My Fairy Growth System

The white-bearded Daoist looked up in surprise at Yu Qingtan, who was wearing a disguising mask, and said, "Detailed information on the Extreme Path Demon Sect, fifty thousand Medium Grade Spirit Stones; detailed information on the Extreme Path Demon Sect's Master of Tribulations, eight thousand Medium Grade Spirit Stones; the Pride of the Heavens List and the Hundred Flowers List, one hundred Medium Grade Spirit Stones each. Fellow Daoist, are you sure you want to buy these materials?"

Yu Qingtan felt a bit embarrassed; she had made somewhat of a blunder.

However, she asked with an unchanged expression, "How many Spirit Stones for the basic information on the Extreme Path Demon Sect and the Master of Tribulations?"

"Six hundred and one hundred Medium Grade Spirit Stones, respectively."

"Is it possible to settle with Lower Grade Spirit Stones?"

"We can settle with Lower Grade Spirit Stones at a rate of one hundred twenty to one."

"Then give me a set of the basic information on the Extreme Path Demon Sect's Master of Tribulations, one Pride of the Heavens List, and one Hundred Flowers List."

Upon leaving the Heavenly Secret Tower, Yu Qingtan had once again spent almost half of the Lower Grade Spirit Stones she had earned selling spoils of war at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

"Spirit Stones really burn a hole through the pocket."

After leaving the Heavenly Secret Tower, Yu Qingtan found a deserted corner to switch into a white dress, reverting to her original appearance. She used the Breath-Concealing Technique to conceal her aura and arrived at the destination of her mission—the Raoliang Tea House.

Given the normal flying speed of a Spirit Crane, she should have arrived by now.

It is said that long ago, a Golden Core precursor from Tianxiang Valley had played zither and comprehended the Dao at this tea house, succeeding after three years.

After playing a piece on the zither, the lingering sound remained in the beams for three years before dissipating.

Hence the tea house got its name.

Comprehending one Dao is one of the basic requirements for entering the Nascent Soul Stage.

The tea house was also quite large, with a business area spread over three floors, tables arranged in a ring, and a performance stage in the center.

At the moment, the tea house was somewhat quiet with only a dozen or so customers.

Yu Qingtan walked straight to the counter and said to the young girl standing inside, "Hello, I am Yu Qingtan, an Inner Sect Disciple of Tianxiang Valley, here to take up the position of the resident Zither Art sitter."

The young girl's eyes lit up with surprise as she said, "Sister, hello, please wait a moment, I'll notify the manager."

With that, she dashed into the back of the tea house.

Soon, the plump middle-aged woman in a white dress, the manager of the Raoliang Tea House, received Yu Qingtan in a room in the back courtyard.

"I am Xiang Yu, the manager of Raoliang Tea House, formerly an Inner Sect Disciple of Tianxiang Valley as well. You can just call me Martial Aunt. Welcome to Raoliang Tea House."

Manager Xiang Yu said.

"I've met Martial Aunt Xiang; I'm looking forward to your kind care."

Yu Qingtan greeted solemnly.

"We're all family here. Our tea house has not been doing as well over the past two months because we lacked a zither sitter, as our main attraction is listening to the Roaming Zither piece while enjoying Cloud Mist Tea. Your arrival this time should improve things quite a bit.

This is my niece Xiang Ru; try some of our signature Lu Mountain Mist Tea."

Xiang Yu said, looking at the young girl, who was currently brewing tea for them.

Xiang Ru, the same girl who had been at the counter before, was probably only about eleven or twelve years old, lively and adorable.

The Cloud Mist Tea was green and fragrant, and Yu Qingtan took a sip to find it refreshing and rich, with a faint orchid aroma.

"Good tea, truly worthy of being a supreme grade Spiritual Tea produced by Lu Mountain."

Yu Qingtan praised.

Yu Qingtan had learned from the free scriptures in the Scripture Pavilion that Lu Mountain was a peak outside Tianxiang Valley, with a field of Spiritual Tea trees on its summit, nicknamed Cloud Mist Tea because the peak was often shrouded in mist.

Among them was one Third Stage, several Second Stage, and hundreds of First Stage Cloud Mist Spiritual Tea trees, a significant resource point for Tianxiang Valley.

Obviously, the tea that Yu Qingtan was drinking now was only First Stage Spiritual Tea, but it was indeed quite delicious.

