Chapter 174: 174. Chapter 174: The Elder Becomes a Spirit, Tugging Back and Forth

174. Chapter 174: The Elder Becomes a Spirit, Tugging Back and Forth

A complete Dan formation opportunity is, for all Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, almost an irresistible temptation.

It can be said that among all Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Da Yu Cultivation World, those who could refuse this reward probably number no more than twenty! That would be the three or four core genius disciples of the two major Nascent Soul sects, Qixing Sword Sect and Xingyue Palace, such as Qin Feng, who has formed a perfect, flawless Golden Core; as well as the successors of several top Golden Core sects, Gu Zongyuan can also be counted.

Only these people have their sects and masters prepare a complete Dan formation opportunity for them in advance; they only need to cultivate to a perfect Foundation Establishment, feel that their accumulation is deep enough, and then they can obtain the opportunity to begin Dan formation.

Beyond that, no Foundation Establishment cultivator would not be envious.

Even someone like Lu Guangqin would feel resentment, thinking that Character: Liyang the Immortal has been unfair to him by not preparing a Dan formation opportunity, and would eventually betray his sect and join the enemy.

Therefore, the conditions Character: Liyang the Immortal now offers Xiao Zhangqing can be considered full of sincerity; he truly wishes to impress Xiao Zhangqing and hopes him to take the position of commander of the Character: Liyang Guard.

But unfortunately, after a brief consideration, Xiao Zhangqing shook his head decisively: "Sorry, I still choose to refuse."

He already essentially possesses a Condensed True Pill, and it's already tucked in his pocket, so why chase another Dan formation opportunity? Although Character: Liyang the Immortal now employs a bottom‑up strategy that should intimidate the Qixing Sword Sect and the Dan Dao Alliance, Character: Liyang Immortal City will not face a cataclysm.

But in the years to come, Character: Liyang Immortal City will certainly not be peaceful; without Character: Liyang the Immortal personally stationed there, lacking the Sea‑Stabilizing Needle, turmoil will be constant, with countless overt and covert troubles.

Serving as the Character: Liyang Guard Commander is absolutely a hot‑potato.

Xiao Zhangqing has no need to get involved.

"It seems my guess was correct…" Character: Liyang the Immortal, upon seeing Xiao Zhangqing refuse, showed little surprise or disappointment, as if he had long anticipated this situation.

He then voluntarily explained: "Xiao Xiaoyou is still young, yet with Foundation Establishment cultivation he already possesses such astonishing strength; he must have his own opportunity, perhaps even his own inheritance. It is not surprising that someone has long prepared a Dan formation opportunity for you, providing protection and support."

In the Cultivation World, anyone who can cultivate to the Dan Formation Realm or above must have at least some secret, some opportunity. Especially for Scattered Cultivators like them, lacking family or sect support, progressing from the first Qi‑refining stage, even from mortal, to this level—ranking above the pinnacle of the Cultivation World—is not achievable by talent alone.

Yet Xiao Zhangqing, with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, was able to slay the Blood Duck Immortal, who had already broken through the mid‑Dan Formation stage, which is far more astonishing than Character: Liyang the Immortal himself! Even in the history of the Da Yu Cultivation World, such an event is likely a once‑in‑several‑hundred‑years occurrence.

Thinking of his own opportunities and adventures, before forming a Nascent Soul he almost had smooth sailing, encountering no obstacles or difficulties.

With talent and strength like Xiao Zhangqing's, the Dan formation gate—a hurdle that countless cultivators struggle with their whole lives—might as well be trivial.

Thus, Character: Liyang the Immortal's offering of a Dan formation opportunity today to impress Xiao Zhangqing is merely a trial; he does not truly believe it will certainly succeed.

Naturally, Xiao Zhangqing does not know what Character: Liyang the Immortal, the top Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World, might be fantasizing about for himself—what inheritance, what hidden person preparing a Dan formation opportunity? Moreover, no one would be safeguarding him.

His achievements today are all thanks to his own effort, right?

Regardless of his cultivation, it was forged step by step by himself! Even the Condensed True Pill temporarily held by the Dan Dao Alliance was earned by Xiao Zhangqing proving himself, which made Pill Master Zhu Youlong trust and favor him, willing to entrust the sect's legacy to his hands.

Moreover, setting aside other matters, could killing the Blood Duck Immortal to avenge Zhu Youlong's sect's deep blood feud have been without any risk to his life?

So for Xiao Zhangqing, there is no free lunch! It's all his own hard‑won sweat.

"Since Xiao Xiaoyou is uninterested in the Dan formation opportunity, there must be other treasures you need, right? No matter how strong one's innate opportunity or how unfathomable one's background, we cultivators always have deficiencies. In other words, there will always be things we pursue but cannot yet obtain; true detachment is hard to achieve."

