Chapter 26

When Lady Yin spoke these words, the others in the parlor glanced at the young Huang couple with varied expressions.

Most present had seen the two cultivators’ aggressive attempt to board the boat earlier, and in Shicheng, only the Huang family would dare act so brazenly.

Upon hearing this, the Huang man blinked, then immediately shrugged and said:

“You’ve misunderstood. The men who came before departure were indeed from our Huang family—my third uncle and seventh cousin—but they’ve always been close to me; why would they pursue my wife and me? Yet I’ve received no word from the clan regarding their boarding, so I too am unaware of their purpose.”

“If the Huang man is aboard and the clan didn’t send him a message, it likely isn’t anything important. Think about it—if it were truly urgent, Feng Lao wouldn’t have driven them off with just a few words.” Yu Bin nodded vigorously in agreement.

Seeing this, Lady Yin seemed to accept the explanation and dropped the matter, but Wang Yu, who had overheard Feng Lao’s conversation with the Huang family, noticed the beautiful young woman beside the Huang man had a slightly unusual expression.

Just as Wang Yu pondered what her expression might mean, the parlor door suddenly opened, and the gaunt man Gao Qi entered, followed by several servants carrying wooden trays, each holding a wooden bowl and a small wooden spoon, emitting a faint, fragrant aroma.

At Gao Qi’s instruction, the servants placed each tray before the guests’ tables.

Only then did Wang Yu see the bowls were filled with green rice—each grain plump, translucent, and steamed to perfection, the fragrance making everyone’s mouth water.

“Spirit rice.”

“Qingya rice.”

At the sight of the contents, the head monk and Lady Yin both exclaimed simultaneously.

Wang Yu now realized the rice was the “spirit rice” mentioned in Chongyun Daoist’s notes, and his expression turned surprised.

“I never expected Yu Brother could acquire Qingya rice—something the Huang family never sells. Your connections clearly surpass our expectations.” The head monk stared at Yu Biantian in astonishment.

“I did pay a heavy price to obtain Qingya rice. Since it’s my treat tonight, serving this rice is most fitting. Unfortunately, spirit rice is too precious—I can only offer a single small bowl, not enough for everyone to eat their fill.” Yu Biantian smiled warmly.

“Yu Brother is too modest. Qingya rice is unique to the Huang family and ideal for us Qi Condensation cultivators. If we could have even one bowl regularly, it would greatly enhance our cultivation and benefit our physical vitality. But since Shicheng is a depleted spiritual land, we can only harvest it during spiritual tides—it’s always been the Huang family’s lifeline, never sold outside.” Lady Yin gazed at the green rice, smiling.

“Lifeline is an exaggeration, but our family doesn’t have enough either, so we rarely sell it.” The young Huang man, seemingly aware Yu Biantian had purchased Qingya rice, wore a complex expression but spoke lightly.

“So the spirit laborers in Shicheng mainly cultivate this Qingya rice? How many spirit stones would it cost to buy it?” Wang Yu, eyes fixed on the rice, asked with quiet interest.

“I can’t directly tell you the price of Qingya rice, but in Guangyuan Market, a similar grade-one spirit rice sells for two spirit stones per jin—only major sect disciples can afford it regularly.” Yu Biantian chuckled.

“This bowl alone must be worth half a spirit stone. Yu Brother is truly generous—I won’t be polite.” The head monk could no longer wait; he snatched the wooden bowl, ignored the spoon, and poured the rice straight into his mouth.

After thanking Yu Biantian, Lady Yin and the others began eating as well.

Wang Yu scooped up a spoonful of green rice, placed it in his mouth, chewed lightly, and felt saliva flood his mouth with rich, fragrant rice flavor. As he swallowed, a warm sensation swiftly liquefied and flowed into his dantian, spreading warmth throughout his body.

This was spirit rice—truly extraordinary.

Wang Yu finished the entire bowl in a few bites, set down the spoon reluctantly, and glanced at the others.

Lady Yin and the rest had also finished, praising the flavor enthusiastically.

The young Huang couple exchanged a quiet smile.

“My friends, I invited you here not only to foster acquaintance among fellow cultivators, but also to hold a small exchange gathering—to share resources. Outside the market, it’s rare for us scattered cultivators to gather, and since this is the Baizhen Pavilion’s vessel, with Feng Lao, a Qi Condensation late-stage cultivator, present, no one dares force transactions. What do you think?” Yu Biantian gestured for the servants to remove the trays, then, as Gao Qi stood behind him, revealed his true purpose.

