chsdbacks Chapter 433 362: Aspect of Compassion
Chapter 433 362: Aspect of Compassion
Valley Smoke Workshop was located in the midst of a desert, where the roads were constructed of gravel and stones. Chen Donghe, walking along with Li Yuanjiao, soon encountered the constant calls of street vendors. Looking around, the place was teeming with people.
As they walked, Li Yuanjiao shared with Chen Donghe the news of Li Xuanfeng's Foundation Establishment. Chen Donghe's expression slightly improved and, with an almost expectant tone, he replied,
"Xuanfeng has always been unlike others since he was young; of all the brothers, his talent is the best. It is only natural for him to achieve Foundation Establishment."
After walking for a bit, Chen Donghe's expression had returned to normal. He pointed to the bustling crowd around them and explained,
"The Valley Smoke Desert might be full of sand and soil, unsuitable for nurturing life, but it produces an abundance of Spiritual Objects and ores, attracting cultivators from all directions. That's why the number of Fetal Breathing Cultivators in this marketplace far exceeds those at Guanyun Peak."
He looked around and then lowered his voice, continuing in a whisper carried by mana,
"In essence, this is due to the Jin Yu Sect's moderate control over the temples and Clan establishments under its rule, as well as the registration of Loose Cultivators, balancing the conflicts between them. Hence, the majority of low-level cultivators are able much more stable lives here, with their numbers several times that of the Green Pond."
Li Yuanjiao, observing the energy and spirit of the people around them, nodded in agreement and said,
"However, within the Green Pond Sect, Zifu, Foundation Establishment, and Qi Cultivation numbers are the highest in Yue Country. In fact, for Fetal Breathing Cultivators, the provisions they produce are nowhere near as plentiful as if they were left to be annexed and periodically culled..."
"In this way, those who are incompetent will naturally give way to those who are capable and talented, ensuring that good resources are not wasted on mediocrities."
Having mingled under the Green Pond Sect for many years and with deep connections, the Li Family saw things clearly. Li Yuanjiao continued,
"On the same territory, the numerous small Clans practicing Fetal Breathing and Qi Cultivation can only cultivate one type of Spirit Rice. They rub against each other, dispute, and engage in Spell Battles. They simply cannot compare to the organized and advanced Foundation Establishment Noble Families."
His gaze swept over a small stall at his feet, and he sighed,
"Yet, one cannot deny that Green Pond Sect's system, Clan policies, and methods are all much more sophisticated and ruthless, more complete and secretive... which allowed it to grow from a minor sect on Green Pond Mountain into the behemoth it is today."
Chen Donghe remained silent. The two tacitly changed the topic within this oppressive atmosphere. Li Yuanjiao furrowed his brow and said,
"Uncle Donghe, I've brought a bottle of "Lesser Pure Spiritual Energy" with me. Although it's a very common item, I've never seen it for sale here... Why is that?"
Chen Donghe gestured towards the vast expanse of yellow sand and explained,
"Lesser Pure Spiritual Energy is collected in deep mountains and high ridges. Here in the desert, it naturally cannot be gathered. Since ancient times, many alternatives have been used. Nowadays, "Lesser Flowing Sand Qi" is commonly used as a substitute, and "Lesser Pure Spiritual Energy" is rarely used in cultivation—both scarce and cheap..."
After Chen Donghe's explanation, Li Yuanjiao had an epiphany. They found a shop to hang up the Deep Blue Blade, exchanging it for fifty Spirit Stones.
Though the item was a pair of Magic Artifacts and medium grade in Qi Cultivation, unfortunately, curved twin blades were too uncommon. After several rounds of negotiation, they settled on a fair price.
Li Yuanjiao took the Spirit Stones, feeling relieved:
'No wonder most Qi Cultivators use Fetal Breathing Magical Instruments. These fifty Spirit Stones are enough for an ordinary Qi Cultivator to live without cultivation and the laborious gathering of Qi for over ten years. And if one were to cultivate, they'd need to spend money on provisions, doubling the required time... a Magic Artifact every forty years... who has so many forties?'
He then retrieved Li Qinghong's captured Demon Cultivator's Great Hammer from his Storage Bag, a lower-grade Qi Cultivation item worth thirty Spirit Stones. After selling the other Fetal Breathing Magical Instruments along with Li Qinghong's nine stones, they almost gathered a hundred Spirit Stones in total.
With the "Lesser Pure Spiritual Energy" being cheap and rare here, Li Yuanjiao had no choice but to put it away. Chen Donghe gave him six Spirit Stones, barely making up the bulk, still leaving a deficit of over ten stones.
'As Xizhi mentioned in his letter, although Yuan Tuan can gift some Spirit Stones, it really isn't worth it to owe a Foundation Establishment a favor just for these few stones.'
He stored everything securely, and they both left the marketplace. Amid the vast desert, riding the wind, Li Yuanjiao hesitated for a moment before inquiring of Chen Donghe,
"Is there a way to earn Spirit Stones in the desert?"
After pondering for a moment, Chen Donghe answered,
"There are some ways, but most of them would consume years of one's life, and besides, they couldn't accumulate more than ten stones."
Li Yuanjiao had no choice but to give up. He handed over a few elixirs to Chen Donghe and said in a low voice,
"Uncle Donghe, how is the Golden Sun Radiant Origin coming along?"
"It's about eighty percent complete."
Chen Donghe took out a jade bottle from his Storage Bag and said,
"Give it another year and a half, and the Golden Sun Radiant Origin will be ready!"
"Good."
Li Yuanjiao praised him and replied,
"Then I'll return to the Clan first. Uncle Donghe, take care. In a while, I'll come to welcome you personally."
After exchanging farewells, Li Yuanjiao promised to make offerings for Li Tongya on Chen Donghe's behalf and then rode the wind away.
...
Linghai County.
Yu Family.
The Yu Family of Linghai County had been a noble family for many years. Its disciples were fostered in several Immortal Peaks within the Green Pond Sect, with different branches of the family backing different Immortal Peaks, even fighting amongst themselves for power and profit.
In the empty city, the streets were clean and deserted, with not a soul seen in the neighborhood. Yet faint voices could be heard from the highest hall in the city, where several Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Yu Family stood in a row, quite awkwardly.
These Clan Leaders seldom met face to face, often delegating family matters through messengers. But now, they were all gathered in this desolate city, their faces showing respect, dressed differently, standing in silence.