Translation: Aerial Rain Translation (aerialrain.com) by koffeam
“What?” Chu Tianfeng instantly stupefied.
Monetary…payment?!
This word was not only unfamiliar. For the young master from Fentian Palace, it was totally an unknown term. No one has ever talked to him about money, especially young women. He almost thought he had heard it wrong.
“Meng Qi!” Qingfeng Valley’s sect leader next to Chu Tianfeng admonished with a dark face: “Don’t fool around.”
The entire Qingfeng great hall fell into silence. The mountain breeze roared past, as if robbing all the voices here. All the disciples looked at Meng Qi. In the eyes of most people, this junior sister who has been joined the sect for half a year is the typical example of a quiet and well-behaved girl. Unexpectedly, once the quiet girl opened her mouth, she amazed everyone.
Qingfeng Valley was a medical sect. Most disciples learn medical skills to make a living in this Three Thousand Worlds. So, there was nothing wrong with accepting monetary payment for medical treatment. But that man was Fentian Palace’s young master that stood above countless people, ah! If it were them…they would rather exchange some friendship with this proud and handsome young man.
Meng Qi’s expression was still as calm as water. She saluted the sect leader: “This disciple wants to try solving the poison from Fentian Palace’s Young Master’s body.” She didn’t even want to call Chu Tianfeng’s name, so as to reduce even the smallest possibility of herself being involved with him. “Just …”
“You want money?” Chu Tianfeng coldly responded. The bone-piercing pain that obviously has just been receded once again surged from his limbs. The black-robed young man stood tall, looking at the girl in a blue robe. Sure enough, even if they both came from Qingfeng Valley, this place could bring out such a kind, brave, and pure girl like Lu Qingran, and could also bring out this kind of woman…
Chu Tianfeng’s gaze has become colder than the winds on the winter solstice. Staring quietly at Meng Qi, his voice was even colder than his eyes: “Are you sure you can solve my poison?”
“Fellow Daoist Chu…” The sect leader wanted to speak for Meng Qi. Even if this girl was reckless, she was still a talented disciple from their sect.
“No need to say more.” Chu Tianfeng coldly interrupted the sect leader.
He had never suffered such humiliation.
Never!
Over the years, he has long been accustomed to being revered by all. The girls he met could not wait to give their everything for him. He never saw a person dared to ask for money from him.
“Let her cure me.” Chu Tianfeng looked at Meng Qi. “How much do you want?”
Meng Qi hesitated. How much should she charge? Disciples of Qingfeng Valley came here to learn medical skills. After leaving the sect, many of them would find some city or powerhouse to become a healer, in order to survive in this Three Thousand Worlds.
But Meng Qi never thought of relying on her medical skills to make money. In her previous life, she single-heartedly dedicated herself to pursue the medical path. As a cultivator who just entered the Golden Core stage, Meng Qi, who could break through the fifth rank of medical cultivation, was indeed an outstanding talent in Three Thousand Worlds. But now she needed to cut off the karma…
Meng Qi stared at Chu Tianfeng for a while. She turned to look at the sect leader: “Sect Leader.” She saluted again: “How much should I charge?”
The sect leader was astonished. She wordlessly looked at Meng Qi, unable to fathom how the situation developed into this stage.
“Meng Qi” She ignored this little disciple’s question and said, “You know, this Fellow Daoist Chu’s poison…” She paused hesitantly, “Is not easy to cure.”
One’s medical cultivation level wasn’t exactly tied to their cultivation base. But if a healer’s cultivation base was too low, to put it bluntly, they wouldn’t be able to use some spells or refine some medicines, thus greatly limited their treatment choice.
But Meng Qi…
The sect leader carefully examined this disciple, who usually never talked much before. This girl certainly was in the Qi Condensation stage, and the poison in Chu Tianfeng comes from the fifth-rank devil beast.
Would she really be able to cure him? The sect leader didn’t believe it.
“This disciple had read two books related to poison detoxification in the Library Pavilion a few days ago.” Meng Qi pondered a bit and continued, “Although this disciple’s cultivation base is still low, being a healer is not entirely dependent on one’s cultivation.”
This was the fact she finally understood after spending so much time in her previous life. After the enlightenment, Meng Qi’s medical cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, breaking through the fourth rank during the Foundation Establishment stage.
“But Fellow Daoist Chu’s poisoning…” The sect leader warned her, “Is not a small matter.”
“This disciple is willing to give it a try.”
Chu Tianfeng snorted. This woman was a mere little cultivator in the Qi Condensation stage. Yet she was going to use his body as a test subject?
His eyes were as cold as a winter night, and his dark pupils straightly stared at Meng Qi.
