Qingyuan Immortal City

However, just as He Song had guessed, Meng Guan did not mention treating them to flower wine at all, despite what he had said in the Sound Transmission Paper Crane.

Seeing this, He Song and Wei Fan exchanged a smile and did not take it to heart.

They both understood Meng Guan's character.

There was no way he would go drinking flower wine.

At least, the Meng Guan of three years ago could not have done such a thing.

And the Meng Guan of today did not seem capable of it either.

Flower wine was out of the question, but he would certainly thank them in some other way.

Since Meng Guan had said he would thank them, he definitely would; only the method might change somewhat.

Neither He Song nor Wei Fan worried about that.

After offering his verbal thanks, Meng Guan continued.

Over the past three years, while at the Red Spirit Gold Mine, he had made some Rogue Cultivator friends. He had also seen how difficult life was for Rogue Cultivators—and the frightening speed at which they earned Spirit Stones.

In an Immortal Market, the yearly rent alone could consume most of a Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivator's annual salary.

And precisely because of rent, cultivators in Immortal Markets were generally poorer than Rogue Cultivators.

Rogue Cultivators did not need to pay rent.

A monthly rent of ten Spirit Stones did not seem like much.

But over a year, it came to one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones.

He Song's annual salary now was only ninety Spirit Stones that he could freely use.

Being able to save so many Spirit Stones, Rogue Cultivators generally lived better than Immortal Market cultivators.

One had to know that the work Rogue Cultivators could do was mostly work that involved licking blood from a blade's edge. It was extremely dangerous, so naturally the rewards were not low.

With one rising as the other fell, Rogue Cultivators truly did live more comfortably than Immortal Market cultivators.

It was simply that Immortal Market cultivators had more stable lives.

Rogue Cultivators were more dangerous, but also wealthier.

At this point, Meng Guan could not help turning his gaze toward Wei Fan.

He rose to his feet.

Then he cupped his hands in salute.

"I left the Red Spirit Gold Mine this time precisely because I have earned enough Spirit Stones. I would like to ask Brother Wei to accompany me to Qingyuan Immortal City to purchase a Realm-Breaking Pill."

Meng Guan's salute was exceptionally solemn.

Even though he and Wei Fan had known each other for so long and had long since become friends, he was still treating the matter with great seriousness.

When Meng Guan had left the Immortal Market for the Red Spirit Gold Mine three years ago, he had already been forty-three.

Now, three years later, he was forty-six.

Less than fourteen years remained until the ideal age of sixty for breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

To break through from Qi Refining stage 6 to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer within such a short time, and obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill as well, was as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

Even if he did not use a Foundation Establishment Pill and instead chose to force his way through, given Meng Guan's aptitude of five spiritual roots, even if he successfully broke through to Qi Refining stage 7 this time, advancing from Qi Refining stage 7 to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer in so little time would still be immensely difficult.

But in Meng Guan's view—

Since he had already resigned from his post at the Immortal Market and intended to fight his way forward, he needed to stake his life on it.

Even if there was only a sliver of hope.

He would step onto this road, fated to be covered in thorns!

As long as he could successfully break through to the Qi Refining Late Stage this time, he was confident he could cultivate to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer before turning sixty and launch an assault on the Foundation Establishment realm.

As for what the final outcome would be—

Meng Guan did not want to think too much about it.

Since he had decided to start gambling with his life, there was no need to think of anything else.

The determination in Meng Guan's eyes made He Song sit up straighter.

Before him, Wei Fan's expression immediately grew solemn as he faced Meng Guan's grave salute.

"Old Meng, why must you be so formal between us? Fine, I shall accompany you on this trip. It is only a Realm-Breaking Pill—Wei can still protect it."

Only after a long while did Wei Fan agree.

He had considered many things.

The dangers of traveling to Qingyuan Immortal City.

The dangers after purchasing the Realm-Breaking Pill.

The dangers when Meng Guan broke through.

The dangers that might arise on their return to the Immortal Market.

