Chapter 38 – Chapter 38 Opening_1 Chapter 38: Chapter 38 Opening_1 Translator: 549690339 The pricing at the food shop was not expensive, because most of the diners were neighborhood residents or ordinary, low-level loose cultivators, who were not wealthy. The prices were set so that they were affordable for most people, aiming for slim profit margins but high sales volumes. The shop’s signature dishes were primarily beef-based, priced at two spirit stones per plate. This was not exactly cheap for loose cultivators, but it was quite a bargain compared to other establishments selling beef or spiritual meat dishes. Beef noodles were even cheaper, with plain noodles costing just three-tenths of a broken spirit stone, and noodles with beef costing six-tenths of a broken spirit stone. An ordinary Qi cultivation loose practitioner could earn about one spirit stone, plus a few more tenths, in a day. So, a plate of beef would require two days of hard work to afford. It was fine on occasion, but impossible to eat every day. But to be able to eat meat for just two spirit stones was unmatched anywhere else in Tongxian City, and if one just wanted to satisfy a craving, a bowl of beef noodles only cost six-tenths of a broken spirit stone. Just a few days after opening, customers began to increase. Although the loose cultivators in the neighborhood couldn’t afford to eat meat every day, there were always some who wanted to treat themselves to a good meal. Some were Qi cultivation loose practitioners from slightly more well-off families who could afford to eat there once every few days; others were Taoist friends meeting up, wanting to neither splurge nor be too frugal, so they would order a plate of beef with some side dishes and chat over drinks. Some parents would bring their children, who had made progress in their cultivation, to the shop for a treat, to enjoy a bowl of spicy beef noodles and satisfy a craving. Occasionally, travelling merchants passing through the area, weary from their journey and craving meat but embarrassed by their tight funds, would hesitate to order. That is until they learned that a full plate of beef cost only two spirit stones, which made them widen their eyes in astonishment. They still harbored doubts, wondering if such cheap meat could taste good. But then, they thought, given how busy the food shop was, the taste couldn’t be too bad, so they decided to give it a try and ordered a plate. Once they tried a bite, they couldn’t stop eating. Afterward, the merchants who regularly passed by would make a point of stopping at the food shop to order a plate of meat and have a few drinks. Those who used to pass by without stopping now made a point of pausing there to have some meat and chat. Some merchants, even if they didn’t usually pass by, would go out of their way just to taste the beef, taking a detour to the shop to relieve the fatigue of their journey. After all, within a hundred miles, this was the only place where one could eat such delicious meat at such a low price. As more customers came, the shop became busier, and Da’hu and the other two helpers came to assist. After bustling about all day, they were content to eat a big bowl of beef noodles in the evening and take some beef home with them. However, Tongxian Gate was about to start classes, and everyone would be busy with cultivation, so there would be a shortage of hands. Mo Hua didn’t want his mother to overwork herself, so he suggested hiring someone to help. Mo Shan was concerned for his wife’s health, as she had not yet fully recovered and was unable to use spiritual power, so he agreed with his son’s idea. After discussing it with his wife, Mo Shan hired a family member from the Monster Hunting Team to help out at the food shop for thirty spirit stones a month. The next day, a young-looking, shy woman came to the door carrying a basket. Inside the basket were some fresh wild vegetables, still dewy, freshly picked that morning from the mountains. Mo Hua heard his parents talking and knew the woman’s surname was Jiang, with the given name Yun. Her husband’s surname was Chu. He had been severely injured by the claws of a wolf demon during a hunt, and the family had spent all their savings on his treatment. Although they managed to save his life, he was badly hurt and couldn’t continue hunting monsters, leaving the family without any income. Jiang Yun had poor spiritual roots, only reaching the fourth level of Qi refinement before leaving her sect. After a few years, she got married and had a child. Since her husband’s injury, she had been looking for work to supplement the family income, but her low cultivation level didn’t earn her