4: Chapter 4 Atsutodo

The next day, Li Qing slowly opened his eyes.

"Sigh, the Cultivation speed is too slow!"

For someone with Mixed Spiritual Roots like Li Qing, wanting to advance quickly meant that absorbing Spirit Stones was the fastest way.

In the world of Cultivators, advancing from Qi Refining Stage 1 to Qi Refining Stage 2 required the Spiritual Qi of ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones; from Qi Refining Stage 2 to Qi Refining Stage 3 required twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones; and from stage three to four required forty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. The subsequent Realms followed this pattern. Li Qing calculated that to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, he would need over forty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and that didn't even include the price of a foundation establishment pill.

For low-level Loose Cultivators in Anping Market, especially those in the Early Stage of Qi Refining, earning ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones a month was already considered a high income.

This was also the reason why many Loose Cultivators entered the Yunling Mountain Range and transformed into bandit Cultivators.

After all, robbery was the fastest way to get Spirit Stones.

As for supplying over forty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones to a single Cultivator, let alone a Cultivation Family, even the Houtu Sect wouldn't dare to do such a thing.

If it were yesterday, Li Qing wouldn't have even dared to think about it. But now, with the building panel, Li Qing's ambition was not just Foundation Establishment. Having stepped onto the path of Cultivation, who wouldn't want to live forever?

Walking out of the stone cave, Li Qing checked the Spirit Well, but it was clear and empty.

He shook his head; it had only been one night, and he was being too impatient.

Li Qing left his Immortal Cave and reappeared in the dilapidated wooden house. If his expectations were correct, the debt collectors were coming.

"Bang, bang."

The already flimsy courtyard gate vibrated with the sound.

Li Qing quickly opened the courtyard gate; if he let them keep knocking, he would have to spend money to repair the door again.

"You're home. Is the rent ready?"

It was the same Black-robed Man named Boss Hu from yesterday. At this moment, he was looking at Li Qing with a playful expression. Behind him, in addition to his two lackeys, was a young man.

"Boss Hu, it's ready."

Li Qing took three Low-Grade Spirit Stones from his pocket and handed them to the Black-robed Man.

"Not bad. Remember to pay the rent in advance next month; don't make me come to collect it again."

After collecting the Spirit Stones, Boss Hu did not make things difficult for Li Qing and led his people to the next house. However, as they left, a trace of disappointment appeared in the eyes of the young man.

If Li Qing hadn't guessed wrong, if he hadn't been able to pay the Spirit Stones, this small courtyard would have already been rented by the young man just now.

Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief. This trouble was finally resolved; at the very least, he wouldn't be kicked out of Anping Market for now. Next was Boss Scar's debt, and Li Qing placed all his hope on the Spirit Well.

For the time being, Li Qing did not stay in his Immortal Cave, but went to the market to find work.

Li Qing had figured it out; at this point, just waiting around was a waste of time. It was better to go find work. Perhaps if he was lucky, he could earn enough Spirit Stones without relying on the Spirit Well.

In the market, Li Qing was lucky enough to get a job helping to slaughter fish at the fish stall. He worked two hours every day, and the pay was exactly three Low-Grade Spirit Stones a month.

He didn't waste the rest of his time either, taking whatever work he could find.

Leaving early and returning late every day, although Li Qing was very tired, he felt at ease, probably because he finally had hope for life!

Little did he know that all of Li Qing's actions were being recorded by people sent by The Bald Man. When The Bald Man received the information about Li Qing, a sinister grin split his face. He liked diligent people; no matter how much they earned, it was just doing the work for them!

Days passed by, but the Spirit Well remained calm and undisturbed, making Li Qing increasingly anxious.

Because so far, Li Qing had only earned five Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Including the wages from slaughtering fish, that was only eight Low-Grade Spirit Stones, far from enough to pay back Boss Scar.

Finally, on the twenty-ninth day, a drop of spirit dew condensed in the Spirit Well.

