131. I Have Two Hands, The Left and the Right

On a secluded hill within Crescent Moon Sect, a residence had been erected to accommodate Clay. Meanwhile, two Sect Elders are having tea as they watch the unconscious Clay. One of them is a Nascent expert while the other is a Peak Core Formation who is in charge of the Alchemy Hall.

“Do you think we can copy or inherit that skill?”

“I don’t think we can that is if the branch sect really did ensure this human was not using a heavenly treasure nor performed the Legendary Barnachean Blood Refinement technique. It was 100 years ago when I realized that there is a Formation at the center of every pill during its concoction and I have been researching on it since then. I’m sure it is an innate ability to sense the flow of Qi similar to the Ancestors of Barnachea.”

“Innate, huh.”

“Unless you have away to steal unique body constitution or physique, then you’re wasting your time. And speaking of time, unlike you, I’m quite busy teaching some idiots so call me it it’s something really important.”

The head of Alchemy Hall stood up and left.

Two days later, Clay opened his eyes. Although he is lying on a soft and comfortable bed, he felt soreness in his body. As soon as he tried to move, he felt something on his sides.

“Are these arms?”

Clay struggled to get up and sat on the bed.

“My arms!

My arms!

They grew back!”

Tears of joy run fell from his eyes. The bliss of having his arms back cannot be measured. This is the day he had dreamed of for the past four years. To make sure he is not dreaming and while there is pain as he moved his hands, he ignored it and lifted his hand tried moving his fingers.

While Clay was having a monologue, he felt the presence of another person in the room.

“Give it three or five more days and you will be able to move it freely.”

Clay looked at his side. Before he passed out, he remembered concocting the Foundation Establishment Pill and at that time, there was an unknown figure observing him but that person was a Peak Core Formation cultivator and the Elf in front of him now is a Nascent expert. Regardless who this cultivator is, he got his arms back.

“My name is Numar, 4th Grand Elder of Crescent Moon Sect and it was I who brought you here to our main sect.”

Clay respectfully responded. “I’m grateful for this elder’s kindness. Rest assured I will work hard to repay this debt.”

Numar sipped his tea.

“I must say you’re quite an adventurer.”

There was momentary silence then Elder Numar continued, “Your involvement with a Mage called Jesha is quite serious that even if the issue had died down, if they found out you’re still alive, the Kingdom of Ulfinar will issue an arrest warrant. I assume you know what I’m talking about.”

“Whatever this elder is suggesting?” Clay wanted to be on guard but he can already tell there is no escaping.

“I am willing to become your master and protect you. It does get lonely having almost no humans around but after maybe ten more years when the issue is completely buried, then you can freely roam again.”

Clay got off the bed and immediately kneeled with his forehead on the floor.

“It is an honor be become a disciple of a Great Master.” Clay had read information about master and disciple relationship so he kowtowed three times. It was his intention to be involved in a sect then leave after growing back his arms but now that they have investigated his background, he has no choice but indeed to stay and cultivate. At least his master is a Nascent Soul expert.

“From today on, you will be my fifth personal disciple. My residence is located on top of this hill and your senior brothers and sister are living somewhere within this hill as well. There is a token within ring. Drop your blood on it to complete your registration. For now, focus on recovering. Three days later, I will have your senior sister give you a tour. And lastly, don’t roam around your second brother’s residence. His name is Ogur and is preparing to breakthrough.”

Clay accepted the ring and waited until Elder Numar left.

When he was left alone, he sat on his bed and meditated.

After an hour, he opened his eyes and inspected the inscriptions on the ring given to him then took out his token. Similar to the token handed to him by Rising Cloud it does have a unique design.

He dripped his blood and registered his aura and when he activated the little inscription in the middle, it projected a number which is 10,000. Clay reckons this is his bonus contribution points. Other than two sets of uniforms and the token, nothing else is in the ring.

“What about my ring?” Clay inspected his ring only to find out almost everything has been confiscated. It felt like a thief stole everything in his wallet.

*Sigh

“Consider those payments for growing back my arms.”

Clay got up and walked around the house. Everything around him felt familiar.

“I’m not back at my residence at Rising Cloud Sect, am I?”

If not because of the pond nearby, he would really think he is back on his residence at this previous sect. He sat down and blankly stared at the pond.

Clay continued to enjoy the fresh air brought about by the cold breeze however after almost another hour, he felt someone approaching.

Clay looked towards the gate not far from him.

“You stupid brat! Give me back that guava!”

A little chubby Elf is running towards his residence while holding a green fruit.

Out of nowhere, a burst of Qi followed the little boy and before the boy could further run, the two balls of Qi hit the temple of the boy causing it to trip and rolled on the ground then lose consciousness. Meanwhile, the guava was thrown out and before it could drop to the ground, Clay materialized hi Qi and caught it.

A teenage Elven girl wearing a blue skirt walked towards the little boy. Veins popping out from her forehead indicates how pissed the woman is. Every step she makes is causing the earth to tremor. Like a reaper from hell, it came to take away the soul of that playful little kid.

Clay threw the fruit towards the guest and slowly bowed and said, “I greet senior sister. My name is Clay, 5th disciple of Elder Numar.”

The Elven girl suddenly turned into an angel upon having her fruit back and looked at Clay.

“I am the 3rd disciple, Fara. This boy here is Luk and he is the 4th disciple. I apologize if you have to witness such unsightly appearance.”

