Qing Xuanling remained dazed by the reward even after they'd left the Green Heaven Palace. She was practically drooling.

  "Wipe that drool off your chin and go rest," Instructor Huan laughed. "None of us were especially comfortable in that village. Even if you don't feel it—your body is desperately begging for sleep."

  The others voiced similar sentiments—except Qing Chu, who had long since departed with a dark expression.

  Qing Ziyi was blunt. "Your body is in the worst state of all. You recklessly threw yourself into a battle beyond your level relying on pills—and that carries consequences. You'd best rest properly for the next three days."

  "Listen to her—the consequences get worse later," Qing Linxi smiled wryly. "I did similar things in my youth and I didn't take enough time to recover. Ended up bedridden for two months…"

  Qing Xuanling's face tightened. She really couldn't afford to waste so much time.

  'I'd better take a good rest—but I can do other things while recuperating…'

  Her blue eyes fixed firmly on Qing Linxi. She hadn't planned to do this so soon—but since she'd have free time anyway, she might as well make the attempt early.

  "Elder Sister Linxi—could we speak privately?" Qing Xuanling looked at Qing Linxi with slight nervousness. "I'd like to ask you a favor…"

  Qing Linxi tilted her head slightly, her amber eyes narrowing thoughtfully. She considered it for a moment before nodding. "Sure! You all go on ahead—I'll have a chat with our little prodigy."

  The others nodded and took their leave. Whatever Qing Xuanling wished to discuss with Qing Linxi was none of their business.

  They walked for a while before reaching a bridge. The river downstream from the bridge was clear, colorful fish swimming leisurely beneath the surface.

  Qing Xuanling gazed at the river for several long seconds before lifting her head and meeting Qing Linxi's eyes directly.

  "First—I apologize for what I'm about to ask, Elder Sister. But it's something I've had on my mind for a while." Qing Xuanling gritted her teeth, feeling deeply embarrassed. "Please… could you gift me the body cultivation technique you use?!"

  She lowered her head, too ashamed to maintain eye contact. Making such a request was obviously extremely rude and foolish.

  Who in their right mind would hand over their techniques for free? Such things only happened between master and disciple—and even then, it wasn't guaranteed. Many disciples never received their masters' complete inheritance.

  And here was Qing Xuanling—asking for the cultivation technique of someone she'd only known for two days. It was insane and something quite humiliating for her.

  Yet she did it anyway—because she needed it.

  'Though a thousand contribution points is substantial, it's only enough to buy a better cultivation technique better than the one I currently use. Purchasing an additional body cultivation technique is beyond my means!'

  She needed to improve her current cultivation technique—but she also refused to forgo body cultivation entirely. The power Qing Linxi had displayed remained firmly etched in her mind.

  Thus, she'd decided to humble herself for the slim chance Qing Linxi might agree to pass on her body cultivation technique.

  "You understand how unreasonable your request is, right?" Qing Linxi smirked. "What—did you think because I'm so carefree I'd just hand over my body cultivation technique?"

  Qing Xuanling's face stiffened. Indeed—that's exactly what she'd thought. Her ears flushed slightly.

  Qing Linxi laughed at her nervousness. "Girl—you know the rank differences between techniques, right?"

  Qing Xuanling swallowed but answered clearly. "Of course. Technique ranks are divided into: Yellow, Profound, Earth, and Heaven—corresponding respectively to the Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul realms."

  "Good—I see you've studied well." Qing Linxi nodded in satisfaction. "But beyond that, techniques of the same rank vary greatly—so they're further divided into low, mid, and high grades."

  A deep smile appeared on Qing Linxi's sharp features. "My body cultivation technique is Profound-rank, high-grade. Now tell me—do you understand what you're asking for?"

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Qing Xuanling's eyes widened as she drew a sharp breath. Profound-rank, high-grade!She had never even come close to touching such a powerful technique!

  To clarify—Qing Xuanling's Five-Axis Rotating Art was Yellow-rank, mid-grade. Its value was five hundred contribution points. She only possessed it because it was the first cultivation technique the clan provided her.

  Worse still—the only Profound-rank technique she'd found in the Scripture Tower cost three thousand contribution points for a single copy! And that was only low-grade!

  Qing Xuanling couldn't even imagine the value of Qing Linxi's body cultivation technique.

  She swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes—I understand the stupidity of my words. Please forget I said anything, Elder Sister!"

  Qing Xuanling bowed in apology—but Qing Linxi stopped her.

  "Did I say I was offended?" Her voice was playful yet s

  olemn. "I only asked if you understood what you were requesting. Now that you do—tell me: what can you offer in return?"

  Qing Xuanling froze. She straightened her back, regarding Qing Linxi with consternation. She didn't understand what the other woman was doing.

  True—she'd made the request first, but only because she hadn't known her body cultivation technique would be so valuable. Had she known, she never would have asked—because she knew she herself wouldn't hand over something so precious if someone requested it.

