Chapter 103: New Spirit Site

Smack!

Sang Lao didn't hold back and gave him a solid flick on the head.

"What nonsense are you spouting about the Wu Yu?"

"Are you at Xian Tian realm? Have you ever left Ling Gong? Have you even seen the outside world? Such bold claims!"

"I just told you to focus on cultivation and honestly play your role as a pawn, and here you are, talking back after a little encouragement—think you can start your own dye shop?"

Sang Lao grabbed Xu Xiaoshou by the ear, making him wince in pain, tears almost welling up.

"Let go!"

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned—this was definitely payback for that earlier hit!

It had to be!

He had finally mustered up some ambition for once, so how could it end like this? Shouldn't a master encourage his disciple's grand aspirations and pursuit of greatness?

How could anyone keep telling their disciple to just meekly be a pawn?

This was ridiculous!

Was Xu Xiaoshou the type to settle for mediocrity?

"I was wrong, just let go of me."

Under the roof, he had no choice but to bow his head, so Xu Xiaoshou backed down.

Sang Lao said sternly, "Keep that kind of talk bottled up inside from now on—don't say it out loud!"

"I only said it once..." Xu Xiaoshou grimaced, eyes squinted in pain as he pointed to his ear, "Let go."

Sang Lao finally released him and patted his ear. "Once is enough to get you killed. Remember that."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded like a pecking chick.

"Back at Tianxuan Men, what you said does make some sense—your foundation is indeed crucial."

"So, once you're in Tianxuan Men, head deeper in and find Hei Luo Ya. That place should help solidify your foundation, though the process..."

The old man flashed his familiar sly grin: "It might be a bit painful."

Xu Xiaoshou shivered. "What's this 'Hei Luo Ya' thing anyway?"

"Tianxuan Men is a small secret realm with lots of trial spots, and Hei Luo Ya is one of them."

"The water from the Hei Luo Waterfall there is incredibly heavy and infused with terrifying sword energy—it's just right for you, as long as you can tough it out."

"Of course, it's not mandatory. You could just pick any spot in Tianxuan Men to cultivate." Sang Lao was clearly trying to goad him.

Xu Xiaoshou paused, taken aback. If this old man thought it was scary, he didn't dare make any promises. "I'll think about checking it out."

Sang Lao rolled his eyes. Who was just talking about aiming for the Wu Yu? And now you're backing down?

With a wave of his hand, he produced a delicate jade slip and handed it over. "If you go to Hei Luo Ya, this should help with your training too."

"Of course, the most important thing is to break through to Xian Tian—don't forget that, or I won't be able to get you resources once you're out."

Xu Xiaoshou carefully took it—whatever this old man gave him, he wasn't always eager to try.

That "Jin Zhao Tian Fen" technique had nearly killed him before—what would this one bring?

But as he pressed the jade slip to his forehead, he froze.

"Shi Duan Jian Zhi?"

"The complete version?"

He looked at Sang Lao in shock. "Where did you get this?"

This was the very fragment that had caught his eye in the Ling Zang Ge that day. If Sang Lao hadn't shown up, he probably would have started practicing it.

Except now it was the full version, which was unbelievable.

Xu Xiaoshou knew the value of "Shi Duan Jian Zhi" well. Even just the concept of imbuing sword intent was something few could conceive.

If it had started as a fragment, hardly anyone could have restored it.

Unless they found the original creator...

And this jade slip looked so new—did Sang Lao actually know the original owner?

Without a word, Sang Lao gave the young man another flick on the head—he seemed to be getting addicted to it.

"These things aren't for you to worry about. Just cultivate properly, refine your pills obediently, and stop causing any more trouble, and I'll be satisfied!"

"Oh."

Xu Xiaoshou put away the jade slip and glanced at the large bathtub flipped over nearby. "So, shall we start refining?"

"I think I can extract the essence liquid in a few more tries."

He said this with full confidence—it was all about controlling the heat now.

After gaining "Culinary Mastery," the biggest hurdle was cleared; it was just a matter of getting familiar with the process.

But Sang Lao's mouth twitched. "Forget about refining for now. You can do that yourself once you find a spiritual site!"

"No way, I'm so close to succeeding!"

Xu Xiaoshou checked the sky—dusk was falling, and night was about to set in.

Just one night, and he could wrap this up. How could he give up now?

Sang Lao wasn't about to let him mess around anymore.

"Go refine somewhere else."

"Why?" Xu Xiaoshou was puzzled. He looked up at the big red pearl overhead. "It's nice and cool here."

Sang Lao said nothing.

Why? Don't you have any idea?

I'm still baffled how a Lian Ling Jiu realm like you could cause such destruction, but I have to admit, Xiao Qixiu was spot on.

You're nothing but a troublemaker!

I step away for a moment, and you nearly blow up the Ling Zang Ge just compressing a fire seed. If you actually start refining...

I don't even want to think about it.

Of course, Sang Lao kept these thoughts to himself—he wasn't going to let the boy get cocky.

"Head to the inner courtyard, find a new spiritual site, and tinker around there. Come back once you've extracted the essence liquid."

That got Xu Xiaoshou's attention right away. He picked up on the key word. "Inner courtyard?"

"That's right!"

"But officially, you're not an inner courtyard disciple yet, so you won't have the disciple token. That could be a problem for selecting a site..."

"Hmm, just use mine for now!"

As Sang Lao spoke, he turned back to rummage through the table for the token.

"Huh, where is it? I remember putting it on the table..."

Xu Xiaoshou awkwardly pulled a black-red token from his ring—he'd casually tossed it in there earlier.

"Is this it?"

Sang Lao turned around, surprised. "How did you end up with it?"

"The wind blew it to the ground—you didn't notice..." Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and changed the subject. "Wait, is this okay? Isn't this abusing power?"

Sang Lao laughed dismissively. "Abusing power? So what?"

"As the vice dean of Tian Sang Ling Gong, can't I let my own disciple train in the inner courtyard?"

"Truth be told, the status of an elder's direct disciple is way above that of an inner courtyard disciple!"

"Besides, you've already snagged a spot in Tianxuan Men, and now you're worried about abusing power?"

"I guess you're right..." Xu Xiaoshou scratched his head, impressed by the old man's authority.

In the eyes of those in power, these things really were trivial.

"So... for refining pills, I need a cauldron. That big one looks good—mind if I take it?"

"You're dreaming!"

In a flash, Sang Lao appeared in front of the three-legged bathtub and whisked it away. Then, from his ring, he slowly pulled out a slightly smaller one.

"Here, take this."

Xu Xiaoshou's face fell. "What grade is it?"

"Eighth grade."

"What about that big bathtub?" Xu Xiaoshou asked.

"Ever heard of Ming Jian?" Sang Lao grinned slyly. "Some cauldrons don't need a grade at all."

Xu Xiaoshou: ...

Damn it!

That three-legged bathtub was actually that impressive? He should have grabbed it first...

Cauldrons can be deceiving!