Chapter 30: The Elder's Gift of a Book

Jiang Min hurriedly bowed respectfully to Lin Mingyue and said, “Greetings, Uncle-Master Lin. This disciple is Jiang Min, pays respects to Uncle-Master.”

“Junior Nephew Jiang.”

Lin Mingyue nodded, his tone patient as he explained, “The class on spirit talismans is already halfway through. If you start now, it will be very hard to keep up. You’ll have to wait until the year after next to begin anew from the start.”

“I understand,” Jiang Min replied. Seeing that Lin Mingyue was about to leave, she mustered her courage and called out, her voice uneasy, “Uncle-Master Lin, forgive my impertinence, but do you still need anyone to help with chores for the spirit talisman class? I can serve tea, fetch water, sweep, or run errands—anything, really! All I ask is… for an opportunity to audit the class.”

Lin Mingyue paused, then looked at her with a meaningful gaze. “I’m sorry, but there’s no such precedent. If there were, where would that leave the disciples who paid spirit stones for their lessons? Would that not be unfair to them?”

With that, he nodded to Jiang Min and turned to leave.

Jiang Min wasn’t surprised by his answer. She had only asked out of a faint, nearly negligible hope. Her skin was thick enough and her heart strong enough—asking cost her nothing, and perhaps, just perhaps, she might encounter some good fortune.

“Still, this Uncle-Master Lin is rather approachable. If I get the chance, I’ll attend his class in the future.”

“It seems it’s hard to earn spirit stones within the sect.”

“I should prepare myself to venture out beyond the sect.”

Jiang Min had taken only a few steps when she heard a sneering remark from a disciple on duty behind her, “No money and you want to attend classes for free? What a rare breed.”

She kept walking as if she hadn’t heard, but a sudden ache clenched her heart at those words, pulling forth old memories.

When she was seven, her mother fell gravely ill. Their family was already poor and couldn’t afford a doctor. In desperation, her older sister, just two years her senior, snuck into town, going door to door, kneeling and begging for money. When Jiang Min found her, that family was beating her sister out with a broom, cursing, “No money and you want to treat an illness? What a jinx you are!”

“Sis, no one will give to us. Please, stop kneeling.” She had clung to her sister, weeping bitterly.

Her sister wiped the tears from her face and smiled, “Don’t cry, Er Ya. I’m thick-skinned—asking for money doesn’t cost me anything. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet a kind soul? I don’t mind a beating, but we can’t lose our mother.”

Later, her sister really did manage to get the money for a doctor. She had found a broker and sold herself—the money for their mother’s treatment was her price.

The past rose up before her eyes.

Jiang Min walked out of the Hall of Instruction and gazed at the distant sky, her heart aching with sorrow.

“Sis, are you well…? When I reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll seek news of you.”

Weishui Village was countless miles from East Spirit Sect. When she’d come here as a child, the journey by flying boat had taken nearly a month. With her current cultivation, walking back would take years. Only after reaching Foundation Establishment, when she could ride objects through the air, would she be able to visit her family and search for her sister.

For someone with five spiritual roots, Foundation Establishment seemed far distant, but with Peach Branch’s help, she believed she could do it.

Jiang Min calmed her thoughts and headed to the ferry point, only to bump into Lin Mingyue coming out of a side hall.

“Uncle-Master Lin,” Jiang Min greeted him with another bow.

Lin Mingyue nodded in return and walked away, but after a few steps he turned back, looking at her with gentle eyes. “If you’re determined to study spirit talismans, I’ll give you this book. As for the basics—like ancient script and cloud seal—you’ll have to find your own way in the library. If you’re truly stuck, you can come to Snowpeak and ask me. But you must understand, I’m often busy and may not be able to answer.”

He handed her a thick book. Startled and delighted, Jiang Min accepted it with both hands. She glanced at the cover: “Compendium of Spirit Talismans.”

“Thank you, Uncle-Master, for your gift. I’m deeply grateful!”

Jiang Min’s heart brimmed with joy—she hadn’t expected such good fortune. Then, a bit uncertain, she asked, “Is it really possible to master spirit talismans through self-study?”

Lin Mingyue smiled lightly. “In fact, I taught myself the way of talismans. It’s very difficult, but not impossible. I hope you’ll succeed in your studies as well.”

When Jiang Min returned to her small cottage on Peach Blossom Slope, she was still in disbelief. To think a Foundation Establishment uncle-master would gift her a book and guidance—there were still many kind people in East Spirit Sect.

She sat by the window and opened the “Compendium of Spirit Talismans.” The preface read: “A talisman is the true record of heaven and earth, the contract of yin and yang, linking the five elements, giving birth to all things…”

A quick perusal revealed the book was indeed simple and accessible, perfect for beginners. The first scroll introduced the origins and principles of spirit talismans, the second their types and components, and from the third onward, it listed various talismans from simple to complex, each one broken down and explained in detail.

But Jiang Min knew self-studying talismans would not be so simple—otherwise, why would so many disciples pay spirit stones for classes?

“No matter! If Uncle-Master Lin could teach himself, why can’t I?”

“But talismans will have to wait. Right now, earning money is my top priority.”

Jiang Min had already made up her mind to venture out. After all, spirit talismans were not something one could master in a year or so, especially through self-study. If she wanted to profit from them, she’d have to wait who knows how long.

This journey outside the sect—

First, to earn spirit stones.

Second, to hunt monsters and seek demon cores.

Third, to find places rich in fire spiritual energy and sources of natural fire to cultivate the Scarlet Flame Body.

The third was especially vital—a necessary foundation for her future cultivation and an urgent matter for Peach Branch.

But before leaving, she needed to prepare thoroughly to face any crisis. She also planned to visit Lin Mingyue and offer a gift in thanks—such gestures of gratitude were basic courtesy, never to be neglected.

A month later.

Jiang Min boarded a ferrying flying boat bound for Snowpeak.

Over the past month, she had learned two more spells: Fire Art and Water Condensation. With these, travel would be far easier, since she was heading not to some bustling town but the wild, remote mountains.

She had also visited Snowpeak several times to see Lin Mingyue, but each time missed him—clearly, he was indeed busy.

Jiang Min resolved to try one last time; if she failed to meet him now, she would leave and pay her respects another time when she returned to the sect.

“Disciple Jiang Min requests an audience with Uncle-Master Lin.”

Jiang Min stood before Lin Mingyue’s cave residence, bowing with clasped fists.

Buzz.

The protective ward at the entrance vanished, and Lin Mingyue’s tall figure appeared in the doorway, still as gentle and serene as ever, like the clear moon and fresh breeze.

“Junior Nephew Jiang, it’s been a while. How are your spirit talisman studies progressing?”

Jiang Min replied respectfully, “Replying to Uncle-Master, I am currently reading the first scroll of the ‘Compendium of Spirit Talismans.’ Some concepts are difficult, so I visit the library to consult various texts and cross-reference them. My progress is a little slow.”

“Progress isn’t a problem—the path must be taken step by step. As long as you understand the principles thoroughly, there will be no major issues.” Lin Mingyue smiled slightly. “What brings you here today? Are you confused about something?”

“I do have some questions, which is why I’ve come to trouble you, Uncle-Master. Also, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you. Without your guidance, I would still be utterly lost regarding spirit talismans.”

As she spoke, Jiang Min produced an exquisite jade box and presented it to Lin Mingyue.

Carved on the lid were the words “Cloud Moon”—a famous spiritual tea.