After personally testing the effects of the Qi Replenishing Pill, Su Ye was very satisfied.
For the next half a month, Su Ye settled into a fulfilling and disciplined routine.
During the day, he would take any spare moments to practice Magic in his courtyard.
Most of his time, however, was dedicated to practicing with his Magical Artifacts and gaining combat experience.
After all, compared to the straightforward power of Magical Artifacts and talismans, the Magic of low-level cultivators was generally weaker. It was difficult to cast instantaneously and was often less effective in the heat of battle.
After night fell, he would rely on Qi Replenishing Pills and the meat of the Gray Ridge Whale to cultivate on this first-rank, mid-grade Spirit Vein.
During this time, he had someone deliver his new address to Zhao Li.
He also wrote a letter to the parents of the body he now inhabited, letting them know he was safe and sending along a collection of gold, silver, and jewels.
'Having taken over their child's body, I should at least offer some compensation.'
However, Su Ye had no intention of ever going back himself.
He just couldn't bring himself to accept two strangers as his parents.
...
「On this day.」
In his courtyard in Moon Creek Town, as Su Ye was practicing with the Blood-Drinking Spear, the Array Token at his waist suddenly stirred.
"What's this?"
Su Ye raised an eyebrow. 'Has the courtyard's Protective Array been triggered?'
A Communication Talisman flickering with white light quietly floated outside the courtyard.
'The Luo Family is summoning me to Luoyue Mountain... They're giving me a reward for killing the rebel leader.'
HUM.
The light of the Communication Talisman extinguished.
Su Ye released the gradually disintegrating talisman paper from his hand, a thought flashing through his mind.
'A summons from the Luo Family?'
'Perfect. I needed to go to Luoyue Mountain anyway.'
The Luo Clan's Scripture Pavilion was located on Luoyue Mountain.
'I have to get my hands on the subsequent parts of the Ghost Water Skill Cultivation Technique!' Su Ye thought.
Even though he was on land and couldn't benefit from the cultivation accelerator on the Flying Serpent, with the boost from his abundant resources, Su Ye's cultivation was still progressing rapidly.
By his estimate, not counting any time spent at a bottleneck, he could break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining in less than a year.
Under these circumstances, the subsequent parts of the Ghost Water Skill Cultivation Technique were an absolute necessity for Su Ye.
He didn't want to be out hunting beasts only to waste precious time because he lacked the next part of his Cultivation Technique.
After collecting his thoughts and calming himself, Su Ye set off for Luoyue Mountain!
...
Luoyue Mountain.
The mountain was wreathed in clouds and mist, its air thick with spiritual energy, like the grotto-heaven of an immortal.
As the heart of the Luo Family's domain, it was a second-rank Spirit Vein.
Naturally, Luoyue Mountain was protected by a second-rank grand Array.
According to the original owner's memories, this Array was called the Falling Moon Chaotic Star Array. It seemed to have been established by a Luo Family ancestor from a bygone era.
The Luo Family's Foundation Establishment Ancestor of that era, the clan's guardian, not only had outstanding cultivation but was also a second-rank Array Master.
The arrays on Luoyue Mountain, in the market city, and even the Island Protection Array enveloping all of Donglong Island were all his handiwork.
Unfortunately, after that Foundation Establishment Ancestor passed away, the Luo Family had not produced another second-rank Array Master in the hundred years since.
As he drew near Luoyue Mountain, his train of thought ended.
Su Ye's mind turned to another problem.
'How do I get in?'
The white mist before him was thick and ethereal, undulating like a Cloud Sea.
Su Ye did not act rashly.
He had no desire to test the power of a second-rank Array.
Even when not at full power, such an Array could obliterate a Qi Refining cultivator or two with ease.
As Su Ye hesitated...
HUM.
Transparent, water-like ripples materialized before his eyes.
The white mist parted, revealing a flight of bluestone steps within the Cloud Sea.
"Mr. Su, you certainly got here quickly~"
A soft, melodious voice rang out, tinged with a light laugh.
Surprised, Su Ye looked up.
A graceful figure was slowly descending the bluestone steps.
It was Luo Qing'e!
She wore a form-fitting, deep blue Magical Robe that accentuated her curves. A jade hairpin was tucked into her long, black hair.
