Seeking the Tao in the Mortal World

Chapter 151: The First Play of the Newcomer

When he walked out of the cave, he saw a middle-aged taoist standing outside. He had a long beard and an immortal spirit. Seeing Qin Yi coming out, he cupped his hands and smiled, "Myriad Tao Immortal Palace has another mainstay. That is really gratifying."

Qin Yi also politely returned the courtesy, "Nice to meet you, Senior. Please give me some support."

"Will do." Taoist flicked his sleeves and quickly cleaned the fallen leaves and dust on the stone table in front of the cave. The taoist took out a wine gourd and said with a smile, "Can you drink?"

"I can?" Qin Yi invited him to have a seat at the stone table.

Liu Su said secretly, "Many others are watching in the air. This taoist is probably just to test the water."

Qin Yi nodded.

The taoist took out two small wooden cups, poured wine, and said with a smile, "I'm Xi Xiangzi. So Junior's surname is Qin?"

"What's your relationship with Dong Huazi?"

"Ugh, I don't know him."

"Yi, is Junior in the way of chess?"

When he asked this question, Qin Yiwen was stunned for a moment.

The way of immortal really attached importance to destiny. That was why there was the way of divination that peeked into the heavenly mysteries.

His name was Yi, but he studied painting.

This was a destiny determined in the previous life and couldn't be changed.

In the beginning, Ming He suggested Myriad Tao Immortal Palace to him. After reaching the Myriad Tao Immortal Palace, he didn't like the eating, drinking, whoring and gambling sect. Before he could check out the other systems, he stayed one night in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting sect. Then he joined it after a few conversations.

If this was really his destiny, it meant Qin Yi came out of the South Li Kingdom for this piano, chess, calligraphy and painting sect.

He could explore this interesting matter in the future.

In fact, his chess skills were general. He only knew some basic rules. This was what most modern students were like. 

These thoughts passed through my mind. Of course, he couldn't say that he didn't know how to play chess. If a disciple of the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting sect didn't know how to play chess, it would be a disgrace to Ju Yunxiu.

So he could only answer, "I only know a little bit about chess. It's not my major."

Xi Xiangzi smiled and said, "Is is the way of piano? I wonder what instrument Junior plays? Can you play a piece of immortal tune?"

This was not meant to make things difficult for him or to force him to perform. Because for those who were obsessed with piano, they would be flattered if someone was willing to listen to the play.

But this praise made Qin Yi extremely embarrassed. He couldn't play any musical instrument at all. 

He could only pretend to be profound, "The way of the piano is not limited to musical instruments. Senior just does not know this way."

"Huh?" Xi Xiangzi was stunned, "Junior means..."

"The word 'piano' is just an expression. In fact, it actually refers to the way of music, not just musical instruments."

"I was ignorant. What does Junior specialize in?"

"Hmm... you don't understand even if I tell you. Do you know what is singing, dancing, and rapping?."

"... I know a little about singing and dancing, but I really don't understand what draping is." Xi Xiangzi said shamefully, "There are really many great ways. What we know is only a drop in the bucket."

Qin Yi was really afraid that he would continue to ask about calligraphy and painting, so he hurriedly changed the topic, "Senior is major in the way of medical divination?"

"Yes, I specialize in medical skills and major in external elixir."

In fact, this was Qin Yi's major, but Qin Yi had no interest in discussing external elixir with him. Instead, he went directly to the topic, "So Senior Apprentice is here..."

Xi Xiangzi didn't seem to expect Qin Yi to be so direct. After all, cultivators had a lot of time and could discuss tao for days. Moreover, each of them also was carefree. If the discussion went well, they would become tao friend. When Xi Xiangzi mentioned his intention after that, the other party would probably give it away without thinking much.

Of course he didn't expect Qin Yi to be afraid of discussing tao, so Qin Yi went straight to the point.

Xi Xiangzi pondered for a moment, drank a glass of wine, and then slowly said, "Since Junior is in the way of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, you must have less experience in alchemy. Maybe you have studied it before, but you definitely don't have passion in this tao.”

Qin Yi smiled and said, "So?"

