Chapter 3

Qi Miao was not at all surprised by their reaction.

Perhaps her talent was indeed impressive, enough to inspire the elders’ desire to cherish such potential, but that affection was far from sufficient to make them resolutely choose her.

After all, she had destroyed the Vermilion Bird Treasure Pavilion, not only owing a massive debt in spirit stones, but also offending the owners of the ruined treasures; to accept her as a disciple was to invite endless trouble.

Qi Miao seemed completely unaware of their hesitation, her expression natural as she asked, “May I begin artifact refining now?”

…

As she wished, Qi Miao joined the Artifact Refining Hall and became a disciple of the artifact refiners.

Jiang Ran, having watched the spectacle from behind, waited until Qi Miao finished her registration and then took her away.

Perhaps because Qi Miao had shown remarkable talent in artifact refinement, Jiang Ran brought her to several other cultivation grounds to test her aptitude.

She showed some promise in swordsmanship and formations, though far inferior to her gift in refining; as for beast taming, talisman drawing, and the like, she had no prospects whatsoever.

Jiang Ran gave her a meaningful look. “At least you know your own strengths.”

Qi Miao answered honestly, “Because my previous work involved objects and tools, I instinctively feel a kinship with artifact refining.”

She had no way to explain her origins—the systems of the two worlds were entirely different, and she wouldn’t know where to begin.

Thinking of this, she stopped in her tracks. “Senior Sister Jiang, it seems the Cangwu Sect has never asked about my background.”

Jiang Ran tilted her head, her eyes innocent. “The Fate Diviner has already consulted the heavens. You’re someone from beyond this realm.”

Qi Miao: “…”

Her expression grew complicated, and she let out a dry “Ah.”

“The Fate Diviner also said that the destruction of the Vermilion Bird Treasure Pavilion was an accident. You harbored no malicious intent. Precisely because of this, the Venerable Ones and elders abandoned the thought of disposing of you.” Jiang Ran smiled at the dazed young woman. “Is this really only now occurring to you?”

Qi Miao ducked her head sheepishly.

Truth be told, she had never considered it.

The past few days had passed in a haze; only upon joining the Artifact Refining Hall did she finally shed her confusion.

Jiang Ran tactfully changed the subject, her demeanor making it clear she had no interest in Qi Miao’s origins.

“I’ve arranged for you to stay at Xuan Yue Peak. You’ll share a courtyard with two others: Gan Jinlei, disciple of Venerable Wuji and senior sister of the Martial Arts Hall; and Meng Xiaoci, disciple of Venerable Mingyuan, from the Daoist Academy. Both are well-regarded inner disciples. I’ve already informed them in advance—if anyone gives you trouble, you can ask them for help.”

Qi Miao hesitated. “I won’t be disturbing them, will I?”

Jiang Ran replied with a bright smile, “Not at all. I arranged this fearing you might encounter unexpected trouble. As I mentioned, the Vermilion Bird Treasure Pavilion housed treasures for many disciples. Now that it’s destroyed, they bear resentment, and the decision regarding you wasn’t discussed with them. So, although the sect master has made arrangements, we must still guard against hot-tempered disciples acting impulsively.”

Qi Miao’s expression was wooden as she saw through the truth. “You’re worried that if something happens to me, you won’t be able to recover the debt?”

Jiang Ran praised her, “Junior sister, your comprehension is excellent.”

Qi Miao, not wishing to be commended for her awareness of debt, fell silent.

“But you needn’t worry too much. In a few days, the sect will announce your talent to the disciples who suffered losses. I expect they’ll be happy to give you a chance.”

Artifact refiners and healers were the two groups cultivators were most unwilling to offend in the world of cultivation.

As she spoke, Jiang Ran produced a palm-sized black jade tablet from her sleeve and handed it to Qi Miao. “This is your spirit tablet for communication. Soon, the other creditors will also contact you through it.”

Qi Miao accepted it obediently and then asked Jiang Ran for guidance on its use.

The spirit tablet was a communication tool everyone in the cultivation world possessed. After several rounds of improvement, even mortals could use it, but beginners always needed time to familiarize themselves. Jiang Ran demonstrated the basic functions and then waited for Qi Miao to ask questions.

