sinovels Chapter 80 Years
Chapter 80 Years
The middle-aged cultivator turned around and walked straight toward the courtyard gate, his steps carrying the arrogance unique to elders of Foundation Establishment families, along with a hint of displeasure at being slighted.
Just then, Yang Changsheng was standing on the path leading to the stone pavilion.
The two met face to face.
Yang Changsheng remained calm and, following the common etiquette of low-level cultivators in the market, slightly cupped his hands in greeting to this senior whose cultivation was clearly far superior to his own and whose attire and demeanor were extraordinary.
Li Yunlong's gaze casually swept over Yang Changsheng.
He wore a low-grade blue robe, had a Qi Refining Level 5 cultivation, and his aura was unremarkable.
Aside from his fairly good looks, he looked like a complete low-level rogue cultivator.
His gaze didn't linger at all, as if glancing over a roadside weed; he wasn't even bothered to vent his frustration at being rejected on such a nobody.
Li Yunlong didn't even lift his eyelids, walking indifferently past Yang Changsheng.
All that remained was the oppressive aura and chilling presence of a cultivator at the late stage of Qi Refining.
Yang Changsheng stood still, his expression unchanged, only his fingers, which were behind his back, curled up almost imperceptibly before slowly relaxing.
"Fellow Daoist Changsheng, you've arrived."
Su Wanqing's beautiful eyes shone brightly, her stunning beauty and elegant smile brightened the courtyard considerably.
She seemed to have just emerged from some thoughts. Upon seeing Yang Changsheng, the subtle gravity between her brows vanished, and she regained her usual dignified, elegant, and otherworldly fairy-like image.
It was as if there had been no cryptic conversation in the pavilion just now.
Yang Changsheng smiled and nodded, then walked steadily into the pavilion and sat down naturally on the stone bench opposite Su Wanqing.
The stone table was warm and smooth, and the finest tea emitted a delicate fragrance.
He did not inquire about the middle-aged cultivator, Li Yunlong.
I vaguely heard the end of their conversation, but that's their private matter. Asking about it rashly would not only be impolite, but could also cause trouble for myself.
In this treacherous world of cultivation, being cautious in speech and action is the key to survival.
"So Fairy Wanqing's alchemy lineage... has such limitations. No wonder she didn't choose to leave here and go to a better place to develop."
Yang Changsheng picked up the white jade teacup, his clear gaze fixed on the woman's stunningly beautiful face that could captivate all beings, his tone tinged with a hint of regret.
A 26-year-old Qi Refining Level 8 alchemist, a top-grade alchemist, would be a dazzling presence wherever he is.
Although this port market is relatively safe under the protection of the Lu family, it is ultimately just a small area, and most of the resources circulating there are only at the first-tier level.
Treasures like the Foundation Establishment Pill, which can cause bloodshed, may not appear at a local auction even once every few decades.
Even at the most prestigious auctions in the market, the final items rarely surpass the category of top-grade magical artifacts.
With Su Wanqing's talent and alchemy skills, if she were willing to abandon the promise of that inheritance and go to a larger immortal city, her future would be much brighter, and her path to foundation building would be much smoother.
"Passing on traditions is a rare privilege, and paying such a small price is already quite commendable."
Su Wanqing gently blew away the tea foam, the sound crisp and melodious.
"Several alchemist friends I know are willing to give half of their future forty years' worth of gains to their mentors in order to obtain a first-order alchemy inheritance. In comparison, although Elder Zhang's last wish has temporarily bound me here, it has also given me a foundation for a stable life and steady improvement."
Her words carried a hint of relief, but her gaze subtly swept across Yang Changsheng's face, with a touch of inquiry.
Having known each other for so many years, I am indeed very curious about what price this fellow Daoist with mediocre spiritual root talent paid.
In just ten years, he was able to advance his cultivation to the fifth level of Qi Refining, becoming a puppeteer capable of consistently producing low-grade puppets, and also mastering the mysterious and efficient way of making money by processing waste pills.
His opportunity is probably no less significant than his own lineage of alchemy.
At this moment, a graceful figure in a pale yellow dress walked lightly from the direction of the alchemy room, carrying a freshly brewed cup of spiritual tea.
The girl was about thirteen or fourteen years old, with a slender figure already showing signs of curves, delicate features, and a pure, innocent air.
"Ye Qingxian greets Senior Yang."
She walked up to Yang Changsheng, curtsied, and spoke in a clear and melodious voice, like the first song of a nightingale in the forest, full of youthful vitality.
"What is this?" Yang Changsheng asked, taking the tea with a hint of curiosity.
He already knew that Su Wanqing lived alone. This woman had a pure aura and a faint trace of refining energy, indicating that she had only recently embarked on the path of immortality.
"This is Qingxian. She was originally an orphan girl from a fisherman's family in the mortal district of the market. I discovered her by chance. Before his death, Master Zhang's last wish was to find a successor to inherit the Dao of Alchemy. I observed that she was pure in heart and had some talent for the Dao of Alchemy, so I brought her back. It can be considered as taking on Master Zhang's disciple and passing on his mantle. However, we do not address each other as master and disciple."
Su Wanqing introduced herself, her eyes sparkling, her tone calm and even.
Her implication was that she was merely teaching on behalf of her master to avoid creating too many karmic entanglements.
"I see. Miss Ye is truly fortunate to have met Fairy Su." Yang Changsheng nodded in understanding, a slight thought stirring in his heart.
There are many struggling people at the bottom of the cultivation world. For an orphan like Ye Qingxian to be chosen by a high-level cultivator and brought onto the path of immortality is already extremely fortunate.
He thought for a moment, then took out an item from his storage bag. It was a palm-sized mechanical cat, intricately crafted from black iron and spirit wood, with two tiny spirit beads embedded in its eyes, shimmering with a faint light.
This was the first successful creation he made when he first learned puppetry: a low-grade Tier 1 Dexterous Cat.
Although he only has combat strength at around the second level of Qi Refining, his advantage lies in his swift and agile movements. He is quite practical for vigilance and delivering small items, and he also carries the memories of the starting point of his journey into the path of puppetry.
"Nice to meet you. This is a gift for your self-defense and play. Be careful not to let it hurt anyone." Yang Changsheng smiled and handed over the puppet cat.
He couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. Time flies. Ten years ago, the composed and elegant fairy before him was just like him, a new fisherman who had just entered Bishui Lake, full of both anticipation and trepidation for the future.
Now, she has the discerning eye to select successors for the Daoist alchemy tradition.
This made him think of Wang Ergou again, his friend who had worked with him at the Lu family's fish farm in his early years and later married into the Chen family. He wondered if Wang Ergou was doing well in the Chen family's spiritual field.
Time is like a knife, silently carving out the marks of things changing and people departing.
"Thank you, senior! So cute!"
Ye Qingxian's eyes lit up, and she happily took the puppet cat, playing with it with great affection. With the help of her magic, the spirit cat nimbly somersaulted in her palm, making her giggle softly.
"Hehe, no wonder Sister Su always says Senior Yang is a very nice person!"
The girl winked playfully, her eyes sparkling, and carefully put the puppet into her storage bag.
Knowing that the two had important matters to discuss, she obediently bowed again, turned around and gracefully returned to the alchemy room to continue identifying the medicinal herbs that emitted various strange smells and studying the profound alchemy classics.