[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength":3,"chapter-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-31":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Subdue the Immortals with Strength",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2295333,4490,"Chapter 31","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-31",31,"\u003Cp>The next day, nearing noon, the two arrived at Lübai City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lübai City was a medium-sized city in southern Mangzhou, closest to Li City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two had already inquired beforehand: the most renowned herbal merchant in Lübai City was Qianyun Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So upon arriving in Lübai City, Xia Daoming headed straight for the largest Qianyun Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lübai City, Xia Daoming naturally had no need to conceal his martial energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, to ensure the shopkeeper did not doubt his purchasing power, Xia Daoming deliberately released his Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master’s martial energy as he entered Qianyun Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lübai City, a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master was already considered a formidable force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming’s casual release of his Great Martial Master’s energy immediately alerted the shopkeeper, who came out personally to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming got straight to the point, telling the shopkeeper he wanted the best pills to strengthen blood and martial energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A big sale had walked in, and the customer was a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master—the shopkeeper was overjoyed, immediately turning to instruct his clerks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a clerk brought over two antique-style boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are Qianyun Pills—our Qianyun Hall was founded and grew because of this pill. Made from multiple rare herbs through a secret method, this pill offers significant nourishment even to a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master taking it for the first time. Of course, the price is steep: one hundred and twenty taels per pill.” The shopkeeper opened one box, pointing to a pill the size of a dragon’s eye, smooth and lustrous, and extolled its virtues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming had been taking many pills lately and often consulted Ji Wenyue; in identifying pills, he was barely considered half an expert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up the Qianyun Pill, examined it closely, sniffed its aroma, and knew its initial effect would certainly be inferior to Ji Family’s Sanyuan Guixue Pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he had already developed considerable tolerance to Ji Family’s pills; even if Qianyun Pill’s potency was weaker, its first-time effect would still surpass what he now gained from Sanyuan Guixue Pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The market price of Sanyuan Guixue Pills was two hundred taels per pill; Ji Wenyue had given him “special supply” grade—had he sold them openly, they might fetch three hundred taels each.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because of this, Xia Daoming felt continuing to take Ji Family’s pills was wasteful; he preferred to travel far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, one may eat off others’ wealth, but one must not squander it—better to conserve resources for the long haul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This pill is passable. I’ll take ten.” Xia Daoming said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten?!” The shopkeeper’s voice trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten pills meant twelve hundred taels—an absolute big order!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have them?” Xia Daoming raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We do! Of course we do!” the shopkeeper hurriedly replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming nodded, his gaze falling on the other box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper, quick to understand, immediately opened the second box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pills inside were small, no larger than silkworm beans, mediocre in appearance, with chaotic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are Baiyun Pills—slightly inferior to Qianyun Pills, but still beneficial for a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master, and much cheaper: only ten taels per pill.” The shopkeeper explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it.” Xia Daoming waved his hand without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joking—he had, including his recent windfall and pills he carried, the equivalent of eighty thousand taels in silver; in Lübai City, he was unquestionably a wealthy man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He normally consumed pills worth over a hundred taels each—how could ten-tael Baiyun Pills possibly catch his eye?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xia Daoming reject it outright with clear disdain, the shopkeeper felt disappointed yet stirred, saying: “We do have one flagship herb at Qianyun Hall: a three-hundred-year-old Lie Lin Shen. This herb can be consumed directly for nourishment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But its potency is extremely fierce: a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master must consume only one segment at a time, and his meridians will feel as if slashed by knives—he needs at least a month’s rest to recover, and must wait three months before taking another dose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master fares slightly better, but still requires ten to fifteen days’ rest after each dose, and must wait a month before the next.