Feng Lao was a Qi Condensation late-stage cultivator. According to the notes, that meant at least Qi Condensation seventh layer—no wonder the Huang cultivators had been driven off with just a few words, Wang Yu thought.

“Fine, I have no objections—I have a few things I don’t need.” The head monk was the first to agree.

“A small exchange on the boat? A good idea—I have no problem.” Lady Yin considered briefly, then agreed.

“My wife and I brought some spirit stones on this trip. If any of you have good items, I’m happy to buy them outright.” The young Huang man whispered to his wife, then added his consent.

“You’ve put me in a difficult position, sirs—I have so little cultivation, what could I possibly offer?” Wang Yu looked embarrassed.

“Ha! Wang Brother is too modest. Your body refinement method alone is extraordinary—you could easily exchange it.” Yu Biantian laughed heartily.

“If Wang Brother is willing to sell his body refinement method, I’ll be the first to bid.” The head monk quickly added.

The young Huang couple also showed interest, though Lady Yin showed no change in expression.

“This body refinement method isn’t something I can’t exchange—I’d like to see what you all have to offer first,” Wang Yu said after a pause, not refusing outright.

“Good, good—I knew Wang Brother wasn’t one to hoard his treasures. Since I initiated this exchange, I’ll go first to set the example. Whether anyone wants it or not, I’ll move on to the next cultivator until no one wishes to trade.” Yu Biantian, excited, pulled out a yellow wooden box from his robes, opened it, and placed it on the table, revealing five pale yellow herbal packets.

“Five packets of low-grade Xichen Powder—can refine Qi below mid-stage. Anyone interested?”

“Xichen Powder? Rare indeed—perfect for our level. But low-grade? It’s full of toxic residue—useless for me.” Lady Yin frowned.

“Medicines that refine Qi are scarce to begin with. If they were mid-grade or higher, how could they reach us? I’ll take it. What do you want in return, Yu Brother?” The head monk was intrigued.

“I need a medicine to enhance cultivation—suitable for Qi Condensation third or fourth stage—but it must be mid-grade or higher.” Yu Biantian replied without hesitation.

“Medicines to enhance cultivation are even rarer than those refining Qi. Mid-grade or higher—even if weak—are priceless. After all, our primary goal is cultivation level; refining Qi is secondary.” The head monk shook his head.

Lady Yin fell silent.

Wang Yu pondered what “refining Qi” meant in relation to Xichen Powder, but felt it improper to ask directly.

“To be honest, my reason for this exchange is to obtain cultivation resources for a younger relative. So if something is suitable—even if I lose out—I’ll accept it. How about this: these five low-grade Xichen Powder packets for two mid-grade enhancement medicines, plus extra spirit stones.” Yu Biantian spoke with clear sincerity.

“Extra spirit stones? Then I have three vials of Jiling Liquid—low-grade. Would that work, Yu Brother?” The head monk beamed.

“Low-grade is unacceptable—it would severely hinder my relative’s future cultivation.” Yu Biantian refused outright.

“Are you planning to cultivate this relative all the way to late-stage? Otherwise, low-grade medicine won’t matter much before Qi Condensation mid-stage.” The head monk sounded disappointed and suspicious.

“My relative has decent talent. I do hope he can go further.” The purple-robed elder didn’t deny it.

“Then I can’t help you.” The head monk shrugged, disappointed.

“Huang Brother, is there really such a big difference between low-grade and mid-grade?” Wang Yu couldn’t help asking the nearby Huang man.

“Ha! Wang Brother, you clearly haven’t taken many cultivation medicines. All medicine carries some poison. Take enhancement medicines: mid-grade not only boosts cultivation far more effectively, but contains far less toxic residue. If taken consistently, you needn’t worry about poison buildup until late-stage Qi Condensation.” The Huang man chuckled, answering frankly.

“Some scattered cultivators, with no guidance, rashly use spirit stones to accelerate early cultivation, unaware that though spirit stones seem pure, they still contain invisible harmful impurities. Long-term use—even if it speeds early progress—leads to meridian atrophy and difficulty drawing in celestial Qi later on.” The young woman beside him added sweetly.

“Enhancement medicines carry poison too, but far less than spirit stones—and there are ways to expel or reduce the toxicity,” the young Huang man agreed.