Translator: AnubisTL
The city guard's exclamation of "Ascended!" drew the attention of many at the city gate. All eyes turned to Li Qing, scrutinizing him with astonishment.
Li Qing felt uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny. He hadn't anticipated that his status as an ascended cultivator would cause such a stir.
"Senior, you're actually an ascended cultivator!" the guard murmured in disbelief. "It's been countless years since an ascended cultivator last appeared on the Tonggu Continent."
The onlookers began to murmur among themselves:
"Incredible! Shouldn't cultivators ascending from the lower realms typically end up on the Heavenly Origin Continent?"
"It seems this senior encountered some mishap during his ascension, causing him to land on our Tonggu Continent instead."
"I've heard that cultivators who ascend from the lower realms are all exceptionally talented and possess unwavering resolve. They're destined for great achievements."
"Could he be lying? I don't see anything particularly special about him."
"..."
From the guard's reaction and the surrounding chatter, Li Qing finally understood the gravity of his situation.
In the spirit realm, ascended cultivators truly held immense value, representing exceptional future achievements on the dao path.
Consider this: if someone could cultivate to the divine transformation realm in the harsh environment of the lower realm and then ascend to the upper realm, they would likely thrive even more in the spirit realm, where the great dao flourished like water nourishing a fish.
In fact, many ascended cultivators who had risen from the lower realm to the spirit realm ultimately achieved remarkable success. Barring unforeseen circumstances, they could at least advance to the void refinement realm.
Suddenly, the gazes of many in the city shifted, now filled with reverence, respect, and even a hint of fanaticism.
"Senior, you may wander freely through the city. I'll report this matter immediately!" the city guard exclaimed excitedly before rushing into the city.
Li Qing opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately said nothing. He swiftly entered the city and disappeared into the sea of people.
Soon after, Li Qing appeared in the market district of Profound Ancient City, a place dedicated to transactions among immortal cultivators.
The market was lined with stalls and shop fronts, and the spiritual energy here was exceptionally dense, approaching the level of a fifth-tier spirit vein.
Standing in this environment, Li Qing could even feel his injuries healing slightly faster.
"As expected of the spirit realm," Li Qing murmured, clicking his tongue in admiration. "Even a remote border city boasts such abundant immortal dao resources. I don't even recognize many of these spirit herbs."
His gaze swept across the market stalls, revealing numerous rare spirit herbs that had long been extinct in the lower realm.
"Yang Marrow Root—a spirit herb that only grows in extremely yang-rich environments. Its root is highly valued, suitable for pill refinement, medicinal use, or even consumption in its raw form."
"When consumed in sufficient quantities, it not only improves one's physique but can also cultivate a primordial yang qi within the body. This qi is capable of suppressing most malevolent yin entities, making it comparable to an acquired pure yang physique."
"Purple Extreme Jade Bamboo—a pity it's not old enough. Otherwise, its dew could be extracted and dripped into the eyes, granting them a natural pupil technique: the Void-Piercing Divine Eyes."
The market stalls overflowed with dazzling wares, leaving Li Qing overwhelmed and yearning to acquire them all.
Approaching one stall, he inquired, "Fellow daoist, how much for this Yang Marrow Root? Do you accept spirit stone transactions?"
The stall owner was a body refiner whose mastery of body refinement was astonishing, having reached the peak of the fourth-tier. He was just one step away from achieving a fifth-tier fleshly body, rivaling that of a great demon in the divine transformation realm.
"Heh, Senior, you jest. While other items can certainly be traded for spirit stones, this Yang Marrow Root was harvested from the third layer of the Fire Domain at great personal risk."
"I wish to exchange it for a single drop of essence blood—specifically, essence blood from a demonic beast with a true spirit bloodline!"
Upon hearing this, Li Qing nearly rolled his eyes.
Demanding essence blood from a true spirit descendant was practically the same as demanding essence blood from a true spirit itself.
Such beings were invariably terrifyingly powerful, their strength beyond measure. To obtain even a single drop of their essence blood would require someone of comparable stature.
Realizing the man's lack of sincerity, Li Qing shook his head and moved on to browse other stalls. He wasn't particularly desperate for the Yang Marrow Root anyway; he had only inquired out of curiosity.
Soon, Li Qing came across a stall overflowing with various spiritual materials and spirit metals.
The stall owner stood with his arms crossed, eyes closed in meditation, completely indifferent to his business.
Among the materials were several rare and valuable items, some even suitable as primary ingredients for refining spirit treasures.
However, one particular material caught Li Qing's attention: a crimson gem the size of a human head, etched with intricate patterns that seemed naturally formed.
"Studying it for so long, have you figured out anything?" the stall owner suddenly asked.
Li Qing shook his head. "It's quite peculiar. It resembles Lihuo Profound Jade, but these patterns make it difficult to determine its true nature."
Seeing that Li Qing had recognized some of its properties, the stall owner realized he was knowledgeable and said, "You're right, it is indeed Lihuo Profound Jade. But unfortunately, some damned fool used its spirituality to carve these patterns."
"I suspect these patterns hold some hidden secrets, possibly even a fire dao mystic art."
It was only then that Li Qing noticed the stall owner was a cultivator in the divine transformation realm, his mana likely formidable.
"May I ask where you obtained this item?" Li Qing inquired curiously.
The stall owner shook his head. "I traded for it from a wandering merchant. I don't know its exact origins. At the time, I thought the Lihuo Profound Jade still retained its spirituality and intended to use it for refining my natal treasure. I was sorely mistaken."
As he spoke, the stall owner's expression twisted into a grimace.
"If you want it, I'll sell it to you for thirty thousand merit points."
Merit points?
Li Qing was slightly taken aback, unfamiliar with this term. He guessed it was something akin to sect contribution points.
But as a newcomer, Li Qing had no merit to trade!
Moreover, he hadn't yet grasped the value of 30,000 merit points, making it impossible for him to agree to the vendor's offer.
"Ahem, how does one acquire these merit points? And what are they used for?" Li Qing asked awkwardly, clearing his throat.
The vendor narrowed his eyes. "You're not from the human race of the Tonggu Continent, are you? How could you not know this?"
"That's right," Li Qing replied. "I only arrived on the Tonggu Continent recently and entered the city today. Fellow daoist, please enlighten me." He refrained from mentioning his status as an ascended cultivator, simply stating he was new to the continent to avoid causing further surprise.
(End of the Chapter)
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