Mistress of the Underworld and Her Little Celestial Wife (GL) - Chapter 4

Hong Zhuang looked at Mu Yin with confusion and asked, “There aren’t any arrangements for today. Did the young madam have something in mind?”

Mu Yin smiled and replied, “I’ve been quite busy the past few days and haven’t had time to explore the Wuyun Sect. Since there’s nothing scheduled today, I thought I’d take a stroll around.”

“Understood, young madam,” Hong Zhuang said. “After breakfast, I’ll accompany you on a tour of the sect.”

After breakfast, Mu Yin began her walk around the Wuyun Sect.

First, she explored the area where she lived and learned it was called Wuyun Manor, the residence of the sect leader and his wife. Though modest in size, it was serene and rich in spiritual energy.

Beyond the manor lay the front mountains of the Wuyun Sect, the heart of the sect, with over a dozen buildings, a grand plaza, and the main gate.

Outside the plaza was where the outer disciples trained, while the inner disciples practiced within.

The Wuyun Sect was composed of five major schools: Sword, Dao, Alchemy, Beast Taming, and Spirit Summoning. Initially, only the Sword School existed, but over time, the other four were integrated, elevating the sect to the pinnacle of the Nine Provinces’ martial world.

Each of these five schools was situated on a separate mountain peak, accessible only via teleportation arrays or sword flight neither of which Mu Yin could manage on foot at present.

Beyond the main gate lay the small town she had passed through when she first arrived. Comparable in size to a small city, its villagers relied on the sect for their livelihoods, some cultivating spirit rice, others selling magical tools and medicinal herbs, all thriving in their trades.

As Hong Zhuang guided her through the explanations, Mu Yin found everything utterly fascinating.

She had never seen anything like this before.

Disciples of the sect passed by, each carrying their weapons some with swords, others with pouches, and a few accompanied by towering spirit beasts they groomed under the sun.

Hong Zhuang, accustomed to such sights, noticed Mu Yin’s wide-eyed wonder and said, “Young madam, the Treasure Pavilion is just ahead. Would you like to visit?”

Treasure Pavilion?

It sounded extraordinary, of course Mu Yin wanted to go!

The three-story pavilion stood at the center of a bustling street lined with stalls selling all manner of mystical treasures, elixirs, and enchanted clothing and footwear.

Mu Yin wasn’t naive; she knew those garments were far from ordinary.

“Miss, take a look at this freshly arrived rhinoceros hide! It’s from the Southern Region and can withstand attacks below the Foundation Establishment stage, perfect for crafting armor or robes!”

“How about some Minor Restoration Pills? They stop bleeding and accelerate healing!”

“Miss, check out these bronze bells! They ward off evil spirits, ideal for dealing with malevolent entities! Only three low-grade spirit stones!”

Mu Yin wandered past the stalls, eyeing countless peculiar items. Though tempted to linger, she feared they might be beyond her means and reluctantly moved on.

When they reached the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, Hong Zhuang said, “If anything catches your eye, young madam, feel free to purchase it. These items are quite affordable.”

What she really meant was that these trinkets were practically worthless, but considering Mu Yin’s humble background likely never having seen so many magical artifacts and materials, her curiosity was understandable.

Hong Zhuang recalled the sect leader’s wife’s instructions: Mu Yin had been dealt a harsh fate, and she was to take extra care of her.

Mu Yin was unaware of these matters. She simply found these glittering objects particularly fascinating, though she had no idea how to use them. Buying them would just be a waste, so it was better to leave them for those who truly needed them.

“I’m just browsing casually,” Mu Yin turned to Hong Zhuang with a smile. “Let’s go inside.”

Upon entering, Mu Yin immediately sensed the difference from the street stalls outside.

If she had to describe it, it was like stepping from a flea market straight into a luxury boutique, the ambiance was entirely different. A waterfall formed from immortal mist cascaded in the center of the first-floor hall, displaying the day’s new arrivals.

Mu Yin didn’t understand any of it, but since she was just out for a stroll, she didn’t necessarily need to buy anything.

The Spirit Treasure Pavilion wasn’t as noisy as the outside markets. Several attendants in blue uniforms noticed Mu Yin but didn’t approach to push sales, allowing her to browse freely on the first floor.

Before she had even completed half a circuit, a group of people hurried down from upstairs. Spotting Mu Yin, they visibly relaxed, adjusted their pace, and approached.

“Greetings, Young Madam,” a mustached man at the forefront cupped his hands respectfully. “I am the manager of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion. My apologies for not welcoming you properly upon your arrival.”

Mu Yin widened her eyes in surprise and instinctively glanced back at Hong Zhuang.

Hong Zhuang stepped forward and said, “Manager Wu, there’s no need for formalities. Our Young Madam is simply out for a casual stroll today and happened to wander here.”

Manager Wu quickly smiled. “I see! In that case, perhaps the Young Madam would like to visit the upper floors? The first floor only carries basic materials hardly worth your time. Please accompany me to the third floor, we’ve just received a new batch of spirit treasures today. You might find something suitable.”

Well, this was VIP treatment indeed.

Mu Yin casually glanced at the items on a nearby counter, noticing stacks of yellow talisman paper. Everything she’d seen so far was of similar nature, clearly the good stuff was upstairs.

Who could resist checking out some fine treasures?

Whether she bought anything was another matter, looking didn’t cost anything.

