My Master Knows It All

159: Chapter 121 Unexpected Joy_5 159: Chapter 121 Unexpected Joy_5 Before they knew it, a month had passed.

Cao Zhen looked at the ten Paulownia Puppet Men that were making mud figurines and then glanced at the mud figurines that were making talismans.

He said to Yi Sheng beside him, “The Paulownia Puppet Men are good in every way, they’re just expensive.

On average, each puppet man costs a thousand liang of spirit stones without wasting materials.

However, those mud figurines really do save money.”

“Master, these mud figurines are inexpensive.

If we create a large number of them and release them later, they will surely impact the entire market.

But for now, we need to consider the sale of talismans.

We’ve been holding back for quite some time, and people from the Taoist institutions are starting to have complaints,” Yi Sheng said.

After following his master for so long, though he may not have learned much else, the way he spoke was becoming increasingly modernized.

“Then get ready…” Just as Cao Zhen began to speak, a pillar of light burst into the sky in the distance, breaking through the clouds and soaring straight into the heavens.

In an instant, it seemed as though the whole world changed color in response— the horizon trembled, the earth shook, and even the blazing sun overhead seemed to lose its luster.

The next moment, an immensely large Golden Core emerged from within the pillar of light.

Even from a great distance, one could clearly see a giant bird resembling an Immortal Crane, with only one leg and its body covered in azure feathers, emerge within the Golden Core.

Its feathers bore red patterns, like undying flames burning fiercely.

From afar, Cao Zhen felt the temperature around him seemed to have risen quite a bit.

The Bi Fang, a divine bird!

The Bi Fang cried out, its call resonating throughout the Hundred Peaks Sect, causing even the distant clouds to tumble and roll.

“Perfect Completion Golden Core!

Anomalous Golden Cores, all ten are anomalous Golden Cores!

Someone has made a breakthrough!” Yi Sheng exclaimed.

“That direction, that’s Vermilion Bird Peak’s direction, who has made the breakthrough!”

Cao Zhen, sensing the aura emanating from afar, could picture a figure in his mind.

Li Ke.

The person who made the breakthrough must be Li Ke!

Suddenly, a fluctuation transmitted through his room.

“Thousands Miles Voice Transmission Water Mirror?

Who is transmitting a message to me?” Cao Zhen was startled for a moment and walked towards the location in the room.

He had only taken a few steps when the voice from the water mirror was already transmitted.

“Today, my Vermilion Bird Peak disciple Li Ke has made a small achievement in immortal cultivation and completed her Perfect Golden Core.”

“The voice of Tu Zhuque, the Peak Master of Vermilion Bird Peak,” Cao Zhen had heard Tu Zhuque’s voice long ago; it was very distinctive.

Tu Zhuque first spoke in a rather formal manner, but the pride was unmistakable in her tone as she continued, seemingly addressing someone specific.

“Coincidentally, all ten of these Golden Cores are anomalous.

My Vermilion Bird Peak will host a celebration banquet in ten days.

I invite all the Peak Masters of Hundred Peaks Sect to grace us with their presence.”

As her voice fell, there was a brief pause, but then it picked up again.

“Chen Qingluan, do not say that you are in seclusion and do not have time.

Of course, if you are jealous, you can find an excuse not to come.”

“Tu Zhuque, don’t think everyone is like you.

In ten days’ time, Azure Pheasant Peak will surely attend!”

Cao Zhen was speechless.

It was now certain that Tu Zhuque’s latter words were meant for Chen Qingluan alone.

Could you two possibly have a private chat?

Please don’t spam the public channel.

“This Tu Zhuque, I don’t know if she is so happy because her disciple has broken through, or because she has a chance to one-up Chen Qingluan.”

Cao Zhen complained to Yi Sheng, who was beside him, “I’m beginning to wonder if the only reason she’s holding that banquet is just to show off to Chen Qingluan.

“Let them go if they want; I won’t be attending.

Wouldn’t it be better to refine some puppet men at home with that time?”

