Li Qingshan ignored the curious gazes of the Qi Practitioners. All he said was, "What's the matter, everyone? Please go ahead! "
The red-faced man did not ask too much. He waved his hand generously. "This isn't the place to talk. Let's talk in the teahouse!"
"Tea is tasteless. Is there a place to drink alcohol here? I'll be the host today. The sacred hall. "Li Qingshan was in a great mood now that he had dealt with a few matters on his mind.
The red-faced man smiled as well. "I prefer alcohol a little more. The Hundred Flavours restaurant is just up ahead, but you can't fight with me over being the host."
Li Qingshan held the jade slip of the Book of All in his hand. Many pieces of information about the Hundred Flavours restaurant immediately appeared in his head. This was an extremely renowned restaurant in the cultivation community of the Clear River prefecture. The chefs there were actually all Qi Practitioners. Their cooking was similar to how Lu Ziyu brewed tea. They used methods that only Qi Practitioners knew, and they used ingredients that regular people rarely saw.
Li Qingshan smiled. Sure enough, this item was useful. It was like he had gathered the knowledge of several dozen know-it-alls into this thin jade slip. To an independent cultivator who had only just begun cultivating like him, it was basically a welcome gift from the heavens.
However, independent cultivators who were willing to spend almost a hundred spiritual stones on something like this were extremely rare. Disciples from sects all had masters who taught them the common knowledge of the cultivation community, so it was even more impossible for them to spend so much money.
In the Hundred Flavours restaurant, a few people sat down at a long table by the window. The red-faced man said, "I'm Han Xiong. These are my friends." He introduced Li Qingshan one by one, and the Qi Practitioners all bowed.
Li Qingshan nodded and returned the greeting. He introduced himself. "I'm Niu Juxia. May I know why you've invited me here, fellow Han?" He also thought that calling himself Niu Er was a little too perfunctory, so he just listened to Yu Zijian and called him Niu Juxia.
"Don't tell me you're that Niu Juxia who defeated the inner disciple of the Pheasant's Grace mountain, Song Ming, in a single strike?" Han Xiong felt deep respect and could not help but use honorifics.
Li Qingshan did not expect that he would be so famous, so he humbly replied, "I was just lucky."
The other three Qi Practitioners, on the other hand, were surprised and confused. Unlike Han Xiong, they asked, "Brother Han, what's going on? Are you talking about that Golden Rooster Gentleman, Song Ming? "
Li Qingshan almost broke into laughter. What Golden Rooster Gentleman? That was even worse than Tiger Descending the Mountain.
Han Xiong explained to his companions.
Li Qingshan didn't want to interrupt, so he looked at the restaurant. Just like the other buildings in the town, it was made of pure wood and emitted the unique fragrance of wood.
The decorations were not luxurious. Instead, they were very plain. There wasn't even a single painting. It made people feel like they were here to eat and drink. The owner obviously had absolute confidence in his culinary skills.
Just at this moment, a waiter walked over with a tray of dishes. He wore a square hat on his head and a white scarf on his shoulder. He deftly placed a pot of wine and a few delicate dishes on the table. His voice was full of enthusiasm as he introduced the origins of these dishes. His actions and speech were all very standard, but also somewhat mechanical.
Li Qingshan took a closer look and realized that this was not a waiter at all. It was clearly a humanoid puppet, but it was very intricately made. It wore the clothes of a waiter, and its exposed skin was covered in some kind of paint. It looked exactly the same as a human's skin. It was clearly not the type used for battle.
Presumably, this market did not allow ordinary people to enter, but Qi Practitioners were not willing to do the work of serving food and wine. Thus, they ordered these waiter puppets from the Mo Family. Holy Hall
At this time, Han Xiong finished explaining Li Qingshan's glorious achievements. The gazes of the Qi Practitioners as they looked at Li Qingshan were filled with respect. The strongest among them, Han Xiong, was only at the fifth layer of Qi Refining. Even if they combined forces, they wouldn't be able to defeat any of the inner disciples of the three mountains. They had originally thought that Li Qingshan was a little inexperienced Qi Practitioner. Who would have thought that he was such a powerful figure?
Han Xiong stood up and poured a cup of wine for Li Qingshan.
Li Qingshan sat there without moving. He raised his cup and gestured slightly before downing the wine in one gulp. He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Han, can you tell me why you're here now?"
