Cultivation Is Money-Grabbing C23

Chapter 23: Playing Around – All Sword Cultivators Are Violent

Early the next morning, Lian Mu headed to Qianling Peak to ask Xu Xianxing a few questions.

Qianling Peak was the domain of artifact refiners, with both the Spirit Tower and the Sword Pavilion at its summit. Without special permission, disciples from other peaks weren’t allowed entry—especially newly admitted ones.

The senior sister guarding the mountain gate stopped Lian Mu. “Halt!”

Lian Mu respectfully greeted her, “Good morning, Senior Sister.”

The senior sister asked, “Are you a new sword cultivator? It’s not yet time for you to enter the Sword Pavilion.”

Lian Mu: “When will that be?”

“…Didn’t the elders from Hanlai Peak tell you? You can only come to Qianling Peak to choose a sword after passing the entry re-examination,” she explained.

Lian Mu: “They did, but I’m here to find someone.”

“If you’re looking for a disciple from Qianling Peak, they must personally come to the gate to fetch you. Otherwise, you’re not allowed in.” The senior sister firmly refused.

Fine.

Lian Mu had no choice but to squat outside Qianling Peak’s gate and use her Fish-and-Goose Stone to contact Xu Xianxing.

She tried multiple times, but he didn’t respond. On the fifth attempt, she finally got a reply.

“Who is it?” Xu Xianxing’s background was noisy, with the distinct sound of clashing swords. He seemed to be speaking in a low, restrained voice.

Lian Mu: “It’s me. I need to talk to you.”

“Well, well, Lian Mu, you actually took the initiative to contact me for once.” The noise on Xu Xianxing’s end died down. “No way. I have to make you wait a little. Can’t let you get what you want too easily.”

Lian Mu: “…Not coming? Then I’m leaving.”

“Hey, wait!” Xu Xianxing called after her. “Give me a moment. I’ll be right there.”

Lian Mu cut the connection and continued waiting at the mountain gate. Having come from Hanlai Peak, the snow on her clothes hadn’t even melted yet, leaving her covered in white.

The senior sister guarding the gate couldn’t help but marvel: Sword cultivators really were tough—she was practically turning into a snowman, yet her hands didn’t even tremble.

When Xu Xianxing finally arrived, he was startled at the sight of the snow-covered Lian Mu. He instinctively wrapped his fox fur cloak tighter around himself, relieved that he wasn’t a sword cultivator.

Xu Xianxing brushed the snow off her and turned to the gatekeeper. “This is my friend. If she comes looking for me in the future, please let her through.”

His tone was so gentle it almost made Lian Mu think she was hallucinating.

The senior sister noted Lian Mu’s presence and nodded at Xu Xianxing in acknowledgment.

As they walked, Lian Mu quietly asked, “Your Qianling Peak has so many rules?”

“It’s a bit troublesome,” Xu Xianxing admitted. “We store many high-grade spiritual artifacts here. In the past, when security was lax, a few first-grade artifacts were stolen. So now access is restricted.”

He wasn’t wrong. Hanlai Peak’s Yinian Hall housed many precious sword techniques, yet despite its open doors and lack of guards, no thief had ever dared enter.

A thief sneaking into Hanlai Peak? They’d be asking for a death wish. Any sword cultivator elder could make them suffer.

Lian Mu understood and got straight to the point. “I came today to ask you something.”

“This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go to my room.”

Xu Xianxing was particularly serious today. Lian Mu guessed it was because he was on Qianling Peak and had to maintain a diligent and solemn demeanor—one befitting an artifact refiner.

Lian Mu asked, “You don’t live on Yasuì Peak?”

All disciples were supposed to reside on Yasuì Peak.

“Artifact refiners have temporary quarters on Qianling Peak. I have a Heavenly Spiritual Root and a lot on my plate, so traveling back and forth every day is inconvenient.”

When they arrived at Xu Xianxing’s room, Lian Mu was envious—why were artifact refiners’ temporary lodgings so luxurious?

