Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 162 - 128: Fellow Daoist, Please Wait

「Fuyue Continent Marketplace.」

A young man strolled along the side of a wide, clean street. He wore a jade crown and luxurious purple robes, his eyes were as dark as lacquer, and a faint Spiritual Light enveloped his body.

Ling Changqing surveyed his surroundings. The Marketplace was massive, at least four or five times larger than those on the Hanyue Continent. The number of Cultivators here was likely more than ten times greater.

Magnificent shops lined both sides of the street. Resources of all kinds were available, from Elixirs and Talismans, Magical Artifacts and Spirit Beasts, to Cultivation Method Scriptures, Array Maps, and Array Banners.

Some Loose Cultivators had even picked random spots along the street, laying out various items from their Storage Pouches to set up makeshift stalls. They attracted quite a few Cultivators, who stopped to browse.

Although these Loose Cultivators were generally in the Qi Cultivation Stage, with Foundation Establishment Level cultivators being a rare sight among them, it didn't mean they had nothing of value.

With just a casual glance, Ling Changqing spotted several unique resources from the ocean—auxiliary materials used for refining certain Second Grade Elixirs.

After a moment's thought, he casually made his way over. Throngs of cultivators bustled about, their haggling voices filling the air, so no one paid him any mind.

"Fellow Daoist, how much are you selling this for?"

In front of the stall, Ling Changqing stood with his hands behind his back, asking in a calm voice.

He had his eye on a branch-like spiritual material, as red as coral, and a bottle of dark-colored medicinal powder sealed in glazed crystal.

Clear Spirit Milk Essence and Yue Lingsha. Although both were considered First Grade Materials, they weren't cheap due to their scarce supply and the difficulty of collecting them.

The stall owner was a withered, gaunt old man at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Level. He was unkempt, and his black Magic Robe was filthy. A single glance told Ling Changqing he was the very picture of a struggling, low-level Loose Cultivator.

"Senior, if you're serious about buying, how about two hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones for the lot?"

Sensing the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure emanating from Ling Changqing, the old man's voice gained a trace of reverence. He forced a smile onto his wrinkled face.

Even though he looked old enough to be the young man's grandfather, he still had to address Ling Changqing as "Senior."

Ling Changqing considered for a moment before nodding. He took out two Middle-grade Spirit Stones and handed them over. Then, with a casual sweep of his hand, he collected the two materials.

"Thank you for your generosity, Senior!"

The old man carefully put away the Spirit Stones, his tone now holding a hint of fawning gratitude.

Ling Changqing said nothing more and turned to leave.

He had only taken a few steps when, from a distance, a young girl with bright eyes, pearly teeth, and black hair hanging to her shoulders rushed over in an Escape Light. She called out urgently:

"Fellow Daoist, are the items still available? I'll take them all!"

The old man looked stunned for a moment, then gave a helpless, wry smile. "Fellow Daoist, your timing is quite unfortunate. The materials were just purchased by that Foundation Establishment senior!"

"What?"

The girl looked crestfallen. "My lady is waiting for me to bring those back to prepare a medicine!"

She whipped her head around, but Ling Changqing had already walked off, leaving only his back in her view.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait!"

Not giving up, the girl called out again, her long legs carrying her quickly as she gave chase.

Ling Changqing glanced back at her impassively, but he subtly quickened his pace. Within a few breaths, he had vanished into the depths of the crowd.

'It's over. I'm going to get an earful from my lady when I get back! It's all that detestable bastard's fault!'

The girl's face fell. She had just been strolling around today when she happened upon those two materials. Unfortunately, she hadn't had enough Spirit Stones on her. By the time she returned with the money, someone had already beaten her to the punch.

Ling Changqing continued to browse as he walked. Over the better part of the day, he managed to find a good number of useful materials among the many stalls.

However, this shopping spree had been expensive, costing him over twenty thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones in total.

Of course, with Ling Changqing's current wealth, this sum was negligible. His personal savings amounted to over a thousand Middle-grade Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch, which he was free to use as he pleased.

'Maybe... I should sell off a batch of my loot first?'

Ling Changqing mulled it over for a moment, and a plan began to form.

A short while later, he arrived at the main entrance of a magnificent, palace-like establishment.

On the nine White Jade Steps stood guards—cultivators with sharp gazes, dressed in blue Magical Robes—as well as maids in colorful dresses responsible for greeting guests.

