I have a composite mirror

Chapter 59 [The Dragon Serpent - Hidden in the Abyss]

After breakfast, Gu Sidu summoned Gu Shenyan to the study.

Be careful what you say.

He pulled a money pouch from his pocket and pushed it in front of Gu Shenyan:

"Here are eighty silver dollars, which I have saved up over the past few months."

"Now that you've embarked on the path of magic, you'll have many places to spend money in the future."

"Take these for now."

Gu Shenyan looked at the money pouch and felt a slight warmth in his heart.

He knew that his father, who held a nominal position in the Xuanzheng Division, only received a monthly salary of fifty silver dollars.

This eighty silver dollars must have taken several months to save up.

"Father, this money..." He pushed the money bag away, "I can't accept it."

"Why?" Gu Sidu frowned slightly.

"My son has now learned to draw talismans, and selling some talismans every day is enough to cover his expenses."

Gu Shenyan said seriously:

"Father, you should keep this money to help with household expenses."

"The expenses of the martial arts school are considerable, and my father already has a heavy burden on his shoulders."

He thought for a moment, then said:

"But... I have a request that I shouldn't make."

"you say."

"Weiwei's health has always been poor. I hope Father will take extra care of her daily medicine and meals."

Gu Shenyan looked into Gu Sidu's eyes:

"When I'm out working hard, my biggest worry is her."

Gu Sidu sighed after hearing this.

"Okay." He nodded emphatically. "I will take Weiwei's matter to heart."

"You should focus on your spiritual practice outside; I will take care of things at home."

………………

The third day after condensing the spirit core.

Gu Shenyan arranged to meet Bai Cailing at their usual spot in Tingyu Pavilion.

Inside the private rooms on the third floor of the teahouse, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and the aroma of tea.

Bai Cailing sat by the window, holding a cup of tea in her hands, looking relaxed.

The young woman wore a light purple dress today, which made her look even more elegant and ethereal, like a fairy in a painting.

When Gu Shenyan came in, she put down her teacup and lingered on him for a moment.

"The spirit core has condensed?"

Gu Shenyan nodded:

"By sheer luck."

Bai Cailing chuckled softly: "To be able to condense a spirit core in a month or two, and you still call that luck?"

After exchanging pleasantries, her gaze became serious:

"However, now that the spirit core is complete, the next step is to consider condensing the life flame."

Gu Shenyan nodded and got to the point:

"Senior, I'd like to ask you to help me find out if the Xuanzheng Division has any First Life Fire Diagrams for the Chi Snake."

"Chi Snake - Hidden in the Abyss"

The girl thought for a moment:

"Xuanzhengsi does indeed sell them; rubbings cost forty silver dollars."

"If we go through Chairman Xiao's connections, we can get an insider price, which is about thirty-five silver dollars."

Gu Shenyan secretly made his plans.

Thirty-five silver dollars wasn't too expensive; the money he had saved from selling talismans during this period was more than enough.

"Thank you for your help, senior."

"OK."

Bai Cailing nodded:

"I'll let you know in a few days to come and pick it up."

As she said this, as if remembering something, she added:

"By the way, are you familiar with the rules of the Xuanzheng Division's life-risking fire diagrams?"

"I would like to hear the details."

"First Life Fire Diagram, lowest price."

Bai Cailing held up one finger:

"A rubbing of this Chi Snake's First Life Fire - Hidden Abyss only costs forty silver dollars."

"The Xuanzheng Division set such a low price in order to recruit more disciples and expand its manpower."

She then extended her second finger:

"However, the price of the second Life Fire Diagram will be several times higher."

"A single rubbing costs at least two hundred dollars."

"Moreover, having money alone is not enough; one must also work for the Xuanzheng Division and make contributions in order to qualify for the purchase."

Gu Shenyan felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.

This Xuanzheng Division certainly has a good plan.

The First Life Fire Diagram is being sold at a low price to attract cultivators to begin their journey.

Once you're on that pirate ship, if you want to advance further, you'll have to obediently work for them.

