Chapter 72: You Are Enviable

Jiyuan was not an overbearing person, nor did he truly have the confidence to be one at the moment. However, he could see right through Qiufeng's intentions.

The silver-holed fish, condensed from water essence, was undoubtedly precious. At least for Jiyuan, it was a treasure. Even if he didn't know the best way to use it, stewing it in soup would likely be very nourishing.

However, that would be a waste. The person who truly knew how to utilize the fish was currently standing tens of steps away in the mountain forest, looking wary.

"There's no need to be tense, Mr. Qiu," Jiyuan's calm voice drifted over. "It was just a minor dispute. I wouldn't hold a grudge against a child, and besides, insolent children should naturally be disciplined by their elders."

Jiyuan approached slowly, carrying a bundle, a folded umbrella, and a verdant bamboo staff slung over his shoulder. He skillfully avoided branches and vines in the mountain path, walking as unhurriedly as an ordinary person who knew nothing of martial arts.

Amusingly, at the tip of the green bamboo staff, a water orb connected by a fine thread of water bobbed and swayed behind Jiyuan. It consistently dodged branches by mere fractions of an inch, creating a delightful and remarkably leisurely sight.

This was a natural expression of Jiyuan's innocent and uninhibited side, which inexplicably brought a sense of calm to those who witnessed it.

As he drew nearer, Jiyuan, his smile unwavering, winked at the boy named "He'er." The child was now too scared to utter a sound and hadn't yet realized the true implications of Jiyuan's seemingly magnanimous words; he would definitely face consequences back home.

Qiufeng caught this playful gesture from Jiyuan, which surprisingly put him at ease. He secretly decided that he would make the boy suffer a little upon their return; if his senior brother was too soft on him, then he, the junior brother, would handle the discipline!

Qiufeng didn't expose the boy or directly scold him. Instead, he first addressed Jiyuan.

"May I ask, Mr. Ji, why you followed us?"

"Haha, 'guidance' is too strong a word," Jiyuan chuckled. "It's just that I'm completely penniless and quite embarrassed. Seeing how much you favor this silver-holed fish, it would be a pity and a waste for me to simply stew it. How about we trade it for something else?"

Had it been moments earlier, Qiufeng would have immediately assumed this unknown expert was making a veiled threat upon hearing Jiyuan's request. But now, strangely, that thought didn't cross his mind.

"What would you like, sir?" Qiufeng asked. "If it's something I can conveniently offer, I certainly won't be stingy!"

Qiufeng considered that the other party's goodwill alone held significant value.

From beginning to end, Jiyuan had spoken almost no falsehoods. He truly was penniless and had indeed considered stewing the fish. This current situation couldn't have been better.

Of course, he didn't know the exact value of the silver-holed fish, so he could only try to ask for things he genuinely desired.

"I am but a simple country bumpkin, with limited knowledge, so I don't need anything too precious," Jiyuan explained. "I am simply very curious about the current world of cultivation. Whether it's cultivation techniques, magical arts, strange books, unusual records, or even minor secret methods and interesting trinkets, I would be willing to exchange the silver-holed fish for any of these. Yes, even the most rudimentary Qi cultivation manual would be of great interest!"

Through his understanding from the *Tongming Scroll* and *Outsider's Chronicle*, Jiyuan knew that there was no superiority or inferiority in the basic stage of Qi cultivation manuals. They had no distinctions of Five Elements or Yin-Yang. Although various immortal sects claimed to have unique Qi cultivation methods, in reality, they were all very similar, making little difference. In essence, they were common, widely available cultivation techniques.

And it was precisely this "common item" that Jiyuan most yearned for.

Unlike the previous misunderstanding with Old City God Song, Jiyuan clearly understood that Qiufeng regarded him as an expert. Yet, he chose not to reveal the truth. Knowing a person's face but not their heart, it was more appropriate for his current situation to maintain a sense of awe, especially since there was now a slight entanglement of interests.

"Ah, ah, ah! I have a basic Qi cultivation manual, I do! Uncle, let's trade that!" the girl exclaimed, almost jumping with joy.

"Yiyi!"

Qiufeng grunted, immediately silencing the girl. What was the difference between trading a basic Qi cultivation manual and simply giving it away for free to such a person?

Recalling the *Tongming Scroll* he had just seen, and then remembering Jiyuan mentioning the *Outsider's Chronicle*—ancient miscellaneous books from a century ago that Qiufeng himself had never encountered—it seemed Mr. Ji was genuinely interested in rare and unusual things.

