Chapter Fifty-Three: Task Lottery

The old steward's words left Liu Junhuai deeply moved. With this wise elder's assistance, how could Liu Junhuai's future progress be compared to the mere doubling of efforts? Alone, even if he possessed countless treasures, most would simply gather dust, unused and wasted.

Noticing Liu Junhuai's somewhat dazed expression, Mo Sitong cast an inquisitive glance his way. Liu Junhuai caught her gaze and responded with a comforting smile, gradually emerging from his contemplative mood.

"Sitong, your alchemy skills are still at the second level, aren't they? I've got a trove of rare herbs waiting for you to refine." As he spoke, he produced three jade boxes, each containing Golden Lantern Fruit, Wood Butterfly, and Cold Marrow Scale.

The Cold Marrow Scale, the size of a watermelon, drew the steward's attention. He remarked, "Once the mistress reaches third-level alchemist, she can craft antidote pills. This is Cold Marrow Scale, which can be used to refine Marrow Scale Pills—an exceptional variety among antidote pills. Though the pill itself isn't high-grade, Cold Marrow Scale is extremely rare, making it the only low-tier pill that can fetch a high price. This pill can cure a hundred poisons and also has some healing properties."

Upon hearing about alchemy, Mo Sitong's spirits visibly soared, excitement radiating from her.

"Don't worry, steward. In three days, I can refine Marrow Scale Pills, so Junhuai will have some protection when he ventures out," Mo Sitong replied, itching to get started.

Liu Junhuai said, "I won't be leaving for a while. I've gathered so many cultivation resources precisely to enter seclusion. Once I've settled Shen Qianqian's family, I'll focus on my closed-door cultivation here."

Mo Sitong, knowing Liu Junhuai's abiding desire for vengeance, understood his relentless pursuit of greater power. She gently took his hands, silently encouraging him.

"When will you return to Palace of Dust? Why not stay here to cultivate? You'll surely progress faster than in the sect," Liu Junhuai suggested.

"That would be wonderful, but I'll need to inform my master first. I'll send her a message and decide in a few days," Mo Sitong replied, her heart stirring with the sweetness of budding love and reluctant to part.

After another round of conversation, Liu Junhuai led Mo Sitong to the alchemy chamber.

Mo Sitong resumed her interrupted second-level pill recipes, while Liu Junhuai summoned the Hongyuan Chaos Furnace to practice alchemy alongside her.

Having not crafted pills for some time, Liu Junhuai's hands were at first clumsy, but after two batches, he regained his touch. After five or six batches, his pill yield exceeded eighty percent, and he began training as a third-level alchemist.

Mo Sitong's talent for alchemy was astonishing; she soon caught up to Liu Junhuai's pace. Their silent competition brought a unique pleasure, making them both enjoy the process immensely.

Crafting third-tier pills was far more complex and difficult. Compared to Mo Sitong's fiery enthusiasm, Liu Junhuai began to feel fatigued. He took out Cold Spirit Stones and more than a dozen fruits to brew Mulberry Sweet Wine.

After spending more than twenty hours in the time array, their day's cultivation ended.

Thanks to the addition of spiritual liquid, Liu Junhuai's Mulberry Sweet Wine was especially fragrant. Perhaps his extravagant brewing methods would be unheard of even in the celestial realm, for the steward caught the scent and hurriedly snatched a jar into his arms.

Savoring Liu Junhuai’s first batch of Mulberry Sweet Wine, the steward unexpectedly became teary-eyed, to the astonishment of both Liu Junhuai and Mo Sitong.

"It’s been thousands of years since I last tasted immortal wine. I feel as though I’ve returned to another world. Please forgive this old man for embarrassing myself before the master and mistress." Mo Sitong felt a pang in her heart and, without realizing it, shed a few tears alongside the steward.

In Mo Sitong’s eyes, the steward’s graying beard, gentle wrinkles, and ever-smiling eyes made him seem the embodiment of kindness. Especially his first address to her as ‘mistress’ left Mo Sitong feeling he was her elder, forever loyal and good-hearted.

Liu Junhuai poured three cups. As the wine entered their bodies, the three felt a sublime, almost celestial intoxication—ease throughout, yet their minds remained clear.

The old steward sighed, "Master, your Mulberry Sweet Wine is a marvel. The brewing far surpasses your alchemy skills, making me want to leap up and applaud!"

Mo Sitong giggled behind her hand, Liu Junhuai smiled too, though his smile held a hint of embarrassment.

