Yang was happy and relaxed as he made his way to the outer sect hall after breakfast. His life had been going well. He was close to achieving the second stage of Qi Condensation, maybe just a week or two away if he maintained his current cultivation pace. And his talisman practice was going well. Very well, actually. He could now create illumination talismans with about ninety percent success rate. Not quite the ninety-nine percent Elder Fu Ming had recommended, but getting closer every day.

  He entered the outer sect hall and greeted the seniors manning the counter with respectful bows. Then made a beeline toward the area where Senior Sister Wei Wei usually worked, since it looked like Senior Brother Bo Yu was off duty today. His usual spot behind the counter was occupied by another senior.

  "Senior Sister Wei Wei," Yang greeted with a bow. "Good morning."

  "Good morning, Junior Brother Yang," she replied with a warm smile. "Here to see Senior Brother Bo Yu?"

  "I was hoping to, yes. Is he not working today?"

  Senior Sister Wei Wei's expression brightened with pride for her fellow disciple. "Senior Brother Bo Yu is attempting to advance to the seventh stage of Qi Condensation realm. He entered closed-door cultivation three days ago."

  Yang felt genuinely happy to hear that. Senior brother Bo Yu had been kind to him from the very beginning. Had given solid advice that shaped Yang's entire approach to cultivation in the sect. "That's wonderful news! Please tell him when you see him that I wish him the best of luck. I hope he's at the seventh stage when I greet him next."

  Senior Sister Wei Wei smiled warmly. "Yes, Senior Brother is a hard worker and bound to advance his realm. He's been at the sixth stage peak for some time now. Just needed to focus fully on the breakthrough."

  She leaned forward slightly. "So what brings you here today? Since Senior Brother Bo Yu isn't available, I'll try to help you to the best of my abilities." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Though you may find me a bit lacking compared to Senior Brother Bo Yu."

  Yang quickly shook his head. "No, no, Senior Sister! It's not like that at all. It's just that Senior Brother was the first person I met in the outer sect hall and he helped me a lot. That's why I always seek him out first. Old habit."

  Senior Sister Wei Wei laughed and waved her hand. "I was just teasing you, Junior Brother. I know Senior Brother Bo Yu is always kind to us juniors and takes care of us. He's earned that loyalty."

  They both smiled in agreement, sharing appreciation for their helpful senior brother.

  Then Yang reached into his sleeve and pulled out a bundle of talisman papers tied with string. He set them on the counter. "Senior Sister, I was hoping to sell these here. Are you able to buy talismans?"

  Senior Sister Wei Wei's eyebrows rose with interest. She untied the string and began looking through the stack carefully. "Are they all illumination talismans?"

  "Yes, Senior Sister."

  She examined each one with a practiced eye, checking the talisman quality. "They are the most basic talismans," she said after a moment. "So they sell for very cheap. I may only be able to buy them for one point each."

  Yang nodded. He'd expected as much. Illumination talismans wouldn't fetch high prices.

  Wei Wei continued, "It's also unlikely you'll be able to directly sell them to other disciples since they hardly have any need for illumination talismans. Most disciples can create light with simple qi techniques or have better talismans or tools already." She set a few aside. "The sect usually transfers these talismans to our shops in nearby cities where they'll be bought by low-level rogue cultivators."

  She worked through the stack methodically, sorting them into two piles. When she finished, she pushed about one-fourth of them back toward Yang. "These are unfortunately not up to par. They're useable, but we need them to be perfect to sell. The inscription has to be flawless."

  Yang nodded, understanding. He knew some of the initial ones from each practice session weren't comparable to the later ones as he warmed up and got into the flow. He took the rejected talismans back and tucked them into his sleeve.

  Wei Wei looked at the remaining stack with approval. "These are well made. Very well made, actually." She looked up at Yang with genuine admiration. "You're advancing remarkably well in your talisman studies. I don't believe I would have been able to create something of this quality when I was as new to the sect as you are."

  Yang felt his face warm slightly. "Senior Sister, are you jesting?"

  Senior Sister Wei Wei shook her head firmly. "Yang, I speak the truth. I've been making talismans for years now. When I first started, it took me two months just to make a single complete illumination talisman. You've done it in weeks and are already producing them at this quality level. That's impressive."

  She pulled out a token and gestured for his. "May I have your token?"

  Yang handed it over. Senior sister Wei Wei pressed it against another token, likely the official token of the outer sect hall. There was a brief flash of light as the transaction recorded.

  She handed his token back. "I've transferred you one hundred twenty-seven points. As I said before I could only pay you one point per talisman since it is a rather basic talisman." She smiled encouragingly. "But if and when you make more advanced talismans, the sect can buy them off you for a higher price depending on the type and grade. And you may also be able to sell them directly to other disciples."

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  Yang's heart soared. One hundred twenty-seven points! That was significant. He now has enough points to purchase a proper cultivation technique.

  "Senior Sister, could I purchase a technique here?" he asked excited.

  Wei Wei shook her head. "That's not something sold at the outer sect hall. You have to go to the library. Even inner sect disciples need to go to the library to get further techniques apart from the general qi absorption one everyone receives."

  "I understand. Thank you, Senior Sister." Yang bowed gratefully. "You've been very helpful."

