NABC Chapter 210 Questions and Answers from the Mirror of the Heart
Chapter 210 Questions and Answers from the Mirror of the Heart
Chapter 210 Questions and Answers from the Mirror of the Heart
"Replying to the fairy."
Chen Yi remained unmoved by Yue Qingqiu's questioning, still perched on the Crimson Soul Sparrow's back, his tone calm and composed.
"I did not cross the border illegally. I have already completed the war mission assigned by the Qi royal family. I came to Zhongzhou at the invitation of the Zhongzhou Grand Clan. I did not leave the country without a reason."
Yue Qingqiu's eyes flickered slightly. She stared at Chen Yi for a moment before slowly speaking:
"You specifically called me over, is it because you want to join my Star Moon Sect?"
"I do indeed have this intention, but I need to discuss it in detail with the fairy. I hope the fairy will grant my request."
Chen Yi spoke respectfully, but without a trace of flattery.
"If you wish to join my Star Moon Sect, you must answer the questions seriously."
Yue Qingqiu's tone turned stern, and the moonlight aura surrounding her became increasingly solid.
"Our Star Moon Sect never recruits those who lack resolve or desert in the face of battle. If you truly intend to do so, you must answer under my 'Moon Mirror Heart-Questioning Technique' without concealing anything."
"Please proceed, fairy."
Chen Yi nodded in agreement, his expression calm and unperturbed.
He had already planned this out: his purpose in coming to Zhongzhou to join a legitimate sect was to have a proper identity and background, which were essential prerequisites.
The identity of "Chen Yi, the Spirit Chef, invited by Ji Wuchen" can be verified by the Crimson Soul Sparrow and the Hu family. It is easy to confirm with a little investigation, so there is no need to hide it, nor can it be hidden.
Moreover, he knew that he would inevitably encounter Nascent Soul cultivators in the future.
Changing one's appearance and concealing one's aura are no match for the detection of high-level cultivators. It would be better to openly reveal one's true intentions, which would show more sincerity.
Upon hearing this, Yue Qingqiu's fingers twitched slightly.
Silvery-white moonlight gathered at his fingertips, intertwining and converging like living things, soon solidifying into a round mirror in the air.
The mirror was as thin as a cicada's wing, with fine silver patterns flowing along its edges. Instead of reflecting the surrounding snowy landscape, the mirror reflected a faint halo of moonlight.
For a moment, even the sunlight in the sky seemed to be softened by the mirror-like light, creating a strange phenomenon reminiscent of "the sun and moon shining together".
The next moment, the Moon Mirror shone a slender beam of moonlight, precisely locking onto Chen Yi's soul.
Chen Yi instantly sensed that his soul was enveloped by a gentle yet inescapable force. If he were to express anything contrary to his true intentions at this moment, any fluctuations in his soul would be detected by the mirror light.
Although this spell has a surveillance feel to it, it is not offensive at all and is only used for lie detection.
He secretly marveled at how miraculous the magical heritage of the Central Plains sects was. Even their lie detection techniques were so exquisite, and the practitioners were open and honest about their uses, unlike the domineering practices of some evil forces. They truly deserved the title of "exemplary righteous path".
"Who are you? Did you sneak into Zhongzhou? Did you desert your post?"
Yue Qingqiu's voice echoed in the moonlight, its cool tone carrying an undeniable authority.
The moonlight that locked onto the soul trembled slightly. If it were an ordinary Core Formation cultivator, they would probably have difficulty even mobilizing their magic power, let alone concealing their emotions.
Chen Yi took a deep breath, kept his mind calm, and answered clearly:
"My name is Chen Yi. In my early years, I was a wandering cultivator in Zhongzhou. Later, I cultivated in the Miaoyin Sect of Qi State for twenty years."
My trip to Zhongzhou was at the invitation of Young Master Ji Wuchen of the Ji family.
During my time at the Myriad Sounds Sect, I used my third-tier spiritual culinary skills to refine dozens of bottles of Azure Thunder Brew, far exceeding the war mission assigned by the Qi Kingdom's royal family. I was neither a deserter nor a smuggler.
