Chương 123: Chapter 122: Lingcao Peak

It was a male disciple, one Yang had not met before. From the embroidery on his sleeves Yang could tell he was an inner sect disciple. As Yang approached the disciple turned toward him.

"Greetings, Senior Brother," Yang said with a slight bow.

"Hello, Junior Brother. I am Wu Nai from the inner sect. Are you Chen Yang the talisman crafter?" The talisman crafter. Yang was a little off-footed at the title. He had never been addressed as such before, and hearing it put into words was unexpected and strange.

"I am Chen Yang, Senior Brother. And I do make talismans."

"Good. Senior Brother Lin Yi sent me. He said you needed transportation to the inner sect competition."

"I do, Senior Brother. I am new to the sect and I want to attend as many of the events as I can to get a better sense of the crafts and paths practiced here." Yang stepped toward the cave entrance.

"But please, come inside before we discuss it."

"Lead the way, Junior Brother." Yang brought him to the table and they both settled on the floor cushions. The tea pot and cups were still on the table from Senior Brother Lin Yi's visit. Yang began preparing tea immediately, adding a handful of leaves and performing the qi watering technique to fill the pot, then lighting a small fire under it. He noticed Senior Brother Wu Nai looking at the tea pot with a slightly wide-eyed expression.

It seemed Senior Brother Lin Yi's advice about keeping tea on hand for guests was well placed.

"Senior Brother Lin Yi mentioned he would send someone running a transportation service," Yang said since Senior Brother Wu Nai was still quiet.

"What are you charging, Senior Brother?" Senior Brother Wu Nai was jolted out of his attention by the question.

"Actually, Junior Brother, I am not running a proper service. Senior Brother Lin Yi is a senior I have known for a few years. He asked me for a list of inner sect disciples with space available and I volunteered once I found out you were a talisman crafter." He paused.

"I am in need of talismans and I am neither good at it nor is it a craft any of my close friends practice. Continuously buying them from the inner sect hall depletes my points considerably. I was hoping we could use talismans as currency instead."

"Senior Brother," Yang said honestly, "I am only at the second stage of Qi Condensation. My talismans are as well made as they can be at my realm but they are still restricted by it. At most they can take a third stage Qi Condensation level attack. A Foundation Establishment cultivator like yourself would find little advantage in them."

"I know, Junior Brother. I may not be a talisman crafter myself but I understand how they work well enough." Senior Brother Wu Nai's expression was easy.

"I actually need them for my juniors back home. I come from a cultivation clan. I have no talent in talisman craft and I am an alchemist, or it would rather be more accurate to say that I am working toward it. But unlike White Cloud Sect, Qi Condensation cultivators in most places outside are the main forces and the ones most likely to be harmed in conflict. If I continuously used my own points to supply them I would have nothing left for my own needs, and alchemy is an expensive craft to learn."

He gave Yang a straightforward smile.

"If we can work something out using talismans as payment, I am at your service for the duration of the competition." Yang thought about it for a moment. He could probably find cheaper transport if he looked. But Senior Brother Wu Nai would be available for every trip, it would only be Yang so no waiting for others, and the exchange was honest on both sides. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"We can work something out," Yang said.

"I am happy to pay in talismans. What types do you want, and what do you think is a fair number per trip?"

"I know this arrangement advantages me," Senior Brother Wu Nai said.

"You could sell those talismans to the outer sect hall for more points than a ride would cost. So I will leave the number at your discretion. I would only ask that they be mostly defensive or offensive types." Yang appreciated the honesty. He reached into his sleeve and drew out a bundle of talismans and placed them on the table.

"These are what I have on me right now. I want to go to the herb cultivation competition today if you can take me. For every trip, you can choose any five talismans you want."

"Plant cultivation?" Senior Brother Wu Nai looked at the bundle.

"Sure, I can take you. It is not the most popular event. Few disciples who are not into gardening or alchemy bother attending." He picked up the bundle and went through it. His expression shifted.

"Junior Brother, I may not practice the craft myself but I have used enough talismans to recognise a good one. Your skill is exceptional for your age."

"Thank you, Senior Brother. Take whichever five you want. If you want specific types in future I can make extra of those for the next trips."

"Are you certain about this event, Junior Brother? It would not be wrong to call it one of the most boring competitions, I can't think of a single more boring even than this one. There is not much to watch except disciples presenting plants they have cultivated over decades, sometimes centuries, while discussing what changes they have produced in the strain."

"I read the description in the events list, Senior brother. I have some interest in plants," Yang said. Senior Brother Wu Nai nodded without pressing further.

"Then I will take five qi barrier talismans." Yang passed him a few extras since the bundle had fewer than that count and placed the remaining back in his sleeve.

"Thank you, Junior Brother. I can take you now or later since there are still a couple of hours before the event. Lingcao Peak is not far from the outer sect."

"Are outer sect disciples allowed on the peak outside of the event?"

"Of course. It is just rare. Few disciples have much interest in watching magical plants, even here." Senior Brother Wu Nai stood.

"Would you like to go now?"

"Yes, please. I would like to look around before the event begins but let me pour your tea before, we can leave after."

"Junior brother, there is no need. I just had a heavy breakfast and I can't take anything more" Senior Brother Wu Nai said shaking his head.

"Are you sure?" At his insistence Yang left the tea after putting out the flame. They went outside and Senior Brother Wu Nai summoned his sword. Yang climbed on at his gesture and the sword shot off immediately. Yang braced himself this time, having learned from the previous trip. They flew the familiar route into the inner sect and then, about a quarter of the way in, the direction changed.

Instead of continuing straight toward where the alchemy event had been held yesterday, they banked to the right and began crossing over peaks Yang had not seen before. Then the peak came into view below them. It was different than any other peaks Yang had seen before. The peak below was entirely covered in growth.

Dense layers of green at every elevation, enormous ancient trees, flowering plants in various colours, and everywhere the sense of accumulated life that had been growing and being tended for a very long time. Senior Brother Wu Nai brought the sword down toward a flat ridge clearly used as a landing area. As Yang stepped off he felt the qi. The concentration was unlike anything he had encountered on the outer sect peak or even elsewhere in the inner sect.

It pressed against his awareness from every direction with a distinct flavour. It was qi but there was something different about it. Yang could feel it but lacked a name to go with it.

"The event will be held in that pavilion," Senior Brother Wu Nai said, pointing to a structure visible some distance on the peak.

"The rest of the peak you can walk freely. Just do not take any herbs. And if you encounter a barrier formation around a garden, respect it. That means the caretaker does not want visitors in that area." He reached into his pocket and tossed Yang a gold coin.

"Hold this and think of my name when you are ready to leave. I have the matching pair and will know to come. I will stay nearby."

"Take care, Junior Brother" He stepped back onto his sword and rose away. Yang caught the coin and stood for a moment looking at it, it was larger and thicker than the ones he had seen used as currency and had some kind of letters engraved on both sides. He closed his fingers around it and looked up at the peak stretching away from him in every direction. He picked a direction randomly and started walking.