It was a simple, lustrous white, like dew condensed on a petal in the early morning, floating on the water's surface with a faint layer of Spiritual Qi.

Li Qing immediately took out the prepared jade bottle and collected the spirit dew inside. Bringing it close to the bottle's mouth to smell, it carried a crisp, herbal fragrance.

It tempted Li Qing, and he really wanted to drink it in one gulp.

In the end, he resisted the temptation.

Next was to figure out how to sell the spirit dew. Only by selling the spirit dew for Spirit Stones could he break free from the constraints of the spirit contract.

The moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and moonlight sprinkled over the bluestone road of Anping Market.

The bustling market of the daytime had faded, leaving only a few dim lanterns swaying, reflecting the vendors at the street corners who were reluctant to pack up.

These stalls had to pay a daily rent of one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. The stall owners were all calculating, wishing to squeeze every bit of value out of that Spirit Stone. They often stayed until the second half of the night, only extinguishing their lanterns and packing up when they were sure there was no more business.

Occasionally, low-level Loose Cultivators would pass by in a hurry, using the light from the lanterns to look through the low-level Talismans and broken Magical Artifacts on the stalls, the sounds of bargaining appearing exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Li Qing carried the bottle in his pocket, his steps hurried, without the slightest pause.

He had no intention of wasting time here; his destination for this trip was the most core building in Anping Market—Houtu Hall.

Wherever a market was controlled by the Houtu Sect, there was guaranteed to be a Houtu Hall stationed there.

Li Qing had originally thought about going to the black market, but then he thought that with his current cultivation level, he was afraid that even if he sold the spirit dew, he would be targeted.

In the end, he could only go to Houtu Hall.

First, as a major Sect, the Houtu Sect emphasized fairness, clear pricing, and would never engage in exorbitant price gouging or bullying customers.

Second, with the backing of the Sect's power, it eliminated the risk of black-market double-crossing, so even the weakest Loose Cultivators could trade with peace of mind.

For a low-level Loose Cultivator with no power or influence like Li Qing, Houtu Hall was undoubtedly the safest choice.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door of Houtu Hall, a faint wave of Spiritual Qi rushed towards him, completely different from the turbid atmosphere of the market.

The hall was brightly lit, with dozens of rows of shelves arranged neatly. On them were placed various Cultivation supplies such as Medicinal Pills, Talismans, Ore, and Magical Artifacts. Several shop assistants dressed in gray flying cloud robes were greeting customers in an orderly manner.

As soon as Li Qing stepped in, a young shop assistant with a handsome face came up to greet him. His attitude was gentle but measured: "Fellow Daoist, visiting so late at night, I wonder what you need to buy or sell?"

Li Qing recognized that gray flying cloud robe at a glance; it was the standard attire for the Utility Disciple of the Houtu Sect.

Although Utility Disciples were the lowest-ranking members of the Houtu Sect, with the highest cultivation level being only Qi Refining Stage 3, they had the backing of a major Sect. Not only could they receive a fixed salary of Spirit Stones every month, but they could also access basic Cultivation Techniques. Their treatment and strength were far beyond what a helpless Loose Cultivator like him could compare to.

Li Qing dared not be the slightest bit negligent. He slightly cupped his hands, his tone respectful: "Fellow Daoist, you are too polite. I am not here to buy supplies today, but I have a drop of spirit dew. I wonder what the acquisition price is at Houtu Hall?"

As he spoke, Li Qing took out the jade bottle from his pocket.

The shop assistant's gaze fell on the jade bottle, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

spirit dew could be considered a strategic resource; very few people would bring it to sell.

He didn't expect this Loose Cultivator to be so lucky to obtain a drop of spirit dew.

In the Houtu Sect, a single drop of spirit dew required quite a lot of points.

He reached out and took the jade bottle, sniffed it, and had already judged its authenticity. He said slowly: "For one drop of spirit dew, I will offer you an acquisition price of one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, Fellow Daoist."