Immortal Refiner

The Soft Water Whip was crafted primarily from Bloodthirsty Vine, woven with strips of Profound Yin Serpent Skin and studded with the vine’s signature barbs.

Holding the whip, Ye Feng’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The texture was exquisite, the craftsmanship impeccable—a testament to meticulous artistry. The spirit patterns etched along its surface were particularly striking, flowing with natural harmony and seamlessly integrated into the whip’s materials.

”Does this whip have a name?” Ye Feng asked, reluctant to put it down.

”I call it the Soft Water Whip. If you don’t like it, feel free to rename it,” Li Qing replied casually. As a Low-Grade Magic Artifact, he hadn’t put much thought into its naming.

Buzz!

Ye Feng nodded, then channeled a wisp of spiritual energy into the whip. The spirit patterns glowed faintly, and even without testing it, he could sense the latent destructive power simmering within.

”Excellent! I’m very pleased with this whip!”

Hearing this, Li Qing smiled slyly. ”Then let’s settle the remaining balance, shall we?”

Without hesitation, Ye Feng promptly handed over the remaining spirit stones.

After admiring the whip for a while longer, Ye Feng finally looked up, as if suddenly remembering something. ”By the way...”

”...are you free in three days? I want to take you somewhere!”

Ye Feng’s mysterious demeanor stirred Li Qing’s curiosity. He quickly recalled Ye Feng’s promise of an additional reward upon completing the commission.

”I’m free, but could you be more specific about where we’re going?” Li Qing asked cautiously.

”I can’t reveal too many details right now. Just know that it’s in Heavenly River Market, so you can rest assured about safety. I’ll take you there in three days, and you’ll see for yourself.”

”Oh, and remember to disguise yourself slightly to conceal your identity. Though it’s not strictly necessary.”

Ye Feng’s evasiveness only deepened Li Qing’s intrigue.

What kind of place is it that he’s being so tight-lipped about, especially since it’s in Heavenly River Market?

After careful consideration, Li Qing agreed.

After all, Heavenly River Market was known for its security, and Ye Feng had no apparent reason to harm him.

”Alright!”

Thus, the three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Qing donned a hooded cloak that completely concealed his figure and face. He deliberately suppressed his Vital Energy, projecting an appearance of slight deficiency.

No one would have guessed that beneath the hooded cloak was a vibrant young man in his prime, his physique as formidable as a wild beast.

Dressed in this disguise, Li Qing once again sought out Ye Feng.

Ye Feng’s attire was equally enigmatic: a simple blue robe topped with a broad-brimmed conical hat that completely concealed his face.

Of course, such eccentric attire was hardly uncommon in the bustling Heavenly River Market and attracted little attention.

”Let’s go!”

With those words, Ye Feng led Li Qing through the Heavenly River Market, weaving through the crowds until they reached the cave abode district near the center of the floating island. There, they slowed their pace.

This district was a separate, suspended island dominated by a small mountain riddled with carved cave abodes.

Instead of ascending the mountain, Ye Feng guided Li Qing to its base, where a crude thatched shed had been erected.

The location was well-hidden and inconspicuous. As Li Qing approached, he noticed a concealed downward-sloping entrance beneath a stack of hay.

”What is this place?” Li Qing finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

”Heh heh, this is a secret trade fair,” Ye Feng chuckled, leading Li Qing into the hidden entrance. ”No one here asks about your identity or background. You can buy and sell things you’d never find on the open market.”

The cave entrance was initially narrow, but it quickly opened into a vast underground plaza. Natural stone pillars stood silently throughout the cavern, creating an atmosphere of profound solitude and tranquility.

The plaza was sparsely populated, a stark contrast to the bustling and noisy markets above. Here, a serene peace prevailed.

As Li Qing and Ye Feng entered, a white-haired elder with a subtly concealed aura glanced casually at them. Upon realizing they were merely two inexperienced youths in the Mid Qi Refining Realm, he quickly lost interest.

Yet that fleeting glance sent shivers down Li Qing’s spine. He felt like a mouse caught in a cat’s gaze.

Foundation Establishment Realm!

To casually encounter a Foundation Establishment cultivator here—a realm he could only look up to in awe—was beyond his wildest expectations.

Deeper inside, Li Qing’s attention was immediately drawn to the array of rare goods on display.

”Azure Jade Fungus, Origin Heaven Grass, Starry Stones...”

These were all incredibly precious treasures, rarely seen in the open market. Yet here they were, openly laid out for trade.

”Trading here avoids the Heavenly River Sect’s spirit stone tax, so prices tend to be fairer,” Ye Feng whispered, nodding toward the items.

Li Qing nodded, his eyes already dazzled by the array of treasures before him.

What a trove of wonders!

During their exploration, Li Qing watched a Foundation Establishment cultivator pull out seven or eight mid-grade spirit stones to purchase a tuberous spirit herb resembling ginger.

Upon closer inspection, Li Qing’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Earth Yellow Essence!

