Although he broke through, Wuji didn't obtain the unique divine sense that the technique can provide yet.
The scripture only said it would awaken naturally during the middle stages of Qi Gathering.
After his breakthrough, Wuji went to the library to finally read about how to properly use his Dao Treasure.
Due to his tunnel vision on practicing the Myriad Jade Mantra, he hadn't yet discovered the exact abilities of his Qingyu Flute or how he should go about cultivating it.
Entering the library, he didn't need to show his token for the first floor.
The sect library had four different floors, one for each stage of cultivation inside the sect.
After asking the librarian for a recommendation, Wuji finally picked out a few books for himself.
They were all about Dao Treasures.
Xiao Wuji found out that Dao Treasures' functionality and abilities weren't fixed. One can progress with them and develop new techniques with the right enlightenment.
It also mentioned how certain Dao Treasures could reveal hidden abilities previously unaccessible to the cultivator.
This was why high-level appraisal was a popular business. One could discover the true potential of their Dao Treasure.
Another book also talked about the maintenance and durability of Dao Treasures.
Wuji hadn't thought about it because he always kept it in his spiritual sea, but if he got his flute damaged, what would happen?
Well, it could be fixed with seclusion.
Nascent Soul and above artificers also seem to have some means of actively accelerating the repair process, so Wuji was reassured.
It was extremely bad to seriously damage your Dao Treasure, though, as it was a part of your soul—the part that resonated with the Dao.
So, in cases of extreme damage, even without the complete destruction of the Dao Treasure, one's cultivation could regress or be permanently crippled.
This realization made Wuji want to learn some movement or illusion arts to avoid contact and some defensive arts to still thrive even in misfortune.
But first, it seemed like he needed to either spend time exploring the uses of his Dao Treasure or get an appraisal.
A low-level appraisal probably wasn't worth the money, while a high-level one was too expensive.
Wuji decided to go read books on musical techniques and records of other flute Dao Treasures.
Unfortunately, there weren't such books in the Bamboo Valley Sect library.
He had to either rent a flying boat or walk a very long way to reach the nearest United Treasure Pavilion branch.
It seemed wise to first read the superficial information in unrelated books and then explore the flute himself before committing.
---
For six months, Xiao Wuji spent half of his time playing the flute and infusing qi into it in different ways.
He quickly realized the flute could affect the environment.
He also tested the effects on beasts and realized he could cast illusion or spiritual attacks through the sound waves if he played a certain way.
The Qingyu Flute's abilities could make anything between heaven and earth obey his tune—or at least that's what it would probably do in the future, Wuji thought.
For now, he was already able to control things up to the size of a tree.
He could uproot and throw up to five trees at the same time or a massive boulder.
It was like telekinesis through the flute, but he discovered he could infuse qi into it.
Unfortunately, cultivators could resist this effect with their own qi—but he could at the very least pressure them to slow their movements, although it would be a waste of his qi in a lot of cases.
One month ago, Wuji also developed a technique he called Wind Blade. It was quite self descriptive.
Every breath of the flute could summon a wind blade that could easily chop a line of three trees in half.
He could also raise the earth into walls or shackles to imprison his enemies or defend himself.
After these six months, something out of the routine finally happened.
Luo Bing visited every month to take him to a gathering so he could play the flute and she could show him off.
She also asked him to spar with her once—she didn't even need to use any techniques to completely avoid all of his attacks.
Today, she did the same.
It was quite a similar sight, Luo Bing simply dodged or blocked everything while giving some tips on how Wuji could improve his attacks.
Wuji felt the need to ask, "Hey, Sister Bing, why don't you attack? Can't you just control your strength?"
"Oh, you're right! But what if I end up hurting you? I can't bear the burden of giving you a scar or making your delicate face gruff." Luo Bing no longer blushed when teasing him.
"Also, is there any need? Do you have any defensive methods you can practice?"
This shut Wuji up for a moment. He really didn't discover any defensive applications besides illusions and earth walls.
But these were simply not enough at the moment.
"Sister Bing, do you have any recommendations?" Since she mentioned it, she probably did.
"I'm glad you asked, of course I do. But if I tell you, you have to promise to come with me to that party you didn't want to go to." She laid down her demands.
It wasn't a problem, "Fine, I agree."
"I knew it, you rascal! Ah, you've grown up and only use me for what I can give." Luo Bing put on an act of melancholy, but it was completely ignored by the heartless Wuji.
"Ahem, fine. You must've seen how the sect's first floor library is lacking in movement and defense techniques. That's because those types of techniques are extremely rare at the Qi Gathering stage, as one can usually only use simpler techniques."
"I see, so where can I get them?"
