Translator: AnubisTL
The General Affairs Hall of the Lingyun Sect had a surprisingly large number of Sect Missions posted. Most offered rewards in spirit stones or contribution points, while some offered pills.
The variety was vast, but all the rewards were highly sought-after resources for qi refining realm disciples.
In short, only elders and higher-ranking members of the Lingyun Sect could post Sect Missions.
Ordinary elders like Li Qing were limited to posting two missions per year. However, those holding important positions within the sect's various halls could post more.
But to attract disciples, the rewards had to be enticing. Otherwise, a mission could remain unclaimed for months or even years.
Li Qing glanced up at the current number of missions, noting their diverse and chaotic nature.
Some were cultivation-related, requiring disciples to possess knowledge of Spirit Herbs and exceptional spirit plant cultivation skills. Elders who posted such missions were typically Pill Refiners, and their rewards usually consisted of pills to boost qi refining realm cultivation.
There were also miscellaneous tasks. What surprised Li Qing most was the appearance of bodyguard missions!
Of course, the people needing protection weren't the elders themselves, but rather disciples leaving the sect to secretly protect some mortals.
These mortals often had intricate connections to the elders, some even being descendants the elders had left behind in the mortal world. Due to their lack of Spiritual Roots, the elders frequently dispatched qi refining realm disciples on these covert protection missions.
With a qi refining realm cultivation base, a cultivator could practically walk sideways in the mortal world, as long as they didn't encounter other immortals.
"It seems some elders of the Lingyun Sect still have ties to the mortal world, unable to sever their connections even after becoming elders."
Just as Li Qing finished speaking, the elder of the General Affairs Hall responsible for releasing missions arrived.
"Junior Brother Li, simply record the details of your mission, the rewards, and any other requirements into this jade slip. I'll then post it in the mission hall."
Taking the jade slip, Li Qing nodded and then used his divine sense to record the details of the Sect Mission he wanted to post.
"Material Collection: Two portions of Molten Fire Marrow, each worth 500 spirit stones; one Firecloud Stone Essence, worth 200 spirit stones; wind-attribute spirit materials or Demon beast materials."
Lacking sect contribution points, Li Qing had to use the spirit stones from his own pocket as rewards. Fortunately, spirit stones were universally accepted currency, and no one would turn down extra spirit stones.
After recording the required materials, Li Qing paused for a moment before adding a note to the jade slip:
"If anyone can collect all these materials simultaneously, I will pay the full amount of spirit stones and offer them the opportunity to trade for a 900-year-old Heavenly Star Grass!"
"Wild Cloud Peak, Li Qing."
Once he finished recording, Li Qing handed the jade slip to the elder of the General Affairs Hall.
This elder was tall and slender, looking considerably older than Li Qing, with a middle-aged appearance. He scanned the jade slip's contents with his divine sense, but soon froze in place, his expression one of utter astonishment.
"Junior Brother Li, you actually have a Heavenly Star Grass with a nine-hundred-year medicinal age?" The other cultivator was astonished, staring at Li Qing with a look of utter surprise.
Li Qing simply chuckled and nodded. "I had some fortunate encounters in my early years and obtained a few Heavenly Star Grasses. I've used most of them up, leaving only this last one. I thought I'd put it up for trade."
"Would it violate Sect rules if I record this information in a jade slip?"
Hearing this, the elder of the General Affairs Hall shook his head. "Of course not. I'm just curious what you're hoping to trade the Heavenly Star Grass for, Junior Brother Li. I'm rather interested in it myself!"
A nine-hundred-year-old Heavenly Star Grass was nearly a thousand-year-old spiritual herb, a tempting prospect for foundation establishment cultivators. Li Qing wasn't surprised by the elder's interest.
He wasn't worried about attracting the attention of core formation ancestors. The primary function of the Heavenly Star Grass was to nourish the divine soul and enhance divine sense power.
The Heavenly Star Grass, with its medicinal age of less than a thousand years, held little value for a core formation ancestor—in fact, it was almost negligible.
"Hehe, Junior Brother, my cultivation talent is rather average. If you can offer a Purple Yang Pill or a similar pill that enhances cultivation in exchange, I'll agree."
"But first, you must gather all the materials I need!"
Li Qing replied with a smile, emphasizing the importance of collecting the materials.
"Rest assured, Junior Brother Li, I'm well aware of this. I'll post your mission immediately." The elder of the General Affairs Hall nodded with a smile, already pondering how to fulfill Li Qing's requirements.
Clearly, he was also intrigued by the Heavenly Star Grass.
In fact, Sect Missions weren't limited to qi refining realm disciples. If a foundation establishment elder had the time and inclination, they wouldn't refuse to take on such a task.
"Then I thank Senior Brother!"
With those words, Li Qing produced a hundred spirit stones and handed them over.
Posting a Sect Mission required twenty contribution points as a fee, which could also be paid with spirit stones.
After completing all this, he clasped his hands in a formal bow, fully observing proper etiquette before taking his leave.
Back in his cave abode, Li Qing pondered carefully. After confirming there were no issues, he nodded and muttered to himself, "There shouldn't be any problems. After all, this is within the sect. Revealing a Heavenly Star Grass with a nine-hundred-year medicinal age isn't particularly noteworthy."