“Please don’t mind me and continue with your...” Clay paused as he tried to organize his thoughts. “.. game?”

Clay smiled inwardly. He was caught off guard and was surprised and thought he would encounter yet again another arrogant Elf but her senior sister looked at him without any contempt making him speechless.

“I know I’m supposed to give you a tour in the next few days but seeing you are fine, would you like me to show you around now? I’m preparing for a mission and I may not have time later.”

Clay scratched his head then happily responded, “I’m still recuperating but I’m most definitely free.”

“Good. Follow me.”

Clay was being polite but Fara did not seem to pick it up. Not to create any bad impression, he might as well agree to.

He wanted to walk and follow Fara but he is confused what to do with the chubby little boy sleeping on the pebbles.

“Don’t mind him. That devil will re-spawn later.”

“How cruel.” Clay thought to himself but when he observed the boy and did not notice any bruises, he turned around and left.

As both of them walked down the hill, Fara talked about general information about sect.

“First, let’s head to the Mountain Sword Peak. Since Master did not give you anything but points, you can use them to exchange for your weapon, as well…”

“I know your time is precious and not to waste your time, all I want to know is where the library is, the place to get missions, maybe the Alchemy Hall, and lastly where can I get someone to help me with daily necessities.” Clay interrupted.

Fara summoned a map and showed it to Clay.

“We are currently here. If you need pills, this is where they concoct them. On this area is the Mission Hall and the pagoda for inner disciples and above that is here. As for getting someone to help you prepare your meals, I highly discourage getting one as that would double the required missions you need to complete and we are not talking about contribution points here but doubling the missions you have to accomplish. If you do insist though, this is where you can find outer disciples.” Fara pointed on the map as she explained.

“Can we go ahead and lead me to the Pagoda First?”

“Follow me. I did say it’s nearby”

Clay followed Fara again. After a few minutes, they arrived at a tower-like building. The architectural design is similar to Buddhist Temples back on earth only it is gigantic. Clay estimates it has a radius of 30 meters and consists of five floors.

Clay walked past the guard and took out his token to activate the door. As soon as he entered, he looked back and wondered why Fara is not getting inside.

“They will deduct 5 contribution points when you enter so bye. I’ll see you later.” Fara smiled and waved her hand and left.

Clay checked his token and find out his 10,000 point become 9995. Seeing that Fara did not enter, he guessed it must be difficult to obtain them just like at Rising Cloud Sect.

Clay approached the counter. Similar to his previous sect, they do have librarians or rather scholars.

“I wonder if these brothers can help me out with some information. What I want is information about Essence Flames and their roles in pill concoction and anything that mentions Dao of Fire or controlling Dao Powers.” Clay asked what he wanted as it is the key to refining other types of pills. If he can’t get the answer he needs regarding Dao, then maybe he will find a way to part with his current Essence Flame and look for an Earth Class flame.

The scholar looked at Clay with a serious face. “Entering the 3rd Floor is a fee of 50 points. Depending on the book, some may require additional 5 to 10 points to open them. I suggest that you attend any lectures by Alchemy masters as you might waste your contribution point without even finding the answer you need.

Regarding Dao of Fire, maybe you can find them on the top floor. As a personal disciple, there is no entrance fee but every book there costs an exorbitant amount. The minimum is 1,000 points. And I don’t think books about controlling Dao Powers exist. Maybe you can ask your Master about it.”

“I appreciate the information these brothers have shared.”

Clay thanked the scholar then walked upstairs. Sometimes he thinks if these scholars would be cheaper if they were hired outside.

As he walked upstairs, the token in his pocket would vibrate as he reached a floor and when he reached the top floor, he was greeted by two Peak Foundation Establishment Guards.

Clay took out his token and showed it to the guards before he was allowed entry.

Different from the lower floors, the scholar here is just one person but a Peak Core Formation Expert. Clay looked around the almost empty library. Just like him, there are two fellow disciples wearing bluish uniforms.

Clay approached politely asked the counter.

“I’m looking for a book that discusses about Dao of Fire and its role in pill concoction.”

After Clay spoke, the Elf at the counter looked at him like he had been stripped naked. After that, an almost untraceable divine sense wrapped his ankle. This is imperceptible to other low level cultivators but not for Clay. He wanted to repel it but he did not want to offend this strange Elder. He just thought of it as being tested.

“There’s one book about Dao of Fire in reference to pill concoction but it does not talk about how to achieve Dao. Since you are young and new here, I will overlook your audacity and arrogance but in the future before coming here again, I want you to ask your master first, you understand?”

Clay was not expecting a hostile response.

“Elder is benevolent but I have not come here to cause trouble. I wonder how much contribution points would it require for me to read the book?”

The scholar released his aura hoping to intimate Clay.

“Don’t bite more than you can chew.”

“I currently have 9995 points. I kindly ask this elder to check if I have enough points to open the book.”

“There are seven parts of the book and the first part costs 10,000 points but if you are that keen in reading a book that is not beneficial, then I will cover those 5 points for you.”

“Thank you for the kindness, Elder. I will not be polite and ask Elder to cover the missing 5 points.”

The Core Formation scholar sucked every contribution points in Clay’s token then took out a book from the shelf and after a small incantation to remove the seals on the book, only then did he handed it to Clay.