Chapter 17 - The Void Mirage Sword: A Path to Mastery

“Master Xiao Yu! Father said you’ve broken through to the Golden Core stage, so I’ve come to celebrate!”

Fu Qu’s smile was as radiant as spring sunshine. She skipped into Xiao Yu’s room, carrying a small food container in her hands. With a playful grin, she added, “Here’s a gift for you—quick, take a look!”

Setting the container on the table, she carefully lifted the lid. Instantly, a fragrant aroma filled the entire room.

“A gift?” Xiao Yu arched a brow curiously as he glanced at the box.

Inside were several dishes and a jar of wine. The intoxicating scent clearly came from the wine itself—no ordinary brew, that much was certain.

“You didn’t happen to steal this, did you?” Xiao Yu teased, flicking her nose lightly with his fingertip.

“Master Xiao Yu, this is a joyous occasion—you’ve reached the Golden Core stage! Isn’t it fitting to have a drink or two in celebration?”  Fu Qu insisted, setting the dishes and chopsticks in perfect order.

“Well, when you put it that way…” Xiao Yu chuckled softly. He lifted the cup  Fu Qu poured for him and took a sip.

The fiery liquid seared its way down his throat like molten lava, forcing him to set the cup down immediately. He grabbed a handful of vegetables, chewing quickly to dispel the heat.

“What is this wine? It’s so… spicy!” Xiao Yu exclaimed, blinking away tears.

“It’s my father’s Blue Sea Flame Wine

!”  Fu Qu beamed with pride. “I sneaked it out just for you. He said it can boost your cultivation, but it’s too potent to drink in large amounts.”

“Blue Sea Flame Wine…” Xiao Yu muttered in surprise. The name alone indicated its rarity and potency.

“Master Xiao Yu, look what else I brought!”

With a flourish,  Fu Qu opened her storage pouch. A cascade of upper-grade spirit stones tumbled onto the table, filling it to the brim with dazzling light.

“So many spirit stones!” Xiao Yu’s eyes widened. “And they’re all upper grade!”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

It was no small sum—each upper-grade spirit stone was equivalent to a hundred mid-grade stones or ten thousand low-grade ones. With his recent breakthrough, Xiao Yu’s cultivation demands had skyrocketed. This unexpected bounty came just in time.

“These are your monthly wages now that you’re a Golden Core cultivator,”  Fu Qu explained cheerfully. “I brought fifty upper-grade spirit stones, along with ten bottles of Qi Gathering Pills and two bottles of Golden Spirit Pills. Go ahead—check for yourself!”

One by one, she lined up the delicate jade bottles beside the glittering spirit stones.

“Such generosity…” Xiao Yu’s smile widened.

The Qi Gathering Pills

were invaluable for replenishing spiritual energy, but the Golden Spirit Pills were treasures reserved exclusively for Golden Core cultivators. Each pill could replace a hundred Qi Gathering Pills in potency, making them indispensable for emergencies.

“Here, these ten Golden Spirit Pills are for you.”

Without hesitation, Xiao Yu uncorked a bottle and handed a handful of pills to  Fu Qu.

“Master Xiao Yu, I can’t accept these!”  Fu Qu protested, shaking her head like a stubborn child. “They’re meant for you, not me. You’re in the Golden Core stage now—these pills are far more important for your cultivation.”

“They’re mine to give as I please,” Xiao Yu replied firmly, pressing the pills into her hands. “In critical moments, these pills can restore your strength and turn the tide of battle. Keep them—they’ll serve you well.”

Fu Qu blinked back tears of gratitude, clutching the pills tightly. “Master Xiao Yu, you’re always so kind to me…”

“Who else would I look after if not my little junior sister?” Xiao Yu laughed, ruffling her hair affectionately.

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“By the way, Master Xiao Yu, have you visited the Heavenly Sword Pavilion yet? What sword technique will you choose?”  Fu Qu’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as they walked together through Tianyong City.

“Not yet,” Xiao Yu replied calmly, hands folded behind his back. “But I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Oh? Which one?”

“The Void Mirage Sword.”

Fu Qu’s steps faltered as she gasped audibly. “The Void Mirage Sword? Isn’t that one of the most elusive and difficult techniques in the entire pavilion?”

Xiao Yu’s lips curled into a confident smile. “It is.”