Fellow Daoist Entrusts His Child: Immortality Begins with Nurturing a Demoness

Chapter 26 Actually, I'm still a child, and the sword technique is so expensive.
"Recruiting a large number of talismans and precious pills."

After seeing the others off, Luo Fanchen sipped his tea, a hint of worry in his heart.

Not long after the Qinghe Sect recruited talismans and precious pills, the secret realm officially opened. After this battle, the five immortal workshops under the Qinghe Sect suffered heavy casualties among the rogue cultivators, while another vassal sect, the Yimu Sect, made a fortune.

"Another war is about to break out? The Yimu Sect should have won a great victory last time."

Luo Fanchen sighed softly, pacing back and forth, feeling a sense of crisis.

The Yimu Sect, being an vassal of the Luoshen Pavilion, was in competition with the Qinghe Sect. Both sides tacitly limited their conflict to low-level cultivators, avoiding a full-blown feud. However, these rogue cultivators suffered greatly.

Whenever a struggle is about to begin, the first to be conscripted are the rogue cultivators.

"We should prepare more merit points, just in case."

Luo Fanchen murmured, "If rogue cultivators want to avoid being conscripted, they only have two options."

One method is fundraising. A mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator can be exempted from conscription by donating ten spirit stones. Even if you sold him, you still couldn't afford to donate.

Secondly, there are merit points, which are obtained by completing tasks issued by the Qinghe Sect. The number of merit points is linked to the difficulty of the task. To exempt him and Mo Xue from conscription, it would take about 1000 merit points.

"It's not that difficult."

Luo Fanchen pursed his lips. He had been planning to thoroughly punish the bandits and refine their souls recently, so taking on the bandit suppression mission was just a side thing.

He put aside his thoughts and opened the gifts from his two neighbors. Granny Zhang gave him a century-old ginseng. Although it was not of high quality, it was still generous for a rogue cultivator. Ten ginseng plants would be worth one spirit dust.

As for Old Man Wang's, it seemed to be a small pot of wine. Luo Fanchen cautiously brought it to his nose and gently sniffed it.

"Spirit Bamboo Wine? A low-grade first-level spirit wine? Is this old man drunk and acting so generously?"

Luo Fanchen was slightly taken aback. Although the wine was only about three ounces, it was still worth three spirit dust.

His eyes narrowed immediately, and he called out, "Qiuyun."

"Uncle Luo, I'm here."

Qiuyun poked her little head out from underground, her watery eyes blinking gently.

Thanks to the Soul Banner, she can condense her soul at any time within the mansion.

"Help me check if there's anything dirty in it."

Luo Fanchen bent down and handed over the wine pot, intending to ruffle Qiu Yun's hair, but the girl only showed half of her head, making it a little difficult to reach.

Qiu Yun smiled sweetly, and as she took the wine pot, she tilted her head up and gently rubbed it against Luo Fanchen's palm, her pretty face full of pleasure.

She didn't neglect her business, placing one hand on Luo Fanchen's hand, letting the warm caress linger a little longer.

At the same time, using the technique of warding off evil spirits, he summoned a ghost and made the ghost drink three drops of wine in succession.

"Is everything okay?"

After a long time, the ghost's body remained intact, and even became more solid due to the spiritual energy resources.

"Uncle Luo, this old scoundrel has ulterior motives and wants to harm you."

Qiu Yun's smile gradually froze, and her narrow eyes narrowed, revealing a hint of coldness, clearly because the Soul Banner had amplified her negative emotions.

"This wine contains a hidden poison that targets true essence. The poison is composed of a certain soul energy and is quite insidious."

"After drinking this wine, one's true essence will be depleted day by day, and the cultivator will find it difficult to detect the source. In just two months, one's cultivation level will drop."

Qiu Yun's pretty face was icy cold, her black hair dancing wildly, and a cold wind immediately howled in the hall. It wasn't until Luo Fanchen lightly tapped the girl's forehead with his finger that she regained her senses.

"Uncle Luo, did I scare you just now?"

Qiu Yun covered her face with her bare hands, her lips trembling with shyness. Her fierce appearance was quite ugly. Would Uncle Luo think she was unreserved if he saw her?

Of course, once she started sneaking into bed at night, there was no question of restraint.

"Autumn is beautiful no matter what it looks like."

Luo Fanchen smiled, lifted the girl's chin, and gently tickled it with his fingertips as if teasing a cat.