Her long, slender legs were wrapped in white silk stockings, and a thin cord was tied around her right ankle.
Luo Qing'e descended the misty stone steps one by one. The gentle breeze billowed her robes, giving her a cool, noble air, as if she were an immortal banished to the mortal realm.
'Why is it her?'
Su Ye's heart skipped a beat, and he was momentarily stunned.
In this world, because of the transcendent nature of cultivation, there weren't the same strict feudal customs that had governed his past life, where women were forbidden from doing things like meeting guests.
After all, the aptitude of one's Spiritual Root had nothing to do with gender.
And would cultivators who possessed a Spiritual Root, who walked the path of immortality with the hope of transcendence and long life, truly be willing to be bound by such rigid conventions?
However, even though there were no strict divisions between the sexes...
...with Luo Qing'e's status in the Luo Family... She was the Patriarch's daughter, the esteemed Miss Luo!
Someone of her station...
Under no circumstances should she be the one to personally greet him and lead him up the mountain.
Lost in thought, Su Ye still bowed humbly, his etiquette impeccable.
"Greetings, Miss Luo."
"No need for such courtesy."
Luo Qing'e smiled beautifully, her expression dignified and gentle.
"Once you step onto the path of cultivation, you transcend the mundane. It's enough for cultivators of the same rank to simply call each other 'friend.'"
"This..." Su Ye paused, a sense of wariness flashing through his mind.
As the saying goes, excessive politeness means you want something.
'For Luo Qing'e, the eldest daughter of the direct line, to humble herself like this and show such goodwill? What could she possibly want?'
'Could it be... she's after my body?'
Looking at Luo Qing'e's bright, lovely face and her pair of long, exquisitely delicate legs, an indecent thought couldn't help but pop into Su Ye's head.
But he quickly dismissed the lustful notion.
'Calm down!'
'I'll just wait and see...'
Though he didn't understand, things had already reached this point. Su Ye could only clasp his hands in a fist-and-palm salute.
"Then... I'll take the liberty, Luo."
"Good. Mr. Su, please follow me up the mountain."
"The clan is very pleased with your performance and has prepared a generous gift for you."
With graceful steps, exuding a faint, pleasant fragrance, Luo Qing'e smiled as she began to walk up Luoyue Mountain, leading the way for Su Ye.
...
Following the bluestone steps, the two entered the Luo Clan's territory and went inside an exquisitely decorated wooden pavilion.
Su Ye took a seat. Luo Qing'e clapped her hands, and maids served Spirit Fruit.
After about fifteen minutes of hospitality, Luo Qing'e got to the point.
"Mr. Su, your merit in slaying the rebel leader was outstanding. Such a performance naturally deserves a reward."
Luo Qing'e smiled, and with a flick of her sleeve, she produced a jade box.
She placed it on the table and, with a push of her slender hand, slid it over to Su Ye.
"Mr. Su, open it and take a look."
Inside the jade box, nestled on a silk lining, was...
...an exquisite bone brooch?
Luo Qing'e explained in a timely manner.
"This is the Whalebone Brooch, a first-rank, mid-grade Magical Artifact."
"It has the Water Shield Skill permanently imbued within it. You can activate it three times a day with just a thought."
"And most importantly, the imbued Magic of the Whalebone Brooch does not consume any of the user's own Magical Power."
'An Instantaneous Skill, a Magical Artifact that requires no Magical Power!'
Su Ye's heart stirred.
He had seen this type of Magical Artifact in Moon Creek Town!
Their prices were extremely high, often selling for more than double the standard price.
This Whalebone Brooch was likely worth at least three hundred Spirit Stones!
Just then, Luo Qing'e let out a faint laugh.
"Speaking of which, you should be very familiar with its raw materials."
"That Gray Ridge Whale?" Su Ye raised an eyebrow and guessed.
"Precisely. The Whalebone Brooch is not just a Magical Artifact."
"At the same time... it is also an honor!"
"Mr. Su, congratulations on becoming the boatswain of the Flying Serpent!"
'Not only did I get a promotion, but I also got a valuable Magical Artifact!'
At that moment, Luo Qing'e leaned forward slightly, sitting with her legs neatly together. She looked at Su Ye and suddenly asked with a grin.
"Mr. Su, would you mind if I pinned this brooch on you?"