"Martial Aunt Xiang, I heard that the last two resident zither sitters disappeared without a trace. Do you know what happened?"

"Ah, that's really strange. They were both fine playing the zither on the day, and people saw them enter their rooms, but by the next day, they were gone. Everything in the rooms was as usual, no Protective Array had been activated or broken, and no commotions were heard."

Xiang Yu sighed.

"Some people are saying that the tea house is haunted," interjected Xiang Ru, who had also taken a seat.

"Be quiet, Qin Tan, don't listen to her nonsense. How can there be ghosts in such a big Immortal City? Qin Tan, you can rest assured. This time I've arranged for you to stay next to my room. The Protective Array is a high-grade Second Stage with an easily triggered alarm feature. You will definitely be safe."

Xiang Yu said, and she was also worried that something might happen to Yu Qingtan again, or that she was afraid to go back directly.

"Thank you, Uncle Xiang, Qingtan is not afraid."

Yu Qingtan stated her stance.

After chatting for a while longer, Xiang Yu and Xiang Ru took Yu Qingtan to the room prepared for her.

The room was located at the very back of the courtyard, quite spacious, and decorated with elegant simplicity.

"Qingtan, my room is right next door, and there is also a sister from the Battle Hall in retreat in another room nearby. With the two of us, Foundation Establishment late stage cultivators, here, you can be at ease."

"Come, look, this is the treasure of our tea house, the Roaming Zither. The predecessor who used to be here comprehended the Dao through playing this zither. Unfortunately, she failed in her attempt to reach the Nascent Soul Stage, and the zither fell from a Supreme Treasure to a High-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

A poem in its praise says:

In a tune of lovesickness, the Great Dao approaches, lingering for three years with echoes remaining.

Pity the scent is gone and jade breaks, mourned at dusk, revered at dawn across the four seas.

In accordance with the predecessor's last wish, the valley has kept this zither in the Raoliang Tea House, making it this establishment's treasured possession. However, it requires at least a masterful Zither Art to be able to play it. Would you like to give it a try now?"

Xiang Yu brought Yu Qingtan inside the room, pointing at an ancient black zither and looking at her with a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

Yu Qingtan liked the Roaming Zither at first sight and said, "It would be a great honor!"

Without further ado, she sat down and tested the sound.

The bass was rich and deep, the mid-tones mellow and correct, the treble clear and bright.

"Indeed, a magnificent zither!"

Then, the melody of the "Love of Butterfly Lovers" slowly emerged.

After the piece ended, the echoes lingered in the beams, not dissipating for a full thirty breaths.

Xiang Yu and Xiang Ru couldn't help but start clapping.

"Qingtan, one so young yet already showing the signs of a master, impressive. This piece, a new composition that has been recently introduced, and yet you played it so beautifully, shows a profound understanding!"

Xiang Yu praised.

"To be honest, Uncle Xiang, Qingtan has just recently joined the Tianxiang Valley from Tianxiang Pavilion in Suichuan Immortal City, and this 'Love of Butterfly Lovers' piece is my creation."

Yu Qingtan said without a hint of embarrassment.

"That is so!"

Xiang Yu exclaimed in surprise.

"Sister Qingtan, you are too amazing!"

Xiang Ru's eyes were starry, turning into a little fangirl.

Pity it isn't a man, otherwise, Affection Value would have been gained.

"Uncle, junior sister, you flatter me too much."

"No need for modesty, this Roaming Zither is temporarily yours to look after.

This zither is made from thousand-year Parasol Tree Wood and silk spun by a Demon King level Ice Silkworm. It has a hint of spirituality, and though it was greatly damaged during the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, it cannot be stored in a storage item.

All right, the sky is also getting dark. You should rest now!"

Xiang Yu grew more satisfied with Yu Qingtan and suggested she rest early.

After the two left, Yu Qingtan closed the room door and activated the Protective Array.

She looked at the black Roaming Zither.

While she was playing the zither, there was an inexplicable throbbing in the depths of her heart.

She felt as though there were complex emotions like excitement, resistance, and greed within the zither.

"There's definitely something wrong with this zither. Perhaps the disappearances of the previous two zither masters have something to do with it. Does Uncle Xiang know what's wrong with this zither?"

Yu Qingtan looked toward the wall on Xiang Yu's side of the room with deep, profound eyes.