nownovels Chapter 31 Treasure in the Well
Chapter 31 Treasure in the Well
Jiang Qi was delighted upon hearing this: "Is the money enough?"
Zhao Xiaoqi patted the money pouch at his waist: "A full ten taels!"
"Okay! Let's go."
......
Zhenyuan Martial Arts School.
After paying the ten-tael entry fee, it was time for the bone reading and verification of assets.
"Medium build, not bad."
"Medium?" Jiang Qi was somewhat surprised.
Having average physical attributes means that one is already much stronger than most ordinary people at the starting point of martial arts. As long as one is willing to work hard and has the necessary resources, the future is promising.
It's unclear whether Xiao Qi's natural talent was already good, or if it was due to the effects of the [Moonlight Water].
Zhao Xiaoqi also breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile bloomed on her face.
After receiving their number tags, the two arrived at the apprenticeship courtyard.
"Brother Qi, you seem to be quite famous at the martial arts school?" Zhao Xiaoqi said in a low voice, noticing the complicated looks from the many apprentices around him.
Jiang Qi smiled and didn't explain further: "Practice your martial arts well, I'm going inside now."
"it is good."
......
Training ground.
Jiang Qi found an open space and began his cultivation for the day.
As the Zhenyuan Body Strengthening Technique is activated, the medicinal power of the Blood Nourishing Pill is transformed into Qi and Blood.
After a night of cultivation, the third strand of Qi and blood in his body had grown to the thickness of chopsticks, and his aura was even more solid and robust than yesterday.
[Martial Artist] +1
[Martial Artist] +1...
The day's work yielded a fruitful result.
The third stream of Qi and blood has grown stronger again. Although it is still far from perfect, its progress is much faster than before.
[Occupation: Warrior]
[Level: 2 (221/500)]
"Since taking the Blood Nourishing Pill, I've been gaining over ten experience points every day... At this rate, I can reach level 3 in the [Martial Artist] class in less than ten days and then advance to the next class..."
Jiang Qi was filled with anticipation.
"I wonder how much of an improvement it will bring..."
Just as I was thinking this, I suddenly felt a chill on my back.
Looking to the side, I saw two pairs of eyes staring at me.
On one side of the training ground, Chen Feng and Liu Heng stood with their arms hanging down, expressionless, their intentions unknown.
Jiang Qi ignored them, only glancing at them before preparing to leave.
......
As the sun began to set in the west, the training session came to an end.
Jiang Qi arrived at the apprentice's courtyard.
Zhao Xiaoqi was covered in sweat, grimacing as he stretched his muscles.
"How is it?" Jiang Qi asked with a smile.
"I'm exhausted!" Zhao Xiaoqi said, shaking her aching arms and grimacing. "It's much more tiring than fetching or delivering water! My whole body feels like it's falling apart!"
"It's always like this at the beginning. Just hang in there, and it'll get better." Jiang Qi patted him on the shoulder. "Let's go back."
The two walked out of the martial arts gym side by side.
I hadn't gone far when a familiar figure appeared right on time.
"Brother Jiang!" Liu Ying, the plump cook from the kitchen, greeted him with a smile, carrying a small ceramic bowl. "Here you are, today's Eight Treasures Nourishing Soup."
"Thank you, Brother Liu." Jiang Qi accepted the gift and expressed his gratitude.
Liu Ying smiled and casually glanced at Zhao Xiaoqi next to Jiang Qi.
Zhao Xiaoqi, who was rubbing her sore arm with her head down, casually looked up when she heard the sound.
When his gaze fell upon Liu Ying's smiling face, he was struck dumb, frozen in place!
As if he had seen something terrifying, Zhao Xiaoqi's face turned deathly pale in an instant, and his left hand involuntarily hid behind his back.
He immediately lowered his head, not daring to look a second time.
"I have other matters to attend to in the kitchen, Brother Jiang, I'll be going now." Liu Yingxiang said goodbye as if he hadn't seen anything, and then sauntered away.
"Xiao Qi?" After Liu Chang walked away, Jiang Qi noticed that Xiao Qi's face was a little pale and quickly asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"N-nothing...it's nothing." Zhao Xiaoqi forced a smile. "...It's just that practicing martial arts was too tiring, I'm a bit exhausted, and...and I'm really hungry. Qi-ge'er, let's hurry up, my mother must have made lots of delicious food waiting for us!"