After being comforted, the girl's anger dissipated, and she tilted her head back, squinting her eyes in enjoyment.

"I have my own plans for this matter. Don't tell Mo Xue. I will handle it. Let her focus on her cultivation."

"I'll listen to Uncle Luo."

Autumn Charm's pretty face was serene, devoid of any turmoil, and the chilling wind in the hall gradually dissipated.

Outside the hall, Mo Xue gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, silently watching the two being intimate. Her lips parted slightly, but in the end, she said nothing.

She knew that Master Luo was protecting her and had no intention of blaming him.

However, she is too weak. If she can improve her cultivation level as soon as possible, she will be able to lend a helping hand to Master Luo in the future.

From the moment she stepped into the world of cultivation, she felt a strong sense of urgency. She knew that Master Luo was not as omnipotent as she had imagined, and she could not stay under his wing forever to seek a sense of security.

She felt conflicted, but if it was to protect Master Luo and Qiu Yun, she had to force herself to stand up.

“How strange.”

Mo Xue pursed her lips tightly as she drew her sword, the blade casting a reflection of her pretty face.

Her forehead was wrinkled with creases, her brows were furrowed, and her heart was in turmoil. Especially when she saw Master Luo stroking Qiuyun with affection and concern, she would feel inexplicably tight inside, as if something was missing.

Qiu Yun and Master Luo are both people she cares about. They get along well, so she should be happy.

"Weird things"

Three days later, Luo Fanchen finished his breathing exercises and finally sorted out the trivial magical treasures left behind by Ling Youdao. He then called Mo Xue and stepped out of the mansion for the first time.

He plans to go to the market today to try and buy Mo Xue a sword manual. In addition, he intends to purchase some spirit wood and materials to make a puppet.

Learning from Old Wang's experience, he decided not to let Mo Xue greet strangers in the future, so as to avoid unnecessary trouble.

A first-tier, low-grade spirit puppet allows Qiu Yun to possess and move.

Although it doesn't have as many functions as a physical body, it's more than enough to simply welcome guests and guard the mansion.

The two walked out of the shed area and officially entered the outer ring. The shouts suddenly rose, and densely packed stalls filled both sides, most of them ordinary people. Luo Fanchen did not ignore them, and walked slowly with Mo Xue in his hand, not missing any opportunity to pick up bargains.

Along the way, he did see a few small finds, mostly badly damaged or sold individually as small pieces of yellow paper.

Luo Fanchen accepted them all, which cost him about one spirit dust.

"Mo Xue? Are you unhappy?"

After a heated debate, Luo Fanchen spent two spirit stones to purchase the talisman raw materials at a price slightly below market value.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief and called out to Mo Xue. The girl stood beside him with her head drooping, looking uninterested. She rarely responded to his words along the way, and the faint sense of distance he had felt earlier rekindled.

However, my admiration points have increased significantly. I had already used them all up, but after meeting Old Man Wang, they increased to 60 points.

"fine."

Mo Xue hesitated, her lips slightly pursed, her face looking listless.

Qiu Yun had consumed a lot of soul power these past two days, and every night she would sneak into Luo Ye's bed. She tried to get close to him several times, but had to give up each time. She wanted to go back to her cultivation, but she couldn't calm down. When she came to her senses, she would inexplicably hide in the corner and eavesdrop.

Qiu Yun should know, right? As a banner spirit, A-Mei's affairs in the mansion are all within the soul banner's perception.

She wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with Qiuyun, but felt embarrassed.

"Is everything really okay?"

Luo Fanchen lightly touched Mo Xue's brow with his finger. The girl turned her head away with a whimper, but took Luo Fanchen's hand and gently squeezed it in his palm.

"Master Luo, am I really that useless?"

"How to say?"

Luo Fanchen spoke gently, then took Mo Xue's small hand in his own and pulled her closer to him.

"My cultivation progress has been so slow lately. Master Luo even gave me Spirit Gathering Pills and used spirit stones, but I haven't made any progress at all."

Mo Xue's shoulders slumped, her pretty face looking gloomy.

Having interacted with A Niu and Xiao Cui these past few days, she has truly come to understand the prices in Feiyunfang and the terrifying purchasing power of spirit stones.

Only disciples of aristocratic families can afford the Spirit Gathering Pill. Even late-stage Qi Refining cultivators wouldn't be so extravagant as to use spirit stones directly for cultivation.

