Cultivation begins with earning spirit stones

Chapter 54 Farewell to Shangqing

Behind him, Zhao Yuanqing and several other fellow disciples also ran out.

"Senior Brother Zhang!" Zhao Yuanqing's eyes reddened as soon as he saw Zhang Lin. "Your shop has been closed for over two months without a word. We all thought you... we all thought you..."

"You thought I was dead?" Zhang Lin smiled. "Don't worry, you're not dead."

Zhao Yuanqing wiped his eyes and muttered, "Senior brother, you didn't even leave a message. We've been waiting anxiously at the temple."

"Senior Brother Qi said you might have gone to the Danxia Sect, and told us not to worry, but you've been gone for over two months without even a word..."

Zhang Lin felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to rub his head.

"It was my fault. Next time I go out, I will definitely leave a message for you."

Zhao Yuanqing then stopped crying and started laughing, pulling on his sleeve and chattering about what had happened at the temple over the past two months.

Which senior brother broke through to a higher level? Which junior brother got scolded? What new and exciting things have arrived at the market down the mountain?

Zhang Lin listened, nodding occasionally, but felt a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both feelings and reflections).

These fellow disciples, though not highly skilled or knowledgeable, lived simple and happy lives.

Every day, they would ring the morning bell and beat the evening drum, meditate and cultivate themselves, go down the mountain to gather herbs, and then return to refine elixirs.

Although life was simple and frugal, it was also carefree.

He probably won't have days like that again.

Inside the main hall.

Zhang Lin and Qi Yuntian sat facing each other.

The hall enshrines the Three Pure Ones, with incense smoke curling and sandalwood fragrance wafting through the air.

Qi Yuntian poured him a cup of tea and pushed it in front of him.

"Tell me, where have you been for the past two months?"

Zhang Lin sat down opposite him, pondered for a moment, and said, "Senior Brother Qi, I have come back for two reasons: first, to say goodbye, and second, to tell you something."

Qi Yuntian was taken aback: "Saying goodbye?"

"Yes." Zhang Lin nodded. "I am about to join the Danxia Sect. Someone will come to pick me up soon. The journey to Yunmeng Continent is long, and I don't know when I will be able to return."

Qi Yuntian remained silent for a moment, then a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

"Danxia Sect... one of the nine great sects. It's a good thing that Junior Brother Zhang was able to join it."

He paused, then said, "When you first came up the mountain, I knew you were no ordinary person, and I was right."

Zhang Lin shook his head: "Senior Brother Qi, you flatter me. If it weren't for the temple taking me in, I wouldn't be where I am today."

He took out a jade bottle from his storage bag and handed it over.

"This is......"

"Twelve top-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills," Zhang Lin said. "These are the ones I refined over the past few months, and I'm leaving them for the temple."

Qi Yuntian's expression changed.

Top-grade Qi-Nourishing Pill.

One piece is worth hundreds of spirit stones, and twelve pieces would be worth thousands of spirit stones.

This gift is far too generous.

"Junior Brother Zhang, this..." Qi Yuntian declined, "It's too precious, the temple can't accept it."

"Senior Brother Qi, there's no need to refuse." Zhang Lin placed the jade bottle in his hand. "When I first entered the temple, I had nothing. It was the temple that gave me a place to stay. I will always remember this kindness."

He paused, then added, "There's one more thing."

Qi Yuntian looked at him.

"There is a spiritual spring cave in Black Wind Mountain, rich in spiritual energy, which can aid in cultivation."

Zhang Lin provided detailed information about the exact location of Lingquan Cave.

"The Spirit Spring was taken from the Black Wind Society by Senior Brother Lin. Now that he and I are about to leave, we will leave the Spirit Spring to the temple as a foundation."

"Senior Brother Qi may take his fellow disciples to cultivate there, but they must act cautiously and keep quiet."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuntian stood up, straightened his clothes, and solemnly bowed.

"Junior brother, please convey our gratitude to Senior Brother Lin. Shangqing Temple will remember this kindness."

Zhang Lin quickly stood up to help him up: "Senior Brother Qi, there's no need for that. Senior Brother Lin doesn't care about these material possessions anyway, since they're all unclaimed."

Qi Yuntian straightened up, looked at Zhang Lin, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Junior Brother Zhang, I am deeply grateful. If you ever need anything in the future, the entire Shangqing Temple will do its utmost to help you."

Zhang Lin nodded and then said, "There is one more thing I need to trouble Senior Brother Qi with."

"Please speak, junior brother."

"I want to buy all the medicinal herbs that my fellow disciples have collected over the past few months, regardless of their age or quality."

