"But the Gale Gourd has one big advantage—it can freely change its size and be carried on the body," the steward suddenly said, as if remembering something.
Hearing this, Chen Jinshu no longer hesitated and immediately decided on the Gale Gourd. Compared to the somewhat dull-colored Cloud Piercer Shuttle, the greenish-blue Gale Gourd suited her taste much better.
"Please trouble senior brother to retrieve these two spiritual tools for me."
After receiving the Ice Intent Sword and the Gale Gourd, Chen Jinshu was quite satisfied—they exceeded her expectations in quality. The aura emitted by the Ice Intent Sword was even somewhat similar to the ice-type aura of a sword spirit. She hadn't had time to study the Gale Gourd yet, but the warm energy that pulsed through her palm already spoke of its extraordinary nature.
"There are also two Foundation Establishment Pills—junior sister, keep them safe!"
After confirming everything, Chen Jinshu nodded and put all the items away.
"I also have some pills to sell. Help me exchange them for contribution points."
Something occurred to her, and she took out a large number of low-grade spiritual pills from her storage bag. However, as she looked at the many middle-grade pills still sitting in her bag, her brows furrowed slightly.
She had been busy preparing for the outer sect tournament lately and had completely forgotten about applying for her mid-grade alchemist certification. She used to worry about drawing too much attention, but in hindsight, it seemed she had been overly cautious.
The outer sect competition revealed the hidden talents within the sect—being a sixth-layer Qi Refining cultivator and a mere first-stage mid-grade alchemist made her rather average.
"Junior sister brought fewer pills this time. Did you not have time to refine more?" the steward asked, looking a bit surprised at the ten bottles before him.
Normally, Chen Jinshu exchanged no less than thirty or forty bottles. This time, it was less than half that amount.
"I've broken through to mid-grade alchemist and plan to get my certification before bringing more," she explained.
Moments later, after exchanging her contribution points, Chen Jinshu flew toward the Pill King Hall. Having participated in the recent Blind Box Alchemy Competition, she was already confident in her ability to pass the certification. There was no need to spend more time preparing—just a few hours should be enough, saving her from the trouble of running around later.
Soon, she arrived at the hall and queued to register for the assessment. Since the outer sect competition had just ended, there weren't many people testing. After just a few cultivators, it was her turn. Two hours later, she had successfully obtained her mid-grade alchemist certificate.
Five days passed in a flash.
With the outer sect competition duties wrapped up, Chen Jinshu enjoyed a rare period of leisure.
She spent her days in Ink Plum Courtyard, going over the information her master gave her about Guhe City. There wasn't much, so she also checked the sect library for more data on the surrounding regions.
"I didn't expect so many mixed mortal-cultivator towns to exist."
In her hands was information about Qingping Market, a small market near Guhe City. To her surprise, it was a mixed settlement where mortals and cultivators lived together. Many mortals resided there, working hard labor jobs. Even towns like Pingwu Market near the sect and Vermilion Market near the Chen family didn't allow mortal entry.
After all, mortals were far too weak compared to cultivators. To avoid unnecessary conflict, most legitimate markets forbade mortals from entering. Even if some mortals were allowed, they were heavily restricted. That implied Qingping Market was likely quite chaotic.
Their biggest problem on this trip might not be the potential demonic cultivators hiding in the shadows, but the complications caused by the nearby locals—whether cultivators or mortals.
Just then, her courtyard's protective formation was triggered.
She walked to the front yard and saw a scholarly-looking sect disciple, his cultivation only at the third level of Qi Refining—clearly a servant.
"May I ask if you have urgent business, junior brother?"
Chen Jinshu didn't open the door, instead speaking through the crack.
"Greetings, senior sister. A letter has arrived for you. The sender claims to be your mother."
Hearing this, Chen Jinshu's expression finally softened a little.
"Let me see it."
Peeking through the door, she saw the familiar, elegant handwriting on the envelope and confirmed the letter's authenticity.
"Thank you, junior brother!"
Opening the door, she took the envelope and handed him a Yuanxin Fruit, a daily edible fruit, as a reward.
"Thank you, senior sister!"
"May I ask how letters are delivered within the sect?" she asked gently.
While the sect had long-distance transmission talismans, they were far too expensive for her. Letters were a more practical method for contacting her mother.
"The sect has designated messaging channels. Every peak has a Transmission Hall. If senior sister wants to send a letter, you can call me. It'll save you the trip, and I charge very little."
The errand disciple handed her a communication talisman as he spoke. Moments later, Chen Jinshu also learned that the letter had actually arrived five or six days ago.
It was delayed because her mother had only written "outer sect disciple Chen Jinshu" without detailed information. Had she not gained some fame during the outer sect competition, the letter might have been delayed even longer.
"Thank you. If I need to send a letter, I'll find you."
Back in her room, Chen Jinshu quickly opened the envelope, revealing a page densely filled with writing. Seeing her mother's familiar tone and greetings, she felt a wave of comfort.
"Didn't expect Mother to break through to late-stage Qi Refining... Seems like losing me as a burden really sped up her progress," she said with a touch of self-deprecatingly.
Her second uncle, Chen Wentan, hadn't reached the ninth level yet but wasn't far off—half a year more, at most.
The Chen family had been relatively well-behaved lately, especially after learning she became an outer sect disciple of Xuanming Sect. Their attitude toward her mother and second uncle had improved.
"Now they want to butter us up? A bit late for that."
Still, knowing her mother and second uncle were doing well brought her relief.
What surprised her was the news about her elder sister, Chen Jinfang, who wasn't doing well in the Wang family. According to the letter, Wang family's legitimate son had repeatedly made things difficult for her, all because she had yet to bear children.
Chen Jinshu felt a pang of bitterness. Fortunately, she hadn't walked the path of a political marriage. With her looks at the time, she might have ended up as nothing more than a foot-washing maid for some heir.
"The Wang family really is arrogant."
She sighed. Chen Jinfang had often bragged about her good life in the Wang family, but perhaps she had simply wanted to spare the family worry.
Chen Jinshu remembered a few brief encounters with her sister—she hadn't looked well.
The letter also described how the other families still looked down on the Chens, despite her joining Xuanming Sect.
"Other families have disciples in Xuanming Sect too."
Though few in number, over the years, one or two had made it in, and some had gained considerable standing. As a new disciple, she posed little threat for now.
After skimming the letter, Chen Jinshu thoughtfully reviewed its contents, wondering how she should reply. Her apprenticeship under a Golden Core master was no longer a secret. Telling her mother would surely bring her some peace of mind.
That news alone should be enough to reassure her mother and second uncle. Still, she would make sure to warn them not to reveal it to other family members—she feared the Chen clan might misuse her name and bring shame upon her.