Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

113: The luxurious Miaoling PavilionFeng Xixi led Lin Jingyu deep into the fifth floor of Miaoling Pavilion. She pushed open a heavy, carved Red Sandalwood door, and a tranquil scent—a blend of thousand-year-old sunken wood and the crisp, light fragrance of top-tier Spiritual Plants—wafted toward them, instantly sealing away the market’s clamor.

The scene inside the VIP room caused Lin Jingyu’s pupils to shrink and his heart to skip a beat, having grown accustomed to the ”shabbiness” of the Lin Family. Beneath his feet were Warm Jade Cloud-Pattern Bricks, worth a fortune and capable of nourishing the Meridians; they were polished to a mirror-like sheen.

The surrounding walls were no ordinary objects; they were embedded with entire slabs of Century-Old Cold Jade Pith. Wisps of cold air not only maintained the room’s freshness but also made the Spiritual Qi significantly more active.

The low table was crafted from an entire Golden-Thread Firewood Heart, its grain flowing with subtle golden flickers. The tea set was made of shimmering Secret-Color Spirit Porcelain, each piece exuding a sense of understated luxury.

In a corner sat a Three-Leaf Star-Pattern Grass placed casually; its leaves were dotted with starlight, emitting pure Wood Spiritual Qi. This thing was a High Grade Rank One Spiritual Plant.

In the outer reaches of the Southeast Market Town, it would be enough to make a crowd of Qi Refining Mid-Stage Loose Cultivators fight to the death over it!

Lin Jingyu felt his steps lighten, fearing that a heavy stride might chip the priceless floor tiles.

Is this the foundation of a top-tier Alchemy Pavilion?

Even if his Lin Family sold everything they owned, they probably couldn’t afford half a wall in this room!

“Benefactor, please, have a seat.”

Feng Xixi’s voice pulled him back from his shock. At this moment, she was a completely different person from the decisive, frost-queen figure in the market earlier.

The piercing killing intent in her phoenix eyes had entirely vanished, replaced by a gentle, soft luster like spring water after the snow melts. Her tone was as light as an orchid, carrying a subtle hint of solemnity.

She personally led Lin Jingyu to sit on a soft Rosy-Cloud Brocade Cushion, then seated herself opposite him with elegant composure.

“If not for your timely assistance today, Momo would have...”

Feng Xixi’s gaze swept over Yun Momo, who was sitting quietly nearby, her eyes a mix of lingering fear and gratitude.

“This kindness is like a second life. I still do not know your name or where your home is. Xixi must prepare a generous gift and visit your home personally to express my thanks.”

Lin Jingyu’s heart jumped. Visit personally?

That broken place of the Lin Family was likely worth less than a woodshed in her eyes.

Besides, he wanted to board the great ship that was Miaoling Pavilion, not just receive some thank-you gifts.

Facing a great Cultivator at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Perfection with peerless combat strength, he didn’t dare put on airs. He quickly stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, maintaining a humble yet not lowly posture, his tone calm and sincere:

“Senior Shopkeeper Feng, you overstate things! I am Lin Jingyu, a Cultivator from a small Family not worth mentioning. Helping those in need is the duty of our generation, let alone when it involves a Fairy from your Pavilion.”

He paused slightly, a ”sincere” smile appearing on his face:

“As it happens, I have quite a connection with your Pavilion and can be considered half a member of the Family. I really cannot accept the title of ’Benefactor’ or a personal visit from you. If you continue to be so polite, this Junior will truly feel restless.”

“Hehe, exactly, exactly!” Yun Momo could no longer contain herself. Like a little peacock eager to show off, she immediately chimed in.

She leaned forward slightly toward Feng Xixi, her large eyes sparkling and blinking, her tone full of pride:

“Sister Xixi, he’s amazing! Not only did he kill several Bandit Cultivators in no time to save me, but he’s also an Alchemist for our Miaoling Pavilion! A very, very excellent one!”

