Immortal Refiner

Gazing at the dazzling array of goods on the second floor, Li Qing couldn’t help but recall his first visit to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Back then, he had been just a minor cultivator in the qi refining realm, so unremarkable he could easily disappear into a crowd. While the pavilion hadn’t treated him poorly, they certainly hadn’t given him any special attention.

Now, however, he was receiving the highest level of courtesy, being personally escorted to the second floor.

This transformation wasn’t solely due to his successful foundation establishment. More importantly, he had become an elder of the Lingyun Sect.

”Senior, if there’s anything you desire, please let me know,” the female cultivator in a qipao said softly, her voice gentle and soothing. ”If it’s not in the pavilion, we can arrange for it to be brought in from the Merchant Guild.”

Hearing this, Li Qing gradually pulled his thoughts back from his memories.

”I’m looking for spiritual objects that can protect the divine soul—magic artifacts or spirit herbs, either will do.”

”Also, do you have any extremely yang-attributed spiritual objects? If so, please show them to me.”

Spiritual objects that protect the divine soul were relatively rare and generally quite valuable.

Extremely yang spiritual objects were equally precious and highly valued in the cultivation world for their versatile applications.

The female cultivator in the qipao’s eyes lit up at Li Qing’s request, her smile instantly becoming even sweeter and more charming.

”Senior, please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

With those words, the beautiful cultivator gracefully moved her curvaceous figure and glided out with delicate, lotus-like steps.

While waiting, Li Qing wandered alone, examining the spiritual objects displayed before the counter at Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

”The items on the second floor are truly extraordinary—rare and priceless treasures!”

Seeing these spiritual objects, any one of which would cause a frenzy of competition outside, Li Qing felt a powerful surge of desire, almost overwhelmed by the urge to clear out the entire stock.

Lapis lazuli, Earth Yellow Essence with centuries of medicinal potency, ancient spirit wood roots, source jade...

Even Li Qing, with his current cultivation level, felt his eyes dazzled by the sheer abundance and rarity of these items, almost doubting their reality.

These treasures ranged from precious spirit herbs and rare spiritual materials to foundational components for setting up high-level array formations.

In addition to these items, a skeleton of an unidentified demon beast hung on the wall. The malevolent aura radiating from it made it clear that the creature had been immensely powerful in life, at least at the late Second-Tier stage.

Of course, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion wouldn’t display such valuable items if they feared theft.

Anyone who dared to cause trouble here, even an elder of the Lingyun Sect like Li Qing, would face severe consequences.

This was because the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild behind the pavilion was shrouded in mystery, and none of the three cultivation sects in the Azure Ridge Domain dared to provoke them lightly.

Li Qing didn’t have to wait long. The female cultivator who had left earlier returned with graceful steps, carrying a tray covered with black cloth.

”Senior, I apologize for the wait. I’ve brought the items you requested.”

With one hand supporting the tray, the female cultivator slowly lifted the black cloth with her other hand.

Beneath it lay a bottle of pills and a golden feather about the length of a forearm.

”This bottle contains Soul-Protecting Pills. As the name suggests, consuming these pills will protect your divine soul for a limited time.”

”This pill was crafted by one of the alchemy patrons of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. Its efficacy is absolutely guaranteed!”

Li Qing had heard of the Soul-Protecting Pill before, so he wasn’t surprised that the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion offered it.

What truly caught his attention was the forearm-length golden feather. It radiated an exceptionally pure and potent yang energy, so intense it was almost frightening.

”What kind of demon bird does this feather belong to?” Li Qing couldn’t help but ask. ”Its yang energy is astonishingly vigorous!”

The beautiful female cultivator chuckled softly. ”Senior, this is a tail feather from a juvenile golden fire crow. Though still young, this creature possesses a trace of the True Spirit Golden Crow’s bloodline!”

Golden Crow bloodline!

The mere mention of these words meant the item’s price would undoubtedly be astronomical.

”No wonder,” Li Qing murmured to himself.

”A late foundation establishment realm senior once came here, seeking to purchase this golden fire crow tail feather with spirit stones to refine a powerful secret treasure. However, our pavilion refused.”

”This feather is extremely precious, so we only accept barter transactions. However, the Soul-Protecting Pill can be purchased with spirit stones—just 2,300 spirit stones!”

”Of course, Senior, if you offer a spiritual object of greater value than this golden fire crow tail feather, we can waive the spirit stone requirement.”

The female cultivator’s smile remained sweet, as if trying to soften the blow for Li Qing.