"Xiao Xiaoyou, what do you need? Feel free to say it. Though I may not have it in hand, what if I do?" Character: Liyang the Immortal said with a smiling grin.

He had originally been resolute, determined that regardless of any conditions offered, he would not get involved and bind himself to Character: Liyang Immortal City.

But hearing this, his eyes involuntarily brightened, and he was moved.

He already has a backup of the Condensed True Pill, no need to risk his life for it.

But as Character: Liyang the Immortal said, cultivators can hardly achieve complete detachment; there will always be things they desire.

"I do have treasure needs, but…" Xiao Zhangqing thought for a moment, weighed his options, and carefully said: "I will not serve as the Character: Liyang Guard commander; I cannot devote all my effort and risk my life for Character: Liyang Immortal City. At most, what I can do is intervene when Character: Liyang Immortal City faces difficulties. But this is limited to troubles that do not exceed my expectations, such as a post‑Dan Formation Immortal seeking revenge, or if the Qixing Sword Sect or Dan Dao Alliance are not intimidated and send sect masters over…"

"That is natural," Character: Liyang the Immortal nodded in approval.

He never intended for Xiao Zhangqing to actually give his life to protect Character: Liyang Immortal City.

The ultimate goal was simply to have Xiao Zhangqing and his disciple Gu Zongyuan stand on the same front line, to keep the petty troublemakers at bay for Character: Liyang Immortal City.

His disciple Gu Zongyuan's Dan formation quality is extremely high, and with the trump card and battle array left by him, he already possesses strength comparable to mid‑Dan Formation level; if Xiao Zhangqing were to join, it would be equivalent to two mid‑Dan Formation combat forces.

It would barely suffice to guard Character: Liyang Immortal City, this bustling cultivation megacity, and secure its vast interests.

But Character: Liyang the Immortal immediately added: "However, if later Xiao Xiaoyou's strength were to skyrocket, say by successfully forming a Dan, the troubles he could resolve would be even greater; ordinary post‑Dan Formation Immortals need not be too feared, right?"

Good fellow.

This old thing really is a human spirit; it can even patch things up?

Xiao Zhangqing was silent for a moment, then said, "If my cultivation and strength increase in the future, the troubles I can resolve for Character: Liyang Immortal City could be greater. But there must be a time limit. For example, I could guard Character: Liyang Immortal City for ten years? Or perhaps twenty?"

Character: Liyang the Immortal shook his head, "Ten years is too short; for us cultivators it passes in a blink. Twenty years is still not long enough. Thirty years… how about thirty? That duration is also not long. Xiao Xiaoyou residing in Character: Liyang Immortal City for thirty years, without life‑threatening incidents, would advance and retreat together with the city."

Thirty years, indeed, is not long.

Even though he now possesses a Heaven‑grade Water Spirit Root and cultivates at a rapid pace, he is still a hair's breadth away from the later Foundation Establishment stage; to reach a perfect Foundation Establishment and break into Dan formation will still take about twenty years.

He could then, after completing Dan formation in Character: Liyang Immortal City, reside there for another ten‑plus years.

In any case, he needs a place to cultivate, one with at least third‑tier spirit veins; Character: Liyang Immortal City is already his optimal destination, and he plans to reside there long‑term.

However, even so, getting him to work for free is impossible.

He must present conditions that move him.

"I wonder, Senior Character: Liyang, what kind of treasure you can produce to make me work for Character: Liyang Immortal City for thirty years," Xiao Zhangqing bargained.

Character: Liyang the Immortal's face brightened at the words, knowing the matter was about eighty percent settled.

Being able to ask that question meant Xiao Zhangqing had already been swayed; now the "price" tug‑of‑war would follow.

"Xiao Xiaoyou, you may first tell me what kind of treasure you need," Character: Liyang the Immortal asked cheerfully. "Then I shall be bold and propose." Xiao Zhangqing said without hesitation: "I heard that not long ago, during a duel, Senior Character: Liyang forcibly confiscated Wei Wufeng's life‑binding artifact, a massive magical seal… I wonder if it would be convenient for you to let me see that great seal?"

For Xiao Zhangqing, the most precious treasure is naturally not a high‑value Spirit Stone.

What Xiao Zhangqing truly cares about is the treasure's history! That is, whether the inventory system can equip it and extract a powerful skill! If a treasure has a great pedigree, having been used by top masters for a long time with much effort, even if it is heavily damaged, the system can usually equip it and extract the skill.

Conversely, even if a treasure material is of high grade—fourth‑tier or even legendary fifth‑tier treasure—without any profound history, its background is a blank, the system cannot extract a skill; for Xiao Zhangqing, its effect is greatly reduced, perhaps even a mere chicken‑rib.

A fifth‑tier treasure, even if given to him, with his current cultivation and strength he cannot unleash its intended power; it would be a hidden gem gathering dust.