"Junhuai, you’re heading back to Cloud Valley. Should I wait for you here?" Mo Sitong knew of Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini’s existence, so her tone was tinged with jealousy.

"Let’s go together. Those two girls are lovely, and they’ll be overjoyed to see you." In truth, Liu Junhuai had little confidence in his words.

Mo Sitong was pleased to hear this, though she knew Liu Junhuai was mostly comforting her. Still, his words steadied her heart.

The steward tactfully changed the subject. "Once master settles affairs in Cloud Valley, it’ll be time for seclusion. Cultivators live long lives; trivial matters shouldn’t hinder your advancement."

Liu Junhuai replied quickly, "You’re absolutely right, steward. I’ve already planned for this. The path of cultivation is arduous and demands unwavering diligence. Please rest assured, old man."

The steward asked, "Having completed the task on the ninth floor, do you know the specifics of your reward?"

Liu Junhuai slapped his thigh—he had forgotten such an important matter, recalling now his longing for the reward when he first accepted the task.

He hurriedly took out the greenish jade tablet. Probing it with his spiritual sense, a thin curtain of light appeared before him.

Nine jade plaques hovered in the curtain, each carved with a number from one to nine.

Learning the details from the steward, Mo Sitong giggled again behind her hand.

Liu Junhuai felt a wave of frustration—at long last, he’d earned a reward, only to find it was a lottery!

The steward laughed as well. "Simply point to one, master."

After much hesitation, Liu Junhuai decided to let Mo Sitong choose. "Sitong, you do it. I’m a bit nervous."

Mo Sitong thought for a moment. "We’ve known each other for four days, so let’s choose number four."

Liu Junhuai took a deep breath and pointed to the fourth jade plaque.

As his finger touched it, the other eight flashed white and vanished, leaving only the plaque marked with the number four.

The plaque unfolded like a book, revealing three pages inscribed with dense, tiny characters. At the top were five words: Seven-Star Killing Finger.

It appeared to be a skill manual, with a description beneath the title.

This skill comprised seven forms, each a ‘kill’: First Kill—Fate’s Entry, Second Kill—Self Transformation, Third Kill—Partial Authority, Fourth Kill—Jade and Silk, Fifth Kill—Meeting Kill, Sixth Kill—Debate Kill, Seventh Kill—No Restraint.

Liu Junhuai glanced at the steward, who explained, "All techniques from Celestial Pavilion bear no grade; their power depends solely on the cultivator’s realm. The Seven-Star Killing Finger aligns with metal and fire. The character ‘kill’ embodies strategic prowess, rationality, and decisive slaughter. Each character carries a fragment of its creator’s intent—no need to practice; once it enters the mind, it merges, and with thought, it manifests. It is the supreme finger technique beneath heaven."

Liu Junhuai’s spiritual sense entered, and the three jade pages transformed into a white light that shot into his mind.

Beside him, Mo Sitong was already overwhelmed—a tidal wave of awe. The shock from her first encounter with Celestial Pavilion hadn’t yet faded, and Liu Junhuai’s good fortune dazzled her, with treasures appearing ceaselessly from the pavilion.

She could never have imagined such extraordinary task rewards, or that the lottery would yield something so heaven-defying.

Everything happening to her future husband was beyond the realm of ordinary humans—a combination of fate, opportunity, and a mysterious force guiding him.

Mo Sitong felt a deep sense of gratitude and happiness to be Liu Junhuai’s closest companion.

Liu Junhuai, trying to mask his astonishment, could not hide his inner turmoil.

He was awed by the gifts from Celestial Pavilion and calm about his remarkable encounters, for he finally believed his reincarnation was guided by the workings of heaven.

Whether for himself or his family, his pursuit of the heavenly path was now etched upon his heart and bones, transformed into boundless resolve and determination.

As if sensing the tumult in their hearts, the steward happily poured himself more wine.

Liu Junhuai soon recovered from his emotional wave, inhaling the intoxicating aroma, and, with his beautiful beloved nestled close, his mood became bold and exuberant.

He took the cup offered by the steward and drained it in one go, grasped Mo Sitong’s warm hand, and together they recounted the strange tales and adventures of their cultivation. For a time, the three were immersed in a joyous sharing.

The many jars of wine were soon finished, and the steward, thoroughly intoxicated, slipped into slumber.

Liu Junhuai and Mo Sitong, leaning close, gazed into each other's eyes, the deep affection between them nourishing an atmosphere thick with romance.