Jiang Qi glanced at Xiao Qi, but didn't ask any further questions. He simply nodded and said, "Okay, let's go."
On the way, Zhao Xiaoqi became much quieter, her gaze frequently wandering.
After walking for a while, he suddenly asked casually, "Qi-ge'er, who was that just now...?"
"The cook in the kitchen is named Liu Ying. Everyone calls him Chef Liu or Brother Liu," Jiang Qi replied, watching Zhao Xiaoqi's reaction.
"Liu Ying...the cook..." Zhao Xiaoqi repeated softly, her eyes flickering. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the ceramic bowl Jiang Qi was holding. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she swallowed it back and only said "Oh".
When the two arrived at Zhao Xiaoqi's house, Zhao's mother had indeed prepared a table of food.
During the meal, Zhao Xiaoqi returned to normal and excitedly recounted her experiences at the martial arts school, while Jiang Qi also shared his insights on martial arts training.
"Thank you, Brother Qi! I will definitely work harder and cultivate my Qi and Blood as soon as possible!" Zhao Xiaoqi's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Jiang Qi smiled and patted her on the shoulder: "It's getting late, Auntie, Xiao Qi, I'll head back now."
"I'll see you off, Qi-ge'er." Zhao Xiaoqi stood up.
After seeing Jiang Qi off down the street, Zhao Xiaoqi stood at the alley entrance watching his figure disappear into the twilight, and the smile on her face gradually faded.
He stood there, not going home.
As night deepened, the alley became dim and quiet.
Xiaoqi raised her left hand and looked down, only to see a wound on her wrist.
He looked around again, gritted his teeth, and turned to walk in another direction.
......
Ten days later.
Late at night, at the water shop.
Jiang Qi finished collecting the [Moonlight Water] and entered the [Book of a Hundred Trades].
【Occupation: Moonlight Envoy】
[Level: 1 (892→905/1000)]
"In a few more days, [Moonlight Envoy] should be able to level up to level two..."
With increased blood and qi, enhanced physique, and growing mental strength, he can now cast [Moonlight] fifteen times consecutively, thus accelerating the experience gain of [Moonlight Envoy].
Thinking this, Jiang Qi looked at Suo Longjing again, his brows furrowing slightly.
These days, whenever he casts [Moonlight], the two-headed turtle-like water beast rises to the surface and breathes out moonlight.
But something's not right tonight.
The [Moonlight] event has ended, but the Water-Suppressing Beast still hasn't appeared.
"Could it be that this turtle can see outside the well?" Jiang Qi wondered, looking at the specially made fishing net at his feet.
But at that moment, ripples suddenly spread across the once calm surface of the well.
Jiang Qi's eyes lit up, and he immediately grabbed a fishing net, fixed his gaze on the well opening, and prepared to cast the net.
However, after waiting for a long time, only the sound of ripples could be heard, but no turtle could be seen floating on the surface.
Just when Jiang Qi thought the water-suppressing beast would not show itself tonight, a warm, pearl-like glimmer of light suddenly shone from the center of the well, illuminating a small patch of the surface.
"Hmm?" Jiang Qi stared intently at him.
The faint light was not a reflection, but rather originated from a bead that was slowly rising from underwater.
As the bead floated completely on the water's surface, the water-suppressing beast slowly poked its head out, raising both heads at the same time, its four eyes fixed on Jiang Qi on the well platform.
Jiang Qi was amazed, but his hands moved quickly, and the fishing net fell swiftly!
Whoosh!
Water splashed everywhere, and the well water rippled.
Then suddenly lift the fishing net.
The net was empty, with a hole in it, and there was no sign of a turtle.
On the contrary, a round bead lay at the bottom of the net.
Jiang Qi was slightly surprised. After a brief pause, he took the iron tongs he usually used to hold charcoal fires and picked up the bead to examine it.
The round beads resemble pearls from oysters, are milky white all over, and have a shimmering, cloud-like luster inside.
Even more remarkably, when moonlight shines on the beads, a refreshing fragrance emanates from them.