The Marketplace

The money was plentiful, but not what Liu Xiaolou needed. As for the spiritual rice—a spiritual herb stored in the treasure vault of Jinping Mountain Villa—it was hardly a matter of fifty liters of spiritual rice.

People came and went. Liu Xiaolou sat for half an hour when he suddenly saw a familiar face: Longshan the Rogue Cultivator, who had accepted the Hero's Invitation that day and joined them in attacking Jinping Mountain Villa.

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator had a noticeable stubble. After entering, he greeted a few acquaintances with a smile, then spotted Liu Xiaolou sitting in the corner. He paused for a moment before slowly approaching.

Liu Xiaolou felt quite grateful to Longshan the Rogue Cultivator. Back in the chaotic Jinping Mountain Villa, it was Longshan the Rogue Cultivator who had beckoned him to follow, leading him to the treasure vault. Later, he had also chivalrously helped Liu Xiaolou fend off villains coveting the spiritual herb, showing him considerable support. Thus, Liu Xiaolou rose to greet him, "Senior."

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator nodded and beckoned him, "Come with me."

Liu Xiaolou followed him, leaving the wooden shed and arriving at the end of the alley.

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator gazed at the bustling wooden shed in the distance and said in a low voice, "They didn't find you?"

Liu Xiaolou replied, "This junior went into hiding and only returned recently."

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator praised, "Quite clever." He then asked, "On our side, Wulong Mountain, Wei Hongqing of Ghost Dream Cliff also accepted the Hero's Invitation? Why didn't we see him that day?"

Liu Xiaolou shook his head, "No, only you and I accepted."

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator frowned, "Then why was Dongyang Mountain lingering around Ghost Dream Cliff before?"

Liu Xiaolou explained, "He left Wulong Mountain before the Hero Assembly, saying he wanted to wander the world. Perhaps Dongyang Mountain mistook someone else."

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator nodded, "You be careful too. The storm hasn't passed. Dongyang Mountain has investigated many people. I heard Gao Feiyan and Wan Jianxin were exposed and fled Xiangnan, their whereabouts unknown now."

Liu Xiaolou wasn't too worried. Those two were prominent figures among Xiangnan's rogue cultivators, well-known individuals. It was normal for them to be investigated. Who would bother with an unknown nobody like himself?

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator added, "Also, the Pai Sect Seventh Branch had their base destroyed by the Dongyang Sect. Lou Zhenwu was the one who did it."

Liu Xiaolou couldn't help but be shocked. He had heard that the Pai Sect's branches not only kept their lairs secret but also changed them frequently, and their defensive magic arrays were quite formidable. This was their reliance for repeatedly participating in the Hero Assembly without fear of retaliation. He hadn't expected them to be wiped out by the Dongyang Sect this time. Major sects were indeed major sects; there was no arguing with that.

After careful consideration, he realized that only Dai Shenggao, who issued the Hero's Invitation, and Longshan the Rogue Cultivator present knew about his participation in the Hero Assembly. As long as those two were safe, he would be safe. After all, there were hundreds of heroes who participated; a minor figure like himself shouldn't have entered the Dongyang Sect's sight.

"As long as Senior and Hermit Dai are safe, this junior will be safe," Liu Xiaolou replied.

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator understood Liu Xiaolou's meaning and felt greatly relieved. He suddenly remembered Liu Xiaolou's earlier statement and asked, "You just returned?"

"Yes."

"Then you... are here to sell..."

"Thanks to Senior, I did indeed obtain a spiritual herb that day."

"A spiritual herb?" Longshan the Rogue Cultivator's eyes lit up, his tone carrying a hint of nervousness, "What kind of spiritual herb?"

"Uh... I'm ashamed to say, this junior doesn't know its name. However, this spiritual herb doesn't seem to be ordinary. This junior is in urgent need of spirit stones right now and wanted to try my luck here."

Liu Xiaolou spoke frankly and then took out the spiritual herb for Longshan the Rogue Cultivator to examine. "If Senior has a need for it, I'll gift it to you."