Instead, she watched as Qi Miao flawlessly replicated her instructions, found Jiang Ran’s spirit tablet number, sent a friend request, and even added a trading section—all without being taught.

Jiang Ran fell silent.

So this was the genius with a perfect affinity for artifacts.

To Qi Miao, the spirit tablet was just a slightly more complicated communication device, so she didn’t think she’d picked it up especially quickly.

Jiang Ran, seeing that Qi Miao had mastered the spirit tablet, sent her straight to her quarters, reminding her before leaving to focus on her cultivation.

It was still daytime, and Qi Miao’s two impressive roommates were away in their respective cultivation halls. Qi Miao put away her repair kit and debt ledger, then used the spirit tablet to absorb common knowledge of this world.

She didn’t care whether anything shady had been done to her spirit tablet—her greatest secret had already been thoroughly uncovered by the Cangwu Sect, so there was no need to worry that searching for common sense would arouse suspicion.

In fact, even if the tablet did have surveillance capabilities, it wasn’t all bad news for her. Her debt was real, and she had genuinely earned some people’s resentment. If the spirit tablet really was monitored, it might just save her life at a crucial moment.

With that in mind, Qi Miao used the spirit tablet even more freely.

Study, study, study—she threw herself into learning.

One day, she would pay off every last coin of her debt.

After bidding farewell, Jiang Ran did not return to the Beast Taming Valley. Instead, she went straight to the Sect Affairs Hall.

As its name suggested, the Sect Affairs Hall managed the sect’s affairs and decisions.

At least three Venerables were present there at all times.

Jiang Ran entered the innermost room, where countless candles burned but no one was in sight. She bowed to the empty air. “Sect Master, Qi Miao has moved into the inner sect.”

As her words faded, the flames began to dance, and a voice echoed through the room—this was a trace of the Sect Master’s divine sense left at Cangwu Sect.

“She’s agreed to repay the Vermilion Bird Treasure Pavilion’s losses?”

Jiang Ran replied, “I tested her aptitude. The one who caused a stir with the Joyous Bird today was her. She’s now a disciple of the Artifact Refining Hall.”

“And your impression of her?”

Jiang Ran answered softly, “She is a good and kind person.”

The incident of Qi Miao destroying the Vermilion Bird Treasure Pavilion had caused a huge uproar. By rights, negotiating compensation with her should not have fallen to Jiang Ran, a disciple of the Beast Taming Valley.

Cangwu Sect ultimately chose Jiang Ran because of her abilities.

True, she was from the Beast Taming Valley, but recently she had subdued an ancient spirit beast, the Heart-Listening Cicada, a creature that could discern the good and evil in anyone’s heart.

Normally, this matter would have been left to a Fate Diviner.

But all the Fate Diviners on the continent were in the Eastern Pole; the one who had previously divined Qi Miao’s origins was only passing through the northern lands by chance, and happened to be a friend of Venerable Jianfeng Yanxiao. Cangwu Sect had already troubled him once, and was too embarrassed to ask his help for a mere mortal’s affairs, so the task ultimately fell to Jiang Ran.

She recounted to the Sect Master the scene in the Artifact Refining Hall, where three elders had vied for Qi Miao as their disciple. At that moment, Qi Miao could have directly taken a master and explained herself later. Doing so wouldn’t have reduced her debt, but it would have mollified the disgruntled disciples—becoming the direct disciple of an artifact refining elder would have curbed their hostility.

Even a child could understand such logic, yet Qi Miao chose to be honest about her identity.

After hearing this, the Sect Master made the decision.

“In that case, let’s proceed as discussed. Give her time.”

*

Qi Miao was completely unaware that Jiang Ran had been tasked with testing her just the day before.

Now, she wore a deeply troubled expression as she hurried along the path to the Artifact Refining Hall.

Between Xuan Yue Peak and the hall lay three mountains. Yesterday, with Jiang Ran flying her through the air, Qi Miao hadn’t realized the distance. But this morning, it was up to her to get to class on her own—and only now did she realize how severe an oversight that had been.

