Chapter 62: Meat, Wine, and Hooded Rivals

Chapter 62: Meat, Wine, and Hooded Rivals

"You're the girl who tried to steal Tianyi!" I pointed my finger, shaking slightly.

She looked affronted and let out a noise of indignance by my remark. "How rude! I was offering to purchase the spirit beast! A disciple of the Whispering Wind sect wouldn't resort to such lowly tactics, especially against a peasant fool who can't recognize a pearl even if it was in their palm."

Her words stung, but I stood my ground, my gaze unwavering. "A pearl? Tianyi is not some trinket to be bartered. She's my companion, not a commodity."

The woman's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a smirk. "Companion? A beast like that is wasted on someone like you. You probably don't even understand her true value. I collect spirit beasts for breeding, and a female Azure Moonlight Flutter is a rare find. I need her for my work."

I felt a surge of protectiveness for Tianyi. "Well, she's not for sale. And calling me ignorant won't change my mind."

Feng Wu, who had been silently observing the exchange, gave me a subtle nod, a silent message of support.

The woman huffed, her frustration evident. "You're squandering a great opportunity. I am the future head of alchemy at the Whispering Wind sect. Associating with me could bring you great benefits."

Her claim caught me off guard. "You're an alchemist?" I asked, surprised. The tension between us momentarily ebbed as curiosity got the better of me. "I'm an aspiring alchemist myself."

The woman's expression shifted to one of disbelief. "You? An alchemist? Are you then planning to participate in the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet?"

"Yes, actually," I confirmed, my chest swelling with a mix of pride and nervous anticipation. "I'll be sponsored into it by the Verdant Lotus sect."

Her eyes narrowed further, her gaze now icy. "Sponsored? You think cultivation and alchemy are mere games to be played? Just because the Heavenly Interface appeared, you believe you stand a chance?"

Her words were like a slap in the face. I felt a surge of indignation. "Why do you all think I'm taking this as some sort of game? Is it because of my status?" I demanded, my voice rising. What is up with cultivators thinking everyone is below them? Except Feng Wu and everyone from the Verdant Lotus sect, of course.

She looked at me as if I had said the most foolish thing in the world. "It's not about status. It's about resources, proper guidance, years of dedication. You're like a child hitting a tree with a stick and calling it martial arts training. You're disregarding the real work that goes into mastering alchemy."

I opened my mouth to retort, but the words tangled in my throat. I was flustered, insulted by her disdain, and struggling to articulate my frustration.

Feng Wu stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "That's a narrow view of alchemy," he said. "The study and practice of this art aren't limited to prestigious sects alone. There are many paths to mastery, and each cultivator's journey is unique."

The woman scoffed, unimpressed. "You speak of ideals, but the reality is different. The Grand Alchemy Gauntlet isn't a playground for amateurs. It's a serious competition where only the most talented succeed."

Feng Wu's demeanor remained unshaken. "And who's to say Kai here won't be among them? The path of cultivation is full of surprises, and dismissing someone's potential based on their origin or status is a mistake."

That's right Feng Wu! Speak your profound words!

I nodded, bolstered by his intervention. "He's right. I might be new to this, but I'm not clueless. I've been training hard, and I plan to give it my all. Your skepticism won't deter me. Don't be too hurt when I overshadow you in the competition!"

She raised an eyebrow, her sculpted eyebrows arching elegantly above piercing dark blue eyes that seemed to scrutinize my every word. A hint of a smirk played on her lips, only slightly obscured by the shadow of her hood. "Overshadow me? You're amusing, at least. Let's make a wager then. If you truly believe in your abilities, put your Azure Moonlight Flutter on the line."

My heart skipped a beat. "No way!" I blurted out, more loudly than I intended. I could feel Feng Wu's hand gripping my shoulder in a terrifyingly gentle manner. The message was clear: 'Think before you leap, Kai.'

The woman let out a derisive snort. "Coward. Can't even back your own words with action. Don't heed my advice at your peril. You'll regret underestimating the Jianghu." With a swirl of her cloak, she turned and disappeared into the bustling crowd of Crescent Bay City.

I let out a sigh of relief, feeling the tension drain from my shoulders. "That was close..."

Her words echoed in my thoughts, haunting me with their stinging truth. Was I truly out of my depth? The path of cultivation I had embarked upon was fraught with uncertainties, and now, facing the elite of the Jianghu, I felt a pang of insecurity.

I continued, my thoughts drifting back to the myriad stories I'd devoured as a kid. "In those tales, cultivators were always pushing the envelope, taking crazy risks. They'd consume some ancient, half-rotten herb they found in a forbidden tomb, just for the thrill of it."

