Free Web NovelChapter 72: Chapter 45: Western Dage True Gold
When Xuzhuang first set out on the path of seeking the Dao, he had imagined this day would come. He felt a hint of nostalgia, but no overwhelming sadness.
With his worldly ties severed, his resolve to seek the Dao only grew stronger. Xuzhuang rode a gentle breeze and, in just a short while, returned to the Tai Su Sect.
He had been gone for six years, and the Tai Su Sect was just as he remembered. Xuzhuang used his Wind-Riding Escape technique, heading straight for the Ministry of Affairs Hall.
Ever since Xuzhuang had formed his Golden Core, his cultivation had not yet truly hit a bottleneck. In fact, after experiencing some tribulations, his power had shown signs of boundless growth. While in the East Sea, he had expended some of his core’s power and had to unexpectedly end his seclusion to return to the Divine Continent before it was fully replenished.
Now that he was back in the sect, Xuzhuang was tempted to simply go into seclusion for a few decades and be done with it. But the stronger this urge, the more he knew he needed to get everything in order first. Thus, he couldn’t wait, heading straight for the Ministry of Affairs Hall.
Sixteen or seventeen years wasn’t long enough for the current generation of disciples to forget him. As Xuzhuang landed at the entrance, his escaping light dissipating to reveal his figure, many disciples coming and going looked up in surprise and quickly bowed in respect. Xuzhuang could only nod in response. Upon entering the main gate, he saw a familiar figure instructing several unfamiliar disciples on the duties of the Daoist Children.
A quick-witted Daoist Child, noticing Xuzhuang’s extraordinary, almost otherworldly bearing and the way many disciples bowed to him as he entered, quietly alerted the man. The figure, somewhat puzzled, turned to look, and a joyful expression immediately spread across his face.
Forgetting the matter at hand, Steward Zhu turned and took two steps forward. "Senior Brother Xu," he said with a chuckle, "it’s been a long time."
Xuzhuang clasped his hands in a salute. "Steward Zhu," he replied with a smile, "have you been well?"
Steward Zhu laughed heartily. "I’ve been very well! I was recently blessed with a son, and his innate talent is considered top-tier. I’m in an excellent mood!"
For a cultivator like Steward Zhu, who had only formed a Low Grade Golden Core, his path of cultivation was essentially at an end. His only hope for the rest of his life was to pass on his bloodline and Daoist techniques. To be blessed with a son, and one so gifted, was indeed a cause for great joy.
Xuzhuang was slightly surprised. "Then congratulations are in order, Steward," he said.
"Hahahaha, thank you, Senior Brother." Steward Zhu laughed again. "This way, Senior Brother," he said, gesturing for him to follow.
The main hall was noisy, so Steward Zhu led Xuzhuang inside to a back hall he had visited before. After they were seated, Steward Zhu said, "Senior Brother, it’s been over a decade since your last visit. Are you here to collect your provisions? I’ve already sent a child to fetch them for you."
As he spoke, he took the initiative to pour Xuzhuang a cup of Spirit Tea. He then added, "If you ask me, Senior Brother, as a Tai Su True Inheritance and a pillar of the Dao, your time is far too precious to be wasted on such mundane matters. It’s about time you found some Registered Disciples or Daoist Children to handle these things for you."
Xuzhuang accepted the tea and took a small sip. "You have a point, Steward," he said with a slight smile, "but I’ve come today for a few other matters as well."
"Oh? Please, go on, Senior Brother," said Steward Zhu.
"I need a large amount of Geng Metal for my cultivation," Xuzhuang said. "I wish to exchange for the entire surplus, whatever the Ministry of Affairs Hall has in stock."
"A large amount of Geng Metal?" Steward Zhu mused. "That material is not easy to extract, and many disciples need it for practicing Swordsmanship and other Daoist arts. The hall’s surplus isn’t very large."
Xuzhuang’s brow furrowed at his words, but then the steward continued, "However... the hall does have a block of Western Dage True Gold. It’s a substance formed from the very Essence of Geng Metal. I wonder if that would satisfy you, Senior Brother?"
"Oh? A Heavenly and Earthly Treasure like that would be even better!" Xuzhuang’s eyes lit up. "Please arrange the exchange for me, Steward. If I don’t have enough merit points, I have some Magical Artifacts and Spirit Pills I can trade in."
"Eh! What do you mean, not enough? Senior Brother, haven’t you checked your Merit Order?" Steward Zhu chuckled. "When you were promoted to a True Inheritance disciple, you were granted one hundred thousand merit points. Then there was the merit for representing the sect at the Taixuan Sect’s Meteor Dojo. Oh, and later, news came from Langhuan Tower that you contributed a Secret Technique. After their appraisal, it earned you another one hundred thousand merit points..."
