Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Mechanism Mine Veins, Senior Brother Shu
"Taoist Friend! This is my mistake!"
The Sword Cultivator dare not offend Li Ye. After carefully sheathing his bamboo sword, he hurriedly clasped his hands in apology and took out a pile of Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch.
His tone was sincere, which slightly reduced Li Ye’s anger.
"These are five hundred Spirit Stones, please accept them!"
Five hundred, huh?
Just casting a magic spell can earn Spirit Stones, that seems pretty alright.
Plus these five hundred Spirit Stones...
Li Ye instantly felt it wasn’t much of a problem, wasn’t it just a strand of hair? Losing a bit of hair for five hundred Spirit Stones is truly not bad.
He waved his hand, carefully observing, gathered his hair, and also collected the Spirit Stones.
Then he said, "Luckily, it didn’t hurt me, Taoist Friend still needs to hone your skills better."
Whether intentional or not, one’s hair shouldn’t fall here.
"What Taoist Friend says is very true," the Sword Cultivator nodded and introduced himself, "I am Wei Qingye."
"May I ask Taoist Friend’s esteemed name, as I might have some matter to seek your help in the future and it would be good to find you."
"Li Ye."
Considering that he had received five hundred Spirit Stones, Li Ye hesitated for a moment then said, "That Spirit Plant seems very resistant to you, Taoist Friend Wei should pay attention."
Wei Qingye was quite straightforward: "With Taoist Friend Li’s help this time, there should be no problems for about two months.
After two months, I will seek Taoist Friend again, at which time I’ll bring some Spirit Plants unique to the Southern Domain."
Saying this, he clasped his hands again, "I have a few Demon Beasts to slay. It’s truly unpleasant if the newly acquired Spirit Sword doesn’t see blood, Taoist Friend Li, see you another day!"
He strode away.
Li Ye watched him leave, muttered, "Almost saw my own blood... Should I move forward?"
He glanced around, and just as he spoke, the chair moved silently, quietly operating.
In a moment, he was back at the Spiritual Mechanism Vine’s counter.
The latter, upon seeing him, asked, "How many Spirit Stones did that lad give you? Judging by his high-spirited look, the problem seems solved."
"He gave me five hundred Spirit Stones."
"Oh, that’s not bad. After all, you are currently just in Qi Refining and haven’t gained a reputation, five hundred Spirit Stones is not considered little. Moreover, he will seek your help again, it’s continuous income."
"Such occurrences are quite rare; one wonders what he exactly did."
"Clearly, the Seed Sword Secret Technique of Celestial Vein Sword Mountain is already very mature... Suddenly encountering issues on our side, might need to have someone keep an eye on him."
Spiritual Mechanism Vine pondered for a moment, then shook his head:
"Forget it, consider it a treatment for the Spirit Plant’s wounds."
"When your Cultivation improves, your insights deepen, and your reputation grows, the Spirit Stones you receive will naturally increase."
"After all, our Four Seasons Sect is unparalleled in Spirit Plant healing, some Junior Brothers make a lot of money just treating Spirit Plants."
"Any technique practiced to a High-Tier level has its uses and can earn Spirit Stones."
Li Ye realized the other party wasn’t skimping on Spirit Stones due to his lack of understanding and perhaps even gave him more.
However, he still had some doubts:
"That bamboo-type Spirit Plant is very resistant to him, such resistance... aren’t Sword Cultivators supposed to move the sword with the heart, attaining seamless unity?"
"If the sword isn’t handy, isn’t it quite dangerous? Why does he still force this healing, why not simply change it to something else?"
Spiritual Mechanism Vine anticipated Li Ye’s question and replied: "A sword not honed won’t be sharp; it also needs to harmonize with the Sword Cultivator.
This Sword Vein Bamboo Shoot has significant spirituality, if honed well, it can polish his Lifebound Magical Treasure right from the Foundation Establishment.
He probably views this matter as a form of training; despite such incidents, the path of Sword Cultivation indeed requires overcoming all challenges. Random change might lose some insights."
"Moreover, bamboo itself is a clear spiritual entity; for these combat-heavy cultivators, they crave a bit of clarity to accompany them, that’s why he’s anxious and refuses to let go."