He answered frankly and openly, without the slightest abnormal fluctuation in his spirit.
Yue Qingqiu stared at the moon mirror for a moment, and seeing that the mirror's light remained calm and undisturbed, her gaze softened slightly.
The cultivator before them was not only not a coward who feared death, but also had a legitimate background.
Although he stared at my beauty and figure when we met, his gaze was limited to normal appreciation, without the slightest lewdness, which did not waste my pretty face.
"Okay, I'll ask you again."
Yue Qingqiu withdrew some of her moonlight power, her tone softening slightly. Her nose was high and delicate, her lips neither too thick nor too thin. As she spoke, a shallow dimple unconsciously appeared at the corner of her lips, softening her otherwise aloof demeanor.
"Since you were invited by Ji Wuchen, why don't you go directly to the Ji family's territory instead of staying in my Star Moon Sect?"
"I originally intended to go directly to the Ji family."
Chen Yi answered truthfully, his tone tinged with helplessness.
"But after crossing half of the Demon Beast Mountain Range, I realized that with my current cultivation level at the early stage of Core Formation, crossing a distance of eight million miles is as difficult as ascending to heaven."
Furthermore, Young Master Ji Wuchen has already gone to the State of Qi to participate in the war against demons, and we will not be able to meet in the short term;
In addition, I discovered a place in the Monster Mountain Range that is a suitable place for spirit pets to cultivate.
Considering these three points, I intend to find a legitimate sect nearby to stay temporarily, cultivate to the late stage of Core Formation, and gain sufficient self-protection capabilities before choosing an opportunity to head north to seek the chance to form Nascent Soul.
These words were clear and logical, and every sentence was true. The light of the moon mirror remained steady, without the slightest abnormality.
"You'll only leave after cultivating to the late Core Formation stage?"
Yue Qingqiu muttered to herself, a barely perceptible hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
Do you really want to progress from the early stage of Core Formation to the later stage in just a few decades?
She shook her head inwardly, thinking that this chef from Qi Kingdom probably thought that the cultivation of the Core Formation stage was too simple.
It's important to understand that without top-tier spiritual root aptitude and sufficient cultivation resources, the vast majority of Core Formation cultivators remain stuck in the early Core Formation stage for their entire lives, with the lucky ones reaching the middle stage.
As for the late stage of Core Formation, they can't even get close to the threshold, let alone break through it in a few decades.
Although she had doubts, Yue Qingqiu did not point them out directly. Instead, she changed the subject and asked again:
"Since you are a third-tier spirit chef, my Star Moon Sect does indeed have a need for this."
Besides, your appearance and physique are quite decent, meeting the requirements for recruitment in my sect.
If I recruit you into my sect, you must include in the contract that you can only leave the sect after reaching the late stage of Core Formation. Are you willing to do this?
"A contract? What are the specific conditions?"
Chen Yi countered with a question.
He had anticipated this; Core Formation cultivators need at least a third-tier spiritual vein to cultivate, and such a precious resource could not be obtained for free even in the Central Continent.
He wanted to use the sect's resources to cultivate to the late stage of Core Formation, but he would inevitably have to pay a corresponding price. Asking about it now would help him weigh the pros and cons.
Yue Qingqiu nodded and got straight to the point:
"You claim to be a third-tier spirit chef, capable of brewing Azure Thunder Wine?"
Do you have any finished products? I need to see them in person.
"Of course."
Chen Yi rode the Crimson Soul Sparrow, slowly flying towards Yue Qingqiu, stopping only when he was about ten feet away from her.
This distance allows for clear handing over of items while maintaining appropriate boundaries; even the tiny snowflakes clinging to Yue Qingqiu's eyelashes can be seen clearly.
Yue Qingqiu frowned slightly, but did not speak to stop her, clearly acquiescing to the distance.
