Lying Low While Cultivating Immortality in Two Worlds

“I wishes to purchase some third-rank spiritual materials? What do you think of these?”

Fang Qing handed over a jade slip with the entry for Ink Heaven Jade removed.

Shang Yuanxin swept it once with his divine sense and smiled. “They are all third-rank materials, so gathering them will indeed be somewhat troublesome. However, if Senior is willing to provide a deposit, then aside from the rather large quantity of ‘Void Nether Stone’ required, which may be difficult to fully acquire, the rest can all be transferred from other locations. At most, it will take around three months.”

“Oh?”

Fang Qing was genuinely surprised. “The Merchant Alliance truly lives up to its reputation. Very well, let us settle it like this.”

He truly did not lack spirit stones. Being able to purchase third-rank treasures at all was already a profit in itself.

Although this transaction was not a loss for the other side, it was obvious that Shang Yuanxin was intentionally extending him goodwill.

“As for Void Nether Stone, there happens to be a private exchange gathering for high-rank cultivators in the near future. One participant, known as ‘Rogue Cultivator Li,’ seems to control a Void Nether ore vein and frequently sells this type of spatial-attribute treasure material.”

Shang Yuanxin continued.

But at the core of the vein, one could mine third-rank Void Nether Stone!

“The gathering you speak of, could it be the one being held at Culinary Assembly Tower a month from now?”

Fang Qing’s thoughts stirred. The high-rank cultivator exchange meetings mentioned by both merchant associations were likely the same event.

“Correct.”

Shang Yuanxin nodded. “When the time comes, simply mention that Yuanxin of the Merchant Alliance introduced you. That Rogue Cultivator Li should be willing to give some face.”

“You are quite impressive…”

Fang Qing cast Shang Yuanxin a deep glance.

Among cultivators, low-level merchants merely profited by buying low and selling high. Truly exceptional merchants, however, invested in cultivators and factions themselves.

This Core Formation seed of the Shang Clan clearly possessed such tendencies.

“Thank you for Senior’s praise. If Senior would be willing to leave behind your honored name, that would be an even greater fortune for this humble cultivator.”

Shang Yuanxin smiled politely, though the sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable.

“This lord is Fang Shui. I have only recently formed my Core. If I succeed in refining my natal dharma artifact this time, I will remember this favor of yours.”

Fang Qing laughed heartily before departing the Merchant Alliance’s octagonal tower. He casually tossed a low-grade spirit stone to Chi Xin, who had been waiting nearby.

“Take me to the cave dwelling rental office next. After that, you will no longer be needed.”

“Yes, many thanks, Senior!”

Joy immediately appeared on Chi Xin’s face.

What she did not know was that Fang Qing had always been exceedingly generous. Back when he first reached Foundation Establishment, he casually tipped with middle-grade spirit stones.

The fact that he was only giving this much now clearly meant he did not think highly of someone at her level.

…

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Culinary Assembly Tower.

The owner of this establishment was likewise a Core Formation cultivator, known as True Personage Tian Can (Heavenly Feast). He also cultivated the path of spirit cuisine on the side, and it was said his culinary skill had reached the third rank.

Because of this, Culinary Assembly Tower had become the preferred banquet location for high-rank cultivators within Ice Heaven Market.

A third-rank spirit chef could transform the flesh and blood of Demon Kings into supreme delicacies. Not only were the dishes exquisite beyond compare, they also benefited the cultivation of Core Formation cultivators.

As Fang Qing arrived at the entrance to Culinary Assembly Tower, two smiling Foundation Establishment female cultivators immediately stepped forward.

“This honored guest, may we ask…”

“This lord is Fang Shui. I am here to attend the exchange gathering.”

Fang Qing produced the Merchant Alliance guest token.

“Please come in, Senior…”

The two female cultivators promptly escorted Fang Qing into a private room.

At a glance, he saw that the entire Culinary Assembly Tower had been cleared out for the occasion. Some private rooms were already lit with lamps and sandalwood incense, while others still remained empty.

At the center stage, musicians and dancers performed in abundance. The sound of zithers lingered endlessly in the air, while the dancers moved with breathtaking elegance.

‘To reserve the entire Culinary Assembly Tower for a single event. Quite the extravagant display.’

Fang Qing settled into a soft chair. Immediately, servant girls stepped forward and began arranging dishes and wine before him.

