Jiang Chan had not forgotten Qingyuan’s request. It would be best if she could find Soul-Nourishing Wood. Although she had made many inquiries during this period and heard plenty of legends about it, investigating them in detail proved extremely difficult.
“Of course, this isn’t a demand. It would be best if you obtain some information, but if you don’t, I won’t insist. The word we originally spread was that this Geng Metal Essence would go to its destined recipient. Everything in this world depends on affinity, so don’t become too attached to the matter.”
Feng Qiwu was generous-minded too, and Jiang Chan’s words made sense. She nodded. “Alright. I’ll put out a notice in the sect when I return. In any case, thank you, Senior, for parting with this treasure.”
Jiang Chan raised a hand in a shushing gesture. “You and it have an affinity. Otherwise, why would it be drawn to you alone after so many people from your Sword Sect came here?”
Mo Yu walked over too. “A sword cultivator with a graying beard came yesterday. He held this little thing for ages without any reaction. Clearly, it’s destined for you.”
The young disciple hugged Feng Qiwu’s arm. “I told you my senior sister was the best.”
Mo Yu rolled her eyes. “Your senior sister is the impressive one. Look at you, a little chick. I think it’ll be a long time before you catch up with her!”
The young disciple looked immensely pleased. “Why should I compete with my senior sister? I just need to cling to her coattails. She’ll carry me to great heights.”
The corner of Jiang Chan’s mouth twitched. “You certainly have lofty ambitions!”
Watching the senior sister and junior brother leave the shop, Mo Yu nudged Jiang Chan’s elbow. “Could Feng Qiwu be the person you were looking for? You talked much more than usual today.”
Jiang Chan was not surprised that Mo Yu had noticed. Although this fellow was a little too fond of food, her senses were very keen. Otherwise, she would not have made it to the Nascent Soul stage.
“There’s a karmic connection between us. Once it’s resolved, I can cultivate with peace of mind.”
Naturally, she would not mention Xiao Jin. Jiang Chan gave only a partial explanation. Mo Yu sniffed. “You’re getting more and more mysterious. Forget it. What are we having for dinner?”
“You’re still going to eat? A whole day’s earnings aren’t enough for one of your meals. Sooner or later, you’ll eat me into poverty!”
“You coaxed me into coming out here, so you have to take care of my living expenses. Otherwise, I’ll go back to the forest of magical beasts!” Mo Yu spoke with conviction. She had worked it out. Jiang Chan had persuaded her to leave because she wanted her fighting strength.
In that case, there was nothing wrong with collecting some benefits in advance, was there? Jiang Chan rolled her eyes. She had chosen her friend poorly, so poorly!
Naturally, Feng Qiwu could not hide her return with the Geng Metal Essence from the shrewd people of the Sword Sect. The fact that it had developed its own intelligence made it even more precious.
Feng Qiwu’s father, Feng Qingtian, the Sword Sect’s leader, stroked his beard. “Since this opportunity belongs to you, keep it. In a little while, I’ll have the people from Artifact Refining Peak reforge your flying sword.”
Of course, he had heard about the Geng Metal Essence. During this period, almost every disciple in the Sword Sect had tried, apart from those old monsters who had not gone. All had returned defeated.
Now, his own daughter had actually obtained it. Hearing that it had also developed intelligence, Feng Qingtian felt as though a pie had fallen from the sky onto his head.
He could not help suspecting a scheme. Why had this thing latched onto his daughter in particular? But after hearing Jiang Chan’s request, he felt reassured. She wanted leads on Soul-Nourishing Wood. Compared with that, Geng Metal Essence was far less precious.
With that, Feng Qingtian could understand it. He patted Feng Qiwu’s shoulder. “My daughter is richly blessed. Tomorrow, I’ll post the search for news of Soul-Nourishing Wood in the Mission Hall and have everyone help look for it.”
In front of her own father, Feng Qiwu softened considerably.
“Thank you, Father!”
Feng Qingtian laughed heartily. “We’re family. Why be so polite? Improving your sword cultivation is the best repayment you can give your father.”
Half a month later, the reforged broadsword was delivered into Feng Qiwu’s hands. The Geng Metal Essence’s consciousness had naturally become the broadsword’s sword spirit. But because Feng Qiwu’s cultivation was still low, the sword spirit had fallen asleep for the time being.
Only when Feng Qiwu advanced to the Golden Core stage would the sword spirit awaken. Then it would cultivate and advance alongside her, and the sword would naturally become her life-bound sword.
Once Feng Qiwu reached Golden Core, she could take the broadsword into her dantian to nourish it, instead of carrying it on her back at all times as she did now.
On the day she received the broadsword, Feng Qiwu made a special trip to the marketplace to visit Jiang Chan. For some reason, seeing Jiang Chan made her feel close to her, as though they had known each other in a previous life.
This time, only Jiang Chan and the junior brother were in the shop. Mo Yu had recently been a little lax in her cultivation, so Jiang Chan had sent her to the back courtyard to cultivate. She herself comfortably assumed the role of shopkeeper, watching the junior brother greet and see off customers.
After brewing two cups of tea, Jiang Chan sat opposite Feng Qiwu. “This is tea I brought from home. Have a taste. If you think it’s any good, you can come often.”
Jiang Chan enjoyed drinking tea. This tea grew on a thousand-year-old tea tree in the forest of magical beasts. The old tree had already developed intelligence and was on the verge of taking human form.
Jiang Chan did not take his things for nothing. She found cultivation resources for him, and the old tea tree gave her tea leaves. It was perfectly fair. Many trades in the forest of magical beasts worked this way. After all, Jiang Chan’s innate talent was treasure hunting.
Smelling the fresh fragrance, Feng Qiwu took a light sip. The cool tea traveled from her throat to her stomach, as though washing through her entire body, leaving her particularly refreshed and clearheaded.
“Excellent tea!” After drinking a bowl of the clear tea, Feng Qiwu even felt that her cultivation seemed to have improved a little. Her lower abdomen was warm.
Jiang Chan’s lips curved. “If you like it, I’ll wrap some up for you to take home later. There isn’t much of this tea produced in a year.”
Thinking of how stingy that old tea tree was made Jiang Chan’s teeth itch. He was so old, yet he still quibbled with a junior like her. Wasn’t it just a little tea? Why didn’t he consider how many good things she usually gave him?
Feng Qiwu smiled too. “Then thank you. I really do like this tea.”
Jiang Chan quite enjoyed dealing with someone as generous-minded as Feng Qiwu. If she liked something, she liked it, and she was perfectly open and natural when asking for things. Such people were sincere, far more reassuring than those with honeyed words and smooth tongues.
After seeing off a customer, the junior brother walked over, picked up Jiang Chan’s teacup, and took a sip without any ceremony. Jiang Chan was speechless. This little brat. He was lucky she was not a germaphobe!
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