"I love alchemy very much, but I need a good furnace. I know that there is a Purple Gold Beast Head Cauldron in this peak... Although this furnace is not a top grade, it is very suitable for my refining direction." Xi Xiangzi spoke slowly, observing Qin Yi's expression. Seeing that Qin Yi was still smiling slightly, he breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "If Junior is willing to give it to me, I can exchange it with something you need."

Qin Yi smiled and said, "So what can Senior exchange it with?"

Xi Xiangzi opened his palm. There was a small cloth bag with faint aura spilling from it.

"I know that Junior is new here, so you are lack of medicinal plant seeds." Xi Xiangzi said with a smile. "To be honest, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting don't have such things. You need to exchange them with our medical sect. These are some scarce seeds of high value. I can exchange them with Junior.”

Qin Yi sneered in his mind.

I'm also specialized in the elixir way. Even if I haven't tested it properly, I can tell that the Purple Gold Beast Head Cauldron is definitely a good cauldron. In terms of grade, it may even reach the noble instrument level.

But this damn taoist dared to say "it's not top grade" and wanted to exchange it with a few cheap seeds?

They are probably scarce, but it's probably not too bad to be found in the street, and it won't be revealed by just visiting a drugstore. Are you trying to fool people by treating me like a rarity? Do you really think I’m dumb?

Maybe it's because most of the idiots in the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting sect are easier to deceive... In fact, if the exchange is really equal, Ju Yunxiu might not refuse. She could have exchanged what she wanted. However, the value of these treasures is quite high, and others generally cannot afford to exchange them, so they can only cheat or ask for them directly. This led to Ju Yunxiu's refusal.

But they didn't dare to take it by force. When they knew a new "idiot" coming, they couldn't wait to stretch their evil claws to me.

Thinking so, Qin Yi was about to refuse when Stick Stick spoke in his mind sea, "Qin Yi, I want those seeds. One of them will be useful to me."

Qin Yi almost vomited blood. His words of rejection were stuck in his throat.

"Junior, do you think you are at a disadvantage?" Seeing that Qin Yi didn't answer for a long time, Xi Xiangzi took out a seed with a smile and said, "This is the Red Ghost Vine. It has infinite effectiveness in protecting cave houses. If it has enough nourishment, even the Radiant Yang Stage cultivator can enter without permission. It cannot be purchased in the outside world. It is the best choice for building a new home.”

Do you think I will believe in this blatant lie?

Qin Yi thought: Even if it was just for Liu Su, it was not impossible to exchange with him. Even if the value of alchemy cauldron is ten thousand times higher, it is not be a big deal compared to Liu Su's needs.

The problem is that I can't be too direct. This is not an issue between me and Xi Xiangzi. This is a play for everyone to watch.

The people observing in the cloud may be from various sects. If others see that I'm too easy to deceive, there will be no end to me in the future. Not to mention that I will be embarrassed, Ju Yunxiu will also be disappointed.

The only way to cope with this situation is to exchange it for something else that is truly of equal value.

So he said, "To be honest, I also want to use the alchemy cauldron myself, and I don't plan to exchange it. But I’m indeed interested in the seeds of Senior. Why don't we exchange with other things?"

Xi Xiangzi looked at Qin Yi with a hint of contempt in his eyes.

A young boy who has just stepped onto the Piano Heart Stage and has not yet established himself. He used to be a casual practitioner. What can he change?

He didn't go into details and said directly, "With Junior's cultivation, apart from the alchemy cauldron here, it's hard for me to get anything good."

"Hey." Qin Yi said, "Don't look down on me because I'm at the Piano Heart Stage Level 5. Maybe you can't beat me."

Xi Xiangzi finally couldn't help but laugh, "Junior's cultivation is indeed more practical. You are much better than the average cultivator of the same level. Junior seems to be very confident in your own cultivation. But don't forget, the most you have seen in the past are casual cultivators in the mortal world. They are different from our Myriad Tao Immortal Palace.”

Qin Yi was helpless, "I really have something to trade with you."

I have a ring of spiritual stones. Such a versatile thing can be exchanged for seeds wherever I go...

In the end, Xi Xiangzi actually smiled and said, "Since Junior brother is so confident in my own strength, how about a bet? If you lose, the alchemy cauldron will be mine. If I lose, the seed will be yours."

As soon as these words were spoken, a voice immediately sounded from the air, "Bet, bet! I, the betting sect, will bear witness for you!"