39: Farewell, preparation

"Of course I've heard of it. Old Zhao, please speak your mind." Lu Xian nodded.

"Sigh, it's nothing important really, just looking for someone to collect my old bones in advance."

Zhao Shouren's eyes were resolute, yet he sighed.

"When I was young, we missed the Sect recruitment. Fearing the dangers of Yao Beasts on the road, we didn't dare travel to the County City to strive for a future. Having wasted time until now, we can only place our slim hopes on those Foundation Establishment Ruins, praying for the Heavenly Dao's mercy..."

"Now that the opportunity has come, these old bones should make one last gamble!"

As he finished, Zhao Shouren's tone became increasingly firm.

"Old Zhao, those ruins... do they really contain a Foundation Establishment Legacy?" Lu Xian frowned.

He remained skeptical, and the variables were too great.

"Who knows? As long as the Golden Core True Persons don't appear, those Foundation Establishment families won't dare to rush in recklessly. They're all waiting for the end of the year when the Miasma is weakest. But for us old fellows, this is indeed the last chance."

"According to the rules, the Foundation Establishment families will only send some Juniors in for experience."

Zhao Shouren continued.

"But to put it bluntly, whoever grabs the Legacy first and turns it in to the Ten Thousand Laws Department immediately, the item belongs to them!"

Lu Xian understood; no wonder the Loose Cultivators dared to discuss it openly without fearing a Family crackdown.

But this hope was as faint as smoke.

Watching the Family competition yesterday, he wasn't fully confident in defeating the top three Qi Refining disciples, and they were only at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.

For this struggle over the ruins, those deployed would surely be Great Perfection Cultivators at the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining!

Observing the power of those Spells, if they hit an ordinary Loose Cultivator, they would definitely be blown into pieces that couldn't be put back together.

Even knowing Zhao Shouren wasn't an ordinary Loose Cultivator, he still said worriedly, "Old Zhao, this trip is extremely dangerous!"

To his surprise, Zhao Shouren laughed heartily, "That's exactly why we looked for you today!

If I don't return from this trip, I'll have to trouble you, kid, to collect my remains. If you can't find my body, it's fine; just set up a Cenotaph.

It's a pity I've spent my whole life on the move and left no offspring; otherwise, I wouldn't be bothering you."

He took out a Jade Slip and placed it on the table. "Also, I've left a small amount of meager assets. If I haven't returned in three months, the Jade Slip will unlock automatically. At that time, go and retrieve them based on the location inside."

With the funeral arrangements explained so clearly, Lu Xian didn't know what to say for a moment.

Huang Moya also smiled. "I've left all my belongings to Zhang Tie. But please, little friend Lu, for the sake of our past friendship, look after the Hundred Elixirs Hall. Zhang Tie is honest and kind, so he'll inevitably suffer losses. Just give him a bit of guidance!"

So that was the purpose of the guarantor slot from earlier.

Lu Xian looked at the two resolute elders and comforted them, "You two don't need to be pessimistic. It's all fate; perhaps you'll return with the Legacy!"

Zhao Shouren laughed loudly.

"Hahaha... That would be best! When I return after Foundation Establishment, I'll definitely stand on equal footing with those Twelve Aristocratic Families! You, kid, will be the first general under my command. We'll go to the city and rake in Spirit Stones ruthlessly!"

As the laughter subsided, he said solemnly:

"However, it's time to set off. We need to go a month early to scout the area and avoid conflicts with those families."

"Having eaten this meal of yours, one of my wishes is fulfilled..."

After speaking, the two rose to take their leave.

Lu Xian's heart stirred, and he sent a voice transmission: "Old Zhao, wait a moment. I have something to give you!"

Zhao Shouren felt slightly surprised and signaled Huang Moya to go ahead.

What good things could this kid have?

He didn't have much expectation.

But in the next moment, his old eyes widened.

He saw Lu Xian take out a warm jade plate and solemnly hand it to him!

"This item is a First-Tier High Grade Water Wave Flowing Cloud Formation Plate. Inserting ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones will charge it, and it can activate a Water-Attribute Shield one zhang in diameter. It's enough to withstand attacks from a Peak Qi Refining Cultivator for half an hour, and can even withstand a full-strength blow from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"

"Old Zhao, this trip is very dangerous, but I still hope you can return safely!"

Lu Xian's voice was calm, yet every word was clear: "After all, this Junior has long wanted to rake in money in the city!"

"Good kid... Sigh."

Zhao Shouren didn't understand where Lu Xian got the Spirit Stones to buy a Formation Plate.

