The lecture had ended. Li Jinyuan and Wang Xiaoliu left first, leaving only Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe inside to tidy up the meditation cushions.
"Chu Bai, Gu Qinghe, stay for a moment."
Daoist Zhang, who had been sitting cross-legged under the tree with his eyes closed in meditation, suddenly spoke.
The two of them froze, then quickly and respectfully stepped forward and bowed. "Master Zhang, what can we do for you?"
Daoist Zhang opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over their washed-out clothes and slightly gaunt cheeks.
’Master Liu’s earlier words still echoed in his ears. Besides, these two were indeed the most talented prospects among this batch of disciples. It would be a shame if their cultivation was held back by worldly affairs.’
"Master Liu has told me about your family situations." Daoist Zhang’s tone was level, forgoing pleasantries and getting straight to the point. "There are four essentials to cultivation: wealth, companionship, techniques, and a proper place. That wealth comes first is no empty saying. If you can’t even eat your fill, you won’t be cultivating immortality for long."
Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe exchanged a glance, then both lowered their heads in agreement.
"This disciple... is indeed a bit short on silver."
Gu Qinghe nodded as well. ’With so many disciples in the school, everyone knows everyone else. It’s impossible to hide one’s family situation.’
Chu Bai admitted it frankly. There was nothing to hide from Daoist Zhang.
"Now that you have captured Spiritual Qi and crossed the threshold of cultivation, you should no longer make a living by selling cheap labor like a common Mortal." Daoist Zhang flicked his Duster and said coolly, "That is a waste of your talent, and a waste of your time."
"I understand, Master, but we lack the opportunities..." Gu Qinghe said with a bitter smile. He had considered working as an apprentice in a city apothecary, but they had turned him down for being too young and inexperienced. The only jobs available to him were hard labor, like hauling heavy sacks.
"As it happens, there is a job right now that would be quite suitable for you."
Daoist Zhang took out a wooden token from his sleeve and placed it on the small table in front of him.
"The Zhao Family, in the south of the city, is quite wealthy. One of their sons is past the age of eighteen, having missed the ideal window for entering the Daoist School. However, his family has deep pockets, so they’ve hired private tutors, hoping to force his way through the Celestial Examination."
"He has already reached the Qi Cultivation First Layer and is just beginning to practice offensive Magic Techniques. He needs a sparring partner."
’A sparring partner?’ Chu Bai’s heart skipped a beat; he had a vague idea of what this entailed.
"Correct. A sparring partner in name, but a ’Spirit Target’ in reality," Daoist Zhang explained. "When he practices Magic Techniques like the Water Bullet Technique and Fireball Technique, he needs someone to act as a moving target to hone his aim and foresight."
"A Mortal’s reactions are too slow, and they can’t perceive the fluctuations of Spiritual Qi, making them extremely easy to accidentally injure or cripple. You two, however, already have Qi Sensitivity. Your senses are sharp, and you can perceive the trajectory of a Magic Technique in advance to evade it. This makes you the ideal candidates."
Gu Qinghe’s face fell at the words "Spirit Target."
’Isn’t that just being a human target?’
Seemingly sensing their apprehension, Daoist Zhang continued, "It sounds dangerous, I know, but he’ll mostly be using practice-level Magic with reduced power, and you’ll be provided with protective gear. As long as you don’t take a powerful hit head-on, you’ll suffer minor injuries at worst."
At this, Daoist Zhang held up three fingers.
"One session lasts about two double-hours. The pay is three hundred cents."
"Three hundred cents?!"
Gu Qinghe snapped his head up, his breathing growing ragged.
In Anping County, a strong man could work himself to the bone hauling sacks at the docks all day and earn no more than thirty cents.
Three hundred cents—that was ten times the wages!
And this was just the pay for two double-hours!
Chu Bai’s mind was also racing with calculations.
’The school’s lecture schedule is tight, but we get a break every weekend.’
’If I go twice a week, that’s six hundred cents.’
’Over a month, that’s two taels and four maces of silver!’
’There are risks, of course, but...’
’This money would not only let him eat meat, but he could even save some up. It would completely solve the hunger side effect from Nourishing and Exquisite. He might even be able to save enough for the renewal fee in three months!’
’This isn’t a sparring session; this is a visit from the God of Wealth!’
"And beyond the silver..." Daoist Zhang glanced meaningfully at Chu Bai. "During these sessions, you’ll be able to observe up close how a true Qi Cultivation Cultivator mobilizes Spiritual Qi and forms hand seals to cast Magic. For students like you who have yet to learn any Magic Techniques, that kind of practical experience is even more valuable than money."
A sharp glint flashed in Chu Bai’s eyes.
’That’s right! That’s the real prize!’
’He has his panel, and his comprehension is boosted by his Fate Chart.’
’If he could watch someone cast spells up close, even without the verbal components, just by observing their movements and the flow of Spiritual Qi, he might be able to secretly learn a technique or two... or maybe even grind some new skill proficiency?’
"Many thanks for Master Zhang’s recommendation! This disciple is willing to go!"
Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe bowed with clasped hands almost in unison, their voices ringing out.
’What’s a little physical pain? Poverty is the most terrifying disease in the world!’
Daoist Zhang nodded with satisfaction and handed the wooden token to Chu Bai. "This token is your proof. Tomorrow happens to be a day of rest, so go to the Zhao Mansion in the south of the city and find Steward Zhao. Tell him I sent you."
"Remember, when you get there, just do the work and keep your mouth shut. Don’t let it interfere with your own cultivation."
"Yes!"
By the time they walked out the gates of the Daoist School, the sky had grown completely dark.
But this time, both Chu Bai’s and Gu Qinghe’s steps were exceptionally light.
"Brother Chu, three hundred cents..." Gu Qinghe clutched the wooden token as if it were a rare treasure, his voice trembling slightly. "With this money, I can finally afford my mother’s medicine."
"Yeah, and I can finally improve the meals for my family."
Chu Bai smiled and patted his shoulder. "But don’t get fixated on the money. We need to be sharp when we go to the Zhao Mansion tomorrow. We’re talking about Magic from a Qi Cultivation Cultivator. Even if it’s just for practice, a direct hit will be a world of hurt."
"Of course." A wild light glinted in Gu Qinghe’s eyes. "We crawled up from the mud. We might not have much, but we’re tough. As long as it doesn’t kill us, this is a sure-fire win!"
The two parted ways at a fork in the road.
Walking on the road back to his village, Chu Bai felt the wooden token in his tunic, his heart burning with excitement.
The memory of his second aunt’s sharp, cruel face, his parents’ cautious hopes, and the gnawing hunger that had haunted him for the past few days...
...all this gloom seemed to be washed away by the promise of the upcoming three hundred cents.
If this became a steady gig, it would be over two taels of silver a month—a handsome income by any measure.
He thought about how his family toiled all year for just over ten taels of silver. After all their expenses, they might only have two or three taels left—and that was in a year with a good harvest.
’A Qi Cultivation Cultivator...’ Chu Bai gazed toward the distant Zhao Mansion, his heart swelling with anticipation.
He had yet to truly witness the power of a Magic Technique.
Master Liu’s demonstration of Water Control at the school was already akin to a divine miracle in the eyes of common folk.
And that wasn’t even used for combat, just a minor trick. He wondered what a true offensive Magic Technique...
’Tomorrow, I’ll see for myself just what the methods of a true Cultivator are really like!’

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