Translator: AnubisTL
Nine Heavens had clearly prepared extensively for his Foundation Establishment Celebration. The Spirit Wine was centuries-old vintage, its taste rich and mellow, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips.
The spirit food was equally impressive, with dishes made from the rare flesh of Demon beasts, rarely seen outside the cultivation world, being served one after another.
Nine Heavens was young and exceptionally handsome. Among the Foundation Establishment cultivators, he spoke with ease, handling relationships with remarkable skill.
Even Li Qing and Ye Feng, whose cultivation levels were relatively low, received his attention, ensuring they weren't overlooked.
Of course, after achieving Foundation Establishment, his social focus naturally shifted to his fellow cultivators.
Li Qing didn't mind. Water flows downhill, and people strive for higher ground—it's only natural.
Soon, another Foundation Establishment cultivator arrived at the cave abode.
This female cultivator had a graceful figure and an oval face, radiating a gentle beauty.
"I've been immersed in Daoist insights recently, which delayed my emergence from seclusion. I nearly missed Senior Brother Nine Heavens' Foundation Establishment Celebration! Please forgive my tardiness."
The moment the voice rang out, Li Qing felt a familiar twinge. He glanced at Ye Feng, who was sipping wine nearby, and saw him nod in agreement.
Seeing Ye Feng's expression, Li Qing confirmed his suspicion: the woman was indeed Ling Ying, one of the original members of the secret trade fair!
She had also reached the Foundation Establishment Realm!
At that moment, Li Qing realized that the trade fair Daoist Qingyang had organized was no small matter. If it hadn't been disbanded, in a few more years, there would likely have been several more Foundation Establishment cultivators among its members.
Nine Heavens and Ling Ying were already Foundation Establishment cultivators. Ye Feng had also accumulated enough Sect Contribution to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill. If he succeeded in reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, that would make three Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Adding in other members, there might even be more Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Looking at it this way, the trade fair was truly remarkable. If it had continued to develop, it would have become a considerable force.
Li Qing had never asked Daoist Qingyang about the purpose of establishing the secret trade fair, but he suspected it was part of a larger scheme.
Unfortunately, the Great War in the immortal cultivation world led to the fall of the Heavenly River Market, forcing the cancellation of this trade fair.
At this moment, Ling Ying, renowned for her mastery of music, began to play a piece on her zither as an apology for her late arrival.
As the melody flowed forth, ethereal and serene, the hearts of the listeners grew tranquil. All inner distractions and lingering anxieties vanished completely.
Li Qing closed his eyes slightly, savoring the fine wine while appreciating the music, which flowed like a mountain stream. His own heart soon calmed, too.
In truth, his state of mind had been unsettled lately. He had watched his peers one after another advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm, even Ye Feng, who had been reborn through body seizing, was rapidly catching up.
Yet, the Foundation Establishment Pill he needed remained elusive. Even with his extended lifespan, his heart couldn't help but grow anxious.
"Hoo!"
After the piece concluded, Li Qing slowly opened his eyes. His emotions had settled, his heart now as still as an ancient well, undisturbed by ripples.
His gaze cleared, regaining the clarity and detachment he had once possessed, the ability to approach all matters with equanimity.
"No need to rush," Li Qing muttered to himself, his expression calm and unruffled. "It's not like my lifespan is running out. Steady progress, one step at a time—that's what truly matters!"
He ignored the boisterous Foundation Establishment cultivators still laughing and chatting in the cave abode.
The Foundation Establishment Celebration lasted three days. After Ye Feng finished his last cup of Centennial Spirit Brew, he looked at Li Qing with determination.
"Brother Li, after I return, I'll be entering seclusion for a while. I need to reach the ninth level of qi refinement as soon as possible, then start planning for my own Foundation Establishment."
Li Qing nodded and raised his cup in a toast. "I'll be waiting for your Foundation Establishment Celebration."
As the Foundation Establishment Celebration drew to a close, Nine Heavens' cave abode gradually emptied. Li Qing rose to leave with Daoist Qingyang.
But Nine Heavens suddenly stopped him, producing a collection of bottles and jars.
"Fellow Daoist Er Niu, these are the remaining Foundation Nurturing Pills I have left. Now that I've entered the Foundation Establishment Realm, they're useless to me. You should take them."
Li Qing was stunned, unsure why Nine Heavens was suddenly doing this.
"That won't do," he protested. "I can't accept something for nothing. How could I take your pills for free?"
"Moreover, if these Foundation Nurturing Pills were sold outside, they would fetch a considerable price in spirit stones. Fellow Daoist Nine Heavens, you're making me feel rather uneasy."
But Nine Heavens refused Li Qing's polite refusal, insisting on giving him the pills.
"Fellow Daoist Er Niu, please don't refuse. Consider it repayment for repairing my spirit boat all those years ago. During the Great War, I relied on that boat to escape danger countless times."
Li Qing paused, then understood the hidden meaning behind Nine Heavens' words.
Once a favor is repaid, unless a deeper friendship develops, the relationship usually fades.
If Li Qing accepted these Foundation Nurturing Pills, their future interactions would likely come to an end.
Li Qing smiled calmly and nodded. "Very well! I won't refuse your generosity. Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Nine Heavens!"
