Li Qingshan said, "That's no problem! Zijian, since your friend has already come, I don't have to worry anymore. I still have some matters to attend to, so I'll be taking my leave first. I'll tell your father that you're already safe and sound. " "That's right."
Before the two of them could reply, Li Qingshan strode off, vanishing into the crowd in the blink of an eye.
Hua Chenglu was young, but she was much more meticulous than Yu Zijian. If he came into too much contact with her, she would probably see through his disguise.
Hua Chenglu muttered, "Zijian, that guy is so rude. Is he really helping you out of kindness? Though, his back seems a little familiar. "
"That's because Niu Juxia is very friendly! Why would he have any ill intentions? "Yu Zijian defended Li Qingshan in a hurry.
Hua Chenglu shook her head. "You're young and ignorant. Be careful, or you'll end up being sold off. You'll still have to worry about it."
"You're the one who's young and ignorant. Niu Juxia is a good person, so why would he harm me?" Yu Zijian widened her eyes.
"Forget it. I can't persuade you otherwise." Hua Chenglu turned around and left.
Yu Zijian asked in a hurry, "Oi, where are you going?"
Hua Chenglu raised her chin and pointed at a nearby mountain. "The Green Vine mountain, obviously!"
… …
Li Qingshan returned to the Proud Sword manor. Yu Shukuang was no longer there, having gone out to collect food and drink.
Li Qingshan thought about how Yu Zijian would return very soon anyway, so he did not take it to heart. He ventured deep underground from the manor outside the city.
He was as familiar with this area as he was with his own back garden. He knew every single demon here. Now that he had transformed into his true demon form, he didn't have to worry about any demon being blind enough to attack him. Instead, there were quite a few who were tactful enough to come out and greet him, "Leader, you're back!"
Li Qingshan nodded slightly sternly, maintaining his dignity as a leader. However, he thought inside, Many of these guys are about to lose their lives to the daemon cores in their bodies. Whose fault is that?
If he was still a human, he probably wouldn't even consider such a problem. He would kill demons and hunt for demon cores as a matter of course.
But when his body turned into a demon, he received the demon's help, and became the demon's friend and leader, his thoughts also gradually changed.
Passing through the deep and serene cave, they walked for an unknown period of time.
A blue light flickered in the endless darkness, like the only bright star in the pitch-black night sky.
Li Qingshan was like a wanderer who had finally returned home. A look of relief appeared on his face as he quickened his pace. Before he even entered the cave, he heard a heaven-shaking snoring sound.
Li Qingshan shook his head. You bastard, I've really seen through you!
There was no need to hibernate, just like there was no need to be a vegetarian. However, he still maintained his primitive instincts. Probably because he didn't sense any danger, Milliped turned over on the stone platform and didn't get up.
Sleep a little longer if you can!
Li Qingshan didn't wake him up. He sat on the edge of the stone platform, his back pressed against the cold stone. Feeling the ripples of spiritual light, he slowly entered a meditative state.
Little Ann took out the Book of All and read it carefully. No matter how rich the information in the book was, it still couldn't compare to the reaction of the human mind. (The Book of All)
In the darkness, the blue butterfly flapped its wings a million times, and a month quietly slipped away.
Suddenly, a howling gust of wind swept through the quiet cave. The butterfly fluttered, and the sea of flowers swayed.
At the end of the gust, Li Qingshan took a deep breath and stood up. Looking inwardly at his body, he revealed a satisfied smile.
He had already converted all the true qi in his body into Gui Water true qi. At the same time, he had opened a meridian and reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining.
His true qi was unprecedentedly strong. He took out the Cursive Sword Calligraphy and infused it with true qi. Sword qi shot out, silently piercing the stone wall.
A blue butterfly fluttered in the air for a moment, then suddenly split into two. This kind of power would be able to instantly kill a sixth or seventh layer Qi Practitioner. Even a ninth layer Qi Practitioner would be in great danger.
If he could really restore the Cursive Sword Calligraphy to its original state, he looked forward to seeing just how strong it would be. Calculating the time, it was about time to attend the auction.
Little Ann had already taken the initiative to stand in the bamboo basket. Li Qingshan said, "You stay here this time. It's quite troublesome for me to carry a big bamboo basket all the time, mainly because it's too eye-catching."
