Translator: AnubisTL
This ti, Li Qing’s luck in mining wasn’t as good as last month, when he’d found a mid-grade spirit stone.
Including the spirit stones he’d turned over to the Heavenly River Sect and received his share, Li Qing had earned a total of 283 spirit stones this ti. While not as many as last ti, it was still a considerable sum.
"Life in the Liu Clan is peaceful enough," Li Qing mused as he rode back on horseback. "The good part is I can keep accumulating spirit stones. The bad part is I can only hoard them. Aside from the trade fair, there’s no other way to convert these spirit stones into personal strength."
He realized he’d definitely need to visit the Heavenly River Market at so point. The Heavenly River Sect’s market was massive, exclusively for cultivators to trade.
It offered a wide variety of goods, including rare pills rarely seen at the Rogue Cultivator Trade Fair. Grand auctions were occasionally held, where even Foundation Establishnt Pills sotis appeared.
However, each Foundation Establishnt Pill fetched an exorbitant price, often soaring to three or five thousand spirit stones—a sum far beyond the reach of most rogue cultivators!
As Li Qing thought about this, his heart burned with anticipation for the Heavenly River Market.
"The Liu Clan has two shops in the Heavenly River Market. One sells a mix of array formations and magic talismans, while the other is similar to a restaurant."
"Every so often, the Liu Clan organizes rchant caravans to transport raw materials for array formations and magic talismans, as well as Spirit Fish, Spirit Rice, Spirit Wine, and other goods to their shops."
"I could consider joining one of the Liu Clan’s caravans to the Heavenly River Sect’s market. The advantage is safety—I wouldn’t have to worry about Bandit Cultivators. The disadvantage is that I’d be under the Liu Clan’s watchful eye."
Currently, Li Qing was only in the Early Qi Refining Realm, blending in unnoticed among the rogue cultivators. The Liu Clan’s higher-ups certainly wouldn’t pay attention to an unremarkable nobody like him.
But if he were to suddenly ask to join their caravan to the Heavenly River Market, it would inevitably pique their interest.
Li Qing’s dilemma returned. What if the Liu Clan had so ans of spying on his activities in the Heavenly River Market? That would be disastrous.
Frowning, Li Qing couldn’t think of a good solution. He finally gave up on thinking altogether.
For now, he had no plans to visit the Heavenly River Market. He decided to take things one step at a ti and figure out an alternative plan if necessary.
On the return journey, Liu Haitian remained in charge of the group. He seed to be in an excellent mood lately, often wearing a smile instead of his usual stern expression.
By his side, Fan ng, who had unearthed the Thunder Spirit Crystal last month, followed closely, his face plastered with a fawning expression as he constantly chatted with Liu Haitian.
Liu Haitian didn’t seem to mind, responding with a cheerful chuckle.
"Hehehe, Fan ng, Fan ng, the Liu Clan’s Clan Festival is just a few days away. The clan will certainly reward you handsoly then," Liu Haitian said with a smile.
Fan ng was a cultivator in the Mid Qi Refining Realm, still so distance from the sixth layer, but not far off. With five or six years of diligent cultivation, he might slowly break through.
Originally, the sixth layer of Qi Refining would have been the end of his Dao path.
But last month, he had struck it rich, unearthing a Thunder Spirit Crystal.
Now, news had arrived from the Heavenly River Sect: the Core Formation True Lord with a Thunder Attribute Spiritual Root was highly pleased with the crystal, which could be used to forge a Thunder Dao Magical Artifact.
It was foreseeable that Fan ng would receive a substantial reward, with at least one Spirit Condensation Pill guaranteed.
If he could successfully break through to the Late Qi Refining Realm, he might even have a chance to beco a Foreign Surna Retainer of the Liu Clan, finally escaping the life of a spirit mine worker.
Fan ng flashed a flattering smile and said, "Then I’ll thank you in advance!"
As the two n continued their lively conversation, the spirit mine workers behind them grew envious, feeling that Fan ng had stumbled upon a stroke of incredible luck.
"Damn, why couldn’t I have been the one to dig up the Thunder Spirit Crystal?"
"Fan ng’s getting cocky now. He won’t be one of us anymore."
"Hmph, that lucky dog."
Amidst the crowd, Li Qing remained silent, riding his horse forward without comnt.
Back in Longevity Valley, the Liu Clan was preparing for its triennial Clan Festival.
To mark the occasion, the Liu Clan had extended invitations to cultivators throughout the cultivation world, fully displaying their family’s extensive network.
Over the past few days, renowned cultivators had been arriving one after another, so with distinguished backgrounds, others with formidable strength.
For rogue cultivators, the usually mysterious Lake Heart Island had completely shed its veil of secrecy during this period, revealing its full form to the outside world.
This was the heart of a Second-Tier Spiritual Vein, where spiritual energy was incredibly dense. Lake Heart Island was quite large, with several small mountains standing at various points across its surface.
In the past, only direct descendants of the Liu Clan’s main lineage or high-ranking mbers of the clan who had reached the Late Qi Refining Realm and had a chance of breaking through to the Foundation Establishnt Realm were allowed to reside on this island.
Boom!
A crimson demon bird soared through the sky, radiating an overwhelming aura that made the rogue cultivators on the ground feel slightly uncomfortable.
Wherever the crimson demon bird passed, the surrounding temperature subtly rose.
"Hiss! That’s a Second-Tier Demonic Beast!"
"It looks like a Fire Feather Sparrow. Its bloodline is quite impressive. Why would such a beast appear here?"
"There’s soone riding that demon bird!"
Several rogue cultivators in the area looked up at the scene. When they heard the last remark, they gasped in unison.
Only a Foundation Establishnt cultivator would be able to ride a Second-Tier Demonic Beast!