Inside, another person was present.

Standing before a bronze mirror, they were watching an intense duel between two sword cultivators displayed on the mirror’s surface.

Upon hearing movement, the person turned around, swiftly pressing the mirror onto the table, making the image vanish.

Xu Xianxing introduced him, “This is Bai Li Que, a talisman cultivator who joined the sect the same time as you.”

Then he turned to Bai Li Que. “This is Lian Mu, a sword cultivator from Hanlai Peak and my good friend.”

Lian Mu found the name familiar but couldn’t immediately recall where she had heard it before.

“Hello,” she greeted him simply.

Bai Li Que furrowed his brows slightly and looked at Xu Xianxing. “Why did you let someone in so casually? If I remember correctly, the five top disciples of the next generation have already been decided, and she’s not one of them.”

Lian Mu didn’t understand. “…?”

Xu Xianxing put an arm around her. “Lian Mu is my friend. She won’t say anything. She’s a very skilled sword cultivator—maybe she can help a little.”

Lian Mu: “When did I ever agree to help?”

Xu Xianxing pinched her and shot her a look.

“That’s right, I’m here to help.” Lian Mu’s expression became resolute.

Bai Li Que’s frown deepened, but he said nothing more.

Xu Xianxing brought over a stool for her and poured her a cup of hot tea. Bai Li Que watched him fussing over Lian Mu, his gaze turning thoughtful, as if he had realized something.

Xu Xianxing spoke to Lian Mu in a mysterious tone. “No rush with the main business—first, try this Yushan Flower Tea my father sent me. Fifty thousand spirit stones per ounce.”

Lian Mu took a sip. “That expensive? Does drinking it make you ascend? Hmm… tastes average.”

Xu Xianxing shook his head. “Right? I think it’s not worth it either. But my father says that since I’m an artificer at a major sect, I need to drink expensive tea to seem profound.”

He gave her a look, and Lian Mu immediately understood. “So you don’t actually get it at all—just a crude guy pretending.”

“We’re the same,” Xu Xianxing said with a grin. “I’ve got plenty more. Same old deal—you take it back and resell it, we split the profit fifty-fifty. Set the price at seventy thousand spirit stones per ounce. I believe in your ability to talk people into it.”

There was money to be made, so Lian Mu naturally agreed. “No problem, I’ll sell it to other artificers who love putting on airs.”

Bai Li Que, who had listened to their entire scheme: “?”

If Xu Xianxing didn’t understand tea, then who was the person discussing it so seriously with him just now?

And what did she mean by artificers who love putting on airs? Could it be that Xu Xianxing’s usual refined demeanor was just an act?

Bai Li Que said, “Yushan Flower Tea grows at the peak of Yuqing Mountain. It’s difficult to harvest and has a low yield. Fifty thousand spirit stones per ounce is a reasonable price…”

“You like it? Then I’ll sell it to you for seventy thousand,” Lian Mu said.

Bai Li Que: “…”

That wasn’t what he meant at all, but when he opened his mouth to explain, Lian Mu and Xu Xianxing had already moved on to another topic.

The two of them jumped from one thing to another, rambling about everything under the sun, and Bai Li Que completely lost track of their conversation.

Bai Li Que: “…”

Was Xu Xianxing always this talkative? He had never noticed.

For the first time in his life, he felt a bewildering sense of being left out.

After finally exhausting all the trivial chatter, Lian Mu took out a booklet. “I have a friend who’s also an artificer. When she heard I knew a heavenly spirit root artificer, she asked me to come and ask you some things.”

Xu Xianxing took the booklet, flipped through it, and gradually grew serious. “Your artificer friend is quite capable. Would she consider joining Gui Xian Sect?”

“She’s a rogue cultivator—she doesn’t join sects.” Lian Mu felt a little pleased; after all, she also thought she was quite capable.

