Chapter 71 - Recording the Jade Slip

“With this, I wish you triumph in your endeavors, Young Master.”

The shopkeeper respectfully spoke to the young master with a smile.

“I appreciate your kind words, thank you.”

“Young Master, the Family Head has sent a message inquiring whether you require any resources.”

Seeing that the young master seldom visited and maintained such a low profile despite having their support, the shopkeeper was worried he might be bullied in the Immortal Sect.

He found the young master’s good-nature towards them remarkable, starkly different from the arrogance typical of scions from prominent families.

“For now, I don’t need any spirit stones, but I do need some pills,” responded Lai Jianlin.

He didn’t want to rely solely on what his father could provide.

If possible, he aimed to earn more resources by completing tasks, not to become a wastrel.

“Very well, I shall prepare them for the Young Master,” said the shopkeeper before he triggered a hidden mechanism and entered a concealed compartment—perhaps a tunnel or a secret room within.

Lai Jianlin had been inside before.

Once the compartment was opened, an unfamiliar person might assume it was merely a room within a room, unaware that it led to a lever that opened the compartment below.

Beneath was a tunnel leading to a cellar, storing everything the shop needed.

There were mechanisms on the walls that safeguarded valuable items.

For example, there were compartments hidden within the mechanisms, some containing spirit stones.

Lai Jianlin nodded, took a teapot from the table, and began brewing tea for himself with practiced ease—not at all like a pampered young master unaccustomed to work.

He poured himself a cup of tea and savored it alone.

Even though the spiritual tea from the tea house he had just visited was good, it didn’t compare to the quality here, which had much more spiritual energy.

The shopkeeper emerged from the secret compartment, holding a box, which he placed on the table.

Seeing Lai Jianlin drinking tea, he apologized:

“I’ve been remiss, Young Master, for not serving you tea.”

“It’s alright, we’re all members of the clan, and you’re my elder.

I should be the one serving you tea,” Lai Jianlin replied, and without further ado, he poured a cup for the shopkeeper and said, “Please, have a taste of the tea I’ve brewed.”

“I am truly honored to taste the tea personally made by the Young Master; I am overjoyed…” The shopkeeper beamed with happiness.

Although they were fellow clan members, his own cultivation was low, and he was from a side branch—not nearly as prestigious as the Young Master’s status.

“Shopkeeper, let’s not be so formal.

We have known each other for years here, and I have seen you more often than my own father.

Why stand on ceremony with someone younger than you…?”

Lai Jianlin’s amiable smile made him seem far from a haughty young master and instead gave off a sense of warmth and approachability.

“Yes, thank you, Young Master.

I am grateful to the Family Head for giving me this opportunity to serve here, to assist you, and to frequently see you.

It makes me very happy.”

“Alas, Shopkeeper, you get to see me from time to time, but you have been here for many years without returning home for a visit, haven’t you?” Lai Jianlin mused.

“Indeed!

Ever since the Young Master came here, I, too, have been here, and it has been several years since I’ve visited my family.

Honestly, I miss them a lot,” the shopkeeper admitted, his gaze drifting outside as if looking in the direction of his home.

Lai Jianlin empathized with the shopkeeper’s feelings—he too longed for home.

People on the path of cultivation faced a lengthy journey.

They were supposed to abandon their emotions and desires, focusing solely on their practice.

Yet, they were also mortals; until the day they reached the highest realm and became Immortals, they needed food and pills to enhance their cultivation.

And all of this required money, so earning it was essential.

Moreover, he was grateful for the elders who dedicated themselves to the clan.

“Shopkeeper, the opportunity for you to go home has arrived.

I have a task for you, to ensure its completion.

Don’t worry about this place for now; leave it to two assistants to manage.

If necessary, the clan will send someone to take over here,” Lai Jianlin said, indicating the gravity of the matter with his expression.

The shopkeeper recognized the seriousness on the young master’s face and knew that he was being entrusted with an important task.

While he was eager to help, he still wished to stay by the young master’s side.

“Young Master, please command me in any matter.

But I would prefer that others take this opportunity; I wish to continue to follow you,” the shopkeeper insisted.

Lai Jianlin nodded and said:

“First, see to the matter that I have entrusted to you, Shopkeeper.

When the day comes that my cultivation is strong enough to look after the clan, then, at that time, you may stay by my side.

But for now, you must help me with this task.”

“Young Master, whatever it is, just say the word.

I would sacrifice my life to see it done for you,” the shopkeeper declared, anticipating that it might be an urgent and significant task like a fight or seeking assistance for a brawl—assignments that the young master had never tasked him with before, leaving him unsure of what this job might entail.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing so grave; I’ve simply found a way to make money, and I want you to take it back to the family to handle,” Lai Jianlin explained upon seeing the shopkeeper’s grave expression, as if he were about to face a life-or-death struggle, which made him chuckle.

“Oh, I see… I thought that…

just tell me what you wish me to do, Young Master,” responded the shopkeeper with some relief.

The shopkeeper chuckled at his own overthinking.

Lai Jianlin took out a Voice Transmission Conch from his Storage Bag and then pulled out a Jade Token.

