Chapter 37 Cultivator Gathering

Chapter 37: Cultivator Gathering

The same principle applied to spirit talismans. Currently, Wang Hao could activate and detonate them within a range of forty zhang. An increased distance meant an expanded attack area; the benefits were too obvious to state.

Having tasted the benefits of an enhanced spiritual sense for the first time, Wang Hao felt an unbearable itch to improve it further. He couldn't help but think: If only I had Old Devil Han’s Great Development Art, how wonderful would that be!

...

The next day, Wang Hao took his turn minding the shop. In truth, there wasn't much busy work involved. Even though the shelves were stocked with pills, the shop lacked a reputation. No one trusted their quality, so very few customers came by.

In half a day, he only saw two rogue cultivators, both of the dirt-poor variety. They asked questions for ages without buying a single thing, making Wang Hao lose all patience in serving them.

He waited a while longer until the sun began to set. Just as he was preparing to close up shop, a pair wearing the white robes of the Qing Yuan Sect—one male, one female—walked inside. Both looked young, perhaps in their twenties.

Wang Hao thought to himself: The sect has abundant resources, and disciples get better prices buying internally. These two probably aren't here to purchase pills.

But since they had entered the shop, he naturally had to greet them. "Fellow Daoists, what do you need?"

The male disciple glanced around the simple, crude shop, sweeping his gaze over the shelves. His expression showed clear disappointment, and he seemed on the verge of turning around and leaving immediately.

The female disciple, however, lightly sniffed the air. She looked towards him and asked, "Are you an alchemist?"

Wang Hao was slightly startled. Feeling he had nothing to hide, he admitted, "This humble one is named Wang Hao. I am indeed the alchemist operating this shop."

"This humble one is Chen Qing of the Qing Yuan Sect."

"This humble one is Chu He, also of the Qing Yuan Sect." Hearing him admit to being an alchemist, the man, Chu He, became a bit more enthusiastic.

"Dare I ask, Fellow Daoist Wang, do you possess any pills for treating injuries to the soul? We can offer a high price to purchase them!" Chen Qing inquired tentatively, though in reality, she held little hope.

Wang Hao narrowed his eyes in thought. The Concentration Spirit Pill can strengthen spiritual sense, so it should help with soul injuries somewhat. But I'm unfamiliar with these two; rashly revealing it isn't a good idea...

Thus, he shook his head and refused. "This humble one is merely a minor clan alchemist, capable of refining only common, ordinary pills. I have never heard of any that treat soul injuries."

"Forget it, Junior Sister Chen. Let’s go to other shops and search. If we still cannot find anything, Senior Brother will scrape together everything I have to sell at the auction and help secure a Nourishing Spirit Pill for you!"

Chen Qing’s expression dimmed. "The Nourishing Spirit Pill is meant for Foundation Establishment stage consumption. The medicinal potency is far too strong for me. Plus, the price is beyond what Qi Refining practitioners like us can afford."

Wang Hao thought to himself, Perhaps this woman suffered a soul injury? I cannot sell the Concentration Spirit Pill publicly. A pill that strengthens spiritual sense is enough to make some people take desperate risks. I’d rather not invite murder and robbery...

But the Three-Leaf Concentration Spirit Grass can be sold. Although uncommon, it occasionally appears in market circulation...

Thus, he spoke up, "Fairy Chen, this humble one once acquired a stalk of Three-Leaf Concentration Spirit Grass. It should be able to help you somewhat."

As he said this, he handed over a jade box.

Chen Qing's eyes lit up. She took the jade box, opened it, and took a deep breath to sense the contents. She then opened her eyes in pleasant surprise. "It's effective! Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wang. I'll take this Three-Leaf Concentration Spirit Grass! How many spirit stones do you need?"

Wang Hao smiled. "Today I am fortunate to meet two Fellow Daoists from the Qing Yuan Sect; it is fate. I acquired this Spirit Concentration Grass for forty spirit stones. Fairy Chen can just pay me the original price! Consider it making a friend."

"How can we let Fellow Daoist Wang work for nothing? Please accept these fifty spirit stones!"