Xu Xianxing walked over to the desk, dipped his brush in ink, and began answering the questions one by one. His delicate features, when focused, really did carry a touch of a refined gentleman’s air.

Bai Li Que felt slightly reassured—this was the Xu Xianxing he knew.

As Xu Xianxing became silent while writing, Lian Mu also quieted down. She sat beside Bai Li Que, drinking tea without saying a word.

Bai Li Que, being from an esteemed family, had seen many powerful sword cultivators. From the way Lian Mu held her cup alone, he could tell that she… didn’t seem like a reliable sword cultivator at all.

But the closer he got, the more familiar she seemed—especially those hands… He suddenly remembered!

“You’re also a heavenly spirit root cultivator?” Bai Li Que probed. “I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

Lian Mu didn’t recognize him, but since he was someone Xu Xianxing knew, she decided to give him some face and answer. “No, I have a three-spirit root.”

Then, it hit her—she had indeed seen Bai Li Que before. Back at the registration on Qianling Peak, he was the “Bai Li family’s eldest son” who cut in line.

And last time at the dining hall, that tall figure from behind—it was him too.

“No,” Bai Li Que was now certain. “It was at Stone Wolf Cave. You repelled the wolves and saved me.”

Lian Mu vaguely recalled it. “You were the one lying on the ground?”

Bai Li Que: “Mm. I didn’t expect to meet you here. Thank you for saving me that day.”

Lian Mu said, “I wasn’t the only one—there was also a pill cultivator from our sect.”

“What? Lian Mu, why do you keep saving people?” Xu Xianxing had already finished writing in the booklet and handed it back to her. “See? I told you—she’s amazing.”

“That pill cultivator—I know her, I’ve met her.” Since she was his lifesaver, Bai Li Que naturally lowered his guard.

Xu Xianxing said, “You mean Ji Mingyue? She’s the only heavenly spirit root pill cultivator among our new disciples in Gui Xian Sect.”

Lian Mu: “Another heavenly spirit root? Are heavenly spirit roots just cabbages on the roadside now?”

“There’s more.” Xu Xianxing’s gaze darkened. “Me, Ji Mingyue, and the one standing in front of you—we’re all heavenly spirit root cultivators. And… there’s one more, but I won’t mention the name. In the past fifty years, Gui Xian Sect has had a total of four new heavenly spirit root disciples.”

“That many?”

Bai Li Que said, “Not really. The other three sects have recruited even more heavenly spirit root cultivators in the past fifty years.”

Lian Mu said, “Still, that’s not bad. No matter what, our Gui Xian Sect is the leader of the Four Great Sects.”

Xu Xianxing and Bai Li Que suddenly fell silent.

After a moment, Xu Xianxing asked, “Who told you that?”

“It’s common knowledge,” Lian Mu replied. “Isn’t it?”

Bai Li Que said, “That was true… several hundred years ago. Right now, Gui Xian Sect ranks last among the Four Great Sects.”

Lian Mu: “How are sects ranked?”

Xu Xianxing explained, “Through the Grand Immortal Sect Tournament, held once every fifty years. The competition includes disciples who have joined in the past century. Our Gui Xian Sect has placed last for nine consecutive tournaments.”

“Over four hundred years of last place!” Lian Mu was shocked.

Xu Xianxing sighed. “What can we do? When we’re lucky, our strength isn’t enough. When we’re strong, we run into bad luck. For the next tournament, all of us heavenly spirit roots will participate—who knows how it’ll turn out.”

Lian Mu said, “Between you heavenly spirit root cultivators, the results are still up in the air. What if you take first place?”

“It’s not just for heavenly spirit roots. Three-spirit root sword cultivators can also compete, as long as they’re strong enough,” Xu Xianxing said. “You should participate too. It’ll give Gui Xian Sect an extra chance at victory.”

“Me?” Lian Mu considered. “I’ll decide when the time comes.”

She hadn’t even passed the sect’s entry re-exam yet—she was still struggling to make money forging swords.