Yet even so, Li Qing’s heart couldn’t help but tremble violently.

So expensive!

Not only was the Soul-Protecting Pill costly, but the golden fire crow tail feather... he couldn’t even think of what to offer in exchange.

Finally, Li Qing exhaled deeply and asked, ”Would a foundation establishment pill be sufficient for this feather?”

Yes, a foundation establishment pill.

After successfully achieving foundation establishment, he had two unused pills, which he had carefully preserved. Now was the time to offer them in trade.

Hearing the words ”foundation establishment pill,” the beautiful female cultivator showed only mild surprise. She didn’t nod, but replied with an apologetic smile, ”Senior, while foundation establishment pills are precious, their value simply doesn’t compare to this golden fire crow tail feather.”

Li Qing wasn’t surprised by this response. Even a late foundation establishment realm cultivator had failed to acquire the golden fire crow tail feather. While foundation establishment pills were valuable, he knew the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion could easily procure an equivalent amount of spirit stones.

This clearly demonstrated the pavilion’s stance on the matter.

After a moment of silence, Li Qing finally spoke, ”One foundation establishment pill plus a 1,500-year-old Heavenly Star Grass. How does that sound?”

He had few Heavenly Star Grass left. To obtain more, he would need to take time away from the Lingyun Sect and return to the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm.

This millennial spiritual herb was the most valuable item he could offer in trade.

As he proposed the offer, Li Qing carefully observed the female cultivator’s reaction. He noticed her ears twitch slightly before she replied respectfully, ”Senior, if it’s a 1,500-year-old Heavenly Star Grass, we can proceed with the trade, provided our appraiser confirms its authenticity.”

Hearing her agreement, Li Qing let out a silent sigh of relief.

If even this offer failed to secure the golden fire crow tail feather, he would have to abandon the pursuit.

While extremely rare, items of pure yang essence weren’t entirely extinct.

If such a high price couldn’t secure the feather, he could simply search elsewhere. After all, he had plenty of time.

”No problem. Send for the appraiser,” Li Qing said calmly.

Moments later, a middle-aged man in a gold-embroidered robe slowly emerged, his warm smile directed at Li Qing. ”Fellow Daoist from the Lingyun Sect, may I examine the Heavenly Star Grass first?”

Without a word, Li Qing retrieved a wooden box from his storage pouch.

As the box opened, a surge of vibrant life force filled the air in an instant!

Both the beautiful female cultivator and the middle-aged appraiser revealed expressions of astonishment.

”Hiss... A Millennial Heavenly Star Grass grown so perfectly is a rare sight indeed!”

The appraiser immediately leaned forward, quickly confirming that the Millennial Heavenly Star Grass was at least a thousand years old.

He then proceeded with a more meticulous examination, pushing his methods for determining the age of spiritual herbs to their limits.

Finally, he concluded that the Heavenly Star Grass was indeed over fifteen hundred years old!

”Confirmed! This is a genuine Heavenly Star Grass, fifteen hundred years old. There’s no mistaking it!”

As the appraiser finished speaking, Li Qing chuckled softly and retrieved a foundation establishment pill from his storage pouch.

”With this foundation establishment pill added, I should be able to take the golden fire crow’s tail feather and this bottle of Soul-Protecting Pills, right?”

The appraiser barely glanced at the foundation establishment pill. A quick sniff was all it took for him to confirm its authenticity—a genuine pill brimming with potent medicinal power.

”Of course, Fellow Daoist. Please take good care of it.”

Li Qing swept his hand, stowing the bottle of Soul-Protecting Pills and the golden fire crow’s tail feather into his storage pouch.

”Do you require anything else, Fellow Daoist? The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion has a vast collection of rare spiritual objects available for exchange,” the middle-aged appraiser said warmly.

”Heh, I have nothing more of value to offer and no further needs. Farewell!”

With that, Li Qing strode out of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, the appraiser’s parting words echoing behind him: ”Safe travels, Fellow Daoist! The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion welcomes your return whenever you have items to exchange.”

Only after Li Qing had departed did the appraiser’s face break into a delighted smile. He gazed at the fifteen-hundred-year-old Heavenly Star Grass, then turned to the beautiful female cultivator beside him.

”Chan’er, you’ve done well this time. This transaction will be credited to your account.”

The female cultivator named Chan’er nodded eagerly. ”Thank you, Senior Wang. It’s simply my duty.”

Senior Wang’s attention remained fixed on the Heavenly Star Grass—a millennium-old spirit herb, a rare treasure even for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!

(End of the Chapter)

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