Stealing Immortal

Chapter 131: Chapter 130: Nine Luminaries

The courtyard became much livelier with one more person.

Li Sheng was a silent gourd these days, barely speaking a word. Zhang Ping had been looking for someone to talk to, but with no luck. Now that Hong’er was here, things had finally gotten lively.

She had followed Tian Jingzhao for a year or two, and being clever and naturally talented, she already knew some of the basics of elixirs and picked things up extremely quickly.

As a newcomer, she was diligent in everything she did. Soon, she was able to help Chen Qingyang process raw materials. With three people working, their efficiency more than just increased, and the pace of alchemy could now be even faster.

Chen Qingyang didn’t know if Hu Sheng had broken with Lu Sheng over what happened with the Seven Immortals of Peach Valley. He hadn’t had much energy to spare for it the past few days. He decided to just let the matter stew for a while.

[Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual: (28/8000)]

’I’ve been cultivating tirelessly lately, focusing all my energy on the Sword Manual, which is how I’ve scraped together 28 progress points. And that’s only because my comprehension has been continuously improving after cultivating the Great Soul Scripture. Before, such progress would have been unthinkable.’

[Available Immortal Seedlings: 346]

A few days ago, he had gifted Hu Sheng two Tier Three Qi-Introducing Pills, which had netted him some more Immortal Seedlings. After careful consideration, Chen Qingyang decided to invest them all into the Great Soul Scripture.

’With this technique, I can keep tabs on more situations and get more Immortal Seedlings. If I could just stay at home and spiritually roam Peach Blossom Valley, it would save me a lot of trouble.’

Having done all this, Chen Qingyang let out a long breath and reined in his aura. Hong’er was right beside him, organizing his elixirs.

She was detail-oriented, after all, so after the three of them discussed it, she was tasked with waiting on Chen Qingyang. She had not yet begun Qi Refining and couldn’t sense Chen Qingyang’s cultivation level, but she could feel that he was incredibly powerful. The oppressive feeling he gave off when cultivating far surpassed Tian Jingzhao’s.

"Senior Brother Chen, I’ve sorted out the elixirs. There are thirty-two Tier Four Yang Replacement Powders in total, and they’re all packed in their own Jade Boxes."

She placed the elixirs on the long table. After Chen Qingyang looked them over, she put them all into a bamboo basket, which was better than a cloth bundle as they wouldn’t jostle around.

Ever since he could produce eight elixirs from a single furnace, he had managed to refine four batches in his spare time, which was more than enough.

"Good. Just leave them there for now."

After tidying up, Hong’er added, "I used to think Senior Brother Tian was amazing at alchemy, but now that I’ve seen you, Senior Brother Chen, he’s not even a tiny ant in comparison!"

Her expression was cute, her posture playful. Her words were flattering, but also sincere.

Chen Qingyang said, "Cultivate well. In the future, you can be just as good."

Hong’er added, "I see now there’s a reason why Senior Brother Li didn’t want to leave even after his cultivation broke through. I’m going to do the same! It’d be great if your cultivation level rose a little faster, Senior Brother Chen. By the time I reach the Third Realm of Qi Refining, it would be best if you’ve reached Foundation Establishment. Then you can be my master!"

It was clear that she was very satisfied with life in the small courtyard.

Chen Qingyang chuckled. "Let’s hope your dream comes true!"

Perhaps realizing how unlikely it sounded, Hong’er grew a bit shy. "Haha, that is a bit absurd. But Senior Brother Chen will definitely reach Foundation Establishment in the future. It’ll just take some time."

’Let’s see... for Hong’er to reach the Third Realm of Qi Refining with the help of my elixirs, it would take twenty to thirty years at most. If I could reach Foundation Establishment within twenty to thirty years... that speed would surpass even Li Qianxue. That would be truly shocking.’

"Right, I haven’t asked you yet. Any news from Tian Jingzhao?"

Hong’er replied, "Senior Brother Chen, you don’t know him. That man cares immensely about his reputation. That day, Senior Brother Hu threatened him right in front of me, and he completely lost face. I reckon he either never wants to see me again, or he’s come to hate me."

At this, Hong’er wore an emotional expression. "My path of Immortal Cultivation is truly not easy. I haven’t even started Qi Refining, and I’ve already offended a Qi Refining Cultivator. Ah, Senior Brother Chen, I’ll have to rely on you from now on!"

The girl was clever and understood people. By saying such things, she was clearly trying to keep Chen Qingyang wary of Tian Jingzhao.

Chen Qingyang paid her no more mind and simply picked up the bamboo basket. "In that case, you should first focus on doing what you’re supposed to do."

With that, he turned and left, showing her only his back.

Hong’er, holding a cleaning rag, froze for a moment. She glanced over and saw Xu Baoling, glowing with a divine light, cultivating on the altar.

After a moment of silence, Hong’er obediently cleaned the room before joining Li Sheng to process the raw materials.

Chen Qingyang headed straight for Gentle Breeze. He had always come at night before, but today it was noon, and the place was nearly empty. It seemed it was primarily a night market.

He went nowhere else, making a beeline for the bamboo building.

He tossed the basket down in front of Shopkeeper Wang. The shopkeeper looked up and saw Chen Qingyang. He didn’t recognize the face, but the figure was very familiar, only lacking the woman who was usually by his side.

"Is that... the senior brother from before?" Shopkeeper Wang asked.

Chen Qingyang said, "Since you remember me, Shopkeeper, let’s get straight to the point. You should inspect the goods first."

Shopkeeper Wang took out an elixir and examined it closely. "My, my, Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder again. Don’t tell me this whole basket is full of them?"