He had considered nearly all of them. Only after deciding that he could bear them and that they would not be too difficult did he agree.

For a Qi Refining Late Stage cultivator to buy a Realm-Breaking Pill for the Qi Refining Middle Stage, there would certainly be danger, but not much.

He trusted that he could handle it.

If Meng Guan could successfully break through, then with two Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators, there would be virtually no danger at all.

"Then I thank Brother Wei. If I were to go alone to Qingyuan Immortal City this time, there would likely be some danger. But with Brother Wei there, there will be no problem."

Seeing Wei Fan agree, Meng Guan let out a breath of relief, and a delighted smile immediately spread across his aged face.

Though he had long expected Wei Fan to agree, when Wei Fan truly said the words, Meng Guan could not help feeling overjoyed.

This meant he had not misjudged the man.

It also meant that his trip to Qingyuan Immortal City to purchase a Realm-Breaking Pill would no longer leave him with any worries.

And finally, it meant that after these three years, the bond between him, Wei Fan, and He Song still remained.

With his old heart greatly comforted, he was naturally delighted.

However, just as he was immersed in that delight, Wei Fan beside him spoke again.

He looked toward He Song.

"Would Fellow Daoist like to come to Qingyuan Immortal City with us and have a look? It is nothing like an Immortal Market; it is a truly prosperous place."

Since he had already agreed to accompany Meng Guan to Qingyuan Immortal City, bringing one more person would not matter.

Besides, He Song had now reached the Qi Refining Middle Stage. If he came along, he would provide another bit of fighting strength.

Though Wei Fan knew that He Song's fighting strength was practically equal to zero.

The other cultivators they encountered on the road would not know that.

With more people on their side, perhaps they could avoid some trouble.

At the same time, it would broaden He Song's horizons.

Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market was merely a market established under Qingyuan Immortal City's jurisdiction to make trading convenient for cultivators in the surrounding area.

The cultivators coming and going were mostly minor Qi Refining stage cultivators from nearby regions. It was rare to see even one Foundation Establishment Real Person.

He Song had stayed in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market for nearly ten years, yet he had never seen any Foundation Establishment Real Person besides Chengsan Real Person.

How could such a place compare with an Immortal City?

In an Immortal City, Foundation Establishment Real Persons were rare, but at least several of them resided there permanently.

At times, visiting Foundation Establishment Real Persons often came and went as well.

The items sold in an Immortal City were also a tier above those sold in an Immortal Market.

However.

Just as Wei Fan was thinking that He Song would certainly agree—

He Song shook his head repeatedly upon hearing the invitation.

"Forget it, forget it. You two go ahead. Immortal Cities have their merits, and Immortal Markets have theirs. For now, I would still rather remain in the Immortal Market."

As he spoke, He Song kept waving his hands, hoping to dispel Wei Fan's idea.

An Immortal City?

What was he going to an Immortal City for?

In this tiny Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, he could do whatever he pleased.

Even if someone offended him, he could use his connections at any time to make them vanish from the face of the earth.

If he could be a local emperor here, why go to an Immortal City and become a nobody at the bottom?

Once he reached an Immortal City—

What would his little network of connections amount to?

Forget Wei Fan being only a Qi Refining stage 7 cultivator; even if he were a Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator, he probably would not rank for much in an Immortal City.

That being the case, the protection Wei Fan could offer him would naturally be greatly reduced.

If he offended a Foundation Establishment cultivator in an Immortal City, he might even drag Wei Fan down with him. Neither of them would be able to escape.

Though that was only an unlikely possibility, He Song still felt that, while he lacked the ability to protect himself, staying in the Immortal Market was quite good.

I sincerely ask all Fellow Daoists who are following this novel to keep reading until the latest chapters.

During the new book period, continued readership is the most important thing.

If you find this book to your taste, I hope all Fellow Daoists will continue following it.

Only then can more Fellow Daoists see this book.

This author offers his thanks!

Please keep reading.