Welcome to Ability Store-Chapter 95 - 94: What the Immortal Master Wants to Buy
"Have you thought it through?" Chen Xuan deliberately asked again.
"Yes!" Jiu nodded heavily, "I don’t know if there really are so many immortal techniques in the Celestial Realm, but the fact that you saved Hua and me is undeniable. Also, I previously promised you that I would do anything within my ability — Master once said, a person must keep their word!"
"Your master is quite principled." Chen Xuan smiled, then pointed the scanning gun at Hua, "I forgot to mention, I won’t require these two abilities today. Instead, I’ll wait until after you have avenged your master and family. But before that, I need to adjust your abilities a bit... move your sister’s ’Spiritual Energy Body’ to you."
"Why?"
"This way, we can forge a more complete cultivation genius, which will help you both enhance your powers in a short time."
Although the Gemini ability allowed another to benefit from the accelerated absorption of spiritual energy, the refined spiritual energy within the body remained an individual possession. Furthermore, the ability description mentioned that too rapid conversion of spiritual energy could lead to a shortened lifespan. If they could frequently switch and share the burden, it would significantly reduce the side effects of this ability.
The next day, when Chen Xuan went to see the two siblings, he found their spirits greatly improved, almost as if they had recovered.
He had Lin Qing cook two large bowls of porridge for them, and they finished it in no time, leaving the bowls impeccably clean.
It was clear that the two hadn’t had a proper meal for quite some time.
On the third day, after their IV drips were finished, Chen Xuan took them directly to Hot Pepper Village.
Through the back door of the Fu Jiaolu room, the three of them instantly arrived in this vibrant world... The vast Chang’an City had vanished, replaced by an endless plain and the towering mountains behind them like stone spires.
Jiu and Hua were dumbfounded.
To them, no matter how exquisite the setup of the Celestial Realm, or how bright the lights, it was always just a house with a roof and walls.
But now they saw a vast world.
"Greetings, Shop Manager!"
"Would you like to visit our home? Our steamed buns are delicious."
The passing villagers warmly greeted Chen Xuan, and Jiu could tell that the villagers’ love and respect for the Immortal Master were worn openly on their eyes.
But why did they call him Shop Manager?
"The Celestial Realm is connected to various places, so an Immortal Master has many identities. You can call me Shop Manager or Immortal Master." Chen Xuan explained proactively, as if reading his mind.
Of course, this was just a lie.
"Immortal Master, may I ask, what is this place?" Hua asked curiously.
She shared the same thought as her brother— the Celestial Realm is indeed mystical!
"Wanshan Wilderness, not in the same world as the land you’re familiar with."
"Could this be the Great Thousand Worlds Master mentioned!?" Jiu was astonished.
"Oh? Your master knows about this?"
"Yeah... he said that the world is far from as simple as it seems. It holds many lesser-known passages that can lead to other spaces. When combined, these spaces form the actual Great Thousand Worlds." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Chen Xuan’s heart was moved as he listened.
Could the passages he mentioned actually be intrusion points?
If that’s the case, did this Loose Cultivator accidentally stumble upon some intrusion event, or is he himself a Wanderer?
"Did he ever mention anything else about the Great Thousand Worlds?"
The boy thought for a bit and then shook his head, "No more... Master only mentioned that some sects control the passages, and those outside the sects have no chance to contact these things."
As expected, Chen Xuan thought, intrusions from another world will always attract forces wanting to exploit it, whether it’s the Immortal Alliance or the Dimensional Limit Mechanism, the first choice is always monopolizing the intrusion point.
Bringing the two to the Cultivation Platform in front of Wanshan Wilderness, Liu Shuyue was already waiting there.
Though called a Cultivation Platform, it was actually a small square paved with permeable bricks, connecting to various cave houses. This way, even in a heavy rain, everyone wouldn’t end up with muddy shoes. It also served the villagers’ needs for meditation and cultivation, which is why it was given this name.
"This is Immortal Master Liu." Chen Xuan introduced, "She will be responsible for teaching you the immortal techniques."
The siblings immediately knelt down and performed grand rites, "Greetings, Immortal Master Lord!"