Which Qi Practitioner didn't have a hundred treasures pouch? He just had to carry a big bamboo basket. Whether it was in the bookstore or Liu Ruping, he had asked about it indirectly. Although it was mostly out of curiosity, it was hard to guarantee that someone with observant eyes would notice anything.
He promised, "If there's anything good to eat or drink, I'll definitely bring it back for you."
"You think I'm annoying?" Little Ann pouted.
"That's not what I meant."
"You are!"
"Be good!"
"No!"
Li Qingshan glared, then let out a breath. Calm down, calm down, communicate, communicate.
He crouched down. "Then why don't you want it?"
"I don't want to be separated from you." Little Ann lowered her eyes.
Li Qingshan said, "Just for a little while."
"Not even for a little while."
"Then I don't care!" Li Qingshan strode out of the cave, startling a flock of butterflies. After a few steps, he turned back and saw that she was still standing in the bamboo basket, not crying or making a fuss. She only looked straight at him, as if waiting for him to take her.
He hardened his heart. "I really don't care." When he reached the cave entrance, he couldn't help but turn back. However, her expression and posture hadn't changed in the slightest. If he really left like this, she could keep waiting for him like this.
He sighed helplessly. "Come with me!"
Together with the bamboo basket, they flew up and landed in Li Qingshan's hands. Little Ann had a triumphant smile on her face.
Li Qingshan pinched her soft cheeks. "I knew I couldn't be polite to you!"
Little Ann said, "If I'm not by your side, I can't protect you."
Li Qingshan was suddenly speechless. Holy Church
…
"Leader, please save some for me! Croak, croak! "A frog was so anxious that it jumped and spoke human language.
"Don't talk nonsense, or I'll roast you and eat you!" Li Qingshan held the "Whale's Ingestion of Water" and put it into the mouth of the ice condensed water spring. He swallowed to his heart's content. Now he had already absorbed three large vats of water, but it still didn't feel full.
Although the frog was very anxious, it couldn't do anything.
Only when the whale was full of water did Li Qingshan take it out with satisfaction. He took out a Pearl Dew Pill and threw it to the frog. "Here, this is for you." He wouldn't really look down on it. This frog was one of the strongest demon soldiers under him. If other Qi Practitioners dared to take the spring water, even if they didn't die in its hands, they wouldn't be able to bring back even a drop of spring water.
The frog coiled up like a snake and swallowed the Pearl Dew Pill. "Croak, thank you, Leader!" Although the spirit water was full of spirituality, it still couldn't compare to the high quality medicinal pills made by humans.
"You stay here and don't forget the gathering!" Li Qingshan said again and walked back into the cave.
"Croak, croak, I won't forget!" The frog croaked and jumped into the ice condensed water.
Li Qingshan strode through the cave. He shook the crystal whale in his hand, and with a clang, it spat out a huge blade. It even condensed a beautiful crystal hand guard. It was the perfect weapon that could unleash Li Qingshan's advantage in strength. It was suitable for the length and size of his swing, and it was extremely heavy as well. It weighed over five hundred kilograms. Even Li Qingshan could not use it with a single hand.
Recently, he had constantly poured Gui Water true qi into the Whale's Ingestion of Water. His aura had already completely linked up, without any sluggishness anymore. It was like it had truly become an extension of his body. When he condensed the blade, he no longer needed to spit out water first and then condense it slowly. Instead, he could condense it instantly.
However, the fourth layer Gui Water true qi was still slightly insufficient to unleash the power of a high grade spiritual artifact.
… …
Li Qingshan arrived in the Proud Sword manor. Yu Shukuang had already returned, handing a full hundred treasures pouch to Li Qingshan. He wanted to say something, but he hesitated.
Li Qingshan checked the hundred treasures pouch and smiled in satisfaction. Then he asked, "Why don't I see your daughter?"
Yu Shukuang said in surprise, "Didn't she go to the Green Vine mountain? How did she return?"
Li Qingshan frowned. "In other words, she still hasn't returned?" Was the Green Vine Elder really not going to give face to the Hua family?
Yu Shukuang said, "It's not like she hasn't returned. Have you seen her?"
As a result, Li Qingshan told him about his meeting with Yu Zijian below the Green Vine mountain.
