When his feet touched solid ground again, he was already at the highest point of Feiyun Mountain.
There is a simple and rustic courtyard built against the mountain, and it is remarkable that such a place is surrounded by a bamboo grove.
The clear spring water tinkled and gurgled as it flowed merrily past the small courtyard.
Tsk.
Gu Tang looked around, sighed, and followed Qin Junche inside.
"What kind of deal do you want to make with Mo Qingli?" Qin Junche's expression was noticeably colder than before.
"The rune arrays you don't like are what Mo Qingli wants." Gu Tang paused, "and your Lin Fei wants them too."
Qin Junche: "..."
"So I had him and Lin Fei each submit their bids, and the highest bidder wins," Gu Tang said matter-of-factly.
The courtyard may not look big from the outside, but once you step inside, you'll find yourself in a completely different world.
The courtyard is lush with flowers and trees, and under the trellis made of vines, there is a stone table and two stone stools.
A clear spring flows right next to the stone table, and you can easily bend down to fetch water for making tea.
On the table, a complete set of tea utensils was neatly arranged.
Huh?
Gu Tang glanced around. Although they weren't exactly the same, the stone table and clear spring were quite similar to the cave dwelling where he used to live when he was cultivating.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, a strange light flashing in them.
"What do you want to change?" Qin Junche suddenly asked after a long silence.
“Spirit stones, and a sword,” Gu Tang said.
"A sword?" Qin Junche frowned slightly. "For Nuo'er?"
"Mm." Gu Tang nodded.
He walked very familiarly to the stone table and bent down to draw a pot of mountain spring water.
"Can I use it?" he asked Qin Junche, turning to him.
The Palace Master of Feiyun Palace nodded silently.
Then he watched as Gu Tang skillfully boiled water and brewed tea, then sat down comfortably on the stone bench, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and sighed with satisfaction, "Palace Master Qin really knows how to enjoy life."
Qin Junche stood tall and stared at Gu Tang for a moment.
With a flick of his wrist, a completely transparent short sword appeared in his palm.
The sword was a third shorter than a regular longsword, but longer than a dagger.
The blade is very narrow.
I don't know what material it's made of; it's completely transparent and looks almost like crystal.
Even the hilt is made of the same material.
Gu Tang was a discerning person; the moment Qin Junche took out the sword, he sensed the unusual spiritual energy fluctuations in the air.
"Huh?" He stood up and quickly walked to Qin Junche's side.
Gu Tang extended a finger and gently stroked the blade of the short sword.
A bone-chilling cold seeped into his body from his fingertips, traveled up his arm, and finally struck his chest.
"Uh..." Gu Tang suddenly withdrew his hand as if he had been bitten.
Before Qin Junche could even activate it, the chill emanating from the sword almost caused this Foundation Establishment cultivator to crash and burn.
"Name your price!" Gu Tang raised his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on Qin Junche.
This sword is absolutely top-tier, even among magical artifacts.
Moreover, this length is perfect for Gu Nuo.
Qin Junche: "..."
He took a deep breath: "This is what I prepared for Norl."
He said calmly, "If you bring him back with me, I was originally planning to have him repair the sword. This sword was originally found for him."
"I'm so sorry," Gu Tang said with a smile.
He lowered his head and extended his finger again, this time tracing the blade of the short sword from a distance.
After a moment of contemplation, Gu Tang said, "The level six I mentioned earlier includes all alchemy talisman arrays below level six. I'll repair the sword technique in exchange for this sword of yours."
“I told you, this was originally prepared for Nuo’er,” Qin Junche repeated.
“I know.” Gu Tang smiled again, “But since I’ve kept Nuo’er and said I could give him the best, I can’t go back on my word.”
He took a step back, tilted his head slightly to look into Qin Junche's eyes, and calmly analyzed, "The Feiyun Palace lineage all forges their own magical artifacts, so this sword won't be of much use to the entire Feiyun Palace. Although this sword is extraordinary, I know the price I paid was already quite high, and things like alchemy and talisman arrays can be developed and utilized in the long term. For a sect, it might be far more practical and useful than a particular magical artifact!"
