Chapter 33: If You Think It’s Appropriate, Then It Is

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: If You Think It’s Appropriate, Then It Is

"Spirit Chefs generally don’t have strong combat abilities. Go to the Marketplace and gather some Protective Magic, Spiritual Artifacts, Talismans, and whatnot to give him. Even if their value doesn’t fully offset the cost, it’ll be a gesture of your sincerity."

The Grand Elder put down his bowl and chopsticks, shaking his head as he looked at Yang Haichen, who only seemed to care about eating. ’If I had met a Spirit Chef like that back in my day,’ he thought, ’I would have probably dropped to my knees and called him my big brother the moment he offered to continue providing Spiritual Cuisine at such a low price.’

Unfortunately, from becoming an Inner Sect Disciple all the way to his current position as the Grand Elder of Purple Bamboo Peak, he had lost that youthful passion. Even if he wanted to do such a thing, he had to consider the influence that came with his title.

"Rest assured, Master. I plan to bring forty stalks of Purple Bamboo Grass tomorrow."

Yang Haichen looked up and spoke confidently. Although he had access to very few of his family’s resources, as long as he gave up on competing for the position of Patriarch, his future cultivation resources would certainly be substantial.

Even those who had previously targeted him at every turn would want him to continue advancing within Purple Cloud Valley. When that time came, he would become one of the Yang Family’s pillars of strength.

"I have some more Purple Bamboo Grass in my room. Remember to take it with you."

The Grand Elder nodded. Now that the boy had agreed, if Yang Haichen still tried to trade the original ten stalks of Purple Bamboo Grass for two portions of Spiritual Cuisine, it would make him seem rather tactless.

He didn’t know if Liu Chen would be willing, but even if he was, they had to handle things in a way that that fellow Mo Xuan couldn’t find any fault with. Reaching a private understanding was one thing, but this was another matter entirely.

"Thank you, Master."

Yang Haichen stood up to bow, but the Grand Elder shot him a glance. "The best way to thank me is to become an Inner Sect Disciple as soon as possible and formally accept me as your master."

"If you think it’s fair, then it’s fair. In this regard, I’m just a freeloader. You don’t need to ask me about these things."

Mo Xuan lifted his teacup and spoke nonchalantly. If the Grand Elder’s disciple didn’t clarify the price of the Spiritual Cuisine, he would have told Liu Chen himself, but that would only be a reference. They were Liu Chen’s own things; as long as he felt the deal was fair, then it was fair.

Of course, if someone tried to take advantage of Liu Chen’s ignorance to cheat or swindle him, then they shouldn’t blame Mo Xuan for being merciless.

"Master, I have another question."

Liu Chen bowed. Since the matter of the Spiritual Cuisine was settled, he had to ask if there were any side effects to the long-term use of Purple Bamboo Grass. After all, the normal outcome for Body Tempering Perfection was Cyan Bamboo, whereas the Ancestor Master had achieved Purple Bamboo.

And based on his observations from using Purple Bamboo Grass recently, Liu Chen felt it was highly likely he would end up with Purple Bamboo because of it.

But Liu Chen didn’t know if there was any difference between the two.

"Go on."

Mo Xuan was a little puzzled. He basically watched over Liu Chen’s cultivation all the time. The Body Tempering Realm was quite dangerous, after all. It was the foundational stage, and any unresolved problems at this point could completely ruin one’s future.

"If I use Purple Bamboo Grass for Body Tempering long-term, will it affect the results?"

"It won’t have any effect. It’s just the difference between a Cyan Bamboo Leaf and a Purple Bamboo Leaf. You might think that Ancestor Master Purple Bamboo’s leaves turned from cyan to purple because he consumed too much Purple Bamboo Grass."

"But that’s not the case. Upon reaching Body Tempering Perfection, the illusory Body Tempering phantoms engraved by Spiritual Power revert to their true, simple form. After reaching Body Tempering Perfection with the Purple Bamboo Scripture, twelve illusory bamboo leaves appear all over the body. This is true whether they are Purple Bamboo Leaves or Cyan Bamboo Leaves. However, when Ancestor Master Purple Bamboo reached Body Tempering Perfection, the Purple Bamboo Leaves covering his body merged into a single sheet, so numerous they were impossible to count."

