18: Market Notice

The night was as dark as ink, and the lights of Qingzhu Market flickered in the distance, reflecting off Xu Qi'an's tightly furrowed brows.

He sat before a simple wooden table, holding the letter from the Enforcement Team in his hand, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the paper.

The writing on the letter was cold and hard as iron, carrying an undeniable authority between the lines.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Xu Qi'an's eyes.

He had just escaped from the schemes of Bai Zhan and Wan Feng and now had to enter the Xiao Langlang Mountain Relics, whose depths were unknown.

If he went rashly, he feared the outcome would be more ominous than auspicious.

But if he ran away, the Enforcement Team of Qingzhu Market would certainly not let him off easily.

"Will leaving so rashly attract attention? Although with my current strength, I'm not afraid even if a few Cultivators of the Qi Refining Late Stage come."

"But what I fear is, what if a Foundation Establishment cultivator chases after me!"

Xu Qi'an didn't dare to gamble, although his current identity was just that of a small Spiritual Farmer.

But if he left and encountered the Qingzhu Market Enforcement Team and killed them, he would expose the fact that he had obtained an Opportunity.

Xu Qi'an murmured to himself, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a dull sound.

His gaze fell upon the night outside the window, weighing the pros and cons in his heart.

Just then, there was a slight sound of footsteps outside the door, followed by a gentle knock.

"Who?" Xu Qi'an stood up alertly, the Qingzhu Sword in his hand already drawn three inches from its sheath.

"It's me, Lu Anhe." A clear, cold female voice came from outside the door, with a hint of casualness in her tone.

Xu Qi'an was startled, filled with surprise.

Lu Anhe, the daughter of the Lord of Qingzhu Market, the cherished pearl of the Foundation Establishment cultivator Lu Guangtian, why would she visit him, a low-level Spiritual Farmer, late at night?

He quickly put away the Qingzhu Sword, tidied his clothes, and opened the door.

Outside the door, Lu Anhe wore a light green long dress, tied at the waist with a blue silk ribbon, appearing fresh and ethereal.

Her cultivation had reached the eighth level of Qi Refining, and spiritual energy faintly flowed around her, giving off an unapproachable feeling.

However, there was a faint smile on her face, and she looked at Xu Qi'an with gentle eyes.

"Miss Lu, it's been a while. It's so late, may I ask what brings you here?" Xu Qi'an cupped his hands, his tone respectful but not servile.

Lu Anhe smiled slightly, her tone relaxed: "What, you're not going to invite me in to sit?"

Xu Qi'an stepped aside and made a 'please' gesture: "My humble abode is simple, as long as Miss Lu doesn't mind."

Lu Anhe walked into the room, her gaze sweeping over the simple furnishings, but without any hint of disdain.

She casually sat on the wooden chair and looked up at Xu Qi'an: "I came this time, actually, because I wanted to taste your roasted Rice Rat again. I haven't been able to forget it since I ate it last time."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qi'an breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on his face: "So that's it. Miss Lu, please wait a moment, I'll go prepare it now."

After saying that, he took out a few fresh Rice Rat meats from his storage bag, skillfully set up charcoal fire in the room, and began to roast them.

The firelight shone on his face, making him appear particularly focused.

Lu Anhe sat by the side, quietly watching him busy, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.

Soon, the aroma of roasted Rice Rat spread throughout the room, and Lu Anhe couldn't help but take a deep breath, praising: "It's still so fragrant!"

Xu Qi'an handed her the roasted Rice Rat meat and smiled: "Miss Lu, please enjoy."

Lu Anhe took the Rice Rat meat and took a small bite, her eyes immediately lighting up: "It's truly delicious! How did you mix this seasoning?"

Xu Qi'an smiled, a hint of pride in his tone: "This is my own secret blend of seasonings, using over ten kinds of spices, so the taste is naturally unique."

Lu Anhe ate with relish, then suddenly changed the subject and asked: "Oh, by the way, you received the notice from the Enforcement Team, right?"