Qi Yuntian was taken aback: "You want them all? That's no small amount. My fellow disciples and I have been gathering herbs on the mountain for the past few months and have accumulated quite a lot. Even if we sell them at the market, it will take several days to sell them."

"It's alright." Zhang Lin took out a cloth bag from his storage bag and placed it on the table. "This contains one thousand spirit stones. If it's not enough, I'll make up the difference."

Qi Yuntian looked at the bag of spirit stones, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded.

"I'll go and gather my fellow disciples right away."

Before long, a dozen or so Taoist priests gathered in the courtyard outside the main hall.

They were all at the early stage of Qi Refining, some older and some younger, and all disciples of the temple.

Before them were medicine baskets and cloth bags filled with all sorts of medicinal herbs.

Linglan grass, Sanyeqing, Juqi grass, Ninglu flower, Huiqi fruit, Lingshen... all vary in appearance and age, some are fresh, some are half-dried.

Zhang Lin inspected each herb, categorized and stored them, and calculated their market value.

"This spirit orchid is three years old, of medium quality, and worth three spirit stones."

"This three-leafed green plant is five years old, of excellent quality, and worth five spirit stones."

"This Qi-restoring fruit, ten years old, of medium quality, is worth twelve spirit stones."

......

He was generous, offering a price 10% higher than the market price.

The fellow apprentices were all beaming with joy and thanked them repeatedly.

In less than half an hour, all the medicinal herbs were sold out.

Zhang Lin counted the money again and found that he had paid more than 1,030 spirit stones, which was more than he had expected.

He didn't mind, and took out another thirty spirit stones from his storage bag and added them in.

Qi Yuntian watched from the side, feeling a mix of emotions.

This junior brother Zhang is generous and acts with great style; he is indeed no ordinary person.

After the acquisition was completed, the fellow apprentices dispersed.

Zhao Yuanqing did not leave, but stood aside, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

Zhang Lin glanced at him: "Yuanqing, just say what you have to say."

Zhao Yuanqing hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Senior Brother Zhang, you...you're really leaving?"

"Yes."

"Then...can I come back in the future?"

"I will come back when I have time."

Zhao Yuanqing lowered his head, his eyes slightly red.

Zhang Lin looked at him, a slight stirring in his heart.

This junior brother is kind-hearted and has great potential.

He took a longsword out of his storage bag and handed it over.

The sword is three feet long, its blade gleaming with a faint blue light, and its hilt is engraved with runes, its spiritual light restrained.

Inferior Buddhist implements.

"This sword is a gift to you. Cultivate diligently and do not waste this spiritual spring and elixirs."

Zhao Yuanqing took the longsword, his eyes reddening even more.

"Senior Brother Zhang..."

"Go ahead." Zhang Lin waved his hand. "A man doesn't easily shed tears. Don't act like a child."

Zhao Yuanqing rubbed his eyes, hugged his longsword, and nodded heavily.

"Senior Brother Zhang, I will definitely cultivate diligently and live up to your expectations!"

After saying that, he turned and ran away.

Zhang Lin watched his retreating figure and shook his head.

In the main hall, only he and Qi Yuntian remained.

"Senior Brother Qi," Zhang Lin stood up, "it's getting late, I should go."

Qi Yuntian also stood up: "I'll see you off."

The two walked out of the main hall, crossed the courtyard, and arrived at the mountain gate.

The setting sun had completely shone down, illuminating the mountains and making everything shine.

Zhang Lin stood in front of the mountain gate, looking back at Shangqing Temple.

Morning bells and evening drums, wisps of smoke rising from the air.

Ancient trees reach for the sky, and palaces stand in rows.

He spent his initial days after his transmigration here.

From the early stage of Qi Refining to the middle stage, from having nothing to becoming wealthy.

Now, it's time to leave.

"Junior Brother Zhang," Qi Yuntian said steadily from behind him, "Take care on your journey."

Zhang Lin turned around, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Take care, Senior Brother Qi; take care, fellow disciples."

He turned around and started walking down the mountain.

Behind me, the sound of evening drums could be heard.

"Thump—thump—thump—"

The sound of drums echoed through the mountains, lingering for a long time.

Poems are sung:

I once lay my broken body by the ancient roadside, observing the passing years amidst the grass and trees.

After seventy days, the spiritual spring is clear and pure; after a hundred refinements, the elixir is made and the cauldron is fragrant.

The gift of a sword is not merely a token of gratitude to an old friend; the search for truth requires no inquiry into whereabouts.

Looking back from the mountain gate, the evening mist and clouds seem to rise, and the drums sound like thunderclaps across the vast wilderness.