Chapter 206: Chapter 149: Peace Knot: A Spirited Treasure Sword, Hidden and Unmanifested

In Cuiwei Valley, Xiao Chen was reading a copy of the *Hezhou Travel Record*.

The book was a travelogue written 160 years ago by a Foundation Establishment senior from the Li Huo Sect.

It chronicled his leisurely travels through Hezhou, filled with information about the local culture and customs.

Throughout the entire book, the term that appeared most frequently was—the Eastern Domain.

It might sound strange, but Xiao Chen got the distinct impression that the Eastern Domain was trading large quantities of processed goods for raw materials from Hezhou.

For example, a type of talisman powder the senior often purchased during his travels was made from processed pearls originating in the Eastern Domain.

Here in Li State, if a Cultivator wanted to use something like cinnabar, they would have to buy a bag of it and grind it into powder themselves.

But Hezhou was different. They had all sorts of pre-ground talisman powders available, and all one had to do was choose what they needed.

’Huh? They even have refined Spiritual Materials?’

As he neared the end of the book, he was surprised to read that the travelogue mentioned some shops in Hezhou sold Water-refined Cinnabar directly.

Water-refined Cinnabar was made by placing mined cinnabar into a special small jar, then pouring in pre-collected Spiritual Water.

Then, over a period of three years, different types of Magic were used to periodically adjust the conditions inside the jar.

This process would gradually dissolve the excess impurities, leaving behind a much higher quality Water-refined Cinnabar.

Its effects were naturally far superior to those of ordinary cinnabar.

Talismans or Magical Artifacts made with it would be significantly more powerful.

However, because the preparation was so tedious, in Li State, only the three Major Sects and a handful of families who specialized in Talisman Making actually produced Water-refined Cinnabar.

Most Loose Cultivators couldn’t afford to use it, and the few Talisman Cultivators who could afford it had no way of purchasing it.

This was because the material was produced on a strict schedule and was not sold to the public.

Xiao Chen only knew about this because back when he was on the Miscellaneous Peak, a senior disciple from the Inner Sect’s Artifact Refining Hall had come to select Servant Disciples for a job.

Anyone chosen to watch over the cinnabar jars would earn an extra Spirit Stone each month. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

He had signed up, but he wasn’t chosen.

He had been quite disappointed at the time, which was why the memory was so vivid.

So now, seeing that it was sold directly to Loose Cultivators in Hezhou, he was naturally a bit surprised.

Judging from these details, although Hezhou and Li State were neighbors, the differences between them were actually quite significant.

’Fortunately, I’m already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Even in Hezhou, there aren’t many late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators.’

Xiao Chen closed the travelogue and stretched.

Today was the ninth day. At noon tomorrow, he would board the Spiritual Boat and depart for Hezhou.

He had already said his goodbyes to Mei Yong a few days prior.

Yesterday, he had handed over the records for the Demon Extermination Hall to a junior martial brother at the second layer of Foundation Establishment.

Beyond that, he had few other attachments.

This trip to Hezhou would last anywhere from a year or two to as long as three to five years.

But Xiao Chen had never been one for attachments. He thought for a moment. ’Oh, that’s right. I should go check on my pots of Celestial Net Star.’

The Celestial Net Star plants had already formed buds, but ultimately, they hadn’t managed to bloom before his departure for Hezhou.

Su Wanqing stood before the flowers, finding it a little unfortunate. "Perhaps if you were leaving a month or two later, you could have waited for them to bloom."

"That’s hard to say."

Xiao Chen shook his head, then glanced at the sky. "It’s getting late. If you’re busy, you should head back to South Lake for now."

"Just come over and help water them when you have a chance."

As per their agreement, today was the day to tend to the Spirit Flowers, a task they performed every three days.

However, many Cultivators from the Su Family would also be heading to Hezhou tomorrow. She would probably need to return to the Su Family to see them off.

"Alright, Junior Martial Master Xiao. I’ll be leaving then."

Su Wanqing said goodbye and turned to leave, but she stopped at the main gate and came back.

She took a Peace Knot from her robes and handed it to him. "Junior Martial Master Xiao, I hear Hezhou is quite dangerous. Please, take this Peace Knot with you."

Xiao Chen could tell at a glance that she must have woven the Peace Knot herself. After all, if a Peace Knot from the Marketplace was this ugly, it would never sell.

"This Peace Knot... it certainly is unique."

Xiao Chen reached out and took it. "You know, for the past couple of days, I’ve had this feeling I was forgetting something. Turns out it was a Peace Knot."

"I’ll be sure to keep it with me. Thank you."

Su Wanqing didn’t seem to catch his meaning of "unique" and continued, "Junior Martial Master Xiao, I pray for my great-grandfather’s well-being every day."

"If I have time, I’ll say a prayer for you as well, for your safety and success."

"Well, it’s getting late, so I’ll be going now."

Xiao Chen saw her to the door. "Thank you for the kind words!"

Early the next morning, far more Foundation Establishment Cultivators had gathered on the sect’s Martial Arts Plaza than had even attended the Immortal Ascension Ceremony.

Although a portion of the Li Huo Sect’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators would remain to guard the sect, they were joined by a large number of Loose Cultivators who had come to the plaza to travel with them—some were close to the Li Huo Sect, while others simply had friends among its members.

Even the renowned Nine-foot Staff Zhu Hui, one of the Ten Heroes of Li State, had not departed ahead of time but was waiting to travel with the group.

After all, once they were in Hezhou, they would all be people from the same state.

That being the case, it was better to get acquainted now so they could help one another later.

The eyes of those about to depart burned with eager anticipation, while the expressions of those seeing them off were filled with worry.

Mei Yong waited until 7:00 AM, then made an excuse and left early.

He returned to the empty main hall of the sect, looked at the map of Hezhou on the table, and sighed. ’I wonder how many of our junior martial brothers will make it back safely.’