Han Xiong also hurriedly downed the wine in his cup. "We're all members of the Truth-seeking Society. This time, we're sincerely inviting you to join us, Fellow Daoist Niu!"
What kind of sect was the Truth-seeking Society? Li Qingshan quickly immersed his mind into the Book of All, but found nothing.
Han Xiong said, "Fellow Daoist Niu, you don't have to worry. The Truth-seeking Society is merely an association of itinerant cultivators. It's not some big sect, so the Book of All wouldn't have any records of it."
"An association of itinerant cultivators?" This was the first time Li Qingshan had heard of such an association. He asked curiously, "Actually, I've never really understood what exactly is an itinerant cultivator."
"That's what you don't know, fellow Daoist Niu. Itinerant cultivators don't just refer to cultivators who cultivate alone. As long as they don't come from a clan or sect, they're all itinerant cultivators."
Li Qingshan said, "With fellow Han's cultivation at the fifth layer, it's more than enough for you to establish your own clan or sect."
Han Xiong smiled bitterly. "Without my own heritage and legacies, how can I call myself a clan or sect? Normally, if a clan or sect doesn't have a Foundation Establishment cultivator, then even if you gather a hundred thousand Qi Practitioners together, you'll still be an itinerant cultivator. You won't receive the recognition of the cultivation world. Speaking of which, my Han family is basically like a local tyrant in Wanshun city, five hundred kilometers to the northeast."
"But in the entire cultivation world, we're not even worth mentioning. We're often ostracized and humiliated by sect disciples, which is why we've formed associations to protect ourselves."
Li Qingshan said, "With fellow Han's strength at the fifth layer, can't you find a sect and join it?" He pointed at the towering mountains outside the window. "Like this Green Vine mountain."
Han Xiong sighed. "I'm so old, and I don't have startling talent like brother Niu, so which sect will accept me? I can only explore it bit by bit on my own. What do you think, Niu Juxia? Do you want to take a look at our Truth-seeking society? "
Li Qingshan thought about it and agreed with him. The sect disciples he had seen so far were all young, yet they were already at the fifth or sixth layer. Judging from Han Xiong's appearance, he was in his forties or fifties at the very least. His talent definitely could not be considered great.
He vaguely remembered that Zhou Wenbin had said that sects usually only accepted young disciples. They had to grow up on the mountain, receive the teachings of their masters, and be taken care of by their senior brothers and sisters. Only then would they have a sense of identity and belonging to the sect. This was also the foundation of the existence of a sect.
Li Qingshan weighed his words in response to Han Xiong's invitation. "I'm afraid I don't have the time. And, I might even join a sect in the future …"
Seeing that Li Qingshan did not explicitly reject him, Han Xiong became even more enthusiastic. "The Truth-seeking Society is not a sect, so we won't ask you to do anything. We just gather once in a while to exchange our experiences in cultivation or exchange resources. It won't waste any time."
The three practitioners beside him echoed, "That's right, that's right. Everyone gathers together to drink and chat. It's so joyous!"
"Last year, we even organized a group of people to enter the Boundless Mountains and found a few hundred kilograms of black iron essence."
Li Qingshan had a better understanding of the nature of this "Truth-seeking Society". (《》)
Han Xiong said, "How about this, after a while, we will have a gathering in the Quiet Spring Valley. You can go and take a look. If you don't like it, we won't force you."
"Let me think about it!" Li Qingshan raised his wine cup and said no more. Han Xiong exchanged glances with his three companions and said no more, "Come, let's drink!"
Li Qingshan looked out of the window at the brightly lit market and the endless stream of Qi Practitioners on the streets. He asked curiously, "Is this place always so lively?"
Han Xiong said, "How is that possible? It's because the decennial Herb Gathering Ceremony of the three mountains is approaching. That's why so many Qi Practitioners are here to prepare!"
Li Qingshan was confused. "The Herb Gathering Ceremony of the three mountains? What does it have to do with normal wandering cultivators? "
Han Xiong said, "The disciples of the three mountains are strong. They go to gather herbs and attract the attention of the daemons. We wandering cultivators have the chance to fish in troubled waters."
"Aren't we being used by the three mountains as bait to attract the daemons?"
Li Qingshan turned around and saw the fourth layer Qi Practitioner named Zhou Wei smiling coldly.
Han Xiong said, "Anyway, the more people, the safer it is."
