n

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nFu Shi led Yuki and Chi through the palace showing them around.

"This palace has four sections. The south section is the main hall where you would meet guests and has a few side guest rooms. Although I guess the main hall is unusable for the time being.

" Fu Shi explained as she walked towards the west.

"This is the west section or what I like to call the Alchemy Wing. It is where you can do alchemy and pill refinement. All the tools for making potions or pills can be found here.

"

nYuki's eyes glowed as she looked around. Just having a place like this was amazing. She saw many things she was familiar with, but one thing, in particular, stood out. It was actually very hard to miss.

"What is this?

"

nStanding in the center of the room was a tall black cauldron with dragons wrapping around it. The caldron was so big that Yuki figured she would need fifty of her just to lift it.

"This is a pill cauldron. Although it looks amazing, it has no special effects and to me seems a bit of a joke. When I was alive, I would just use the normal cauldrons you see lying on the table there.

"

n

"I see.

" Yuki lost interest really quickly when she found out it was more of a display piece. She still had a quest to do that rewarded a Flaming Silver Cauldron that had special effects to it. She walked over and looked at the cauldrons lying on the table and felt more disappointed. She thought these items would all be special since they were found here in this mystic realm, but it seems just the room was. The more she looked around, the more she felt disappointed. She looked over at Fu Shi with a questioning gaze.

nFu Shi blushed and coughed dryly as she said:

"I was never big on Alchemy...

"

n

"Alright, let's go.

" Yuki felt depressed. She had such high expectations, but at least she has a high quality room that did raise the success rate by 80%.

n

"The east wing is split into three sections. One section is for crafting armaments, such as weapons and armor. The section in the middle is for creating arrays, and lastly, here is the rune forging room. This is one of the only rooms which has the best items.

" Fu Shi replied with a big smile.

nBoth Yuki and Chi knew right away that this woman must have been a rune forger.

"All the items in here are of the epic quality.

"

nYuki and Chi's eyes both widened, seeing the purplish hue to all the items here. Fu Shi giggled as she said proudly:

"Pretty good, huh!? I spent a lifetime gathering these items.

"

n

"It is quite amazing.

" Yuki sighed as she looked at everything here that gave high success rates or even added additional effects.

n

"May I ask how hard Rune forging is?

" Chi asked.

n

"It takes time. But the results and things it can do make it worth it. Rune forging is not just making items that can be placed on armaments but also for attacks and defense during battle if the rune is forged onto an item such as let's say this blast ore here.

" Fu Shi walked over and showed Yuki and Chi a small rock with blue glowing lines on it.

"This here can be activated with your soul qi and then tossed at an opponent, and after a few seconds, it will explode.

"

n

"Er… Isn't that just a grenade?

" Yuki realized this game was actually trying to incorporate modern things into it in different ways. But this was also very good. Chi was a sword dancer who could fight on the front lines but did not have a strong defense. Thinking along these lines, she turned to Chi and asked:

"Chi, what do you think of becoming a rune forger and maybe an array master. Between the two, I think they fit you perfectly. Array Masters require high intelligence and mental fortitude. I think basically, besides the embers of your family, no one could be better than you at this. And as for rune forging, well… Your handwriting is very elegant and beautiful, much better than my chicken scratch, so it's like it is made for you. Plus, by learning these two things and selling them on the marketplace...

"

nThis was Yuki's main point. She knew Chi was stuck with a certain amount of money a month. By starting a trade skill, she could ignore the money from the Evergreen family and live a self sustained life without needing to rely on anyone. It was only until Yuki had mentioned selling items that it dawned on Chi that this was a good way to free herself from some of the shackles on her life.

"I will do it!

" Chi suddenly said resolutely.

n

"Then I will leave Chi in your hands to teach her the art of run forging and array mastering.

" Yuki bowed her head towards Fu Shi.

n

"Huh? Wait, you want me to teach her!?

" It had never crossed Fu Shi's mind that she would be suddenly asked to teach someone.

n

"You can't?

" Yuki asked.

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"It's not that I can't, but...

" Fu Shi looked at Chi, who was staring back at her expectantly. Those big round beautiful eyes that are slightly watery were no different than if a puppy gazed up at you pleading for a treat. Fu Shi let out a sigh.

"Okay, I will teach her. From this day forward, I will be your master.

"

n

"Chi greets Master!

" Chi said happily as she bowed her head to Fu Shi.

n

"Okay, enough of the formalities. It's embarrassing. Let me take you to the final section of the palace.

" Fu Shi's cheeks were tinted red, but she felt happy knowing she could teach someone the trade skill she worked so hard on when she was alive.

nThe trio walked to the north wing and stood outside a large moon gate.

"I can no longer pass this point. Once you became the masters of this mystic realm, I lost my ability to enter here. I will let the two of you check this place out on your own.

"

n

"Thank you for the tour.

" Yuki said before grabbing Chi's hand and walking through the moon gate.

n

"Ryu, it's beautiful!

" Chi exclaimed. As soon as they passed through the moon gate, a small bamboo forest entered their eyes. Beyond that was a small stream with a red ancient Chinese footbridge crossing over. And further, beyond that, it opened up to reveal a man made pond with lotus flowers floating gently on its surface. The water was crystal clear, and you could see many koi fish swimming around. With large rocks covered in natural moss and colorful plants adorning the edge, it was very beautifully made.

nAt the end of the path tucked away in between the tall bamboo trees was a small hut made of bamboo.

"It is very peaceful here.

" Yuki said as she squeezed Chi's hand.

nChi smiled and nodded her head:

"It is.

"

nThey walked into the hut and found a bed big enough for two people with expensive looking blankets and pillows covering it of varying colors. To the side was a small wooden vanity with a mirror and right next to it was a wooden chest for storing items.

"At least we will have a comfortable place to cultivate,

" Yuki said, blushing slightly. It was good to have a place they could be alone and cultivate, especially because of the kind of cultivation they did.

n

"Mmm...

" Chi was also blushing.

nYuki smiled and pulled Chi into her embrace, lowering her head and kissing Chi's lips. After kissing for a few minutes, Yuki said:

"Let's head back to town. We can use two hours of real world time for cultivation, and the rest of it should go to other things.

"

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"So we will be doing that for two hours!?

" Chi asked. She was shocked that Yuki would even suggest cultivating for that long! Would that mean they would be doing naughty things for two hours straight!?

nYuki, on the other hand, was not thinking of it like this. She was thinking of it as they would need to cultivate for long periods of time, or they will end up falling behind. But when Chi pointed out the fact that they would be doing intimate things for such a long time, she couldn't help but blush.

"WelL… I do not mind...

" Yuki said while scratching her head.

n

"I-I don't mind either...

" Chi said softly. She then grabbed Yuki's hand and changed the subject.

"Should we go to town now?

"

n

"Mm... let's go I want to head straight for the mercenary guild.

"

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