Chapter 473 - 445: The Sect Master Visits

Chapter 473: Chapter 445: The Sect Master Visits

Early in the morning, Li Yuan had just completed his final Grand Circulation in the stone house. As he was about to get up and handle the marketplace’s affairs, a highly restrained knock came from outside his Concealment Array.

The knocking wasn’t heavy, but the interval between each tap was perfectly even. The Spiritual Power fluctuations were so restrained they were almost nonexistent, like a pool of still, bottomless water.

’Late-stage Golden Core.’

Li Yuan probed with his Divine Sense, his brow twitching slightly.

Two people stood outside his stone house.

The man in front was of medium height and slender build. His features were gaunt but dignified, and he sported a short, graying beard. He wore a deep gray robe that, while not ostentatious, was made of exceptionally fine material. His aura was deep and solid. The way his Spiritual Power circulated stemmed from the same source as Chen Yi’s Cultivation Technique, but its depth was on a completely different level.

’Late-stage Golden Core.’

’The Sect Master of the Primordial Yang Sect.’

Li Yuan suppressed his Cultivation, steadily reining his aura in to the level of Late-stage Foundation Establishment, then rose and opened the door.

"Pavilion Master Li," the Sect Master spoke first. His gaze lingered on Li Yuan for a moment before he smiled slightly and cupped his hands. "Forgive my sudden visit. I am Zhou Mingyuan, Sect Master of the Primordial Yang Sect."

"Senior Zhou." Li Yuan stepped aside to let him pass. "Please, come in."

"I am Zhou Mingyuan. You can just call me Sect Master Zhou."

The three sat down in the stone house. Chen Yi discreetly positioned himself by the door.

Zhou Mingyuan skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"Chen Yi has told me all about your deeds, Pavilion Master Li. To have the Cultivation of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment expert, to build a marketplace like this in the Ghost Mist Forest, and to have handled so many matters for the Sect... it’s truly remarkable."

He picked up a teacup from the table and took a sip, his gaze calm yet scrutinizing.

"I came today to ask one question: what stage are your preparations for Core Formation at, Pavilion Master Li?"

’Core Formation.’

As far as the Primordial Yang Sect knew, Li Yuan was still a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. In all the intelligence Chen Yi had provided, Li Yuan’s Cultivation had always remained at this level. His permanent trait of untraceable stealth, combined with his deliberate suppression of his aura, meant that any external perception could only detect the signal of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment expert.

"My foundation is more or less stable," Li Yuan said, his tone unhurried. "I’m still short some supplementary materials for Core Formation."

"The supplementary materials are easily handled." Zhou Mingyuan set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

"The Sect can provide you with a set of Spiritual Materials for Core Formation, of a quality no less than the set Chen Yi gave you last time. In addition, the Sect has a dedicated seclusion chamber for Core Formation on Qingyuan Peak, outside Yunyang City. It’s fully equipped with array shielding, a Spiritual Qi supply, and contingency measures. As for Core Formation experience, I can personally offer my guidance."

The terms were extremely generous.

Spiritual Materials for Core Formation, a dedicated location, and personal guidance from a Late-stage Golden Core Cultivator—this was treatment a Loose Cultivator could hardly dream of.

’But what’s the price?’

"What does the Sect Master need me to do?"

"After you succeed in Core Formation, you will assist the Sect in the standoff at Skeleton Ridge." Zhou Mingyuan’s tone shifted, becoming serious. "You should be aware of the situation there. All the major powers have their eyes on what’s under that Restriction. If you successfully form your Core, given your foundation, your combat strength will be considerable."

Having said this, Zhou Mingyuan took something from his sleeve and placed it gently on the table.

It was a jade tablet, about the size of a palm. It was milky white, its surface covered with dense Spirit Patterns. A faint fluctuation of a Divine Soul emanated from deep within the patterns.

’A Spirit Contract.’

"This is a standard Sect Spirit Contract," Zhou Mingyuan said, pointing to the jade tablet. "After you form your Core, you will join the Primordial Yang Sect and participate in the Skeleton Ridge operation as a Protector. The contract is binding for ten years, after which it will automatically be dissolved. You’ll be free to stay or leave as you wish."

Li Yuan looked at the Spirit Contract on the table, his expression unchanging.