Chen Yi took out a pale blue porcelain bottle from his storage bag, condensed a wisp of spiritual energy at his fingertips, and handed the bottle to Yue Qingqiu from a distance, his tone frank:
"Please take a look, fairy. This is the most valuable spirit wine I can currently refine. Although it is not top-grade, it is pure and without impurities."
Yue Qingqiu reached out and took the porcelain bottle, pausing slightly as her fingertips touched its surface.
This porcelain bottle was actually made from third-grade spiritual soil, specially designed to store spiritual wine, and could retain spiritual power to the greatest extent possible without loss.
She uncorked the bottle, brought it close to her nose, and took a gentle sniff. A glint of light flashed in her eyes, but she quickly frowned slightly.
"It is indeed Qingxiao Thunder Brew without a doubt. Its spiritual energy fluctuations are pure, carrying the fusion of thunder spirit and vegetation."
However, its quality is slightly inferior to the Azure Thunder Brew passed down by the Ji family, and can only be barely considered low-grade.
Despite this, her tone softened somewhat: "However, even a low-grade Azure Thunder Brew is enough for you to join my Star Moon Sect and serve as a guest chef."
"Our Star Moon Sect has more lenient requirements for recruiting guest elders compared to other sects."
Yue Qingqiu slowly revealed the core of the contract.
"You only need to produce two bottles of this level of Azure Thunder Brew for the sect each year, and bring along a few spirit chef apprentices, and you can enjoy the sect's ordinary third-tier spirit vein resources, and also cultivate our sect's basic Star Moon Technique."
Of course, if you have other needs, such as breakthrough pills for Core Formation stage cultivators or other cultivation resources, you will need to exchange them using contribution points, just like sect disciples. Specific details can be discussed later.
But one thing must be made clear.
As you said before, if you want to leave the sect and end the contract between us, you must at least reach the late stage of Core Formation. There is absolutely no room for change in this.
What do you think?
These conditions may seem lenient, but they actually contain hidden constraints.
The rule that "one may leave the sect only after reaching the late stage of Core Formation" is almost equivalent to a lifelong bond for most Core Formation cultivators.
But upon hearing this, Chen Yi did not hesitate for a moment; instead, he felt more confident.
He was a three-patterned Purple Extreme Golden Core cultivator with a system within him, so breaking through to the late stage of Core Formation in a few decades was not difficult for him. This constraint, on the contrary, became a guarantee for him to obtain resources.
"I need to seriously consider these conditions."
Chen Yi spoke in a calm tone.
"However, if the Star Moon Sect can provide enough spiritual veins for me and my spirit pet to cultivate together, I think it won't be difficult to achieve the goal of 'cultivating to the late stage of Core Formation before leaving the sect'."
"A spirit pet?"
Yue Qingqiu's gaze fell on the Crimson Soul Sparrow, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes—although this early-stage third-tier Crimson Soul Sparrow had a mutated bloodline, the spiritual energy it needed was far less than that required by a Core Formation cultivator.
She pondered to herself: How much spiritual energy would a cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation plus a third-tier demonic beast consume?
He readily agreed, "Sure. My Star Moon Sect can provide ample spiritual energy for your cultivation and that of your spirit pet; you won't need to expend any extra contribution points."
"Alright." Chen Yi nodded. "Does the fairy have any other questions?"
"There are two last questions." Yue Qingqiu's expression turned serious. "First, do you have any mortal enemies in Zhongzhou who are beyond the Core Formation stage?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi couldn't help but chuckle softly, his tone frank:
"Fairy, you think too highly of me. I am just a cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation. If I really had a mortal enemy who was beyond the Core Formation stage, how could I have survived until now?"
This is my first time in Zhongzhou. If I were to name someone who could potentially become my enemy, the old man with the red eagle from Eagle Ridge Mountain would be one of them.
In addition, I originally came to Zhongzhou on the flying boat of the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce, but I was sold to the Demonic Sect by the people of the Chamber of Commerce halfway through the journey. I later escaped after going through a lot of trouble.
If there are anyone who doesn't want me to live, the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce might barely qualify.