"Stand up." Liu Shuyue glanced at Chen Xuan in mild reproach and then coughed lightly, "Since you’ve entered my sect, you now have the qualifications to study immortal techniques. But always remember, the strength of immortal techniques is built upon one’s heart and mind. Cultivating the heart is a cultivator’s unyielding goal."
"We disciples will heed your teachings!" They stood up and immediately clasped their fists and bowed.
You had to admit, they were truly polite.
Chen Xuan didn’t require them to perform master-disciple rituals towards an Immortal Master, but they seemed to have decided that as long as they could learn something, the Immortal Master would be their master.
Even Liu Shuyue showed a hint of appreciation.
"Follow me."
She led them towards another group of villagers sitting and meditating.
Now, in this atmosphere of communal cultivation, everyone capable of sensing qi longed to join the glorious Hunting Team and contribute to protecting the village. Especially after news that the Hunting Team routed the kingdom’s siege corps in Yunzhou and took over the entire Jiufeng City, villagers capable of fighting now had an added glow of opening new territories for the Immortal Master, further intensifying their cultivation desires.
To prevent villagers from overcommitting their time to spiritual qi absorption exercises, Liu Shuyue even had to impose certain limits, stipulating that they could meditate for a maximum of only four two-hour periods daily, ensuring the Hot Pepper Village could still operate normally.
Teaching a large group was still teaching, so adding two more curious guests was no extra burden for Immortal Master Liu.
Returning to the shop by midday, when Lin Qing had prepared lunch, Chen Xuan again met Liu Shuyue.
Her appearances at mealtimes had become increasingly frequent.
Every time she arrived, she would always change into a custom store uniform beforehand, as if she transformed from an Immortal Master to a conscientious store clerk the moment she set foot inside.
Proof showed her popularity clearly exceeded Lin Qing’s. Just standing at the cash register attracted many neighborhood residents. Recently, the shop’s sales of tobacco, alcohol, and snacks steadily climbed, with weekly sales nearing those of an entire month in the past.
Chen Xuan thought for a moment, probably due to Lin Qing’s flashy hair color— from a distance, she really looked too much like a rebellious spirit sister.
In comparison, Liu Shuyue’s image was much better, her long black hair tied into a ponytail with a baseball cap, and even an ordinary short-sleeved uniform made her feel like a celebrity.
"How are those two doing?" Chen Xuan asked while picking up a piece of tender braised pork.
"Surprisingly well," Liu Shuyue seriously replied, "Especially that boy named Jiu, his qi sensing and utilization abilities far exceed other villagers. In just one morning, he’s already maintaining the Purifying Heart Technique’s cycle within his body, faster than I learned it back then."
"Genius, naturally unreasonable," Lin Qing laughed cheerfully, "Maybe after a few more years of practice, the Qi Kingdom’s Immortal Master title will be his."
"If that’s the case, I could devote all my time to building Hot Pepper Village," Liu Shuyue was no longer as attached to her Immortal Master identity as before.
"By the way." She paused, took a small pouch from her waist, and placed it on the dining table, "Villagers found these in the mountains, can they be exchanged for money?"
Chen Xuan emptied the pouch and discovered pieces of jade-green stone, which even without light, held a rich and solid appearance. With a touch of water from a glass smoothed over it, it immediately refracted a bright sheen.
Without a doubt, these stones could be considered gemstones, whether jade, emerald, or some special mineral from that world, Chen Xuan couldn’t determine just yet.
Silver currency wasn’t used in Hot Pepper Village, so the money she referred to could not be Qi Kingdom currency.
"You want money from this world?" Chen Xuan asked unexpectedly.
"Yes," Liu Shuyue replied.
"Looking to buy something?"
"Haven’t I been owing rent without paying?"
"Well... you’re already a store clerk here, naturally rent-free. I provide room and board."
"Really? That’s great." Liu Shuyue smiled radiantly, "Rent was just a casual mention, I do have something I want to buy."
Oh dear... Turns out mentioning rent was just an opener. Chen Xuan, becoming curious, asked, "What do you want to buy?"
"Well... Miss Lin, could you show the Shop Manager the video?" She asked Lin Qing for help.
"You’re actually planning on buying that!" Lin Qing exclaimed, pulling out her phone and searching briefly before handing it to Chen Xuan, "She has her eyes on this thing."
Taking a look, Chen Xuan almost choked on his rice— displayed on the screen was a livestream video of an excavator.