He understood the mechanics of a Spirit Contract very well. It was essentially a one-way binding anchored to the Divine Soul. Whoever broke the contract would suffer a backlash to their Divine Soul. The price of violation was extremely high.

But for a Golden Core Cultivator, the situation was completely different.

A Golden Core Cultivator’s essence, qi, and spirit were all concentrated in their natal Golden Core. Coupled with their powerful Divine Soul, the backlash from a Spirit Contract was no longer a fatal threat. At worst, it would cause a period of discomfort in their Divine Soul and a stagnation of their Cultivation, but it wouldn’t be a crippling blow.

In other words, a Spirit Contract had almost no real binding power over a Golden Core Cultivator.

’Zhou Mingyuan couldn’t possibly be unaware of this.’

’So what’s his real intention in presenting the Spirit Contract?’

Li Yuan didn’t dwell on the question, asking about something else instead.

"If the Sect needs Golden Core combatants, why not cultivate your own disciples?"

Zhou Mingyuan’s expression shifted.

It wasn’t anger, but a complex look mixed with helplessness and bitterness.

"It’s not that we lack candidates," he sighed. "Among the younger generation of disciples in the Sect, there were three promising ones with solid foundations and outstanding aptitude."

He held up one finger.

"The first was the grandson of the Pill Hall elder, Zhou Yan. His foundation was the best, his Cultivation Technique the most solid. But he already succeeded in his Core Formation."

A second finger.

"The second was the Chief Disciple, Lin Zheng. His foundation was also good, but there was an accident during his Core Formation. His Spiritual Power spun out of control on the dais, his Golden Core shattered, and his meridians were severely injured. Although his life was saved, he’s now half-crippled."

A third finger.

"The third, an Inner Sect Disciple named Zhao Qing. He’s exceptionally talented, but he’s not compatible with the set of Core Formation Spiritual Materials the Sect prepared."

Three candidates: one who already succeeded, one who was crippled, and one who was incompatible.

It sounded perfectly reasonable.

But Li Yuan felt that something wasn’t quite right.

’The Primordial Yang Sect is a major sect in Liangzhou with deep roots. It’s impossible that they only have three candidates for Core Formation. Even if there are only three top-tier disciples in this generation, there must be plenty in the next tier down.’

’The Sect Master personally comes to visit, offers a Spirit Contract and such generous terms, all just to recruit a Loose Cultivator who runs a marketplace?’

’Unlikely.’

’There has to be something else going on,’ but Li Yuan didn’t press the matter.

"Regarding the Spirit Contract, I need time to think."

Zhou Mingyuan nodded, showing no signs of displeasure.

"There’s no rush. The situation at Skeleton Ridge is unlikely to change drastically in the short term; all parties are still negotiating. Take your time to think it over."

Zhou Mingyuan rose to leave, with Chen Yi following behind him.

After the stone door closed, the two auras faded into the distance.

Li Yuan sat at the stone table for a moment.

He put the Spirit Contract jade tablet from the table into his personal storage space and then began to think.

’Why go to such lengths to recruit a marketplace manager who he believes is only at Late-stage Foundation Establishment?’

’In the Golden Core standoff at Skeleton Ridge, one extra Early-stage Golden Core cultivator would have a very limited impact.’

’Zhou Mingyuan’s actions seem aimed at adding another chess piece to the board, but the cost is completely disproportionate to the potential gain.’

’Besides, in Zhou Mingyuan’s eyes, there’s no guarantee I’d even succeed. For a typical Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, even with the conditions he described, the success rate is only about ten to twenty percent.’

’Is it because of my status? Because I’m not a member of the Primordial Yang Sect? Or is there some other reason?’

Li Yuan couldn’t figure it out, so he put these thoughts aside for the time being.

That afternoon, a guest arrived at Yuanming Studio.

He was a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Bitan Sect, with a proper demeanor and dressed in a standard blue-and-white robe. A Jade Pendant with the Bitan Sect’s emblem—a turquoise pool—hung at his waist. His attitude was neither servile nor overbearing. Upon entering, he first presented the Bitan Sect’s commercial seal to the counter.

"I am Fang Qi, an external affairs disciple of the Bitan Sect." He cupped his hands toward Xu Zhang. "I have come on the Sect’s orders to negotiate a long-term procurement agreement."

