Dun Mofan walked Cao Yun into his study. There were many books and scrolls stored on several shelves. The old man showed the boy to a seat and went through the covers of many of them.
"There it is! 'Sealing the Seven Demons in the Nine Peaks'."
It was a very thin manual with a green cover and much dust on it.
"I don't really train my state of mind, so I won't be able to help you much. Take your time."
Dun Mofan gave the old manual to Cao Yun and walked away. Of course, he stayed inside the room and started to talk with Feng Yingyue.
On the green cover, there were several characters unknown to Cao Yun, apart from the title. Inside were around twenty to thirty pages. The first page was an overview of the method. According to it, this manual presented a method to strengthen one's control over his mind. It was beneficial to control one's emotions, but also to increase your intellect and your comprehension of other manuals. There were four layers to this methods: 'Discipline the Five Children', 'Climb the Nine Peaks', 'Subdue the Seven Demons' and finally 'Seal the Seven Demons'.
After trying to browse through the four layers, Cao Yun realized he had some difficulties to understand the principles of the manual. Not losing his determination, he focused on the first layer, 'Discipline the Five Children'.
"The Essence of Man has Five Aspects, Five Elements. One Aspect is a Treasure. Nourishing the Treasures will bring Peace." Then, a diagram showed a circle around a pentagon. Each vertex of the pentagon had a special color and a strange character. Then five pages showed each one of this character.
Cao Yun understood why Dun Mofan did not really care about this manual. Apart from some cryptic sentences, all the symbols in it were unknown to him.
The first one was yellow. Cao Yun tried to focus his intent on the character. Very soon, there was nothing else in his mind, but he could not feel any change at all. After several minutes he was getting tired and decided to try something else. Instead of just focusing on the symbol, Cao Yun tried to draw it in his mind. He did it once, twice, three times, four... As he was drawing it a fourth time, everything went black and he fell down on the ground.
Feng Yingyue immediately rushed to him as Dun Mofan went to retrieve the manual on the floor with a perplexed look.
-
When Cao Yun came to, he was in a bed. The room was unfamiliar. And, as he was inspecting the room, he saw Feng Yingyue. She was ecstatic to see him wake up. Without Dun Mofan in the room, she would have jumped on the bed to hug the boy.
"What happened?"
As he spoke, Cao Yun realized that his mind seemed to be clearer. He could focus his thoughts more precisely, as if a fog he never knew was there had been lifted.
"It seems like this manual and you are fated with each other. Several people tried to use it, including me. Even though I'm not really interested in its contents, I was intrigued. But like everyone else, I never got any result. No one was even able to read past the first page. Nonetheless, I can see in your eyes that you gained some results. Impressive!"
Dun Mofan handed the green manual back to Cao Yun. Feng Yingyue almost jumped backwards.
"Senior Dun, are you insane?! Guo fainted just by reading it!"
"Little Yingyue, do not worry. You should have faith in your friend."
Cao Yun took the manual and he felt as if he was able to read the strange characters on the cover. But as soon as he tried to focus his mind, the sensation disappeared. He went back to the page with the yellow character. And then he was able to read it, Yi, the Earth Intent. He also was able to read a small line under it.
"8, small success, 64, true success, 108, perfection."
Does it mean that I have to draw it 108 times in my mind. I fainted after only four times.
Cao Yun tried to draw the symbol in his mind again. Once, twice, three times, four times, five... As he was drawing the fifth symbol, he felt the same way he did earlier and stopped at once. Last time, he did not understand the feeling but this time he knew that he was at his limit. If he had continued only for a second more, he would have fainted again. Despite stopping himself before fainting, Cao Yun felt as if he had exhausted all of his will drawing these four symbols.
"Guo, are you alright?"
"Yes, Yingying. Just tired."
"I'll make some preparations for you."
As Feng Yingyue was about to leave the room, she heard Dun Mofan. "Guo? Yingying? You seem really close, huh?"
The young woman blushed while promptly leaving the room. But she still heard the hearty laugh of the old man.
"Little Chen, it seems that you know what you're doing with this manual." The old man examined Cao Yun's eyes a little. "Fine. I'll gift it to you!"
"What?! But Senior Dun..."
"No buts! You should realize that it's impossible to make a copy of these unknown symbols. Even if we tried, it probably would not have the same effects. It could even be dangerous!" Dun Mofan got closer to Cao Yun. "But there is one condition! Feng Yingyue is very important to me. If ever you were to hurt her in any way..."
Cao Yun cupped his fists. "This junior understands. I do not intend to bring harm to Feng Yingyue."
"So it's 'Feng Yingyue' now, not 'Yingying'?! Ah, ah, ah! Good, good!"
Lost in his laugh, the City Lord failed to notice the young alchemist rushing back in the room with a cup of tea. Not even an stick of incense had passed and she was already back, with hot tea.
"Thank you." Cao Yun gulped down the cup without hesitation and felt some of his mental fatigue alleviated.
Dun Mofan gave them some time before speaking again.
"If you are looking for ways to control and temper your mind, I heard that a certain pill will be sold during the auction tomorrow."
"The auction?"
"Yes, one of the reason why I got back was to overview this auction. It happens five or six times each year. To ensure the safety of the clients, the mere name of the Myriad Cherry Blossom Hall is not always sufficient. As the City Lord, I act as a deterrent, just in case. After all, this branch of the Myriad Hall is very important for our Yinmen City. I can't very well let one Elder Gu be in charge of the fate of the entire city. I must stay neutral during the auction, but I don't think many people would be interested in a pill strengthening the mind. You should come!"
"But for now, you should rest!" Feng Yingyue sent a menacing glare to Dun Mofan and tended to Cao Yun.
