Yun Jin carefully put away the pills she had refined over the past month, then summoned Gu Jinghong to her side.
Gu Jinghong's cultivation had now fully stabilized. Though he was only at the early stage of Nascent Soul, it was just barely sufficient for now.
Yun Jin still wasn't capable of refining fourth-grade pills. Once she broke through to the Nascent Soul stage herself, she could likely guide her senior brother, senior sister, and Gu Jinghong through rapid advancement.
But for now, they would have to wait a little longer.
After all, refining pills that surpassed one's current stage—even using simplified attempts to force success—still came at a heavy cost when done in bulk.
Although her Emotional Value had accumulated to a decent level, there were far too many things demanding its use. It was still not enough.
Thinking about the Emotional Value reminded Yun Jin of something. She entered the system interface and promptly claimed the reward for reducing the protagonist couple's Luck Value. At the moment, the male lead's Luck Value remained stuck at 90, while the female lead's stayed fixed at 60. Yun Jin could only claim the first-stage reward.
She had assumed the reward would be Emotional Value alone, varying only in amount. But when she saw what she had actually received, Yun Jin was pleasantly surprised.
[Reward: Advanced Simplification: 20 uses.]
[Reward: Insight Eye. This skill allows you to view the Luck Value of a selected target. Currently limited to once per month.]
[The host's Thousand Veil Perception Technique resonates with the Insight Eye skill. Host may choose to integrate Insight Eye into the technique. Proceed with integration?]
[Ten... nine... eight...]
The system had already started its countdown.
Yun Jin considered it for a moment, then said, "Integrate."
A warm current swept through her. Yun Jin felt a subtle change in her Thousand Mechanism Sense Technique.
Luck was a vague and elusive concept. Apart from the legendary artifacts owned by the Four Holy Lands, there were hardly any known methods to observe it.
The Thousand Veil Perception Technique only allowed one to sense qi fluctuations—it never touched on Luck itself.
But now, Yun Jin possessed the ability to view it directly.
Even if it could only be used once a month for now.
Still, this was only the first-stage reward. As the male and female leads' Luck Values continued to fall, more stages of rewards would unlock. The Insight Eye skill would likely evolve further.
To Yun Jin, the greatest value of this skill lay in recruiting disciples.
The nature of her system made it obvious: the more disciples she had, the more advantages it gave her. While forcibly acquiring servants might yield a similar effect, Yun Jin wouldn't compel someone kind-hearted into such a role.
As for those with malicious intent, she wouldn't degrade herself by keeping them around as servants either.
Cases like Gu Jinghong were incredibly rare.
So Yun Jin's main focus would still be on taking in disciples.
With the Insight Eye, she could identify those with exceptional Luck and take them under her wing. Doing so wouldn't just help her—it would also benefit the overall fortune of the Tianxing Sect.
This skill had to be used wisely.
Next time she came across someone whose engagement had been annulled, or a genius who had inexplicably fallen from grace, or even someone whose spiritual roots had been dug out and thrown into a demonic abyss—she'd give them a closer look.
While Yun Jin was lost in thought, Gu Jinghong had already arrived. He didn't speak or interrupt, merely stood quietly and respectfully.
Yun Jin lifted her gaze and offered a faint smile. "Gu Jinghong, I'm heading out on a long journey."
Gu Jinghong responded without hesitation. "Master, I'll prepare immediately."
Yun Jin quickly stopped him. "I'll be traveling with someone else this time. You won't be coming with me."
Someone else?
Gu Jinghong's expression darkened slightly, a hint of grievance surfacing. "Is it Ye Cheng?"
Yun Jin replied, "…Ye Cheng is also staying behind at the Tianxing Sect."
That made Gu Jinghong feel a little better. He quickly added, "Master, ever since Ye Cheng arrived at the Tianxing Sect, he's never gone down the mountain. He's completely clueless about worldly affairs. It's wise of you not to take him along. He'd just hold you back. But I'm different. You know how little Zhao Wuji values me. I've spent most of my time outside the sect doing missions to earn contribution points. I'm familiar with the outside world—I can help you handle things. Please, Master, allow me to accompany you."
Yun Jin studied Gu Jinghong for a moment.
In normal circumstances, bringing him along wouldn't be a problem. He'd provide both combat support and familiarity with the world beyond.
But this time, she had specific tasks to complete, and she truly couldn't take him along.
"I'm leaving you behind for a reason," Yun Jin said calmly. "There's something else I need you to do."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Gu Jinghong was clearly reluctant, but he bowed in obedience. "Yes, Master."
"Come with me," Yun Jin said as she rose to her feet.
Gu Jinghong immediately followed.
Yun Jin had already informed Yue Zhao ahead of time. They met up outside the sect, then headed straight to the market district.
"Senior Brother, will these pills be enough for you to operate with for a while?" Yun Jin asked.
"More than enough," Yue Zhao said with confidence and pride. "Xiao Jin, you have no idea. You're already a big name in the market. Although Pavilion Master Chen Changrong found out we're not from some top-tier sect or Holy Land, word has spread that you're someone highly regarded by Senior Qing Yun. After Qi Yu descended the mountain, he personally vouched for you, saying you're destined to become a ninth-grade alchemist. With that kind of backing, your pills have skyrocketed in value."
With those pills opening up new trade channels and building up initial capital, Yue Zhao could finally unleash his full potential. During the month Yun Jin had spent in seclusion, Yue Zhao had transplanted all sorts of modern commercial tactics into this still-primitive cultivation marketplace. The impact was overwhelming.
To put it bluntly, Yue Zhao now controlled half of the market. Of course, what he truly enjoyed was the thrill of making money. Every bit of profit he earned, he mentally tallied as belonging to Yun Jin in the future.
"Come on, let me give you a tour of my market."
Once they entered the market district, Yue Zhao didn't bother disguising himself. He walked in confidently, his real face on full display.
As soon as he stepped inside, the vendors nearby all greeted him enthusiastically.
Yue Zhao responded like a spring breeze, chatting with them warmly as he introduced the place to Yun Jin and Gu Jinghong.
"This is the Nícháng Pavilion. It's inspired by the elegance of feathered garments and flowing dresses. They sell trendy outfits here, especially popular among female cultivators.
This building by the river is the Linjiang Pavilion. They serve exotic dishes and sometimes even hold performances. Right now, I think someone's telling stories."
Yun Jin listened for a moment.
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don't you dare bully the poor youth."
Yun Jin blinked.
A modified xianxia version of that old saying?
Gu Jinghong, meanwhile, was already engrossed. He even clenched his fists along with the storyteller, totally immersed.
Yue Zhao chuckled proudly. "And this is just the beginning. I've got plenty more unique ventures. I plan to expand to other markets too. My goal is to incorporate the entire cultivation world into my commercial domain!"