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"Not bad. What's most crucial for you now is to adapt to the potency of the Dragon Gall Wine. When you can drink a whole pot in one breath, your cultivation speed will be able to keep up with someone possessing Heavenly Spirit Bones."
Fairy Lingyue nodded in agreement.
"I'll do my best, but as of now, two cups are already my limit. Any more and I fear my body won't be able to withstand it."
As Xu Taiping spoke, he lifted one hand.
Visible on his bare arm were wounds resembling the cracks on porcelain.
Hearing this, Fairy Lingyue's brows furrowed with concern.
However, she didn't offer any comfort to Xu Taiping, knowing that any consolation would be a desecration to his efforts.
"After this trial mission, I'll teach you the Emperor's Body Refining Technique. Then, the Dragon Gall Wine will do much less harm to your body," Fairy Lingyue said.
"Mhm."
The moment the topic of cultivation was mentioned, Xu Taiping's eyes lit up again.
"How's your progress with the improved Shadow Splitting Technique and the Fire Flicking Finger?"
Fairy Lingyue asked further.
At her words, the corners of Xu Taiping's mouth lifted slightly. He then took a step forward, and with a "boom," a burst of True Qi exploded around him.
A shadow that looked exactly like him appeared by his side.
"Although I can't control it freely yet, I can already make this clone move back and forth under my command."
While speaking, Xu Taiping controlled the clone to stand in front of Fairy Lingyue.
"To have made such progress in just two months is quite good," Fairy Lingyue nodded in approval.
Next, Xu Taiping demonstrated his progress with the Fire Flicking Finger to Fairy Lingyue.
He could now convert True Essence into fire element at his fingertips and flick it out swiftly, but for the time being, he couldn't flick out the fire element continuously and could only do so once every ten breaths or so.
"However, the progress with the Scarlet Sun Golden Flame Technique is a bit slower. Although I can condense a bit of golden flame in my palm, it can only be maintained for a breath or two before it extinguishes on its own."
Xu Taiping said with some regret as he raised his hand.
Then Fairy Lingyue saw a very dazzling golden flame appear in Xu Taiping's palm.
But instead of disappointment, Fairy Lingyue's face lit up with surprise upon seeing this.
"To be able to condense golden flame in two months, your progress is not slow at all," she said happily.
"Really? I was worried it might be too slow."
Xu Taiping felt a bit embarrassed by Fairy Lingyue's praise.
"Chi…"
After Xu Taiping and Fairy Lingyue chatted for a few more sentences, a crane's call suddenly came from the front yard gate.
"Xu Taiping of Qi Yue Pavilion, the items you purchased have been delivered."
The voice of the Spirit Crane followed immediately.
"It must be the pill furnace and knife you bought," Fairy Lingyue said as she flew into the green gourd.
"I'll go take a look."
Xu Taiping picked up the green gourd and hurried towards the front yard.
***
A finely crafted Xuan iron long knife, a magical tool pill furnace, and several ingredients needed for refining Gathering Qi Pills.
These were all the items Xu Taiping had purchased.
"Not bad among ordinary weapons," Fairy Lingyue commented after Xu Taiping drew the long knife.
Hearing a word of praise from Fairy Lingyue, Xu Taiping was already quite satisfied.
"This knife was chosen for me by Senior Brother Qingxiao. It's called the Tiger Pattern Knife, named for the tiger stripe-like patterns on the blade. It's said to be personally forged by Elder Ouyang of the Fourth Peak. Although not expensive, because Elder Ouyang only forges once each spring, summer, autumn, and winter, it's still hard to come by. I was able to buy it thanks to Elder Ouyang owing Senior Brother Qingxiao a favor," Xu Taiping briefly explained the origin of the knife to Fairy Lingyue.
"Spring Tiger, number twenty-one," Fairy Lingyue glanced at the name on the blade and then smiled, "Judging by the name, this knife must be the twenty-first one Elder Ouyang forged in spring, right? It's interesting how he names them. If it were forged in summer, would it be called Summer Tiger?"
Xu Taiping also smiled, feeling that although the name wasn't particularly elegant, it sounded very endearing.
"Your Senior Brother Qingxiao has good taste. This knife is very suitable for you at the moment," Fairy Lingyue nodded in approval after sensing the knife with her soul.
To be precise, the knife was very suitable for a martial artist.
"I also find it very handy," Xu Taiping said as he swung the knife in his hand and nodded.
He was also very satisfied with the Tiger Pattern Knife.
"This pill furnace is rather ordinary, barely adequate for refining seven or eight batches of elixirs," Fairy Lingyue then turned her gaze to the pill furnace.
"A better pill furnace would cost upwards of thirty thousand Merit, so I had to settle for this one for now," Xu Taiping wasn't too pleased with the pill furnace either.
But there was no choice; before descending the mountain, he had to refine several batches of Gathering Qi Pills to prepare for any emergencies.
"Indeed, a good pill furnace is hard to come by, but I must remind you, Xu Taiping, that the Flint fire Pill you'll need to break through to the Profound Realm with Mortal Bones will require at least a magical treasure level pill furnace to refine," Fairy Lingyue reminded Xu Taiping.
"I understand. After this trial, I will find ways to earn more Merit to buy a pill furnace and the materials needed for the Flint fire Pill," Xu Taiping nodded solemnly.
Although he was still a long way from breaking through to the Profound Realm, neither the materials for the Flint fire Pill nor the magical treasure level pill furnace were easy to obtain, so he had to start preparing now.
"It's good to be prepared. With your current pace of cultivation, even with the help of Dragon Gall Wine, it will take at least five or six years to break through to the Profound Realm. You have plenty of time to prepare," Fairy Lingyue nodded.
"Then, Fairy Lingyue, we'll prepare to start refining the Gathering Qi Pills tonight," Xu Taiping said, holding up the pill furnace with a smile towards Fairy Lingyue.
"You've just come out of seclusion, don't you want to rest for a night?" Fairy Lingyue frowned slightly.
"No need. If I can refine the Gathering Qi Pills tonight, I can set off down the mountain the day after tomorrow. The earlier I go, the sooner I can prepare," Xu Taiping shook his head.
Although it was just a trial mission, it was his first task since becoming an official disciple, and he didn't want to face it unprepared.
"And then return earlier to continue cultivating," he added with a smile.
Fairy Lingyue couldn't help but laugh and cry at his words, feeling that this young man's obsession with martial arts and the Dao was growing stronger and stronger.
***
The next evening.
Seventh Peak, Ascending Cloud Platform.
This was the departure point for all Seventh Peak disciples descending the mountain.
"Taiping, it would still be timely if you left two days later."
Upon hearing that Xu Taiping was descending the mountain, Zhao Linglong rushed over in a hurry.