"Since this is a task from the Master, I will gladly lay down my life for it!"
After a moment of hesitation, Qi Yun rose and cupped his hands, accepting the assignment to act as bait.
'This kid... knows what's good for him!'
Seeing Qi Yun agree, a flash of satisfaction appeared in Zheng Yi's eyes, and the smile on his face widened. He was just about to rise and take his leave when he saw the junior cultivator from the Outer Mansion—the very one who had just pledged his loyalty—straighten his back. The young man's face held a look of hesitation, a mixture of bashfulness and misery.
"It's just... Senior Brother, you see."
Qi Yun wrung his hands, his voice laced with embarrassment, but his eyes were exceptionally sincere as he looked at Zheng Yi. "My cultivation is low, and I have no backing to rely on. Life in the Outer Mansion is a real struggle for me. I live... quite frugally."
"Now that I've been fortunate enough to gain the Master's favor with this important task, I naturally wouldn't dare to be the least bit negligent. And I certainly can't... bring shame upon the Master."
"So... Senior Brother, you see... about that... right...?" He trailed off, but the gesture of rubbing his fingers together and his meaningful gaze made his intentions perfectly clear.
'I'll be the bait, sure, but you've got to sweeten the deal first.'
Zheng Yi understood instantly. He might have the appearance of a scholar, but after decades of clawing his way up in the Demon Sect, how could he not recognize this little ploy?
'Whatever. Even a condemned man gets a last meal. I am asking him to put his life on the line, after all...'
Maintaining his gentle expression, he nodded and said:
"Mm, what you say is reasonable."
"Tell me, what do you want?"
"As long as it isn't excessive, I'll do my best to procure it for you."
'Well then, I won't hold back.'
Upon hearing this, a thoughtful look immediately appeared on Qi Yun's face. He then said forthrightly:
"My cultivation is shallow. I can't use anything too profound or mystical; it would just be a waste."
"If it's convenient for you, Senior Brother, three to five thousand Holy Essence would be fine. I can go to the Treasure Market myself and purchase some suitable items."
"How much? Three to five thousand?"
Zheng Yi burst out laughing in exasperation and couldn't stop his voice from rising.
"What do you take me for? One of those chosen geniuses with overflowing talent and unlimited support from the Sect?"
"Oh, you're not...?" Qi Yun asked in feigned surprise, his expression utterly sincere.
"You... you little rascal..." Though he knew Qi Yun was just flattering him, Zheng Yi still felt a pleasant warmth spread through him. He fought to keep his lips from curling into a smile and said sternly:
"Holy Essence is hard currency. Besides a Master, very few people have that much on hand."
His gaze swept over Qi Yun, and sensing the smoothly circulating True Qi within him, he changed the subject.
"I can see your foundation is stable and your True Qi is abundant. You must have already reached the Qi Refining Third Layer."
"As it happens, I have a Magical Artifact from my early years in the Outer Mansion, one that I had to scrimp and save Holy Essence for a long time to afford..."
As he spoke, he flipped his palm over, and a brilliant, emerald-green Flowing Light suddenly flared to life!
A three-foot-long Flying Sword materialized from thin air. Its entire body looked as if it were carved from a single piece of rare jadeite, translucent and shimmering with a faint Treasure Light. A heart-stopping sharpness emanated from its edge.
"This sword is named Bikong." Zheng Yi gently caressed the blade, a look of fond remembrance and reluctance in his eyes. "It cuts through iron as if it were mud and is nigh indestructible. Ordinary Refined Steel is like rotten wood before it."
"When infused with True Qi, it can project a Sword Aura ten feet long, allowing you to take an enemy's head from a hundred feet away as easily as reaching into your pocket. It is truly an Upper Grade offensive weapon!"
"Though I no longer have a use for it, I've always kept it as a prized possession..."
"Today, I shall lend it to you for your protection!"
He held the sword, Bikong, out to Qi Yun, but his eyes remained glued to the blade. He urged him repeatedly, "You must take good care of it. Don't... don't let it down!"
"Rest assured, Senior Brother. I will cherish it and use it with care. I will not let you down." Taking the Magic Sword that shimmered with Treasure Light, Qi Yun suppressed his eagerly stirring Magic Technique Panel and spoke with great sincerity.
"Mm." Zheng Yi finally managed to tear his gaze away. He then took out a warm, pure white, shell-shaped Jade Talisman and handed it over. "This is a Communication Jade Talisman. Infuse it with True Qi to activate it, and you'll be able to contact me. Inform me immediately if anything happens."
With his instructions delivered, Zheng Yi turned to leave, his pace a little hurried.
"Ah, Senior Brother Zheng, please wait! I have one more question..." Qi Yun's voice rang out again.
"What is it now? I don't have any other Magical Artifacts," Zheng Yi said in a low voice, his brow furrowed.
"You misunderstand, Senior Brother. Now that I have this fine Magic Sword, how could I be so insatiably greedy as to ask for another Magical Artifact?"
"Actually, I was practicing the Skull Curse today, but I can never seem to grasp the final step, the one where you animate it with True Qi."
"Your cultivation is profound, Senior Brother. Could you possibly resolve my confusion?" Qi Yun asked, his face a picture of sincerity, like a diligent student eager for knowledge.
"Oh, is that all?" Hearing that Qi Yun was only asking for advice, Zheng Yi's stern expression softened considerably.
"Very well. I've cultivated the Skull Curse before. The final step... its key is both simple and difficult. Listen closely..."
With personal guidance from someone as experienced as Zheng Yi, a few short sentences cut straight to the heart of the problem.
The problem that had plagued Qi Yun for half a month, causing him to fail time and again, was pierced as easily as a paper screen.
HUMMM!
In the room, the newly animated, ghastly white skull now hovered obediently at Qi Yun's side. A ghostly green Soul Fire danced in its eye sockets, all of its previous violent frenzy gone.
With a slight nudge of his will, the skull moved as nimbly as his own hand, and the resentful aura it spewed could be controlled at will.
'A single word of true teaching is worth more than a thousand scrolls of nonsense.'
No matter how detailed the instructions on a Jade Talisman, they were no match for a single, crucial pointer from a master.
Seeing that Qi Yun had now mastered the Skull Curse, Zheng Yi let out a faint breath of Muddy Qi.
"Just keep practicing, and you'll gradually master its subtleties."
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll be..."
"Er... actually, to be honest, Senior Brother, there are a few things I don't understand about my Qi Refining Heart Method..."
Zheng Yi: "..."
The better part of the day had passed. Seeing the sky grow dim, Zheng Yi could restrain himself no longer. He ignored Qi Yun's repeated pleas for him to stay, forcibly yanked the corner of his Daoist Robe from the younger man's grasp, and offered a hasty farewell before striding away without a backward glance.
He was terrified that if he were a step slower, he'd be trapped again by the shameless fellow behind him, whose skin was thicker than a city wall.
"You should come by more often, Senior Brother～"
Qi Yun waved, watching until Zheng Yi's figure had completely vanished. The respectful, humble smile on his face slowly faded. With a flick of his wide sleeve, a gust of True Qi shot out and slammed the courtyard gate shut with a BANG.
Back in the main house, the Flying Sword, Bikong, lay quietly on the table, shimmering with Treasure Light. Beside it was a thick stack of papers, the ink still looking fresh.
These were the cultivation insights and essential points that Zheng Yi, pestered into helplessness, had been forced to dictate for him to hastily jot down during his "tutelage."
Lowering his gaze to these two items, Qi Yun suddenly grinned. He reached out, grabbed the Flying Sword, Bikong, and refined it in an instant.
'Be the bait?'
'Bait, my ass!'
...