"A loving wife is really terrifying." As soon as Dun Mofan had whispered, the young woman turned back to see him exit the room.
This night, Cao Yun slept without any problem given how exhausted he was. Maybe that was not just fatigue as he sensed that the Drop of Wrath seemed to be less active as well.
-
"Young Master Huang."
In the study of Huang Longwei, a man in his thirties wearing a taoist robe was bowing toward the Huang brother.
"Luo Jiang! Get up, get up! I was waiting for you!" Huang Longwei got up himself to help this man up. "How are your preparations?"
"Young Master, I am fairly confident about my victory. I've seen the pills concocted by this young girl. I must admit... they are of good quality. But not as good as my own."
"Good, good. If you need anything, just let me know!"
"Young Master is too kind. But there is indeed something that could help me ensure a total victory."
"Tell, tell!"
"Apparently, a Frozen Heart Pill will be auctioned off tomorrow."
"A Frozen Heart Pill? Isn't it a 5-star Earth rank pill?!"
"Indeed it is. And one of the most difficult to concoct. It's able to strengthen the mind, heighten your concentration and even your senses. If I can consume such a pill, I'm absolutely confident that I will deal a definitive blow to this young woman."
"Great. Then you can bid whatever it takes to get it, the Huang family will pay for you."
"Young Master is too kind."
"When dealing with such a talented alchemist, we can never be stingy."
Both men laughed and continued talking. They drank some wine and laughed some more.
-
"A test?"
In another room of the City Lord mansion, Dun Mofan was talking with Feng Yingyue.
"She assured me it would only be a test of alchemy. Your cultivation level is irrelevant. Of course, I did not know that you would rise by two whole levels when I was gone. This Master will come in less than a month."
"But, Senior Dun, I never agreed."
"Come on, little Yingyue, what better way to become an alchemist than to study under a great master?"
"But..."
"Are you afraid to leave the city you father lived in? Trust me to protect your father's shop!"
"Of course, I trust Senior Dun..."
"Little Yingyue, I know you have a lot of talent, even though you act too humble each time. Ask your friend, I'm sure he'll agree with me! I'm not forcing you, but this great master will be here in less than a month to recruit good talents. It took a lot of effort to convince her sect to send her here. And yes, I did it for you, but you are the one to choose in the end."
"This junior understands. Thank you, Senior Dun."
Dun Mofan smiled and patted her head as she tried to avoid his hand.
"Ah, ah, ah! How fast do they grow up! Now, let's talk about your time with this boy in the woods. And now, under the same roof."
Feng Yingyue tried to dodge the subject all night.
-
In the morning Cao Yun woke up and became confused. His senses seemed to be a little sharper. Once again, it seemed as if he had been living surrounding by a black fog without ever knowing it. And suddenly, it had lifted as if by magic. He sat cross-legged on the bed and immediately tried to circulate the first symbol, Yi the Earth Intent. Once, twice, ... six times, seven... Six times was his new limit.
After working with it several times, he finally got it. The first symbol was training your intent, hence it allowed you to progress quickly as you could put more and more intent into your practice. It made sense to strengthen it first. With a strong intent, it would be easier to then train the four other symbols. Cao Yun tried to watch them but he could read none of them. After a second of hesitation, he decided not to attempt to draw them. Maybe it was necessary to perform the first symbol up to Perfection. Perfection was 108 repetitions and he could only perform 6 of them right now. Trying to eat more than you could chew was always a bad idea.
When he came back to reality, Cao Yun realized that his ability to focus his mind was even stronger, albeit a little tired right now. And a sudden truth hit him right in the face. He had completely forgotten about the information concerning the neighboring cities. He would have to ask again.
Leaving his room, he quickly found Feng Yingyue and they both went to Dun Mofan. Alas, he had already departed for the auction hall.
"Guo, I know that you really care about these informations but the auction could be very beneficial for you..."
Feng Yingyue tried to console her friend. He answered with a bright smile.
"You're right! I may be able to purchase this Frozen Heart Pill. A 5-star Earth rank pill should be auctioned for at least twenty taels of gold, right?"
"Well, a Frozen Heart Pill is not that important to cultivators. It's especially useful for alchemists and other professions. Thus, even though it's one of the most difficult pill to concoct, it should not be auctioned for more than ten taels of gold."
"So cheap?!"
"Unless you're an alchemist, you don't really need this pill. It's rare because it's difficult to produce and it's not that useful so its price is too low. Most alchemists don't have time to produce such a pill, unless it's for them or their disciples."
"So, high risk, low pay. It makes sense to try and auction it off. At least they could raise the price."
-
The couple walked through the busy streets as many people were going in the direction of the auction hall. Cao Yun cut the line at the entrance by showing his Cherry Blossom Card. It really was coming in handy.
As soon as they entered, Ye Zhiyun welcomed them.
"Dear customers! I assume you are here for the auction."
"Of course."
"Then, follow me. I will bring you to a private lodge."
They both agreed and followed behind the servant.
The lodges were pretty small and could only contain three or four people. On one side was the entrance door and right in front of it, the so called lodge was more like a small balcony directed toward the main room. Many people were already sitting down below, facing in the direction of some platform.
A very young woman was standing on the platform. Her voluptuous forms were enhanced by gorgeous clothes. Almost nothing was revealed but everyone's imagination could do the work.
Even Cao Yun's eyes were drawn to her for an instant and Feng Yingyue pouted a little seeing it.
"Sorry, sorry."
"Is she maybe more beautiful than me?"
"Huh..."
"Hmph!"
Turning her face on the side, Feng Yingyue smiled mischievously as Cao Yun did not know how to answer her.
That will teach him a lesson! she thought.