revitalization Pill could only treat illnesses, not wounds, and tomorrow he still had to go to work.
Suddenly he heard someone speak above him.
"This is an external wound medicine. Apply a little when you return, wrap the wound with a clean cloth. By tomorrow, it should be better." Shen Qing handed Zhuang Yue a round porcelain bottle that resembled a facial cream.
Zhuang Yue took it with surprise and joy. "Thank you. I'll return it to you tomorrow."
Shen Qing furrowed her brows and said, "I still have more. Take it back and use it."
"You study so diligently every day and still do extra physical work. Now your shoulder is injured. You're pushing yourself too hard! Your body is not strong to begin with, so you shouldn't neglect your health like this." Shen Qing was displeased.
Zhuang Yue looked up at Shen Qing, who was standing in front of him. From this angle, her brow ridge and nose bridge appeared exceptionally defined, carrying a hint of heroic charm.
Although he was being reprimanded, Zhuang Yue felt warm in his heart. He softly said to Shen Qing, "I understand. I won’t do anything beyond my limits anymore."
Shen Qing was caught off guard by his response, and her imposing manner immediately weakened. She reflected on her outburst, feeling that she had been too impulsive.
Feeling frustrated, Shen Qing said, "You… it's good that you understand. I was also wrong. I shouldn't have gotten angry at you."
Zhuang Yue had slight eye bags under his eyes, which gently lifted when he smiled. "You're just concerned about me. If I were a stranger, you wouldn’t even bother to care."
Shen Qing turned her head awkwardly. The room fell silent, and the atmosphere became inexplicably tense. Zhuang Yue secretly blamed himself. Why was he flirting out of reflex?
Clearing his throat, he stood up and picked up his book. Then he took the medicine bottle with his other hand. "I'll head back now and apply the medicine."
"Alright." Shen Qing walked with him to the door. Only after watching him enter his dormitory did she close the door.
At that moment, neither of them realized something was off with what they said.
Zhuang Yue's shoulder was injured. If he were truly a woman, he could have asked Shen Qing for help in applying the medicine and wrapping the wound. And if Shen Qing didn't also have a secret to hide, she would have naturally followed him to help, given that the injury was in an inconvenient spot.
The medicine Shen Qing provided was excellent. By the next morning, the wound had healed significantly, and moving his shoulder barely hurt anymore. In another day, it would probably be completely healed.
Feeling relieved, Zhuang Yue also decided not to rush too much and to work within his limits.
Not long after, Zhong Yunyi came knocking on his door. Today was their first lesson on guiding spiritual energy into the body. She had been so excited that she tossed and turned all night and ended up waking up earlier than usual.
"I'm coming, I'm coming! Don't be so impatient!" Zhuang Yue said helplessly as he stepped out of his room.
Zhong Yunyi stopped and spoke with restraint, "I'm not being impatient. But if we don't go early and secure seats, we might not get good spots."
Today's lesson wasn't a lecture-style class. The closer they sat to the front, the easier it would be to get the attention and guidance of the direct disciple senior sister. Normally, when learning cultivation techniques, the seating arrangement didn't matter since they could hear the lecture from anywhere. But today was different—many people would be thinking the same way as Zhong Yunyi, arriving early to grab good seats.
"Yes, yes, I know. Let's go now." Zhuang Yue closed his door. At the same time, the door opposite him opened. Shen Qing stood there, looking at him.
She didn’t say anything but asked with her eyes. Zhuang Yue nodded, indicating that the medicine worked well and he was feeling much better.
Shen Qing looked satisfied and nodded in greeting to Zhong Yunyi and Dong Wan, who had also arrived.
Mingguang Palace's class schedule for inner sect disciples, along with the free time during the second day's daylight, provided her the opportunity to avoid others and take care of things.
She had finally found someone who might have clues about the martial uncle’s whereabouts. Now was the perfect time to investigate further.
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