"Besides, I've announced it as the last one. I'll just trade it away later."
"And my reputation in the sect has been quite prominent recently. No one should dare try to force a sale. Otherwise, the repercussions would be disastrous."
At this point, a nine-hundred-year-old Heavenly Star Grass offered little enhancement to his divine sense. After consuming so many Heavenly Star Grasses, his body had developed a certain level of resistance.
To nourish his divine soul with the herb again, he would need Heavenly Star Grasses with a medicinal age of at least a thousand years, or even several millennia, to achieve a significant effect.
"Sigh, never mind all that. Let's start preparing for artifact refinement."
With that, Li Qing flicked his hand, conjuring four bone spikes that resembled menacing spears. One of them was still stained with dark red blood.
It was this very bone spike that had nearly pierced Li Qing's abdomen, placing him in grave danger.
Clang!
Taking out the Black Furnace, Li Qing tossed all four bone spikes into the ancient, heavy cauldron.
In the next moment, he waved his hand, and a torrent of intense, scorching Innate True Fire erupted.
Boom!
Almost instantly, the temperature inside the cave abode soared, quickly turning it into a sweltering steam room.
Fire Control!
Li Qing clenched his hand, carefully regulating the infusion of spiritual energy to temper the Innate True Fire, preventing excessive heat from escaping.
Strands of Innate True Fire coiled around the bone spikes. Under Li Qing's control, invisible, colorless malevolent energy vaporized in an instant.
This step was essential for artifact refinement using Demon beast materials. The malevolent energy had to be purged; otherwise, tempering the materials would be incredibly difficult, and engraving spirit patterns would be impossible.
Purging the malevolent energy from all four bone spikes simultaneously was a significant drain on Li Qing's spiritual energy. He had to maintain the Innate True Fire at a precise level—neither too intense nor too weak.
"No wonder many foundation establishment realm cultivators still prefer to use earthfire veins for artifact refinement and Pill Refinement even when they possess Innate True Fire. This thing is a real mana hog!"
As his spiritual energy continued to drain, the Innate True Fire rapidly purged the malevolent energy from the bone spikes.
The bone spike stained with Li Qing's blood was particularly saturated with malevolent energy, requiring his complete concentration to slowly eradicate it.
Li Qing didn't sweat; any moisture that surfaced was instantly vaporized by the intense heat.
After a long while, as his mana neared exhaustion, the four bone spikes were finally completely cleansed of malevolent energy.
With no intention of proceeding further with the refining process, Li Qing crossed his legs and began meditating to replenish his spiritual energy.
Back at the sect, the mission Elder Li had issued had already caused quite a stir.
"Heavens! A nine-hundred-year-old Heavenly Star Grass! If I consumed just one, my divine sense power would surely surpass all qi refining realm cultivators!"
"Let me see... Molten Fire Marrow, yellow jade stone... These are all materials for artifact refinement! Does Elder Li intend to forge a magic artifact?!"
"Hmm, I recall someone selling Fire Cloud Stone at the sect's affiliated market not long ago."
The news sent waves of excitement through the qi refining realm disciples, all coveting the nearly thousand-year-old Heavenly Star Grass.
Of course, they weren't the only ones interested. The matter had naturally reached the ears of several elders.
"A nine-hundred-year-old Heavenly Star Grass... that's rare. I vaguely recall an ancient pill formula called the Star Soul Pill, with Heavenly Star Grass as its main ingredient."
"Coincidentally, I'm preparing to cultivate a divine sense secret technique. This Heavenly Star Grass arrived at just the right time. Hmm, most spirit materials can be exchanged for contribution points."
"Let me think... what should I offer Junior Brother Li in exchange for the Heavenly Star Grass?"
"..."
Gathering the spirit materials Li Qing needed wasn't particularly difficult. Apart from the rare Molten Fire Marrow, the rest were relatively common.
Especially the branch of a centennial spiritwood. The sect had numerous spirit trees planted within its grounds, making that request even easier to fulfill.
Soon, several elders mobilized, beginning to gather the spiritual materials Li Qing needed to fulfill his mission request.
This was precisely the effect Li Qing had intended. He used a single Heavenly Star Grass to pique the interest of a foundation establishment elder, leveraging the power of his fellow sect members to complete the task.
After all, qi refining realm cultivators had access to far fewer resources. Even if he could eventually complete the mission on his own, it would take far longer than if he enlisted the help of an elder.
So, while Li Qing's mission appeared to be directed at qi refining realm disciples, it was actually aimed at his fellow sect elders.
As expected, within half a month, an elder came knocking at his door.
"Junior Brother Li, I'm here to discuss a private transaction for the Heavenly Star Grass," said a foundation establishment female cultivator in a moon-white robe, her elegant and refined aura radiating from her. She stood before Li Qing's cave abode.
"Senior Sister, please come in quickly! I never expected such a simple mission to attract your attention. I'm truly humbled," Li Qing said, feigning surprise as he stepped out of his cave abode.
(End of the Chapter)
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