Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 905 - 905 0548 Not Any Kind of Virtuous Man or

Chapter 905: Chapter 0548: Not Any Kind of Virtuous Man or Believing Woman_2 Chapter 905: Chapter 0548: Not Any Kind of Virtuous Man or Believing Woman_2 Before Qi Tian could answer, Gao Jinmei said, “When we descended the mountain, our Sect instructed us to keep silent about everything. We hope you won’t inquire into this matter carelessly—it is taboo, and we would be displeased.”

Xiang Bo laughed awkwardly and hurriedly said, “I had no intention of probing into the secrets of your Sect; my apologies. Then let me ask a different question, what is your relationship with Master Qi?”

Gao Jinmei replied, “Our willingness to come to the City Lord’s Mansion wasn’t out of a desire for the wealth and honor it could offer us, nor was it for the insignificant advancement in cultivation that the Mansion could provide. We are here solely on Master Qi’s referral. If it weren’t for Master Qi’s referral, even if you tried to invite me with a grand palanquin, we wouldn’t have come. Mr. Xiang, we hope you all remember—you might occasionally offend us, and I, being magnanimous, may not pursue it, but if you offend Master Qi, then don’t blame us for turning our faces ruthless.”

Xiang Bo, Lin Zhenzhao, and the others all felt a surge of anxiety. At that moment, they felt as if they were being watched by a primeval fierce beast, as though Gao Jinmei could devour them alive any second. Every hair on their bodies stood on end, and the faint-hearted among them had already begun to tremble.

Qi Tian coughed and said, “Gao, what kind of talk is that? Whether it’s the young master or the other guest officials, they’ve all treated me very well. Mind your attitude a little and don’t constantly talk about fighting and killing—how does that look?”

“Yes,” Gao Jinmei quickly lowered her head.

This made Xiang Bo and the others even more startled.

Knowing he couldn’t let this go on any longer, Qi Tian smiled and said, “Young Master, I didn’t refer them to the City Lord’s Mansion for anything else but to repay the kindness you’ve shown me by promoting me. Let me introduce Gao to you in particular. Her cultivation level isn’t simply higher than ours; she also possesses a unique skill, which, if revealed, might scare you all.”

Being under the influence of secret arts and thus particularly prone to believing Qi Tian’s words, the Young Master was easily led by the nose. He quickly urged, “What kind of unique skill? Tell us about it quickly.”

Qi Tian chuckled and said, “It’s quite straightforward, yet very practical. That is, she can pinpoint the weaknesses in each of your cultivations with surgical precision. If you were to receive her direct guidance, advancing on the spot wouldn’t be out of the question.”

Ah, Qi Tian’s words—let alone Xiang Bo and Lin Zhenzhao doubting them—even Gao Jinmei herself didn’t believe it. She was unaware she had such an ability.

At this moment, Qi Tian transmitted a message to Gao Jinmei, “Aren’t you a Gold Core Realm expert? Identifying the flaws in Xiang Bo and the others’ cultivation should not be difficult, right?”

Gao Jinmei hurriedly responded, “Master, I can indeed see what problems they have in their cultivation, but spotting problems and solving them are two different things, not to mention assisting someone on the spot in making a breakthrough to a higher level. Master, I truly don’t possess that ability.”

Qi Tian sent a message back, “I’ve already boasted about your capabilities on your behalf, so even if you didn’t have them, you do now. Do this: choose Xiang Bo. He’s at the brink of breakthrough from the first to the second level of the Foundation Establishment Stage. Together, you and I will give him a push so he can reach the second level. As for the others, let them cool their heels wherever they’re comfortable.”

Having no choice, Gao Jinmei knew too well that if she wanted to secure a firm standing in the City Lord’s Mansion and gain more of Xiang Bo’s trust—to ensure she could accompany him to the Eastern Capital City—she had to let Xiang Bo reap some benefits. She also needed to make Lin Zhenzhao and the others recognize her prowess.

“It seems none of you believe I am capable,” she declared. “Very well, rather than picking a date, let’s seize today to demonstrate my skills. However, the technique I must use comes at a considerable cost; it’s not something I can do nonchalantly. Thus, my demonstration constitutes a rare opportunity on the path of cultivation. Whoever receives it will be greatly benefited. Sir, you decide: who should receive this boon? Who should seize this rare chance?”

The word “opportunity” alone made Xiang Bo’s eyes sparkle. As a cultivator, even as the City Lord’s son, he longed for opportunity, yet he had not encountered a considerable one in his life. He was about to agree subconsciously when Lin Zhenzhao cut in, “Sir, many things need proof. We cannot take others at their word. Out of my loyalty, and to ensure your safety, I am willing to take on this opportunity. Should there be any issues, I am ready to serve with my life for you, Sir.”

Hearing these words moved Xiang Bo, and he was almost ready to consent, but at that moment, Gao Jinmei spoke up once more. “Opportunities like this are exceptionally rare; they’re not cabbages that can be picked at will. Acting out the required techniques is quite draining, and each performance requires a substantial rest period afterward. Additionally, once I’ve proved my capabilities, soliciting my services again will not be easy—I will charge a fee, and it depends on my mood. Sir, are you certain you want Lin Zhenzhao to take this opportunity? If so, you should know that you’ll need to wait another month or two for the next chance and pay me ten thousand low-grade spirit stones. Are you sure you want to do this?”

Upon hearing the cost of ten thousand low-grade spirit stones for the opportunity, Xiang Bo immediately changed his mind. The potential gains were worth taking a risk for, especially since if he declined now, he would have to wait another month, by which time he would probably be at the Imperial College in the Eastern Capital City. There, without strong abilities, he was sure to be bullied.

Considering this, Xiang Bo gritted his teeth and said, “Master Gao, you’re right. Such an opportunity is not to be missed. Please, feel free to exercise your skills on me. I can withstand it.”

Gao Jinmei nodded in satisfaction and said, “Very well. Please take a seat over there, and I will aid you in your breakthrough right now. This grand opportunity is yours to receive.”

Qi Tian advised, “Go ahead, Sir. Master Gao truly has the ability; she won’t harm you.”

Xiang Bo did harbor a sliver of worry, but Qi Tian’s words immediately dispelled his remaining apprehensions. He promptly left his seat and took a seat nearby. Gao Jinmei approached and began to circle around Xiang Bo. Being a practitioner at the Gold Core Realm Third Level, identifying issues with Xiang Bo was child’s play for her, and she didn’t even need Qi Tian to point them out. Based on her observations alone, she detailed some of the long-standing issues Xiang Bo had faced, prompting nods of agreement. Even Lin Zhenzhao and the others pricked up their ears to listen attentively.

Xiang Bo had many issues, which Gao Jinmei identified without looking closely, pinpointing over a dozen problems. However, Gao Jinmei was no saint; to gain Xiang Bo’s trust, she disclosed only three issues—a major one accompanied by two minor ones—and kept silent about the rest. Xiang Bo was nothing to her; why should she reveal every single problem he had? It was known in the Cultivation World that no one would readily disclose the issues one might encounter during cultivation unless they shared a particularly close relationship like that of parent-child or mentor-disciple. Otherwise, one would act as if they had seen nothing; the reason was simple. All were cultivators, and if one’s cultivation realm were to rise, they’d inevitably become a competitor. With the cultivation resources between heaven and earth being limited, naturally, no one would want others vying for them. It was just like this time, with the opportunity Gao Jinmei offered—despite the risks, Xiang Bo did not want Lin Zhenzhao to grab the chance; the rationale was the same.