  "Good luck with your cultivation, Junior Brother. I look forward to seeing what talismans you create as you advance."

  Yang took his leave and started making his way to Senior Brother Xu Wei's cave residence on Taihe Peak. It had almost been two months since the senior brother left on his mission. Yang had been going there daily to water the herbs, watching them grow and mature under his care. Some were almost ready for harvest now while others still needed more time.

  He walked leisurely, enjoying the atmosphere of the sect in the morning. Disciples moving between peaks. The sound of weapons practice from the training grounds. The chirping of birds.

  He reached the cave residence and his token easily let him pass through the formation around it. He moved toward the spirit herb garden and activated the Qi Dew Watering technique.

  The hand seals formed automatically. Second nature now. His qi flowed smoothly from his palms, drawing moisture from the air. The droplets fell like gentle dew across the herb beds, each plant receiving exactly the right amount of water.

  He was done watering and about to make his way out when he noticed movement with the corner of his eye. A figure emerging from the cave residence. Yang turned, and his eyes widened.

  Senior Brother Xu Wei was back.

  "Senior Brother!" Yang called out, bowing respectfully. "Welcome back!"

  Xu Wei returned the greeting with a slight bow. He looked different. More weathered. But his expression was relaxed..

  "How have you been, Senior Brother?" Yang asked. "I hope your hunt was successful."

  Xu Wei's lips curved into a slight smile. "Hunt? Oh, yes. More than expected, actually. Much more than expected."

  He walked over to the herb garden and examined the plants carefully. Running his hands gently over leaves. Checking the soil moisture. Inspecting for any signs of disease or pest damage.

  After a long moment, he straightened and looked at Yang. "You took care of the herbs very well. I just came back late last night and was greatly pleased to see how responsibly you handled the task. These herbs are in perfect condition. Better than when I left, actually."

  Yang felt warmth spread through his chest at the praise. "Thank you, Senior Brother. I tried my best."

  "It shows." Xu Wei pulled out his identity token. "Take out your token."

  Yang did so, and Xu Wei touched his token to Yang's. There was a brief pulse of qi as the transfer completed. "I've transferred your points, Junior Brother. You did very well. Better than I expected when I first hired you."

  Yang took back his token and tucked it into his sleeve. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Brother. It was an honor to help you."

  Xu Wei returned the bow. "The honor was mine. You're reliable. If I need someone to tend the herbs again in the future, I'll seek you out first."

  Yang thanked him again and took his leave, making his way out through the formation.

  Once he was a bit away from the cave residence, out of sight behind some spirit trees, Yang quickly pulled out his token to check how much the senior brother had given him. His eyes widened and a broad smile spread across his face.

  It was more than expected. Much more.

  According to his count of how many days he'd watered the plants, including when Senior Brother was there and Yang watered under his supervision, he should receive sixty-seven points. But Senior Brother had given him a full eighty points. Thirteen extra points as a bonus for good work.

  With this and his previous one hundred twenty-seven points from selling his talismans, he now had a total of two hundred and seven points.

  Two hundred and seven!

  It felt incredible finally having a substantial amount of points. Enough to purchase a good cultivation technique and still have points left over for other things, he has heard from Ye Xuan that a good technique can be bought at around eighty to ninety points, since Ye Xuan has already bought one for himself a few weeks back.

  Yang was happy as he made his way to the library. His steps were light. His mood buoyant. Life in White Cloud Sect was good.

  As he approached the library, he saw Elder Shi Yichen sitting at his usual desk near the entrance. The elder looked up as Yang approached and entered.

  Yang saluted respectfully. "Elder Shi, good morning. I would like to access the upper floors to purchase a cultivation technique."

  Elder Shi Yichen regarded him calmly. "How many points do you have?"

  "Two hundred seven, Elder." Yang couldn't quite keep the pride out of his voice.

  The elder's eyebrows rose slightly. Impressed, perhaps, that a new disciple had accumulated so many points so quickly. "Hmm. Is there a specific type you're looking for?"

  Yang hesitated. He'd thought about this, but he honestly didn't know enough about different cultivation techniques to have a strong preference. "No, Elder. I just want to look through what's available. I need a main cultivation technique, but I'm not sure what to get. I would like to see what's on offer first before making a decision."

  Elder Shi nodded approvingly. "A wise approach. Too many young disciples rush to purchase the first technique with a fancy name they see without proper consideration." He pulled out the library's official token and touched it to Yang's. "The upper floors are where the techniques are stored. You may go there and look through what's available in your point range. Bring back any techniques that come under your points budget."

  He paused, then added kindly, "You're also welcome to not take any if you find a more expensive one more suitable for you. You can come back empty-handed and wait until you gain enough points to get that one. There's no shame in patience. Better to save for the right technique than settle for a mediocre one."

  Yang bowed deeply. "Thank you for the advice, Elder Shi. I appreciate your wisdom."

  The elder waved him through. "Go on. Take your time. The techniques aren't going anywhere."

  Yang made his way deeper into the library, heading toward the stairs that led to the upper floors he'd never been permitted to access before. His heart beating faster with excitement.

  He was about to choose what would likely be his main cultivation technique. The method he would practice potentially for the rest of his life.

  This was a significant moment. A turning point.

  Yang climbed the stairs, already excited at the prospect of finding what would shape his future as a cultivator.

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