#50investAI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chapter 2: Investment
After bypassing two corridors, he arrived at his living quarters.
It was a room facing south, with bright and clear light. The furnishings inside were grand and tidy, and the decor alone looked quite expensive.
Pushing open the window, the courtyard's flowers and grass were like a lush carpet, and a wisp of serene and elegant floral fragrance drifted in with the wind.
A floral fragrance similar to the Moon Secluded Epiphyllum, it could calm one's mind.
The imagined mosquitoes and insects were nowhere to be found, suggesting that someone was specifically taking care of the place.
"How is this room?" Ye Wenxi, as a Spirit Emperor, personally led the way, showing him great respect.
Zhao Liuyun looked around and replied, "It's excellent. The place I used to live in was like a dog kennel compared to this."
An objective description, it was indeed the truth.
"But precisely because of this, I feel undeserving."
He took a deep breath, feeling as if he didn't know where to step.
"What do you need me to do?" Zhao Liuyun looked up and asked.
Ye Wenxi noticed his wariness.
A common ailment among low-level Spirit Masters: their horizons were not yet broadened, and they proceeded with caution at every step.
But they couldn't be blamed; the path of a Spirit Master was inherently fraught with thorns, and a slight misstep could lead to eternal damnation.
Fairly speaking, if an outsider suddenly bestowed such generous treatment, anyone would inevitably feel a few suspicions.
Ye Wenxi had lived for seventy years and had long since understood human nature.
Seeing Zhao Liuyun's tense expression, he merely smiled indifferently:
"I don't need you to do anything. Just cultivate daily as you should, and take your Medicinal Baths when it's time."
"Nor will I restrict your freedom of movement. Go wherever you wish..."
Zhao Liuyun took a step back.
Isn't this even more terrifying?
"You only need to diligently cultivate, become a powerful Spirit Master, and don't forget the Ye family."
"That's natural..." Zhao Liuyun responded, but a hint of doubt remained between his brows.
Seeing that he still hadn't relaxed, Ye Wenxi's tone gradually softened, as if lost in thought, and he said:
"You are the grand-disciple of that fellow Huang Tianhe. I'm just looking after an old friend's grand-disciple out of old sentiment."
At the same time, it was also a test.
If he failed the test, it was just an investment. If he passed, he could be recruited.
The Ye family was far from being as rich as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but this small expenditure was nothing significant.
"I understand... Thank you, Grandpa Ye." Zhao Liuyun was silent for a moment, then chose to accept everything.
"Mm." Ye Wenxi turned and slowly walked away. "You've traveled a long way, so rest well first."
"Any needs can be brought up to the maidservants."
"If they can't make the decision, then come find me."
The maidservants were also a test, tempting him with beauty to observe his willpower.
Zhao Liuyun watched his receding figure, still feeling uneasy.
Hypnosis really couldn't easily read the thoughts of a Spirit Emperor.
He could only perceive some of the emotions emanating from Ye Wenxi—
The memories didn't seem feigned.
Was it really as simple as just caring for an old friend's grand-disciple?
"Young Master Liuyun, my name is Yuan Hong. If you have any requests, just call me Xiao Hong." A beautiful maidservant gracefully entered, curtsying elegantly.
Zhao Liuyun's gaze swept over her delicate face and slightly rising and falling collar, and a wave of confusion welled up in his heart.
"..."
He composed himself and said in a deep voice, "I don't need anything for now. You go do what you need to do."
"Then this servant will wait outside. If Young Master needs anything, just call me anytime." Xiao Hong's voice was soft and gentle, like spring water.
I'm still a child, what are you trying to do?
With a chilling thought, Zhao Liuyun's eyes were calm: "I'm tired and want to rest. You should go rest too."
"I'll help you change." Xiao Hong said, moving forward.
Zhao Liuyun quickly reached out to stop her: "No need! I'm not that delicate."
And sending a maidservant?
Something's fishy... After sending her away, Zhao Liuyun couldn't figure it out, but it was certain there was no ill intent.
