From Family Fisherman to Water Virtue True Immortal-Chapter 167: Huang Li

Li Quanqing walked through the bustling streets and casually arrived at a rather large tea house, looking around as he went.

In places where information exchange was not well-developed, tea houses often served as hubs for intelligence gathering, where many brokers of information could be found.

These were all experiences taught to him by the Old Clan Chief.

He entered the tea house and sat in a corner, imitating the other cultivators by ordering a pot of Spiritual Tea, savoring it leisurely amidst the fragrance that filled the air.

Secretly, strands of Divine Sense stealthily extended out, closely monitoring the conversations of the guests within the tea house.

Before long, he had found his target.

It was a middle-aged cultivator with a goatee, skinny and tall, resembling a bamboo pole, wearing a Daoist robe that was neither new nor old, playing a role similar to that of Bai Xiaosheng in this place.

Anyone wishing to acquire information simply needed to order a pot of Spiritual Tea for him, and the tea house would naturally give him a commission in due time.

Each took what they needed, a mutual benefit for both parties.

Li Quanqing couldn’t be bothered with all the roundabout ways, so he directly sent out a strand of Divine Sense, whispering by the man’s ear like a sudden peal of thunder from a clear sky.

"Come meet me in the private room."

The man was startled for a moment, and after looking around to no avail, he quickly gathered his scattered thoughts and smilingly excused himself from the company of others.

He deliberately took a roundabout path before entering the private room alone, respectfully bowed, and said, "I have the honor to meet this senior."

"What should I call you?"

"Senior may refer to me as the Daoist of Three Smiles."

The man had a smile on his face and stood there respectfully, clearly very adept at understanding his place in the social hierarchy, having worked his way up from the bottom.

"Let’s follow your rules and order a pot of Spiritual Tea."

"How dare I, how can I let the senior spend money. If the senior has any questions, please feel free to ask, and I shall tell all I know."

The Daoist of Three Smiles continued to decline, his smiling face almost never fading, giving off a very likable impression.

Nevertheless, Li Quanqing still ordered a pot of Second Rank Spiritual Tea, which was a mere hundred spirit stones or so.

"I wish to purchase a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, do you have a way?"

Upon hearing this, the Daoist of Three Smiles momentarily showed a surprised expression, hesitated for a moment, "Those qualified to sell Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects, I’m afraid only the City Lord lineage has them here."

Li Quanqing neither confirmed nor denied, signaling him to continue.

"There are many disciples under the City Lord, but only two or three of them enjoy making friends."

Li Quanqing spoke, "I want someone with a higher status, an offerer or someone similar is fine, but they must be easily accessible. I am but a Loose Cultivator, without many connections."

The Daoist of Three Smiles pondered for a moment, "In that case, there really is one, the offerer of Cold Chi Immortal City—Master Huang Li."

"This senior is obsessed with Alchemy, already a Second-tier top-grade Alchemist, and there is even a rumor that he has successfully refined Foundation Establishment Pills."

"Master Huang Li is extremely fond of making friends. If you spend two thousand low-grade spirit stones in his shop, you can receive an invitation, which allows you to participate in his small gathering of friends."

"An Alchemy Master capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills?!"

Li Quanqing showed a hint of emotion, such a level of alchemy masters, even the Shuihua Sword Sect had only one.

Moreover, such private gatherings indeed sounded promising.

"He’s the one."

Li Quanqing made up his mind, a little spending was worth it after all.

...

Several days later.

"Nanli Pavilion..."

Li Quanqing held the invitation and successfully passed the scrutiny of the Law Enforcement Cultivators.

He arrived at the foot of Cold Chi Mountain, where a dan-red building shaped like a phoenix spread its wings to fly stood in front of him.

This was Master Huang Li’s Cave Mansion, having purchased quite a number of Spirit Pills, he had successfully obtained an invitation.

The young man took a deep breath, feeling the air filled with dense Heaven and Earth Essence, almost misty, arousing his body’s Mana.

Truly a Third Rank Spirit Vein!