A First-Tier High Grade defensive Formation Plate was worth at least eight hundred Spirit Stones and was extremely difficult to purchase.

But he didn't press for answers, feeling only that his initial judgment of the boy's character was correct.

"I'll be back to rake in the money!"

Zhao Shouren said in a low voice, then spoke no more.

He turned and strode after Huang Moya, his figure quickly blending into the night.

Lu Xian watched the direction they left, remembering that book "Xuanpin Qi Concealment Art" from the beginning, as well as the many cultivation puzzles the other had tirelessly answered.

"The moon has its phases of waxing and waning, and people have their meetings and partings. This departure... might be a final farewell."

He looked up to see the dark clouds had dispersed, and the clear light of a full moon was spilling down, prompting him to sigh softly.

Reactivating the effects of the [Immortal Cave], Lu Xian returned to his bedroom.

Things had come to this; there was no point in overthinking.

Sleep!

He also needed to prepare fully over the next month.

Although the location of the Lin Family Auction was only a thousand li away, not too far, he still needed to be extremely cautious.

This was his first real long-distance journey, and he would be passing near the territories of two Foundation Establishment families along the way.

If he were to fail in such a simple matter, his reputation for being steady in this life would be ruined.

The next day.

As soon as Lu Xian opened his eyes, he activated his Divine Sense with all his might!

Ten zhang, twenty zhang, thirty zhang... His Divine Sense spread out like a tide, reaching its limit only at over eighty zhang!

That's nearly half a li!

The accumulated spirit-nourishing effect of the [bedroom] was truly extraordinary!

With a look of joy, he got up and went to the backyard to handle his daily chores; the slight gloom brought by last night's events seemed to have vanished.

The path of cultivation is not just about tempering mana, but also about honing one's Dao Heart.

If the Dao Heart is unstable, at best, cultivation stagnates; at worst, one suffers Qi Deviation, leading to a disordered Divine Soul and madness.

However, Lu Xian felt that his Dao Heart was quite stable.

Eat when it's time to eat, drink when it's time to drink, and never be reckless when one should be steady.

After his cultivation broke through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, the barriers of his Qi Sea and Dantian became increasingly thick, and the mana required for each subsequent Breakthrough was massive.

Lu Xian's previous estimation had been a bit too optimistic.

For an ordinary Cultivator with a Medium Grade single Spiritual Root, it might take two years of full effort to break through a single layer in the Late Stage of Qi Refining.

But with his Five Spirit Simultaneous Cultivation, even with various bonuses, it might take more than four years.

Resource consumption was huge, and the development cycle was long.

No wonder the major powers were only willing to accept geniuses whose Five Elements Spiritual Roots were all top-grade for Five Elements simultaneous cultivation.

For those with other Aptitudes, it was better to specialize in a single or dual Spiritual Root.

After all, the probability of having all five Spiritual Roots reach top-grade was likely not much higher than his own situation, where his Five Elements were balanced at fifty each.

"It seems I need to think of other methods. Medicinal Pills might be a good choice..."

Lu Xian pondered while feeding the Stiff-Haired Antelopes.

If Huang Moya hadn't given him the guarantor status yesterday, he wouldn't have thought this way.

The last time he took a spirit gathering pill to break through to the Late Stage of Qi Refining in one go, the effect was outstanding.

That was his first time, and aside from the slight drug resistance left in his body, the cost-effectiveness was extremely high.

On the market, most people would be willing to spend several hundred Spirit Stones for a minor Realm Breakthrough.

As for whether Loose Cultivators had the financial resources... that was their problem; they would definitely be "willing" regardless.

Learn!

After returning from this auction, he would buy a copy of the "elementary introduction to the way of alchemy" and designate a [Pill Refining Room].

"Jie jie jie... With my talent, if heaven did not give birth to me... the eternal way of alchemy...!"

Grandiose words flashed through Lu Xian's mind, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly.

After feeding the chickens, cows, and sheep, and watering the spiritual fields.

Lu Xian went to the formation chamber.

Having given away one Water Wave Flowing Cloud Formation Plate, he only had one left on him, which wasn't secure enough.

Since there was still some time left, he decided to make another one as a spare.

Time passed quickly.

In an instant, it was the end of the year. Heavy snow fell like goose feathers, but before it could touch the ground of the small courtyard, it was quietly melted by the invisible Formation.

"[Du Qinghong: Big Brother Han, this batch of goods has been cleared. There are only three days left until the Lin Family Auction. When shall we set off?]"