Since that was the case, it was better to temporarily set aside his doubts.
"I'm going into Meditation. Don't disturb me unless it's important." Zhao Liuyun said to Xiao Hong, who had just left.
"Yes, Young Master." A docile reply came from outside the door.
"Don't call me Young Master either... Sister Xiao Hong, just call me Liuyun."
"This servant wouldn't dare."
Ignoring her, Zhao Liuyun closed his eyes.
Since obtaining his spirit ring, this was his first formal Meditationsession.
He had rented a high-class carriage on the way, but it was still somewhat bumpy.
He could meditate, but he couldn't do it without distractions.
Now that he had settled down, it was time to test how much his cultivation speed had increased.
Calming his mind and Spirit, eliminating all distracting thoughts, Zhao Liuyun quickly entered a state of cultivation.
Xiao Hong turned and left, reporting everything from their conversation truthfully to Ye Wenxi, who was silently waiting.
"He's already started meditating, has he...?" Ye Wenxi chuckled lightly after hearing this, tapping his fingers on the table.
"This is how an ascetic from the lower ranks should be."
Thinking of his granddaughter, who was mischievous all day, while feeling relieved, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, wishing she could be more diligent.
She just lacked tempering!
As for Zhao Liuyun—
"One or two days won't show much; let's observe over a longer period."
Dusk deepened, and in a blink, it was evening.
Waking from Meditation, Zhao Liuyun eagerly checked the changes in his spirit power.
[spirit power: Level 21 (4103/7400)]
After absorbing the second spirit ring, it was 3940. Although he had meditated in the carriage on the way, external interference made it difficult to concentrate fully, and it only barely increased to 4067 points.
Now, Zhao Liuyun had only meditated for three hours, and his spirit power had actually increased by 36 points in one go!
12 points per hour!
7 points came from his innate talent, 1 point benefited from the operation of Mysterious Heaven Skill, and the remaining 4 points were attributed to the boost from Focus.
Among the innate talents, Dream Demon only increased by 2 points, while Ghost Eye Demon Dragon Spider increased by 3 points.
Dream Demon was most compatible with him, yet the increase was only 2 points.
Ghost Eye Demon Dragon Spider 3 points?
Zhao Liuyun guessed it was likely the combined effect of the dragon bloodline, age, and external Spirit Bone.
The external Spirit Bone demon dragon silver pupil primarily affected the Sea of Consciousness.
However, the refinement of mental force also provided considerable assistance to spirit power cultivation, though it was not as significant as its boost to mental cultivation.
To return to the main topic, a night of Meditation should yield around 60 points of experience.
This was truly an encouraging number.
A glimmer of light flashed in Zhao Liuyun's eyes, and feeling his stomach empty, he called out:
"Xiao Hong, is it dinner time yet?"
The maidservant Yuan Hong, waiting outside, immediately responded softly:
"Young Master Liuyun, the Old Master has already ordered a banquet to be prepared, waiting to welcome you."
I called out tentatively, and you were actually waiting!
Zhao Liuyun's eyes narrowed slightly.
And a banquet... a Hongmen banquet?
No, no, it's not.
Ye Wenxi was a Spirit Emperor. An auxiliary Spirit Emperor would certainly have other Spirit Emperors accompanying him as guards.
There was no need for him to mess around with a Spirit Grandmasterlike him.
Thinking of this, the trace of doubt in Zhao Liuyun's heart immediately vanished.
It would be best if they were after him as a person.
He had no intention of establishing his own faction. The path to godhood was long, and all external forces could be utilized.
Even Spirit Hall was the same.
He didn't join during Spirit awakening because he had no strategic value.
Not joining now was for the sake of Dugu Bo, a distinctive character who repays kindness, and even more so for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As for what the future holds... let's wait and see.
Zhao Liuyun tidied his robes, a composed smile now on his face, and called out, "How dare I refuse an invitation from an elder? I shall go at once."