Chapter 34: Qi Refinement Ninth
According to Song Changsheng’s estimation, the broken jade was likely a fragment of a magical tool, though he couldn’t determine its grade.
What drew his attention was the trace of spiritual energy he had sensed within it. On the surface, it appeared to be ordinary first-rank turmeric jade, nothing special.
But a closer look at the fracture revealed a faint white hue within. Song Changsheng wasn’t sure what kind of jade this indicated, but he was certain it wasn’t turmeric jade.
“It looks a bit like second-rank Huangjing jade… but why does it have these fine patterns?”
Song Changsheng leaned in to examine it more carefully. Gradually, a strange expression crept across his face. “I misjudged it… this is a man-made counterfeit. It's not even real turmeric jade.”
He recalled where he’d bought it, from the stall of a young cultivator. He had examined it thoroughly at the time and believed it was exceptional.
Who would have thought he’d still been fooled, losing five spirit stones for nothing.
“This person’s forgery skills are impressive. I didn’t spot a single flaw at the time. Interesting. If I see him again, I’ll definitely try to get to know him.”
Rather than being angry about being tricked, Song Changsheng was intrigued by the stall owner's skill.
He prided himself on having a good eye. After all, he had uncovered the formation base and the Gui Water Essence. That someone had managed to deceive him meant they truly had some talent.
Though the jade was disappointing, today’s haul was still more than worthwhile.
In the days that followed, Song Changsheng spent much of his time studying the formation pattern. Each day, he would leave the house around mid-morning and return at dusk. Before long, he had thoroughly explored the Drifting Cloud Market.
He also became increasingly close with Zhu Yiqun. The two often explored the market together, and Zhu Yiqun would frequently showcase his culinary skills, allowing Song Changsheng to feast and improve his cultivation at the same time.
From their meeting at Yushi Restaurant to now, only about two months had passed, but Song Changsheng had already completed the breakthrough from Qi Refinement eighth layer to layer nine.
Such was the marvel of medicinal cuisine. These dishes, crafted from spiritual herbs and ingredients, could have surprising effects, cultivation advancement was just one of many benefits.
In essence, medicinal chefs were like a hybrid of alchemists and spiritual chefs, inheriting the strengths of both.
In some cases, medicinal cuisine was even more effective than pills. Pills couldn’t be consumed recklessly, but medicinal food had no such restriction, you might overeat or over-nourish, but that was all. As a result, medicinal chefs were welcome guests wherever they went.
However, such chefs were extremely rare. The inheritance was scarce, and the entry requirements were high.
This, in turn, suggested Zhu Yiqun’s background was anything but ordinary.
Over time, Song Changsheng also realized Zhu Yiqun genuinely enjoyed making friends. In Ling Province, he seemed to know someone everywhere, from penniless loose cultivators to the direct descendants of Foundation Establishment clans, and even many cultivators from outside Ling Province.
Thanks to him, Song Changsheng also expanded his own network considerably, which was an invaluable gain.
Connections should never be underestimated; you never know when they might come in handy.
As the months passed, their bond deepened. But oddly enough, the more time Song Changsheng spent with Zhu Yiqun, the more mysterious the latter seemed…
...
“Thank you for your hard work, nephew.” Song Luyuan accepted the artifact Song Changsheng handed over and spoke sincerely.
“Uncle, there’s something I’ve always wondered about,” Song Changsheng said. “Why is the shop’s highest tier limited to superior first-rank artifacts? The clan shouldn't be lacking in top-grade first-rank artifact refiners, right?”
He had already reached that level himself some time ago but had yet to receive any top-grade orders. The shop didn’t sell such items either, which puzzled him.
The Song clan had always focused on formation and artifact-related industries, and many formation masters and refiners had been nurtured over the years.
As the family’s only artifact shop in Drifting Cloud Market, Seeking Treasure Pavilion logically should have at least one second-rank low-grade artifact refiner overseeing operations.
So why was everything capped at first-rank superior-grade?
Faced with his question, Song Luyuan sighed. “You think the clan doesn’t want to sell top-grade items? It’s not that we can’t, it’s that we’re not allowed to.”
“Not allowed? Why?”
“Because of Eight Directions Pavilion. Ever since they established a branch in Drifting Cloud Market fifty years ago, they’ve dominated the markets for artifacts, talismans, pills, you name it.
Their products are better in quality, more diverse, and cheaper than ours. Local forces like us can’t compete and have slowly watched our business get stolen away.
To address this, the heads of the six major forces joined together to negotiate with Eight Directions Pavilion. In the end, they signed a contract.
The agreement allows Eight Directions Pavilion to sell items below first-rank top-grade at the same price we offer.
In exchange, only Eight Directions Pavilion is allowed to sell top-grade first-rank items. Technically, second-rank items weren’t part of the deal, but we can’t compete at that level either.
So over time, all of our high-level refiners were pulled out from the shop.” A deep sense of helplessness showed in Song Luyuan’s eyes.
The influence of the Eight Directions Pavilion spans all five continents of the human realm, how could a strand of hair ever hope to compete with a thigh?
The fact that they were even given such a deal was a kindness, without it, they wouldn’t even have a place to negotiate from.
Song Changsheng left the shop feeling heavy-hearted. He had bought cultivation supplies from Eight Directions Pavilion before, but this was the first time he’d heard of the underlying truths.
In this world, the actions of powerful figures could effortlessly crush those below them.
“I really have to get stronger, fast…” he muttered, clenching his fist as he stepped out.
Buzz, buzz-
His communication jade suddenly vibrated at his waist. Channeling a bit of spiritual power into it, he heard Zhu Yiqun’s voice:
“Changsheng, are you free today? Come meet me at the usual spot. I have a favor to ask.”
Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow in surprise. In all the time he’d known Zhu Yiqun, this was the first time he’d heard him use the word ‘favor.’
“Seems like something serious… I’d better go check it out.”
He headed straight for a pavilion on the southern edge of the market. Zhu Yiqun, dressed in fine robes, was already waiting.
“Brother Zhu, you are asking for a favor? Now that’s rare. What do you need from me?” Song Changsheng sat down casually.
Zhu Yiqun sat beside him with a mysterious smile. “Actually, it’s good news for you too.”
“Oh?”
“To be honest, over a year ago, I and a few friends acquired a map to a senior cultivator’s ancient cave dwelling. We’ve already verified it, the site exists and is well preserved.
We’ve done a lot of preparation. The only problem now is the protective array around the ruins.
That’s why we need an formation master and I thought of you first!” Zhu Yiqun clapped Song Changsheng on the shoulder.
(Chapter End)