He did not hide his karmic debts and grievances.
These things either have eyewitnesses or can be verified with a little investigation. Rather than hiding them and arousing suspicion, it is better to tell the truth honestly, which shows more openness.
Upon hearing this, Yue Qingqiu's eyes revealed a look of satisfaction:
The two "enemies" that Chen Yi provoked were a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator and a merchant guild whose name she had never even heard of. Neither of them posed a threat to the Star Moon Sect.
On the contrary, it made her feel that Chen Yi's experience was too "clean".
The cultivation world is a dog-eat-dog world. Which cultivator who can reach the Core Formation stage has not experienced several life-and-death battles and fought for several great opportunities?
Someone like Chen Yi, who had only had friction with the Red Eagle Elder and the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce, was not considered a problem in her eyes at all.
"Okay. Second question."
Yue Qingqiu's gaze locked onto Chen Yi again, her tone serious, "Are you a righteous person or a heretic? Do you harbor any ill intentions towards my Star Moon Sect?"
"I am a member of the orthodox Xuanmen sect and have always been law-abiding."
Chen Yi's tone was firm.
"If the fairy does not believe it, she can send someone to the State of Qi to inquire."
Since I began my spiritual practice, I have mostly cultivated peacefully in a fixed environment and have never gone out to cause trouble.
As for the Star Moon Sect, I am solely focused on joining to cultivate and seek resources and opportunities; I harbor absolutely no hostility towards them!
He replied frankly.
The moonlight mirror in the sky still reflected Chen Yi. In Yue Qingqiu's divine sense, from the beginning of the conversation until now...
Chen Yi's spirit remained calm and undisturbed, without the slightest disturbance caused by lying, which was enough to prove that everything he said was the truth from the bottom of his heart, without a single falsehood.
Yue Qingqiu was now completely relieved. In her eyes, Chen Yi was undoubtedly an "honest man."
With a clear background and connections to the Ji family of the upper sect, they will not easily cause trouble.
He also possesses the remarkable talent of a third-tier spirit chef, capable of refining Azure Thunder Brew for the sect. All he needs is the spiritual veins to supply him and his spirit pets for cultivation. This cost-effectiveness is truly worthwhile for the Star Moon Sect.
More importantly, based on the cultivation speed of most cultivators, Chen Yi would most likely have to stay in the sect for one or two hundred years, and might even not be able to advance to the late Core Formation stage until he dies at the age of five hundred.
This means that the sect can bind a long-term spiritual chef with just one spiritual vein resource, and this gain makes her even more satisfied with this chance encounter.
"very good."
Yue Qingqiu put away the Moonlight Mirror, and the moonlight aura around her softened considerably. She took out a pale silver communication jade token from her storage bag.
"This is my personal communication jade tablet. After you arrive in Zhongzhou, you can learn about the situation of each sect."
If you ultimately decide to join my Star Moon Sect, please come to the sect to find me three months later. I will then report to the Supreme Elder and we will sign a formal contract.
Yue Qingqiu, unusually, took out one of her personal communication talismans and sent it to Chen Yi remotely.
Perhaps because she was in a good mood, a shallow dimple appeared at the corner of her lips as she spoke, which made her beautiful face less aloof and more gentle.
Chen Yi reached out and caught the jade pendant, his fingertips touching the delicate patterns on it. His gaze inadvertently swept over Yue Qingqiu's face and figure, then he slightly clasped his hands in a respectful gesture:
"Thank you. Well then, Fairy Moon, see you later."
Yue Qingqiu nodded slightly, said no more, and with a flash of silver light around her, she transformed into a moonlit streak of light, streaking across the snow-capped mountain peak like a shooting star, and quickly disappeared into the horizon.
Chen Yihe sat back on the Crimson Soul Sparrow.
After briefly asking Lao Hu about the background of the Red Eagle Elder, Chen Yi noted it down on the jade slip without saying anything more.