Yu Shukuang sighed. "Thank you for your efforts. As long as she hasn't been bullied, I don't have to worry as a father. As for whether she goes to the Hundred Schools of Thought or the Green Vine mountain, that's probably not something we can control anymore."
Li Qingshan said, "I'll be going to the Green Vine mountain again very soon to see what has happened. Just wait here for my news!" He passed another empty hundred treasures pouch to Yu Shukuang. "We still need to gather food, but there's no need to be in such a hurry. Just keep an eye out and be careful not to alarm too many people."
The underground daemons had an endless demand for food on the surface. It was also a great method for him to control his subordinates as the leader of the daemon soldiers. He obviously needed someone to help him with this.
Yu Shukuang said, "That's easy. The Proud Sword manor has already bought over a dozen large restaurants and controlled a few large grain merchants. It'll be much easier for us to do this in the future."
Li Qingshan smiled. "How thoughtful of you!" He had not spent so much effort on Yu Shukuang for nothing. He just happened to be in need of a subordinate who could draw inferences. He did not have the time or energy to establish his own network in the human world, but Yu Shukuang did. Otherwise, he would never have been able to establish such a large Proud Sword manor.
He passed all the silver notes on him to him. "Go ahead with this. You don't have to worry about the silver. In the future, you definitely won't just be leading people of the jianghu."
Yu Shukuang's heart skipped a beat. He smiled. "If I'm not a person of the jianghu, am I supposed to be a Qi Practitioner? With my talent, how am I supposed to be able to do that? I've reached the innate realm quite late too. It'll be impressive if I can reach the second layer. "
Li Qingshan's face sank. "If you're satisfied with the second layer, then ignore what I said." Second layer Qi Practitioners were existences at the very bottom among Qi Practitioners. Not only would a subordinate like that not be able to help him out much, but he would probably have to constantly deal with problems for him. It would be pointless then.
Yu Shukuang looked into Li Qingshan's eyes. His pitch-black eyes seemed to burn with flames. The ambition and confidence hidden within them made Yu Shukuang's heart shiver slightly. Before this person, there was no need for him to feign modesty. It was the exact opposite. He needed to demonstrate sufficient ambition and confidence. Only then could he catch his eye, and this just happened to be what he was good at.
"I've heard that if you practise qi, practise qi, and practise qi again, you can break through a certain barrier and step into the world of immortals. I want to try."
Only then did Li Qingshan smile. He placed a Pill of Spring Breeze and Rain into Yu Shukuang's hand. "That realm is called Foundation Establishment. It means that everything has just begun."
… …
There was a hubbub of voices in the town. Streams of people mingled and brushed past one another.
Qi Practitioners that regular people would rarely see were everywhere. Everyone's faces were filled with anticipation and nervousness. The Herb Gathering ceremony of the three mountains that happened once every ten years was about to begin. It was set to be in three days' time.
The great adventure of the underground world was about to begin. It was filled with opportunity and danger. Some people would strike it rich overnight, while others would die nameless. Everyone hoped that they were the former, while they hoped that everyone else was the latter. They had made sufficient preparations for this. Their gazes towards one another had already become extremely cold.
The Tranquil Tea House that was usually extremely quiet was actually filled with guests. Lu Ziyu, who brewed tea, was basically so busy that he could barely move. Qi Practitioners of the sixth layer and above had already become a common sight. Only they could afford to drink such a luxurious item.
The situation was basically the same for the other stores. Business was extremely good. However, only the store of Miscellaneous Goods remained completely deserted. When people surged over there, they would be pushed away by an invisible barrier, unable to approach it at all. Unless they held an invitation, only great Qi Practitioners at the sixth layer or above could directly step through the formation and enter the building under the envious and admiring gazes of the crowd.
Li Qingshan had arrived extremely early. He was already seated in the VIP seats, quietly waiting for the auction to begin. Looking outside, every single compartment was shrouded in a layer of smoke, blocking any probing gazes.
At this moment, Liu Ruping walked in with a smile. Li Qingshan immediately said, "You can leave. I don't need your service!"
Liu Ruping's smile stiffened, but she saw how determined Li Qingshan was, so she could only leave. She thought, If you're heartless, then don't blame me for being heartless!