"Safer? I don't think so. Countless Qi Practitioners die underground during the Herb Gathering Ceremony. How many of them die to the daemons? "
"Underground? Isn't it the Boundless Mountains? "Li Qingshan was surprised and put down his cup.
Han Xiong smiled. "Brother Niu, you really don't know anything. Almost all the spiritual herbs in the Boundless Mountains that can be harvested have been harvested. If we go deeper, we'll attract a Daemon General and all the Qi Practitioners will die. Who would dare to go deeper?"
Li Qingshan had an ominous feeling. He continued asking, "Are there no daemons or Daemon Generals underground?"
Han Xiong said, "Of course. Speaking of which, some underground places are even more dangerous than the Boundless Mountains. However, it's much safer to go underground and head southeast. "
Wasn't that the territory ruled by Milliped? Li Qingshan asked hurriedly, "Why is that?" He had already vaguely guessed the answer.
Han Xiong was happy to show off his knowledge. "If you ask someone else, they might not be able to tell you the answer. However, the leader of the Truth-seeking Society has a friend who is a core disciple of the Burial Mound Mountain. That's why I know!"
"If we were to gather herbs in other places, if we were to slay demons and hunt for their Fey cores, we would definitely attract the attacks of Daemon Generals. It would be lucky if nine out of ten people could survive. However, this place rarely attracts Daemon Generals. Furthermore, the Herb Gathering ceremony will only begin in one or two months. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because we have to wait until the weather is at its coldest. It's said that the Daemon General will enter hibernation at that time. It's the best time to kill daemons and harvest spiritual herbs. It doesn't matter even if we turn the underground upside down."
Li Qingshan was suddenly at a loss for words. He knew that Milliped's two hobbies were eating and sleeping. Even if it wasn't winter, he would probably be lying on the stone platform without moving most of the time. That was why Qi Practitioners could take advantage of him.
But why had he only heard Milliped talk about the pressure from the other Daemon Generals? He had never heard of the threat from the surface.
"Why should we be afraid of Daemon Generals? Aren't the leaders of the three mountains Foundation Establishment cultivators? As long as they work together, they should be able to kill even a Daemon General! "
Han Xiong's eyes widened. "Fellow Daoist Niu, you don't even know about the Treaty of Kings?" The sudden increase in volume startled the Qi Practitioners at the neighboring table. They all looked over at Li Qingshan with shock and disdain.
It was as if it wasn't that Li Qingshan didn't know about the Treaty of Kings, but that he didn't know that the sun was round.
Zhou Wei said, "Fellow Daoist Niu, it's not strange that you haven't heard of it since you've only just left the mountain. The Book of All must have extremely detailed records about it. Why don't you take a look?"
Li Qingshan gripped the jade slip and sank his thoughts into it. He immediately received all the information about the Treaty of Kings. The information was very complicated. If he were to read it one by one, he would probably not be able to finish it even in three days and three nights.
However, after skimming through it, he had a rough idea of what was going on. He understood why the other Qi Practitioners were so shocked. Qi Practitioners who did not know about this could be said to have not even begun to understand it.
The Treaty of Kings originated from the founding emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty. Legend had it that he had the bloodline of daemons. When he conquered the world, he received the help of many powerful daemons and established the Great Xia Dynasty.
After establishing the Great Xia Dynasty, the most important and illustrious titles were the Human King of the Eight Provinces and the Daemon King of the Ten Territories.
The founding emperor presided over the Treaty of Kings. After a hundred days of discussion, they signed a treaty that divided the boundaries between daemons and humans. The two races would never invade each other.
What deterred Milliped from taking a step above ground was not the Daemon Commander above him, nor was it even the Dragon King Of The Sea in the Green Province. Instead, it was the treaty from several millennia ago.
However, low level daemonic beasts had limited intelligence, while there were far too many Qi Practitioners, making them very difficult to restrain. As a result, whether it was daemonic beasts charging above ground or Qi Practitioners venturing underground, they were all tolerated and tacitly agreed to. Of course, if they were killed in the other party's territory, they would just be seeking death.
The treaty truly restricted humans and daemons who had undergone the first heavenly tribulation, whether it was Foundation Establishment cultivators venturing underground to kill daemons or Daemon Generals venturing above ground to kill humans.
The best outcome was the offender being hunted down by the combined efforts of the two races. The worst outcome was the flames of war reigniting, and all humans and daemons would be sucked into it.
Today, three Foundation Establishment cultivators ventured underground to kill a Daemon General. Tomorrow, it was possible for a Daemon Commander to appear and slaughter all the Qi Practitioners on the Green Vine mountain and in the town.