“Senior, this is today’s signature dish of our establishment, ‘Moon Reflected Upon Emerald Waves.’ It is prepared using the tenderest flesh of the third-rank demon fish Ice Essence Bass, paired with Bright Moon Clam meat and Ink Dragon Cuttlefish Roe.”

Fang Qing examined the presentation.

Within the dish, it looked as though a bright moon had risen above rippling emerald waters. Threads of silver light shimmered throughout, resembling coiled flood dragons lurking beneath the surface.

‘As expected of the Qi Refining world. Not only are resources abundant, they even understand how to indulge in such luxuries.’

He picked up a pair of jade chopsticks and tasted a slice of fish.

The flavor was incomparably fresh and delicious. At the same time, strands of icy spiritual qi flowed down into his abdomen. Paired with the fiery-red spirit wine beside it, the experience became even more exquisite.

After only a few bites, his entire body felt comfortable and relaxed. Even his qi and blood began circulating faintly.

‘This dish not only increases mana, it also provides benefits for body refinement!’

‘This must have been personally prepared by True Personage Tian Can himself. Whoever organized this gathering has spent an enormous amount. Their ambitions are certainly not small.’

Unfortunately, Fang Qing feared nothing at all. With both the Plum Blossom Divination technique and his instinctive premonitions warning him of danger, he calmly sampled every dish placed before him. Only after thoroughly satisfying himself did he pat his stomach contentedly and recline leisurely against his chair.

“The effects are quite good, though still inferior to third-rank spirit pills that directly enhance mana. I do wonder whether the required demon beast materials are fixed or not.”

“Third-rank spirit pills are certainly excellent, but the materials they require are highly specialized. From a single third-rank demon beast, usually only the demon core and a few particular essence-bearing parts can be used for alchemy. If the remaining scraps could instead be turned into delicacies, satisfying one’s appetite without wasting anything, that would actually be rather nice.”

“And this True Personage Tian Can definitely has channels for obtaining third-rank demon beasts. I still need third-rank water-aspect demon beast materials myself. At the very least, I should test the ‘devour all things’ property of the Devouring Sea Art. Its efficiency ought to surpass these third-rank dishes, right? Otherwise it would hardly deserve the reputation of a supreme demonic art.”

Fang Qing leisurely drank spirit wine while lazily pondering to himself.

‘If this were the style of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain, then this True Personage Tian Can would clearly share karmic affinity with me. I should convert him, and from then on I’d have everything I need.’

‘Bah! I really have spent too long in the Hidden-Treasury Domain. Even my way of thinking has started to change.’

‘The man has neither grievances nor enmity with me. That would truly be inhuman.’

Before long, the singing and dancing came to an end. A plump man in white Daoist robes with a glowing red complexion stepped onto the central stage.

“Fellow Daoists, I am Tian Can. It is my fortune to host all of you here today. In the future, any fellow Daoist who dines at this establishment shall receive a thirty percent discount.”

This True Personage was likewise around the early Core Formation stage. Clearly skilled in social dealings, he exchanged a few more polite remarks before continuing:

“Very well. The exchange meeting officially begins. We shall start from Heaven Chamber Number One. Fellow Daoists may state your requests or display treasures for trade.”

After True Personage Tian Can stepped down, an aged voice immediately rang out impatiently.

“I possesses a newly refined dharma artifact, the Fire Flood Dragon Sword. It was forged from the scales of a third-rank fire flood dragon, something quite rare in the Eastern Sea. I wish to exchange it for a quasi-third-rank formation, preferably one with a large area of coverage.”

“Haha… True Personage Chixin, are you planning to establish a clan?”

Before the speaker had even finished, a rough and boisterous voice sounded from another private chamber.

True Personage Chixin’s tone remained calm. “Precisely so. What of it? Tianzhu, are you planning to settle our old grievances?”

True Personage Tianzhu did not respond further, merely watching as the other Core Formation cultivators began speaking.

“This humble one happens to possess a set of Vast Sea Emerald Origin Formation. However, Chixin, your Fire Flood Dragon Sword alone is insufficient.”

A gentle female divine sense transmitted directly into Chixin’s ears.

“This old one can add spirit stones.”

A trace of delight immediately appeared on Chixin’s face.

Fang Qing watched coldly from the sidelines and realized that even among Core Formation cultivators, trades did not often succeed. Or rather, successful exchanges were exceedingly rare.