"Unfortunately, no one has been able to reach that Realm since."

His master’s words were calm, but they made Liu Chen feel that he had underestimated not only Ancestor Master Purple Bamboo but also the previous generations of seniors from Purple Bamboo Peak. They couldn’t possibly have failed to notice the issue with Purple Bamboo Grass.

"Thank you for clearing my doubts, Master."

’Since there are no side effects to consuming Purple Bamboo Grass, there’s no reason to worry about it anymore. Whether it’s Cyan Bamboo Leaves or Purple Bamboo Leaves, I just need to reach Body Tempering Perfection first,’ Liu Chen thought.

"The Ancestor Master once said that no one would ever be able to achieve the same results as him. If something is not meant to be, you must not act recklessly."

Mo Xuan added a casual reminder. When he first learned of this, his thoughts had likely been the same as Liu Chen’s: ’The Ancestor Master’s Realm isn’t necessarily impossible to replicate.’

"I will keep that in mind."

Liu Chen agreed, then took his leave from his master and returned to his Bamboo Garden. After methodically completing his planned cultivation routine, he began to study the Secret Manual that Senior Brother Yang had left him.

’Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword?’

Flipping to the first page, Liu Chen could barely make out the name. It was clear that the Grand Elder who had written these contents had a bold and uninhibited style.

After memorizing the contents, Liu Chen carefully put the Secret Manual away and casually pulled up a bamboo pole from nearby. He had found this pole when he first arrived at Purple Bamboo Peak; it had seemed perfect at the time, so he had picked it up and kept it in his Bamboo Garden.

He hadn’t expected to have a chance to use it this time.

Spiritual Power circulated along the prescribed path, and Liu Chen’s body began to move with it. A cyan-colored Spiritual Power emerged, coating the bamboo pole.

[Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword Upper Level Proficiency +1]

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Liu Chen calmed his mind. A smile appeared on his face as he looked at the Proficiency notification that had appeared before him. ’I finally have a proper life-saving technique.’

Glancing at the Proficiency display, Liu Chen noticed something strange. First, this Swordsmanship only had an "Upper Chapter." Whether it was divided into two parts—upper and lower—or three—upper, middle, and lower—was still unknown.

Second, this Swordsmanship was classified under Martial Arts.

The Proficiency panel was now divided into four different categories: Cultivation Techniques, Skills, Magic, and Martial Arts.

There had been three before, but now Martial Arts was added. However, Liu Chen only gave it a brief glance before looking away. Regardless of how it was categorized, all he knew was that he had to schedule sword practice into his daily training plan.

After reaching Body Tempering Minor Success with the Purple Bamboo Scripture, his schedule had gradually become more flexible. Combined with his idea of integrating daily life with the practice of Magic, adding Swordsmanship training shouldn’t be a problem.

After a moment of thought, Liu Chen decided to use the hour before dinner for Swordsmanship practice. One hour should normally yield four Proficiency points in Swordsmanship. At this rate, he would reach the Beginner level for this technique in just twenty-five days.

’My Talent for Swordsmanship seems pretty average.’

Liu Chen was a little disappointed after doing the math, but he quickly adjusted his attitude. If a small setback like this was enough to make him give up, he would have packed his bags and gone home after his first Body Tempering failure.

"You should just stick to practicing your Fist Technique."

The Grand Elder sighed as he watched Yang Haichen practicing Swordsmanship. The boy had entered Purple Cloud Valley by passing the assessment and had already been cultivating for several years before that. His Talent was actually quite good; otherwise, he never would have passed the Purple Cloud Valley’s assessment.

But that Talent definitely didn’t extend to Swordsmanship. ’This is just me getting old,’ he thought. ’If I were still a Steward and saw talent like this, I’d have smacked him upside the head already.’