Despite Luo Ye's best efforts to create the most favorable conditions for her, she remained unsettled, and after nearly seven days, not a single acupoint had been opened.

"Haste makes waste; Mo Xue has already been very fast."

Luo Fanchen carefully comforted her, knowing all along that Mo Xue lacked security and confidence.

The girl needs to repeatedly confirm her place in his heart to gain a sense of security and solidify her confidence, hence his tireless tolerance towards her.

"I will protect you until Mo Xue grows up."

But how long can Master Luo protect me?

Mo Xue hesitated, but ultimately didn't say what was on her mind.

Master Luo is only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and his cultivation is even inferior to Granny Zhang's. The constraints that the Five Elemental Roots impose on cultivators are too severe.

It wasn't that she disliked Master Luo, it was just that she was afraid.

They feared that Master Luo might be summoned by the sect, or ambushed and killed by unreasonable demonic cultivators; they also feared that after joining the Daoist sect, Master Luo's vital energy would be depleted, making it impossible for him to complete the Foundation Establishment process.

She was afraid of losing Master Luo.

Cultivators with five spiritual roots possess mixed spiritual power, and it is said that their lifespan is naturally much shorter than that of ordinary people.

Master Luo himself is already struggling with cultivation, and he has to devote most of his resources and energy to raising her, so his cultivation will definitely stagnate.

"I also want to protect Master Luo."

Mo Xue's eyes dimmed, and her delicate hand unconsciously clenched Luo Fanchen's palm, causing a stinging pain.

"But I'm just a burden to Master Luo. Qiu Yun can assist Master Luo in his cultivation, protect the mansion, and serve Master Luo, while I'm just a liability."

"How could she be a burden? Mo Xue is very important to me, her role is no less important than Qiu Yun's."

"Hmph, Master Luo is lying! I actually couldn't beat Qiu Yun a long time ago."

Mo Xue's almond-shaped eyes were deep and unfathomable. She spent her time alone, cultivating and practicing her sword. She couldn't bear to disturb Master Luo's cultivation, so she would usually spar with Qiu Yun. At first, she could win a few moves with her mortal swordsmanship, but ever since Qiu Yun had consumed her soul power, she completely overwhelmed her. If her little sister hadn't held back, she wouldn't have lasted even three moves.

Forget about protecting her sister and Master Luo, she's so weak she doesn't even have the right to go out alone.

"Oh, I understand now."

Luo Fanchen smiled. Qiu Yun, using the Soul Banner as a carrier, could contend with a Qi Refining Stage 3 cultivator when she unleashed the full power of the Devouring Ghost.

Mo Xue practices mortal sword techniques, and her cultivation method is the most common longevity technique. It would be a miracle if she could win.

"There's no need to force yourself. Mo Xue is already very impressive to have been able to exchange a couple of blows."

Luo Fanchen rubbed Mo Xue's little head, and the girl whimpered and tilted her head up, but this time she didn't rub against his palm.

Of course, the girl's delicate hands had already crumpled her sleeves, clearly indicating that she was forcibly enduring it.

"Master Luo always treats me like a child."

Mo Xue moved her lips, thinking that Master Luo was just trying to make her happy. Luo Fanchen smiled and was amazed.

In fact, the fact that Mo Xue was able to hold her own against Qiu Yun for two moves, even if the latter held back, was already considered an exceptional performance.

The difference between mortal martial arts and soul banner techniques is vast. Mo Xue should not even be able to touch Qiu Yun's clothes. It can only be said that her sword bone is naturally gifted and terrifying. He seems to have underestimated this physical talent.

"Really? I was planning to choose a sword manual for Mo Xue, but unfortunately she's decided to support herself."

Luo Fanchen's eyes were full of teasing. Mo Xue's little face froze slightly. Half shy and half impatient, she tiptoed and pressed her little head against his palm, rubbing and caressing it incessantly. She stammered, "Actually... I'm just a child."

"You girl."

Luo Fanchen chuckled, then flicked Mo Xue's nose with his fingertip, making her look down at her shoe tips in embarrassment.

He had just sold most of his miscellaneous items and had recently been thinking about choosing a sword technique for Mo Xue, so he took her deep into the inner ring and into the Treasure Pavilion.

This pavilion is controlled by the Incense Burning Sect, one of the Taoist sects. It is known for selling rare and precious items from all over the world. It keeps to itself and never participates in the struggle between forces. Its branches are all over the world, and even the small Flying Cloud Pavilion has a branch here.