Sure enough, as the Fire Feather Sparrow approached Lake Heart Island, the white-haired old man seated on its back slowly stood up, his laughter echoing through the air. "Hahaha, Brother Haide, it’s been years! How is your health?"
As his voice faded, a powerful aura erupted from him.
Boom!
Even from a great distance, Li Qing could clearly feel the astonishing mana fluctuations.
"So this is the Foundation Establishnt Realm... truly a sight to behold, like a venerable elder who has attained enlightennt."
In his courtyard, Li Qing gazed towards Lake Heart Island, his eyes filled with longing.
Soon, another voice, no less imposing, echoed through the air:
"Fellow Daoist Cheng, you flatter . I’m far inferior to you. In just a few years, you’ve already reached the Mid Foundation Establishnt Realm. Truly admirable!"
"Please, co in and let’s catch up!"
The speaker was naturally Liu Haide, the current Clan Head of the Liu Clan, also a Foundation Establishnt cultivator.
Many others ca to pay their respects. Those Foundation Establishnt cultivators who couldn’t make it sent their disciples or descendants instead.
In short, the Liu Clan was buzzing with activity these days. Figures could be seen streaking across the sky at any mont, either riding Demon beasts or wielding Magic Artifacts with great flair.
This made Li Qing, who lived in the rogue cultivator district, feel rather uncomfortable.
From the sky, the courtyard below was completely exposed.
In normal tis, no one would dare fly above the rogue cultivator district—it was a highly taboo act.
The Liu Clan, of course, wouldn’t impose a no-fly zone for visitors because of these rogue cultivators. Everyone knew to pick on the weak.
With no other choice, Li Qing had been staying in his small building these past few days, diligently studying the Artifact Refinent Technique and avoiding going outside as much as possible.
He couldn’t help it. Those cultivators who casually flew overhead always cast down condescending glances at them, the rogue cultivators.
But on this day, a loud roar suddenly erupted from the courtyard.
"Awooo!"
Having already placed a Blood Pact Seal on Fan Tong, Li Qing imdiately sensed the beast’s unease.
His heart skipped a beat, and he rushed out.
There he saw a young man in Heavenly River Sect robes, squinting and brazenly surveying his courtyard. His eyes were fixed intently on Fan Tong.
As Li Qing erged from the building, his scalp prickled. He thought, "Could it be that Fan Tong has caught his eye?"
Li Qing braced himself and clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Esteed Daoist, what brings you to my humble abode?"
The Heavenly River Sect disciple ignored Li Qing, continuing to brazenly examine Fan Tong in the courtyard.
Though a Restriction separated the courtyard from the outside world, it was clear that such a simple barrier would be no match for the disciple if he chose to force his way in.
"Too bad it’s a male tiger. Its bloodline is also rather impure, and it’s already bound by a Blood Pact Seal. Otherwise, it might have been suitable for breeding with Martial Uncle Xue’s pet beast."
With that, the young Heavenly River Sect disciple shook his head, his interest in Fan Tong waning.
His words finished, he drifted away, rejoining the other Heavenly River Sect disciples in the sky.
Throughout the encounter, the disciple never once looked Li Qing in the eye. His condescending attitude left Li Qing feeling deeply humiliated.
At the sa mont, light laughter drifted down from the sky. "Senior Brother Yang, why did you suddenly descend? Did you find sothing interesting in that rogue cultivator’s courtyard?"
"Heh, I just happened to spot a First-Tier Early-Stage Demon Tiger. Too bad it was a male, and its bloodline was quite impure. I thought I could buy it to breed with Martial Uncle Xue’s pet beast."
"Ah, I see. But Martial Uncle Xue hasn’t been particularly focused on finding a mate for his beloved Black Fiend Tiger since he reached Foundation Establishnt a few years ago."
"That’s right. I heard Martial Uncle Xue’s biggest goal now is to elevate his Black Fiend Tiger to the Second-Tier Demonic Beast level."
"That’s not so easy. Although demon beasts have long lifespans, their strength increases very slowly, especially when it cos to crossing tiers. Bloodline purity is crucial for such advancents."
"Speaking of which, Senior Sister Hanyue’s family is truly impressive."
"..."
As the voices faded into the distance, Li Qing’s expression darkened.
Finally, he beckoned, drawing Fan Tong back into his spirit beast pouch. He decided to release it again after the Liu Family Ancestral Rite concluded.
"Go on in. Sorry to keep you cooped up for a few days," Li Qing said, patting Fan Tong’s tiger head reassuringly.
The spirit beast pouch flashed with a fleeting spiritual light, and Fan Tong vanished from the spot.
Li Qing took a deep breath, sweeping away the turbulent emotions in his heart. Then, he turned and walked back into his small courtyard.
"Damn it, those disciples from the Heavenly River Sect are really annoying."
After muttering this, Li Qing cooked a pound of spiritual rice for himself and ate it in large, angry mouthfuls.
Once finished, he retreated back into his own world, diligently honing his Artifact Refinent Technique.
When under the eaves, one must bow their head.
Having experienced so much, clawing his way up from the secular Martial World, Li Qing was intimately familiar with the principle of swallowing one’s pride.
If he couldn’t even endure this small amount of anger, he wouldn’t have made it this far.
He understood perfectly that if a conflict erupted between them, he would be the one to suffer in the end.
The Liu Clan would never risk offending a young disciple of the Heavenly River Sect for the sake of a re spirit mine worker like him.
Even setting aside their status, Li Qing’s cultivation was far inferior to the other’s.
"Cultivate diligently! Practice self-discipline and control your anger!"
"If worst cos to worst, I’ll throw a rave on his grave! Yang, you little punk, I’ll never forget this! See if you can outlive !"
"..."
(End of the Chapter)
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