In fact, Mo Tiange had overlooked another source of revenue in her calculations.
After they settled in, Qin Xi sent her another message talisman, summoning her out to the market at the foot of the mountain.
They were staying in the same courtyard, in adjacent rooms, yet he insisted on using a message talisman to communicate. Mo Tiange found this somewhat speechless. He could have just knocked on her door or used a voice transmission.
When they reached the market and saw the bustling crowds and cultivators streaming in and out of shops, Mo Tiange suddenly remembered—this was the real source of profit. With so many cultivators gathered, who knew how much business the Tiandao Sect's shops had conducted recently? Even the other smaller shops must have benefited greatly.
Both of them were Core Formation Cultivators. Although high-level cultivators had been coming and going frequently at the Tiandao Sect lately, their presence on the main street still drew everyone's attention. The low-level cultivators only watched them from afar, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.
"Senior Brother Shoujing, where are we going?" Although she was slowly getting used to such scenes, Mo Tiange was not a natural-born genius who had always been the center of attention. Qin Xi seemed perfectly at ease in this situation, while she felt rather uncomfortable.
Qin Xi said, "To trade."
Mo Tiange was taken aback. "What does Senior Brother wish to buy?"
Qin Xi didn't answer, instead clasping his hands behind his back and walking ahead on his own.
Mo Tiange was already accustomed to his temperament of not answering when he didn't want to. She said nothing more and simply followed in silence.
After a while, the two entered a shop. Mo Tiange looked up and, what a coincidence—it was the Hundred Herb Hall where she had bought her alchemy furnace and materials during her first visit to the Tiandao Sect over sixty years ago. The Qi Refining old man who had sold her the furnace back then had probably long since passed away.
Recalling the past, it truly felt like the scenery remained but the people had changed. Back then, her Second Uncle was still alive, and she was just a lowly Qi Refining cultivator whom no one on Yuheng Mountain would have given a second glance. Now, she was a Core Formation Cultivator, treated with respect by everyone, but her Second Uncle would never return.
Upon entering the Hundred Herb Hall, a shop assistant immediately came forward to greet them with utmost respect. "Welcome, Seniors. How may this junior be of service?"
Qin Xi didn't answer the question, simply stating, "I'm looking for Hu Zonghai."
Hearing this, a look of surprise flashed across the assistant's face, but he immediately replied, "Please, Seniors, wait inside for a moment. This junior will go and inform him right away. May I ask for the Senior's esteemed name?"
"My surname is Qin."
The assistant led them to a private room before going to deliver the message.
Mo Tiange was full of questions. The old man she had met here over sixty years ago was from the Hu Family. It seemed likely that this Hundred Herb Hall was managed by the Hu Family. If so, this Hu Zonghai was undoubtedly a member of the Hu Family. Qin Xi had explicitly said he was looking for Hu Zonghai. Could he be an old friend? That wouldn't be surprising. Her master had once said that this Senior Brother, aside from his secluded cultivation, had also spent considerable time traveling outside and had likely met many strange individuals with diverse backgrounds.
Not long after, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a middle-aged man in luxurious attire entered. As soon as he came in, his eyes fell on Qin Xi, and he warmly stepped forward, speaking loudly with a laugh, "Brother Qin, it really is you! It's been many years. How have you been?"
What surprised Mo Tiange was that this man was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Seeing him, Qin Xi stood up and returned the greeting. Compared to the other's enthusiastic attitude, he was much calmer, yet it didn't seem impolite. "Thank you for remembering me, Brother Hu. I trust you've been well since we last met?"
Despite the clear difference in their cultivation levels, they interacted as peers.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the man's gaze shifted to Mo Tiange. "And this is...?"
Qin Xi said, "This is my junior sister. Her Daoist title is Qingwei."
"Ah, so this is Perfected Qingwei!" The man suddenly understood and bowed very politely. "I am Hu Zonghai. Greetings, Perfected Qingwei."
