After a while, we finally set up the peach wood.
Now, we just have to wait for seven days before the operation begins.
Then, my martial uncle left, and only the three of us remained in the shop.
Although the shop was open for business, our trade wasn't like that of large department stores with a constant stream of customers.
Except for specific days, like the first and fifteenth of the lunar month.
On ordinary days, business was always slow.
Since there was nothing else to do, I started playing "Dou Dizhu."
We chatted while playing.
Xia Qiu Xi spoke up then:
"During dinner, you must have heard from my senior martial uncle!
This alliance meeting will have a martial arts competition.
The rewards are very high, are you two interested?
It would be best if you could win the championship, but even if not, you'll receive corresponding prizes based on your performance."
I shook my head:
"I'll just go to watch the excitement. I have no interest in the competition."
To be honest, no pretense.
Old Mo, however, sighed:
"I would like to participate, but my master won't allow it.
He says it would attract too much attention, which wouldn't be a good thing.
It's better to keep a low profile.
If I could get on stage, I could beat the disciples of all the sects like dogs."
Xia Qiu Xi nodded after hearing our answers.
"It's fine if you don't compete. I've attended the alliance meeting once before.
Besides the martial arts competition, there are many exchange sessions.
From Dharma artifacts to esoteric Taoist techniques, anything can be exchanged as long as the deal is good.
They're all quite beneficial.
The Nine Palaces Movement technique I'm learning now was exchanged by my master for a Zombie Pill at the last alliance meeting…"
Hearing Xia Qiu Xi say this, I recalled the time at Old Bamboo Gully.
The agile footwork she displayed was indeed much more nimble and swift than before.
So, she had actually learned a secret movement technique.
Old Mo's eyes widened:
"That's great!
When I go this time, I must find a Thunder technique."
Xia Qiu Xi smiled:
"Thunder techniques are generally high-level sorcery. If you want to find a Thunder technique, you'll basically need to offer something of equal value in exchange.
You can't buy them with money…"
"Holy shit, then this is going to be difficult…"
Old Mo frowned.
Watching them, I felt like I lacked nothing except for my lifespan.
If I had to say what I truly lacked, it would be my cultivation.
As we chatted, it was time for dinner.
We all went to a hotel to eat. True Person Yun Qing didn't come, as he was still in a coma.
Because Xia Qiu Xi and the others were leaving the next morning.
In the evening, Xia Qiu Xi also had a few more drinks with us.
Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked quite pretty.
After returning to the shop at night, besides changing the "very thick and long 'old long incense'" for the peach wood, I meditated and practiced breathing in my room.
My cultivation remained at the middle stage of the Profound Core, with no signs of breakthrough.
It felt like after reaching the Profound Core, it was indeed as my martial uncle said.
Before the Profound Core, breakthroughs were easy.
But after the Profound Core, each step was like a day.
Each minor stage was a chasm.
Many talented people got stuck at this stage and couldn't advance.
It required both me and Old Mo to be patient.
If we rushed, it could lead to qi deviation, causing self-harm, or even making a breakthrough impossible for life.
I kept this firmly in mind.
Only after completing forty-nine great cycles of breathing did I intend to sleep.
However, for some reason tonight, I couldn't fall asleep in bed.
Looking at the dim ceiling, Qing Dai inexplicably came to mind.
Counting the time, I hadn't seen her since the Black Demon Palace.
Several months had passed, and I wondered how Qing Dai was doing now…
After an unknown amount of time, I finally drifted into a shallow sleep.
Until the next morning, when my alarm clock woke me.
Because Aunt Yun Xia and the others were leaving this morning, and they had to go invite another esteemed elder.
So, I put on my clothes and went out with my martial uncle and Old Mo to send them off at the long-distance bus station.
Just as they were leaving, I remembered the letter Xia Qiu Xi had given me the last time I sent her back to Qingcheng Mountain.
It had an arrow pointing diagonally downwards.
With just a few strokes, there was nothing special about it.
Neither Old Mo nor I understood it. Old Mo interpreted it as Qiu Xi calling me "lowly."
In any case, I didn't believe it.
Actually, I also suspected if it was some kind of hint?
For example, a romantic one.
But I had always regarded Qiu Xi as a good friend with whom I would face life and death.
Compared to a romantic hint, I would rather believe that Qiu Xi was scolding me.
Otherwise, it would be too awkward.
And I didn't see any signs that Qiu Xi was interested in me.
At this moment, my martial uncle was saying goodbye to Aunt Yun Xia and True Person Yun Qing, while Old Mo was helping buy tickets at the counter.
Xia Qiu Xi and I were standing amidst the crowd.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say.
But just then, Qiu Xi suddenly looked at me.
Her eyes were large, and her eyelashes were long, naturally so.
Seeing her staring at me, I smiled faintly:
"Is there something on my face?"
As I said this, I subconsciously touched my face.
Xia Qiu Xi shook her head:
"No, it's just that the time spent with you all always passes too quickly.
Now, we can only look forward to meeting again at the next alliance meeting."
"It's only a month and a half, that's very soon."
I replied with a smile.
Qiu Xi nodded with a smile, her gaze drifting.
The atmosphere became quiet again.
After about one or two seconds, Qiu Xi spoke again:
"Did you look at the letter I gave you last time?"
I was just thinking about that!
When asked so suddenly, I paused and nodded:
"I looked at it, but I didn't understand it!"
Qiu Xi pursed her lips:
"An arrow's shot away.
The distance between us is not far.
Just like this time, although we are parting, we can meet again soon…"