Translator: AnubisTL
At the trade fair, the discussion about exploring secret realms had temporarily concluded.
Immediately, the attendees resumed requesting their desired items. The woman seeking Heavenly Star Grass continued her bulk purchases, while the dejected middle-aged cultivator still listlessly inquired about Foundation Establishment Pills.
Li Qing found these transactions largely uninteresting, letting the information flow in one ear and out the other without paying much attention.
However, when another cultivator announced, "Anyone interested in renting a cave abode in Heavenly River Market? My lease has a year and a half remaining, and I'm willing to transfer it at a discounted price," Li Qing immediately perked up.
Cave abodes in Heavenly River Market were located in the area with the highest concentration of spiritual energy in the entire market, subtly surpassing even Second-Tier Spiritual Veins.
The Spirit Gathering Formation beneath the floating island complex channeled most of its spiritual energy to nourish the cave abode district. This abundance of spiritual energy was more than sufficient for Foundation Establishment cultivators' cultivation needs.
For Qi Refining Realm cultivators, prolonged exposure to such an environment would undoubtedly yield immeasurable benefits.
The four pillars of immortal cultivation were Wealth, Companion, Method, and Land. Though Land ranked last, its importance rivaled the others. The density of spiritual energy was paramount for any aspiring immortal.
"Oh? Fellow Daoist, why have you suddenly decided not to rent the cave abode? Has something urgent come up?"
"The cave abodes in Heavenly River Market have spiritual energy even denser than some ordinary Second-Tier Spiritual Veins. Why would you give this up?"
Instead of immediately offering to rent the cave abode, many present pressed the owner for an explanation.
The man transferring the lease shook his head. "It's merely a personal matter requiring me to travel far away. Nothing I care to discuss with outsiders."
Seeing his reluctance to elaborate, the crowd quickly lost interest in probing further.
An awkward silence fell over the dim chamber as no one immediately stepped forward to claim the cave abode.
This surprised Li Qing, who had been considering it. But after a moment's reflection, he understood.
Of course, he thought. Most here have prestigious backgrounds—either they're disciples of the Heavenly River Sect or members of cultivation clans. A cave abode like this would hold little appeal for them.
As for the rogue cultivators capable of renting such a place, they've likely already secured their own. Why would they need someone else's?
Muttering to himself, Li Qing secretly weighed the pros and cons of taking the lease.
A cave abode meant absolute privacy. No one could enter without his permission.
The Heavenly River Sect would intervene to uphold justice if anyone dared to trespass on the cave abode.
Li Qing had recently purchased a Spirit Seed. For its initial rooting and sprouting phase, it was best to plant it in an area rich in spiritual energy to promote faster growth.
After some deliberation, Li Qing cautiously asked, "Fellow Daoist, what price are you asking for the sublease?"
The cultivator offering the sublease immediately brightened. "The price is extremely fair! There's a year and a half left on the lease, and I'm only asking for 1,500 spirit stones!"
Indeed, 1,500 spirit stones was a reasonable price. Renting a similar cave abode directly from the Heavenly River Sect for the same duration would likely cost the same amount, and you'd probably end up with a less desirable location on the outskirts.
Still, Li Qing wanted to negotiate. "1,500 spirit stones is a bit steep for me," he said. "I don't have that many on hand. How about 800 spirit stones, plus a Mid-Grade Magic Tool and a Low-Grade Magic Tool to sweeten the deal? What do you say?"
After making his offer, Li Qing felt a pang of anxiety, worried he might have revealed too much about his resources.
However, he quickly realized his concern was unfounded. While 800 spirit stones was a substantial sum, it wasn't enough to raise eyebrows among these cultivators.
As an artifact refinement master capable of crafting Low-Grade Magic Artifacts, Li Qing's modest wealth was perfectly reasonable.
"Hmm, I don't need that Low-Grade Magic Artifact," the cultivator said. "I'll accept nine hundred spirit stones plus a Mid-Grade Magic Tool for the deal."
The value of a Mid-Grade Magic Tool typically ranged from three hundred to four hundred spirit stones, depending on its quality and purpose.
However, the artifact Li Qing was offering had been seized as spoils of war from Liu Tianbao. Selling it through official channels risked attracting the attention of the Liu Clan, so he could only dispose of it at clandestine trade fairs like this one.
After tentatively agreeing to the deal, Li Qing sighed inwardly. If not for the spirit wood seed, he would never have rented such an extravagant cave abode.