One must repay kindness received. Although a spiritual herb was a pity, it couldn't compare to the help Longshan the Rogue Cultivator had provided that day.

Upon seeing the spiritual herb, Longshan the Rogue Cultivator immediately blurted out, "It really is Water Lily!"

"Senior recognizes it?"

"More than recognizes it. To be frank, Xiaolou, I went to the Hero Assembly specifically because I heard that the Zhang clan's vault contained a Water Lily. Who knew it would fall into your hands? Truly..."

"What is this used for?"

"It is one of the eighteen spiritual materials needed to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Ah, congratulations, Senior. I'll offer this Water Lily as a congratulatory gift, wishing Senior early Foundation Establishment." With that, he presented the spiritual herb.

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator didn't refuse. Foundation Establishment Pills were rarely sold in the world; major sects used one as soon as they refined one. His cultivation was at the tenth level of Qi Refining, the perfect time to attempt Foundation Establishment. Unfortunately, he had nowhere to buy spirit elixirs, so he could only search for the various materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill himself. Today, he had found another spiritual material, so why would he politely refuse?

Lost in thought, he reached into his robes and took out two spirit stones and a wooden box, handing them to Liu Xiaolou. "I'm ashamed, I don't have many spirit stones on me, so I'm taking advantage of you. I'll compensate you later. By the way, this box of Pine Resin Essence is perfect for your Three Xuan Sect. Consider it a small token of my appreciation."

Liu Xiaolou also did not refuse, accepting the spirit stones and a small wooden box. He opened the box and saw a three-inch square piece of pine resin lying inside. A faint scent of decay emanated from it, mixed with the aroma of pine. It was indeed Pine Resin Essence.

This was the main ingredient for refining Misty Incense Tendon, one of the Three Absolute Arts of the Three Xuan Sect. It was extremely rare. After his master passed away, Liu Xiaolou had lost his source. The last remaining Misty Incense Tendon had long been used up, and he didn't know when he could refine it again to restore the sect's former glory. He never expected to obtain a piece today.

"Senior... seems very familiar with my sect?" Liu Xiaolou asked, blinking his eyes.

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator sighed, "Your master and I were, you could say, close friends."

"Close friends" was a commonly used term among rogue cultivators in Wulong Mountain. Liu Xiaolou didn't have any deep feelings about it, but this Longshan the Rogue Cultivator must have had some connection with his master, Mister Sanxuan, otherwise, he wouldn't have given him Pine Resin Essence.

Longshan the Rogue Cultivator continued to visit various markets, striving to gather the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill. After gathering them, he would still need to find someone to refine the pill, which was the truly difficult hurdle to overcome. Whether he could ultimately achieve his wish was not Liu Xiaolou's concern.

However, before leaving, Liu Xiaolou underwent a form of spiritual torment.

He saw someone selling spirit elixirs, and many people were gathered around the seller, inquiring about the effects of these few spirit elixirs!

He squatted nearby and listened for a moment, and understood. These were healing spirit elixirs refined by the Lu clan of Tianmu Mountain. As long as the injuries were not fatal, they could delay the condition for severe cases and achieve immediate recovery for minor ones.

Such a spirit elixir held immense appeal for rogue cultivators who frequently engaged in life-and-death duels.

The seller had only managed to obtain three of them, selling each for two spirit stones. This price, considering the elixir's efficacy, was not high at all; in fact, it was quite low. The elixir was likely obtained through illicit means, and the seller was eager to get rid of it.

Liu Xiaolou, smelling the elixir's fragrance, wanted to buy it several times but despaired each time. It was truly torture. Many rogue cultivators, like him, were gathered around, each enduring their own torment.

In the end, Liu Xiaolou was finally rescued from this agonizing state: an outer disciple from the Zhanglong Sect passed by, saw the commotion, squeezed into the crowd, and threw out six spirit stones, looking delighted as if he had gotten a bargain, and walked away with a smile.

Amidst a chorus of curses, the crowd dispersed in an instant.