"Of course, there are still crazy cultists wreaking havoc everywhere in a vain attempt to resurrect their vile masters, but this city is well protected.”
Audrey stroked her token, suddenly understanding why the city found it important to monitor all cultivators. While she had known they had existed, she only knew the Old Ones as monsters from scary stories, and could not understand why anyone would want to bring them back.
"Is it really possible to bring the dead back to life?"
This wasn’t Mister Spirit’s question, it was hers. Even the Great Runes, with all their power, couldn't accomplish such a feat, so how could these cultists hope to achieve the impossible?
“No, it’s not. The Old Ones were destroyed, and will never come back. I bet all the cult leaders know this, and are just using empty promises to fool new followers into joining them.”
Audrey lost most of her interest upon hearing this, cultists appeared to be nothing more than a bunch of power-hungry madmen exploiting old legends for their own gain.
She continued repeating Mister Spirit’s questions as if they were her own, but paid little attention to the answers. She was more preoccupied with the chaotic yet stunning cityscape that surrounded her, captivated by the vibrant and diverse city life.
“But you cannot deny that the rituals work. If not the Old Ones, who is responding to their sacrifices?”
Hopping sideways to avoid an overzealous beaver barreling through, Audrey took the opportunity to glance into a nearby dwelling, admiring the huge butterfly laying lazily on the grass.
“That is beside the point. The Old Ones used to be very powerful, so maybe they got jealous and made a treasure capable of mimicking Great Runes through ritual offerings. Cultists might control a few evil relics, but defying death is far beyond their reach. They can’t even properly control their rituals.”
Audrey nodded her head in agreement. It did sound ridiculous, a bunch of cultists resurrect that which had been sealed in the void. Nevertheless, she faithfully voiced Mister Spirit’s question.
“Surely there is more to it than that. This is a complete power system detached from great runes or blood Qi, with limitless potential. No matter how it was misused in the past, there is no inherently evil power. It is only a matter of learning to control it, and discerning how to use it.”
The stag, whose name had turned out to be Vincent, jumped as if bitten, antlers briefly flaring with holy light.
“Fryen be praised, stop saying stupid things. How can you claim there is no evil power, when any contact with it leads to death and despair. I’m telling you, stay away from anything related to the Old Ones, it is all lies and deception, all of it. There is no mystery, merely the remnant powers of the cursed sun wreaking havoc on the world.”
Making a mental note to avoid cultists, Audrey shrugged. It was no surprise that Mister Spirit was acting strangely.
She could hear the voice inside her urging her to delve deeper into the topic, questioning the relationship between the spirit world and the Old ones, but faced with her guide's disapproving glare, she opted to change the subject with a chipper tone.
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“Anyways, thanks for letting me stay at your place!”
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Avery was startled by the sound of his tea shop’s door opening. His peaceful contemplation of the Tao had almost made him forget his arrangements, and he hastily recast his illusory body. He had dispelled it earlier, as he had found that his runic body was becoming unable to withstand his comprehension of the Tao, and was holding him back. To cultivate any further, he had to reforge and upgrade his body, constantly improving it at a rate similar to his growing understanding. He found it strange that his runes restricted him in a way that his mortal human body never did, but for now, all he could do was comply with these strange rules, using the information on the formation of a Dao body and his improved runes to keep up.
Glancing around, making sure nothing he wanted hidden was visible, he turned his attention to his customer.
“Welcome, esteemed guest. What brings you to my humble establishment?”
Looking around vigilantly, a tall middle-aged lady strode in, her strong build and wide shoulders making her decorated armor appear weightless, exuding a dangerous feeling. Actually, his Dao vision was the only thing that let him be confident he was facing a woman, since her obvious strength, colossal stature and the air of controlled savagery were by far a better match for the male archetype.
She appeared to be only armed with a dagger on her waist, and was holding her helmet under her arm. He guessed she wasn’t expecting any trouble, and her unusual alertness to danger was only proof of her competence. He had to admit this really wasn’t the sort of customer he was expecting to attract, but he was curious to see what such a warrior would have to say about the Tao.
“Your shop is new, is it not? We passed in front of it while parading, and it gave me a very strange feeling.”
Noticing her armor made her unable to sit with him on the mats he had prepared, he stood up to fetch a pair of chairs.
“Ah yes, it should be quite new. I find it hard to keep track of time, but if it is any indication, you are my first customer.”
“Oh really? For a shop in the prime merchant street to lack customers is rather surprising. Perhaps it stems from your subpar marketing. After all, I still have no clue what you are selling. If this is even a shop that is, I only assume so because of your placement.”
Avery inclined his head to thank her for her suggestion, before picking up the teapot. It should have been very awkward, since the low table was not meant to be reached by those sitting on tall chairs, but his high cultivation lent a certain naturalness and elegance to all his movements, letting his undignified posture appear casual.
“It matters not. I have advertised enough, and the rest is up to fate. This is a simple shop, and my only ware is tea. Here, take a sip, I dare you to find a better tea in this country.”
Handing her a cup and making one for himself, Avery smiled confidently. His tea leaves were bought from the system, and they were an inferior version of the fabled comprehension tea. They might not be true treasure immortals would fight over, but mortal tea leaves simply couldn’t compare.
“I know this is your first time, but I must inform you that it is customary to inform the customer of the price before serving them, and let them decide whether they wish to make a purchase or not. Otherwise, if you wait for your wares to be consumed before revealing the cost, some might accuse you of being dishonest, and of overcharging.”
Despite her remark, the soldier confidently carried the tea cup to her lips, obviously unbothered by the danger she had just outlined.
“Fret not, I have no intention of robbing you. Even if I dared, I have no need for money or riches. I can already afford to keep this shop open for centuries, so why would I want more? No, you have already paid the price of my tea. Words from the wise are worth far more than gold, and as long as you have some insights to offer, you are welcome here.”
His words were sincere, and despite his social anxiety lurking in the background, he greatly anticipated exchanging with someone he now knew was a learned and refined individual.
“Words from the wise are worth far more than gold? Then it seems to me that you are still making a deficit.”
Avery smiled but did not respond, accepting the compliment.
“What a peculiar establishment you are running. You chose one of the best spots in the city yet remain desolate, you wish to receive guests yet refuse to advertise, and you offer your services yet refuse to be paid. More bizarre yet, you are a merchant claiming to have more than enough riches, and you profess you do not wish for more. How extraordinary. A suspicious mind might even conclude that you are not a shopkeeper at all, and that you have ulterior motives for occupying such a strategic location in the capital.”