Li Quanqing marveled inwardly, such a caliber of Spirit Vein was enough to support the daily inhalation and exhalation of a Golden Core True Master.

If one could stay here day and night, breaking through realms and even forming a Golden Core would have much higher assurance.

"Esteemed guest, please follow me."

Two attendants walked out from the Cave Mansion, after respectfully greeting him, they led the way ahead.

Crossing a delicate bridge over flowing water and a refined garden pavilion, they arrived at the main hall used for receiving guests.

This place should be not far from the Alchemy Room, the air was permeated with a faint herbal fragrance and abundant with fire energy.

Li Quanqing glanced around; the hall was already filled with more than a dozen people, three of them Foundation Establishment Early Stage and the rest were Qi Refining cultivators, each having spent a large sum of money to obtain an invitation.

His unreserved Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation was glaringly obvious, like a crane standing among chickens, and he was welcomed to the seat of honor, everyone showing a friendly smile.

Even those other Foundation Establishment Cultivators nodded and signaled, displaying mutual politeness, with no one voicing any mockery.

Li Quanqing tasted the fragrant tea, quietly listening to their conversation, gradually clarifying the purpose of these cultivators.

It turned out that they were specifically here to request Master Huang Li to refine some Elixirs for them, and the so-called gathering of friends was merely a ruse.

The few at Foundation Establishment did the same, each representing the families and forces behind them, coming to discuss business with the Second-tier top-grade Alchemist.

"So, am I the only one who is sincerely here to make friends and prepare to participate in the gathering of friends?"

Li Quanqing played with the invitation in his hand, suddenly feeling somewhat at a loss, he had no interest in private Alchemy.

"However... Alchemists really do make a lot of money!"

Li Quanqing listened to the conversations in the grand hall and felt slightly emotional.

To invite an Alchemist to act, besides the basic reward of spirit stones, one also needed to prepare three additional materials.

However, fortunately, even if the refining failed, half of the spirit stones could still be returned. It was somewhat conscientious and not too much of a rip-off.

"Master arrives—"

Outside the grand hall, suddenly there came the melodious call of a young Daoist attendant, accompanied by the echoing sound of bells, causing everyone in the hall to stand up in unison.

Li Quanqing did the same, his gaze shifting to finally see the host of this place.

Master Huang Li was a middle-aged man with handsome features, appearing to be just over thirty, his peach blossom eyes especially captivating, exuding an air of nobility and ease.

His long hair cascaded over his shoulders, and he was covered in a red Alchemist robe, the golden red flames fiercely burning, transforming into several lifelike fire phoenixes soaring high.

As Master Huang Li entered the grand hall, the air immediately filled with a much richer scent of assorted herbs, the fragrance of elixirs pervading and quite pleasant.

"Huang Li has met fellow Daoists, many of whom are old acquaintances, so there’s no need for formalities. Of course, there are also a few new faces."

Master Huang Li laughed heartily, sitting in the seat of honor, and his gaze lingered on Li Quanqing for a moment, given that he himself was only at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

"Let’s follow the usual rule, whoever seizes this Purple Spirit Pill will have the right to speak first."

Master Huang Li took out a jade bottle, its purple glow flickering uncertainly inside, like fireflies, turning the entire bottle into a pale purple hue.

He removed the bottle cork, and in the next moment, a round and smooth purple pill flew out, flitting around the grand hall, displaying a lively spirit.

However, despite the Purple Spirit Pill flitting like a bird, agile and vibrant, it was still underwhelming against the Mana of Cultivators.

The Qi Refining Cultivators naturally did not dare to jump the gun, and seeing Li Quanqing showing no intention of making a move, one of the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators swiftly snapped up the Purple Spirit Pill in his hand.

"Master, I beg to request a Blood Heart Pill for preserving life..."

Li Quanqing toyed with his teacup, behaving as a mere spectator, having figured out the entire process.

This so-called social gathering had indeed been misunderstood by him; it was merely a private gathering for requesting pills.

It was no wonder the Daoist who was always smiling didn’t quite grasp the complexity, given his cultivation was too low.