"Please wait a moment, Senior Brother. The Western Dage True Gold is extremely heavy. I’ll go get it myself."
As he spoke, Steward Zhu quickly got up and hurried to a hall further back. He returned shortly, personally carrying a transparent container. Inside it, submerged in True Water, was the Western Dage True Gold.
Xuzhuang placed his Merit Order on the table, allowing Steward Zhu to deduct the merit points. He then opened the container’s lid himself. Instantly, an incredibly sharp aura burst forth, piercing even through the True Water.
’Excellent. Truly worthy of being a Heavenly and Earthly Treasure formed from the Essence of Geng Metal,’ Xuzhuang praised inwardly. He replaced the lid and put the Western Dage True Gold away.
"Is there any other business, Senior Brother?" Steward Zhu asked cheerfully as he placed Xuzhuang’s order back on the table after deducting the merit points.
"There are two more things," Xuzhuang said. "First, I’d like to exchange for more Sixth-Transformation Golden Cores. Second, I need to register a spirit beast that I’ve subdued."
"Oh? The Sixth-Transformation Golden Cores are simple enough," Steward Zhu said. "...Ahem, the hall has plenty in stock right now. I’ll need to keep some in reserve, but will two gourds containing thirty-two pills be enough for your cultivation, Senior Brother?"
Xuzhuang nodded slightly. "That will be enough."
Steward Zhu continued, "As for registering the spirit beast, that’s not actually under my jurisdiction. But no matter. I’ll have a child handle the registration for you, Senior Brother, and we can just send it over to the other steward in charge of it later."
"That works for me," Xuzhuang said.
So, Steward Zhu summoned two Daoist Children. He instructed one to fetch the Sixth-Transformation Golden Cores and ordered the other to take out a ledger to record the necessary information.
Steward Zhu asked, "Senior Brother, what species of demon is the spirit beast you’ve subdued?"
Xuzhuang replied, "The Jiao-dragon species."
The hand of the child holding the brush trembled. Steward Zhu was merely a little surprised and asked, "Has it gained sentience? And what is its cultivation level?"
Xuzhuang replied, "It has gained sentience. Its cultivation is at the Demon Pill realm."
The child’s brushstroke went completely awry. He hastily flipped two pages, composed himself, and started recording again with great care. Steward Zhu, too, was startled. "This... are you sure you’ve truly subdued it? What method did you use?"
"But of course..."
Since this involved a demonic beast comparable to a Golden Core cultivator, Steward Zhu didn’t dare be careless. He asked about every detail, one by one. Xuzhuang showed no impatience, answering each question in turn. Soon, the child had filled an entire volume. Only then was the initial registration complete, and Steward Zhu sent him hurrying off to the other steward’s office to have the official record made.
By this time, the other two Daoist Children had already returned. One held the provisions allotted to a True Inheritance disciple, while the other held the two gourds of Sixth-Transformation Golden Cores. Both stood obediently to the side, holding wooden trays. Once Steward Zhu had finished handing the items over to Xuzhuang, they began to chat idly.
Steward Zhu was just speaking about his youngest son’s aptitude, saying he was the most talented of the twenty-one children borne by his sixteen wives and concubines, and that he wanted to find a good master for him. Xuzhuang simply smiled without replying. Just then, the Daoist Child ran in from outside, panting for breath. He had clearly run as fast as he could without a moment’s rest. With both hands, he presented a Jade Contract—the official proof of registration for a spirit beast of the Tai Su Sect.
Xuzhuang accepted the Jade Slip and thanked the Daoist Child. The child, flattered and flustered, repeatedly insisted he was unworthy of such thanks. Xuzhuang simply smiled and asked, "What is your name?"
"Feng Xiangxian," the child replied.
Xuzhuang nodded. He took some Scattered Spirit Stones from his sleeve, placed them in the Daoist Child’s hands, and said with a smile, "Cultivate well."
Xuzhuang straightened up, clasped his hands in a salute to Steward Zhu, and said, "Steward Zhu, I’ve troubled you again today. I have other important matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."
"Not at all, not at all. It’s my duty," Steward Zhu chuckled. "I’ll see you out, Senior Brother."
Xuzhuang had no objection, simply smiling and nodding. After Steward Zhu escorted him to the door, Xuzhuang summoned his escaping light and flew off toward his next destination—a truly vital location within the Tai Su Sect.