"I was getting there. You can either go to the Elder Alliance branch with me and see if they're offering any mission with the right reward for you, but that's extremely unlikely. Your best shot would be purchasing it at the United Treasure Pavilion, but do you have the spirit stones for it? Any half decent technique would cost around 100-200 spirit stones at the minimum." Luo Bing wasn't optimistic about it, so she was about to offer a third option that was difficult to succeed but still possible.
Surprisingly, Wuji showed an incredibly happy expression. "That's fine, I have enough, then."
"What? Shouldn't you have at most 50 or so spirit stones? Where did you get them?" Luo Bing was truly curious. She knew he didn't do any missions, so how did he get anything besides the monthly allowance?
Wuji was actually a bit embarrassed about their origin.
Some of the female inner and core disciples actually took pity on him and gave him some spirit stones or homemade spirit food.
Why did they do such a thing? Well, they were upset at how such a beauty was forced to wear the plain outer disciple robes.
Yes, it was utterly ridiculous.
This experience once again muddled Wuji's perception of women.
"It was a gift." Wuji hoped he didn't have to elaborate.
But Luo Bing had a keen perception, "Oh, are some good-for-nothing vixens trying to steal my little brother? Or worse, do they have any bad intentions about you? Tell me their names, Wuji."
"Big Sister Bing, is it really necessary t-"
"I'll buy you one technique if you tell me their names."
"..." Was he really such a lowlife concubin- Ahem, such a little brother?
"Come on. Spit it out."
'Alas.' Wuji had no qualms about snitching for benefits—surely Luo Bing wouldn't be excessive.
"Bay Wuying, Ye Cui, Xue Min... and Su Jing."
"So..."
"Hm?"
"So many?! Is this a sect or a fox den? Is there some charm spell on you? I know you're probably the most beautiful man anyone has seen, but is that really enough for this effect? How can a big sister protect her little brother from slippery snakes like this?" Then Luo Bing thought of something else, "Wait, you... you rejected all of their advances?"
"Mhm. What? Is there a problem?"
"It's not a problem. Well, as long as you didn't offend them, there's no problem. But... are you sure you like women, Wuji? You wouldn't prefer Yang over Yin, right?"
'What? How can she ask this?' Wuji was shocked! "Is it really that unbelievable to reject those only interested in my appearance?"
"That's not the point. You don't have to marry them, couldn't you get to know the ones you could see yourself liking? Just to see how they were like before being so decisive? I'm asking if you have any interest in romance." Luo Bing wasn't mocking him. She was just curious.
"Well... I don't know. I just don't think I have the mentality for romance at the moment. Maybe when I'm immortal."
"Hahaha! I wonder how many maidens will be left heartbroken by you until then."
"Tch, let's just go to the damn United Treasure Pavilion. Are you really going to buy me a technique? You don't have to." Wuji still felt like he owed her, which was fair considering the value of a Nascent Soul scripture suited for him.
He had also told Luo Bing about it a few weeks ago once he trusted her enough.
She said he didn't owe her anything either way, but he didn't feel comfortable about it—was his appearance at events so expensive?
What kind of joke is that?
Little did Xiao Wuji know that Luo Bing actually charged people big money to meet him and listen to him play the flute.
She had already made enough spirit stones from the rich young clan ladies to buy the artifact she had her eye on for years.
As long as she kept commercializing him, she would break even.
But even without that, Luo Bing didn't care about a scripture she couldn't practice, and she really did like Wuji.
She also told him about how she sold tickets for his performances, but she understated just how much she was making.
So she responded guiltily, "Wuji, do you remember how I said I profited a bit from your flute performances?"
"Yes, wasn't it a joke?" Wuji had a weird premonition.
"Of course not! Don't you think you're incredible? That's why I immediately tried to make you my little brother. You're a damn gold mine, Wuji." She spilled the beans.
"Wait, so how much money did you make from my performances? Did you get any spirit stones?"
"I got two high-grade spirit stones worth."
"Oh, two... wait. High-grade?!" What the hell? "What a profiteering madlass. Who even paid so much? Even over a year of monthly performances doesn't make that number reasonable. Was every person paying?"
"Yes, they were all paying." Luo Bing felt called out. "Anyway, I've come clear now, so don't feel too bad, we'll split it 50/50 for another three years and then we're even, how about it? Just do your best!"
Wuji couldn't believe her shamelessness, but he had to agree that it was a good idea, "Fine, let's do that, then. Now let's hurry and go to the Pavilion already."
As always, Wuji got princess carried for several kilometers before they landed in a relatively big city.
They hastily made their way to the most luxurious and extravagant building in sight—the United Treasure Pavilion.