Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-256

The entire city was protected by a huge array formation, powered by the large spirit vein on Qian Yuan Island. It was rumored that the vein was carefully nurtured by the Northern League; it was already on the verge of ascending into a colossal spirit vein.

The city forbade cultivators from flying in the city, and even Enlightened Masters were no exception to this rule. The only ones with authorization were the Avatar Realm Great Ancestors.

To enter the city, one must pay ten spirit stones as an entry tax. Newcomers could also employ guides to escort them around the city.

Lu Ping paid the entry tax, then randomly picked out one of the guides. He chose one with a clever appearance, gave the guide a mid-grade spirit stone, then requested to visit the spirit herb stores.

In Lu Ping’s imagination, as the largest city in the region, Qian Yuan City should have the most cultivation resources in the whole northern sea. Sure enough, the stores were stocked with large quantities and a wide variety of spirit herbs.

However, after visiting a few stores in a row, Lu Ping suddenly stopped the guide and asked, “Do you know why only 500-year spirit herbs are for sale? Where are the 1,000-year spirit herbs?”

The guide, who was only at the Blood Refining Realm, looked at Lu Ping with puzzlement. Lu Ping then realized that spirit herbs weren’t something a cultivator of his level would know, so he waved his hand in dismissal and gave up asking.

Suddenly, Lu Ping felt an uncomfortable sensation, as if he was being watched. He turned to look in the direction of this gaze and saw two Late Blood Condensation cultivators observing him from a distance.

Then, they nodded at each other and walked towards him.

“Dear guest, we saw that you were visiting the spirit herb stores. Might you be an alchemist? My gang lord wishes to meet you, please come with us.”

The cultivator had a deadpan expression as he spoke—it was clear that he’d done this many times before.

Just a few moments ago, the group leader had received reports from his people on the streets about a cultivator purchasing 500-year spirit herbs in bulk. After learning that the cultivator was also seeking 1,000-year spirit herbs, the delighted leader quickly ordered the pair to invite this buyer to the gang’s quarters, while he left to report the matter to the gang lord.

Unlike their leader, the duo didn’t seem to take this buyer seriously. To them, he was just a Late Blood Condensation cultivator that couldn’t even be compared to the gang’s power. Naturally, they assumed Lu Ping would obediently follow them.

Likewise, Lu Ping also didn’t consider them a threat. He gave the minions a cursory glance then ignored them, asking the guide to bring him to Melodious Inn.

Be it a gang, sect, or whatever kind of party, who would dare to disrespect an alchemist?

The minions were used to being feared by the people in the city. Not because of their strength, but because they were from the Black Mountain Gang. At times, even Enlightened Masters chose not to offend the gang.

Hence, when they were ignored by Lu Ping, their faces flushed red with anger. Blocking his path, they said, “Are you looking down on the Black Mountain Gang? We’re here inviting you to the gang, so you should feel honored. Don’t make us use force!”

Nearby cultivators all looked at Lu Ping with sympathy, wondering how a Late Blood Condensation cultivator would dare to go against the largest organization in the city.

Now irritated, Lu Ping sneered coldly. The two minions suddenly felt a burst of dizziness and were stunned in place.

By the time they came back to their senses, Lu Ping had already moved past them. They could hear him saying from behind, “Is this how your gang lord invites an alchemist? Seems like the Black Mountain Gang doesn’t take us seriously.”

Now the onlookers looked at the minions with sympathy. The Black Mountain Gang was the most powerful underground organization in Qian Yuan City, and it was said that they had three Enlightened Masters. But even so, it was still nothing compared to the alchemists.

Even though the two minions didn’t know the implications of Lu Ping’s words, their cultivator instincts still told them that they’d screwed up. But they couldn’t figure out what was wrong—the gang didn’t have to take a mere Late Blood Condensation cultivator seriously, right?

The Melodious Inn was a wonderful place to visit among cultivators in Qian Yuan City. It was a teahouse that had many expert musicians performing all day.

