Supreme Taming Authority-Chapter 53: Present a Gift and Receive the Inner Court Token

"I acquired it by chance," Xian Tiandi explained. "On a particular day, there was a cultivator’s gathering. An old vendor was selling various techniques and artifacts. Most were clearly fake or useless."

He maintained his tone as someone recounting a fortunate discovery.

"But one technique scroll caught my attention. The vendor claimed it might be genuine, though he wasn’t certain. The price was low because of the uncertainty. I took a chance and purchased it. When I studied it later, I realized it was real."

"A genuine treasure hidden among fakes," Yue Lian murmured. "You have excellent instincts, young master. Many cultivators would have passed it by."

’She really isn’t putting on airs. Calling me young master,’ Xian Tiandi thought to himself.

She returned to her position by the window. "I must ask, would you be willing to share that technique with the Four Symbols Sect? We would compensate you generously, of course. Name your price."

Xian Tiandi shook his head immediately. "I cannot accept payment from you, Sect Leader."

Yue Lian’s eyebrows raised slightly. "Oh? Is there something else you would prefer instead?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"No," Xian Tiandi said. "You are Yu’er’s master. You’ve trained her, protected her, and cared for her since she joined your sect. You’ve given her opportunities to grow and resources to cultivate. Asking payment from you would be inappropriate."

He met her eyes directly. "I will give you the technique freely. It’s the least I can do to repay your kindness to my sister."

The room fell silent for a moment. Yue Lian’s expression shifted through several emotions. Surprise. Consideration. And finally, warm appreciation.

Yu’er was staring at her brother with obvious emotion, her eyes glistening slightly.

"You have a remarkably good heart, Xian Tiandi," Yue Lian said softly. "In a world where cultivators hoard every advantage and trade favors like merchants, you offer a valuable technique as a gift. That speaks well of your character."

She smiled again, and the expression carried genuine warmth. "Very well. I accept your gift with gratitude. And I assure you, the Four Symbols Sect remembers those who show us kindness."

"There is one complication," Xian Tiandi added. "The technique scroll I learned from destroyed itself after I comprehended it. That’s part of its protection mechanism, to prevent widespread distribution. I’ll need to write out the technique from memory."

"That’s perfectly acceptable," Yue Lian said. She produced a blank jade slip from her spatial ring and handed it to him. "Use this recording jade. Simply channel the technique information into it using your spiritual sense."

Xian Tiandi accepted the jade slip and closed his eyes. His spiritual sense activated, flowing into the blank jade like water filling a vessel.

The tracking technique he inscribed was genuine. One he’d created himself in his past life specifically for situations like this. It was sophisticated enough to be valuable to a major sect, simple enough to be believable as a fortunate find, and most importantly, it actually worked as advertised.

The technique wove together three separate formations. A spiritual imprint that bonded to the target. A distress detection array that monitored the imprint for danger signals. And a long-range transmission formation that could pierce through most barriers and concealment techniques.

It had taken him decades to perfect in his previous life. Now he was giving it away freely.

But that was fine. The goodwill of the Four Symbols Sect leader was worth more than hoarding one technique.

It would help him in his future plans once he enters the sect.

After several minutes, Xian Tiandi opened his eyes and returned the jade slip. "It’s complete. The entire technique is recorded there."

Yue Lian examined the jade slip with her spiritual sense. Her eyes widened progressively as she absorbed the information contained within.

"This is... incredible," she breathed. "The complexity of these formations, the way they interweave to support each other. This is easily Foundation Establishment level technique work. Perhaps even approaching Golden Core in sophistication."

She looked at Xian Tiandi with new appreciation. "The vendor who sold this to you had no idea what he possessed. You are truly fortunate."

"I try to recognize opportunities when they present themselves," Xian Tiandi replied modestly.

Yue Lian carefully stored the jade slip in her spatial ring. "The Four Symbols Sect will benefit greatly from this. Our ability to protect our disciples on dangerous missions will improve significantly."

She moved toward a small table and retrieved something from her own spatial ring. A jade token, square and roughly palm-sized, with intricate carvings covering both sides. The Four Symbols Sect’s emblem was prominent on the front.

"Xian Tiandi," Yue Lian said, holding the token out to him. "Please accept this as thanks from the Four Symbols Sect."

Yu’er gasped audibly. "Master! That’s..."

"I know what it is," Yue Lian said gently, still holding it out to Xian Tiandi. "And I know its value. But Xian Tiandi has earned it."

Xian Tiandi reached out and accepted the token carefully. The jade was smooth and warm to the touch, pulsing faintly with spiritual energy.

"This token grants you privileges within our sect," Yue Lian explained. "Free access to our libraries, training grounds, and resource halls. Significant discounts on pills and artifacts from our sect’s stores. And most importantly, protection."

"Anyone who sees that token will know you are under the Four Symbols Sect’s direct protection," she continued. "It’s equivalent to being an inner court disciple, though without the obligations or restrictions that come with formal membership."

Yu’er leaned forward excitedly. "Big Brother, do you understand what this means? Those tokens are incredibly rare. They’re only given to people the sect wants to recruit but who aren’t yet members. Or to important allies and partners."

"There are maybe fifty of them in circulation at any given time," she added. "With that token, you could walk into any Four Symbols Sect facility in the entire kingdom and be treated as an honored guest."

Xian Tiandi examined the token more closely. He could feel the complex formations woven into its structure. Authentication arrays. Protection triggers. Communication links. It was a masterwork of formation crafting.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Yue," he said sincerely. "I will use this privilege wisely."

"I’m certain you will," Yue Lian replied. Her smile was warm and genuine. "And when you participate in the sect selection trials in coming days, present that token. You’ll be given special consideration."