Chapter Fifty: Celestial City of Azure Cliffs

As for the matter mentioned in the original message—that of treating everyone to a night at a brothel—it turned out, just as He Song had guessed, that Meng Guan never brought it up at all.

Seeing this, He Song and Wei Fan exchanged a smile, unconcerned. Both were familiar with Meng Guan’s temperament.

Visiting brothels was simply not in his character.

At least, the Meng Guan of three years ago would never have done such a thing. Judging by the present, he still seemed incapable of it.

The brothel was out of the question, but Meng Guan would certainly show his gratitude in another way.

Since he’d said he wished to thank them, he would—though perhaps not as originally imagined. This much, He Song and Wei Fan had no doubt about.

After expressing his thanks, Meng Guan continued.

Over the past three years at the Chiling Gold Mine, he had made some friends among the itinerant cultivators and come to understand both their struggles and their alarming speed at accumulating spirit stones.

In the Immortal Market, the annual rent alone consumed the greater part of a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator’s yearly stipend.

It was precisely this rent that left most Immortal Market cultivators poorer than their itinerant counterparts.

Wandering cultivators paid no rent.

Ten spirit stones a month might seem trivial, but over a year, that’s a hundred and twenty. He Song’s annual stipend now—freely available for his use—was only ninety.

By saving so many spirit stones, the life of a wandering cultivator was, in general, better than that of a market cultivator.

After all, most of the work open to wanderers was dangerous, blood-on-the-blade business, but the danger brought high rewards.

So, while market cultivators enjoyed more stability, wandering cultivators lived riskier but often wealthier lives.

At this point, Meng Guan’s gaze turned to Wei Fan.

He rose and clasped his hands in a formal salute.

“My departure from the Chiling Gold Mine comes now because I have finally earned enough spirit stones. I wish to invite Brother Wei to accompany me to Qingyuan Immortal City to purchase a Breakthrough Pill.”

Meng Guan’s gesture was one of utmost respect.

Though he and Wei Fan had known each other for years and were already close friends, he remained solemn and sincere.

Three years ago, when he left the Immortal Market for the Chiling Gold Mine, Meng Guan was already forty-three.

Now, three years later, he was forty-six.

There were less than fourteen years left before the ideal age of sixty for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

To ascend from the sixth to the ninth level of Qi Refining in such a short time—and to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill—was an exceptionally difficult feat.

Even without a Foundation Pill, if he tried to force a breakthrough with his five spiritual roots, it would be extremely challenging to advance from the seventh to the ninth level of Qi Refining in such a short span, even if he succeeded this time.

But in Meng Guan’s eyes, since he had already resigned from his market position and resolved to forge ahead, he would risk his life for even the slimmest chance.

He would step onto this thorny path, no matter what.

If he could break through to late-stage Qi Refining, he was confident he could reach the ninth level before sixty and challenge Foundation Establishment.

As for what might happen in the end, Meng Guan chose not to think too much about it.

Having decided to risk his life, there was no point in worrying further.

The determination in Meng Guan’s eyes made He Song sit up straighter.

Facing Meng Guan’s earnest salute, Wei Fan’s expression turned serious as well.

“Old Meng, there’s no need for such formality between us. Very well, I’ll accompany you on this journey. It’s only a Breakthrough Pill, after all—nothing I can’t protect.”

Only after a long moment did Wei Fan give his answer.

He had considered everything: the dangers on the way to Qingyuan Immortal City, the risks after purchasing the pill, the hazards during Meng Guan’s breakthrough, and any trouble that might arise on their return to the market.

Having weighed it all and determined he could handle it without too much difficulty, he finally agreed.

For a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator to buy a mid-stage Breakthrough Pill was risky, but not excessively so. He was confident of his ability.

If Meng Guan succeeded in breaking through, with two late-stage cultivators together, there would be little danger.

“Thank you, Brother Wei. If I were to travel to Qingyuan Immortal City alone, I’d surely face some risk. With you by my side, there’s nothing to fear.”

Hearing Wei Fan’s agreement, Meng Guan let out a sigh of relief, a broad smile spreading across his weathered face.

Though he had expected Wei Fan to agree, he couldn’t help but feel delighted once he truly did.

It meant he had not misjudged his friend.

It also meant there was no further worry about purchasing the Breakthrough Pill.

Most of all, it showed that after three years, his bond with Wei Fan and He Song remained strong.

An old man’s heart found great comfort in this, and joy was natural.

Yet, just as Meng Guan was basking in his happiness, Wei Fan spoke again.

He turned to He Song.

“Would you care to join us in Qingyuan Immortal City? It’s far grander than this market—a true center of prosperity.”

Since he had already agreed to accompany Meng Guan, bringing another along was no trouble.

Besides, He Song was now a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator himself. Bringing him would add another fighter to their ranks—even if, in truth, his combat strength was next to nothing.

Other cultivators they encountered on the road wouldn’t know that.

With numbers on their side, they might avoid some trouble.

It would also broaden He Song’s horizons.

Zhushan Immortal Market was, after all, just a trading post set up under Qingyuan Immortal City’s jurisdiction for the convenience of local cultivators.

The comings and goings were mostly minor Qi Refining cultivators from the surrounding area; Foundation Establishment immortals were a rare sight.

He Song had spent nearly ten years in Zhushan and had never seen a Foundation Establishment cultivator aside from Master Chengshan.

How could such a place compare to the Immortal City?

Though Foundation Establishment cultivators were rare even in the city, there were always several in permanent residence, and visiting immortals were not uncommon.

The goods for sale in the city were also of a much higher caliber than those in the market.

However.

Just as Wei Fan was thinking that He Song would certainly accept, He Song shook his head repeatedly.

“No, no, you two go ahead. The city has its charms, but so does the market. For now, I’d rather stay here.”

As he spoke, He Song waved his hands to dismiss Wei Fan’s suggestion.

The city? What would he do there? Here in this little Zhushan market, he could do as he pleased.

If anyone offended him, he could simply make them disappear with a word to the right person.

Why give up being a local king here to become a nobody in the city?

In the city, his connections would count for little.

Even if Wei Fan were a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator instead of seventh, he’d still rank for nothing in the city.

That would greatly diminish any protection he could offer.

If he managed to offend a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the city, he’d likely drag Wei Fan into trouble as well—neither of them would escape.

Even if the chances were slim, He Song felt that, until he could protect himself, staying in the market suited him just fine.