Xu Qi'an nodded, his expression solemn: "I received it. I just don't know if there's any danger in it..."

"After all, our cultivation is low, and it's really difficult for us to protect ourselves in such relics!"

Lu Anhe put down the Rice Rat meat in her hand, her tone becoming serious: "This relic is no small matter; it is said that it requires the combined efforts of a large number of Cultivators to open it. That's why the Enforcement Team is forcibly summoning all Spiritual Farmers."

"If you run away and get caught, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"At best, you'll be sent to the Jinshi Mountain to mine; at worst, your cultivation will be crippled and you'll be expelled from the Qingzhu Market!"

Lu Anhe's voice was sharp and her face became extremely unpleasant, causing Xu Qi'an to frown tightly.

Xu Qi'an's thoughts stirred, and he bowed towards Lu Anhe.

"Then, Immortal Lu, could you perhaps let me off the hook for the sake of me roasting Rice Rat for you? After all, you are the daughter of Lord Lu..."

"No!"

Before Xu Qi'an could finish speaking, he was directly rejected by Lu Anhe.

Lu Anhe ate the roasted Rice Rat in her hand and said with a look of confusion: "I say, Xu Qi'an, are you really that afraid of death?"

"It was the same that day, and it's the same this time."

"Haven't you thought that although this trip to the relic is dangerous, it is also a place of Opportunity?"

Lu Anhe suddenly stood up and said slowly.

"We Cultivators, by nature, go against the heavens, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to nourish ourselves, pursuing the path of longevity. How can we be greedy for life and afraid of death?"

"If you are even afraid of this little danger, then where will the cultivation resources come from? How can you successfully advance? How can you climb to the Foundation Establishment, Dan Formation, or even the legendary Nascent Soul Realm?"

Xu Qi'an looked up at Lu Anhe, a look of surprise on his face, a look that made Lu Anhe nod secretly.

But in his heart, Xu Qi'an scoffed at this idea. Going against the heavens is fine, but you have to be alive to do it!

If he didn't have the supreme treasure in hand, he might truly consider this when his cultivation was hopeless, but now he didn't want to put himself in danger.

Accumulating resources steadily and developing himself was the most important matter.

Xu Qi'an could only put on a show, sighing repeatedly: "Immortal Lu is right."

Xu Qi'an frowned tightly, then asked in a low voice: "Then, Immortal Lu, will there be Foundation Establishment cultivator participating in this relic trip?"

Lu Anhe pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "Foundation Establishment cultivator won't easily make a move unless something they are interested in appears in the relic. However, there will definitely be many Cultivators of the Qi Refining Late Stage, you must be careful."

Xu Qi'an nodded, calculating inwardly.

Just then, Lu Anhe took out a token from her sleeve and handed it to him.

"Keep this magic tool safe; it can save your life at a crucial moment."

There was a hint of concern in Lu Anhe's tone.

Xu Qi'an took the token and found that complex runes were engraved on it, with spiritual energy faintly flowing, indicating it was a mid-grade defensive magic tool.

He was grateful and carefully put it away: "Thank you, Miss Lu."

Lu Anhe smiled, stood up, and said: "It's getting late, I should go back now. Can I have some of this seasoning?"

Xu Qi'an quickly packed the remaining seasoning and handed it to her: "Immortal Lu likes it, please take it."

Lu Anhe took the seasoning and turned to leave.

As she reached the door, she suddenly turned back to look at Xu Qi'an and said softly: "Be careful tomorrow."

Xu Qi'an watched her figure disappear into the night, a warmth welling up in his heart.

He gripped the token in his hand, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

Early the next morning, Xu Qi'an arrived at the assembly point outside the Qingzhu Market as scheduled.

From afar, he saw a group of Cultivators being escorted by the Enforcement Team, their faces pale and their cultivation completely lost.

The leading Enforcement Team Cultivator coldly scanned the crowd, his voice as bone-chilling as ice: "Those who flee will meet this fate!"

Xu Qi'an stood in the crowd, clenching his fists.

He knew he had no way out.