much in the way of spirit stones. The tasks she could do were menial, paid little, and were unreliable. Plus, she had a child to care for, making it very difficult to get by. Having a steady job at the food shop now, making thirty spirit stones a month, was already a rare opportunity for her. Jiang Yun was immensely grateful, but being introverted and not good with words, she was too embarrassed to express her thanks, her face turning red with discomfort. Liu Ruhua quickly consoled her, telling her not to think too much and to focus on doing her job well. Jiang Yun then settled down and followed Liu Ruhua’s instructions. She was hardworking, meticulous, and although slow to learn new things, she was very earnest, which Liu Ruhua appreciated. At the end of the evening when the shop closed, Liu Ruhua packed some noodles with extra pieces of meat for her to take home. Jiang Yun hurriedly declined, her face flushed, refusing the offer, “Sister Liu, you’ve been kind enough to me, I really can’t take this.” Liu Ruhua insisted that she take it, but she still demurred. Then Liu Ruhua said, “Take it home for the kids to eat.” With that, Jiang Yun no longer had the strength to refuse. Her children hadn’t had a full meal in days, let alone meat. She accepted the food box, thinking of how to thank her, but only the same few phrases of gratitude clumsily tumbled from her lips. Liu Ruhua just comforted her, “Don’t think too much about it, it’s getting late, you should go home and check on the kids.” Jiang Yun carried the food box cautiously, walking toward her home. When she passed by the corner of the wall, she stopped and stood still, her figure heaving with sobs. After a while, she silently wiped her tears with her sleeve and continued on her way home. Mo Hua watched her figure from a distance, his thoughts complex. His own family was not affluent either, barely making ends meet, but in Tongxian City, there were countless other loose cultivator families even worse off than his. If only the cultivators of this world didn’t have to struggle to make a living. Mo Hua thought silently. Liu’s Food Shop had a smooth opening, and Liu Ruhua was busy with the shop every day. She had become thinner, but her complexion was rosy, and she looked healthier. Owning the food shop allowed her to experiment with various diets, and she could save Spirit Stones for her son’s future cultivation and marriage expenses. Liu Ruhua felt very content, and her face showed more smiles. Seeing his wife’s current state, Mo Shan felt reassured. And Mo Hua, tasting more and more delicious foods, became happier as well. With the food shop’s opening, their home’s income of Spirit Stones increased, and they no longer had to live as frugally as before. By the time Tongxian Gate was ready to start the new term, the shop had made a profit of over two hundred Spirit Stones in total. Liu Ruhua gave all the two hundred plus Spirit Stones she had earned to Mo Hua, urging him to choose a suitable cultivation technique at the sect and reminding him not to neglect his cultivation. Mo Hua nodded in agreement. The next day, as summer vacation ended, Tongxian Gate opened its doors, welcoming disciples back to school. Mo Hua too waved goodbye to Liu Ruhua, who had come to see him off, and then stepped into Tongxian Gate. With the disciples gradually returning, the once quiet Tongling Peak started bustling with activity again. However, after two months of summer break, many disciples had let loose, and their cultivation had fallen behind. As they returned to school, their expressions revealed a certain trepidation. Instructor Yan, in order to consolidate everyone’s focus, announced a surprise Formation exam. The lingering heat of summer was thoroughly extinguished by this sudden douse of cold water, and many disciples showed a look of utter dejection. This was an on-the-spot test; there was no taking it home to do, and no room for any little tricks. But Mo Hua was utterly unfazed. He had already mastered five Formation Patterns and was considered an experienced apprentice. The sect’s basic Formation tests were no challenge for him. Moreover, during the last month and more of the summer break, he had practiced Formation day and night, pushing his Divine Sense to the brink each time, strengthening it through continuous exertion. For an assessment like this, Mo Hua was brimming with confidence, expecting it to be easily within his grasp. But when the Formation exam paper was handed out, Mo Hua was somewhat dumbfounded. He checked several times, finally confirming that the test was not on individual Formation Patterns, but on a complete Formation containing six Formation Patterns!