A thousand spirit stones would have been enough to purchase spirit wood and cultivate the second layer of the Precious Wood Body Refinement Manual. Still, he believed his decision was wise for the long term.
"A cave abode rich in spiritual energy will greatly benefit my cultivation," he thought. "Combined with medicinal pills, this year and a half should be sufficient for me to break through to the sixth layer of the Qi Refining Realm, or perhaps even higher."
"Moreover, the initial planting of the Jade Locust Spirit Seed also requires abundant spiritual energy. Once it takes root and sprouts, I can transplant it elsewhere under less demanding conditions."
Li Qing mentally reviewed his transactions several times, concluding that he hadn't lost out and might even have gained a slight advantage.
Especially given the current volatile situation in the cultivation world, with undercurrents of unrest swirling beneath the surface, strengthening one's own power was always the right move.
If chaos truly erupted in the Heavenly River Sect region, his improved cultivation would allow him to flee to the Mu Kingdom in the far south of the Azure Ridge Domain and seek refuge with the Lingyun Sect.
As one transaction after another unfolded, the trade fair soon drew to a close.
The elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator, observing that everyone had finished trading, finally spoke languidly: "Heh, the cultivation world hasn't been peaceful lately. I'm sure many of you have heard various rumors. Why not share them?"
His words were met with an immediate response:
"I heard a whisper the other day—the Shi Clan of Medicine King Ridge might be preparing to refine Foundation Establishment Pills."
Upon hearing this, the dejected middle-aged cultivator who had been desperately seeking a Foundation Establishment Pill at the trade fair suddenly perked up.
"Is that true?!"
"Hey, it's just a rumor—a mere whisper. I can't vouch for its accuracy."
The Shi Clan of Medicine King Ridge, true to their name, was a cultivation clan specializing in growing spirit herbs and refining pills. It was hardly surprising that they possessed the ability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.
The dejected middle-aged cultivator straightened up, muttering repeatedly, "The Shi Clan..."
In truth, he wasn't the only one stirred by the news. Several late-stage Qi Refining cultivators present felt a surge of ambition, eager to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill for themselves.
Alas, the Shi Clan's strength was formidable. Forcing their way into a cultivation clan guarded by a Foundation Establishment cultivator would be nothing short of delusional.
"A single batch of Foundation Establishment Pills might yield two or three successful pills," one cultivator speculated. "If that's the case, the Shi Clan will likely have to station another Foundation Establishment cultivator to guard them."
Li Qing, who had remained silent until now, couldn't help but think of the Liu Clan, the Shi Clan's long-standing rivals. Their future prospects looked increasingly bleak.
"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Lingying," someone said, "I heard that a supreme elder of the Heavenly River Sect recently took on a close-door disciple. Have you heard anything about this?"
The individual referred to as Lingying was none other than the female cultivator who had been persistently seeking Heavenly Star Grass at the trade fair.
Suddenly, many eyes turned to her. The appointment of a close-door disciple by a supreme elder of the Heavenly River Sect was no trivial matter!
The supreme elder of the Heavenly River Sect was a Core Formation Realm cultivator, a figure of immense stature who rarely appeared in public. To become their disciple, one's cultivation aptitude would have to be truly extraordinary.
"I know nothing of this matter," Ling Ying replied with a cheerful laugh. "I'm more curious about where you heard this rumor, Fellow Daoist."
"Hahaha, just a casual rumor I overheard. I was merely asking for confirmation."
Li Qing, observing from the shadows, deduced from this exchange that Ling Ying was either a disciple of the Heavenly River Sect or had deep ties to it. Moreover, this matter didn't seem to be much of a secret to others.
No wonder she's so wealthy, Li Qing mused. Able to buy such vast quantities of Heavenly Star Grass and promise to buy as much as was available. Only a behemoth like the Heavenly River Sect could afford such extravagance.
"Ah, why couldn't I have become the close-door disciple of a Core Formation Realm senior?" someone sighed.
"Hahaha, such eminent masters likely have impossibly strict standards for accepting disciples."
"Could it be... a Heavenly Spirit Root?"
The mention of a Heavenly Spirit Root sent a hush through the crowd. Their envy deepened considerably.
Backed by a Core Formation Realm powerhouse and blessed with the peerless aptitude of a Heavenly Spirit Root, such a person's future achievements would be limitless.
(End of the Chapter)
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