CHAPTER 426: 424, YOU’RE A BIT OLDER.

"A few hundred gold coins, anyone can learn it?"

Zi Ran was taken aback.

She didn’t understand what this meant—clearly, this sentence wasn’t particularly profound, totaling just ten words.

"Master, they told me that as long as you join the sect, and spend 500 gold coins daily... it’s gold coins, then you can learn the ’Vein Technique’ that lets the sword fly in the air. Over there, everyone can learn it, this is just the basics, but I’m helpless with even this basic Vein Technique."

"It must be mere mockery, not to be taken seriously." Zi Ran chuckled lightly. Her disciple had good talent and background, but was not deeply versed in worldly matters; whatever others said, she might believe it. If the Vein Technique that lets swords fly in the air became the basics, then achieving Man and Sword Unity would be nonsense, wouldn’t it?

It’s important to know that Man and Sword Unity, a remarkable achievement in Sword Dao, only allows one to control a sword for a while after it’s released.

After all, the sword is an individual entity.

And so is a person.

"But that Lin Kewu, he just shouted once, and I couldn’t move at all, couldn’t sense the Meridian Gate, I felt like a lamb to be slaughtered."

"Really?" Zi Ran’s eyebrows furrowed.

"Master, of course it’s true. They also said, this Vein Technique can be learned at will in their sect, regardless of whether you are an elder or disciple, only requires spending some White Crystal."

"Not gold coins, but White Crystal now?" Zi Ran was most surprised by this type of Vein Technique, given the vast world, she had only seen a corner of it. But if such a technique could be freely cultivated within a sect, that would be astonishing indeed. No sect in this world has ever been so generous.

"Master, do you think it’s true?"

"Let me inquire later to make a judgment, as for its truth, I’m afraid only seeing it with my own eyes can confirm it." Zi Ran intended to continue talking about the Vortex Map to Bainian Xiang but her mind suddenly felt cluttered, "Enough, let’s end here for today. In the recent days, you should interact more with those disciples of Sect Leader Wen, it will also let you know your depth."

No matter what, Zi Ran was now deeply interested in Wen Ping.

And even more intrigued by the sect Wen Ping came from.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, Yang Xi came running briskly and said, "Senior Zi Ran, Sect Leader said it’s fine now."

"That’s great!" Zi Ran exclaimed joyfully, quickly stood up.

As Zi Ran left the courtyard and Bainian Xiang was preparing to tidy up, Yang Xi also spoke up to Bainian Xiang, "Miss Bainian, Sect Leader said you can come if you want breakfast."

"No, I need to tidy up." The celestial materials used by Zi Ran in her lesson had to be organized by someone.

"Miss Bainian, if I were you, I would definitely go. Let me tell you, in the Immortal Sect you can learn anything at will, but Sect Leader’s Spiritual Cuisine is a rare find. Last time a senior offered a white crystal for one bite, but Sect Leader didn’t give even a single bite." Yang Xi was referring to that friend of Huaikong, the Demon King.

The eccentric Demon King who chewed White Crystals like peanuts.

It was he who wanted to eat Moonlight Dumplings, offering a price of one white crystal per piece.

"One white crystal per bite?"

Bainian Xiang looked up abruptly.

Alright!

She admitted she was very curious.

...

Outside the stone wall pavilion.

Walking on the path leading to the entrance, the aroma wafted over, Zi Ran walked in eagerly.

Because she felt her chances of recovering her hand were right ahead.

However, she suddenly saw Lin Kewu and others not far away, they seemed even more excited, as if they were the ones with a ten-year hand ailment.

"What’s going on?"

A whispered mutter immediately turned Lin Kewu and others’ heads.

"Senior!"

"Senior, you’re finally here." The voices that seemed to have anticipated her for a long time came, making Zi Ran feel even more awkward.

At that moment, Wen Ping stepped out from the kitchen, carrying a wooden tray, and Lin Kewu immediately went up to receive it.

"This is breakfast, one bowl for everyone."

"Thank you, Sect Leader."

Lin Kewu and the others grinned, and then Lin Kewu hurriedly wanted to offer a bowl to Zi Ran, since the senior should rightfully have theirs first, but Wen Ping stopped him.

Zi Ran licked her lips at the scent, suppressing the saliva that kept rolling in her mouth, she awkwardly pushed Lin Kewu’s hand away, saying, "No need, I still have to take medicine later..."

"Alright then."

Lin Kewu responded, hurriedly handing bowls to Lan Peng and Wanyan, promptly warning Wanyan, "Don’t eat yet, come with me to the lakeside later, Sect Leader’s Moonlight Dumplings will wash marrow and cleanse nerves."

"Alright."

Wanyan nodded.

On the other side, Wen Ping suddenly pointed to the stove behind him, "Master Zi Ran, that’s yours."

"Thank you, Sect Leader Wen." With that said, Zi Ran quickly entered the kitchen full of happiness to pick up that Jade Bowl.

But upon closer inspection, wasn’t this the same Moonlight Dumpling dish that Lin Kewu carried just now?

The soup was silver.

Its fragrance emitted was exactly the same, too.

"Sect Leader Wen, this—?"

"Moonlight Dumplings, specifically for detoxification."

"Sect Leader Wen, but this seems identical to what your disciples are eating."

"Strictly speaking, there’s still a difference."

"I see."

Zi Ran understood and nodded.

She immediately wanted to scoop the soup with a spoon.

"The Moonlight Dumplings in your bowl are larger." Wen Ping’s voice suddenly came.

Zi Ran was taken aback.

Looking at the Moonlight Dumplings, she fell silent... Is this the so-called difference?

"Sect Leader Wen, then..."

Before Zi Ran could finish speaking, Wen Ping directly interrupted, "Master Zi Ran, if you feel it’s inappropriate, you don’t have to eat it; I, Wen Ping, never insist on others."

"Sect Leader Wen, you’re kidding, I trust you!" Zi Ran declared, setting aside the trembling spoon, she switched to chopsticks to pick them up, biting into them one by one.

This was her first time eating such things.

The taste left her somewhat enamored, but also because of this flavor, it made her skeptical.

Something made with a few White Crystals, could it really detoxify?

But after chewing a couple more bites, a cold stream suddenly rushed through her arms, and she froze—afraid it was just a delusion.

After confirming it was real, a smile grew at Zi Ran’s lips.

She gobbled up Moonlight Dumplings one after another.

With a few quick bites, the bowl was emptied.

"Master Zi Ran, there’s more in the pot." Wen Ping’s voice came, "Eat more, it’s good for your hand."

But before Zi Ran could respond, Lin Kewu and the others spoke first.

"Wow, Senior Zi Ran hit the jackpot... can eat Moonlight Dumplings freely while healing."

Reflecting, he glanced at his own bowl, only seven Moonlight Dumplings remained!

"Miss Bainian, will you eat? If not, can you give them to me?" Lin Kewu immediately sniffed around, eyeing untouched Bainian Xiang’s portion.

But just then.

A sudden voice came.

It was Zi Ran’s voice.

"My hand..."