Chương 54: Free gifts

Returning to my old yard, I found the White Stars waiting for me too, likely some kind of custom since their hero kept marrying a new beauty every few months.

"Hero Pef Tian! Congratulations on a great catch! A Venerable wife!" Mina spoke for the group, and offered an eager hug. I couldn't refuse, even if my back was stabbed by the glaring eyebeams of my jealous wives.

"Feeling better? I took extra care of you in the Ice Hall. Even spent a precious Lotus Lotion to make sure your young skin has no scars." I said with a teasing voice, and Mina blushed pink to her ears. So cute!

"... Thank you for your care, hero. Elder Tang was... very upset with our performance. And her own." Mina admitted in a sad voice. I flew up a meter, and opened my arms wide.

"White Stars! Keep this in mind. You are the weapon! Mortals and cultivators alike mistake the sword or spell as their weapon, but it's not. Much like you guide a sword with your qi to fly or strike, your mind guides your body. What do you do, if your qi runs out? What if your sword breaks? If your allies flee? If your hand is chopped at the wrist? You make a spear of your bone and still fight, and stab the enemy in the neck! This is the mindset you need to forge! Not: 'can I win this fight?'

, but which method do I use today to win. Do you attract a wild beast to attack your enemy? Do you hand him a bag of gold, and then point him out as target carrying gold? The mind wins... the body only executes the victory." I proclaimed in a grand voice, making the girls stare in wonder, or even glaze as the Dao touched their soul. Lina Peng blinked at me, then stared at the flute in her hand. It will take some time with that one. Instead, when I descended from my heroic speech, Elder Tang knelt at my feet.

"I've let you down, hero. The Venerables... were not happy with me." I sighed inward.

"If you were a genial cultivator, Elder... you wouldn't be here. Your role is just to teach the White Stars how to shine with a light of their own. The Dao is everywhere and in everyone. Sadly I can't prove it right now, since my soul is too young to ascend again. Still, take these Naga pills, one every week. By next month... I expect a better Elder for my White Stars. Now go!" I spoke in a milder voice, and handed her 4 high-grade Tier 3 pills and a bottle of my milk.

I was also curious what would the pills do to someone who has reached the end of the path. Was providence not giving a way out even if I cheated? Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Of course, the Supreme pills I kept for my wives, but field-testing was also necessary. When I turned around, my wives were practically glowing, even Zhen for some reason.

"That was an amazing speech, hubby! So inspiring!" Qin Lin yelled and jumped in my arms.

"It was, right? Still, I don't recommend chopping your hands off, just yet. I still need to an invent a regeneration pill first." I commented in a wry voice, and Zhen eyes glinted with admiration. Then I turned to Nana, now a proud Nascent Soul.

"Nana, someone gave me a free Tier 4 sword, so it's your wedding gift. I was poor when we met, and people wouldn't give me nice stuff until now." I offered and held out the Peng Sword I got for free. Na Gong sighed and took the sword with care like it was a small baby.

"It's so beautiful. I will need to refine, right?" I shrugged and pointed at Zhen.

"She's the old master. Don't ask the farm boy how to do Nascent Soul stuff. I only know a bit from books." I deflected with calm ease.

"Come with me, Nana. This Zhen Chen has seen more swords than Pef Tian has seen naked women..." she offered in a dubious way, and took Nana aside to teach her sword binding.

"That was an oddly and strangely specific number, hubby..." Qin Lin muttered at my chest. I ignored Lin's suspicions and pointed at Sakura.

"Sakura, my lovely cherry flower. You have a choice now. Either a Tier 4 fruit, or a Supreme Tier 3 Dao Vision pill. Both will work... but not in the same way." I said and held out the Silver Tomato and my first Dao Vision pill. Sakura glanced at Nana, who had used such a pill to successfully ascend.

"A Tier 4 fruit... that you got for killing that Zhan guy?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yep. Free stuff is free. Took me a second..." I said in a cheerful voice.

"What do you recommend?" Sakura asked in a careful voice, although the fruit tempted her.

"If I was a wise master, I would recommend the Supreme pill, of course. The farm boy would take the fruit, it's tastier!" I answered with a carefree tone. Sakura hesitated, until she saw Zhen point at the pill from the corner of the yard.

"Then I'll take the pill, wise master." she chose and stored the pill inside her storage bag. Wise choice. I looked at Hua next.

"Hua, aren't you glad you haven't formed your Core in the Purple Sand? Having a scorpion planted into your heart looked really dangerous. Did you see that Core Realm guy dance on stage at my wedding? And bleeding from his eyes as the venom was triggered remotely..." I offered while floating the Tier 4 fruit in her hand.

"It was... cruel and sad, husband. I've seen it before. Purple Sand Sect has some crazy ways to test an outer groom if they are worthy. They rarely ever survive." my sand wife said while examining her wedding gift. That probably explained why the guy who impregnated Hua didn't stick around for a wedding. I glanced at Sakura, who smiled sweetly. Her Trial of the Sword was indeed far easier. Although I doubted many heroes would manage my feats if they wanted a Frozen Bride. I was basically cheating anyway.

"Do I just eat the fruit?" Hua asked, so innocent.

"You could, but it won't work too well. I need to beat you with a stick first. You may also fight back, if you can..." I answered with a grin, and took out my favorite wooden sword. Qin Lin sighed.

"Not again..."