Chapter 24: The Yellow Cloud Technique, Intermediate Grade

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He had once considered refining top-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills to obtain more spirit stones. However, while ordinary Qi-Nourishing Pills were fine, the truly exceptional ones could accelerate the cultivation of direct disciples by the major powers, making them a strategic resource. It would be unwise to release such pills before having established a solid foundation. His previous gifts to Liu Yun and Luo Yongsheng could be explained as coincidences, but if he started selling them, questions would inevitably arise.

Besides, since Luo Yuzhu had already “taken him under her wing,” and his resources were sufficient, there was no need to pursue that avenue. By his calculations, it had been half a year since he stepped onto the path of immortality. The Qi-Nourishing stage had taken the longest, but it had only been a month and a half since he reached the early Spirit-Refining stage, which was astonishingly fast compared to others who might take years.

He was not concerned—after all, he was naturally talented, and his rapid progress could be attributed to Luo Yuzhu’s support. Compared to someone else, though, his situation seemed straightforward.

That person was none other than the protagonist in Cao Chengyu’s eyes—Xiao Yan. In less than a month, Xiao Yan had advanced from the sixth level of Qi-Nourishing to the early Spirit-Refining stage, an unbelievable pace. It was said that he had attracted the attention of a fellow Red Guard and was living a difficult life, watched wherever he went. Should he dare to leave the inner city of the capital, he might not survive. Clearly, others believed he possessed some rare fortune and sought to take it for themselves.

Cao Chengyu had no intention of helping. Rather, he was happy to watch events unfold. The Red Guards of the Sky-Watching Tower began at the Dao Body stage; if Xiao Yan could survive this ordeal and go further, it would prove that his luck was indeed extraordinary, and that he carried a great destiny. When that time came, Cao Chengyu would decide whether to befriend him or seize what he had.

Before leaving the dormitory of the Sky-Watching Tower, Cao Chengyu glanced once again at his status sheet:

[Cao Chengyu]
Age: 14.8
Cultivation: Early Spirit-Refining stage (99%)
Cultivation Method: Song of the Yellow Court
Skills: Basic Alchemy (Tier One), Basic Artifact Crafting (Tier One Artifact)
Spells: Object Manipulation, Windstrider, Azure Flood Dragon’s Sleeve (Mid-grade, incomplete), Fivefold Departing Fire Art (Mid-grade), Black Tortoise Shield (Low-grade, 1%), Cloud Riding Technique (Low-grade, 1%)
Secret Techniques: Venomous Gaze (Low-grade, 63%)
Divine Powers: None
[Assessment]: Among the very best of the White Guards at the Spirit-Refining stage in the Sky-Watching Tower, possessing the strength to traverse the Grand Yue Dynasty.

Comparing this to his previous status sheet, Cao Chengyu noticed a pattern: once he mastered a spell to perfection, the Song of the Yellow Court would automatically begin evolving to a higher grade. Its power was truly astonishing.

---

Guyan Pavilion.

Next door was the spiritual materials shop.

Last time, Cao Chengyu had ordered a guqin here. During practice, one of the strings had snapped, so he had brought it in for repairs. He was here to collect it, but to his surprise, he learned that a female cultivator surnamed Luo had commissioned a new instrument for him.

Unlike the previous ordinary guqin, all the materials this time were of spiritual origin. The soundboard, iron essence, and jade spider silk—three kinds of spiritual materials—had been refined together to craft the instrument. Three magical prohibitions were inscribed within, making it a first-grade low-tier artifact. Its value was easily close to a hundred spirit stones.

That Luo Yuzhu would gift him such a treasure—splendid indeed!

It had been half a month since he last saw Luo Yuzhu. This was the perfect opportunity to achieve the eighty-point favor milestone.

Receiving the new instrument from the shopkeeper, he admired its black body and pearl-like, lustrous strings—a striking combination. The iron-essence relief carvings were also significant, resembling a legendary spirit beast that calmed the mind. Regularly playing this guqin would surely be even more effective than the Jade Toad of Serenity, elevating the mood of both player and audience alike.

