Chapter 23 – The first bucket of gold in the world of cultivating immortality
Another year whizzed by, and they led a life of dining in the wind and sleeping in the dew on the outskirts of the Cloud Mountains, no longer daring to pick up human bones.
Their cultivation had only improved a bit, still stuck at the third layer of Qi cultivation, having allocated their longevity points to the World Soul, and even cultivated a century-old medicinal herb.
Every day, they searched for spiritual herbs on the periphery of the mountains, never catching even a glimpse of a shadow, let alone daring to venture deep into the mountains.
For not only were there demonic beasts lurking there, but also small immortal sects, making it a place of extreme danger.
Another year brought the grand ascension conference, and Chen Xun and Black Bull arrived as promised, with a bit more swagger in their eyes, now capable of critiquing the items on the vendors' stalls.
They attempted to sell their century-old medicinal herb, only to be harshly ridiculed, told that if their brains weren't up to scratch, they shouldn't bother with cultivating immortality.
"Damn it, why the disdain? Doesn't your family have mortals, or have they all perished?!"
"Moo!" Black Bull also spat in contempt.
Chen Xun and Black Bull walked through the valley, incessantly grumbling, still sporting their original looks and the same old vibe.
Three days flashed by, and the moment for the ten great immortal sects to show off arrived. Chen Xun and Black Bull stood in the valley, expectant, as others put on a truly impressive act.
Amidst the countless exclamations of awe, Chen Xun also shouted a few times today, at least able to call out the names of other sects.
Over these seven days, Chen Xun and Black Bull continued to scribble and sketch in their little booklet, with Black Bull adding his own comments.
When the valley closed, Chen Xun and Black Bull were the first to rush out, moving even faster than the ten great immortal sects, so fast that no one noticed someone had already run off.
In the face of absolute speed, it seemed that even schemes and tricks were half a step too slow.
...
In the mountains, time was irrelevant, and five years passed in a blink. The wild beasts of the Cloud Mountains suffered a great disaster, with Chen Xun and Black Bull calling each one a 'little friend', bringing misfortune to the beasts every day.
They finally ground their way to the fourth layer of Qi cultivation, pouring all their longevity points into the World Soul, hoping that one day, while relieving themselves, they might step on a spiritual herb.
Their current longevity points were: Strength, 21. Speed, 21. World Soul, 15.
At this year's ascension conference, Chen Xun and Black Bull arrived as expected, coming once again, their faces radiant as if they had returned home.
Aside from the pots and pans hanging from Black Bull's sides, they had also printed quite a few booklets to take into the city.
Chen Xun's reputation began to rise at the start of the ascension conference, earning him the nickname "Ascension Squatter," poor as a church mouse, with only Black Bull to his name.
No one knew his face or name, adding to his mystery.
But this man wasn't quite right in the head, always wearing a black headscarf, deluding himself that he could be a bandit in the world of immortals.
Rumors warned all vendors to be wary of him, as he often lingered around the stalls without a single spirit stone to his name, probably eyeing something.
But these were just idle talks among bored cultivators, no one paid any attention to Chen Xun, simply considering him a fool.
Every year, new faces came, old ones left, all eager in their pursuit of immortality.
Nine Stars Valley.
"Big brother, this is my magnum opus, years of blood, sweat, and tears. It contains the checkpoints and precautions of all the major sects."
Chen Xun bent over, smiling as he peddled, "Guaranteed to greatly increase your chances of success in joining an immortal sect!"
"Oh?"
A few cultivators paused, interest sparked in their eyes, "May we take a look?"
However, upon seeing Chen Xun's bandit-like headscarf, they were all taken aback, sensing that this was no ordinary fellow!
"Of course, if you're satisfied, then you pay."
Chen Xun said with a smile, noting that these people looked very unfamiliar, obviously newcomers to the ascension conference, which meant a higher chance of making a sale.
"Brother Zhang, this seems genuinely good."
