Lord Shenxiu
Chapter 398: Peach Blossom Thief (Seeking Monthly Pass)

Chapter 398: Chapter 398: Peach Blossom Thief (Seeking Monthly Pass)

Lai Fu Inn.

In a certain small courtyard within.

Zhong Shenxiu sat cross-legged, performing his daily cultivation exercises.

Indeed, the owner of this inn was related to that big-bellied man, and all the courtyards he left at the guests’ disposal were of high quality—especially this one with its tranquil atmosphere, exceptionally rare amid the current bustle of the small town.

The owner was quite a character, claiming he kept a few of the best courtyards specifically to accommodate Immortal Masters with the Way.

Beyond that, even princes and princesses couldn’t persuade him to yield.

Zhong Shenxiu simply tossed out a few Emperor Coins and rented out the place for a month, and he also gave one as a reward to the bookstall owner who showed him the way, settling down to stay.

"Hmm... Listening to those two, they seem to want to use talisman money to set up an array, which is quite clever," he thought to himself.

The Emperor Coins were, in fact, crafted during his time of Divine Skills.

Even so, the sealed natural energies of heaven and earth were exceedingly pure, and in any case, somewhat stronger than those of the Gang Sha Cultivators.

Using them to replenish Mana or for Alchemy and Artifact Refining would be a prodigious waste.

You should know, such concentrations of energy could have some clear benefits for lower realm cultivators attempting breakthroughs.

After completing his cultivation session, Zhong Shenxiu walked out of the yard to the main hall of Lai Fu Inn.

It was now the afternoon, and the hall was buzzing with the sounds of many people.

Zhong Shenxiu found an empty seat, ordered some Spiritual Tea from the waiter, and all around him, many voices suddenly became crystal clear.

"This time at the Xuanhai Sect’s Immortal Fate Conference, I must get accepted!"

"Ha ha... Brother Sun, with your outstanding talents, you better not forget to help your little brother out in the future."

"This gathering at Linxian is indeed as famous as they say; even if I don’t get taken in by an Immortal Sect, the trip here is still worth it."

"It’s just a pity... it’s only once every ten years."

A few whispered conversations were mixing in with the crowd.

Zhong Shenxiu looked over and saw several Loose Cultivators sitting at a table, engaged in a lively discussion, and had casually set up a silence array to prevent their voices from leaking out.

But to him, such arrays were merely decorations.

"It’s alright for now, but we must be careful after the meeting in Linxian Ancient Town ends; I’ve heard there are Daohua Thieves targeting this event, killing for treasure," said an older cultivator with concern.

"The Xuanhai Sect doesn’t do anything about it?" Another female cultivator, quite pretty with rosy cheeks and almond eyes, exclaimed in surprise.

"Heh heh... Before the Immortal Fate Conference, they might take care of it, since they can’t afford to lose disciples with exceptional talent to thieving cultivators. But once the conference is over, creatures like us with inferior qualities are just ants; what does our life or death matter to the Immortal Sects?"

The older cultivator sneered, "Especially you, Rouyun Fairy, you need to be very careful. I’ve heard that within the nearby Lin Kingdom, there’s a ’Daohua Thief’ who delights in capturing female cultivators to steal their essence and cultivation. His methods are cruel and vile. Recently, after being hunted by several parties, he’s used his astonishing Divine Powers to escape to Yue Country..."

"Hmph, such a lustful thief, if he falls into my hands, I will surely cut him into pieces and light his soul as a lantern."

Seeing Rouyun Fairy’s complexion change, several young male cultivators around her immediately became indignant, patting their chests and vowing to protect her—all listened to by Zhong Shenxiu with a slight smile on his face.

He wasn’t yet fully familiar with the specific cultivation techniques of this realm, but he could still sense the strength of mana.

Among that table of Loose Cultivators, the elderly cultivator had the highest mana, followed by Rouyun Fairy. Those oath-swearing Flower Protectors would probably need Rouyun Fairy’s help if they were to encounter the Daohua Thief. The scene would undoubtedly be very awkward.