It was truly extraordinary. For him, it was especially meaningful for advancing his mid-grade spell mastery. He must express his gratitude properly.

Placing the artifact into his storage pouch for now, Cao Chengyu decided to invite Luo Yuzhu to a meal at Misty Pavilion.

This celestial restaurant was one of the most renowned in the capital, famous for its ethereal, elegant setting. Cao Chengyu pawned the mid-grade first-tier alchemy furnace he had refined to cover the cost of reserving the open-air dining area on the top floor of Misty Pavilion.

Artifacts were divided into three grades: first, second, and third, corresponding to low, middle, and high tiers, each with further distinctions. A mid-grade first-tier alchemy furnace was a respectable item, enough to pay for an exclusive meal atop the building.

You have to risk something to gain something.

The furnace was of little use to him for now—he wouldn't be practicing alchemy anytime soon. If this could be exchanged for a treasure chest, that would be a true windfall.

For the meal, Cao Chengyu dismissed the chef and cooked himself for convenience. He made hot pot the main course, with ginger-spiced and sour-spicy phoenix claws as side dishes, plus a plate of smashed cucumbers and a serving of boiled meat slices—enough for a complete meal.

All ingredients were sourced from Misty Pavilion; since he had paid, he might as well use them.

Today was not like the past—now that he was empowered with magic, spiritual energy coursed through his arms, and where hot pot once took ages to prepare, a blaze of spiritual fire rendered it flavorful in no time. Thus, it didn't take Cao Chengyu long at all to set everything up.

He tossed a spirit stone to a waiter, instructing him to invite Luo Yuzhu from Chunhua Residence to join him for dinner.

---

Standing atop Misty Pavilion, Cao Chengyu gazed out over the vast sea of clouds. Dusk had fallen, and the sun's final rays painted the thick, golden clouds with a unique beauty.

It was the most exquisite scene he had ever witnessed. Immersed in the moment, he unexpectedly entered a state of enlightenment.

His recently mastered Cloud Riding Technique advanced rapidly; clusters of golden clouds gathered around him, lifting him as if on cotton candy. The spell now possessed the ability to float.

Lost in his reverie, Cao Chengyu remained unaware of time's passage until night had fully fallen and he finally emerged from his trance.

Spell: Golden Cloud Technique (Mid-grade, 19%)

Unexpected joys always bring delight.

"Sss…"

Before he could savor his excitement, a strange sound reached his ears. Turning, he saw that at some point, Luo Yuzhu had already arrived.

She was sitting on a stool, dipping ingredients into the hot pot, eating with gusto. Indulging in the food, she had not shielded herself with magic, so sweat beaded on her brow, lending her a charming, endearing air.

Her eyes never left the feast before her, clearly delighted with his culinary choices.

Seeing this, Cao Chengyu did not mind—he sat and joined her at a leisurely pace.

The two said nothing, yet a tacit understanding seemed to flow between them.

After a long while…

Having eaten the last sour-spicy phoenix claw and washed it down with a sweet, icy hawthorn drink, Luo Yuzhu let out a contented sigh.

"Little Chengyu, if this continues, your sister might just fall in love with you."

"Gifted in cultivation, skilled at cooking to suit my tastes, versed in music and poetry—truly a man of many talents. Most importantly, you even help my cultivation."

"To meet another handsome young cultivator as suited to my heart as you would be almost impossible."

Hearing this, Cao Chengyu’s eyes lit up with ardor, only to quickly dim again—a performance.

This subtlety did not escape Luo Yuzhu, who had been observing him closely the whole time.

Her curiosity was piqued.

Cao Chengyu sighed.

“Sister Luo, I…”

“Ah, never mind. By the way, thank you for the artifact guqin, Sister Luo. Allow me to play a piece for you.”

With that, he took out the guqin, letting it hover across his lap with a surge of magic, and a melody began to flow forth.