16: Breakthrough, [Bedroom] Level 1

Lu Xian was not worried that the Kong Family would come looking for him.

Since Zhao Shouren had not warned him, he must have handled everything cleanly.

What truly surprised him was that the Magical Artifact the old man Zhao used was so strange.

That crimson, thread-like ray of fire took lives with ease, something no ordinary Qi Refining Cultivator could control.

He thought to himself.

Zhao Shouren had likely been stuck in the Qi Refinement Stage for many years; his mana was condensed and pure, clearly a sign of Great Perfection, just one step away from Foundation Establishment.

An available powerful backer—it would be foolish not to lean on him.

Lu Xian felt he should visit this empty-nester old man often; just by the other party showing a little skill, he gained a lot.

This harvest, apart from the 60 Spirit Stones.

Two Medium Grade Spirit Movement Talismans and two Ice Spear Talismans, plus two Yangyuan Pills for healing, were easily worth about a hundred Spirit Stones.

Not to mention the Minor Cloud and Rain Art, which was priced at 150 Spirit Stones at the Ten Thousand Laws Department!

He had definitely made a killing!

The joy was fleeting; Lu Xian composed his mind.

Cultivate, continue to Cultivate!

He had to break through to the Middle Stage first, then he could upgrade the [bedroom].

Lu Xian circulated the Primordial Art, completely immersed, unable to extricate himself, growing stronger day by day.

Time passed, and three months flew by in an instant.

Inside the [Cultivation Chamber].

The Spiritual Qi, richer than the outside world, was continuously refined by Lu Xian.

The Spirit Stone he held tightly in his hand was gradually losing its luster.

The mana occasionally escaping from his body shimmered with a faint five-colored halo.

The circulation of the Great Cycle continued ceaselessly, with mana flowing and finally converging into his Qi Sea Dantian.

Lu Xian had been at the Bottleneck for five days, yet he was still tirelessly absorbing, refining, and compressing.

“Hum—”

As his Qi Sea Dantian suddenly expanded by a circle.

Breakthrough.

Qi Refining Level 4!

“Hoo—” He slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Before he could relax, his Sea of Consciousness surged, and a strange fluctuation was born naturally, emanating from his body!

Lu Xian wanted to open his eyes wide, but before his eyelids could lift, his mind already perceived!

Everything around him slowly took shape in his mind: the faint warmth of the meditation cushion, the soul settling tea on the table, even the slight trembling of branches and leaves a few feet outside the window, all as clear as a painting.

He could “feel” every trajectory of his mana flowing in his Dantian, and he could “see” the subtle changes in the concentration of Spiritual Qi in the space.

Divine Sense externalization!

Lu Xian experienced this mysterious feeling.

Everything no longer relied on eyes, ears, nose, or tongue, but perceiving with the Divine Soul and observing with the Divine Sense.

“Not bad, this is more like the immortal Concept I imagined...”

After testing it briefly, Lu Xian mastered his Divine Sense, though a faint sense of exhaustion arose in his spirit.

Fortunately, with the energy recovery bonus of the [Immortal Cave], the impact was minimal.

He picked up the teacup and drank the soul settling tea in one gulp.

As the warmth entered his throat, his spirit was instantly restored to fullness.

This tea would be a must-have for future battles!

Even if he chewed the tea leaves dry, the effect should be very obvious.

He still had plenty of stock in his Storage Pouch, and the tea tree in the backyard, nourished by the spirit field, could produce a batch of new leaves every ten days or half a month, which was practically an endless supply.

He couldn’t drink it all; he absolutely couldn’t drink it all.

Since he could externalize his Divine Sense, Lu Xian went to the [bedroom] and murmured: “Upgrade.”

The 30 Spirit Stones in his hand dissipated, and the panel refreshed accordingly.

【bedroom Level 1】

【Level 2 Effect: Sleep AFK, automatic Cultivation (50% of meditation Cultivation speed), continuously strengthens Divine Sense, possesses certain Divine Soul repair effects】

【Upgrade Conditions: Low-Grade Spirit Stone * 200, soul nurturing jade * 1】

soul nurturing jade?

Lu Xian had heard of it; it was quite precious and could stabilize the Divine Soul for ten days without dissipating.

But compared to the repair effect described for the Level 2 bedroom, it was clearly inferior.

All buildings had been upgraded to Level 1... Lu Xian looked at the bottom of the panel, and his heart jumped.

【You can designate or build a new upgradeable building yourself!】

“?!” Lu Xian’s eyes changed slightly, “Finally, it’s not random!”

His thoughts raced. Currently, the buildings in the small courtyard that hadn't been upgraded were the [kitchen], [storage room], [main hall], and [latrine], all of which could be designated.

But if he were to build something new.

There were many options: [Alchemy room], [Artifact Refining pavilion], [Talismans room]...

Unfortunately, the Hundred Arts were hard to come by.