She stopped to catch her breath, gazing enviously at disciples riding their swords, treasures, or beasts overhead, and with admiration at the body cultivators who flashed by her like the wind.

Out of everyone, she alone was a true weakling.

Wearing a dead-eyed look, Qi Miao forced herself onward. Just as her legs were about to give out, Fang Xiaoyu approached on his flying treasure, clutching a fluffy cloak.

“Junior Sister Qi, I saw you from afar wriggling along like a big worm. Is something wrong?”

…

Qi Miao was too exhausted to care about his phrasing. She reached out and grabbed his sleeve like a lifeline. “Senior Brother Fang, please give me a ride.”

Fang Xiaoyu looked ‘horrified’. “No, no, we’re a man and a woman alone—it wouldn’t be proper.”

Qi Miao’s eyes widened in disbelief as she clung to his clothes. “Senior Brother Fang, with those bold brows and bright eyes, I never would’ve taken you for such a stickler for propriety.”

“…I’m not old-fashioned.”

Fang Xiaoyu looked at her awkwardly, unwilling to explain further.

Qi Miao refused to let go—she truly couldn’t go on. Two mountains still lay ahead; she’d rather die than continue on foot.

As they stood at an impasse, a lively, clear voice sounded behind them.

“Fang Xiaoyu?”

Qi Miao noticed Fang Xiaoyu’s body stiffen; he turned with a look of utter despair. Realizing something, Qi Miao let go and stepped aside to watch.

Fang Xiaoyu forced himself to remain composed. “Junior Sister Fengxian, you’re here.”

Ding Fengxian’s eyes were fixed only on the cloak in Fang Xiaoyu’s arms as she asked crisply, “Is my robe finished?”

“All done, all done. Aside from the features you wanted, I added a Spirit-Gathering Array. Wear it and spiritual energy will gather around you automatically.”

Fang Xiaoyu handed her the cloak.

Ding Fengxian’s eyes sparkled. “You’re amazing—no wonder you’re Venerable Yijun’s disciple.”

Fang Xiaoyu’s smile nearly split his face. “It’s nothing, as long as you’re satisfied, Junior Sister Fengxian.”

“How much do I owe you?”

“The price we agreed on—five hundred spirit stones.”

“You really can’t keep selling your spirit artifacts so cheaply.” Ding Fengxian frowned. “Can you even make a living this way?”

“Of course. When I made your robe, my artifact sense was at its peak—it all came together in one go and barely used any materials.”

Ding Fengxian tossed him a pouch of spirit stones. Fang Xiaoyu glanced inside, stunned. “It seems you’ve given me too much.”

She shot him a look. “It’s all yours. A robe of this quality would go for at least triple elsewhere. If you insist on selling so cheap, I can’t accept it with a clear conscience.”

Fang Xiaoyu had no choice but to accept.

After stowing away her new robe, Ding Fengxian glanced at Qi Miao. “All right, I’ve got what I came for, so I won’t disturb you two.”

Fang Xiaoyu’s smile froze. “No, there’s nothing between us!”

She looked at him curiously. “She’s wearing a forger’s uniform—she’s from your Artifact Refining Hall, isn’t she?”

Fang Xiaoyu: “…Yes.”

Ding Fengxian thought nothing of it, pointing in another direction. “My path is different from yours, so I’ll be off.”

With that, she left in style.

Qi Miao looked at Fang Xiaoyu, feeling there was a dark cloud hanging over his head.

Scratching her cheek, Qi Miao—having witnessed his mood swings—guessed why he’d refused to give her a lift. “Sorry, Senior Brother Fang, I didn’t know you were meeting someone you liked.”

Fang Xiaoyu didn’t seem to mind the earlier incident, but looked at her with grievance. “Even you, who only just met her, can tell I like her. Why can’t she see it?”

How would Qi Miao know?

Still, she was eager for a ride from her generous senior brother, so she racked her brains and offered comfort. “Matters of the heart are all about fate. Don’t be discouraged, Senior Brother Fang. Think of my situation and you might feel better.”

Fang Xiaoyu fell silent.

…Well, compared to Junior Sister Qi’s troubles, his own really weren’t worth mentioning.