“The poison from a fifth-rank devil beast is far beyond the level I can cure.” The sect leader didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but now they have no choice. Meng Qi’s words were full of confidence. The sect leader remembered that one of their elders praised Meng Qi many times, saying that this disciple’s medical talent was extraordinary and that she might not lose to the sect leader’s most valued personal disciple, Lu Qingran.
“If converted to spirit stones…” The leader hesitated, “The treatment cost should be around five hundred fifth-grade spiritual stones.” However, the sect leader omitted to explain that powerful healers who could detoxify the poison from a fifth-rank devil beast usually had long dismissed vulgar objects like spirit stones. What they typically accept are some rare and precious materials, magic treasures, or valuable weapons.
“This disciple understands.” Meng Qi nodded, her mind carefully calculating.
Disciples of Qingfeng Valley could obtain a certain number of spirit stones by completing the tasks assigned by the sect. Just like spells and techniques, spirit stone was divided into nine grades. The reward of completing an ordinary task was usually ten first-grade spirit stones. One thousand first-grade spirit stones could be exchanged for one second-grade spirit stone, and now the sect leader gave the price of five hundred fifth-grade spirit stones.
Meng Qi glanced at the black-robed man whose face was increasingly becoming paler. She remembered that the other party had deep entanglement with Lu Qingran. At least before Meng Qi died in her previous life, Chu Tianfeng frequently accompanied Lu Qingran.
So, in order to cut off her own karmic ties with Chu Tianfeng, how many spirit stones should she charge him?
“I …” Chu Tianfeng was going to answer that he will pay.
Isn’t it just five hundred fifth-grade spirit stones? Fentian Palace’s Young Master never put that kind of vulgar things into his eyes. But he suddenly remembered that his storage space item had long been lost in the fight with the devil beast that wounded him. Now counting up from head to toe, he couldn’t even take out ten first-grade spirit stones.
“Five sixth-grade spirit stones.” Before Chu Tianfeng could say anything, Meng Qi made a gesture with her fingers. The girl’s fingers were slender and snowy white, her voice soft and sweet: “Thank you.”
Chu Tianfeng: “……”
Sect leader: “……Meng Qi.”
Other disciples: “…”
“This disciple understands the consequence.” Meng Qi nodded gently. She didn’t actually know how much she should charge. A karmic relationship was obviously unable to be measured by spirit stones. Therefore, she could only calculate using the close relationship between Chu Tianfeng and Lu Qingran.
If she really cured Chu Tianfeng with a normal treatment fee, he might still feel grateful. Therefore, she had to charge much more! Because he was very close with Lu Qingran, then she would charge ten times the price.
Meng Qi made up her mind. She glanced at Chu Tianfeng. Although the young man tried his best to stand straight, his body was still trembling slightly. The hands hanging down on the side of his body were clenched so tightly that others could even see green veins on it. Chu Tianfeng, who was being attacked by the poison, should be in great pain.
Meng Qi also remembered that his storage space item was destroyed to save Lu Qingran. She just wanted to heal people, and the treatment fee was to cut off karmic ties.
Let’s not overdo it.
“Young palace master could write me an IOU first.” Meng Qi’s clear eyes looked directly at Chu Tianfeng, her tone full of sincerity. “I believe you won’t renege your debt.”
Chu Tianfeng really wanted to vomit blood. Not only did she want to take his money and use him as a test subject, but she also righteously started to raise the price.
And now …
The hands hanging on his side trembled slightly. Probably because his cultivation temporarily reduced into the Qi Condensation stage, Chu Tianfeng felt that he couldn’t control his emotion well.
This woman, he must …
He will make her …
“Okay.” Chu Tianfeng coldly smiled, “I will pay you, but if you can’t cure me…”
“I’ll pay with my life.” Meng Qi calmly said.
Chu Tianfeng: “…”
All the words that came to his lips were all blocked by this sentence.
Meng Qi turned around and walked out of the hall. “The spiritual aura is the strongest at the cold pond on the summit. Follow me.”
She wasn’t fooling him. Before rebirth, she could completely solve Chu Tianfeng’s poison, and now in this life, she definitely could do it better. What’s more, if no one saved Chu Tianfeng, the whole Qingfeng Valley would be wiped out. Based on her cultivation level, it was impossible for Meng Qi to survive alone in the chaotic catastrophe that followed the demon race’s invasion.
Chu Tianfeng followed her without saying a word. He even forgot to look at Lu Qingran. The proud, cold faced young man strode out the hall after Meng Qi.
The two went one after another. They gradually disappeared into the clouds and mist of Qingfeng Valley.
At this time, the whispering voice finally started to be heard again in the previously quiet hall. Compared with the eagerness they had when they first saw the young palace master of Fentian Palace, the eyes of Qingfeng Valley’s disciples became a little strange. They looked in the direction in which Meng Qi left, and for a time, didn’t know what to say.
