Chapter Sixty-Five: Give As Much As Needed

"You are truly straightforward," he said, smiling as he wiped the corner of his mouth. Setting down his teacup, Song Tingye's gaze deepened. "But isn't this price rather steep?"

It seems my guess was correct.

The secret of entering the Dao is like a patent blockade in my previous life. Only the great sects, eminent families, and powerful clans possess it. They all tacitly keep this secret, never revealing it—an unspoken rule. Perhaps they fear too many will enter the Dao, reducing their own hold on power.

Noticing Song Tingye's strong reaction to his request, and recalling that Yuan Baiyi had clearly stated the ancient method of gathering Tiangang energy could never be traded, Qi Xiu gradually pieced things together.

"So, what price are you willing to offer?" Seeing the negotiating power handed to him, Song Tingye pondered briefly. "As long as it doesn't involve the Dao, I can meet any request you have. True skills, heart methods, secret medicines, gold, silver, beauties—however many you want, I'll provide."

Are you playing games with me now?

Qi Xiu chuckled as Song Tingye passed the ball back to him. "Well, since we've come this far, I hope you won't think my requests excessive when the time comes, Magistrate Song."

"Naturally not," Song Tingye replied, lightly shaking his folding fan, calm and confident. "Mere worldly goods—I can give you as many as you desire."

Song Tingye’s blatant display of wealth only made Qi Xiu smile more broadly. It seems this Magistrate Song is indeed wealthy. In that case, I won't hold back.

"By the way, let's be clear: you want me to protect your Dao, and I can. But I'm not your subordinate. If there’s something urgent, I’ll come, but I’ll follow orders, not commands—consider carefully."

Even as a hired hand, daily cultivation must not be delayed. Qi Xiu stated his request plainly.

"Agreed," Song Tingye replied without hesitation. He sought this mysterious expert to have a trump card at hand—a card to play at critical moments. The deeper it is concealed in daily life, the greater its effect when revealed.

"Magistrate Song, your frankness is admirable," Qi Xiu said. "Then it's settled. If you need me, strike the gong seven times in Xiping Alley, and I’ll come."

As his words finished, Qi Xiu's figure vanished—and with him disappeared the golden ginseng on the desk.

"Yue Ting, can you assess this man's strength?" Song Tingye asked, gazing at the now-empty chair across from him, gently flicking his fan.

"The aura of his cultivation is domineering; his internal energy is profound, and his lightness skill is unheard of. Yet his eyes are clear, without the hidden gleam of spiritual power. It seems he has not yet stepped into the realm of True Intent," Sun Yueting replied hesitantly.

"Not the realm of True Intent? Are you certain?" Song Tingye asked, visibly moved.

"From outward signs, yes. But I can’t be sure if he’s trained in methods that conceal his spiritual radiance. If he truly hasn’t reached True Intent, then his cultivation method is terrifying—slaying two mutated True Intent monsters while still at the Qi Condensation level. Could he be a scion of a great sect or noble clan?" Sun Yueting speculated.

"No. If he were truly from a great sect or noble clan, would he ask me for the secret of entering the Dao?" Folding his fan, Song Tingye shook his head. "His background is mysterious. Have the family keep investigating. Also, increase the pace of training the armored guards—I sense the Blood Alliance may arrive soon."

"Yes."

...

The next day.

A stack of fifteen pages of medicinal ingredients was delivered to Song Mansion. Holding the prescription, signed by Protector Ye Wen, Song Tingye laughed. "This man is remarkably earnest."

The matter had only been settled the previous night, yet the prescription arrived first thing in the morning. It appeared he hadn’t slept, writing it through the night.

"Yue Ting, have the family gather all these ingredients as soon as possible," Song Tingye instructed, handing Sun Yueting the prescription. After a moment's thought, he added, "Charge it to Jiufang’s account."

...

Dongping Alley.

Qi Residence.

Qi Xiu, cheeks bulging, sat in a chair, one hand bracing his knee, the other gripping the table, laboriously chewing.

"This... mm... thing... is so hard to chew..." he muttered between bites, the veins on his forehead standing out.

The golden ginseng from Song Tingye was a rare medicine, enhancing one's power without any impurities. Qi Xiu had seen it in a medicinal compendium before. It was something halfway to a Dao item, almost never seen in the mortal world.

Normally, such potent ginseng required a dozen auxiliary herbs to suppress its intense medicinal effects, preventing damage from excessive power. But his own cultivation of the Violet Extreme True Skill was sufficient to digest the ginseng’s potency. So, for convenience, he chose the simplest method—oral consumption.

After chewing for more than half an hour and finally swallowing with a gulp, Qi Xiu let out a long breath, his face stiff from the effort.

Once the ginseng entered his stomach, the spring of energy in his Violet Palace was like a cat catching the scent of fish—Violet Extreme Qi surged forth, ravenously devouring the potent medicine and merging it with his own energy.

Eyes half-closed, Qi Xiu silently circulated his Violet Extreme True Skill, hastening the absorption of the ginseng's power.

...

Meanwhile, the proficiency panel began to soar. Insights and experiences blossomed in his mind, gradually revealing a mysterious, blurred outline from the void.

From daybreak to midnight, nearly ten hours passed before Qi Xiu had fully digested the ginseng's power.

His Violet Extreme True Skill proficiency rose by about forty percent, reaching seventy-nine percent.

"Just twenty-one percent more," Qi Xiu noted, relaxing as he glanced at his panel.

That single ginseng had saved him months of arduous cultivation.

Once Song Tingye delivered the ingredients from his prescription, Qi Xiu could begin concocting the secret medicines to assist in the cultivation of Violet Extreme True Skill.

Within half a month at most, he would return to the realm of True Intent.

Contemplating the vague outline now resurfacing in his mind, Qi Xiu beamed.

I can hardly imagine how powerful I will be once I step into True Intent again!

...

"Young master, everything has been taken," Sun Yueting reported, scratching his head as he looked at the mountain of ingredients—enough to fill three large carriages.

With such a quantity, how long would it last?

"With such deep skill in internal energy and lightness, and now mastering alchemy as well—Ye Wen's abilities are truly impressive," Song Tingye mused, his curiosity about the mysterious expert growing.

He had already had the prescription reviewed by the family’s herbalists. Despite its breadth and variety, it was mainly composed of warming, strengthening, and energizing ingredients.

According to their assessment, the author of the prescription intended to use these ingredients to craft secret medicines enhancing masculine energy.

Yet the sheer volume of ingredients was astonishing.

"Still, that’s a good thing. The more refined his cultivation, the more it benefits me. Yue Ting, if he sends another prescription, accept it all. But with this much, it should last him a month or two," Song Tingye said, remembering the three carriages stuffed full, his tone assured.

...

Ten days later.

The same prescription appeared in Sun Yueting’s hands early in the morning.

Looking at the thick, familiar stack, Song Tingye glanced up at Sun Yueting with a complex expression.

"Did I promise him before—to give whatever he asked for?"

Sun Yueting nodded helplessly.

Taking a deep breath, Song Tingye leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

Too hasty...

...