The Mirror Master

The Luo Family arranged a private courtyard for Lu Bai and his mother, one far more spacious than their small home outside the city.

Bedding, luggage, and all other necessities were provided.

That very evening, Luo Tianxiong hosted a banquet to welcome Lu Bai and his mother. All the Luo Clan Members were in attendance; it was quite a grand affair.

「Over the next three days.」

Lu Bai remained at the Luo Family’s residence, continuing to cultivate the `White Tiger Stance` while he waited for the Underground Bazaar to open.

Having cultivated to the Fourth Level of the Root Bone Stage, he had nearly reached his limit.

Lu Bai could clearly feel that continuing to practice the `White Tiger Stance` offered him little further improvement.

During this time, Dean Feng from Bluestone Academy even paid a personal visit, hoping to invite Lu Bai back to the academy to continue his cultivation.

Dean Feng had expelled the brothers Sun Shuchen and Sun Shufei on the grounds of unauthorized use of weapons.

Even Tutor Xing Ying had not been spared; he too was expelled from Bluestone Academy.

Arriving with this news was a clear display of his sincerity.

Even Luo Tianxiong, Luo Mingzhao, and the others were inclined to have Lu Bai return to Bluestone Academy to cultivate.

Lu Bai only said he would think about it, not agreeing immediately.

’I’ll make a decision after the Underground Bazaar.’

-----------------

「On this day.」

As evening fell, Lu Bai sat quietly in the courtyard, cultivating the `White Tiger Stance`.

In another two hours, the Underground Bazaar would open for business.

"Brother Xiaolu, Brother Xiaolu!"

Luo Ben shouted as he ran over, excitement unconcealed in his eyes. He rushed up to Lu Bai and said, "I just heard! Tonight, the Drunken Flower House is auctioning two Profound Tier Inner Power Heart Methods!"

"Oh?"

Lu Bai wasn’t particularly interested.

Luo Ben continued, "One is the `Wild Bull Skill`, and the other is the `Celestial Horse Technique`. Grandfather and Father both said they’ve prepared enough silver taels. We absolutely have to win both of these Cultivation Techniques at the auction!

Brother Xiaolu, once we have them, we can cultivate them together."

Lu Bai was somewhat surprised to hear Luo Ben say this.

’No matter the Martial Arts Technique, once learned, it’s almost never shared with an outsider.’

"That wouldn’t be right."

Lu Bai shook his head slightly. "Your father and the others wouldn’t agree to that."

"They did agree!"

Luo Ben said, "Grandfather said that you left Bluestone Academy because of me, Brother Xiaolu, so it’s the right thing for our Luo Family to do. He also said that once we acquire the techniques, he will guide us in our cultivation."

Seeing that Lu Bai didn’t seem very enthusiastic, Luo Ben hurriedly added, "Brother Xiaolu, don’t underestimate these two Inner Strength techniques. They’re quite famous in the Jianghu."

Luo Ben nodded. "The `Wild Bull Skill` lets you cultivate Fierce Bull Force, and the `Celestial Horse Technique` lets you cultivate Celestial Horse Force. I heard Grandfather say that these two Inner Strength techniques are also the foundation for an Earth Tier Innate Skill, the `Breaking Shackles Innate Skill`."

Luo Ben clenched his fists, his gaze burning with passion. "To become a dragon or elephant among Buddhas, one must first be a horse or ox for the masses! Our Cultivation is still low, so we must be down-to-earth and start our training from the level of an ox and a horse."

Lu Bai glanced at Luo Ben with a strange expression.

’Those words didn’t sound like something Luo Ben would come up with.’

Luo Ben gave a sheepish laugh and scratched his head. "My big sister told us that. She said we shouldn’t aim too high."

Lu Bai smiled faintly.

’I was a beast of burden long enough in my past life.’

’I have no desire to be one in this life.’

’If I’m going to be anything, I’ll be a dragon or an elephant, a Buddha incarnate.’

’I’ll be the one to whom even Buddhas, dragons, and elephants must bow their heads.’

Lu Bai asked, "Are there any Earth Tier or Celestial Tier Techniques?"

"Actually, yes."

Luo Ben replied, "I heard from the people at the Drunken Flower House that a Celestial Tier Inner Strength technique will be up for auction, but they’re only auctioning off Viewing time."

Lu Bai’s eyes lit up.

’Ultimate Skills are too hard to find.’

’Since there’s a lead on a Celestial Tier Inner Strength technique, I have to check it out.’

-----------------

「As night fell.」

The Luo Family turned out in force.

In addition to the siblings Luo Mingzhao and Luo Qing and other junior clan members, even Patriarch Luo Tianxiong himself was heading to the Drunken Flower House, dead set on acquiring those two Profound Tier Inner Strength techniques.

