Chapter 390: Chapter 388: Returning to Chu Capital (Second Update, Please Subscribe)
"We need to head to the Chu Capital!"
Lu Xuanji frowned slightly.
Instantly, a feeling of unease washed over him.
Since reaching the Golden Core Twelfth Transformation, his sensitivity to the changes in fate and the shifts in destiny had greatly sharpened.
From what he sensed, this journey would not be smooth.
With the interference of Tribulation Qi, there would inevitably be many twists and turns, many unforeseen events.
Although he wanted to calculate more precisely, he forcibly suppressed his curiosity.
"Alright!"
Lu Xuanji nodded, packing his belongings to depart.
At this moment, True Monarch Qinglian appeared and said, "It would be best to take Long Xuan along on this journey."
"And why is that?"
Lu Xuanji responded, "I feel that this journey will encounter some incidents, bringing her along would be inconvenient."
True Monarch Qinglian replied, "I am tasked with suppressing Purple Sun Mountain and cannot easily leave. This outing is a great opportunity for her to accompany you, not only to take care of your daily needs but also to experience some outside practice. More than that, Long Xuan’s identity and bloodline are not simple!"
"Is there some secret about Long Xuan?"
Lu Xuanji inquired.
True Monarch Qinglian explained, "Years ago, I encountered Long Xuan at a slave market in Central State. She was only seven years old then, very young, with dragon bloodline, appearing as a half-human, half-dragon. Initially, I didn’t pay much attention, feeling only pity and thus took her in as a maid."
"Later, when testing her Spirit Root, Long Xuan was found to have only water, metal, and wood Three Spirit Roots, nothing special. Yet, her cultivation speed was astonishing, reaching Foundation Establishment in her early thirties, her progress was exceedingly rapid."
"Upon examination, her dragon blood was found to be exceptionally pure, nearly entering King Grade. As for her identity, I speculate that her parents might have been top-tier powerhouses of the Dragon Race, but suffered catastrophe, leaving her to become a slave. Alternatively, Long Xuan could be an ordinary human who awakened her ancestral bloodline, showing potential for great ascension!"
"Her accompanying you will also allow you two to develop some rapport!"
Lu Xuanji replied, "I understand!"
"Be cautious!" Qinglian advised.
Lu Xuanji nodded in agreement.
...
Using a Secret Technique, Lu Xuanji and Long Xuan concealed their identities, transforming into common appearances, quietly leaving Purple Sun Mountain.
They did not take the Flying Ship, as that would be too conspicuous.
Instead, they rode a Flying Sword at a slow pace, disguising themselves as ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators, heading to the Chu Capital.
After about half a month, they finally approached the Chu Capital.
Upon arriving again in Chu Country, Lu Xuanji frowned slightly, sensing that the Spiritual Qi here was increasing, steadily rising. While not yet noticeable in other places, the Chu Capital, as the center of Chu Country, was experiencing significant changes, with the earliest signs of Spiritual Qi resurgence appearing here.
After entering the Chu Capital, they did not linger much and directly headed to the Treasure Pavilion.
Here, numerous Spirit Medicines and Elixirs were available, not only of high Grade but also in great quantity.
Once inside the shop, Lu Xuanji immediately emitted a trace of terrifying aura.
Soon, the Shopkeeper approached and asked, "Senior, what do you need to buy?"
"Does your shop have Dragon Scale Fruit, Nine Bends Spirit Grass, Solar Ganoderma, or Bodhi Flower?" Lu Xuanji inquired calmly, not even glancing at the Spirit Tea beside him.
"Our shop has Dragon Scale Fruit and Nine Bends Spirit Grass, but they require Upper Grade Spirit Stones for purchase. Three Dragon Scale Fruits cost one hundred Spirit Stones; five Nine Bends Spirit Grass require three hundred Upper Grade Spirit Stones!" the Shopkeeper said, "As for Solar Ganoderma and Bodhi Flower, we do not have them, you may need to look elsewhere!"
"Where can I find Solar Ganoderma and Bodhi Flower?"
Lu Xuanji asked.
"We don’t have them here, but you can try looking at Treasure Pavilion, Heavenly Dao Pavilion, Nine Tripod Pavilion, and other places," the Shopkeeper suggested.
"Thank you very much!"
Lu Xuanji said.
At this, the Shopkeeper disappeared, returning moments later with two boxes.
Opening the boxes, one contained three fist-sized fruits with scales, clearly the Dragon Scale Fruit; the other contained five green grasses, winding and strangely shaped.
After inspecting the Spirit Medicines and confirming their quality, Lu Xuanji handed over three hundred Upper Grade Spirit Stones.
"Friend, this is a VIP card, you’re welcome to frequent us for exchanges!"
The Shopkeeper said.
"No need!"
Lu Xuanji laughed and declined outright.
Joking aside.
A VIP card might offer discounts, but it could also track the cultivator and heighten their risks.
When away from home, safety is paramount.
Benefits are not as important as safety.
"Friend, you’re being overly cautious! It’s just a mere card, without much functionality!" the Shopkeeper remarked.
"Thank you for your kind offer!"
Lu Xuanji chuckled, "Farewell then!"
With that, Lu Xuanji vanished.
Once more, the room became empty and deserted.
A moment later, a man in black emerged.
"That fellow is quite cautious!" the man in black commented.
"When walking outside, being cautious can lead to a longer life!" the Shopkeeper laughed, "He didn’t even drink the Spirit Tea; nor did he accept the VIP card, very cautious indeed."
"He’s clever but still slipped; showing off with just Golden Core Peak cultivation!" the man in black smiled, "He has at least a thousand Upper Grade Spirit Stones on him, worth taking a shot!"
"A thousand Upper Grade Spirit Stones, certainly worth a shot. Recently, with the Patriarch advancing in Nascent Soul late stage, expenses are high. Since the Clan Leader cannot act, we must take action ahead of time!"
The Shopkeeper remarked.
The Treasure Pavilion has been established for three thousand years, persisting through its long history due to its reputation.
However, for Upper Grade Spirit Stones, we have no choice.
Upper Grade Spirit Stones are extremely beneficial even to Nascent Soul Cultivators, making it worth the risk.
"Friend, keep an eye on him, don’t let the fish slip away!" the Shopkeeper instructed.
"Alright, I understand!"
The man in black replied, disappearing.
...
After leaving the shop, Lu Xuanji headed to Treasure Pavilion and bought Solar Ganoderma, though Bodhi Flower was out of stock.
He then visited other top-tier nearby shops but still couldn’t find Bodhi Flower.
Bodhi Flower blooms on Fifth Grade Bodhi trees, and when used medicinally, can be refined into elixirs that enhance enlightenment.
This rarity not only makes Bodhi Flower expensive but also scarce in supply.
Finally, the Nine Tripod Pavilion Shopkeeper mentioned, "Friend, in a month, the Star Pavilion will hold an auction, where Bodhi Flower might appear. You can attend to see."
"Thank you very much!"
Lu Xuanji said, taking his leave.
A month later, at the opening of the Star Pavilion auction, Lu Xuanji entered the Star Pavilion, taking a seat in a private room, awaiting the start of the auction.
...
PS: Writer’s block. Considering plot intricacies. Recent plots have been less than ideal, undergoing organizing.