Chapter 50: Elixir

“So you are from the Li family of Lijing? The Li family by Moon-Watching Lake?”

As Ning Wan’s red lips parted, the various figures below reacted with diverse expressions, whispering amongst themselves

“I’ve never heard of this Lijing Li family. Is it worth an Envoy personally inquiring about them?”

“Who knows...”

Xiao Chuting also looked down, nodding toward Li Tongya and looking at him with a light smile.

Li Tongya was startled at first. He raised his head slightly, catching a glimpse of the tender, pale skin and the clear, smooth jawline beneath Ning Wan’s veil, and answered with composure

“Replying to the Envoy, I am Li Tongya of the Li family. My family’s Lijing Mountain is indeed by the shores of Moon-Watching Lake.”

“And what is your relation to that Li Chijing?”

Upon hearing this, Li Tongya’s eyes lit up, and his heart settled. He knew that Li Chijing had most likely made arrangements within the sect. He replied respectfully

“He is indeed my younger brother.”

Ning Wan pursed her lips. She raised her left hand, and a small silk pouch flew out, landing slowly in Li Tongya’s hand. She said softly

“This is from your brother.”

“Thank you, Immortal!”

Li Tongya hurriedly took it. Seeing the surrounding crowd staring at him in astonishment, he couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

He was naturally a person who did not wish to stand out, yet he had unexpectedly become the center of attention. Feeling as though needles were pricking his back, he hurriedly offered his thanks.

Ning Wan nodded to him and spoke a few words to Xiao Chuting beside her. As the two shared a light conversation, the people below finished submitting their offerings.

“Replying to the Immortal, the thirty-four families of Lixia County are all accounted for!”

A laborer below finished counting the items and shouted respectfully toward Ning Wan.

“Good.”

Ning Wan nodded and said to Xiao Chuting

“This junior has urgent matters to attend to. Since the offerings have been collected in full, I shall not linger.”

“Safe travels, Envoy.”

Xiao Chuting cupped his hands, smiling as he watched Ning Wan board the flying vessel.

Watching the Rosy Cloud Ship slowly ascend and disappear into the eastern horizon, Xiao Chuting finally turned his gaze toward the crowd below and spoke indifferently

“You are all old friends. The rogue cultivators have already reached the foot of the mountain. The market at the base has been open for several days; you may proceed to trade.”

“The rules remain the same. This Guanyun Market is the property of my Xiao family. I expect you all to show me some respect. If anyone engages in fighting, looting, or forced trading within this market, they are striking at my family’s establishment.”

“Understood.”

The crowd below responded in unison and began to descend the mountain. A few people approached, intending to strike up a conversation with Li Tongya. Wan Yuankai looked at him with envy and prepared to speak, but he heard Xiao Chuting cough and saw him smile

“Little friend Tongya, would you care to have a chat with this old man?”

The people nearby immediately stopped in their tracks, and Wan Yuankai quickly shut his mouth. Li Tongya hurriedly replied

“Senior, you are too kind. It is my honor to converse with a great cultivator such as yourself!”

Xiao Chuting chuckled and led Li Tongya into the main courtyard, sitting down by a bluestone table. Naturally, a servant appeared to serve clear tea. Xiao Chuting took a light sip and said softly

“I do not come to Guanyun Peak often, so the hospitality may be somewhat meager. Please do not find fault with it.”

Li Tongya took the teacup and took a small sip. He immediately felt a wave of sweetness rise from the tip of his tongue, and his mind became crystal clear. Resisting the urge to gulp it down, he hurriedly shook his head, repeatedly stating he would not dare.

“My grandson cultivated at Qing Sui Peak with your brother for several years, and he did speak with me a few times.”

Xiao Chuting smiled and continued

“Your brother is quite extraordinary in the way of the sword. The Peak Master, Si Yuanbai, calls him the finest in hundreds of years of Qing Sui Peak, and treasures him dearly.”

Born to a farming family, Li Tongya was used to using tea bowls in his village; holding the tiny teacup felt somewhat awkward. He froze upon hearing this, then replied with a mix of shock and joy

“Jing’er never mentioned this to the family...”

“Your brother is a good child. Did you look inside that pouch?”

As Xiao Chuting looked at Li Tongya, a trace of nostalgia flashed in his eyes, as if he were remembering something from a very distant time. He smiled and said

“Inside are five spirit stones. They are the provisions provided to the boy over the past five years. He must have consumed the spirit rice and spirit pills himself; he saved all these spirit stones.”

Li Tongya was stunned, a sense of heartache swelling in his chest. He murmured to himself

“My Li family has made life hard for this child.”

“Sigh, do not think that way. Prosperity and hardship are shared by the whole clan.”

Xiao Chuting waved his hand, and with a sweep across the table, a small white jade bottle appeared. He spoke again

“I see you are still at the Fetal Breath stage of the Azure Essence Cycle. There is a Divine Clarifying Powder here; use it to break through to the Jade Capital stage.”

Caught off guard, Li Tongya hurriedly stood up, waving his hands repeatedly

“Senior! I cannot accept this!”

“Take the pill and leave. Do not make a scene. If your family doesn't even have a single Jade Capital Cycle member, you will bring shame to Qing Sui Peak.”

Xiao Chuting spoke indifferently, frowning as he stood up and walked toward the back courtyard, leaving only two words behind

“Escort the guest!”

***

At the foot of Guanyun Peak, Li Tongya smiled bitterly as he tightened his grip on the pill in his robes. He looked at the complicated expression on Wan Yuankai’s face and asked

“Brother Yuankai, regarding this market...”

“Oh.”

Wan Yuankai snapped out of his trance and pointed to the path ahead, explaining

“Just follow this road. There is an illusion array around the market to keep mortals out, so do not wander off.”

After walking for a while, the path suddenly opened up. A small, bustling settlement appeared on what had been a deserted mountain path, filled with the sounds of people coming and going and constant chatter.

“Brother Tongya, my clan has assigned me a task. Why don't we part ways here and meet later at the foot of the mountain? We can take a carriage back together.”

Wan Yuankai cupped his hands and smiled at Li Tongya before quickly heading east.

Watching Wan Yuankai disappear in the distance, Li Tongya shook his head and looked toward a roadside stall. The owner was holding a book and reading, looking somewhat troubled. On the stall were several talismans, a few unknown spiritual items, and several small flags.

“Are these formation flags?”

Li Tongya looked at the grayish-white small flags. Being cautious, he did not touch them with his hands but instead asked.

“Yes. The flag bodies are made from the refined skin of Jade Capital Cycle demon beasts, and the poles are made of White Jade Wood. They are only eight spirit stones.”

Li Tongya couldn't help but think of the six flags Xiao Yuansi had sold to his family. He inquired

“I have heard there are formation flags that use White-Patterned Carp skin for the bodies and Red Birch wood for the poles... I wonder how much those would cost?”

The stall owner froze. His gaze toward Li Tongya grew more fervent, and his tone became more respectful as he said

“Senior, Red Birch is decent, but White-Patterned Carp skin is a material for the Qi Refinement stage. Please take those artifacts to the shops in the east; these roadside stalls are only for the Fetal Breath stage.”

“I see.”

Li Tongya realized the situation, thinking to himself

“It seems the price Xiao Yuansi charged my family was quite cheap. If a Fetal Breath stage formation flag costs eight spirit stones, then valuing those flags at twelve spirit stones is not an overcharge.”