**Chapter 61: Escape Techniques**

Three years had passed, and Pinger's cultivation was still at the fourth level of Qi Refining, having not yet broken through to the fifth level.

But He Song's cultivation had already reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.

What did this mean?

It meant that He Song had gone from the fourth level to the fifth level of Qi Refining in just three years.

Such a rapid improvement in cultivation caused Pinger's eyes to gleam with increasing interest.

His cultivation speed was so fast.

Could the "mundane affairs" he mentioned in his letter refer to him frantically earning spirit stones?

If that were the case.

It would make sense.

After imagining the "hardships" He Song must have endured over the past three years, the slight resentment in Pinger's heart vanished.

In its place was a faint sense of joy.

Three years.

Three years of relentless cultivation.

If it were her, she would have long been exhausted, both physically and mentally.

Yet, He Song still remembered the promise he made to her three years ago.

He had specifically invited her to the Hundred Flowers Teahouse for a chat.

Indeed, she hadn't misjudged him.

"I truly apologize, Fellow Daoist. Over the past three years, I've been preoccupied with mundane affairs, which have consumed much of my attention. I hope you won't hold it against me."

Placing a freshly brewed cup of tea in front of Pinger, He Song spoke while giving her a slight bow.

Mundane affairs.

It was, of course, an excuse.

But after three years without contact, Pinger needed a reason, a way to save face.

This explanation would also help ease any lingering resentment in her heart.

After all, He Song hadn't been deliberately avoiding her—he had simply been overwhelmed by mundane matters and had no choice.

Now that he had finally extended the invitation, it showed he was keeping his promise.

"That's quite all right. Over the past three years, though I didn't receive your invitation, I didn't lose anything either. Now that you've invited me, I naturally won't hold it against you."

As the faint aroma of tea filled the air, Pinger picked up the cup in front of her, took a small sip, and then shook her head.

When she realized He Song had reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, she had already imagined the struggles he must have gone through over the past three years.

Breaking through from the fourth to the fifth level of Qi Refining in just three years must have taken a tremendous amount of effort.

Forgetting about her for a while was understandable.

Now that he had extended the invitation, her goal of befriending He Song had been achieved.

Naturally, she wouldn't say anything resentful.

Seeing this, He Song understood that Pinger harbored no ill feelings.

Thus.

With He Song probing carefully.

And Pinger eager to build a friendship.

Their conversation soon became harmonious.

As they chatted happily, both felt their relationship had grown closer.

By the time the teapot was nearly empty.

He Song felt the timing was right.

He remembered the purpose of inviting Pinger.

"Fellow Daoist Pinger, since you work at the Spirit Technique Pavilion, do you know of any quick escape techniques available there?" He Song asked, clasping his hands in a respectful gesture.

Having just set up the Maze Array, He Song indeed needed such a technique.

Only with a quick escape technique could he proceed with his next plan.

Now that the Maze Array and the Spirit Gathering Array were in place, all he needed was to set up the Five Elements Array. Then, he could venture outside the immortal district to establish his own spirit fields.

Before setting up the Five Elements Array, He Song needed to prepare everything in advance.

Only then could he quickly establish his spirit fields once the Five Elements Array was ready.

Rather than scrambling at the last minute.

The question He Song asked now was the real reason he had invited Pinger.

If not for this.

He might not have remembered Pinger even after another three years.

"Quick escape techniques? There are a few. Let me think." Pinger assumed a thoughtful expression.

But soon, she spoke again.

"The first is the Mountain-Skipping Light Body Technique, a mid-grade spell. It's faster than the Light Body Technique and is essential for long journeys and escaping danger. It costs fifty spirit stones."

"The second is the Earth Escape Technique, a high-grade spell. Once cast, it allows the user to burrow underground and travel at high speed. However, beware, as it is easily countered by the Earth Shaking Technique. It costs one hundred spirit stones."

"The third is..."

"These spells are all in the Spirit Technique Pavilion. If you need them, you can come with me to take a look."

The spells existed.

But outside the Spirit Technique Pavilion, even as one of its stewards, she couldn't retrieve them.

The jade slips recording these spells were all created by Foundation Establishment experts and were extremely expensive.

They were essentially services provided by Foundation Establishment experts and sold through the Spirit Technique Pavilion.

If even one were lost, and a Foundation Establishment expert were to investigate, she wouldn't be able to handle the consequences.

Thus, she had no choice but to suggest that He Song accompany her back to the Spirit Technique Pavilion to make further arrangements.

"In that case, I'll go with you."

He Song nodded, then left the Hundred Flowers Teahouse with Pinger.

They soon arrived at the Spirit Technique Pavilion.

---

Spirit Technique Pavilion.

VIP Room.

Pinger brewed a pot of spiritual tea for He Song, then left to retrieve the jade slips for him.

He Song casually poured himself a cup.

After taking a satisfying sip.

He immediately felt a slight increase in the spiritual energy within his body.

For a moment, He Song was reminded of the first time he had tasted this tea.

This spiritual tea was called Emerald Immortal Tea. He had first tried it during his second visit to the Spirit Technique Pavilion, and it was exclusive to the VIP room.

Back then, He Song had asked Pinger about the price of this tea.

He remembered her saying that Emerald Immortal Tea was produced by the Earth Vein Sect and cost ten spirit stones per tael.

Ten spirit stones per tael.

Not only had he been unable to afford it back then.

Even now, He Song still couldn't afford it.

It was too expensive!

With his current annual income of ninety spirit stones, he could only buy nine taels of spiritual tea a year.

How many cups could nine taels of tea make?

He Song didn't know, nor did he want to know.

Perhaps, in the future, when he wasn't short on spirit stones, he would buy some Emerald Immortal Tea to enjoy at home, savoring the feeling of improving his cultivation while drinking tea. But that time was not now.

Soon, Pinger returned to the VIP room carrying a tray.

On the tray.

Several jade slips gleamed brightly, captivating anyone who laid eyes on them.

"Fellow Daoist, all the quick escape techniques in the Spirit Technique Pavilion are here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I'll answer everything I can."

Placing the tray in front of He Song, Pinger assured him.

After their earlier conversation.

The relationship between the two had begun to grow closer.

Now, at the beginning of their friendship, she naturally wouldn't hide anything from He Song.

Having long wanted to befriend He Song, she was quite satisfied with the current outcome.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Pinger."

Pouring a cup of spiritual tea, He Song placed it in front of Pinger before expressing his gratitude.

Then, his gaze quickly turned to the jade slips on the tray.

(End of Chapter)