Most of them were at the Middle stage of Qi Cultivation, while the few leading them were already at the Late stage of Qi Cultivation. This spoke volumes about the profound strength of the establishment, named the Celestial Splendor Pavilion.

Like the Xingyun sun Commerce Association, the Celestial Splendor Pavilion was a major power with a long history and unfathomable strength. It had always preferred to focus on business rather than get involved in fights and disputes.

Seeing Ling Changqing approach the White Jade Steps, one of the maids in a colorful dress hurried to greet him, her voice soft and gentle.

Ling Changqing briefly stated his purpose and was immediately escorted with great enthusiasm to a private room on the 2nd Floor.

The Celestial Splendor Pavilion had its rules: Qi Refining Stage Cultivators could only conduct business on the 1st Floor, while Foundation Establishment Cultivators were permitted on the 2nd Floor. As for the 3rd Floor, only a Pseudo Core Master was qualified to enter.

Inside the private room.

Ling Changqing had just taken a seat when a beautiful maid entered to serve him Spirit Tea and snacks.

A moment later, heralded by the sound of soft footsteps, a tall, slender woman in a red dress entered. Her features were as lovely as a painting.

She too was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Spiritual Light shimmered around her, and she was dressed like the daughter of a Noble Family. She moved with a captivating, graceful sway.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. I am Xue Yumei, the manager here. May I ask your name?"

The female Cultivator greeted him with a slight nod, her voice gentle.

"Ling Changqing."

He hesitated for a moment but decided to use his real name.

Of course, in Xue Yumei's eyes, very few cultivators who came to do business used their real names. Most disguised themselves and operated under false identities.

'This "Ling Changqing" is probably just a name he picked at random, then,' she mused. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Fellow Daoist Xue, I intend to sell some items of a... sensitive origin. I wonder if you'll accept them?"

Xue Yumei understood immediately. She said at once:

"It's no matter. We only do business here; we never inquire about external grievances. Fellow Daoist Ling, you can trade with complete peace of mind."

This was the typical phrasing used by Tribulation Cultivators when fencing illicit goods. Xue Yumei had been managing this place for several years now, so she was more than used to it.

"That's excellent!"

As Ling Changqing spoke, he raised his hand slightly. A full twenty Spatial Magical Artifacts—including Storage Pouches and Storage Bracelets—appeared on the Golden Silk Cloud Sandalwood Table.

Before Xue Yumei could speak, he produced another twenty-odd Spiritual Artifacts: Flying Swords, Flying Ships, waistbands, boots, Magical Robes, and more.

All of these items had been "contributed" by that unlucky group of Primordial Demon Sect cultivators back in the Immortal Mansion Ruins.

Xue Yumei's delicate eyebrows arched slightly, and the smile on her face blossomed. "These are fine items. We'll have our professional Treasure Appraisers evaluate them and give you a fair and reasonable price."

"Acceptable."

Ling Changqing naturally had no objections.

Xue Yumei nodded and gave a few instructions to the maid beside her. The maid left and returned a short while later with two Treasure Appraisers, both at the Foundation Establishment Level.

The Treasure Appraisers picked up the Storage Pouches, emptied their contents, and began appraising the items one by one while an attendant stood by to tally the figures.

Before long, the final Magical Robe had been priced, and the cumulative total had already exceeded five hundred Middle-grade Spirit Stones.

"Excellent. We'll settle at your proposed price."

Ling Changqing said. It was all a windfall anyway; there was no need to quibble over the details.

"Fellow Daoist Ling is refreshingly straightforward!"

Xue Yumei smiled and immediately signaled for a maid to bring over and present him with five hundred and twenty Middle-grade Spirit Stones.

"Fellow Daoist Ling, you have quite the fortune. Why not take a look at our showroom?"

Xue Yumei added, "We have many excellent resources inside, including certain Cultivation Method Scriptures. We're not short on Third Grade Elixirs or Talismans, either. I'm confident you'll find something to your liking."

Ling Changqing nodded. "Hm... That is indeed worth a look. Please, lead the way, Fellow Daoist."

At that, another maid entered carrying a tray, which she presented respectfully to Ling Changqing.

On the tray lay a neatly folded gray cloak. It emanated no Magical Power fluctuations whatsoever; it was a special kind of Magical Artifact.

Ling Changqing glanced at it, then took the cloak and put it on. To any onlooker, he now appeared to be an ordinary person, emitting no aura or Magical Power fluctuations at all.