With those words, Li Qing unhesitatingly took the several bottles of Foundation Nurturing Pills, worth roughly six or seven hundred spirit stones. This repayment was already quite substantial.
Seeing Li Qing accept the pills, Nine Heavens' face lit up with satisfaction. He nodded and didn't press Li Qing to stay any longer.
"Farewell!"
"Farewell! Don't see yourself out!"
Li Qing left the cave abode with the pill in hand and once again boarded Daoist Qingyang's spirit boat, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.
As they soared back towards Azure Radiance Pool, Daoist Qingyang, who was piloting the spirit boat ahead, seemed to sense Li Qing's thoughts. He chuckled softly.
"Fellow Daoist Nine Heavens is thriving in the Heavenly River Sect. I hear he's even vying for a position as an Elder in the Law Enforcement Hall."
Hearing this, Li Qing nodded as if finally understanding.
An Elder in the Heavenly River Sect's Law Enforcement Hall was a position not easily attained. The most crucial requirement for this role was unwavering impartiality.
"No wonder," Li Qing muttered to himself.
Nine Heavens was so eager to repay the favor precisely because he feared Li Qing might ask him to do something in return.
What if someone offered a Foundation Establishment Pill to exchange for Li Qing's favor, hoping to sway Nine Heavens to help someone? Would he be able to remain impartial?
To avoid such dilemmas, Nine Heavens had decided to settle the matter once and for all.
Li Qing, however, remained indifferent. He never believed the other party owed him a favor. Their previous transaction had been nothing more than an equal exchange.
As for using this nonexistent favor to seek help from Nine Heavens, that was simply out of the question.
Li Qing shook his head, then contentedly patted his storage pouch. Regardless, obtaining a substantial number of Foundation Nurturing Pills was a good thing.
Eight days passed, and he returned to the Azure Radiance Pool.
Li Qing's life once again became peaceful. In this tranquil existence, he cultivated steadily, his strength gradually increasing.
However, the other Qi Refining rogue cultivators in the outer layers of the Azure Radiance Pool had learned of Li Qing's identity as an artifact refiner.
Moreover, news of his connections with multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators had spread throughout the area.
Thus, even in this period of quiet cultivation, there were occasional interruptions.
Knock, knock, knock!
One afternoon at dusk, someone knocked on Li Qing's courtyard gate.
Li Qing, just finishing his meditation and Qi Refining practice, frowned slightly. He extended his spiritual sense, instantly taking in the scene outside his courtyard.
When he realized who was knocking at his gate, his frown deepened.
Counting carefully, this was already the third time this month.
Standing outside the courtyard gate, a woman held the hand of a boy no older than seven or eight. She also carried a bag of spiritual rice.
Both mother and son wore anxious expressions, yet their eyes held a glimmer of hope—a complex mix of emotions.
"Sigh..."
Li Qing sighed, not particularly eager to receive them. However, considering the opinions of others in the area, he couldn't simply leave them standing at the gate.
The woman wasn't here to ask Li Qing to take over her business or play a game of "Where's Daddy?" Her purpose was straightforward: she hoped her son could become Li Qing's disciple.
Creak...
The courtyard gate opened, and the woman quickly released her son's hand.
The seven or eight-year-old boy immediately knelt down, ready to beg Li Qing to accept him as a disciple. But Li Qing was faster. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled the boy back to his feet.
"Ah, Xu Sanniang, you should go home. I don't take disciples. I wouldn't want to delay your son's path," Li Qing said with a wry smile.
From the beginning, Li Qing had never considered taking a disciple. He feared that if his disciple ever caused trouble, it would implicate him as the Master.
Besides, he truly lacked the time and energy to teach. He barely had enough time for his own cultivation.
He understood the principle of "when poor, cultivate oneself alone."
Tears welled up in the woman's eyes. "Master Li, my husband died early, leaving my son and me alone and vulnerable. Please have mercy and teach him some blacksmithing and artifact refinement skills to smooth his path ahead."
The little boy pouted, his face sullen enough to hang an oil bottle on.
"Xu Sanniang, I fear I would mislead your son. Please return home," Li Qing said, his tone hardening.
However, Xu Sanniang clung to the doorframe, still with more to say. She spoke, "Master Li, I heard you have some connection with Senior Qingyang. Bu'er's Spirit Root aptitude isn't bad; he has Three Spirit Roots and Five Elements: Fire Affinity. Could you ask Senior Qingyang if he'd consider taking him as a disciple?"
Hearing this, Li Qing nearly rolled his eyes. How had the requests become so outrageous?
Refusing the request, Li Qing forced a bitter smile. "Xu Sanniang, you overestimate me. I wouldn't dare disturb Senior Qingyang's cultivation."
With that, Li Qing shook his head and slammed the courtyard gate shut, unwilling to say more.
Xu Sanniang, clutching a bag of spiritual rice, stood outside the gate, sighing repeatedly.
Little Boy Cao, standing beside her, sobbed, "Mother, I don't want to become a disciple! I can cultivate on my own!"
"Hush! This is all for your own good. Mastering cultivation techniques will be a tremendous advantage on your future Dao path!" Xu Sanniang scolded as she dragged the child away. "Starting tomorrow, you'll kneel in front of Master Li's gate every morning, understand?"
(End of the Chapter)
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