So many days had passed already. Not a single person in this city was bold enough to approach this place. They would only look from afar and sigh.
Although he had made the district magistrate auction off the estate as well, Li Qingshan knew without even thinking that no one would buy it. Before long, it would fall into disuse completely and become a ghost house.
The lotus flowers had already wilted and fallen away in the pond, but the lily pads remained verdant.
“No one will eat you here.”
With a splash, Li Qingshan threw the carp into the lotus pond. The carp raised its head and bobbed up and down, as if it was thanking him before opening its mouth.
“Fine. Let’s just say it’s your lucky day.” Li Qingshan smiled and placed a Qi Gathering pill into its mouth. Only then did it turn around and swim towards the depths of the lotus pond.
Just when Li Qingshan wanted to turn around and return, he suddenly saw a speck of firelight in the distance. It pierced through the shrubbery and shadows. He passed through the shrubs and approached the speck of firelight. He caught a whiff of a heavy fragrance from afar.
Entering through the door, he saw a large, circular, three-legged cauldron that currently gurgled with white steam. There was a heavy fragrance with the steam.
A pretty figure sat on a cushion in front of the cauldron with her hands extended, sending true qi into the cauldron. The amount of steam varied over time, controlled by true qi.
Li Qingshan recognised her with a single glance. “Qian Rongzhi, what are you doing here?”
Qian Rongzhi did not answer him. A while later, she pulled back her hands and regulated her true qi slowly. The cauldron top opened violently and steam filled the entire room.
Li Qingshan found this smell to be extremely familiar. “You’re refining pills!” He looked around and discovered that this should have been the alchemy room of the Qian family. It was also where all the Qi Gathering pills in his hundred treasures pouch came from.
He had eaten quite a few Qi Gathering pills before, but this was the first time he had seen someone refine pills. Then he looked at the huge cauldron. It was covered with green rust, but it continued to shine. It was actually a low grade spiritual artifact.
Originally, Li Qingshan believed that the Qian family would store something like that in a hundred treasures pouch if they possessed it, but he never thought it would be like this. The cauldron was so large that Qian Yannian would barely be able to fit it in his hundred treasures pouch if he placed it in completely. The inscriptions on low grade spiritual artifacts were limited. Since the cauldron could spray water, it obviously could not shrink.
Qian Rongzhi smiled. “This is my home!”
Li Qingshan said, “It’s mine now.”
“I’ve already bought it from you. According to our deal, everything in the Qian family is mine. That obviously includes this cauldron. It sure has been a profit for me.” Qian Rongzhi took out the deed to the estate as she smiled.
“Let’s just say you were lucky.” Li Qingshan turned around to leave. He did not feel any pity at all. Even if Qian Rongzhi had not done all of this, he would have never bothered to search through the estate anyway.
Qian Rongzhi said, “Do you want to learn alchemy?”
Li Qingshan stopped. He looked back. “What do you want?”
Li Qingshan had already realised that apart from the most rudimentary cultivation and practising of qi, there were also several subsidiary occupations on the path of cultivation, such as making talismans, refining pills, forging artifacts, formations, and so on. Cultivators would normally learn one or two of them, which would bring about great benefits to their cultivation.
He could tell from the objects in Qian Yannian’s hundred treasures pouch that Qian Yannian had not studied forging artifacts or formations much, but he was rather skilled at creating talismans and refining pills. These also happened to be the areas he was interested in.
“I want you!” Qian Rongzhi hesitated before biting her lip and looking at Li Qingshan in complete seriousness. She said with a hint of embarrassment, “You must think that I’m a lascivious woman, but actually, I’ve never done anything with a man…”
She believed she had mostly understood Li Qingshan now, so she secretly came up with a plan. Although it was rather surprising for her to come across him tonight, it was perfect for her to try it. Li Qingshan would probably turn her down, and she would react with becoming overwhelmed by grief. Then she would tell him about her sorrowful childhood and shed a few tears when it mattered. She refused to believe she would not earn his sympathy. They would sleep together, and he would swear a pledge of love. With how straightforward and generous he was, she definitely would be able to get something out of him.
However, just when she had come up with a serious plan and written a script for all of this, Li Qingshan’s improvisation completely kicked in once more.
He interrupted her with a smile. “Alright. Teach me alchemy, and I’ll sell my body for just this once.” Although he found her actions to be appalling, there was no reason for him to turn down something as great as this. I’m a man, so am I supposed to be afraid of being ripped off by you?
Qian Rongzhi’s expression stiffened. Although she had thought of many possibilities before, she had never imagined that Li Qingshan would be such a scoundrel. It was completely different to her plan. She could not continue the act any longer. She suddenly recalled the first time she had seen him, when he was drinking and eating in the restaurant with all those women. She had misunderstood him far too much.
The vine wanted to climb onto a tree, to suck out tree sap and receive even more sunlight. Hopefully, it would kill the tree as well. However, never did it think that it had wrapped around a metal pole.
As a transcender, just what hadn’t he seen? Qian Rongzhi’s actions were nothing but commonplace in the society of his former life. Even news for entertainment and magazines for gossip could not be bothered reporting something like that. At most, they were just not as vicious and crafty as her.
Qian Rongzhi laughed dryly. “You sure know how to joke.”
Li Qingshan said, “Since the joke is over, let’s get to the point. What do you want in exchange for teaching me alchemy? Though, let me just say that I myself can be included in the deal for free. I won’t loathe you at all.”
Qian Rongzhi understood that seduction was useless against Li Qingshan, and even if she succeeded, only he would benefit. Not only was there no point to all of it, but it would even cost her, so she revealed her true colours and cut right to the chase. “I want the Geng Metal Method of Sharpening Qi.”
Li Qingshan said, “The cultivation method that Qian Yannian practises? I’ve already checked. It wasn’t there. Choose something else.”
“That old bastard must have destroyed it.” Qian Rongzhi cursed.
Li Qingshan said, “There are cultivation methods in the library of the Hawkwolf Guard. You can check it out once you go back.”
Qian Rongzhi said, “I’ve already checked. There’s plenty of garbage that lets you cultivate to the sixth or seventh layers, but there’s not a single one that reaches the tenth layer of Qi Practitioner.”
Li Qingshan asked, “Where’d you get the contribution from?”
Qian Rongzhi only smiled.
Li Qingshan said, “Forget that I asked. Where else can you get tenth layer Qi Practitioner methods from?”
Qian Rongzhi asked, “Don’t you find me to be very shameful?”
“That’s your freedom. It has nothing to do with me.”
Author’s Postscript: Yep, this is Li Qingshan’s attitude. He’s neither an impotent man, impervious to lust, nor a lustful man who does too much of it. It took me quite the effort to write him like that, but I like it very much. If you like it too, then give me a monthly ticket!
Chapter 148: Refining Pills and Forging Artifacts | Legend of the Great Sage
Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 101-Chapter 200)
Dream Teller's books
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 1-Chapter 100)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 201-Chapter 300)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 301-Chapter 400)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 401-Chapter 500)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 501-Chapter 600)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 601-Chapter 700)
- Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 701-Chapter 833)