"The changes of sun and moon, the alternation of seasons, gentle breezes, and rain are all future Chapters of this magic technique."
"I see."
Li Ye finally understood, deeply appreciating how important it is to have such a knowledgeable ’elder’ to interpret and solve doubts. He slightly cupped his hands towards Spiritual Mechanism Vine.
"Hey! No need to thank me. Since you’ve accepted the Xiguang Seed Nurturing Technique legacy, there will be evaluations when you enter later.
Furthermore, I assume you’ve dealt with that batch of Hungry Bone?"
"Do you want to take more this time, maybe ten sticks?"
"..."
"No, just five will do!" Li Ye quickly shook his head, took a box containing five sticks of Hungry Bone amid the muttering of Spiritual Mechanism Vine.
He didn’t forget to ask: "Earlier, my nephew and Senior Brother Su Ya agreed on getting a mining quota..."
This matter obviously didn’t stir any enthusiasm from Spiritual Mechanism Vine, who lazily took out a Token:
"Take this to Room C-9 above, for now the mining vein hasn’t opened to the public, you can choose one you like."
"Mouse Junior Brother there should tell you the specific details, go on, go on."
"Oh right, tomorrow the Mulberry Tree and silkworm will be delivered to your home, remember to take good care of them."
After handing the Token to Li Ye, it directly retreated, leaving an ’Unattended’ sign on the table.
"... Then you take care and rest, Uncle." Li Ye picked up the Token and walked up the steps, quickly finding Room C-9 and gently knocked on the door.
A sharp voice quickly came from behind the door: "Come in!"
Only then did Li Ye push the door open and enter.
Inside the room stood a tightly shut large iron door, with a rocking chair placed in front.
Lying on it was a White Rat dressed in a vest, roughly child-sized, quite human-like.
[Name]: Mineral-seeking Spirit Rat
[Mood]: Happy, relaxed
[Status]: Good
[Can Bind]: Capable of continuously producing various High-Tier mining veins, no need for excavation, can be used as Spirit Plant bed.
Upon seeing Li Ye, the little eyes of the White Rat showed big curiosity, sitting up:
"Hmm, when did another sect disciple come in here? Kid, when did you join?"
"Uh, I haven’t joined yet," Li Ye replied, "Earlier, I received the Autumn Harvest Token from Uncle Spiritual Mechanism Vine, planning to enter the sect in autumn."
"Hiss!" The White Rat jumped up in surprise: "Autumn Harvest Token!"
To let the old master Spiritual Mechanism Vine give an Autumn Harvest Token, could it be that the True Man wants to take a disciple!
This has to be well cultivated!
Its small eyes rotated, and its tone suddenly warmed up: "Hey! Turns out you’re about to enter as a Junior Brother.
Isn’t this a coincidence, you’re here for the mining vein, right? Come on, come on! Senior Brother will choose a good one for you!"
It reached out its hand, lightly tapped the door, which suddenly opened, revealing a brightly lit tunnel lined with lamps on both sides.
"Then I’ll trouble you, Senior Brother," Li Ye knew roughly why this creature suddenly became enthusiastic, so he decided to smile back and followed it into the mine tunnel.
The White Rat hopped ahead, carrying a mining pick on its shoulder, introducing: "Since Junior Brother wants to occupy a mining vein, you should already be aware.
This is operated by us from the Mo Family, all Buddha’s Crown Gold produced within must be handed over entirely.
Other various minerals can be taken.
However, if Junior Brother’s Spirit Plants or Spirit Beasts need it, it’s fine as long as consumed within the mine.
Ah, chatting with Junior Brother does make time fly, we’ve arrived."
Quickly? But it hasn’t really been long.
Li Ye met this chatty and business-savvy Spirit Beast for the first time, only nodding along, then looked ahead—
The space ahead suddenly became spacious.
At this moment, Li Ye and the White Rat stood on a platform entirely constructed with blocks and mechanisms, gears in the far wall slowly turning.
The place was filled with an indescribable sense of order, the sound of gears, the movement of mechanisms, just like inside some huge machine apparatus.
Of course, the most noticeable thing was the thirty portals arranged in a row nearby, with edges rippling like water.
Li Ye blinked.
Those... those couldn’t be space portals, could they?
Just mining, is it really necessary to have such a grand setup?