Even with how bold Li Qingshan was, he shivered at the thought of that.
However, when he heard that Foundation Establishment cultivators would not venture underground, he eased up slightly. However, his mind was in turmoil. As the leader of the daemon soldiers, daemons and daemons were all his subordinates. He could not allow anyone to slaughter him. As for the various resources underground, he had absolute control over them. He would never hand them over to someone else.
If he were a pure daemon, he would obviously return underground immediately and gather the daemons. He would lay down a trap and slaughter all the invaders. That way, he would be able to obtain many hundred treasures pouches.
However, he was still a human at the end of the day, so this decision would not be so simple. For a moment, he was even in the mood to eat.
He became patient again and asked Han Xiong about more matters regarding the Herb Gathering ceremony before bidding farewell.
Han Xiong could tell that Li Qingshan's interest had waned, so he did not force him to stay. Instead, he tried to persuade him to pay a visit to the Quiet Spring valley.
After asking about the time and location, Li Qingshan agreed in the end. It was no longer just for the sake of broadening his horizons. The Quiet Spring Valley was not far from here. The gathering was before the Herb Gathering ceremony. No matter what his decision was, he had to pay attention to the changes here.
Arriving downstairs, Li Qingshan ordered another table of food and wine. He put them into his hundred treasures pouch to take away.
It was late at night. Li Qingshan found an inn to stay for the night. He spent five spirit stones and booked the best room. Under the guidance of the owner, he opened the old door. The space inside was much larger than he expected. He knew that some kind of formation had been used to increase the space inside.
Although it was winter, the room was as warm as spring. The room was covered with a thick silk carpet. The patterns on the carpet did not seem to be patterns, but some kind of formation. It caused the spiritual energy in the room to be slightly denser than it looked.
There was a jade screen embroidered with an exquisite beauty holding a pipa. When the owner knocked on the screen, a moving sound of stringed instruments could be heard.
There was a praying mat in the room that was said to be able to gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It was said to be very helpful for cultivation!
There was actually a huge bathing pool in the room. Not only could it gather water by itself, but it could even use two glyphs to control the water temperature.
Not only had Li Qingshan never seen the various gadgets made by Qi Practitioners before, but he had never even thought about them before. They were not exactly technologically advanced, but they were definitely extremely comfortable.
Before the owner left the room, he suddenly stopped. He smiled in a way that all men understood. "If you find it hard to sleep alone, I do know a few young and beautiful female cultivators. All you need are a few spiritual stones …" He treated Li Qingshan as a generous, yet inexperienced, wealthy customer.
Li Qingshan immediately had no idea how to react. He felt like he had crossed over to another world in this situation. However, he had no idea whether the police, no, the Hawkwolf Guard would come to inspect the room. He waved his hand in a hurry and declined righteously. "There's no need. I want to rest!"
The owner showed a rather regretful expression. He said reluctantly, "There's a communication talisman in the room. If you need anything, feel free to call me!"
Li Qingshan closed the door and exhaled. He placed down the bamboo basket on his body and opened it. "You can come out now!"
Little Ann extended her hands towards him. Li Qingshan said, "Can't you come out yourself?" However, he had already scooped her up and placed some food and alcohol on the table. "Let's eat!"
He casually took out the jade slip from the Scripture Depository and passed it to Little Ann before sitting down to one side. He leaned on his hand as he watched Little Ann eat. However, his mind had already wandered off somewhere. He was not even in the mood to take out the Gui Water Method of Condensing Qi.
Little Ann said softly, "Aren't you going to eat?"
Li Qingshan said, "I've already eaten." However, Little Ann had already delivered a piece of fish to his mouth.
"You really are becoming more and more disobedient," said Li Qingshan as he ate the fish. "What do you think I should do?"
Little Ann asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Li Qingshan said, "That shitty Herb Gathering ceremony, of course."
Little Ann's face was filled with surprise. "Aren't you going to kill them all?"
Li Qingshan was taken aback. "Since when did I say that? It's not like I know them, and they're not here for me either. Starting a massacre like this isn't too good, is it?"
Little Ann lowered her head. "But I don't know them either!" To her, that reason was enough. No, it should be said that she did not need any reason at all. Apart from the man before her, anyone else could die.
Strangely enough, because of each other's existence, neither of them could become great demons who did whatever they wanted.
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