Location: Myriad Treasures Hall, Skyclear City - Material Ascension
The vast atrium of the Myriad Treasures Hall shimmered with restrained opulence. Refined light fell from constellations of Starfire Stones embedded in the vaulted ceiling, illuminating displays that rivaled royal treasuries. Disciples of minor sects mingled with wealthy merchant-clan scions, all navigating the meticulously curated abundance under the watchful eyes of Guild attendants dressed in subtle charcoal-and-silver uniforms. Gu Qingxi watched Lu Tianyu weave towards the Artifact Transactions – Minor Craft & Consumables counter, the ten "demonstration" Peach Blossom Accord Talismans and Mind's Eye Stillness Talismans cradled carefully.
"They truly trade these?" Gu Qingxi murmured as he returned, glancing at the small, freshly stamped token of authenticity glowing faintly in his palm – proof of sale and a key to future valuation.
"Absolutely!" Lu Tianyu grinned, pocketing the token and the corresponding small pouch of spirit stones – the "initial loss-leader," as he termed it. "Think market volume, Shimei. Mortals outnumber immortals like sand grains outnumber mountaintops. And desire for concord? Universal! Unlike us cultivators, chasing ascension." His grin widened. "Third Brother alone is a desert where Peach Talismans wither and die. You'd have better luck enchanting a glacier!" He chuckled, the sound echoing faintly off displays of polished spiritual jade.
The memory of Long Qianli unintentionally launching Lady Wen Shuyi into a medicinal herb patch surfaced briefly in Gu Qingxi's mind, eliciting a suppressed giggle. Pathos and hysteria shared a fragile border. Her Third Brother truly embodied the concept of Living Steel Unbent. Picturing him entangled in romantic sighs was like imagining Chillspring spontaneously knitting warm socks.
Seeing Lu Tianyu finalize the transaction, Gu Qingxi pressed earlier. "Shixiong, truly. Point to anything within these walls. My suddenly overflowing spirit-stone river demands tributaries."
Lu Tianyu waved her off, genuine warmth in his smile. "Impossible, Shimei! A Shixiong extracts resources for the Shimei, not inversely! Principle!"
"Then division," Gu Qingxi countered smoothly, holding out her own bulging pouch acquired earlier from their Peak sales. "Split the profit from our joint venture. Let both streams flow. Buy independently." Her gaze swept towards a nearby display cabinet shimmering with rare Core-Forging Crystal clusters – easily costing thousands of mid-grade stones. "Even Verdant Peak's poverty seems… relative now." Compared to other, far richer Peaks, the unspoken thought hung between them.
Lu Tianyu's eyes lit with mercantile approval. He performed a quick, quiet division behind a display of fragrant Ghostwood resins, transferring stones into his own worn pouch. Gu Qingxi added her portion from the day's earlier venture. The weight in his palm made him exhale a sound halfway between a laugh and a sigh of relief. "Haven't felt this… buoyant… since last Spring Rains." He gave the pouch a small, happy shake before securing it. The specter of constant financial pressure momentarily lifted.
They navigated the meticulously organized chaos of the Hall's first floor – primarily Herbs, Essences, & Elixirs. Display cases held desiccated Shadow Ferns emitting faint twilight auras, vials of crystallized Sky-Viper Venom, and entire preserved Frost Lotus blossoms valued higher than a minor sect's yearly tribute. The air hung thick with the competing perfumes of ten thousand ingredients, a symphony promising pain relief, breakthrough ascension, or slow, agonizing demise depending on application. Gu Qingxi's required Spiritbone Strengthening Herbs and Rooted Sky Sap were procured efficiently from well-informed attendants quoting stable market prices.
Ascending the shimmering crystalline staircase to the second level – Talismanic Arts, Ensorcelled Relics & Minor Formation Arrays – felt like entering a sorcerer's private trove. The displays were less overwhelming, but infinitely more complex. Glass cabinets showcased vials of viscous demon ichor labeled Firebrand Essence, powdered dragon scale fragments, and shimmering dust purportedly collected from celestial auroras. Precious Talisman Papers were segregated into tiered ranks:
· Low-Grade [Xià Pǐn]: Simple mulberry blends, suitable for basic protective sigils. Cheap.
· Medium-Grade [Zhōng Pǐn]: Infused with faintly glowing spirit grass fibers, enhancing Qi conductivity.
· High-Grade [Gāo Pǐn]: Pulp made from century-old Silver Oak, its grain shimmering with captured moonlight. Premium.
· Celestial-Grade [Tiān Pǐn]: A mesmerizing, near-translucent parchment said to incorporate threads from phoenix-down cocoons, reacting visibly to ambient Qi. Prohibitively expensive.
Adjacent displays featured Ink Sources:
· Cinnabar Grindstones [Zhū Shā] – Classic.
· Spectral Wolf Blood preserved in cryo-vials – Promising sharpness and predator's tenacity.
· "Heartblood" of Obsidian-Tail Geckos – Claimed to improve stealth sigils.
· Vibrantly colored mineral powders ground from specific elemental crystals – For specialized effect channeling.
Gu Qingxi's fingers itched. Her achievements until now were penned with her world's Ordinary Talisman Ink and scratchy paper onto her dwindling stock of Standard Talisman Paper. What power could she wield with Celestial-Grade Paper and Sky-Leopard Blood Ink? The potential sang a siren song.