A precious elixir capable of extending one’s lifespan, its potency increasing with age. For every decade of maturity, it could add a year to the consumer’s lifespan. When refined into a medicinal pill, its effects would be even greater.

The piece the cultivator had just purchased was at least two centuries old, capable of granting someone twenty additional years of lifespan out of thin air.

Of course, such a treasure might not hold much significance for Li Qing himself. But for other cultivators, especially high-ranking ones nearing the end of their natural lifespan, it would be nothing short of an immortal elixir!

In the cultivation world, what could possibly be more valuable than directly extending one’s own lifespan?

”Don’t make such a fuss,” Ye Feng said calmly. ”Come on, I’ll take you to a trade fair hosted by Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

Li Qing’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected that Ye Feng’s initial invitation was merely a prelude to an even more secretive trade fair! Judging by Ye Feng’s casual demeanor, he seemed to have attended such gatherings many times before.

”I’m warning you in advance,” Ye Feng said, ”at this trade fair, you’re strictly forbidden from investigating anyone else’s identity by any means. It’s best not to reveal your own origins either.”

”No one knows each other here. Apart from those brought by others like you, you wouldn’t even recognize them if you bumped into them on the street.”

”Also, you must never disclose the existence of this trade fair to outsiders. If you want to bring someone along, you need to inform the others beforehand and get approval from at least half of them, or a nod from the Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge.”

Li Qing’s heart skipped a beat. ”Did you mention me to them?” he asked.

”Yeah,” Ye Feng replied casually. ”A few months ago, an artifact refiner at the trade fair died in Daoist Ling Miao’s cave abode. I figured you could fill the vacancy.”

”Of course, if you weren’t capable of refining Low-Grade Magic Artifacts, I wouldn’t have bothered bringing you.”

”Oh, and everyone uses codenames here. Just pick something memorable for yourself when the time comes.”

Ye Feng grinned mischievously as he spoke, then led Li Qing through the underground plaza, twisting and turning until they arrived at a hidden stone chamber.

Ye Feng retrieved a Stone Token from his person, effortlessly disengaging the Restriction, and led Li Qing inside.

The stone chamber was surprisingly spacious but dimly lit, with only a single, flickering everburning lamp illuminating the center. Around the feeble light, meditation cushions were arranged in neat rows. Many were already occupied by cultivators, seated with their eyes closed, seemingly deep in contemplation.

What struck Li Qing as peculiar was that he couldn’t sense the presence of these seated cultivators at all. Their auras were completely concealed.

”Heh heh, Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, is this the artifact refiner you mentioned?” a raspy, muffled voice echoed from the darkness, its source difficult to pinpoint.

Ye Feng nonchalantly found an empty cushion and sat down. With an easy nod, he confirmed, ”Yes, this is him. He can refine Low-Grade Magic Artifacts of excellent quality.”

Observing this, Li Qing followed suit, finding a vacant cushion and settling onto it. Almost immediately, he sensed several probing gazes sweep across the chamber, but the cushion beneath him effectively blocked them, isolating him from their prying intentions.

The meditation cushion was imbued with a mysterious restriction that blocked divine sense and all other forms of detection.

Truly well-concealed!

Li Qing was inwardly surprised, thinking he was certainly learning a lot today.

”Fellow Daoist, you may choose a codename for yourself. I will announce your participation when the trade fair begins.”

With those words, Li Qing was almost certain that the speaker was the Foundation Establishment cultivator hosting this clandestine trade fair.

After a moment’s thought, Li Qing gave his terse reply: ”Call me Er Niu.”

TL/N: MC’s nickname, second ox.

The simplicity of the codename ensured it would be easily remembered. Soon, several attendees began speculating that this ”Er Niu,” the artifact refiner, likely hailed from a rural farming village and possessed a straightforward, unpretentious nature.

After some time, several more individuals entered the stone chamber, bringing the total number of participants to over a dozen. The trade fair was ready to begin.

”Heh, it’s about time,” the host chuckled. ”Those still absent are unlikely to join us for this session.”

”Very well, I hereby declare the trade fair open,” announced the Foundation Establishment cultivator presiding over the event. ”But before we begin, I have an announcement: a new artifact refiner has joined our ranks. His codename is Er Niu, and he is currently capable of refining Low-Grade Magic Artifacts. If any of you require his services, feel free to discuss your needs with him.”

Hearing this, someone quickly muttered, ”A Low-Grade refiner? What use is that?”

”Fellow Daoist Golden Hair, I seem to recall you were just a novice puppet apprentice when you first arrived.”

Li Qing paid little mind to these remarks, as they carried no malice. It was true that he was currently a Low-Grade refiner, but he had no intention of remaining at that level forever. People grow, after all!

After a few more casual exchanges and jokes among the trade fair participants, the elderly host finally declared the fair officially underway.

Thump!

With a dull wooden hammer strike, the host proclaimed, ”Let the trading begin!”

Li Qing immediately focused his attention. Attending such a pyramid scheme-like gathering for the first time, he decided to observe more and speak less, wanting to understand the true nature of this event before speaking.

(End of the Chapter)

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