But she still bragged, “If I join, I’ll be the number one sword cultivator of the Four Great Sects.”

Xu Xianxing grinned. “Then I’ll be the number one artificer.”

Bai Li Que: “…”

Although Lian Mu had saved his life and seemed somewhat capable, she was ultimately a three-spirit root cultivator. Her potential was limited—she might not even be able to beat a dual-spirit root sword cultivator.

Let alone the top heavenly spirit root sword cultivators of the other sects. The difference was like heaven and earth. He had never heard of a three-spirit root defeating a heavenly spirit root.

Lian Mu sure had ambition.

Out of politeness, Bai Li Que didn’t say anything to crush her dreams, but in his heart, he revised his impression of her: lifesaver, good person, but overly confident.

“Alright, that’s it for today. I have things to do—I’m leaving.” Lian Mu stood up and tucked the booklet into her Spatial Pouch.

Xu Xianxing stuffed the tea into her pouch too. “Don’t forget this. Fifty-fifty split. If no one buys it, drink it yourself.”

Lian Mu said, “I don’t have time for tea, and I don’t even understand it.”

Bai Li Que: “…”

Yushan Flower Tea was priceless—how could no one want it?

After a long silence, Bai Li Que thought it over carefully and felt there was only one type of relationship that could explain Xu Xianxing and Lian Mu’s behavior.

After Lian Mu left, only Bai Li Que and Xu Xianxing remained in the room.

Bai Li Que said, “That was a valuable item, and you just gave it to her?”

Xu Xianxing continued fiddling with a spiritual artifact while responding, “I asked her to exchange it for money, not just throw it away.”

“You don’t seem like someone who’s short on money,” Bai Li Que remarked.

Xu Xianxing didn’t bother pretending. “You don’t get it, do you? No matter how good something is, it’s not as useful as spirit stones in your pocket.”

“People as pure as Lian Mu and I only love money for what it truly is.”

Bai Li Que: “…”

He never knew this side of Xu Xianxing.

—

Lian Mu left Qianling Peak in high spirits. Her bold and carefree demeanor caught the attention of two people nearby.

Murong Yi had just come from Yinxiang Peak and was instructing an Alchemy Cultivator disciple on some matters. Passing by Qianling Peak, he caught a glimpse of Lian Mu’s profile and narrowed his eyes to take a closer look.

The Alchemy Cultivator disciple noticed his senior looking elsewhere and followed his gaze. Instantly, his heart jumped. “Her…!”

Wasn’t that the new disciple who was secretly meeting her Dao companion in the Spiritual Herb Garden last time?!

Murong Yi asked, “You know her?”

The Alchemy Cultivator disciple blurted out, “I saw her while on patrol.”

Murong Yi raised a brow. “Oh? What was she doing there?”

Patrols at Yinxiang Peak happened at night. What was Lian Mu doing there in the middle of the night?

The Alchemy Cultivator disciple suddenly blushed. He hadn’t expected Murong Yi to ask in such detail and regretted his loose tongue.

If a junior sister sneaks off at night to meet her Dao companion, it clearly means she doesn’t want others to know. And her Dao companion was a sword cultivator, while Murong Yi was a senior from Hanlai Peak…

He had heard that sword cultivators were all extremely violent and only spoke through their swords. If Murong Yi found out and went back to give that sword cultivator a beating, it would surely make the junior sister heartbroken.

After struggling for a while, the Alchemy Cultivator disciple finally forced out, “She… was playing in the Spiritual Herb Garden.”

“…”

Playing?

Murong Yi smiled slightly. He hadn’t expected that instead of focusing on sword practice at Hanlai Peak or paying attention in his classes, Lian Mu would rather sneak off to Yinxiang Peak in the middle of the night just to play.

Clearly, she hadn’t experienced enough suffering.

The Alchemy Cultivator disciple was completely unaware of the growing chill in Murong Yi’s gaze as he watched Lian Mu leave.

“…Junior Sister, Senior Brother can only help you this much.”

—