It is said that the elders of this branch pavilion have the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment, which is equivalent to the head of Feiyun Pavilion.

Mo Xue regretted it as soon as she stepped into Jubaoge.

The spirit-gathering array inside the pavilion hummed, its spiritual power nearly twice as strong as that of the outer ring. Inside, it was filled with glittering pearls and countless rare treasures.

The price tags alone made her want to drag Master Luo away.

This is not a place for ordinary people like them to spend their money.

"Master Luo, forget it, I can support myself now."

Ling Moxue hesitated, her heart aching for the spirit stones and for Master Luo.

Every spirit dust she used was earned with Master Luo's blood and sweat; she couldn't bear to squander it.

The hall was filled with a dazzling array of items, and graceful maids dressed in elegant palace attire waited quietly on both sides, their cultivation level at least at the third level of Qi Refining.

Upon seeing Luo Fanchen enter, a maid immediately came forward to greet him.

"I need a sword manual that is suitable for those with a metal or fire spiritual root, preferably a mid- to high-grade technique."

Luo Fanchen stood with his hands behind his back. He couldn't afford a cultivation technique for the time being, but he was confident that he could exchange it for a sword manual.

The girl's innate talent for swordsmanship should not be wasted because of him.

"This servant is Yunmo. Immortal Master, please come upstairs."

Yun Mo smiled and gracefully bowed. She did not hide her cultivation level, which was actually at the sixth level of Qi Refining, far higher than Luo Fanchen, but she did not show any disrespect.

She could sense the guest's profound inner energy, which suggested he must be from a prominent family, so she naturally had to greet him warmly.

"Ah Niu, look, isn't that Master Ling and Sister Mo Xue?"

In a corner of the Treasure Pavilion, Xiao Cui's wispy hair obscured her right cheek. She pointed at Luo Fanchen with some surprise and gestured towards the dull-looking A Niu behind her.

Ah Niu nodded blankly, his gaze lingering on her swollen, bloodied ears and the numerous bruises on her forearms.

Upon hearing that he too had once been a servant, the owner of Jubao Pavilion took pity on him and specially set aside a quota to recruit cultivators with slave blood contracts to work as handymen.

They can obtain half a spirit dust each month. Although it is hard work, it is the only way for them to obtain cultivation resources.

The difference is that Ah Niu only needs to hand over half, while she can only secretly save one-tenth, and she will be beaten every time she goes home.

"Seems to be"

"Shall we follow them and see?"

Ah Niu nodded in a deep voice, which made Xiao Cui quite curious.

The two went upstairs through the side door where the clutter was piled up, and hid in a corner in the distance, pretending to clean, which allowed them to catch a glimpse of Luo Fanchen and Mo Xue.

"Fellow Daoist, are you choosing a cultivation method for your disciple?"

Yunmo's voice was calm. Her gaze subconsciously swept over the low-grade magic techniques, assuming that Luo Fanchen was going to choose a sword technique for his servant.

There are too many disciples in name only, but in reality they are servants. To be willing to spend spirit stones on servants is truly befitting a scion of a great clan.

"Indeed, she is my closed-door disciple."

Yunmo was slightly taken aback, then immediately looked away. She smiled and called over a servant to make up a seat for Moxue and serve her a cup of fragrant tea.

"Then your arrival is truly timely, fellow Daoist. My humble abode happens to possess this sword manual, a superior-grade technique of the metal element."

Yunmo reached out and took a brocade box. After opening it, he took out a gold-plated jade slip, knelt down, and presented it to Moxue with both hands in a half-kneeling posture.

The girl was flattered and hesitated to accept the gift. Yunmo was not in a hurry, his eyes smiling gently.

"Sister, you can first check if the cultivation method is suitable. If it is not suitable, there are also fire-attribute sword techniques for you to choose from."

"Thank you."

Mo Xue spoke haltingly, somewhat embarrassed. She rarely interacted with anyone other than Master Luo, let alone a fairy whose cultivation was far superior to hers.

She closed her eyes to sense that there were restrictions within the jade slip, and she could only glimpse the general outline.

"This technique is called Gengjin Wufeng Sword. It emphasizes refining Gengjin Qi and hiding it in the dantian, waiting for the right moment to strike. The sword Qi is as fast as thunder, and it is impossible for cultivators of the same level to defend against it."

Yunmo hesitated for a moment, unwilling to offend the disciples of powerful clans, and added, "This method requires a high level of talent in swordsmanship and comprehension."