Lan Zhuxuan clenched her fists. She thought how aloof was this junior sister Meng Qi looked before. What was ‘wholeheartedly cultivating one’s medical skills’? Didn’t she even come up with such a strategy to approach Fentian Palace’s Young Master?
Humph!
She didn’t believe that Meng Qi, who just entered the sect for six months, would be able to solve a poison that even made the Sect Leader helpless!
But no matter what, Meng Qi showed such an act and deeply impressed this handsome and powerful Young Palace Master.
Somewhat unwilling, Lan Zhuxuan looked at the hall’s entrance. Meng Qi and Chu Tianfeng were no longer visible there. If she knew beforehand, she would also come forward just now. Anyway, even the sect leader was rendered helpless, so even if she couldn’t cure the young master, no one would blame her.
When Qingfeng Valley was first established, the site selected as the sect’s location was exactly this cold pond located on the mountain’s peak.
Before Meng Qi approached, she already felt cold. Like fine needles, the cold aura seemed to penetrate into her bones. Meng Qi was thin, and she was just a Qi Condensation cultivator. This cold pond was the place where the sect leader and other elders came to cultivate. But even they would only come here at most once per month.
Meng Qi’s steps paused. She took out a small crimson pill from the bracelet-shaped storage space and slowly put it in her mouth. This originally was a very common first-grade pill, called spring warmth. However, the pill she took just now was a slightly improved version. It allows Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators to resist the coldness of this place.
Meng Qi put the pill under her tongue and took two more steps. She suddenly remembered and looked back at Chu Tianfeng, who was walking two steps behind her.
“Do you feel cold?” Meng Qi remembered that after he was poisoned and injured, Chu Tianfeng’s cultivation was suppressed into the Qi Condensation stage. Obviously, he couldn’t resist the coldness from this pond.
Chu Tianfeng ashen face blushed upon Meng Qi’s question. Of course he felt cold, but he didn’t want to admit it. Fentian Palace’s Young Master would never admit defeat, especially in front of this money-loving girl.
“For you.” Meng Qi touched the bracelet-shaped storage space, took out another pill, then handed it to Chu Tianfeng.
“No need.” As soon as Chu Tianfeng spoke, his teeth lightly clacked. In an instant, his face burned red. If his cultivation was still in full condition, he would never be in such a sorry state.
“Our sect’s cold pond was full with thick aura, it’s coldness penetrated into bones and could lessen your poison’s effect.” Meng Qi held the pill with one hand: “It can also force the poison to stop circulating so that it will not wander around your body and make it easier to be drawing out.”
At this time, far away from Qingfeng Valley’s great hall, the two stood on the other side of the peak. There were no other people around, and only Meng Qi’s voice could be heard, accompanied by the cold wind. Her voice was very nice. Even if her speech’s tone did not fluctuate too much, it was very soft and sweet, like sweet spring. Very comfortable.
After listening to her explanation, Chu Tianfeng’s expression became slightly better. Before, he almost doubted if the other party intentionally wanted to embarrass him.
“I forgot that your cultivation is being suppressed by the devil beast poison. In our sect, cultivators on the Qi Condensation stage aren’t allowed to approach this cold pond.” Meng Qi added.
Chu Tianfeng’s face was eased even more.
“This pill of spring warmth will keep you from being hurt by the cold aura in the cold pond, don’t worry…” Meng Qi explained with a soft voice.
Chu Tianfeng’s expression gradually became better. His arm moved slightly. So this girl actually had a good intention. His refusal was so blatant, probably made Meng Qi misunderstand, thinking that he doubted her intention with the pill. That’s why she explained like this.
“I’m not …” Chu Tianfeng just wanted to explain that he didn’t doubt Meng Qi’s pill. As if to prove himself, he simply reached out and took the pill from her palm.
He took a look at the crimson pill in his hand. It started to emit warmth, which surprised him a little. He had also seen a similar low-level pill before, but this one …
Chu Tianfeng imitated Meng Qi and put the pill under his tongue. Instantly, a warm feeling filled his limbs. It seemed that the bitter soreness he felt all this time after the previous poison attack was now reduced. Sure enough, this pill was a little different from the ordinary spring warmth pill.
“I improved this pill myself. In addition to the main ingredient of flame grass, I also added its seeds during refinement.” Meng Qi explained again.
The cold feeling was reduced, and even the pain caused by the poison attack seemed to ease a lot. Although Chu Tianfeng was a genius, he was still a young man. Just now, he was so angry with Meng Qi that he vowed never to give her a good attitude. But now, he felt that the other party’s calm and clear voice among the cold wind didn’t seem to be as detestable as before.
Meng Qi continued her explanation: “Ordinary spring warmth was priced at fifteen first-grade spiritual stones.” Then he heard the girl said: “So this pill will be an additional cost, two hundred first-grade spiritual stones.”