A cultivator's eyes lit up, showing it to the two beside him, "It even details what kind of disciples the ten great sects are looking to recruit."
"Indeed, just don't know if it's real or fake." The two nodded, if true, it would be incredible.
"Rest assured, big brother, I'm here every year. If there's any issue, come find me."
Chen Xun patted his chest earnestly, "Just one low-grade spirit stone, you won't be cheated or regret it, even a 10% increase in your chances is a win, right?"
"Deal!"
The man exclaimed, eyes still glued to the booklet, "You, fellow Daoist, are a straightforward person, I'll buy it!"
"Big brother has keen eyes, you're sure to smoothly enter an immortal sect this year."
Chen Xun flattered, joyously accepting the low-grade spirit stone, a truly beautiful sight.@@novelbin@@
"Alright, then I'll take your auspicious words."
The man laughed, finding Chen Xun quite the talker, feeling the spirit stone was well spent.
"Take care, big brothers!"
"Moo!"
Chen Xun and Black Bull called out from behind them, their faces blooming with smiles, having earned their first pot of gold.
"Bull, let's go!"
"Moo moo!!"
Chen Xun was ambitious, not resorting to theft or robbery, earning spirit stones in a way that was satisfying and clean.
Black Bull was so excited he was nearly in tears, rubbing against Chen Xun, who hugged the bull's head, unaware of the effort they had put in.
"This big brother looks extraordinary, with exceptional talent. If I'm not mistaken, you're here to participate in the recruitment of disciples by the ten great immortal sects."
"Hm? What do you want, fellow Daoist?"
A young man paused, surprised. Was his excellence so apparent that it was immediately recognized? Damn it... to be seen through so easily.
Chen Xun squinted slightly, sizing him up: "But big brother might be missing something crucial."
The young man also scrutinized Chen Xun, whose intelligent eyes betrayed him despite the headscarf.
And with Black Bull trailing behind him, pots and pans hanging all over, it added a touch of sagacity to his demeanor. This man... was extraordinary.
"Please speak plainly, fellow Daoist." The young man was quite polite.
Chen Xun pulled out three booklets from behind, spreading them with one hand, solemnly saying, "To become an immortal, first read this booklet!"
"Ah?!"
The young man was shocked, quickly taking it, "Could this be... the legendary..."
"Heh, all the checkpoints of the ten great immortal sects are in this booklet, it's up to big brother to recognize its value."
Chen Xun said softly, standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes having become quite discerning over the years, able to tell who had spirit stones and who didn't at a glance.
The young man wiped the sweat from his brow, the content in the booklet was all substantial, far better than hearsay.
"Fellow Daoist, this must cost quite a few spirit stones."
"Just one low-grade spirit stone."
"No, that's too little."
The young man suddenly shook his head, and Chen Xun's expression changed, having misjudged.
"I think at least two!" The young man said seriously, taking out spirit stones from his storage bag.
"Big brother, there's no need, that's the standard price."
Chen Xun frowned, disliking price gouging, "Just one!"
"Two."
"One."
"Are you refusing to give me face?" The young man's expression suddenly turned sharp, as if he had become a different person.
Chen Xun was startled, quickly conceding, "Alright, two then, big brother is truly no ordinary person."
After hearing this, the young man's demeanor softened, smiling, "You, fellow Daoist, are also extraordinary. I really like this booklet, I'll take it."
"Safe travels, big brother."
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Chen Xun called out, quite shaken, as for a moment, the vast mana within that man was several times his own.
And he even had a storage bag, rumored to be of significant origin. Such a person was better kept at a distance.
"Moo~" Black Bull nudged Chen Xun, wondering why they had stopped.
"It's nothing, Bull, let's continue selling booklets."
"Moo!"
The duo continued to bow and scrape, peddling the booklets, with some claiming they were fakes and leaving with a scoff. Chen Xun wasn't angry; it was to be expected.
However, the day's takings were quite pleasing, having sold fifty booklets, they now had fifty-one low-grade spirit stones in hand.
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