This Hu Zonghai was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Under normal circumstances, a Core Formation Cultivator wouldn't need to return the courtesy. However, Qin Xi was, after all, her senior brother. Since he treated Hu Zonghai as a peer, Mo Tiange couldn't stand on ceremony either. She stood up and raised her hand slightly in acknowledgment. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Hu."
"You honor me, you honor me," Hu Zonghai said repeatedly. "Please, Perfected Qingwei, have a seat."
After the formalities, Hu Zonghai enthusiastically had fresh tea served and even invited them to visit the Hu Family as guests. Qin Xi declined, and Hu Zonghai didn't press the matter. The two then began to chat casually.
Given the significant gap in their cultivation levels, although Hu Zonghai spoke to Qin Xi with the courtesy of a peer, his words were extremely polite. Their conversation topics were ordinary—just everyday encounters, news about the weakening restrictions of Tianmo Mountain, and some cultivation-related questions.
Mo Tiange simply listened quietly, gradually understanding their relationship from their dialogue.
When Qin Xi had met Hu Zonghai, he was still only a Foundation Establishment cultivator. They had shared experiences through hardship, which was why they still interacted as peers to this day. Qin Xi was now nearly two hundred years old—extremely young for a Core Formation Cultivator, but middle-aged for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. In a few more decades, he would enter old age. Hu Zonghai was actually about the same age, but due to the difference in cultivation, his appearance was much older.
After chatting for a while, Hu Zonghai asked, "Brother Qin, since you've come to our Tiandao Sect, you could have just sent a message. Now that you've come in person, is there something important?"
Although their relationship seemed good, it wasn't at the level of close confidants. For Qin Xi to visit in person, and even bring someone else, clearly indicated another purpose.
Qin Xi smiled and stated frankly, "You're right, Brother Hu. My visit today is indeed to ask for your help with something."
"Oh?" Hu Zonghai's expression was sincere as he laughed. "Given our friendship over the years, Brother Qin, just say the word. If it's within my power, I won't refuse!"
Mo Tiange couldn't tell if this was just polite talk. This Hu Zonghai was clearly different from cultivators like them. His speech was forthright yet slick and experienced—he was undoubtedly a master of social etiquette.
Qin Xi's face held only a slight smile. Hearing this, he said, "It's nothing major. I merely wish to inquire about the whereabouts of two spiritual materials."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange's heart stirred, and she couldn't help but glance at Qin Xi.
A look of surprise flashed across Hu Zonghai's face. "Oh? Is Brother Qin searching for some rare treasure again? Even the connections of the Xuanqing Sect haven't been able to find it?"
Qin Xi smiled. "Since I can't find it, it must be something extremely difficult to locate."
Hu Zonghai laughed heartily. "Well said. Brother Qin, please tell me. Although my cultivation is lacking, finding people and things is somewhat my forte. I might have heard of it."
Qin Xi didn't stand on ceremony. "I'm looking for two items. One is Jade Marrow over a thousand years old. The other is Qiyun Stone. Have you heard anything about them recently, Brother Hu?"
Mo Tiange lowered her head. So it was indeed these two things.
"This..." Hu Zonghai pondered slightly upon hearing this. "What Brother Qin seeks are indeed rare items. Thousand-Year Jade Marrow is one thing—you occasionally hear about it. But Qiyun Stone... if I hadn't been managing the sect's shops for many years, I probably wouldn't even know what it is. However, I run the Hundred Herb Hall. Qiyun Stone is a material for artifact refining. I'll need to make some inquiries."
Qin Xi said, "If Brother Hu can inform me of their whereabouts, I would be immensely grateful."
Hu Zonghai smiled. "It's nothing, just a small effort. Brother Qin, regarding the Qiyun Stone, I can't make any promises. But as for the other item, the Thousand-Year Jade Marrow, there seemed to be news about it a few days ago. If you don't mind, allow me to make some detailed inquiries?"
"That would be excellent. Thank you for your trouble, Brother Hu."