"Um…" Character: Liyang the Immortal was momentarily stunned, his expression slightly awkward, "This massive seal magic treasure is relatively important to me; it has a special use. From Wei Wufeng and that jade… no, the Bamboo Sword Immortal, I have collected many rare and valuable treasures. Perhaps, Xiao Xiaoyou, you might consider something else?"

"Then could you, Senior Character: Liyang, bring out everything? I'll have a look to see if anything I need is there," Xiao Zhangqing asked casually, not particularly eager for the massive seal magic treasure.

According to the accounts of that day's duel, the massive seal magic treasure's main function is to break formations and imprison enemies, so Xiao Zhangqing was merely inquiring.

"Bring everything out…" Character: Liyang the Immortal this time did not refuse; after nodding, as his thoughts moved, hundreds of treasures floated around.

Various Pills, Spirit Herbs, high‑grade materials, ores, Spirit Plants, all sorts, dazzling the eyes.

No wonder they are two well‑connected late‑stage Core Formation cultivators; their wealth is so abundant that it would shatter the imagination of ordinary Core Formation cultivators.

But Xiao Zhangqing practically skimmed over these treasures, showing no interest at all.

His gaze immediately fixed on each Magic Treasure and cultivation Jade Tablet…

"Some treasures I have bestowed upon my disciples and a few guests of the City Lord's residence; the rest are all here. Xiao, you may look freely—if anything catches your interest, set it aside, and later we'll assess the total price in detail," Character: Liyang said generously.

Xiao Zhangqing did not hold back and immediately began to pick up each item.

So refreshing!

It's even more exhilarating than attending an auction before.

Although the auction had many treasures, Xiao Zhangqing couldn't handle them beforehand to let the system give a concrete appraisal.

Now, with these rarely‑seen daily treasures, Xiao Zhangqing can take his time to evaluate and pick carefully.

Watching Xiao Zhangqing select item by item, Character: Liyang did not urge him.

What he didn't understand was that, when faced with these treasures, Xiao Zhangqing brushed most of them aside, only a few occasionally made him pause, hesitate, or have his eyes light up with obvious delight.

However, the treasures that delighted Xiao Zhangqing were already known to Character: Liyang, whose value was not high at all—in fact, they were rather 'chicken‑ribs' in his eyes!

This made him briefly doubt whether Xiao's eye for value was poor, unable to discern a treasure's worth, or whether he simply misjudged.

After roughly the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Zhangqing finished his selection.

Four items lay beside him.

In Character: Liyang's eyes, the only true treasure that even he found decent was a longsword as green as jade.

That sword is the Life Sword of Biyu Zhenren.

The sword reaches the third‑tier Supreme level; its materials and craftsmanship are superb, but with Biyu Zhenren's downfall, the sword's spirit was destroyed, reducing its value by more than half.

To Character: Liyang, it can only be considered acceptable.

As for the other three treasures, they all came from Wei Wufeng.

They are, respectively, a third‑tier mid‑grade Great Hammer Magic Treasure, a damaged, rank‑unknown Twin Wing Magic Treasure, and a key whose purpose is completely unknown.

"Xiao, have you finished selecting?" Character: Liyang asked with a smile.

"Hmm. These four, I'm somewhat interested…" Xiao Zhangqing began, but didn't finish his sentence.

Character: Liyang then gathered the remaining treasures that Xiao Zhangqing had set aside.

But after collecting them, his Core Formation Perfection power surged, and he swept the four items Xiao had chosen into his possession in one go.

Xiao Zhangqing couldn't even try to stop it.

However.

Character: Liyang wasn't trying to break the agreement; he simply took the four treasures back and examined them carefully again.

"Hehe, Xiao, don't mind; I'm just curious how these few treasures could even make a Core Formation‑indifferent person like you feel moved," Character: Liyang said after checking, realizing the items were of no use to him, and returned them to Xiao Zhangqing.

What a cunning old fox! Xiao Zhangqing muttered inwardly.

That old bastard was just afraid he'd misjudge and let Xiao pick up a big loss.

So he wasn't at ease until he re‑examined every item Xiao had chosen.

Unfortunately, no matter how experienced and shrewd Character: Liyang was, he still couldn't outplay Xiao Zhangqing in this regard.

Who says he doesn't have a system?

"Since you're so cunning, I can't afford to lose either."

"Of course I won't mind. How could I? It's a trade…" Xiao Zhangqing replied with a forced smile, "But since you, Senior Character: Liyang, have re‑checked them, you should know that among the four items, only the sword holds considerable value; the rest are merely average. Even that third‑tier mid‑grade Great Hammer Magic Treasure isn't worth more than a few ten‑thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones. So altogether, it's still not enough to have me guard Character: Liyang Immortal City for thirty years."

"So, you need to add more money!"

(Ahem, could I ask for a double monthly ticket~) (End of chapter)