C8 Waiting for Death

Woo Yang emerged from the Martial Vine Blue Pavilion, his heart racing with excitement. He fondled the one thousand low-grade Spirit Stones nestled in his arms, feeling as though he was living in a dream.

"With these Spirit Stones, my cultivation worries are over! Hahaha," Woo Yang chuckled heartily to himself.

"Reaching Rank One Dao Pattern Master wasn't in your expectations, so having Spirit Stones is pointless. Don't celebrate prematurely," the disdainful voice of the Golden Book echoed in Woo Yang's mind.

"Quiet! You've completely ruined my mood," Woo Yang grumbled, at a loss for how to handle the Golden Book that seemed to relish in his misfortune.

On his way home, Woo Yang tempered his elation, mindful of the hard-earned Spirit Stones that could so easily be snatched away.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper gave Hong Qingcheng a quizzical look, questioning, "Miss, why would you trust that boy? Perhaps he just stumbled upon a treasure and is swindling us for Spirit Stones."

With an icy stare, Hong Qingcheng retorted sharply, "Then why don't you go find such a treasure yourself? Your vision is too narrow." Chastened, the shopkeeper dared not argue and quietly resumed his place behind the counter.

"Better start cultivating, or I'll end up sapping your soul," the Golden Book's voice intruded once more, its impatience palpable.

Woo Yang was on the brink of madness, constantly harangued by the book. How could this be the voice of his master when it seemed more like the nagging of a death omen?

"Just be quiet. You'll never get my soul, not in this lifetime," Woo Yang snapped, tired of the back-and-forth.

Ignoring the Golden Book, Woo Yang strode into a weapon shop. To achieve Rank One Dao Pattern Master, he needed to refine his skill in crafting Dao Patterns. Creating just one pattern per night was hardly impressive; even he felt like a failure, let alone the disdain from the Golden Book.

"Master, shall I assist you in making a selection? I assure you, you'll be pleased," the Golden Book offered, its voice tinged with a mischievous smirk.

"No need—I'm wary of your recklessness. I can't afford to have the hard-earned Spirit Stones squandered away by you."

Woo Yang was skeptical of the Golden Book's so-called kindness. The only thing it seemed to want was for him to meet an early demise.

"Hey, how much for that axe?"

Glancing up, Woo Yang spotted a nondescript axe and inquired softly.

The server, referred to as 'waiter', came over, followed Woo Yang's gaze, and responded, "Five Low-Grade Spirit Stones. It's decent enough for self-defense."

Woo Yang scoffed silently. The fact that the axe could be considered a self-defense tool was laughable.

But Woo Yang had no intention of wielding it as a weapon; his main goal was to use it for refining Dao Patterns.

Despite its current unassuming appearance, once imbued with a Dao Pattern, the axe would be transformed.

With the first weapon acquired at a satisfactory price, Woo Yang proceeded to purchase the remaining nine weapons, amassing a diverse collection.

"Now I've got the full set. Time to start inscribing them with Dao Patterns."

He looked down at the ten weapons arrayed before him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Don't waste time—you don't have the luxury, Master!"

The Golden Book's voice intruded into Woo Yang's thoughts, dousing his spirits just as they soared.

The thought of his fate being in the Golden Book's grasp rankled Woo Yang; he had no intention of having his soul siphoned before he could reach his potential.

Drawing on his past experiences, Woo Yang had significantly improved his efficiency in Dao Pattern inscription.

Three days later, Woo Yang had successfully inscribed the Dao Patterns onto all ten weapons. They seemed to undergo a metamorphosis, their presence markedly altered.

"Done at last, and in just three days—I must admit, I have a knack for this."

Woo Yang surveyed the ten weapons resting on the ground, a smug look on his face. With the might of bows and arrows, these weapons were nothing short of miraculous in the eyes of lower-ranked martial artists.

"To think you're proud of this pace. You're the most ineffectual master I've had the displeasure of serving. Remember, the previous master could complete the process in under half an hour. Your destiny, it seems, is to have your soul drained by me."

The accursed Golden Book spoke up once more, its voice laden with the resigned sigh of an elder lamenting a wayward youth.

Woo Yang bristled at the sound, snapping back, "Enough already. Quit acting so high and mighty—you're still stuck with me in the end."

Though Woo Yang wasn't yet formidable, he was steadfast in his belief that through relentless effort, he would one day rise to power, freeing himself from the Golden Book's looming threats.

Dispensing with further idle talk, Woo Yang bundled the weapon in burlap and made a beeline for the Martial Vine Blue Pavilion. The thought of soon claiming another five hundred Spirit Stones sent a thrill of excitement through him.

Perched atop the pavilion, Hong Qingcheng spotted Woo Yang approaching with an item cradled in his arms. If her hunch was right, he was coming to make good on his word.

"Young Master, here are your five hundred Spirit Stones," Hong Qingcheng offered, extending the pouch to Woo Yang with a gentle voice. "I hope you'll come across more good fortune like this. When you do, remember me."

Woo Yang nearly succumbed to the allure of Hong Qingcheng's captivating smile, but the Golden Book promptly snapped him out of it.

"My master is tied up with pressing matters. We'll discuss this another time."

With that, Woo Yang pocketed the pouch and promptly departed without lingering.

"Don't let yourself be spellbound by every beauty you meet, or you might just end up in pieces," the Golden Book taunted, showing little regard for its bearer.

Woo Yang's journey back was a constant verbal tussle with the Golden Book, which seemed to take perverse pleasure in infuriating him at every turn.

To the Golden Book, its current master was nothing but an utterly flawed and hopeless case, attributing any premature completion of a Cultivation Mission to sheer luck.

"Now that you've attained Rank One as a Dao Pattern Master, you ought to focus on enhancing your cultivation. If not, brace yourself for the day I'll claim your soul," the Golden Book threatened.

The prospect of the Golden Book draining his soul was ever-present, its eagerness to move on to a more promising host clear. Yet, what could Woo Yang do with his grievances? Without significant advancement in his cultivation by the deadline, surrendering his soul to the Golden Book seemed his only fate.

Woo Yang was not one to give up easily. How could he resign himself to an early grave at such a young age? His only choice was to fight with everything he had.

"Do you need my help? I guarantee you'll reach the Fourth Layer of the Qi Stage before the deadline."

"As long as it doesn't shorten my life, I'm open to anything."

"Well, in that case, you might as well wait for death."

The Golden Book's words hung in the air, and suddenly, the world fell silent. Woo Yang let out a cold huff. He wasn't foolish enough to go back to that place. By the time he managed to break through to the Fourth Layer of the Qi Stage, he'd likely be an old man.

Undeterred, Woo Yang pulled out the Spirit Stone from his pocket, his eyes flashing with unwavering resolve.