Chu Tianfeng: “…”
The expression that was just being eased suddenly became sour again.
Very good!
He will remember this!
As the young master of Fentian Palace, Chu Tianfeng never care about such small things as one or two hundred low-grade spirit stones.
Just….
Chu Tianfeng originally followed Meng Qi to watch her joke. But at this moment, he fell into silence. Except for him being angry with her and her talking about money to him, they had no other communication. He looked at the slender blue-robed girl with complicated eyes. She seemed to be really different. Perhaps, she really has a way …
Chu Tianfeng gritted his teeth, then took a look around. The cold pond wasn’t far away, and his cultivation base was greatly reduced. Without this pill, he may be really unable to take even another step. Imagining the disdain and contempt Meng Qi might show him, he tightened his grip on the pill and stepped forward.
Qingfeng Valley’s cold pond was indeed the place with the thickest aura. Chu Tianfeng stood by the pond, with Meng Qi’s improved spring warmth, he felt warm all over. Taking a deep breath, he felt full of energy, and his body became lighter.
“Take off your clothes.” Meng Qi lightly instructed.
The surprised young man hurriedly turned his back, only to meet the girl’s unblinking bright eyes. Her side face was delicate and pretty. Her creamy skin was as white as jade, without the slightest sign of bashfulness. Not only that, but Meng Qi has also turned around and now was standing beside a big rock.
She was constantly taking out many medicinal herbs from the storage bracelet. After her rebirth, she collected them bit by bit. Although none were very rare or precious, Meng Qi still took a great effort to obtain these herbs. To get some of these things, she almost got injured several times.
But it still not enough.
After taking out all the things she could use, Meng Qi looked back to Chu Tianfeng. The black-robed young man stood aloof behind her, tall and elegant. His beautiful and flawless facial features seemed to be even colder than the cold pond, and not even the slightest warmth could be seen in his eyes.
Chu Tianfeng sneered when he saw Meng Qi turned around. His slender fingers touched his lapel, his gaze straight into Meng Qi’s eyes, then he took off his robe.
The black robe was thrown aside, then the white inner coat. The young man’s wheat-colored skin was gradually exposed to the chilly air. Chu Tianfeng was a cultivator. Moreover, he was born as the young master of a big sect like the Fentian Palace. Not only his appearance outstanding, but his body was also in excellent shape. He still looked very young, his back as straight as a rod. Slender neck, wide shoulders, and narrow waist, there was no trace of excess fat on him. His whole appearance was very handsome and upstanding.
Chu Tianfeng sneered. Now he didn’t care much about his own injury. Instead, he began to wonder what this Meng Qi was going to do. He didn’t believe that such a delicate and pretty young girl could remain calm when seeing his half-naked figure. She would definitely…
Meng Qi’s clear eyes fell flat on Chu Tianfeng’s shoulders. Although the injury has gotten some simple treatment, she still could see three small black holes on it—That was the wound left behind by the fifth-rank devil beast. Even now, she could still see black mist occasionally rising from the holes, and even the wounds around Chu Tianfeng’s shoulder gradually became darker.
Meng Qi frowned, she pointed to the cold pond next to them: “Go in.”
Chu Tianfeng: “…”
Without a word, he jumped into the cold pond. Even with the spring warmth given by Meng Qi, he still shivered when the cold water reached over his shoulders. Seeing this, Meng Qi took another spring warmth from her storage bracelet.
“Two hundred first-grade spirit stones.” She said, holding the pill before Chu Tianfeng.
Silently snatching the crimson pill, the Young Master of Fentian Palace was about to open his mouth—but his body suddenly stiffened.
Severe pain was quickly spreading from his shoulder.
Again!
Chu Tianfeng gritted his teeth, ready to fight the pain of thousands of needles piercing his bones.
If it was only severe pain, he could bear it. But this was a kind of pain that seemed to pierce countless sharp needles all along his bones and the most vulnerable parts of his skin, one needle at a time. It was truly a pain worse than death.
In addition, his current cultivation was suppressed into the Qi Condensation stage, making him unable to resist the overwhelming pain of the strong poison attack. Chu Tianfeng relied solely on his pride and willpower to hold himself, didn’t want to show the slightest weakness in front of Meng Qi.
In a trance, Chu Tianfeng felt like he heard someone’s sigh. The sigh was a little distant, but it seemed to be close to him. He subconsciously raised his head, and the girl in front of him was still as before, with no expression on her small face. Only in those clear eyes, there seemed to be a flash of excitement.
He really imagined it.
Chu Tianfeng closed his eyes.
How could this person sigh like that?
Then on the next moment, the girl’s slightly cool and slender fingers, accompanied by a slight medicinal fragrance, gently pressed Chu Tianfeng’s shoulder. It felt like a spring breeze, making his body stiffened again.