Where did this come from?
"This Jade..."
Luo Qifang examined it for a while. Judging from its outline and shape, it indeed seemed to be his family's ancestral Jade.
There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it.
"So, is it or isn't it?"
"Hmm..." Luo Qifang nodded. "Since that's the case, you can deal with this thieving rat as you see fit. But this creature is cunning and ferocious; don't believe its words too easily. This place is within the boundaries of Gu Yun Mountain, so it would be best if you handed it over to the Sword Sect of Gu Yun Mountain."
Having said that, Luo Qifang gave Wang Mu a cupped-hands salute. "Sir, you helped me retrieve my ancestral Jade. May I ask what you wish for in return?"
Wang Mu pondered for a few seconds.
He lived comfortably in Anle Village, gradually cultivating, without a care for food or drink.
Though there were no entertainment activities, just feeling himself grow stronger every day meant he didn't really need such diversions.
Luo Qifang seemed to see Wang Mu's hesitation, so he spoke up,
"I see that you are dignified and talented, and with such exceptional skill, you even managed to catch a Jinmao Rat. If you don't disdain it, you could come to the Luo family in Black Wood Town."
"Though the Luo family is not a large and wealthy clan, we do possess some basic Cultivation Methods. Two years from now, the Immortal Sect on Gu Yun Mountain will open its doors widely. You can join the Immortal Sect along with me."
Wang Mu was dressed plainly, in the attire of an ordinary villager.
Luo Qifang was not clear on how the other managed to catch the Jinmao Rat or how he retrieved the Jade from it.
That's not important. What's important is that to accomplish these things, one must possess unique abilities.
Yet he didn't seem to be a cultivator.
"That's not necessary," Wang Mu waved his hand. "Did you say you have Cultivation Methods?"
"Yes, but they're not any Skills for Cultivation. Those are only available within Immortal Sects." Luo Qifang shook his head. "Our Luo family is not a Cultivation Family, just some rudimentary Qi-channeling methods used for body strengthening and martial arts self-defense."
Wang Mu sized up Luo Qifang from head to toe.
"So you are..."
Goodness, isn't he himself a cultivator in the Qi Cultivation Stage?
Without any Skills, how did he manage to cultivate?
"That..." Luo Qifang thought for a moment. "I just practiced those Qi-channeling methods and somehow unwittingly entered the Qi Cultivation Stage. I don't quite understand it myself."
"..." Wang Mu.
Was this guy a genius?
Oh right, the Golden Rat mentioned earlier that this Luo Qifang has what's called a Top-grade Fire Spirit Root, coupled with a True Flame Bone Body.
That must be pretty impressive, right?
Qi Cultivation Stage, huh.
The Hundred Refinement Body Technique given by Yan Qingwu was supposed to be cultivated to one hundred layers before one could enter the Qi Cultivation Stage...
And I haven't even met the cultivation requirements yet!
"Just give me something as a token of appreciation," Wang Mu said offhandedly.
Luo Qifang nodded, took out a pouch, and began to pull out items.
"My family's ancestral Jade is priceless; I really don't know how to repay you."
"Let me see, I brought several hundred taels of silver on me."
"A few newly purchased Spirit Stones."
"Some Light Body Talismans, used for chasing and traveling."
"Ancestral Tiger Crane Seven Forms, Turtle Breath Cultivation Method."
"A Jade Scroll of the Fireball Technique that I've already studied."
"Several sets of robes from Jade Embroidery Workshop worth twenty taels."
"..."
Luo Qifang took everything out in one go and handed them to Wang Mu. "Compared to my family's ancestral Jade, these are still of lesser value... I hope you won't look down on them."
Wang Mu looked at the assortment of items and was at a loss for words for a moment.
This guy seems a little strange.
As Wang Mu remained silent, Luo Qifang's expression changed repeatedly. Seemingly unable to restrain himself any longer, he took out something else from his bosom.
"This is a Phoenix embroidered jade hairpin, valued at 300 taels."
"This is all I have on me."
"..." Wang Mu.
