Chapter Eight: Three Treasures

"The path of cultivation is fraught with difficulty at every step. Now that you have truly set foot upon it, I shall gift you three treasures." Seeing Ye Yun's excitement, Ye Yu smiled softly and turned his hand over. In his palm appeared a deep green jade pendant, roughly the size of an adult’s palm. Its design was ancient and elegant, with a dragon and a phoenix etched into its surface, so lifelike they seemed to soar from the stone.

"This is the first treasure I bestow upon you, called the Dragon-Phoenix Pendant. I carved and refined it from precious jade myself. Wear it, and it will serve as your protection," Ye Yu said.

"What a beautiful protective talisman," Ye Yun exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with joy.

Ye Yu smiled gently. "Aside from its protective properties, I have also opened a small space within it. You can store your daily odds and ends there. Drip your blood onto it, and this treasure will recognize you as its master."

Over the past two years, Ye Yun had read many books and gained a general understanding of weapons and magical artifacts. As he knew, crafting a true magic treasure required at least foundation establishment cultivation; those at the Qi Refining stage could only wield inferior implements. Only the truly powerful, those who had formed their foundation, could unleash a treasure’s full might.

Stretching out his hands, Ye Yun received the Dragon-Phoenix Pendant from his master and, barely able to contain his delight, bit his fingertip. A drop of fresh blood fell onto the pendant, seeping in almost instantly. The dragon and phoenix carved upon it glimmered with a faint crimson light, as if they had come to life.

Though this pendant crafted by Ye Yu could be called a magic treasure, it required only a drop of blood for recognition and could be used immediately—a necessity, since Ye Yun had no cultivation yet and could not activate even the lowest implements. Ye Yu had left some of his own spiritual power within the pendant, and inscribed it with a spirit-gathering formation. There was no need to activate it: when danger struck, it would protect its master on its own.

After the blood bond was formed, Ye Yun sensed a subtle link with the pendant, and also became aware of the small space inside—a sphere about ten feet across.

"Store!"

At eight, Ye Yun was lively and curious. Pointing at a nearby stool, he willed it to vanish—only to see it instantly disappear from sight, reappearing a moment later within the pendant’s inner space.

"Return!"

He needed no words; a mere thought brought the stool back to its original place.

"What a marvelous technique!" Ye Yun stroked the pendant, unable to put it down, his heart full of joy.

"Boy, once your cultivation deepens, your horizons will broaden too, and you’ll witness wonders far beyond this."

Ye Yu reached out and fondly ruffled his disciple’s hair, a kindly smile on his face. With a gentle motion, another treasure appeared in his palm.

This was a short sword, its blade shining with a dazzling white light, cold and translucent, radiating a biting chill. The moment Ye Yu produced it, a wave of icy air swept through the room, making Ye Yun shiver involuntarily.

"The Dragon-Phoenix Pendant is your shield; this White Tiger Sword is your weapon. Unless absolutely necessary, you must not wield it lightly," Ye Yu said sternly, handing the sword to him.

"I will remember your teachings, Master," Ye Yun replied respectfully, reaching out for the fearsome blade.

"First, bind it with your blood. Though the sword’s killing aura is restrained, it is not something you can control as you are now," Ye Yu instructed.

Nodding, Ye Yun bit his finger again. A drop of blood fell onto the sword and quickly sank into the blade, where it began to swirl, forming the image of a fierce tiger’s head, jaws agape as if ready to pounce.

Just like with the pendant, once the blood bond was made, Ye Yun felt a connection to the White Tiger Sword. The chilling aura that had unnerved him before now caressed him like a gentle breeze, harmless to its master.

"My cultivation is rooted in the Universe Mind Technique, which is not as advanced as your Scarlet Flame Demon Art. Still, if you wish to wield these treasures’ true power in the future, you must study the totemic arts as well," Ye Yu explained with a smile. Then, with another turn of his hand, he produced the third treasure. "One for attack, one for defense—these I have already given you. This last treasure shall aid your cultivation."

The first two gifts had already captured Ye Yun’s interest. His gaze was drawn to his master’s palm, where lay a bead the size of a baby’s fist, waxy yellow and rather plain—not nearly as exquisite as the Dragon-Phoenix Pendant or as awe-inspiring as the White Tiger Sword.

Seeing the flicker of disappointment in Ye Yun’s eyes, Ye Yu chuckled and tapped him on the head, chiding playfully, "Don’t judge by appearances. This third treasure is worth dozens of times more than the other two!"

"Really? This ugly yellow bead is that powerful?" Ye Yun asked, curiosity shining in his face.

"Indeed," Ye Yu nodded. "The pendant and sword are mere trinkets I crafted. If your cultivation were higher, I could make you even finer treasures. But this bead—I obtained it only after braving death itself."

"Hold out your hand," Ye Yu instructed.

Ye Yun, never one to question his master, quickly stored the White Tiger Sword in the pendant, then presented both hands.

Ye Yu placed the waxy bead in his palm. Immediately, a cool, flowing sensation spread from the unsightly bead, opening every pore in Ye Yun’s body and leaving him feeling refreshed and invigorated.

"What is this?" Ye Yun’s astonishment only grew. He thought, "If my master values this odd thing so highly, it must have its unique qualities!"

"This bead is called a Relic. Legend holds that it is left behind after the passing of a Buddha. Holding it during cultivation steadies the mind, wards off evil influences, attracts spiritual energy from heaven and earth, and cleanses the body, allowing one to be reborn anew," Ye Yu explained.

"So miraculous?" Ye Yun’s mouth hung open; even in all his reading, he had never encountered mention of such a treasure.

"Miraculous, indeed. With this relic, your cultivation will progress with half the effort and twice the result. Even with your prodigious talent, your speed will outshine those with the brightest gifts," Ye Yu said warmly.

A gentle warmth filled Ye Yun’s heart. To receive such a precious gift from his master made him feel truly blessed.

"Master, this is too valuable. I cannot accept it," Ye Yun said suddenly.

Though only eight, he was already wise beyond his years, sensitive to the emotions of those around him. When his master handed him the relic, Ye Yun had caught a fleeting trace of reluctance in Ye Yu’s eyes.

Ye Yu was taken aback, but seeing the clear, earnest eyes of his disciple, he instantly understood the boy’s feelings.

"This child, so young and already thinking of others," Ye Yu thought. After more than seven centuries of life, a rare, tender ache welled up in his chest, warming his long-stilled heart.

"If only Hong’er were still alive..." He knelt down, pulled Ye Yun into a hug, and, fighting back his own emotion, scolded with a smile, "When your master gives you something, you should keep it well. Or do you mean to disobey me now?"

"Master, I wouldn’t dare," Ye Yun replied at once.

Although he joked with his master in daily life, deep down Ye Yun respected him profoundly.

For two years, he had never forgotten the words Ye Yu spoke on the day he became his disciple—a lesson he held close to his heart:

Once a teacher, a father for life.

In Ye Yun’s heart, Ye Yu was as dear as a second father.