The two chatted a while longer before Qin Xi took his leave. Hu Zonghai saw them out the door, asked where they were staying temporarily, and assured them that he would notify them within three days at most if he had any news.
After bidding farewell to Hu Zonghai, the two walked back in silence.
Qin Xi didn't speak, and Mo Tiange kept her head down, her mind wandering far away.
The main gate of a great sect was naturally situated very high. Starting from the foot of the mountain, there were over a thousand jade steps stretching all the way into the clouds. Under normal circumstances, only Qi Refining disciples who couldn't fly would climb these steps. After reaching Foundation Establishment, everyone flew back and forth. Who knew what Qin Xi was thinking? He didn't use a flying magical tool either, instead walking up step by step at a slow pace. Mo Tiange, preoccupied with her own thoughts, simply kept her head down and followed him, not even considering this point.
As they walked, the person in front suddenly stopped. Mo Tiange bumped right into him, instantly reddening her nose. If not for her protective spiritual energy, her nose might have started bleeding.
Qin Xi turned his head, frowning at her. "What are you thinking about? How could you bump into someone like this?"
Mo Tiange looked embarrassed. Forget that she was a Core Formation Cultivator—even a novice Qi Refining cultivator just entering the path of immortality wouldn't be foolish enough to bump into someone's back like that. It showed she had been completely lost in thought, not even reacting when she collided.
Fortunately, Qin Xi didn't press the matter seriously. After saying that, he continued walking.
Mo Tiange rubbed her nose and kept following.
Looking at the back in front of her, she suddenly felt that this state seemed to have returned to the time of the Cloud Mist Sect. Back then, she hadn't spent much time with Senior Brother Qin, but whenever they were together, it was almost always like this. He would automatically walk ahead to clear the path, and she would just follow along silently.
In the blink of an eye, nearly seventy years had passed. They were no longer the low-level cultivators of those days, and their statuses were worlds apart, yet the way they interacted remained just like back then. At that time, each harboring their own secrets, they had entered the Cloud Mist Sect, addressing each other as senior brother and junior brother, yet the distance between them was vast. And now, they were truly senior brother and junior sister, yet they still maintained that distance—trusting, but not baring their hearts.
In truth, whether it was Senior Brother Qin or Senior Brother Shoujing, both treated her extremely well. Senior Brother Qin was aloof, yet he always considered their bond as fellow disciples. As for Senior Brother Shoujing... he seemed indifferent, but upon careful consideration, her smooth journey might very well be due to him paving the way ahead. Just like now—she had only mentioned it once, yet he kept it in mind constantly. Upon arriving at the Tiandao Sect, the first thing he did was inquire on her behalf.
It was impossible to say she felt no gratitude in her heart, but she had never been an outgoing person. Even if she felt appreciation, she would only keep it to herself.
"Senior Brother Shoujing," she suddenly stopped.
Qin Xi seemed to respond absentmindedly. He took a few more steps before realizing she hadn't followed. He stopped and turned, seeing her standing five or six steps below him, head lowered, her expression unclear.
After a moment, she said, "Thank you."
It was a seemingly random statement, but he understood.
After a moment of silence, his expression indifferent, he replied, "It was a small effort. No need to mention it again."
She still kept her head down and didn't respond.
He didn't speak either.
After an unknown length of time, Mo Tiange said, "However... please, Senior Brother, don't be so good to me in the future."
Qin Xi suddenly turned and strode up two steps, then stopped. His voice was cold. "What are you worried about?"
Mo Tiange said nothing.
He tilted his head, his gaze sweeping past her as he sneered. "Or do you think I'm after something?"
Without waiting for her answer, he flicked his long sleeve, summoned his Flying Cloud, and in an instant, soared up from the jade steps, heading straight for Yuheng Mountain without waiting for her at all.
Left behind, Mo Tiange watched his retreating figure and swallowed back the words "That's not it."
She had only wanted to say: don't be so good to her, so good that it would make her overthink things. It wasn't what he thought...