Tao stepped through the towering doors of the Mystic Cloud Apothecary; its carved wooden facade flanked by ornamental spirit vines that glowed faintly in the dim light. The air inside was cool and fragrant, tinged with the medicinal aroma of herbs. Shelves lined the walls, brimming with jars and bundles of dried plants.

Behind the counter stood an elderly man in dark robes embroidered with silver clouds, his eyes sharp despite his advanced age.

“You’re from the Verdant Dawn Sect?” the man asked, his gaze sweeping over Tao’s robes.

“Yes, Senior,” Tao replied, bowing respectfully. “I’ve brought the herbs.”

The man nodded, gesturing for Tao to place the satchel on the counter. As Tao did, the man’s hands moved deftly, inspecting the contents with practiced ease.

“Good quality,” the man muttered. “The sect still knows how to grow them properly.” He reached under the counter, producing a small pouch. “Your payment.”

Tao accepted it, his heart skipping as he felt the weight of spirit stones inside. He bowed again, his gratitude sincere. “Thank you, Senior.”

The man waved him off, already turning his attention to another customer. Tao stepped outside, the bustle of Emerald Hollow City enveloping him once more. The mission was complete, but his day was far from over.

Tao made his way to the cultivator market, his mind buzzing with plans. The market sprawled across several streets, its stalls and shops exuding an air of mystique. Here, everything catered to cultivators: spiritual weapons, alchemical pills, talismans, and cultivation manuals.

A merchant demonstrated a Fire Blossom Talisman, the flames crackling vividly before dissipating into sparks. Nearby, a woman hawked bottles of Golden Essence Elixir, claiming it could enhance Qi circulation tenfold.

Tao’s gaze darted from stall to stall, his excitement tempered by the realization that his spirit stones wouldn’t go far. Still, he approached a shop marked with a glowing jade emblem.

Inside, the shelves gleamed with jade slips and scrolls, their surfaces etched with intricate characters. Tao hesitated, overwhelmed by the sheer variety.

A young attendant in sleek robes approached. “Looking for anything specific, Disciple?”

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“I need techniques,” Tao said, his voice steady. “Something for growing spiritual herbs. And a combat technique.”

The attendant nodded, leading him to a section marked Qi Condensation Stage. “These are suitable for your level,” he said, gesturing to the shelves.

Tao picked up a jade slip titled Spirit Vein Cultivation: Advanced Methods and nearly dropped it when he saw the price: 50 mid-grade spirit stones. His heart sank. Even the cheapest technique cost more than his entire savings.

He placed the slip back, forcing a polite smile. “I’ll look around.”

The attendant nodded but didn’t hide his disdain as he moved away. Tao left the shop quickly, the sting of embarrassment burning his cheeks.

Emerald Hollow City wasn’t all grandeur and opulence. In the quieter mortal quarter, Tao found himself standing before a small, weathered bookshop. Its sign, faded but legible, read Old Master Hu’s Books and Scrolls.

The door creaked as he entered, and the scent of aged paper greeted him. Tao’s chest tightened with nostalgia; this place hadn’t changed. Shelves crammed with scrolls, manuals, and even mundane novels stretched from floor to ceiling.

“Back so soon, Tao?” A wizened voice called from the counter. Old Master Hu shuffled out from behind a stack of books, his face breaking into a grin. “Haven’t seen you since you left for the sect.”

Tao smiled faintly. “I’ve been busy, Master Hu.”

“Busy struggling, by the looks of it,” Hu teased, his eyes twinkling. “What brings you here?”

“I need techniques,” Tao said. “Something affordable.”

Hu nodded knowingly. “Mortal grade, then. Take a look around.”

Tao wandered the aisles, his fingers brushing against the scrolls. Many were simple, suited for mortals or novice cultivators, but two caught his attention:

1. Nurturing Rain TechniqueA basic spell designed to summon Qi-infused rain, accelerating the growth of mortal-grade plants. The description mentioned its limited effect on higher-grade herbs, but Tao’s mind raced with possibilities.

2. Raging Waves Sword StyleA combat technique that harnessed the wielder’s anger, channelling it into fierce, unpredictable strikes. However, the technique came with a warning: prolonged use could destabilize the wielder’s emotions, leading to reckless behaviour.

Tao frowned. “Why is this one so cheap?”

Hu chuckled, leaning on his cane. “The Raging Waves Sword Style is... divisive. Anger is a double-edged sword. It amplifies power but clouds judgment. Most cultivators lack the discipline to control it. They end up exhausting themselves—or worse, losing focus at a critical moment.”

Tao considered this. The risks were real, but the style’s potential intrigued him. If he could master it, the power boost might make up for his lack of cultivation strength.

He placed both scrolls on the counter. “How much?”

“For you, Tao? Ten spirit stones for the pair.”

Tao’s eyes widened. “That’s generous.”

Hu waved him off. “I’m just glad to see you still have ambition. Don’t waste these.”

Back in his modest room, Tao unrolled the scrolls, the faint glow of the Nurturing Rain Technique illuminating his face. He read carefully, already thinking of ways to adapt the technique for higher grade plants.

The Raging Waves Sword Style lay beside him, its potential both thrilling and daunting. Tao exhaled, determination settling over him.

For the first time in weeks, Tao felt a spark of hope. He wasn’t just surviving—he was preparing to rise.