In this remote and desolate mountain range of monsters, killing and robbing treasures is commonplace. As long as the other party doesn't provoke him again, he doesn't want to waste his energy on it for the time being.
During the negotiation with Yue Qingqiu, Lao Hu remained silent throughout and did not give any hints. Chen Yi also did not sense anything unusual about the Star Moon Sect or Yue Qingqiu.
But he knew in his heart that he was not without his own vulnerabilities:
There are two potential enemies. One is the Red Eagle Elder who wants to seize the Crimson Soul Sparrow. Fortunately, the two sides have not actually fought. They can simply avoid each other afterward.
The other is the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce, including that Xuan Shui Fairy who is in the late stage of Core Formation.
Having escaped from the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce and now knowing their secret collusion with the Demonic Sect, he will undoubtedly stop at nothing to silence him once the Chamber of Commerce discovers he has arrived alive in Zhongzhou.
After all, he is a key witness who can prove the Chamber of Commerce's crimes. If the secret is exposed, the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce will surely face annihilation.
"Old Hu, I'm thinking that once I get to Zhongzhou, I'll directly join the Star Moon Sect, obtain the status of a guest elder, and then immediately report the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce."
Chen Yi looked at Lao Hu, his tone serious.
What do you think of this plan?
"Also, why don't you three stay with me at the Star Moon Sect for the time being?"
After experiencing some things, Chen Yi valued Lao Hu's opinions more and more, so he asked Lao Hu a question.
Upon hearing this, Old Hu pondered for a moment before saying:
"Senior Chen, the Star Moon Sect is indeed a good place to go right now. With the sect's protection, the Nine Heavens Chamber of Commerce won't dare to make a move easily."
Reporting them is also a viable option. Those people are not righteous to begin with. If they can be made to pay the price, more cultivators can be prevented from being harmed.
My wife and I just didn't want to cause you any trouble.
He paused, then continued, "The Central Plains are a vast region. I wish to take my wife and travel around incognito to seek out opportunities for cultivation."
As for Mingyue, if you don't mind, let her stay by your side. With the sect's protection, her cultivation will be more stable.
The fact that he was willing to entrust his daughter to Chen Yi shows that Old Hu trusted the Star Moon Sect and Chen Yi. However, he was naturally fond of freedom and did not want to be bound by the sect.
Chen Yi nodded in agreement: "Alright. Don't worry, Lao Hu, as long as I'm in the Star Moon Sect, I won't let Mingyue suffer the slightest grievance."
"There's no need for that."
Old Hu waved his hand, speaking frankly, "Mingyue has been by my side for many years and has long been capable of surviving on her own."
Unless she faces a fatal crisis or someone forcibly changes her fate, Senior Chen doesn't need to intervene on her behalf. The path of cultivation must be walked by oneself; excessive protection would only hinder her growth.
He cupped his hands in thanks to Chen Yi, saying, "Thank you so much for your help along the way, Senior Chen. If there is anything you need from me, please feel free to ask, and I will certainly not refuse."
"Old Hu, you're too kind. It was just a small favor."
Chen Yi smiled, then changed the subject, his tone becoming earnest, "Speaking of helping, I do have something I'd like to ask Lao Hu for advice on."
"Please speak, senior. As long as Lao Hu knows the answer, he will tell you everything."
"I want to learn from you the method of 'embracing heaven and earth, sensing the energy, and judging good and bad fortune by experiencing cause and effect'."
Chen Yi spoke earnestly and with a humble attitude.
The more he learned, the more important Chen Yi felt this method was.
Since Lao Hu was able to comprehend this technique at the Qi Refining stage, Chen Yi had already guessed Lao Hu's identity. No matter what the situation was, Lao Hu must have a very important background.
Fortunately,
Chen Yi and he had known each other for decades and had fled together many times, so it could be considered a kind of fate.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to care for Xiaomingyue, I asked her about this secret and profound method of cultivation. Although it was a bit presumptuous, it was also an opportunity.
Chen Yi still hoped that Lao Hu could teach him a thing or two.
(End of this chapter)