Several Foundation Establishment Cultivators spoke in turn, Master Huang Li’s smile remained unchanged as he listened quietly without responding.

Seeing the Purple Spirit Pill flying freely again, a Qi Refining Perfect Cultivator was overjoyed and hurriedly grabbed forth with a Mana hand. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

At this moment, Li Quanqing chose to make a move, merely hooking his finger slightly.

The flitting Purple Spirit Pill immediately escaped the grasp of the Mana hand, obediently landing in the palm of his hand.

The Qi Refining Cultivator, seeing this, was aggrieved but dared not express anger, swallowing his frustration and still forced to offer a smile.

"I wonder what Elixir this fellow Daoist wishes to request?"

Master Huang Li inquired, interested in this very unfamiliar Great Cultivator.

Li Quanqing did not answer but instead took out a bottle of Taiyin Soul Water and gently opened it, placing a drop of it suspended in mid-air.

The Spiritual Liquid was clear and transparent, yet like a Taiyin Bright Moon suspended high, casting a halo of silver light around it, appearing quite extraordinary.

"This is..."

Master Huang Li’s eyes immediately lit up, his whole demeanor excited to the point of restlessness, his robe billowing as if he was a blazing furnace.

Not only him, other Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators were also greatly shocked, feeling a desire from their Divine Sense.

Only a crowd of Qi Refining Cultivators were puzzled, their souls too weak to sense the allure of the Soul Extending Water for strengthening the spiritual force.

Seeing the desirous expression on the face of this Alchemy Master, Li Quanqing felt more at ease.

"This is Taiyin Soul Extending Water, which can extend the soul and strengthen Divine Sense. I am willing to trade this treasure for one Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, is that possible?"

Master Huang Li composed himself from his earlier eagerness, still with eyes aflame, he anxiously replied, "Hundred Herbs True Poison, what do you think?"

This belonged to the lowest tier of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects, only able to increase the breakthrough rate by half.

Li Quanqing shook his head slightly: "I will only trade for Water Element Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects. Besides this Soul Extending Water, I also have a piece of Geng Metal True Evil, would it be enough to trade for a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"Daoist friend jests, Foundation Establishment Pills are restricted-grade Elixirs of the Immortal City, even if I wanted to sell, I lack such authority."

Master Huang Li sighed gently, suppressing his yearning: "Let’s discuss this matter later, next please!"

The Purple Spirit Pill resumed its flight, but it was clear to everyone that the Alchemy Master’s mind was elsewhere.

Li Quanqing kept the Soul Extending Water, utterly relaxed, now confident like one who sits and fishes with patience.

When the gathering ended, Master Huang Li almost couldn’t wait to pull him into a secluded side hall.

"Daoist friend truly only requires a Water Element Spiritual Object? What if I offered other Second-tier top-grade Elixirs?"

"I only want the Spiritual Object!"

Li Quanqing shook his head in refusal, insistent.

Master Huang Li sighed, scratching his head with some frustration: "But I really don’t have any. I’d really like to have that great boon for strengthening Divine Sense!"

Li Quanqing glanced sideways, this Alchemy Master seemed... somewhat naïve.

Or rather, to have a child-like innocence.

"Isn’t the Master an Immortal City’s honored guest? Why not ask some of the true master’s disciples and friends if they have a need for Geng Metal True Evil?"

Li Quanqing gently persuaded: "As long as I can obtain a Water Element Spiritual Object, I will surely offer up this gourd of Taiyin Soul Extending Water."

"So that’s your game!"

Master Huang Li’s eyes widened, as if he had discovered a new continent.

He thought it over, and realizing it made sense, he quickly took out many Communication Jade Tokens and started contacting his friends.

Li Quanqing sat by, waiting several hours, the tea being refilled multiple times, until finally, a message arrived.

Putting away the Jade Talisman, Master Huang Li smiled slightly, a confident expression on his face:

"I have a friend who happens to have a Beiming Zhen Sha, willing to trade for that piece of Geng Metal Evil Qi. What do you think, Daoist friend?"