Wang Mu glanced at the jade hairpin. He noted its exquisite craftsmanship and the few small characters engraved on it; it was clearly not an ordinary jade hairpin.
He laughed and said,
"Was this for your sweetheart?"
All these things, and yet this one was brought out last.
"That…" Luo Qifang's face turned slightly red. "This is a personal affair. I'd rather not disclose it; I just want to repay a favor."
"Alright then." Wang Mu looked at the jade hairpin for a few moments, smiled faintly, and pointed at it. "I don't want the rest; I'll just take this one."
"..." Luo Qifang.
"Friend, think it over…" Luo Qifang hurriedly said. "All the other items are worth a fortune, this mere jade hairpin of 300 taels…"
"I want this. Will you give it or not?"
Luo Qifang fell silent for a few seconds, then with a pained expression, handed over the jade hairpin.
Seeing this, Wang Mu laughed; this fellow was quite interesting.
To say he's somewhat foolish, yet he was able to track me all the way here, he definitely isn't stupid.
But if he wasn't foolish, and he didn't want to give it away, he shouldn't have taken it out in the first place.
"Forget it, forget it…" Wang Mu picked the two Cultivation Methods from the items. "I'll just take these. These two are the most valuable ones, right?"
Luo Qifang immediately said with great joy, "Exactly, exactly! These two, especially the former, are my Luo family's ancestral methods for strengthening the body. Though not as precious as the Jade, they are still very useful!"
He happily put the jade hairpin away.
"Alright, it's late. Let's part ways here!" Wang Mu cupped his fist. "If fate allows, we will meet again."
"If fate allows, we will meet again!" Luo Qifang packed his things, and with a few darting movements, he and his companions disappeared into the night.
"Quite interesting." Wang Mu looked at Luo Qifang's fading figure, then shifted his gaze to the Jinmao Rat and said in a laid-back manner, "Little rascal, now we should talk about you."
"Hmph." The Jinmao Rat was lying in the Beast Capture Net, with his legs jauntily crossed, saying, "What's there to talk about? I'll just tell you the secret."
"I have a few questions," Wang Mu said. "You answer me first."
"Spit it out."
"You said that Luo Qifang has a Top-grade Fire Spirit Root and True Flame Bone Body; how did you see that?" Wang Mu asked.
"Heard it from folks in Black Wood Town," the Jinmao Rat replied languidly.
"Impossible!" Wang Mu slowly said. "If you heard it from the people of Black Wood Town, then Luo Qifang's Constitution and Spirit Vein would've been discovered by those from the Immortal Sect long ago."
"The Sword Sect atop Gu Yun Mountain, besides opening its doors to recruit disciples once a decade, also visits nearby villages and towns at regular intervals."
"With such a Spirit Root and True Flame Bone Body, he would probably have been discovered and taken to the Immortal Sect!"
"How could he possibly be out capturing you?"
"Oh?" The Jinmao Rat blinked, giving Wang Mu a surprised glance. "Didn't think you had some smarts, kid."
"Moreover, from what I just saw, it seemed Luo Qifang himself didn't know he possesses the Top-grade Fire Spirit Root and True Flame Bone Body. He doesn't even understand how he entered the Qi Cultivation Stage."
"How do you know?" Wang Mu stared at the Jinmao Rat.
This rat was obviously not ordinary.
The rat fell silent.
"If you're not going to talk, then you're not leaving today." Wang Mu smiled faintly, tightening the Beast Capture Net.
"LOOSEN, LOOSEN, LOOSEN!" the Jinmao Rat cried out. "Fine, I'll talk, but you have to swear not to blabber about it to anyone else. This is my secret!"
Wang Mu pointed towards the sky, taking an oath,
"I swear, if the secret you share with me today is known by a second person, may lightning strike me down and may I not die a good death."
The Jinmao Rat nodded, stood up, and with a change in demeanor, suddenly said with an air of arrogance,
"I am a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Beast, the Green-eyed Golden-furred Rat, born with the Divine Skill: Wisdom Eye. I can see through the hidden Qi Fortune of others."