“Shopkeeper, have you ever seen this thing before?”

“Young Master, what kind of Magical Treasure is this?

This old servant has never seen it before.”

“This is a Communication Talisman that a senior brother gave me today, similar to a Sound Transmission Talisman, but if the other person doesn’t have this item, they won’t be able to receive the message at all.

There are limitations though; if the distance exceeds ten thousand li, the sound won’t carry, and if the person enters a Secret Realm, the transmission won’t reach them either.”

“Oh, this could be marketable, much more useful than a one-time Sound Transmission Talisman.

Buying this, one wouldn’t need to craft or purchase talismans.

Just, I wonder if this item can be produced in large quantities?

And does the production of this item require materials?”

“Shopkeeper, take a look at the Jade Token first,” Lai Jianlin said with a smile as he glanced at the token.

The shopkeeper nodded and picked up the Jade Token, examining it with his spiritual power.

After seeing the token, his hands trembled slightly from excitement.

“Young Master, this senior brother of yours is truly a treasure!

The Magical Treasure he crafted, with its inscribed metal ore locations, could bring in a hefty profit for our clan if those mines really do exist.”

“Mhm, I’ve already given him some Spirit Stones and Pills to thank him, which is why I came here to ask for Pills.”

Seeing the shopkeeper’s grave excitement, Lai Jianlin knew his guess was correct—this item had potential.

“Young Master, focus on your cultivation, and leave this matter to me.

However, in the future, if you come across something similar, you must inform the family so we can share it with the clan.

It’s a highly profitable Magical Treasure.”

After all, the shopkeeper was a businessman, though also a cultivator.

However, with his mixed Spiritual Root and low aptitude, and being only in the sixth stage of Qi Cultivation at his age, he thought there wasn’t much advancement left for him, which is why he dedicated himself to the family business wholeheartedly.

“Alright, I’ll leave this matter to you.

I’m going to focus on cultivation for the upcoming competition, so don’t come looking for me unless it’s important.

I’ll stop by here when I have time.”

Lai Jianlin didn’t want to rely on his clan; cultivation must be pursued on one’s own.

Therefore, he only visited once a month, and if he retreated for closed-door cultivation, it might be several months before he stopped by again.

“Young Master, rest assured, whatever you entrust to this old servant will be handled properly.

Young Master, is there anything you want to say to the Family Head and your relatives?”

Lai Jianlin fell silent for a while.

There was so much he wanted to say to his kin that he genuinely didn’t know where to begin, but it did remind him of something.

“Shopkeeper, when you see my father, please convey my words in private.

Our clan may be second-rate, but there’s no need to vie for a first-rate clan position while our cultivation is still not strong enough.

When our generation becomes powerful, that’s when we shall strive for it.

Please take care of things at home.”

Hearing the young master’s poised words, the shopkeeper looked at him deeply, recognizing that his young master had ambition yet kept a low profile.

He sought out no competition with others but instead silently contended, demonstrating immense patience uncommon for his youth.

Truly, he was the elite of their young generation, a leader.

Such a person could one day become powerful and elevate the clan to first-rate status.

“Young Master, I will convey your message.”

“And also, Lai Jianlin, I have some Secret Manuals here.

Please take out a Jade Slip, I have some manuals I need to inscribe for you to take back to the clan.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!

With the manuals you’re inscribing, the young generation in our clan will have better resources for cultivation.”

The shopkeeper joyfully took out some blank Jade Slips from a shelf.

“Shopkeeper, you’re not too old.

If there’s something suitable for your cultivation, I advise you to follow along and practice.

Perhaps in the future, everyone in the clan will see a rise in cultivation, and you should not fall behind.”

Lai Jianlin took a blank Jade Slip and began inscribing the Secret Manuals he acquired from his missions and those he had recorded in recent days, including some he had seen in the Immortal Sect, such as manuals for Artifact Refining, Alchemy, and Talisman Crafting, all meticulously copied down.

The shopkeeper thought there were only a few manuals, but there turned out to be many.

After the young master finished inscribing one, he brought out more blank Jade Slips.

In just a few breaths, all the blank pieces were turned into Secret Manuals.

The more the shopkeeper watched, the more excited he became, and he felt his aspirations swell just like the young master had said—he should use his free time to diligently practice and not settle for his current level.

If one day everyone in the clan became strong, he couldn’t be left behind.

He also considered that with his cultivation increasing, his life could extend, providing an opportunity to forever serve the young master.

Being around such a capable and well-led young master was an honor.

“The inscriptions are done.

You must be discreet on your secret return, carrying these items without letting anyone know what you have.”

“Your subordinate understands.

I will change my appearance and quietly return to the clan, ensuring the items are handed to the Family Head.

Without the clan’s permission, they will not be divulged.”

“Mhm, our generation still holds hope!

Don’t be discouraged because of low cultivation.

Maybe soon, if we improve and encounter an opportunity, we might travel farther on the Path of Cultivation.

It’s just uncertain when we might achieve Ascension.”

Lai Jianlin was moved.

It had been ten thousand years since anyone ascended, and those unable to ascend would eventually disappear with age.

So why were they striving so hard on the Path of Cultivation?

What was it all for?