Chapter 123: One Fish, Two Ways

“This storage bag is great!”

Master Chongyang’s gaze fell again on He Pingsheng’s storage bag: “After you return, just refine it slightly—you can use it. This item can vanish into your body; no one will notice anything odd.”

“Perfect for low-rank disciples!”

He Pingsheng asked: “Master, do you want it?”

Master Chongyang’s face darkened instantly: “What kind of talk is that?”

“You won this in combat—if I take it, won’t I be laughed at by everyone?”

“Besides, hehehe… I’ve got something better!” As he spoke, Master Chongyang extended his left hand, curling his thumb, index, ring, and pinky fingers inward, leaving only his middle finger extended straight toward He Pingsheng: “Look what this is!”

He Pingsheng always felt this gesture of the Master was somewhat rude.

But he couldn’t quite say why.

He saw a large red ring on the Master’s middle finger.

He Pingsheng asked: “What’s this?”

Master Chongyang said: “Similar to your storage bag—this is called a storage ring!”

“Hehehe… Once you reach Golden Core, you absolutely must get one. Otherwise, hanging a storage bag around you—what does that look like?”

He Pingsheng frowned; a memory flashed rapidly through his mind.

Back when he was a laborer in the Pill Chamber, he’d seen some Golden Core elder wandering around with a storage bag.

Now that he has a ring, he starts bragging?

“There!” Master Chongyang nodded sideways: “Your little sweetheart came looking for you… Talk for a bit, then you must return with me!”

“Alright!” He Pingsheng walked toward Qiao Huizhu.

“You’re amazing!” Qiao Huizhu’s big eyes sparkled with joy: “I never thought you’d win—I was already preparing to fight to the death!”

He Pingsheng took Qiao Huizhu’s hand, and they sat together beneath a large tree.

Glancing around, He Pingsheng slipped the storage bag into her hands: “This is for you!”

“Huh?” Qiao Huizhu said: “You won this in combat—is it right for me to take it?”

“Of course it is!” He Pingsheng said solemnly: “This is the first thing I’ve ever given you—you must accept it!”

“Mm-mm-mm!” Qiao Huizhu’s face softened with emotion: “Thank you… Brother!”

He Pingsheng said: “Call me Senior Brother!”

“Huh?” Qiao Huizhu said: “I’m already Foundation Establishment… you… fine… Senior Brother…”

He Pingsheng felt his ears tingle; he grinned broadly, chuckling.

“By the way!” He Pingsheng suddenly slapped his forehead: “There’s another thing—don’t you dare tell anyone!”

“Why?” Qiao Huizhu pressed her big eyes close to He Pingsheng.

“Cough-cough…” He Pingsheng said: “If this gets back to my sect, they’ll make fun of me!”

“Hehehe…” Qiao Huizhu cheerfully tucked away the storage bag: “Alright, I’ll keep it secret!”

“Study hard, and strive to reach Foundation Establishment soon!”

“By the way, Xiao Xuan probably won’t let this go—he’ll come after you again!”

A look of worry returned to Qiao Huizhu’s face.

He Pingsheng shook his head: “Forget him!”

“My ancestral master is waiting—I must go now…”

“Alright!” Qiao Huizhu said reluctantly: “You must cultivate fast—beat me to Foundation Establishment!”

…

“Shiiii…”

A streak of light shot across the sea of clouds and slammed down onto the Xiuzhu Peak plaza.

In barely half an hour, Master Chongyang and He Pingsheng had returned to the sect.

“Where are you rushing off to?” Master Chongyang frowned as He Pingsheng dashed toward his small courtyard: “After returning, your first duty is to report to your Master in Yuning Palace—don’t let him worry!”

“Got it!” He Pingsheng said: “Ancestral Master, I just need to use the latrine!”

Master Chongyang’s beard twitched angrily: Latrine?

This kid doesn’t even bother eating Grain Grain Bigu Pills during cultivation?

Hmph…

He Pingsheng wasn’t going to the latrine.

He sneaked to his courtyard, activated the array, then dug out his several storage bags from under his bed and wore them all on his person.

If even a Nascent Soul Elder can’t see through this, wearing it on me makes perfect sense.

But that wasn’t his goal.

He Pingsheng pulled out an empty top-grade storage bag and hurried off toward Yuning Palace.

“You’re a good lad!” Master Yuning beamed at her disciple: “I thought you’d just lose gracefully and still bring honor to Grand Void Gate!”

“I never expected you to win?”

“Good, good, my wonderful disciple—hehehe…”

The Daoist nun, her face lined with age, gazed at her disciple like a mother at her child—each glance deepening her affection.

“By the way!” He Pingsheng pulled out another top-grade storage bag: “Master, look what this is!”

Master Yuning said: “This is the top-grade storage bag you won—the one that can vanish?”

“Yes!” He Pingsheng nodded.

Master Yuning said: “In my entire life, I’ve only heard of such a thing—I’ve never seen one!”

He Pingsheng shoved the storage bag directly into his Master’s hands: “Master… this is your disciple’s offering to you!”

Master had treated him well—he’d long wanted to gift her a storage bag.

But he feared exposure.

Now, he could give it openly.

Of course, provided that Qiao Huizhu doesn't spill the beans.

He trusted she wouldn’t.

“Huh?” Master Yuning’s first reaction was refusal; she waved her hand and pushed the bag back: “This is yours—how could I take it?”

“Master!” He Pingsheng insisted, shoving it back: “You already gave me a storage bag—look, mine’s more than enough!”

“This top-grade one is too big for me—it’s perfect for you!”

“Besides, it’s my heartfelt gratitude for all your care and protection over the years!”

“If you refuse, I’ll throw this bag off the mountain!”

“You child!” Master Yuning’s eyes welled with emotion: “Alright, alright… I’ll take it…”

He Pingsheng added: “Master, you mustn’t tell anyone about this…”

Master Yuning asked: “Why?”

He Pingsheng said: “Qiao Huizhu asked me for it—I didn’t even give it to her!”

Hearing this, Master Yuning burst into tears, pulling He Pingsheng into a tight embrace: “My wonderful disciple… waaah…”

You’d believe she cried from emotion?

“Uh…” He Pingsheng gently pushed her away: “Master… you promised—you won’t tell anyone!”

“Relax, relax…” Master Yuning took a deep breath: “I’ll keep your secret, I swear!”