Mu Yin slightly straightened her posture and nodded. “We appreciate your hospitality, Manager Wu.”

The second floor appeared to specialize in defensive gear. Mu Yin merely glanced as they passed through without stopping.

The third floor was noticeably more spacious. On the way to the VIP reception room, Mu Yin caught sight of a radiant sword on display, beneath which was inscribed: [70,000 top-grade spirit stones]

Mu Yin froze.

She remembered someone outside selling some kind of bell for just three low-grade spirit stones.

How much would these low, medium, and top-grade spirit stones convert to in RMB?

Surely not just 1 yuan?

Before Mu Yin could ponder further, Manager Wu ushered her into an elegant chamber where tea and exquisite pastries were served. He then had attendants bring out three newly arrived magical artifacts.

As the items were presented, Mu Yin truly had her horizons broadened today.

“This is a glazed vial discovered in the secret realm of a Nascent Soul stage grandmaster. It turns droplets to ice and mist to rain, a rare water-element treasure with top-tier offensive and healing properties.”

Mu Yin nodded at the faintly glowing vial.

Couldn’t understand it. Next.

“This is a fragment of the latter half of the ‘Opening-Closing Force’ manual. Combined with the first half, it forms a complete Nascent Soul stage cultivation manual. The exact effects are still unclear, but even a fragment from the Nascent Soul stage is already a rare treasure.”

Mu Yin glanced at the tattered half-book and nodded again.

Seeing she still showed no interest, Manager Wu presented the final artifact.

He picked up the string of white bone beads and placed it before Mu Yin: “Young Madam, please observe. These are prayer beads crafted from Buddhist relics, a rare Buddhist magical artifact. Wearing them allows one to sense spirits. Would you like to try them on?”

The bone beads initially appeared unremarkable. Mu Yin had mistaken them for oversized bodhi seeds until Manager Wu revealed they were made from human bones, at which point she shook her head so vigorously it became a blur.

“I’ll pass on this one,” Mu Yin said with a strained smile. “These treasures don’t seem quite suitable for me.”

Failing in his sales pitch, Manager Wu looked momentarily dejected but quickly regained his professional composure. “Finding the right fit takes time. Might I ask what spiritual roots Young Madam possesses? When the Treasure Pavilion acquires artifacts matching your roots, we’ll reserve them for you.”

Spiritual roots?

Mu Yin froze. How would she know what spiritual roots she had?

Leaving the Treasure Pavilion, Mu Yin pondered on her way back. She was in the Five Elements Sect now, this wasn’t some palace intrigue drama but an actual cultivation world!

If she didn’t even understand her own capabilities, how would she survive?

Turning to Hong Zhuang, she asked, “Do you know where I can test my spiritual roots?”

“Test spiritual roots?” Hong Zhuang looked at her curiously. “Didn’t Young Madam get tested at the Nine Stars Sect?”

After a moment’s thought, Mu Yin shook her head.

Hong Zhuang’s heart ached for her mistress.

Not only was she a widow, but it seemed she’d been neglected in her own family too.

There were many methods to test spiritual roots, the most common being jade tablets that revealed one’s roots when infused with spiritual energy. However, these were single-use and quite expensive.

The Nine Stars Sect must have been truly impoverished, unable to test everyone’s roots, leaving her mistress unaware of her own spiritual attributes at this age.

How utterly tragic!!!

Mu Yin didn’t understand why Hong Zhuang suddenly looked at her with such pity, until the maid grasped her hands and said, “Don’t be sad, Young Madam! The Five Elements Sect has a Spirit Root Stone, just place your hand on it to test your roots. Let me take you there!”

Arriving at an open space within the sect, Mu Yin saw a jade boulder about half a person’s height floating in midair.

One side of the jade had been polished smooth, clearly this was the Spirit Root Stone.

The elder overseeing the stone looked up at Mu Yin’s approach, then at Hong Zhuang behind her.

While he didn’t recognize Mu Yin, he knew Hong Zhuang now served the young madam, meaning this unfamiliar woman must be the new bride who’d recently joined the family.

Hong Zhuang stepped forward and addressed the seated elder: “Elder, my mistress wishes to test her spiritual roots.”

The elder nodded, slowly rising to give Mu Yin a ceremonial bow before saying, “Young Madam, please follow me.”

Filled with curiosity, Mu Yin followed him down the steps toward the floating Spirit Root Stone.

“Young Madam, simply place your hand on the Spiritual Root Stone and channel your spiritual energy,” the elder instructed Mu Yin.

“Channel spiritual energy?” Mu Yin looked at him in confusion. “How do I do that?”

“Ah, this…” The elder was dumbfounded, clearly not expecting the young mistress to be unfamiliar with manipulating her own spiritual energy. He patiently explained, “First, try to sense the power within your body, then gradually focus your attention on your palm. That should allow you to channel the energy.”

Following his guidance, Mu Yin closed her eyes and concentrated. Miraculously, she could feel a warm current gathering in her palm. Suddenly, the elder exclaimed, “Oh my! A single spiritual root, and a rare mutated one at that!”

After shouting excitedly, the elder abruptly fell silent and leaned closer to inspect the stone, his expression turning to shock.

Opening her eyes at the commotion, Mu Yin saw two lines of golden characters glowing on the smooth surface: [Mutated Wood Spiritual Root – Mushroom Variant]