Chen Qingyang nodded. "Thirty-two in total. What price can you offer, Shopkeeper?"

Shopkeeper Wang knew this man was a tough negotiator, so he calculated in his head. "Ah, the price I gave you before was really too high. It was already a break-even deal for me, and last time I even lost money. I can take a small loss this time, but you can’t let me take a huge one, can you, Senior Brother? So, after careful consideration... how about one thousand one hundred?"

’Last time it was one thousand two hundred. How can the price keep getting lower?’

Having dealt with him a few times, Chen Qingyang knew the man’s character. He was just worried that if he offered one thousand two hundred, Chen Qingyang would try to push the price even higher.

"One thousand two hundred apiece. That will be the price from now on. If that works for you, we have a deal. If not, we can forget it."

Shopkeeper Wang looked at him. "Senior Brother, is that settled? You won’t change it again? You know we’re just a small business."

Chen Qingyang was decisive. "Don’t worry."

Instantly, Shopkeeper Wang’s face broke into a smile. "Senior Brother, please, have a seat. I’ll get the Spirit Stones ready as soon as I’ve inspected the elixirs!"

It was the same spot on the second floor as last time. Not long after Chen Qingyang sat down, Shopkeeper Wang came up, personally carrying a pot of hot tea. "The quality... they’re all Tier Four, just a bit inferior to the last batch. But one thousand two hundred is one thousand two hundred. We’re men of our word."

As he spoke, he presented another tray, densely packed with Spirit Stones. "Take a look, Senior Brother. Over thirty thousand Spirit Stones, all right here. If they’re inconvenient to carry, my shop can also hold them for you. And what’s more... I have some fine goods. Care to take a look?"

Chen Qingyang asked, "What kind of fine goods?"

"Flying Swords, Magical Treasures, you name it, we have it. It all depends on what you need, Senior Brother."

Chen Qingyang remembered he still needed to visit the Cloud Scripture Jade Pavilion to pick out an array, which would require many Array Building components. "Do you have any Magical Artifacts that can be used for Array Building?"

Shopkeeper Wang said, "I don’t know if you need Yin and Yang, Five Elements, or something else, but whatever it is, I have it all. And it’ll save you a lot more Spirit Stones than exchanging elixirs at the Merit Tower. If you’re not in a hurry, you can come with me to see them now."

"Alright."

From the outside, the bamboo building looked to be only two stories tall, but upon entering, he discovered a third floor.

Shopkeeper Wang led him up. There, on rows upon rows of shelves, were all sorts of Magical Artifacts.

These items had no fixed form. Some were carved into dragons, others into phoenixes; some were round, others square. Just like the Dao Rhyme Patterns Chen Qingyang used to carve on the Hongling Tokens every day, they could carry True Essence Power, which was why they could be used for Array Building.

Due to differences in origin, raw materials, and so on, some were innately infused with the power of the Five Elements, Yin and Yang, the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and more. However, after looking around, Chen Qingyang found they were all extremely expensive.

Even with over thirty thousand Spirit Stones, it was nowhere near enough. In the end, Chen Qingyang spent over twenty thousand and put the remaining Spirit Stones away, saving them for the next time he had a chance to leave the Sect.

When he left, Shopkeeper Wang escorted him all the way to the door, personally handed him the bamboo basket, and told him to come back often. Such enthusiasm was to be expected.

After leaving Gentle Breeze, Chen Qingyang returned to Cyan Bamboo Peak and first went to the Cloud Scripture Jade Pavilion. Once inside, he carefully browsed the section where the arrays were kept.

Cyan Bamboo Peak truly deserved its reputation as one of the most prominent peaks in the Tai Xu Sect. Even its collection of arrays was incredibly vast, with everything from the easy to the difficult.

After looking for a while, Chen Qingyang’s head started to spin. Just as he was thinking of randomly picking one to take back, his attention was suddenly caught by three words—the Nine Luminaries Array.

The Nine Luminaries are the stars in the heavens. Just from the name, he could tell this array was related to star maps, so he immediately began to read about it.

He read every word with extreme care. By the time he was finished, the contents of the array manual were fully imprinted in his mind.

The array took inspiration from the concept of a nine-star alignment. Once set up, it could draw down the Power of the Stars from the heavens, causing Spiritual Qi to surge like a tidal wave. When the array was complete, starlight would pour down like a waterfall, increasing the Spiritual Qi by several times. If he set it up in his courtyard, not only would his own cultivation improve, but the other four residents would also benefit.

Moreover, the array was not static. As one’s cultivation deepened, the array would grow more complex, gaining the ability to shield against celestial secrets and even defend against enemies. Its ultimate form was the Circulation of Stars Demon Suppression Array.

Looking at the Array Building components required, he could gather most of what he needed to start with the simplest version. The only difficulty lay with the star maps. Without practicing this specific art, it would be very difficult to draw in the Power of the Stars.

Fortunately, he cultivated the Ziwei Scripture and had already reached the Starlight Body realm, so this was no problem for him at all.

With a plan in mind, Chen Qingyang picked up his bamboo basket and hurried back to the courtyard.

A gentle spring breeze was blowing. White clouds drifted around the river of stars, and the bright moonlight spilled onto the ground. The scenery was pleasant and refreshing to the soul.

But as he walked, a vision suddenly appeared in his mind.

It was Hu Sheng, sitting on the ground with what looked like blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. The Stealing Immortal was floating above his head, extracting a wisp of white flame.

Looking closer, he could make out the message: [Stole 594 Immortal Seedlings from Hu Sheng.]

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