"Young Master was indeed here."

Just then, a portly man came over with joy written all over his face, "I’ve been watching the marketplace for many days and finally found someone willing to sell a cultivation technique."

"Oh?" Zhong Shenxiu’s eyes lit up, "Lead the way ahead!"

This bookstore owner, named Liu Wending, was also a local bigwig. Zhong Shenxiu found him useful for gathering information and had been quite generous with him. Having given him a simple task earlier, he didn’t expect it to yield a surprise so soon.

The two left the inn together, and Zhong Shenxiu casually asked, "How is your son’s Foundation Establishment coming along?"

From previous conversations, he had roughly understood that in this realm, cultivation began with Foundation Establishment. From childhood, one had to lay a solid base, practicing various techniques to cultivate and sense Qi, and then using different methods, undergo the Hundred-Day Foundation Building to strive for an excellent foundation for cultivation.

As one knows, skyscrapers rise from the ground. A solid cultivation base is of paramount importance.

The quality of the foundation directly affects the progress and ultimate height one can achieve in Qi Refining; hence, it is a matter of great concern to everyone.

"Thanks to Young Master’s talisman money, I swallowed my pride, did not refuse and even borrowed three more Emperor Coins from my uncle to draw a Gathering Essence Array, which assisted my son in breaking through the last barrier. At last, last night he achieved Foundation Establishment success and obtained an above-average spiritual root."

As Liu Wending spoke, he was beaming with happiness and was particularly grateful to Zhong Shenxiu.

Having an above-average spiritual root meant there was a good chance of being accepted by the Xuanhai Sect, which would then impart the exquisite techniques for further Qi Refining.

It’s akin to stepping onto the fast track of life, a life-changing opportunity.

In terms of cultivation jargon, Liu Wending and his son had obtained a stroke of fortune from Zhong Shenxiu, accruing karma.

Although Liu Wending didn’t understand this concept, he wanted to try his best to repay the favor.

Furthermore, this guest was exceedingly wealthy. He hoped to obtain more talisman money to prepare for his son’s future cultivation resources.

With such thoughts, Liu Wending hurriedly led Zhong Shenxiu to a small stall in front.

The stall owner was a white-haired old man, frail and lacking in both Qi and Blood, appearing to have not much of his life span left.

On his stall were some ores, spiritual woods, and other such materials, worth not much money.

"Old Xia, I’ve brought you a patron. This is Young Master Shen Xiu, a big spender. The Emperor Coin that I showed you before came from this Young Master."

Liu Wending happily reported.

Old Xia’s eyes were murky, but when he heard the words ’talisman money’, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, "The Young Master can seal the natural Qi of heaven and earth in a talisman, which is quite ingenious."

Liu Wending then turned to Zhong Shenxiu and said, "Old Xia’s ancestors were once wealthy, having been a disciple of the Xuanhai Sect. But after a decline, only he remains now. He does possess a genuine Qi Refining Technique."

"The scriptures I have are the spoils of my ancestor’s victory over foreign enemies, and have nothing to do with the Xuanhai Sect!" Old Xia declared solemnly.

Selling sect scriptures was a grave crime!

"This is understood, may I ask what cultivation technique you possess, Elder?"

Zhong Shenxiu was indeed quite interested in the cultivation techniques of this world, as they might be ancient Immortal laws preceding Yan Han!

"Everyone knows that the search for immortality and the path to enlightenment begins with the Hundred-Day Foundation Building. Once Foundation Establishment is successful, one can refine the natural Qi of heaven and earth, cultivating mana, known as Qi Refinement! Upon reaching great success in Qi Refinement, one must then find a form of Evil Qi and infuse it into their True Qi and mana, which is known as Condensing Evil! Thereafter, one’s mana inherently carries the might of Evil Qi, greatly enhancing the power of all Divine Skills and spells!"

The elder spoke at a measured pace, "My ancestor passed down half of the ’Three Elements Returning to Truth Scripture,’ which can be practiced all the way to the Condensing Evil

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