Unlike alchemists that concocted marvelous medicinal pellets, smiths that forged strong weapons and formation masters that set complicated array formations, musicians lacked the means to directly improve a cultivator’s strength.

However, that didn’t mean musicians were a useless profession. In fact, they had incredibly valuable talents. Their music could comfort cultivators, help them organize their thoughts, calm their minds, consolidate their cultivation attainments, and sometimes even boost the recovery of special injuries!

Therefore, many Blood Condensation cultivators were willing to visit the teahouse. They would order a pot of tea and quietly listen to the music played. The teahouse had gradually become a pleasant place to relax after many hard-fought battles or long hours of cultivation.

Sometimes, even Enlightened Masters would visit as well, which made Melodious Inn even more famous.

After reaching the inn, Lu Ping dismissed the guide’s service. Then, he entered the teahouse and was immediately immersed in the melodies flowing from the guzheng and guqin.

Clear and melodious, noble and unsullied, refined and elegant, sweet yet sorrowful. The music was overflowing with an implicit beauty which was unmeasurable and indescribable. Although Lu Ping didn’t understand music, it didn’t stop him from appreciating its wonders.

In his ears, the music felt like the sound of a waterfall or a flowing stream, or the sound of great waves in the sea. It even affected his cultivation, causing his arcane energy to circulate faster within his body, and lifted his divine sense, as if the music hasd optimized his cultivation base.

A servant came forward and asked, “Dear guest, may I humbly ask if you are Senior Lu Ping? There are two sisters waiting for you upstairs. Please follow me.”

Lu Ping followed the servant to a quiet room on the second floor. The room was spacious and well-decorated in a simple yet elegant way.

There was a folding screen in the center, where two beauties walked out from—they were Li Xiu-Zhu and Chu Ting.

Lu Ping looked at them and smiled, “It’s been two years since we last met. You two have become lovelier than before!”

Li Xiu-Zhu nodded to Lu Ping, while Chu Ting chortled. “Stop flattering us. Brother Lu, your cultivation has improved a lot since we last met. If I’m not wrong, you’re not far from core condensation, right?”

Lu Ping’s Mirage Robe and [Spirit Hiding Art] helped conceal his cultivation base and prevented others from perceiving his true strength. Even Hong Shi-Kui, who was an Enlightened Master, couldn’t see through him, and yet, Chu Ting was able to do it in one glance.

Lu Ping gazed deeply into Chu Ting’s eyes and smiled. “Young Lady Chu has quite the discerning eye. But I’m not like you two, I don’t have any confidence in my advancement at all.”

Chu Ting continued chuckling. “Brother Lu is really modest. If even you are unsure of breaking through, then I doubt many others could.”

Lu Ping only smiled and didn’t reply.

They sat down at the table and Lu Ping took a sip of the high-grade spirit tea served. He closed his eyes to savor the tea, then said, “A fine tea. High-grade tea leaves, spring water from a large spirit vein, and a cup made of a high-grade spirit material, Golden Crow Wood. The owner of Melodious Inn must be really rich. I wonder, if we were to order a pot of top-grade spirit tea, will the inn serve it with top-grade cups?”

Lu Ping put down the teacup, opened his eyes and looked at Li Xiu-Zhu with a questioning gaze.

Li Xiu-Zhu answered proudly, “Of course!”

The tone of her voice made it sound as if she owned the teahouse.

“Oh!” Lu Ping looked at Li Xiu-Zhu and smiled.

Chu Ting lowered her head, lifted the cup in front of her, took a shallow sip and said, “Brother Lu is quick-witted, but there is no need to test us anymore. Yes, Melodious Inn is indeed our property.”

By now, Li Xiu-Zhu quickly realized that she had fallen into Lu Ping’s trap and couldn’t help shooting a glare.

Lu Ping smiled nonchalantly. Chu Ting used the term “our” instead of the “Li Clan”. This meant that the Li Clan was only a decorative clan, one controlled by a mysterious party.

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