Gu Tang asked, "So, what does Palace Master Qin mean?"
Qin Junche's expression became noticeably colder.
He took a deep breath, then another, and after a long while slowly said, "Weren't these two conditions what you used to ask me to become your Daoist partner?"
Whether it was Gu Tang's imagination or not, the words "beg me to become your Daoist partner" sounded rather gritted and resentful.
“That’s true, but didn’t you refuse?” Gu Tang was puzzled.
You not only refused, but you refused twice.
Why bring this up again now?!
"I promise you!" Qin Junche took another deep breath.
"Huh?" Gu Tang was stunned. "What did you say?"
He asked instinctively.
"I said, I agree!" Qin Junche said, almost through gritted teeth, enunciating each word clearly.
This time, Gu Tang was certain it wasn't his imagination.
He stared wide-eyed at Qin Junche in disbelief.
So the other party really changed their mind?!
As the number one cultivator and the sect leader of such a vast sect, is it really a good thing for Qin Junche to be so fickle and have such an unstable Dao heart?!
Be careful, buddy, you might not be able to withstand being struck by lightning during your ascension!
Gu Tang was already prepared for a protracted battle.
His original plan was to continue nurturing Gu Nuo into a talent while earning more spirit stones, accumulating resources, and exchanging them for divine items.
Then find out what Qin Junche likes most, and then ask to become his Daoist partner.
Unexpectedly, things took a sudden turn for the better.
"Hmm...cough cough..." Gu Tang was really not used to it for a moment.
"Well..." He looked around, half embarrassed and half bewildered, his gaze wandering for a moment before returning to Qin Junche's face.
Gu Tang thought for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Then... do you still want the three conditions I proposed before?"
He needs to confirm this.
He had absolutely no idea what had made Qin Junche suddenly change his mind.
If Qin Junche didn't need alchemy or talisman arrays, he could continue trading with Lin Fei or Mo Qingli.
Of course, if Qin Junche still wants it, then he can only find another way to earn spirit stones for Gu Nuo's cultivation.
"...Yes!" Qin Junche practically squeezed the word out from his throat.
"I see..." Gu Tang was a little disappointed, but it was within his tolerance.
He gently shook his head and smiled, "Then... shall we have a pleasant working relationship from now on?"
Qin Junche: "..."
cooperate?!
It would be a miracle if it were enjoyable!
Qin Junche took another deep breath, and then another.
He remained silent for a long while before speaking, "Then, what do you require of me?"
"No," Gu Tang shook his head.
He thought for a moment and said, "Oh right, in front of Nuo'er, I might have to trouble Palace Master Qin and me to put on an act so that he thinks we are in love."
"Jun Che," Qin Jun Che said calmly.
"Huh?" Gu Tang was a little confused.
"Aren't we supposed to be acting all lovey-dovey?" Qin Junche said, "If you call me Palace Master Qin, will Nuo'er believe you?"
“Right.” Gu Tang nodded in agreement and called out very naturally, “Jun Che.”
He was preparing to discuss the details with Qin Junche again.
I looked up and met the other person's deep eyes.
Gu Tang thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled slightly: "I will soon hand over the alchemy talisman array to Lin Fei."
Qin Junche: "..."
“Repairing sword techniques can be done at any time,” he added.
Qin Junche: "..."
"Well, as for the third condition..." Gu Tang stroked his chin, "Palace Master Qin's cultivation level is already beyond my reach. She's likely nearing the Great Perfection, but there's been no sign of a breakthrough. She's probably stuck at a bottleneck, and the opportune moment hasn't arrived. Therefore, my suggestion is..."
He paused, pondered for a moment, and then said, "First, repair the sword techniques and cultivation methods, make up for any possible deficiencies in the foundation, and then seek a breakthrough."
Qin Junche: "..."
Even though the words are well-intentioned, he just doesn't like them. What should I do?
Gu Tang spoke these words entirely based on his own experience and speculation, and had no idea what Qin Junche was thinking.