"Since I said the original price, I will only accept forty. Do you two look down on me and not wish to acknowledge this friendship?"

"Not at all! We were once rogue cultivators ourselves; how could we look down on Brother Wang? Since Brother Wang is so kind, I will accept it gratefully! If Brother Wang ever needs anything in the future, I will definitely help!" Chen Qing bowed solemnly.

"Brother Wang is forthright and generous; I, Chu He, also acknowledge this friendship. It's getting late today, and Junior Sister needs to treat her injury soon. Another day, I will invite Brother Wang for a proper drink!"

"Oh? I have just arrived at Qing Yuan Market and was hoping to learn more about the market situation. I'll be waiting for Brother Chu's invitation!"

"Definitely! Brother Wang, we shall take our leave now!" Chu He clasped his fists in farewell.

"Take care!" Wang Hao stood up to see them off.

After watching them leave, Wang Hao closed the shop door. Making friends with two Qing Yuan Sect disciples was just a casual act to expand his connections, without any urgent purpose.

Little did he expect that this casual act would bring him a big surprise.

Only three days later, the two sought out Wang Hao again.

Chu He clasped his fists. "Brother Wang, there is a gathering today at the Juxian Pavilion. I'd like to make use of this opportunity; I wonder if Brother Wang is interested?"

"A gathering? Of course I'm interested! I'm new here and was hoping to meet some fellow Daoists," Wang Hao said with a pleased expression. "Then I'll trouble you both for an introduction!"

"Not at all! We are also attending; bringing Brother Wang along is just a small effort!" Chen Qing said with a smile. "The gathering is about to start; we should hurry over!"

The Juxian Pavilion was one of the larger restaurants in Qing Yuan Market and also a hub where cultivators made connections and gathered information. However, its prices were somewhat expensive; rogue cultivators without some wealth couldn't even get through the door.

On the second floor, over twenty cultivators had gathered. Looking at their robes, most were actually disciples of the Qing Yuan Sect. The Qing Yuan Sect had over thirty thousand disciples, so many didn't know each other well. Thus, these restaurant gatherings became common for building connections within the sect.

In the cultivation world, the four essentials were Wealth, Companions, Method, and Land. 'Companions' ranked second. This 'companion' didn't just refer to Dao companions, but also included friends, clansmen, and fellow practitioners who could offer guidance!

Of course, there were also clan disciples and some rogue cultivators present. Judging by their attire and conversation style, they were no ordinary folk either.

When Wang Hao and his two companions arrived, everyone introduced themselves one by one with extremely friendly attitudes—though not overly enthusiastic either. Looking at their cultivation levels through their aura fluctuations—Wang Hao used his spiritual sense discreetly—he found himself among the lowest tier present. All of them were late-stage Qi Refining cultivators; several had already reached the peak of Qi Refining. Not a single mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator was present aside from him!

"Fellow Daoist Song," a rogue cultivator named Ye Feng asked, "Didn't you say some inner sect Senior Brothers from the Qing Yuan Sect would attend? Why haven't they arrived yet?"

Song Yun—wearing Qing Yuan Sect robes—shook his head. "Senior Brother Sun might have some matters; I'm not too sure either. But Senior Brother Sun is the direct grandson of Elder Sun—a key cultivation seed within our sect who values reputation highly. Since he agreed to attend, he won't break his promise."

Hearing this, everyone showed expressions of envy. A key cultivation target within the Qing Yuan Sect with a Golden Core grandfather—such a background far surpassed anything they could collectively match!

"Junior Brother Song, you flatter me too much!"

At that moment, hearty laughter rang out, followed shortly by the arrival of a tall, handsome youth ascending the stairs. He wore white robes adorned with green stripes, distinguishing him as an inner sect disciple, unlike the outer sect disciples of the Qing Yuan Sect.

Wang Hao glanced sideways too. This person had a tall stature and handsome features—quite good looks indeed. The jade pendant hanging from his waist was clearly not an ordinary item, and he held a folding fan in a flashy manner...