“Since I need Elementary Introduction to the Way of Formations to upgrade the Immortal Cave, why don't I take the opportunity to build a [formation chamber] and study the way of Formations?”

Lu Xian pondered.

Among the four primary arts, Alchemy was naturally the most profitable.

But the others—Artifacts, Talismans, and Formations—were actually not bad either; they offered several times the profit with ease.

Once he learned one, he wouldn't have to worry in the future.

Do it!

Lu Xian decided, but there was no rush right now; he should get some Spirit Stones first.

Three months of Cultivation, plus the building upgrade just now, had exhausted the Spirit Stones “gifted” by the Kong Family branch.

It was time to go out and get some.

Lu Xian took the quasi-immortal jade token and entered his Divine Sense into it, discovering that someone had actually left a message.

【Du Qinghong: Brother Han, haven't seen you in three months, I miss you dearly. Recently, I found a prime piece of land, perfect for developing into a scenic spot. If you, Fellow Daoist, could invest a little, you could lie at home and enjoy the dividends later. Wouldn't that be wonderful?】

【Du Qinghong: Brother Han, if you need anything, just say the word! I, Du, am known as the Qingyun Know-it-all; there’s very little I can’t handle!】

Every day, Du Qinghong would try different ways to ask him to invest.

Lu Xian had chatted with him a few times and found that this person indeed had some connections, but his words and actions always exuded a sense of not being very bright.

Could it be the type from his previous life who specialized in organizing schemes?

Lu Xian smiled and replied:

【Han Feiyu: Fellow Daoist Du, if you know a competent Formation Master, please introduce them to me. I am willing to pay 5 Spirit Stones as a middleman fee, and there will be further rewards if the matter is successful.】

If Zhao Shouren’s Formation Master friend weren't away and unable to return to Qingyun County for a year or so, he wouldn't want to ask Du Qinghong.

Unexpectedly, the other party replied instantly:

【Du Qinghong: Are you serious?】

【Han Feiyu: Naturally, but it will take some time.】

【Du Qinghong: How about half a month? Half a month from now, at the North Gate of Qingyun City, I’ll bring my big brother! He is a First-Grade Formation Master and is usually very busy!】

Lu Xian hesitated slightly, replied “Good,” and then ignored him.

According to the fees reported by the spirit plant master who acted as a guarantor last time, plus buying the classics, he estimated he needed to prepare about five hundred Spirit Stones.

“It looks like I have to sell some Spirit Bird and soul settling tea leaves.”

Lu Xian planned to go directly to the largest shop in the city, preferably one under the Eight Great Chambers of Commerce. Although the buyback price might be 10% lower, it was safer.

Setting up a stall himself might earn 10-20% more, but the risk was higher.

He felt that a little less was fine.

Anyway, the cost of those two items was almost zero, so he couldn't possibly lose money.

That night, Lu Xian slept in the upgraded [bedroom].

Waking up the next day, he felt as if his Sea of Consciousness had been nourished by a warm current, and his Divine Sense detection range had quietly increased by an inch!

Though minuscule, over time, it would accumulate.

It would definitely far surpass his peers!

The mana in his body had also condensed by several strands; the effect of this AFK Cultivation was also considerable.

...

After three months of seclusion, it was early spring outside.

The sun was just right.

Lu Xian took five catties of fresh tea leaves and a few Spirit Bird and went out. His goal was clear: the largest shop in the city—Ruyi Pavilion.

Ruyi Pavilion was established by the “Ruyi Chamber of Commerce,” one of the Eight Great Chambers of Commerce.

It was said that once you entered the pavilion, you would surely gain something and be satisfied.

The reason he didn't go to the Drunken Immortal Tower, Treasure Gathering Tower, or Hundred Elixirs Hall first.

Mainly because the large chambers of commerce had efficient processes, reducing trouble.

“Hello, I would like to sell some soul settling tea leaves.”

Lu Xian got straight to the point.

Before coming, Lu Xian had already collected information on the Nine Heavens Dao Discussion; Ruyi Pavilion’s processes were extremely standardized, with buying and selling separated.

Sure enough, the maid said nothing and led him into an elegant room, saying softly:

“Distinguished guest, inside is Great Master Mo Heng, who is responsible for identifying spirit plants. Pricing and trading will be completed at once.”

Lu Xian nodded and pushed the door to enter.

Upon seeing him, his heart tightened slightly—a Foundation Establishment aura!

The foundation of a large chamber of commerce was truly profound; the appraiser actually had such cultivation.

Great Master Mo Heng’s eyes were slightly closed, as if he were meditating, and his voice was calm and waveless: “Take out the spirit tea.”

Lu Xian took the wooden box containing the tea leaves from his Storage Pouch and placed it on the table.

In less than a breath, before he could explain, Mo Heng said: “Hmm? Sixty-three, seventy years... The leaf age is mixed, yet so fresh?”