"Your comprehension is fine, Mo Xue. Do you like it?"

Ling Moxue's small eyes sparkled, clearly delighted. This sword technique suited her perfectly and was a superior technique, sufficient for her use until she reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

Her lips moved, but she didn't speak, silently shaking her head.

The only reason was the price on the jade slip, which made her hesitate. Twenty-five spirit stones—how many years would Master Luo have to toil for that?
“A low-grade technique is sufficient. I am of dull wit and do not need such profound techniques.”

Ling Moxue returned the jade slip, but her gaze lingered on it for a long time.

Master Luo's search for cultivation methods for him was already a heavy burden. Sword techniques were merely a means of cultivation, while cultivation methods were the way to establish oneself. A low-grade, exquisite method was sufficient, and he did not want to add to Master Luo's burden.

"Twenty-five spirit stones. Does your esteemed establishment support barter?"

"Of course, our pavilion accepts everything."

"Even magic treasures?"

Yunmo was slightly taken aback, but seeing that Luo Fanchen did not seem to be a demonic cultivator, he smiled and nodded, saying, "Ordinary people are not accepted. Fellow Daoist is an honored guest, and our humble establishment is willing to take some risks, but the price will be slightly discounted."

After Yunmo finished speaking, he held up three fingers, meaning to deduct 30%.

She valued the other party's status as a disciple of a powerful clan and intended to befriend him; otherwise, she wouldn't have taken the risk.

"Okay, let me sort it out."

Luo Fanchen didn't hesitate much. Apart from a few valuable magical treasures, he took out a large number of the trivial magical treasures left by Ling Youdao, as well as the venomous fangs and scales of the demon snake.

Yun Mo narrowed her beautiful eyes, her smile unchanged. She now suspected that Luo Fanchen was a demonic cultivator, and a few doubts arose in her heart.

But looking at Mo Xue, who was well-fed and plump, her fear lessened considerably. What kind of demonic cultivator would go to such lengths for his disciple?
"The total price is twenty spirit stones, plus nine spirit dust. Fellow Daoist, you only need to pay four more spirit stones."

Luo Fanchen was slightly taken aback, not expecting these magical treasures to be so valuable.

He took the list and examined it carefully, discovering that most of its value came from the magical artifact left by Ling Youdao for refining the Blood Melting Pill, which was probably left for Qiu Yun as a backup.

Luo Fanchen nodded slightly, took out a handful of spirit dust, and handed it to Yun Mo. The fairy was slightly stunned and didn't know what to do for a moment.

"Forty spirit dusts, count them."

"I"

Yunmo murmured silently, "The Treasure Pavilion requires exchanging Spirit Dust for Spirit Stones. For every thirty Spirit Stones, an additional Spirit Dust must be paid as a consumption."

Is this distinguished guest truly from a prominent family? Taking advantage of everyone like a common, unskilled cultivator, has she misjudged him?
"Alright, the payment has been made. I hope you will continue to take care of me in the future."

Yunmo pursed her lips, hesitated slightly, and then gave Luo Fanchen a jade token: "This is my identity token. If you have any treasures to sell or buy in the future, you can contact me."

"I will try my best to coordinate discounts for fellow Daoists."

"Easy to say."

Luo Fanchen nodded slightly, tapped Mo Xue's distressed little face with his finger, and forcefully stuffed the jade slip into her hand.

"Why are you unhappy? This sword technique suits you perfectly, doesn't it?"

"Master Luo, this is so expensive."

Mo Xue rubbed her eyes, her little hands clenched until they turned white, her heart aching as if it were about to bleed.

Luo Fanchen shook his head slightly. He did not leave immediately, but instead activated the Lesser Yang Wood Transformation Technique, allowing the True Essence of Wood within his body to manifest.

He led the little girl slowly toward Yunmo and said politely, "I happen to have something that Miss Yunmo needs to keep in mind."

"My daughter, Mo Xue, is still missing a cultivation technique. If your esteemed establishment has any clues about a superior metal-attribute cultivation method, please keep an eye out for it for me."

"Cultivation technique? A superior-grade, wondrous technique?"

Yunmo's beautiful eyes were glazed over. Sensing the other party's profound and upright true energy, her pretty face, which had been relaxed, immediately lit up with joy and became extremely respectful.

"Someone, change the tea. Serve our honored guest with the finest Lingya tea!"

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(End of this chapter)