Immortal Refiner

While the cultivators at the trade fair were captivated by the Spirit Condensation Pills the Liu Clan had unveiled, Li Qing swiftly returned to his courtyard to change his disguise.

Not long after, a middle-aged cultivator with weak Vital Energy and a dejected air reappeared.

Having changed his appearance, Li Qing didn’t hesitate and headed straight for the stall selling spirit beast pouches and storage pouches.

”How much for these spirit beast pouches and storage pouches?” Li Qing asked in a hoarse voice.

The stall owner, a cultivator in the Mid Qi Refining Realm, was completely absorbed by the Liu Clan’s pill stall.

It was clear he was also very interested in the Spirit Condensation Pill, which could help cultivators break through to the Late Qi Refining Realm. However, lacking enough spirit stones and unwilling to close his stall, he could only watch with envy.

Now that someone was actually interested in buying his wares, he was overjoyed. His eyes lit up with excitement, as if the Spirit Condensation Pill was beckoning him.

”If you’re serious about buying, I’ll give you my absolute lowest price to close the deal quickly. How does that sound?”

”This extra-large storage pouch usually sells for at least 150 spirit stones. I’ll sell it to you for 120.”

”This spirit beast pouch can easily hold High-Grade First-Tier Demon beasts. If you want both, I’ll sell them to you for a total of 260 spirit stones.”

His voice was urgent, clearly impatient to join the frenzy surrounding the Spirit Condensation Pill stall.

In previous trade fairs, such Spirit Condensation Pills had rarely appeared.

In other words, this might be the only chance for most Mid Qi Refining Realm cultivators present to break through to the Late Qi Refining Realm in their entire lives.

Li Qing pondered for a moment, confirming that the price was indeed lower than market value. He decided not to haggle and simply said in a firm voice, ”Deal!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the two cultivators quickly completed the transaction.

After collecting the spirit stones and confirming the correct amount, the cultivator selling the spirit beast pouch immediately packed up his stall and charged like a madman toward the densely packed stall selling Spirit Condensation Pills.

The entire process was seamless, leaving Li Qing stunned.

With his largest transaction of the day completed, Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief and followed the crowd toward the Spirit Condensation Pill stall, curious to see the commotion.

A considerable number of rogue cultivators had gathered here. Nearly half of the trade fair attendees had crowded around this stall, and the number was still growing.

This clearly demonstrated the immense appeal of the Late Qi Refining Realm to the rogue cultivators present.

Li Qing watched the stall ahead, completely surrounded by a dense crowd. As a mere Early Qi Refining Realm cultivator, he didn’t even have a chance to squeeze in. He decided to observe from the outside instead.

Frowning slightly, he listened to the cultivators’ bids rising and falling, his mind racing with thoughts.

”Something’s strange,” he mused. ”While the Liu Clan cultivators have always attended these trade fairs, I’ve never heard of them selling Spirit Condensation Pills before.”

”Moreover, even though the Liu Clan is powerful, Late Qi Refining Realm cultivators aren’t exactly common. Who would ever have too many?”

”Something’s fishy!”

Feeling uneasy, Li Qing took a few steps back, yielding his spot to other cultivators. He stood at a distance, trying to avoid drawing any attention to himself.

As a Grandmaster, his senses were sharp. Even from afar, he could clearly hear everything that was happening.

After waiting for a considerable time, until the courtyard was packed to the point of overflowing, the Liu Clan cultivator who had presented the Spirit Condensation Pills let out a hearty laugh.

”Alright, everyone! Quiet down, quiet down!”

With that, he unleashed his Late Qi Refining Realm aura, instantly silencing the chaotic environment.

All the rogue cultivators turned to him, eager to see what he had up his sleeve.

”Our Liu Clan’s ancestral ceremony is fast approaching. To express our gratitude for your long-standing support, the clan has specially tasked me with offering three Spirit Condensation Pills as a token of our appreciation.”

”I hardly need to explain the effects of the Spirit Condensation Pill, do I?”

At these words, the rogue cultivators’ gazes intensified, their eyes fixed on the three porcelain bottles in the Liu Clan cultivator’s hand.

”Brother Liu Yun, why don’t you just cut to the chase? How can we obtain these three pills? Will they be auctioned, or are there other conditions?”

Someone in the crowd, more perceptive than the rest, sensed something amiss about the Liu Clan’s sudden act of generosity.

Many people actually knew this Liu Yun. He was in charge of the Liu Clan’s spirit fields. Every harvest season, he personally collected eighty percent of the spirit rice from the spirit farmers. If the amount was even slightly short, he would harshly reprimand them.

Many spirit farmers secretly called him Liu the Flayer, a testament to their deep-seated hatred for him.

Liu Yun chuckled and said, ”Hahaha! The Liu Clan not only isn’t planning to profit from these three Spirit Condensation Pills, but we’re actually selling them to you at a discounted price!”

The crowd erupted in another wave of gasps.

Far away from the crowd, Li Qing frowned even deeper, wondering if the Liu Clan was truly being so benevolent. He remained silent, quietly observing.

Seeing that the crowd’s emotions were sufficiently stirred, Liu Yun continued, ”Breakthrough Pills like the Spirit Condensation Pill typically sell for three to four hundred spirit stones, sometimes even more.”

”Today, each of these Spirit Condensation Pills will be sold for only one hundred spirit stones!”

One hundred spirit stones?

Many people wondered if they had misheard. Such a low price was even affordable for many Early Qi Refining rogue cultivators.

However, Liu Yun’s next words sent a chill down the spines of many.

”Of course, there are conditions.”

”First, the Spirit Condensation Pill will only be sold to cultivators at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.”

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately dashed the hopes of most people present.