“Ah?” The gentle smile on Feng Xixi’s face froze instantly, replaced by a clear look of bewilderment. An Alchemist for my Miaoling Pavilion?

Although she spent long periods in secluded cultivation and left daily affairs to the managers, she knew the name, background, and skill level of every official Alchemist in Miaoling Pavilion by heart.

The youth before her had an aura only at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer and was very young. She was certain she had never seen the name ”Lin Jingyu” on the Pavilion’s register.

Could he be a new recruit Third Manager Qin Yue hired privately? But this cultivation... was a bit too low.

The ”sincere” smile on Lin Jingyu’s face froze. Inside, he was screaming: My little lady, you’re laying the praise on a bit too thick!

I just said that casually back then to get closer so I could cling to a powerful ally. How did you take it seriously? And you blurted it out right in front of the First Manager!

He felt his cheeks flush. Meeting Feng Xixi’s inquisitive and doubting gaze, he could only brace himself and explain, his speaking speed unconsciously quickening with the embarrassment of being ”caught”:

“Uh... this... Fairy Yun might have misunderstood... It’s a ’cooperation.’ Yes, a deep ’cooperation’ with your Pavilion! I am not... not an official Alchemist of your Pavilion...”

His mind raced as he quickly clarified the situation:

“It was Fairy Qin Xiangling who was kind enough to help me out of a bind. Then, thanks to the special permission of Senior Third Manager, I was able to supply the Miaoling Pavilion with small items like sweet potato pills daily. It’s a way to connect with your Pavilion and earn a few hard-earned Spirit Stones.”

His tone carried gratitude and a bit of a ”small fry’s” trepidation:

“Actually, I just tinker with some niche things and have only studied the basics of Alchemy. A few days ago, I was working behind closed doors, so I relied on a Family elder to deliver the goods...”

As Lin Jingyu spoke, he carefully observed Feng Xixi’s expression.

Sure enough, hearing the names ”Qin Xiangling” and ”Third Manager,” the flicker of doubt in Feng Xixi’s eyes quickly vanished, replaced by a deeper warmth and a subtle hint of guilt.

So that was it!

Third Manager Qin Yue was responsible for external procurement of herbs and pills.

It was normal to cooperate with Alchemists outside of Miaoling Pavilion.

Even though he wasn’t a registered Alchemist of Miaoling Pavilion, he still honored his agreement with Qin Yue and insisted on delivering goods during the Pavilion’s most precarious time when everyone else was deserting them.

This kind of sentiment and persistence was very rare.

Feng Xixi’s gaze toward Lin Jingyu became so soft it almost seemed to melt, and her voice grew even more tender:

“So you are someone Qin Xiangling took a liking to. She has always had a sharp and precise eye; ordinary Cultivators don’t even register in her sight.”

“No wonder you have such responsibility and loyalty.”

She sighed inwardly. As Miaoling Pavilion crumbled, even the Alchemists they had supported for years were defecting one after another. Yet, a youth with low cultivation and a loose connection was the one upholding a meager contract.

“Since Qin Yue is in charge of this, then that is for the best.” Feng Xixi nodded slightly, having already made a decision. She needed to immediately deal with the trouble caused by violating the market ban and killing Xu Tianyuan; leaving things to Qin Yue here was most appropriate.

“Taking action in the market just now did, after all, break the rules. I must go to the Market Master immediately to confess and apologize, lest further complications arise.”

She looked at Lin Jingyu with a slight apology: “Little friend Jingyu, please excuse me for now. Sister Qin Yue will be here shortly. Whatever thoughts or requests you have, feel free to mention them to her; there is no need for formality.”

Lin Jingyu was about to say something polite when Yun Momo chimed in again, her little mouth pouting slightly in a spoiled manner:

“Mm-hmm, Sister Xixi, you should go quickly! If you’re late, that old-fashioned Market Master will definitely have a long face and start lecturing people again...”