After chatting with a few senior brothers and sisters for a moment, Chen Jinshu flew toward Ink Plum Courtyard. Having just obtained several valuable spiritual herbs and fruits, she was already eager to take out her spirit seeds and begin cultivation. The sooner she started, the sooner she could harvest.
Once back at Ink Plum Courtyard she released Xiao Yin from the spiritual beast bracelet.
"Master! We're finally home!"
"Wasn't staying with Master Teacher nice?" Chen Jinshu chuckled.
"Not nice! Not at all! Too many restrictions—I couldn't even fly freely!" the sparrow chirped repeatedly, clearly distressed.
"Don't worry. From now on, we'll stay in Ink Plum Courtyard."
Then, she channeled spiritual energy into the Qingluan Insignia, and a residual shadow of the azure luan burst forth from the jade pendant.
"Senior, how should I use this golden-feathered demon bird's blood?"
As she spoke, she took out a vial of pale golden blood. This vial likely held the essence blood of an entire demon bird. Despite their size in the later Foundation Establishment stage, only a small portion of their blood actually contained true spiritual power and lineage.
"Let it drink it. It will understand its mysteries. I've already passed down the Bloodline Enhancement Art."
"I see!"
She held up the vial and gave it a little shake toward Xiao Yin, signaling it to take and absorb the power within.
"Thank you, Master!"
"I've been searching for items to repair your remnant soul, but such spiritual materials are extremely rare," Chen Jinshu said helplessly. She was already lucky to have obtained a Suxin Lotus.
She'd also inquired at the trade fair, but no one had offered anything—likely because they had none.
"It's fine. Having absorbed the Suxin Lotus's demon power, I can persist for several more centuries."
Hearing that, Chen Jinshu sighed in relief. This senior's soul fragment was crucial for raising the Xiao Yin.
"No need for more words. Manifesting like this consumes a great deal of soul power."
After a few parting words to the sparrow, Chen Jinshu stepped into her room, then headed into the backyard. There, she saw a sky-blue tier-two longsword floating in midair.
"Comfy with that tier-two spirit sword, are we?" she asked, amused. The sword spirit had called out just after the remnant soul returned to the pendant.
"Very comfy! But… could you find something to help repair my spiritual body too?" The little sword spirit wobbled slightly as it spoke.
"Aren't you getting greedy? Giving you a tier-two spirit sword was already generous."
"I could offer more sword arts… maybe…" the sword spirit's voice trailed off.
"I told you, I'm not a sword cultivator. A few simple techniques for self-defense are enough. I don't have time to practice more."
"But… but…"
"Unless," Chen Jinshu said with a teasing glint, "you give me some good info—like the cave dwelling of a high-level cultivator or some hidden treasure trove?"
After all, the sword spirit had existed for quite some time. Surely it had heard something.
"Nope," it answered immediately.
The bluntness only made Chen Jinshu more suspicious.
"Fine then. Spiritual body restoration materials aren't easy to find anyway…"
"Well… maybe I vaguely remember something..."
"I knew it!" Her eyes lit up. She'd only been fishing, but the spirit had taken the bait. Living too long really does wear down one's resolve—he was willing to sell secrets for self-repair.
Two days later.
Chen Jinshu had just returned from Green Pine Herb Garden, having harvested several fields of spiritual crops. She was preparing to sell them at the market. Since she'd been away in the secret realm for a month, her sixth senior brother had tended the fields—causing them to mature half a month ahead of schedule.
Suddenly, the token at her waist lit up. She channeled energy into it, and a voice came through:
"Come to the rear hall of the Scripture Pavilion to collect your reward!"
Chen Jinshu's eyes lit up with delight. For the past three months, she'd been longing for these rewards. But the sect had been busy dealing with demonic cultivators and had delayed distribution.
After all that waiting, it was finally time.
By the time she landed in front of the Scripture Pavilion on her Gale Gourd, she spotted Du Yi and Jiang Daoyu arriving one after the other.
"Senior brothers, it's been a while!" She looked up and noticed something had changed. Both were now radiating a new kind of energy—pure and restrained.
It was unmistakably Foundation Establishment aura.
"Congratulations on advancing!"
"You're at Qi Refining level nine, right? Foundation Establishment must be near!" Du Yi said with a cheerful grin.
"Took me two months to break through and one more to stabilize," Jiang Daoyu added. "The moment I came out, the Sect Master's reward message arrived!"
"You should celebrate your breakthroughs! It's a joyous occasion," Chen Jinshu smiled.
"Good idea. I'll treat you both to a small gathering at the market," Du Yi agreed immediately.
"Let's keep it small. Just us three. Inviting more people might make our junior sister uncomfortable," Jiang Daoyu said thoughtfully.
"That works too."
Soon after, more disciples arrived—likely also to claim rewards. They had all helped in discovering or fending off demonic cultivators.
"You lot are here for rewards? Follow me," an elder with strong spiritual presence called out from the Scripture Pavilion. Led by him, the group arrived at the rear courtyard, where the Sect Master was already waiting.
"You're here. The sect's been busy recently, so your rewards were delayed."
"We're honored to serve," replied Feng Lingchuan, cupping his hands.
"You've reached Foundation Establishment, Lingchuan? Excellent," the Sect Master said approvingly, eyeing him like a refined gentleman.
"You all reached Foundation Establishment after the secret realm—and you, Chen Jinshu, are at Qi Refining level nine."
He swept his gaze over the group, finally stopping on Chen Jinshu.
"Let's get to it. After discussion among the elders, generous rewards have been arranged based on your contributions in identifying demonic cultivators."
"Chen Jinshu, Du Yi, and Jiang Daoyu provided key evidence, so their rewards are slightly more generous. No jealousy now—everyone is getting plenty."
Feng Lingchuan and others received:1,000 low-grade spirit stones; 3 bottles of Foundation Establishment pills (Xuan Sui Dan); 1 suitable mid-grade tier-two spirit tool
Chen Jinshu and her group, having provided vital evidence, received: 2,000 low-grade spirit stones; 6 bottles of Xuan Sui Dan; 1 high-grade tier-two spirit tool
"Use your rewards well. Do not grow arrogant."
"Understood, Sect Master!"
"Alright, you're dismissed—except Chen Jinshu, stay behind."
As the others filed out, they gave her a few curious glances.
"Your spirit beast bag was damaged while restraining several corrupted cultivators. As promised, I'm compensating you with a new spirit beast storage item."
"This is a Spirit Beast Ring—its inner space includes a mountain habitat where beasts can rest. It can hold 20 to 30 spirit beasts. A fitting replacement."
"Thank you, Sect Master!"
Chen Jinshu held the silver ring inscribed with golden runes in her palm, barely able to believe it.
The Sect Master had truly given her the rare Spirit Beast Ring with a habitat mountain as compensation!