The Qi Refining Sixth Layer was only one step away from the Late Qi Refining Realm. Although still considered Mid Qi Refining, it was a level only a select few had reached.

”Second, after purchasing the Spirit Condensation Pill, you must consume it as soon as possible to attempt a breakthrough. You cannot delay for too long or leave it for future generations.”

Those who had been considering buying the pill twitched slightly at this condition. While not entirely unacceptable, it did pique their curiosity.

Liu Yun immediately followed up with the final two conditions:

”Third, if you fail to break through after consuming the Spirit Condensation Pill, you must compensate the Liu Clan with two hundred spirit stones!”

”Fourth, those who succeed in their breakthrough must perform a task for the Liu Clan.”

Wham!

A wave of murmurs erupted through the crowd. Many realized the Liu Clan’s generosity wasn’t as selfless as it seemed.

Li Qing sneered, finally seeing through the Liu Clan’s true intentions. These three Spirit Condensation Pills were merely bait.

Yet, the allure of the Spirit Condensation Pill and the prospect of breaking through to the Late Qi Refining Realm proved too tempting for some to resist.

”Liu Yun, tell us, what will you do after successfully breaking through?” someone in the crowd asked.

Liu Yun suppressed his smile and replied, ”The jewel of the Liu Clan, to contribute more to the sect, has taken on numerous missions. However, due to the time constraints of some of these missions, she’s found herself overwhelmed and has returned to the clan for assistance.”

”The number of missions is indeed substantial, and the Liu Clan doesn’t have enough manpower to handle them all. Therefore, we’ve come to you, seeking your help.”

”Recently, a group of rogue cultivators known as the Flying Eagle Bandits has emerged, frequently ambushing cultivators near the Heavenly River Sect’s market. These bandits are incredibly cunning. Whenever Heavenly Prides from the sect come to hunt them down, they can always identify them immediately and escape, making their capture extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive.”

”So...”

At this point, most people in the crowd had already grasped the Liu Clan’s true objective.

It was simply to have these rogue cultivators, after breaking through, take the Liu Clan’s place and help their young mistress eliminate the Flying Eagle Bandits and complete her missions.

”I’ve heard of these Flying Eagle Bandits recently. Aside from their leader, who is a Late Qi Refining Realm cultivator, the rest of them are nothing to fear.”

”This gang has always been cunning, preying only on lone rogue cultivators. The moment they encounter members of cultivation clans or disciples from major sects, they flee faster than rabbits.”

”Hmm, sounds rather tricky.”

Liu Yun added, ”Of course, the Liu Clan would never send you to your deaths. Before you set out, the Liu Clan will provide each of you with a suitable Magic Artifact. If you complete the mission, you can keep the artifact—it’s yours to keep!”

”Furthermore, upon your return, the Liu Clan is willing to offer you a position as a family retainer, and even grant you residence on Lake Heart Island, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of the second-tier Spiritual Vein at its heart.”

The allure of the Spirit Condensation Pill, coupled with a suitable Magic Artifact and the promise of becoming a Liu Clan retainer after the mission—no longer needing to work as laborers, but instead receiving a stipend simply for cultivating—these conditions, when combined, reignited the enthusiasm of many cultivators, dispelling the nascent desire to retreat.

”Fellow cultivators, I’ve laid out the terms. The decision is yours to make!” Liu Yun said with a cheerful smile. ”But allow me to add a word of advice: the Immortal Path is long. When opportunity presents itself, sometimes the courage to seize it is crucial. You might find that by taking this chance, your Dao will broaden immeasurably.”

As Liu Yun’s words faded, several rogue cultivators at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer stepped forward without hesitation, their decision made.

It had to be said that Liu Yun’s speech was highly persuasive.

Li Qing watched the scene coldly. As an outsider, he saw everything clearly and couldn’t help but marvel at the Liu Clan’s cunning.

”They’re pretending to offer us benefits, but they’re actually signing our death warrants!”

”If we fail to break through with the Spirit Condensation Pill, we still have to repay the remaining spirit stones. Isn’t this a risk-free deal for them?!”

”And if we succeed, that’s when the real danger begins. We’ll be forced to help the Liu Clan’s young mistress complete her sect’s mission.”

Thinking of this, Li Qing couldn’t help but roll his eyes. This was a task meant for Heavenly Prodigies from established sects. For ordinary rogue cultivators to undertake it was nothing short of suicide.

The conditions seemed generous, with a Magic Artifact as a reward upfront.

But if the Flying Eagle Bandits dared to rob the Heavenly River Sect’s market, they must have some powerful backing.

In the end, even if the rogue cultivators completed the mission, the Liu Clan would recruit them as family retainers. In the end, the Liu Clan would gain several formidable fighters at no cost.

Even if the mission failed, the Liu Clan would only lose three Spirit Condensation Pills. As long as their own people were safe, it wouldn’t be a loss.

Li Qing couldn’t help but exclaim at their shrewd calculation!

While there were people as clear-headed as Li Qing, they ultimately couldn’t resist the temptation of the Spirit Condensation Pills.

Three Breakthrough Pills were distributed in a flash.

Among those who received the pills was someone Li Qing knew!

Zhou Tong!

The Old Miner had also stepped forward to purchase a Spirit Condensation Pill, preparing to make one last gamble for his Dao.

Seeing Old Zhou cradling a white jade porcelain bottle in his hands, Li Qing’s mouth parted slightly, unsure what to say.

Though Zhou Tong had a peculiar temper, he had helped Li Qing a great deal over the past six months.

In particular, the knowledge of the cultivation world that Zhou Tong had shared had benefited Li Qing immensely, making him practically Li Qing’s guide.

Witnessing such a Senior making such a decision, Li Qing’s fists clenched involuntarily.

(End of the Chapter)

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