  But…

  'She doesn't seem entirely opposed to the idea…?'

  Qing Xuanling felt deeply confused—but she wasn't one to let such opportunities slip away. Her mind raced at maximum speed, searching for anything of value she could offer.

  She didn't take long to arrive at an answer.

  "I don't understand why you'd be willing to give me that technique—but I truly have nothing of equivalent value… Still, there is one thing I can promise you." Qing Xuanling pointed to herself. "If you do this—I will be in your debt for my entire life!"

  Qing Linxi's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Brat—do you realize what you're saying? I'm Qing Linxi—a clan genius ranked alongside Qing Huan! I'm not at peak stage yet precisely because of my body cultivation—but within five years, I'll attempt to break through to the next great realm!"

  "What makes you believe your favor—the favor of a mere sword genius with complete spiritual roots—is worth my body cultivation technique? I could reach Foundation Establishment while you're still struggling to reach late-stage Qi Refinement!"

  As always, Qing Linxi's words were honest and devastating. Her straightforward, unpretentious eyes only made her words cut deeper. Truly the personality one would expect from someone who wielded a warhammer.

  But Qing Xuanling wasn't intimidated. She knew her own worth well. No matter how others doubted her—she wouldn't. Of course, she wouldn't reveal all her cards—but she didn't need to. She was no longer the same person she'd been a month ago.

  With a smile, she produced a token from her robes. "My goodwill holds value precisely because I'm not just a sword genius—I'm also an alchemical genius! I obtained my first-rank alchemist title just days before going on the mission with you!"

  Proudly, Qing Xuanling displayed the token symbolizing her alchemist status before Qing Linxi. She smiled.

  "It doesn't seem so bad to change your technique now just to keep me in your debt, does it? Elder Sister Linxi?"

  Qing Linxi's amber eyes widened. Gears turned rapidly in her mind as she grasped the implications of the token in Qing Xuanling's hands.

  She smiled. "You've got me there, Sister Xuanling! Fine—I accept the deal!"

  Qing Linxi retrieved a leather-bound book from her spatial ring and tossed it to Qing Xuanling. Her smile was playful. "Remember—I'm not giving you this solely for your talent. I'm giving it because I see you're someone who understands the weight of favors. Don't disappoint me~"

  "Oh—and call me Sister Linxi from now on! I can't treat my personal alchemist like a junior!"

  Qing Xuanling watched in a daze as Qing Linxi turned and walked away. She was too… carefree. That was the only word to describe her.

  The way she'd handed over a Profound-rank technique as if it were a trinket—then turned away without a backward glance—was overwhelmingly powerful! As if such trivialities didn't concern her at all!

  At the same time, the book in Qing Xuanling's hands felt heavier. Just as Qing Linxi had said—Qing Xuanling was fully aware of the weight of favors. She wouldn't sleep peacefully without finding a way to repay this debt.

  '…Tsk—did Sister Linxi hand me this technique fully aware of that?'

  The corner of Qing Xuanling's lip twitched. Her gaze toward Qing Linxi's retreating figure grew more serious. She suspected a sharp mind operated behind all that carefree demeanor.

  She shook her head. The thoughts behind Qing Linxi's actions weren't important. What truly mattered was the book in Qing Xuanling's hands.

  She took a deep breath and examined the book carefully. It appeared quite ordinary—a typical book with a thick cover. The title read:

  'Abnormal Steel Caterpillar Observation Diary'

  "…"

  Qing Xuanling's expression turned strange. She rubbed her eyes, feeling she must be seeing things wrong. But even after blinking repeatedly—the title remained unchanged.

  'Abnormal Steel Caterpillar Observation Diary'

  She swallowed hard.

  "What the hell is this?! This is a damn scam! Sister Linxi—if you didn't want to give me anything, you could've just said so…!"

  Qing Xuanling felt utterly despondent. It was as if she'd fallen from the heavens straight to the ground—no, straight into the sub-basement! All her earlier excitement vanished like smoke.

  She dragged her feet back to her room, still dejected. Perhaps due to the dark cloud hanging over her, no one approached her. She still received many glances—but most were filled with curiosity. No one dared disturb her with that desperate look on her face.

  She reached her room without incident. She glanced sideways at Qing Wentian's door—she'd felt like complaining to her drama-loving good brother—but he seemed to be out.

  With no other options, she entered her room.

  What greeted her were several mountains of scattered papers and notebooks littering the floor.

  In the midst of the chaos sat Xuan Dan, scribbling furiously on a sheet. Her eyes were bloodshot, a perverted smile on her face as she muttered what sounded like incantations.

  Qing Xuanling smiled wryly at the scene. She laughed softly as she carefully navigated the paper-strewn room.

  "Hey Xuan Dan—at least pay attention when someone knocks! And stop throwing things all over the floor…!"