"See something compelling, Shimei?" Lu Tianyu asked, appearing beside her as she stared longingly at a jar of powdered Skyfire Quartz.
"Curiosity burns," Gu Qingxi confessed, tapping the glass containing the radiant red powder. "The divergence in effect… using materials born of this world…"
"Experimentation? Later," Lu Tianyu urged, steering her towards the Talisman Creation section proper. "Forget beast blood for now. Fourth Brother has vats of Discarded Venomcaster Snake and Skyhorn Beetle ichor. Free fodder for your brush!" His gaze fell on the array of displayed Talisman Brushes. "But this? This is paramount. Your brush is your sword's distant cousin." His voice held reverence. Expensive reverence. He eyed a magnificent brush with a shaft carved from solidified celestial amber, its crimson Thunder-Vulture Pinions bristles shimmering faintly with miniature energy storms. His longing was palpable, followed quickly by an internal wince at his meager purse.
"Settle. I browse," Gu Qingxi promised, sensing his discomfort. "Pursue your transaction." Lu Tianyu, relieved, vanished towards the Rare Mineral & Monster Organ Acquisition counter with his Ghost-Howl Spider sacs.
Alone amidst the humming towers of arcane potential, Gu Qingxi signaled a nearby attendant, requesting samples: Medium-Grade Paper, High-Grade Cinnabar, and a selection of small parchment sheets from each tier. The attendant returned laden, arranging them precisely on a viewing lectern.
Her attention then shifted to the brushes under guard within a polished obsidian case:
1."Winter's Breath": Shaft of purest white Frost-Ivory Stone, lighter than hollow bone. A tiny silvery Binding Matrix inscribed near the ferrule, guaranteeing durability against savage Qi backlash. Price: 525 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
2."Shadow's Veil": Utterly matte Darksteel Wood, absorbing surrounding light. Etched with flowing patterns hinting at ancient wardings, its head crowned by Midnight Chimera Tail Bristles – soft, ink-retentive, allegedly enhancing subtlety and illusionary potency. Price: 515 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
Both resonated. One promised amplification. The other, precision. Gu Qingxi hovered, fingertips tracing the cool glass barrier. Choice proved a heavier burden than battle.
"Ah, the agonizing indecision. Does Verdant Peak truly ration its disciples' funds so severely?" The voice, sharp as crystal shards striking jade, sliced through her contemplation. A young woman stood nearby, cultivator robes modified – the standard blue replaced with expensive silver-grey silk, intricately embroidered at the cuffs and collar with protective Warding Knots that pulsed faintly. A masterwork Jade Mountain Pendant glowed softly at her throat, its matrix complex. Multiple Phoenix Feather Hairpins weren't mere adornments, their tips sharp as needles. The overall effect screamed investment rather than taste. Her features were classically lovely, yet frozen in a mask of icy superiority. Behind her, two similarly dressed disciples hovered like anxious moths.
Gu Qingxi didn't turn. The animosity was palpable, a stench amidst the aromatics. What bee stung her orchard? she wondered, keeping her gaze fixed on the brushes.
The woman's painted lips curled into a sneer. "Cat stole your tongue? Or perhaps recognition escapes you? Such is the… deficit expected from a Peak scraping by on Discordant Waterfire Roots." She gestured lazily towards the brushes. "Need charity? Cloudleap Peak possesses generosity towards… strugglers."
Gu Qingxi remained silent, a statue of indifference amidst her brittle perfume cloud.
"How rude!" snapped one shadow-disciple, stepping forward indignantly. Her hand rested possessively near the silent leader's elbow. "This is Senior Apprentice Sister Yin Yaling of Cloudleap Peak! Pay your respects!"
Gu Qingxi finally pivoted, her movement slow and utterly calm. She offered the barest nod of acknowledgment. "Recognition achieved. Greetings to the Esteemed Senior Sisters."
The second shadow-disciple hissed, her nose wrinkling. "Such a hollow acknowledgment? Is this how Flame Extinguished Peak educates its brood? Or is personal ignorance the only harvest your fractured spirit roots yield?"
The barb about her Waterfire Dissonant Spiritual Roots landed. Yet, Gu Qingxi merely tilted her head, her voice a perfect, cold monotone. "Was I deficient? I offered salutation according to sect ordinance. Protocol dictates deeper bows – profound reverence – solely for the Founder's statue, Sect Master, or personal Shifu." Her gaze flicked over the trio with detached assessment. "Unless… Cloudleap traditions demand kneeling before any disciple wearing a pricier belt buckle? Clarification welcomed."
The "Flame Extinguished Peak" jibe was deliberate. No one respected the Peak once known as Verdant before its decline.
Senior Apprentice Sister Yin Yaling's mask finally cracked, revealing the venom beneath. A fierce, ugly twist distorted her beautiful features. Her eyes, chips of glacial obsidian, raked over Gu Qingxi. "Sharpened words adorn a blunt mind," she spat. "What defect in judgment possessed Master Mo? To sully his Peak's reputation with… this?" Her gesture encompassed Gu Qingxi like a physical insult. "A discordant vessel! A useless vase graced solely by a face fleeting as spring blossoms! What promise could he possibly see rotting inside Waterfire's cursed dissonance?" The hatred wasn't abstract; it stemmed from deep, personal, bewildered fury that this disciple gained the entry she, with her Pure Azure Breeze Spiritual Root, had coveted for years.