Chapter 259 - 103: Qi Eating (3)

Chapter 259: Chapter 103: Qi Eating (3)

The gesture was made with good intentions and no ill will, so Fang Rui certainly wasn’t going to be ungrateful.

...

"The Qi Eating Technique?"

Fang Rui activated the Jade Talisman. A beam of light shot out, and the latter half of the *Qi Eating Technique* automatically appeared in his mind. After reading it through, however, his brow furrowed slightly.

In theory, it was true that anyone could cultivate the *Qi Eating Technique*. However, those who could actually reach the Beginner stage were fewer than one in ten thousand.

For a person with ordinary aptitude, cultivating this technique was like watching a snail crawl; they might not reach the Beginner stage even after decades.

It was just like how, in theory, anyone could become a billionaire. But in reality, ninety-nine percent of ordinary people could go a hundred years without food or drink and still not save up that much money.

’Within a limited lifespan, achieving anything with the *Qi Eating Technique* requires extremely high aptitude. Furthermore, it also needs Qi Fortune as a resource.’

Fang Rui murmured to himself, ’But does this "Qi Fortune" stuff really exist?’

’Aptitude is a small matter; Tribulation Points can forcibly raise it. But Qi Fortune...’

He looked at the Cultivation Technique section on his panel. He didn’t quite dare to press the "+" sign that appeared after the *Qi Eating Technique*.

’Daoist Ge said that the Imperial Spirit Masters are all on leashes. Is that related to Qi Fortune?’

’Panel upgrades... to this day, I still don’t understand the underlying principle. When upgrading the *Qi Eating Technique*, I don’t know if the Tribulation Points will substitute for Qi Fortune or be converted into it.’

’The former would be fine, but if it’s the latter...’

Fang Rui was worried that after upgrading the *Qi Eating Technique*, he would fall under some kind of restriction.

’Forget it. I’d better ask a professional!’

He thought of Ge Changgeng. ’Perfect. Tomorrow is my day off. I’ll go fishing at Mochou Lake. According to his pattern, I should be able to run into Daoist Ge.’

...

The next day was his day off, so Fang Rui went fishing at Mochou Lake. Around mid-morning, amidst the clear cry of a crane, Ge Changgeng and the Qing Yan Little Child arrived, just as expected.

"Layman Fang, didn’t Ling’Er and Nannan come with you?" the Qing Yan Little Child asked.

"Oh, they were sleeping in when I left this morning, so they didn’t tag along."

Fang Rui replied, an inexplicable, father-like wariness rising in his heart. ’This kid... he wouldn’t be... would he? Maybe I should bring Ling’Er and Nannan around less often in the future?’

’Ah, forget it. I’m making a big deal out of nothing. The two little girls are still young. When it comes to things like this, I’ll let them decide for themselves!’

He shook his head and looked at Ge Changgeng. "Daoist, you’re looking radiant and seem to be in high spirits today. Has something good happened?"

"A couple of days ago, I came to Mochou Lake to fish and caught something good."

As for what this "good thing" was, Ge Changgeng didn’t elaborate, instead continuing, "I took it and, together with Daoist Sun of the Divine Capture Bureau, refined it into an Elixir. We gave it to your Director to treat his hidden injuries. He should be able to hold his position for another year or so..."

Hearing this, a realization struck Fang Rui like a bolt of lightning. ’That "good thing"... don’t tell me it was the Blood Soul Remnant?’

The Blood Soul Remnant had carried away a minuscule portion of the Dragon Pearl’s essence. It could indeed be called a "good thing."

’Zhou Changfa received the Elixir and treated his hidden injuries. No wonder he was so pleased. He went out of his way to praise me by name in an internal meeting and even gave me an exceptional reward.’

’So, that little bit of escaped Blood Soul Remnant ended up giving me a gift, coming full circle back to me?’

Fang Rui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’Maybe it’s a good thing I blew up the Yin Corpse, turning it into a Blood Soul Remnant. Otherwise, what Daoist Ge found wouldn’t have been a fortunate opportunity, but a deadly calamity!’

’And I was only able to get ahold of the Yin Corpse thanks to that Light Body Talisman... This is truly a case of cause and effect!’

Sighing inwardly, Fang Rui steered the conversation and casually asked his question. "Daoist Ge, a couple of days ago, I purchased the legacy of a Low Grade Spirit Master. Reading through it, it seems that Spirit Master Cultivation requires Qi Fortune?"

"Is that the case for all Spirit Master Cultivation?" he asked, voicing the doubt in his mind.

"You acquired your Spirit Master legacy from the Court’s Divine Capture Bureau, I presume?"

Ge Changgeng stroked his beard. "Spirit Masters, Qi Fortune, and even the ancient times you’ve asked about—they’re all part of the same question."

"These matters are quite secret. Had you asked anyone else, they surely would not have known. These things are only recorded in the legacy I inherited."

"You’ve asked me about this before, and I’ve avoided answering. Today, however, I can tell you. But there is no such thing as a free lunch; you must be willing to pay a price."

Ge Changgeng didn’t keep him in suspense, stating bluntly, "If you promise to look after my young disciple, Qing Yan, should anything happen to me in the future, then I can tell you the answers to your questions today."

"Master!" the Qing Yan Little Child cried out.

Ge Changgeng raised a hand to silence Qing Yan, then said to Fang Rui, "This concerns the legacy of my sect, so it cannot be passed on lightly. I hope you’ll forgive me. Furthermore, you should consider your decision carefully. It comes with a certain amount of danger..."

He was an honest man and made sure to disclose the risks upfront.

’Paying for knowledge? I can completely understand that.’

Fang Rui mused to himself. After a moment’s consideration, he cautiously agreed.

In his opinion, while looking after the Qing Yan Little Child might involve some risk, it was clearly worth it to learn the secrets of Spirit Masters and avoid going astray.

"Good. I trust you."

Ge Changgeng didn’t waste any more words and began his explanation directly. "In the world today, there are two kinds of Spirit Masters. One is the Ancient Spirit Master, like me. The other is the Imperial Spirit Master."

"I’ve told you before that Imperial Spirit Masters are dogs on a leash. That leash is Qi Fortune."

’Qi Fortune? So it’s true?!’

Fang Rui played along at the perfect moment. "Daoist Ge, does Qi Fortune really exist in this world?"

"Qi Fortune didn’t exist originally. But then someone defined it, and from that point on, it existed in the world."

’Qi Fortune? Defined? Does this involve things on the level of a Rule?!’

Fang Rui was profoundly shaken. "Daoist Ge, what do you mean by that?"

...