Feng Wu chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It seems the stories you read are where your imagination comes from, Kai. But you're not entirely wrong. Cultivators, by nature, are driven by ambition and the pursuit of strength. It leads some to take... unorthodox paths."

"Yeah, 'unorthodox' is one way to put it," I mused, my tone light but thoughtful. "Growing up without cultivation being a big part of my life, all this did seem like just fun and games. You know, the kind of stuff that makes a good story but you never expect to see in real life. But now, being in the thick of it, it's like living in one of those tales. I half expect to turn a corner and stumble upon a legendary hermit playing Go with a phoenix or something."

Feng Wu's laughter echoed through the streets of Crescent Bay City, drawing curious glances from passersby. "Well, keep your eyes open, Kai. In the world of cultivation, stranger things have happened. The books you speak of do interest me, however. Do you know the authors who're writing them?"

"You know, most of the books I've read were by a guy named Liang Feng," I began, trying to sound nonchalant. "But, between you and me," I continued, leaning closer to Feng Wu as if sharing a state secret, "I suspect this Liang Feng is also behind several other books under different pseudonyms. The writing style is far too similar, and they all harp on the same themes."

Feng Wu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's quite an observation. What makes you so sure?"

I shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious about my theory. "Just a hunch, I guess. The way he describes martial arts techniques, the philosophies behind cultivation, even his characters' quirks it's like he has this unique fingerprint that's hard to miss once you've read enough of his work."

"Interesting," Feng Wu mused. "Perhaps you have a talent for literary analysis as well as alchemy and cultivation."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Doubtful. I just read a lot. Speaking of which, we should probably get moving. It's getting late, and we still have a lot to buy. The shops will be closing soon."

Feng Wu nodded, and we quickly set off, leading our horses through the vibrant and bustling streets of Crescent Bay City. As we weaved our way through the throngs of people, my mind drifted back to the confrontation with the hooded girl from the Lian family.

Her arrogance, her outright dismissal of my abilities it irked me. But Feng Wu's words lingered in my mind, painting a picture of a world shaped by power, status, and expectation. Was she just a product of her environment? Was her disdain for me, a novice in the grand scheme of things, justified in the context of her upbringing?

I glanced over at Feng Wu, who seemed lost in thought. "Hey, Feng Wu," I started hesitantly, "do you think she's right? About me not standing a chance in the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet, I mean."

Feng Wu turned to me, his expression contemplative. "Kai, in the path of cultivation, nothing is certain. Your journey has been unconventional, to say the least. But that doesn't mean you're doomed to fail. Remember, every journey started with a single step. What matters is your dedication, your willingness to learn and adapt."

His words were comforting, but the seed of doubt planted by the girl's scornful remarks still lingered. I knew I had a lot to learn, and my path was fraught with unknowns. But Feng Wu's faith in me bolstered my resolve. I wouldn't let her or anyone else dictate my worth.

As we continued our errands, picking up cuts of meat, and a particularly expensive bottle of lychee wine for Tianyi, Feng Wu finally commented on my purchases.

Feng Wu raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Kai, you do realize that bringing such... earthly indulgences into a Taoist sect like ours is seen as...well, let's just say it's not exactly in line with our principles."

I could practically feel the eyes of imaginary elders boring into me, judging my every move. "I, uh, have faith in me, Feng Wu?" I offered weakly, trying to sound confident but probably failing miserably.

Feng Wu chuckled, shaking his head in mock disapproval. "I trust you, Kai, but you must understand why I didn't flash the sect's symbol for a discount this time. If the elders caught wind of me buying alcohol and meat, especially in such quantities, I'd be spending several days in the penance hall."

I grimaced, realizing how ridiculous and disrespectful my actions must have seemed from an outsider's perspective. "Right, I didn't think that through. But I promise, there's a good reason for it. I just can't reveal it yet."

Feng Wu sighed, still smiling. "Alright, I'll trust your judgment. But you better have a good explanation ready. Now, that meal you promised..."

"You're the veteran, Feng Wu. Lead the way!"

He put a finger to his chin, musing over the options before his eyes lit up.

"There's a restaurant called Cloudrift Pavilion if you're partial to seafood. I usually go with their Cliffside Bamboo Shoots. The view is amazing, especially at nighttime. Does that sound satisfactory?"

With the moon casting its light over our heads, we headed towards Cloudrift Pavillion. Despite the oddity of the situation, his easygoing nature and willingness to go along with my unorthodox methods were a reminder of why I valued his friendship so much. It was like having the older brother I never had.

Little did he know, the real surprise was yet to come. And I couldn't wait to see his reaction when I finally revealed Windy's existence. For now, though, I'd enjoy the moment, a light-hearted break in the grand scheme of things.