Most would rather let a third-rank treasure rot in their hands than exchange it for spirit stones if it could not be traded for something they truly needed.

Only Core Formation cultivators from major factions, or those burdened with supporting large clans and families, would require massive amounts of low-rank resources like spirit stones.

The divine senses of Core Formation cultivators were astonishingly swift.

Even with bargaining and negotiation, it quickly became Fang Qing’s turn.

“I wish to purchase a large quantity of Void Nether Stones.”

Fang Qing spoke clearly and openly. “The price is negotiable. I can trade third-rank spirit pills that enhance mana.”

By now, he had already realized that after reaching Core Formation, this type of mana-enhancing spirit pill remained the hardest currency among hard currencies.

“Third-rank mana-enhancing spirit pills? Could Fellow Daoist be a third-rank alchemist?”

Even True Personage Tian Can could not help but speak up.

“As for Void Nether Stones, this humble one does possess a piece. Though I wonder about the quality of Fellow Daoist’s pills?”

The female Core Formation cultivator who had earlier offered the formation also spoke.

“That is simple enough.”

Fang Qing smiled lightly and flicked out a large emerald-green pill, letting it hover above the stage.

One Core Formation divine sense after another immediately swept over it, inspecting the pill thoroughly inside and out.

“Indeed, it is a genuine third-rank Verdant Condensation Pill, suitable for water-method cultivators to increase mana. Though its effects are poorest for fire-aspect cultivators.”

“It is authentic without question. The pill toxins are extremely low. It even seems to have been refined using thousand-year spiritual herbs? Truly extravagant. In the Eastern Sea, we generally use third-rank demon beast materials as the primary ingredients.”

“Fellow Daoist, would this Void Nether Stone suffice?”

The female Core Formation cultivator directly sent a piece of Void Nether Stone into Fang Qing’s private chamber.

“Fellow Daoist, this one is Li Sanren. I possess a large quantity of Void Nether Stones.”

At the same time, one divine sense after another landed upon Fang Qing, all seeking to trade.

‘Heh… Shang Yuanxin truly underestimated me. Merely relying on my identity as a third-rank alchemist is enough for me to thrive wherever I go. Why would I need to borrow his influence?’

Fang Qing smiled inwardly as he took out several bottles of pills and completed trades with several Core Formation cultivators possessing Void Nether Stones.

‘Good. Once the Merchant Alliance delivers those spiritual materials in two months, I’ll finally have gathered the ingredients needed to refine the Devouring Sea Bottle. I can begin refining this natal dharma artifact.’

A trace of joy surfaced in his heart as he silently watched the next Core Formation cultivator begin speaking.

Only near the very end of the exchange meeting did white light flash across the hall.

A Core Formation cultivator clad in a snow-white crane cloak appeared in the center. Though he looked youthful, a vertical white mark rested between his brows, resembling a third eye. His gaze carried immense authority as it swept across the entire venue.

‘A late Core Formation cultivator?’

Fang Qing’s heart stirred slightly. At once, respectful voices from the surrounding Core Formation cultivators sounded out.

“So it is True Personage Ice Heaven. To think Senior personally came?”

‘As expected, the organizer behind this exchange meeting is no ordinary figure. So he is actually the lord of Ice Heaven Market?’

Fang Qing felt somewhat puzzled when he heard True Personage Chixin speak.

“Market Lord, you are far too courteous. If you wished to summon us, a direct order would have sufficed. Why go through such lengths to conceal the matter?”

“Naturally, it must be concealed.”

True Personage Ice Heaven smiled faintly before speaking.

“This True Personage has already discovered the whereabouts of the demonic cultivator Raging Shark Master. This man leads a band of bandit cultivators and has committed countless evil acts. I intend to eliminate him in one stroke and hope all fellow Daoists will lend me a hand. Once the matter is accomplished, the rewards will naturally be generous. Even if any of you are unwilling, you must still sign this third-rank spirit contract, agreeing that today’s events shall not be leaked.”

“Raging Shark Master? That man is not only a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator himself, but also possesses a third-rank mid-grade natal spirit beast, the Blood Sea Shark. Together, the two once escaped alive from the hands of a late Core Formation grand cultivator.”

True Personage Tianzhu’s mouth filled with bitterness. “More importantly, rumors say that he is also a cultivator of Blood Fiend Island.”

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