After Li Qingshan left, Xu Xian returned to his small courtyard and took out Ruan Hao's notes, studying them carefully once more.
Today.
His first time forging a sword had taken two hours and resulted in a low-grade spirit weapon.
This was proof enough.
The path Ruan Hao had set for him was correct. Xu Xian's control over strength, heat, and details had reached a state of excellence.
It would not be an exaggeration to say he understood metals like the back of his hand. Combined with his Pupil of Insight, forging a high-grade spirit sword would be no issue at all.
Thus.
He felt extremely confident about obtaining the title of third-rank spirit forge master in the upcoming certification. If he were given a piece of immortal gold, he felt it wouldn't even be impossible to forge an earth weapon...
However.
Whether it was being a third-rank or fourth-rank spirit forge master, neither was what Xu Xian truly wanted.
He still hadn't given up on the idea of creating immortal gold from spirit ore.
Only then.
Only then could he use mortal iron to generate spirit ore, then use that spirit ore to generate immortal gold, and finally use that immortal gold to forge earth weapons, or even heaven weapons...
In this way, he could acquire the initial capital required to build the Sword Tower.
Only a business that could increase profits by ten-thousand-fold could support the construction of the second floor of the Sword Tower, and eventually the third, fourth, and beyond...
He had a plan.
That was why he was so persistent.
Closing the notes, Xu Xian turned his attention back to his research, attempting to find the correct answer through repeated failures.
The sunset dipped into the valley, casting a bashful glow over the green mountains.
Xu Xian was startled from his thoughts by a series of urgent knocks and calls at the door.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
"Little Grand-Uncle!!"
"Thud, thud, thud!!!"
"Little Grand-Uncle, it's me! Open up!"
The youth pulled his mind back, shifting his gaze away from the room full of paper scraps. He stood up and walked out of the side courtyard, through the main hall, and finally reached the gate where the voice was coming from.
With a creak, the wooden doors opened.
Before him stood a white-haired young girl who looked to be in high spirits despite her short stature. Beside her lay a bundle larger than she was, wrapped in a white floral bedsheet.
Upon seeing the youth, the girl beamed with a bright smile and gave a deep, ninety-degree bow, calling out sweetly, "Greetings, Little Grand-Uncle!"
Xu Xian asked despite already knowing the answer, his hands behind his back. "Yao Xiaoxiao, what are you doing here?"
Yao Xiaoxiao replied earnestly, "Little Grand-Uncle saved me today. I've come to repay the favor."
Xu Xian's brow furrowed. "Hmm?"
Yao Xiaoxiao didn't mind his reaction, continuing on her own. "My ancestor said that a life-saving debt cannot be easily repaid..."
Xu Xian's heart suddenly clenched... This script sounded far too familiar.
"...So Xiaoxiao can only work like a horse for Little Grand-Uncle to repay this kindness!"
Xu Xian breathed a sigh of relief, his heart finally settling back into place. Fortunately, Elder Yao hadn't taught her anything reckless. If another Nangong Ning appeared, Xu Xian really might not have been able to handle it.
He feigned ignorance.
"Oh, I see!"
Yao Xiaoxiao was full of drive. "Yes, yes! From today on, I'm here to work for you, Little Grand-Uncle. I'll do whatever you tell me to do. Serving tea, fetching water, sweeping the floors, cooking—I'll handle it all!"
From her eyes, Xu Xian could see her genuine passion for work.
She was incredibly sincere!
However, he had some reservations about the excuse Elder Yao had used.
Wasn't that just tricking a child?
But it didn't really matter. In the end, it was just a reason to let Yao Xiaoxiao stay by his side.
He rubbed his chin, pretending to be troubled.
Yao Xiaoxiao quickly tried to please him. "Please, Little Grand-Uncle, give me a chance to repay the favor. I'm begging you."
"It's not entirely impossible."
Yao Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up.
Xu Xian emphasized, "But let's get this straight first: I'm not paying any wages."
Yao Xiaoxiao immediately pulled out a dao jade and said generously, "Xiaoxiao doesn't want wages! I can make money by refining pills. Little Grand-Uncle, you can spend my merit points however you like; I have more than I can ever finish."
Xu Xian chuckled and tactfully declined. "That won't be necessary."
He turned around and paced away, saying lazily, "Come in."
"You got it!"
Yao Xiaoxiao was overjoyed. Despite it being a job with no salary, she acted as if she had just stumbled upon a massive bargain.
She lifted the large bundle with both hands and hopped into Zuiwan Residence, jogging to Xu Xian's side. Tilting her head up, she asked, "Little Grand-Uncle, where am I staying?"
"Just follow me."
"Okay!"
"Little Grand-Uncle, I heard Zuiwan Residence was rented by Martial Uncle Qingshan. Is that true?"
"False!"
"Then did you rent it?"
"What do you think?"
"Little Grand-Uncle, you're really capable!"
"I'm alright."
"Then Little Grand-Uncle, why did I just see Martial Uncle Qingshan flying in?"
Xu Xian replied without changing his expression, "Oh, it's nothing. He's just like you—he works for me too."
Yao Xiaoxiao looked as if she had just heard something incredible.
"Ah!"
Xu Xian remained unperturbed. "He's responsible for my safety, so he's basically a bodyguard. You're responsible for cleaning, laundry, and cooking, so you're a maidservant."
Yao Xiaoxiao's admiration for Xu Xian was practically overflowing from her eyes. "Little Grand-Uncle, you really are too capable."
"You already said that!"
"How did you do it?"
"...."
In the room of the main courtyard, Li Qingshan, who was currently meditating, nearly had his dao heart waver and fall into a heart demon. He gritted his teeth in fury and cursed in a low voice:
"How can there be such a thick-skinned and shameless person in this world!"
You stay in the house for free.
You farm the land for free.
I even give you ten thousand merit points every month.
In the end, the house is yours, the land is yours, and even I belong to you?
Li Qingshan felt like he wanted to die.
In the past, he was scammed by his master.
Now, he was being scammed by his master's junior brother.
'What kind of terrible karma did I accumulate in my past life to meet a pair of senior and junior like you in this one...'
On the other side.
Xu Xian brought Yao Xiaoxiao to the side courtyard where he lived and settled her into the room right next to his. This would allow him to monitor her condition at any time.
He wanted to ensure that if her Innate Yin Qi flared up unexpectedly, he could treat her immediately and not fail the trust Elder Yao had placed in him.
"You'll stay here!"
Looking at the massive room that contained only a single prayer mat, a moldy long table, and a bed that looked like it could fall apart at any moment, the disgust in Yao Xiaoxiao's eyes could not be hidden.
She asked weakly, "I'm staying... here?"
Xu Xian glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and said calmly, "What's wrong?"
Yao Xiaoxiao pursed her lips. "It's so... simple?"
"The conditions are what they are. Do you have an objection?"
Yao Xiaoxiao shook her head vigorously. "No."
"Can you handle it?"
Yao Xiaoxiao nodded hard. "I can!"
"Alright then, clean up yourself. Call me if you need anything."
"Oh!"
With that, Xu Xian turned and left. As soon as he stepped out the door, he couldn't hold it back anymore. The corners of his mouth curled up unnaturally, and he shook his head with a chuckle.
"Heh."
Inside the room.
Yao Xiaoxiao held her luggage, feeling somewhat at a loss. Her small head drooped, and she muttered with a long face, "Is there... even any point in cleaning this?"
After a brief moment of dejection, she pumped her fists and cheered herself on:
"Yao Xiaoxiao, you have to be strong!"
"You can overcome this!!"
"Go, go, go!!!"
Rate on N.U.