With this realization, Qiufeng made a decision: he must forge a good relationship with this unfathomable expert!

"Your refined taste, sir, is something Qiufeng greatly admires," Qiufeng stated. "Unfortunately, I don't possess any rare treasures, but there is an ancient chapter that I'm sure will interest you!"

As he spoke, Qiufeng flicked his sleeve, and a slender, translucent white jade slip, about the length of a middle finger, flew out.

"This is a remnant of the *God-Binding Scroll*," Qiufeng explained. "I have studied it for over ten years; although I haven't mastered its strange techniques, it has helped me with understanding magic and focusing my mind. I wonder if it meets with your approval, sir?"

After Qiufeng's brief introduction, the white jade slip flew towards Jiyuan, who reached out and caught it.

*God-Binding*? The strange art mentioned in that initial cultivation book!

Even if it was just a fragment, Jiyuan knew that such a thing was by no means common merchandise. A single silver-holed fish probably wasn't worth it, but Jiyuan couldn't bear to return it, especially since Qiufeng himself didn't seem to mind.

Although delighted, Jiyuan still, for some reason, preferred the Qi cultivation manual...

"A single silver-holed fish is probably not worth this much," Jiyuan said. "Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Qiu. I am indebted to you."

As he spoke, Jiyuan twitched his shoulder, causing the fishing rod to swing. The water orb glided along the fishing line, like a fisherman casting his rod, and with Jiyuan's superb control of force and balance, it flew steadily and perfectly spherical towards Qiufeng.

The latter quickly used a spell to stabilize the water orb, yet couldn't help but cause the water to ripple and splash. At this, even the two children could immediately discern the difference in skill, vaguely understanding that something extraordinary had just happened.

Qiufeng sighed inwardly. The other party had still not revealed any magical power beyond controlling water, while his own spell to receive the water orb had caused ripples.

He hadn't realized that Jiyuan was merely using a spell to maintain the water orb's existence, while everything else involved clever techniques of force control, unrelated to magic.

"Mr. Ji, since our business here is concluded, let us part ways now," Qiufeng said. "Should you have the opportunity in the future, you are welcome to visit Jade Embrace Mountain as our guest!"

"Very well, I will certainly visit if the opportunity arises!"

Both parties were reasonably satisfied and bowed to each other before parting.

The water orb containing the silver-holed fish was now in the girl's hands. She, too, used water manipulation techniques, making the fish tumble and frolic. Only after Qiufeng urged them did the two children follow him away.

After walking about a dozen steps, the girl seemed to have communicated something with Qiufeng. She turned and ran back towards Jiyuan, and only when she was close did she pull a slightly larger white jade slip from her sleeve pocket and offer it.

"Senior Ji," she said, "this is my basic Qi cultivation manual. You just said you wanted it, and this is all I have!"

Without waiting for a slightly stunned Jiyuan to react, the little girl tossed the white jade slip, then quickly scurried back to Qiufeng's side. Qiufeng, too, bowed to Jiyuan with a smile.

Jiyuan's heart was now brimming with a pleasant surprise. Whether it was at Qiufeng's instruction or the little girl's own good sense, it held significant meaning for Jiyuan. Catching the white jade slip, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hahahahaha... Excellent, truly excellent! Your name is Yiyi, isn't it, little girl?" Jiyuan roared with laughter. "Should you ever encounter difficulties in the future, I, Jiyuan, will do my utmost to help you once. We shall meet again, hahahahaha..."

His laughter was hearty and full of joy, brimming with Jiyuan's character and confidence. Even though he was still a minor figure, he had faith in himself.

Seeing Jiyuan laugh heartily and then return his bow, Qiufeng, with an unceasing smile, took the two children by the hand and strode away. After a hundred steps or so, their figures had already faded into the distance.

***

A quarter of an hour later, Qiufeng, still smiling, led the two children as they rode the wind across the sky.

"Uncle, you don't have to be so happy just because you got the fish, do you?" the boy asked.

Hearing the boy speak, Qiufeng shook his head slightly, looked at the girl still playing with the water orb, and smiled, answering evasively.

"Hehe, there's a kind of truly profound and extraordinary person in this world who is exceedingly uninhibited and carefree, innocent and unadorned, returning to their true nature. Meeting such a person is destiny. You don't understand now, but you will envy it someday."