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Its potency is this fierce? How much is this herb?” Xia Daoming’s heart leapt with joy, though he feigned a frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eight thousand taels!” The shopkeeper held up one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So expensive!” Xia Daoming frowned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compared to its effect, it’s not expensive at all—it’s just too potent.” The shopkeeper said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah!” Xia Daoming smirked. “You can only take one segment at a time. A Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master must rest a month after each dose, and wait three months before the next—who among Fifth-Rank martial masters can afford such time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if an enemy shows up during that period? Do you tell him, ‘I just took a potent herb—I’ll fight you later when I’ve recovered’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…” The shopkeeper was momentarily speechless under Xia Daoming’s pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, that was precisely why it remained unsold—otherwise, such a direct-acting tonic would have been sold long ago, or consumed by the owner himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, since you mentioned it, I’ve never seen a three-hundred-year-old Lie Lin Shen before. Could I take a look?” Xia Daoming changed his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper, shrewd and experienced, immediately understood: this man wanted to haggle, not lose interest. He perked up and went personally to fetch the Lie Lin Shen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lie Lin Shen was thick and long, like a child’s forearm, entirely crimson, as if burning with flame, shaped like a qilin horn, with five nodal markings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the shopkeeper brought it out, Xia Daoming felt a violent energy surge toward him, causing his blood to ripple slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its potency is indeed fierce! The shopkeeper probably didn’t tell the full truth—only someone with my aberrant meridians would dare consider consuming it; otherwise, only a Seventh-Rank Great Martial Master could handle it.” Xia Daoming narrowed his eyes, his thoughts turning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, please observe: this Lie Lin Shen has five nodal markings, each representing a full sixty-year cycle. Each dose must be one entire segment—five doses total—or the effect will be greatly diminished.” The shopkeeper explained in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the shopkeeper explain the dosage so carefully, Xia Daoming knew the old man had seen through him—he dropped all pretense and said directly: “Four thousand taels. I’ll take the Lie Lin Shen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, you’re joking! This is a three-hundred-year-old Lie Lin Shen! Only elderly Seventh-Rank Great Martial Masters dare consume it lightly—and Lübai City has no young Seventh-Rank Great Martial Masters! How could this herb still be sitting here?” The shopkeeper was both delighted and anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delighted because Xia Daoming clearly intended to buy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anxious because the price cut was brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Seventh-Rank Great Martial Masters? Those are prodigies with potential to become Masters—rarer than your Lie Lin Shen. Finding such a buyer would be extremely difficult.” Xia Daoming said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, that’s true. Our owner originally planned to send this Lie Lin Shen to the nearest major city for sale, but first, the journey is long and risks theft; second, even if we reached a major city, we’d be strangers in unfamiliar territory, and the buyer would surely be a local dignitary—if he used his power to bully us, we’d have no recourse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So our owner ultimately decided to keep it here as a flagship treasure. If a buyer happens to pass through and wants it, even at a lower price, it’s better than risking those dangers. But four thousand taels? That’s simply outrageous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, if this three-hundred-year-old Lie Lin Shen were sold in a major city, a conservative estimate would be ten thousand taels minimum. How about this: seven thousand five hundred taels. If you still refuse, we’ll have to ask our owner to speak with you personally.” The shopkeeper said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming agreed with the shopkeeper: for a genius like Xu Shixiong, ten thousand taels meant nothing if it boosted cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet though he’d earned money quickly lately, saving where possible was always better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially for such a “luxury”—a simple word could save hundreds or even thousands of taels. Why not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So while he agreed, Xia Daoming immediately asked the shopkeeper to summon the owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner arrived quickly and warmly received Xia Daoming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After friendly haggling, Xia Daoming paid eight thousand taels total, including the ten Qianyun Pills—which effectively became a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After paying, Xia Daoming immediately left Lübai City with Liu Qiaolian, not lingering a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the city, they galloped on horseback until thirty to forty li away, then slowed their pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were outsiders; having spent eight thousand taels in one transaction, if they lingered in Lübai City, word might spread—and someone might grow greedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xia Daoming had confidence in his strength, when traveling, avoiding trouble was always better than inviting it.\u003C\u002Fp>",1462,"2026-06-20T05:15:29.288Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","821a31b8a08d474342945f697fe6ce8178c903315cd6819f5ebd601db2323986","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-32","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-30",484,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-cover.jpg"]