Xu Zhang glanced at Li Yuan. Seeing an almost imperceptible nod, he led Fang Qi to the reception room on the second floor.

Fang Qi handed over a procurement list.

The list was extensive, covering everything from Low Tier Spirit Grass and Artifact Refining ores to various pills and Talismans—encompassing the majority of items sold at Yuanming Studio. The quantities were not small either; calculated on a monthly basis, the total value would be around three hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

"The Bitan Sect wishes to establish a long-term supply relationship with Yuanming Studio," Fang Qi said calmly. "We would like monthly deliveries, with payment at ninety percent of the market price. The Bitan Sect guarantees with its commercial reputation that we will never be late with payments."

A monthly purchase of three hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones, settled at a ten percent discount.

For Yuanming Studio, this was a sizable and stable source of income. The Bitan Sect’s reputation ranked in the middle among the three great sects of Jingzhou; it wasn’t the best, but they certainly wouldn’t renege on their debts.

Li Yuan didn’t hesitate.

"Agreed. Coordinate the specific item categories and delivery details with Shopkeeper Xu."

Fang Qi expressed his thanks and then spent nearly an hour with Xu Zhang on the second floor, finalizing the supply list and delivery method for the first month.

After seeing Fang Qi off, Li Yuan sat down in his stone house.

The Bitan Sect had been frequently appearing in various marketplaces throughout Liangzhou, purchasing all sorts of supplies in large quantities. This had been going on for several months, and now they had finally extended their reach to the Mist Forest Marketplace.

’They’re stockpiling.’

’As for why they’re stockpiling, it most likely has to do with Skeleton Ridge, but their specific intentions are still unclear.’

Li Yuan recorded the Bitan Sect’s movements in his intelligence files and turned his attention to another matter.

"Xu Zhang, do the merchant association’s channels have any Tier Two Water Element Cultivation Techniques?"

Xu Zhang flipped through the inventory list.

"There’s one. The Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Skill, a Tier Two Middle Grade Water Element Cultivation Technique. It’s an upgraded version based on the Cold Stream Skill, specifically for cultivating Water Spiritual Power during the Golden Core Stage. The quality isn’t top-tier, but its advantage is that it’s perfectly compatible with the Cold Stream Skill’s system."

"How much?"

"The base inventory price is sixty Mid-grade Spirit Stones. If you’re taking it, Pavilion Master, we’ll just use the base price."

Li Yuan paid the Spirit Stones and received the jade slip containing the Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Skill.

He extended his Divine Sense into it and read through the entire technique.

The Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Skill was indeed an upgraded version of the Cold Stream Skill. After mastering the Tier One Top Grade Cold Stream Skill to perfection, the circulatory pathways and meridian routes for Spiritual Power perfectly matched the entry requirements for the Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Skill. It was like building a new story on a foundation already laid by the Tier One technique.

Li Yuan began cultivating it that very day.

The foundation provided by his mastery of the Cold Stream Skill made the initial process extremely smooth. The circulation path of Water Spiritual Power in his meridians expanded from the Tier One single-cycle structure to a Tier Two dual-cycle structure, which required adding six new nodes and three auxiliary channels to the existing Spiritual Power circuit.

With the precision of his Late-stage Golden Core Divine Sense and his control over Spiritual Power, adding the new nodes and channels took only half a day.

[Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Skill: Unlearned → Initiated]

After reaching the Initiated level, he immediately pressed forward.

Two of the three portable Spirit Veins he possessed were micro Water Element Spirit Veins, continuously providing him with abundant Water Spiritual Qi for cultivation. The permanent trait "Essence of Water Spirit" increased the quality of his Water Spiritual Power by thirty percent. "Tidal Compression" added another ten percent to its condensation speed, and "Tidal Restoration" increased the nourishing effect of Water Magic on his meridians by fifty percent.

The stacking effect of these multiple traits made his cultivation speed for the Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Skill ridiculously fast.

His Nascent Soul perspective was the icing on the cake. The spatial perception provided by the Profound Nether Bead allowed him to observe the flow of Spiritual Power within his meridians with a precision far exceeding others at his level. With every circulation, he could pinpoint details to optimize.

On the fourth day, he reached the Skilled level.

On the eighth day, he reached the Mastered level.

[Cold Stream Spirit Fusion Skill: Unlearned → Initiated → Skilled → Mastered]

He had advanced three stages in just eight days.