"What about the third life fire diagram?" he asked.

Bai Cailing shook her head, her expression turning serious:

"The third life fire diagram is the 'core life fire'."

"That is the key to condensing one's innate technique, and it is also a closely guarded secret of major sects and forces."

"If you want to acquire it, either join the Xuanzheng Division and become one of our own, or..."

"I'd trade my life for it."

Gu Shenyan remained silent.

He remembered the life-fire diagram of the [Chi Snake - Surging Waves] in his hand.

In short

Bai Cailing picked up her teacup and took a small sip:

"The Xuanzheng Division's approach, to put it bluntly, is 'to taste the sweetness first, then do the hard work.'"

"Taking the first step is easy, but the further you go, the less you can control your own destiny."

"If you don't want to be manipulated by them, you'd better find another way as soon as possible."

Gu Shenyan nodded silently, keeping these words in mind.

"By the way, senior, I heard that after becoming an apprentice in the art of magic, one needs to register at the Xuanzheng Division?"

"good."

Bai Cailing nodded:

"The power of apprentices in the arts of magic has already surpassed that of ordinary people, so they should naturally be brought under the jurisdiction of the government."

"Once registered, one is considered to have an 'identity'."

"It will be much more convenient for me in the future, whether I am cultivating or traveling the world."

She thought for a moment, then said:

"Moreover, after registration, you can apply for a subsidy from the Xuanzheng Division."

"The apprentice's allowance is not much, only a one-time payment of twenty silver dollars."

"Even a mosquito bite is still meat, better than nothing."

Twenty silver dollars!

Gu Shenyan's heart skipped a beat; this was quite a sum of money.

"only……"

Bai Cailing then changed the subject:

"Although everyone can apply for this subsidy, getting it approved quickly is not an easy task."

"If you don't have connections, and you just follow the normal procedures, it could take a year or two."

"But if someone takes care of things..."

She looked at Gu Shenyan, her eyes filled with a smile:

"It should be ready in two or three days."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shenyan understood what she meant.

"I hope you'll take care of this, senior." He cupped his hands and said, "I'll treat you to a meal later."

"Alright, enough of that." Bai Cailing waved her hand. "Between you and me, why are we talking about treating each other?"

"I'll have Chairman Xiao take care of the registration for you."

"The subsidy should arrive in three to five days at most, and I'll give it to you along with the Life Fire Diagram then."

"Oh, right."

He then remembered something important:

"Senior, I've used up all the Spirit Gathering Pills I took before."

"Does your senior have any connections?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Cailing's face showed a hint of difficulty.

"Spirit Gathering Pill..." she sighed. "That thing is for cultivators before they condense their spirit core."

"Now that you are an apprentice in the art of magic, taking the Spirit Gathering Pill will have little effect."

"The pills required for the apprentice level are of a higher grade and are more expensive."

"I don't have that much on hand right now."

As she said this, a hint of apology appeared in her eyes:

"But don't worry, after you become my apprentice, I'll introduce you to a few paths."

"Now that you can draw talismans, you can earn your own money and buy them yourself when the time comes."

Gu Shenyan nodded without saying anything more.

He knew that Bai Cailing had been running around for the past year in preparation for the trip to Yunmengze, and was already struggling financially.

We've done more than enough to help.

Now that I am able to earn money, I should learn to manage what I need for my spiritual practice.

Always relying on others is not a long-term solution.

"The matter of becoming an apprentice..."

He asked, "Approximately how much longer?"

"About half a month," Bai Cailing replied.

"During this period, in addition to trying your best to condense the first life fire, you should also practice your talisman skills more."

"That gentleman is a master of the Forging Realm, with extremely high standards."

"If you want to catch his eye, you'd better show some real talent."

Gu Shenyan nodded solemnly: "Understood."

"it is good."

Bai Cailing stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling city scene outside:

"Be careful what you say. Now that you've embarked on this path, be prepared."

"The path of magic is far more dangerous than you can imagine."

"Today's achievements are just the beginning."