C15 Treasureseeking Eye
"Chief, you shouldn't have to bother with such a menial task. Let me help you!"
Upon reaching Misty Peak, Zhang Liao spotted Su Jiuming shouldering a yoke, about to descend the mountain to fetch water. Without a word, Zhang Liao took Su Jiuming's tools, insisting on helping him with the chore.
Su Jiuming was taken aback as Zhang Liao snatched the water-carrying tools and dashed off, unable to stop him. With a resigned sigh, he turned to chop wood instead.
Yet, he couldn't help but wonder: Who was that man? What was he doing here? Surely he wouldn't just run off with my yoke and buckets?
Meanwhile...
Zhang Liao, having sprinted to the spring at the base of the mountain, was panting heavily from the rush. Despite his labored breathing, he dared not pause, quickly unloading his buckets to fill them with water.
But as Zhang Liao prepared to carry the water back up Misty Peak, he faced a challenge.
Unaccustomed to such laborious work, Zhang Liao was clueless about how to carry water, especially considering the steep and arduous paths of Misty Peak. Even for the average person, the mere act of ascending and descending the mountain was exhausting.
In his haste, Zhang Liao hadn't gone far before he'd spilled over half the water from the buckets.
Continuing like this would surely earn him a stern reprimand from the temperamental chief, not to mention any hope of receiving guidance.
Left with no choice, Zhang Liao had to trudge back down and refill the buckets...
After several attempts, he made no progress with the water, and his robe was soaked through.
Desperate, Zhang Liao decided to fill the buckets and use his agility to ascend the mountain.
The first few steps were manageable, but maintaining balance mid-air proved even more difficult.
Not only did he lose all the water, but Zhang Liao also ended up covered in mud from the fall.
"I'm truly useless. My cultivation is weak, and I can't even manage to carry a bucket of water," he lamented.
Zhang Liao sat by the spring, his reflection mirroring his disheveled state. He chuckled sadly and let out a sigh of frustration.
After some time, Zhang Liao rose, sighed once more, and thought to himself:
Even though he was bound to be scolded by the chief, he couldn't just return empty-handed. Slowly but surely, he had to bring back a bucket of water.
He refilled the bucket and, shouldering the yoke, proceeded with extreme caution, moving at a snail's pace. Yet, to his surprise, he managed to carry the load with remarkable stability.
Zhang Liao had only walked a short distance before he began to feel more comfortable. Emboldened, he quickened his pace slightly. Eventually, he stopped looking at the bucket altogether, maintaining his balance with a steady gait.
Upon reaching the summit of Misty Peak and reuniting with Su Jiuming, Zhang Liao glanced down at the bucket, noting that the water level had barely decreased. Reflecting on his water-carrying ordeal, he found himself with a newfound insight.
Indeed, Zhang Liao had been solely fixated on his cultivation, focusing only on his level of proficiency. His impatience had backfired, resulting not only in flawed swordsmanship but also in stunted progress in his cultivation...
It was akin to how he had fixated on the water in the bucket, neglecting to navigate the mountain path's rough terrain. In his haste to ascend, he had ended up spilling the water everywhere...
"Uh, thanks for helping me with the water," he said.
Su Jiuming had all but resigned himself to the belief that the man had absconded with his water-carrying equipment.
Preparing to fetch water with a spare set of tools, he was surprised to see the man return, his white robe sullied with mud and water stains.
A bit embarrassed, Su Jiuming took the bucket and inquired, "What's your name, and what brings you to me?"
"I am called Zhang Liao, a disciple. I came seeking the chief master's expertise in swordsmanship. But now... it seems I no longer require it."
"I thank the chief master and will return another day to formally express my gratitude. For now, I shall not intrude upon your cultivation any further."
As Su Jiuming engaged him in conversation, Zhang Liao snapped out of his reverie, offering a wry smile in farewell before turning to leave.
"Be that as it may, I really don't have anything to teach you. There's no need for thanks," Su Jiuming responded, clearly baffled by Zhang Liao's demeanor.
"The chief must have had a premonition that I would come seeking guidance today," Zhang Liao mused with a chuckle. "You must have had me fetch water precisely so I could gain insight."
"Without the chief's guidance, I, Zhang Liao, would have been doomed to remain at the Foundation Building stage for life, or worse, I might have strayed into the demonic path... I am deeply grateful for such a tremendous kindness."
At this moment, the restlessness that Zhang Liao had arrived with had vanished. He offered another heartfelt thanks to Su Jiuming, his eyes now clear of any bewilderment regarding the path of cultivation.
"It's chilly this early in the morning; don't just stand there. Come inside and change your clothes."
Su Jiuming, at a loss for words, glanced at Zhang Liao's drenched and mud-caked robe and involuntarily shivered, then invited Zhang Liao into his home.
"Zhang Liao extends his deepest thanks to the chief!"
Su Jiuming, far from chiding him for his slow water-fetching, was even considerate enough to invite someone as filthy as him into his home...
Zhang Liao was profoundly touched, his eyes brimming with tears as he gazed at Su Jiuming.
Since his mediocre Soul Seed and poor comprehension skills had come to light, Zhang Liao's life had been fraught with hardship. Despite years of cultivation, he was still outperformed by disciples who had only been in the sect for two years. His situation was dire.
He was unwelcome in the sect and scorned by his own family. The elders exerted relentless pressure, the side branch disciples' taunts were incessant, and even his father contemplated relinquishing the family patriarch position to another.
He had disgraced his family and the Inner Sect disciples of the Veiled Moon Sect. Over the years, Zhang Liao had not a single friend, nor anyone who wished to associate with him.
Yet here was Su Jiuming, the chief of the Veiled Moon Sect, a man reputed for his eccentricity and unconventional methods, not only imparting wisdom on the ways of cultivation to Zhang Liao but also extending a helping hand...
Zhang Liao couldn't help but be deeply moved by Su Jiuming's gesture. It wasn't his cultivation level or his family background that mattered to Su Jiuming; he simply wanted to lend a helping hand. How could Zhang Liao not be touched by such kindness?
Wiping away his tears, Zhang Liao wholeheartedly agreed to Su Jiuming's request. He hastened to keep up with Su Jiuming, silently vowing to take him as a role model and diligently pursue the path of enlightenment and cultivation.
[Congratulations to the host for acquiring a devoted disciple. As a reward, you have been granted the Roaming Dragon Shears.]
No sooner had Su Jiuming finished speaking with Zhang Liao than the system's notification chimed in, prompting an involuntary eye roll from Su Jiuming.
Gaining a devoted disciple was one thing, but why was he always rewarded with such trivial items? The name Roaming Dragon Shears carried a certain grandeur, but Su Jiuming had a hunch that, like his previous rewards, it would prove to be of little use beyond ensuring a comfortable life.
"Hey, don't be like that. Isn't it worth celebrating that you received a reward without even completing a mission?" the system chimed in.
"Thank you ever so much," Su Jiuming replied with a hint of sarcasm, mentally responding to the system, which seemed to read his thoughts effortlessly.
Throughout the next day, Su Jiuming and Zhang Liao enjoyed each other's company immensely. As Zhang Liao shared his experiences with cultivation, Su Jiuming experienced a complex mix of emotions.
"Zhang Liao... uh, could you possibly help me obtain a basic manual for Qi Refining Techniques?" Su Jiuming asked, unable to contain his curiosity any longer. As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a twinge of embarrassment.
It was indeed peculiar for him, the esteemed chief of the Veiled Moon Sect, to request a beginner's guide to Qi cultivation, something typically studied by novices.