Lu Bai was among them.

The Wu Dynasty had no curfew, so the streets were still brightly lit.

Drunken Flower Tower, the largest brothel in Bluestone City.

The brothel’s top courtesan, Liu Yiyi, was a master of poetry and song, and the sound of her flute was said to be so enchanting that it made one forget to leave.

It was said that in Bluestone City, not even money could guarantee a glimpse of her face.

The Jin Family, who backed the Drunken Flower Tower, was an influential power in Bluestone City.

The major gambling dens, the Underground Bazaar, and the Drunken Flower House were all operated by the Jin Family.

As the Luo Family party entered the Drunken Flower Tower, the younger members, despite their best efforts at self-control, couldn’t contain their curiosity, their eyes darting all around.

They were, after all, hot-blooded youths in their teens. Suddenly finding themselves in such a decadent, perfumed place left their minds racing.

Luo Tianxiong’s gaze drifted nonchalantly toward Lu Bai behind him, and he couldn’t help but offer a silent word of praise.

Lu Bai’s demeanor at this moment was completely different from the other Luo Family disciples.

Although he too was looking around, his eyes were clear and his expression was composed.

’That composure alone puts him far above his peers!’

They passed through the Drunken Flower Tower, and the sounds of wanton laughter and melodious voices gradually faded behind them.

After passing through a deep, narrow alley, they reached the end and turned left, where they saw a large courtyard with a high gate.

The main gate was ajar.

Lu Bai followed the others through a main hall and then a side room, when suddenly the view opened up before him!

A wave of clamor rushed into his ears. A mixture of countless smells filled the air, assaulting his senses.

A main path snaked into the distance, flanked on both sides by all sorts of stalls.

Some were set up under canopies, while others simply sat on the ground with their scattered wares displayed on dirty oilcloths.

"Come and see, come and see! Top-quality ’Vajra Pills’! They’ll make you as virile as a dragon, as fierce as a tiger! Satisfy ten women in a single night!"

"Magical Treasures, Treasure Artifacts, we’ve got ’em all!"

"Peach Talismans, Top Grade Cinnabar, Five Emperors Ancient Coins! All authentic!"

Many vendors were shouting themselves hoarse.

Others, however, said nothing, quietly manning their stalls.

The street was bustling with people coming and going.

"This is the first time for all of you, so feel free to look around. But remember, do not buy anything here!"

Luo Tianxiong instructed.

The auction at the Drunken Flower House hadn’t started yet.

Hearing this, the group of Luo Family youths called out to one another and scattered to browse the stalls.

Lu Bai walked up to one of the stalls.

This one mainly sold Five Emperors Coins.

Lu Bai casually picked one up.

The vendor, his face wreathed in smiles, began his pitch. "Little brother, this is a White Emperor Coin. Just look at the copper rust, the patina, the texture, the feel of it... Absolutely the real deal!"

Lu Bai examined it closely.

This White Emperor Coin was shaped much like a regular copper coin.

It was round with a square hole in the center, and the character for "White" was inscribed on one side.

Around the square hole on the other side was an engraving of a White Tiger Divine Beast.

Lu Bai was no expert, but the engraved patterns on this White Emperor Coin looked far too crude, and the characters weren’t even uniform. It was most likely a fake.

He secretly circulated his Blood Qi and held the coin to his chest for a moment.

The Ancient Mirror showed no reaction.

’It’s just an ordinary Copper Coin.’

The Ancient Mirror wouldn’t display information for an ordinary object.

Even for that Locust Wood Talisman that could harbor a Yin Soul, the Ancient Mirror had displayed a line of text.

Lu Bai put the coin down, ready to leave.

"Little brother, there are more over here! Have a look at them all."

Seeing that Lu Bai was a new face, the vendor didn’t want to lose a potential customer and tried to make him stay.

"I’m just browsing."

Lu Bai replied curtly and moved to another stall.

At every stall, he would pick out a few Five Emperors Coins and check them with the Ancient Mirror.

He didn’t find a single genuine ancient coin.

’They’re all newly made.’

"HEY—! All you travelers from the south and the north! Whether you’re passing through or taking a break! Whether you’re flush with winnings and lookin’ for fun, or you’ve lost it all and need a comeback! Come on over, come take a look!"

"Don’t just walk on by, you might miss your chance! Selling for pennies on the dollar, you can’t lose, you can’t get cheated! Ancient marvels, Ancient Exotic Treasures! Finding just one is the score of a lifetime!"

Just then, a shout came from the entrance of a nearby gambling den. The voice was hoarse, but the words were quick and slick.

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