Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The morning light was faint, the air still carrying a chill from last night's rain. Gu An tightened his blue robe, locked the courtyard gate, and muttered, "Three years away… who knows what I'll return to."
His cloud-stepping boots struck the wet blue stone path, splashing tiny droplets as he raced toward Qingyun Peak.
Only upon reaching the Spirit Beast Garden did he slow, staring at its tall blue stone gates. He strode boldly into the valley.
A fellow young disciple in a blue robe approached, smiling. "Junior Brother, are you here to choose a spirit beast?"
Gu An bowed slightly. "Senior Brother, I've accepted a mission from the sect. I'm here to buy a fast horse. Might you have a recommendation?"
"Traveling far requires a fast mount. It conserves your cultivation energy and keeps you on schedule," the senior replied. He looked surprised. Most new disciples wouldn't know this; it was experience only a few trials could teach.
Seeing Gu An's youthful face, he assumed this knowledge came from an elder's guidance at home. Smiling, he said, "Let me show you our options."
"Our garden has a first-rank low-grade Cloud-Chasing Horse. Its hooves generate mist as it runs, with endurance enough to travel a thousand li a day."
"There's also the first-rank low-grade Wind-Neigh, which bursts forward at incredible speed, able to cover eight hundred li a day."
"And a first-rank mid-grade Fire-Cloud Steed that—" The senior kept listing, clearly enthusiastic.
He was motivated: each sale earned him spirit stones.
Gu An hesitated. "Senior Brother, I… I can only afford a mundane horse or half-spirit horse. My funds are limited."
The senior, slightly puzzled, nodded and switched to half-spirit horses.
"I'd recommend the Black-Scaled Horse. Among half-spirit mounts, it's one of the fastest, with excellent endurance. Our sect breeds them steadily, so the price is reasonable—only two spirit stones."
"Could you show me?" Gu An asked politely.
"Of course! Follow me." The senior led him about a hundred paces into the valley, stopping at the first stable.
Gu An didn't need an explanation—the Black-Scaled Horse lived up to its name. Its entire body was covered in black scales, mane flowing like smoke, powerful limbs, and shining armor-like scales. Simply looking at it made one feel awe and slight unease.
"Ah… could you possibly include a saddle?" Gu An asked sheepishly.
Luckily, the senior was generous and agreed. Gu An chose a tall, strong horse, mounted the saddle, paid the spirit stones, and leapt onto the Black-Scaled Horse, leaving a trail of dust behind.
The horse could cover five hundred li a day, reaching Qingyuan Immortal City in three and a half days. Gu An planned to make some purchases there first.
Qingyuan Immortal City, built by Qingyuan Sect, served as a collection point for resources from scattered cultivators. Located close to the sect, Gu An arrived in half an hour.
By then, the mist had lifted. Dew glistened on the blue stone city walls. Overhead, the whistling sound of a cultivator riding a flying sword drew admiring glances from bystanders.
Gu An stabled his Black-Scaled Horse and walked into the city. Stalls lined with black cloth displayed various items, flickering occasionally with spiritual light—enough to tempt any eye.
But Gu An didn't linger; buying from random stalls could lead to scams. Every year, Qingyuan Sect disciples got cheated like this.
Noticing Gu An's halt, a few commoners ready to guide outsiders approached, but seeing the Qing Ding emblem on his chest, they reluctantly dispersed—Qingyuan Sect disciples needed no guides.
Gu An marched past the stall area, stopping at a modest two-story grey stone building. Inside, a rotund, jewel-adorned shopkeeper in black robes with dark-gold cloud embroidery greeted him warmly.
"Greetings, Qingyuan Sect cultivator. How may I assist you?"
"I need some Black Spirit Fish. I hope for a fair price," Gu An said politely.
The fish absorbed spiritual energy quickly, matured fast, but their flavor was average—not worth much to ordinary buyers, only the poor and scattered cultivators cared.
The shopkeeper poured tea. "One spirit stone for five fry. How's that?"
Gu An's expression darkened. Why sell at sect prices? I could've bought them from the sect directly.
"Ah, I see, you come recommended," Gu An said calmly, lowering his eyelids. "Six fry per spirit stone, then?"
The shopkeeper hesitated. A spirit beast bag costs five stones, leaving fifteen stones to buy ninety fish. Not ideal, but he couldn't cheat a discerning buyer.
"Very well. Twenty stones for one hundred fry and a spirit beast bag, or I leave," Gu An said firmly.
The shopkeeper relented, mumbling about thin profit, and handed over a yellow pouch. Gu An's spiritual sense confirmed the fish were active and untouched. He paid the twenty spirit stones.
Transaction complete, Gu An walked out, his mind still on the Black Spirit Fish.
Although their market value was modest, they absorbed spiritual energy rapidly, perfect for his [Spirit Source Feedback]cultivation. And with the first-rank mid-grade vein nearby, the fish would thrive easily.