“But…” Yi Sheng looked at Cao Zhen with hopeful eyes and said, “Master, your disciple wants to go.”

“My disciple, you’re still too young.” Cao Zhen sighed and analyzed, “If we were to attend their banquet, we can’t possibly go empty-handed; we need to bring a ceremonial gift.

And as the Peak Master, I can’t offer too little.

After all, indulging in a bit of food there would cost us quite a sum in gifts.

It’s not worth it.”

“But, Master, there’s a blood pool on Vermilion Bird Peak.

It’s rumored that the blood of the Sacred Beast Vermilion Bird resides within, which is why it’s also known as the Vermilion Bird Blood Pool.

“My cultivation base is too low right now.

If only I could enter that Blood Pool for a soak, I could reap immense benefits.” Yi Sheng’s voice was filled with self-reproach; among the five disciples from Four Treasures Peak, the other four, her senior brothers and sisters, had already entered the Hidden Dragon Immortal Palace, leaving only her outside.

If something were to happen, she couldn’t expect the Master to step forward every time; but with her current cultivation base, she feared her involvement would only bring shame to Four Treasures Peak, and she didn’t want to disgrace her sect.

“Oh, there’s such a place at Vermilion Bird Peak?” Cao Zhen patted Yi Sheng on the shoulder and said, “Then we must go.

Absolutely have to!”

His disciple was of the True Yang constitution, belonging to the same fire system as the Vermilion Bird.

Immersing herself in the Vermilion Bird Blood Pool would indeed bring her tremendous benefits.

It was just that Yi Sheng was too young.

She had been in the Taoist Institution previously, and her time in Hundred Peaks Sect was limited, lacking connections and relationships.

If she were to go alone, there was no chance of entering the Vermilion Bird Blood Pool.

However, if she went with him, there might be an opportunity.

“Master!” Yi Sheng looked at her Master, feeling so moved that all she could say were these two words.

She knew Four Treasures Peak was poor; her Master had already expressed that he didn’t wish to spend money.

Yet now, for her slight chance, he changed his mind to go to Vermilion Bird Peak.

She must become stronger!

Indeed, she had to become stronger!

Once she was powerful enough, she definitely couldn’t let her Master waste resources on her or experience difficulty.

She had to bring back more resources in return for her Master, for Four Treasures Peak!

Cao Zhen began to ponder, “Actually, the people of Vermilion Bird Peak aren’t foolish either.

Why would Tu Zhuque specifically say it’s ten days later, instead of today?

Firstly, Vermilion Bird Peak needs to prepare, and secondly, they’re giving everyone time to prepare gifts for the banquet.

“So what should we bring as a gift?

“Just offering spirit stones as a gift is too common, and Upper Fifty Peaks’ Vermilion Bird Peak is unlikely to be short of them.

We need to bring a special gift…

Pills, let’s gift pills.”

“Gift pills?” Yi Sheng’s face showed a hint of struggle, and after a moment of silence, she finally said, “Maybe we shouldn’t, Master.

Pills are too expensive.”

She was acutely aware of Four Treasures Peak’s situation and how precious those pills could be.

As Master had just mentioned the gift should not be too casual, the pills they would bring could not be ordinary ones.

Although she wished to improve herself in the Vermilion Bird Blood Pool, she didn’t want the Master and Four Treasures Peak to pay too steep a price.

Since she had joined Four Treasures Peak, the Master had given her more than enough.

“Expensive?

It won’t be too costly; a matter of one or two thousand Liang of spirit stones will suffice,” Cao Zhen estimated the cost of alchemy materials and gestured for Yi Sheng to sit down before saying, “Let’s have a meal first.

As for the gift, your Master has already decided on which pill to give.

I will go down the mountain to buy some materials later, and then come back to refine the pill.”

“Refining pills?” Yi Sheng had just sat down when she suddenly straightened up, looking incredulously at her Master, “Master, you know how to perform alchemy?” Alchemy was much more difficult than talisman making.

Cao Zhen smiled proudly, “Your Master knows far more than just a little.”