Chapter 33: Too Little...

Qianshuang smiled sweetly.

"Feiyu, don't be embarrassed. I know you've been under a lot of pressure lately. I trust you have your reasons for accepting the challenge against Li Zikun. Otherwise, you wouldn't have agreed so lightly."

"I've always wanted to repay you for saving my life last time, but haven't had the chance."

"This time, however many spirit stones you need, I can provide them for you. Also, don't worry—if you end up losing to Li Zikun and are left without spirit stones for the rest of the year, I'll provide for you myself."

Qianshuang had never forgotten how Bai Feiyu saved her before.

Though she had recommended him for the inner sect, she didn’t consider that enough to repay his kindness.

After all, Bai Feiyu entered the inner sect on his own merit; even without her, he would have found his way in eventually.

As the sect master’s daughter, Qianshuang was well-bred and wouldn't belittle herself by thinking that a mere word in his favor was a sufficient token of gratitude.

Besides, the outside world thought Bai Feiyu had lost his mind, daring to challenge Li Zikun right after reaching the Haoqi Realm.

But Qianshuang did not see it that way.

She had witnessed Bai Feiyu defeat Chen Xuan across realms, so she had faith in his abilities.

Listening to Qianshuang’s generous offer, even Bai Feiyu couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.

She truly was the sect master’s daughter—the scale of her generosity was remarkable...

Outer sect disciples nearly fought to the death for spirit stones, while Qianshuang could easily acquire vast quantities and even lend them out.

"Feiyu, just tell me boldly. Don’t worry about whether I have enough spirit stones," Qianshuang said to him.

At her words, Bai Feiyu hesitated, calculating in his mind, then raised a finger.

"My needs are quite great, but one hundred spirit stones are essential for my cultivation," he said shyly, rather anxious, for a hundred spirit stones amounted to two months’ worth of cultivation resources for an inner sect disciple.

Borrowing so much at once, he wondered if it would leave a bad impression on his senior sister.

"A hundred spirit stones?" Qianshuang was a little surprised.

"Is that too much... You're right, I'm sorry, Senior Sister Qianshuang. Actually, eighty would do..."

Bai Feiyu looked crestfallen, lamenting how difficult it was to borrow money.

"No, no, Feiyu, a hundred spirit stones is no problem at all. But... will a hundred really be enough?" Qianshuang shook her head, then hesitated.

After all, in her eyes, Bai Feiyu was about to face Li Zikun.

Li Zikun was a formidable figure at the ninth level of the Haoqi Realm. To increase his strength in such a short time, Bai Feiyu would need a massive amount of spirit stones.

To Qianshuang, a hundred was far from excessive.

Bai Feiyu was taken aback, then realized he had asked for too little...

But since he had already spoken, changing his request now would be too embarrassing.

"Actually... a hundred isn't really enough, but you need them for your own cultivation too!" he tried to protest.

Qianshuang hesitated, then said, "How about this, Feiyu—I’ll give you five hundred. That should be enough, right?"

"At a time like this, I’m sure you’re under a great deal of pressure. Keep a clear mind and don’t let it get to you," she added sincerely.

This wasn't merely about gratitude anymore—Qianshuang had a gut feeling.

From the moment she first met Bai Feiyu, she sensed that he was destined for greatness.

To be able to battle across realms at such a young age—the Gui Xu Sect would never be able to hold him back in the future.

As the sect master’s daughter, Qianshuang was no naive fool; every coin she spent was carefully considered.

If she could befriend such a genius, she would do everything to do so.

Now it was Bai Feiyu’s turn to be stunned.

He had thought a hundred spirit stones was already a lot—perhaps even too much to ask for. Never had he imagined his senior sister would so boldly offer five hundred.

Not a loan—a gift!

Such generosity could only come from the sect master’s daughter.

In the next instant, Bai Feiyu realized he must seize this opportunity and not let pride get in the way.

This was his chance.

With five hundred spirit stones, his cultivation would soar in a short period.

That would make his victory over Li Zikun all the more possible.

Then, everyone would see his potential, and the Gui Xu Sect would surely focus all their resources on cultivating him.

If a great sect poured all its effort into nurturing him, the result would be more fortunate than winning a lifetime’s worth of gold.

"Since you are willing to give me so much, I thank you, Senior Sister. I will never forget your kindness!" Bai Feiyu said earnestly, cupping his fists to her.

Qianshuang smiled gently and walked into one of the rooms.

Shortly after, she emerged, carrying a large box in her hands.

"Feiyu, I’m not sure exactly how many spirit stones are in this box, but there must be at least five hundred. A box of this size holds no less," she said. "Take it now, and may you return victorious!"

With that, she smiled.

This time, Bai Feiyu didn’t linger; after expressing his thanks, he picked up the box and left.

He had already secured the spirit stones—there was no reason to stay. He needed to refine them as quickly as possible.

After all, the Gui Xu Sect had already sent disciples to suppress minor sects; it was hard to say when they might return victorious.

When that happened, his duel with Li Zikun would be at hand.

To be honest, though Bai Feiyu was confident in his endurance, Li Zikun was far stronger. If the fight dragged on, he feared the elders of the Gui Xu Sect might notice something was amiss.

"Thank you, Senior Sister," Bai Feiyu said as he hefted the box and walked out the door.

He was a new inner sect disciple, and though his storage ring could hold so many spirit stones, Bai Feiyu wanted to feel their weight in his own hands.

This was the largest sum of spirit stones he had ever possessed in his life.

Leaving Qianshuang’s courtyard, Bai Feiyu headed straight for his own.

But he was unaware that behind him, Chen Xuan, as silent as a ghost, was leading several senior inner sect disciples in pursuit.

"Senior brother, do you see? That’s the one."

"That’s the famous Bai Feiyu? The one who defeated you?"

"Yes, senior brother, that’s him."

"Hmph. Today, I’m going to see for myself if this boy is worthy of challenging Li Zikun. In all my years at the Gui Xu Sect, I’ve never seen such an arrogant disciple..."

...