The bamboo basket opened up slightly, revealing Little Ann's clear, crystalline eyes. "Did you not let me come because you wanted to …"
"Pa!" Li Qingshan pressed down on the bamboo basket. "What does a child know?"
A gong resounded through the hall. Shi Peipei, dressed in a purple silk gown, strode onto the stage. She first bowed in all directions, expressing her gratitude for everyone's presence. Then, she introduced herself and announced the start of the auction.
One item after another was auctioned. From the initial stack of low-grade spirit talismans to mid-grade spirit artifacts, the value of the items grew higher and higher, and the competition became fiercer.
Li Qingshan calmly waited for the only item he wanted, the Sword Qi Scroll, to appear.
"The next item is the Sword Qi Scroll written by an ancient sword immortal. It can emit sword qi. Although it's only a mid-grade spirit artifact, it contains the supreme Dao of the Sword. Moreover, this Sword Qi Scroll should only be a fragment. If someone can find the other fragments and put them together, it won't be as simple as a mid-grade spirit artifact. The bidding starts now. The starting price is one hundred spirit stones."
As the scroll of calligraphy was unfolded, Li Qingshan's pupils suddenly shrank. Yes, this was it. Although he didn't understand calligraphy, the twists and turns of the strokes contained in it were exactly the same as in the Cursive Sword Calligraphy.
After confirming one last time, he looked at Little Ann. Little Ann was proficient in calligraphy and swordsmanship, so he definitely wouldn't be wrong. As Little Ann nodded lightly, Li Qingshan smiled. Although the starting price of eighty spirit stones was slightly higher than a regular mid-grade spirit artifact, it was still auctioned as a mid-grade spirit artifact. The one thousand spirit stones he had prepared should not be a problem.
As Shi Peipei announced the starting price, there was a brief silence in the hall.
One hundred spirit stones to buy a mid-grade spirit artifact was really not worth it. Apart from a very small number of people like Li Qingshan, those who could sit in the hall were all experienced and knowledgeable Qi Practitioners who had participated in countless auctions. They were already very immune to the so-called ancient sword immortals. There were so many ancient cultivators, who didn't pass down a few things?
Even if this Sword Qi Calligraphy had really shone brilliantly in the past, it was now just a mere mid-grade spirit artifact. No one dared to hope that they could find the other parts of it. Even if they found them, how could they piece them together?
This item was similar to the Arts of the Boundless Ocean. It seemed to have great potential value, but this value was really too uncertain. Most Qi Practitioners pursued practicality.
Li Qingshan smiled slightly. Just as he was about to make his first bid, he suddenly heard an indistinct voice from a seat not far away, "Two hundred spirit stones!" The moment he made his bid, it was as if he was determined to win, directly dispelling the thoughts of many Qi Practitioners who wanted to make a casual bid.
Shi Peipei said, "Alright, this Fellow Daoist has made a bid of two hundred spirit stones. Are there any other Fellow Daoists who are willing to make a higher bid?" This Sword Qi Calligraphy had been appraised by her and she believed it to be a rare item. That was why she intentionally set the price a little higher than a normal mid-grade spirit artifact. If a rare item couldn't be sold for its value, then she would rather it not be auctioned and wait for another day.
Li Qingshan sighed lightly. As expected, he wasn't the only one who could see the value of this item. He also made a bid, "Three hundred spirit stones!"
The voice passed through the fog and immediately became distorted and indistinct. It was impossible to tell whether it was a man or a woman.
Shi Peipei took a deep look at the private room. She believed that it was Li Qingshan's room. A smile appeared on her face. It seemed that this rare item could be sold for its proper value.
As expected, after a moment of silence, the guest in the other private room made another bid, "Four hundred spirit stones!" He actually directly raised the price to one hundred spirit stones.
The crowd was silent at first, then became slightly noisy. Four hundred spirit stones was already enough to buy a slightly inferior high grade spirit artifact. Why would someone use it to buy a mid-grade spirit artifact? Could it be that this Sword Qi Calligraphy really had some secret? Or was it someone hired by Zajia to intentionally raise the price?
Although there were many people who were tempted, no one dared to risk the spirit stones in their hundred treasures pouches. They could only silently watch the two people bidding. They were slightly surprised that the first round of bidding had already begun before the high grade spirit artifacts appeared.
Li Qingshan frowned and calmly said, "Five hundred spirit stones."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
