Chapter 730: Distributing the Harvest, Qingyu Returns (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Aside from the third-grade superior flying sword that Song Qingming had seized beforehand as his own spoils of war and thus excluded from the distribution, the approximate value of all other spiritual items was quickly estimated by the group.

The three magic treasures in the "Daoist Heavenly Corpse" storage bag were of high quality; two were third-grade medium, and one was third-grade superior. Together, they were worth approximately 70,000 spirit stones.

Although the third-grade medium flying boat was relatively common, its value was not low, being worth at least 45,000 spirit stones.

The five third-grade talismans varied in quality. Only the golden one was a relatively rare third-grade superior talisman, while the rest were inferior third-grade ones. Together, they were worth about 20,000 spirit stones.

Aside from the 20,000 spirit stones, the various low-grade spiritual items found in the cave dwelling were worth a total of over 20,000 spirit stones.

The total estimated value of all spiritual items obtained by the three from exploring the "Daoist Heavenly Corpse" cave dwelling came to nearly 180,000 spirit stones.

According to the distribution, Song Qingming could first take 40% of the spiritual items, which amounted to about 70,000 spirit stones' worth of goods.

Seeing this, Song Qingming directly took the two highest-quality magic treasures and one third-grade superior talisman. The total value of these three items was exactly around 70,000 spirit stones.

Chen Yuting was allocated the third-grade medium flying boat, one third-grade medium magic treasure, and two third-grade inferior talismans. Including half of the low-grade spiritual items, her total share also accounted for about 40% of all the spiritual items.

The remaining two third-grade inferior talismans, 20,000 spirit stones, and the rest of the low-grade spiritual items went to Luo Li.

Although she received the least, Luo Li was the happiest of the three. She held the third-grade inferior talisman in her hand, looking at it incessantly, reluctant to even put it into her storage bag.

Luo Li was not someone who liked to take advantage of others. Having gone out to gain experience with Song Qingming and Chen Yuting, she had unexpectedly received over 40,000 spirit stones in one go, which was a small fortune for her.

After the three had finished distributing all the spiritual items, Song Qingming remembered that he still had the storage artifact of "Daoist Heavenly Corpse" in his hand, which he hadn't brought out for distribution.

After a moment's thought, Song Qingming gave it directly to Chen Yuting.

"Little Friend Chen, this storage artifact should still be worth a few thousand spirit stones if sold. Consider it a token of thanks for leading the way. Luo Li and I won't split these few spirit stones with you."

Seeing Song Qingming give her the storage artifact, Chen Yuting waved her hands hurriedly and said, "Senior Song, you are too kind. Since we agreed on an equal distribution, it should naturally be converted into spirit stones."

"However, I don't have that many spirit stones on me. Let's convert this storage artifact into 4,000 spirit stones for Little Sister Luo Li instead."

"Hmm! That works too."

Seeing Chen Yuting insist on a fair distribution, Song Qingming said nothing more and handed the jade pendant artifact to Luo Li. Soon, the two of them also received their respective shares of spirit stones from Luo Li.

"Senior Song, this junior has one more request, and I hope you can grant it."

Just as Song Qingming had put away his spirit stones, he heard Chen Yuting bowing and asking him for a favor. He waved his hand quickly and said, "You and I are well-acquainted now; just speak your mind. If it is something I can help with, I naturally will not refuse."

Upon hearing Song Qingming's reply, Chen Yuting hurriedly took out the third-grade medium flying boat she had just received and placed it in front of Song Qingming.

"Senior Song, I have no use for this item for the time being. I would like to trade it with you for a few low-grade magic treasures, talismans, or spirit stones. I hope you can grant this junior's request."

Seeing the third-grade medium flying boat in Chen Yuting's hand, Song Qingming immediately understood. She was likely worried that the spiritual items in her possession were too valuable and difficult to sell, so she wanted to exchange them with him for other items of lower value.

Chen Yuting's cultivation was only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, and her family was merely a small Foundation Establishment force in the "Red Star Sea Area." Possessing a high-grade spiritual item like a third-grade medium flying boat, worth tens of thousands of spirit stones, would surely bring disaster upon herself and her family if noticed by those with ill intentions.

A few days ago, when she and Luo Li went to the marketplace, they had accidentally been targeted by "Iron Wind Island" just for bringing out a flawed third-grade inferior magic treasure, nearly losing their lives. Now that she possessed so many high-grade spiritual items, she was even more cautious.

For Chen Yuting and Luo Li, obtaining so many precious spiritual items from exploring the "Daoist Heavenly Corpse" cave dwelling was naturally a heaven-sent opportunity, which might one day help them cultivate to the Golden Core realm.

The only trouble was how to convert these spiritual items into the cultivation resources they needed.

Most of what Luo Li received were spirit stones and low-grade spiritual items. The most precious high-grade items were the two third-grade inferior talismans and the storage artifact she had received last.

These three items were only worth a few thousand spirit stones each. While very precious to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they were not rare enough to be difficult to sell in a larger marketplace.

However, the third-grade medium flying boat and the other third-grade medium magic treasure that Chen Yuting received were not things an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator could easily handle.

Such high-grade, precious spiritual items worth tens of thousands of spirit stones could not be sold in an ordinary marketplace. They might need to be taken to a large marketplace like "Heavenly Elixir City" or a high-grade auction attended by Golden Core cultivators to be easily converted into spirit stones.

For a fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator like Chen Yuting, these were not easy tasks to accomplish.

Moreover, these two items were truly too precious; even a late-stage Golden Core cultivator like Song Qingming might be tempted if he saw them. Once revealed in public, they would easily attract those with ill intentions, which was Chen Yuting's greatest worry.

It was precisely because of these considerations that Chen Yuting had the heart to trade the third-grade medium flying boat to Song Qingming, seeking a safer way to dispose of her spiritual items.

Understanding Chen Yuting's thoughts, Song Qingming showed a hint of gratification on his face and said, "It is rare that you are not blinded by these high-grade spiritual items and know how to retreat to advance. I will accept this item and that magic treasure for you!"

"These items are things I carry with me that you might find useful. Choose whatever you want. If it's not enough, I will make up the difference with spirit stones."

"Rest assured and choose. As a dignified Golden Core cultivator, I certainly won't take advantage of a junior. This flying boat will be valued exactly as it should be."

After Song Qingming finished speaking, he used his magic power to take out more than a dozen third-grade inferior spiritual items he carried with him from his storage artifact and placed them in front of him. "Then this junior thanks Senior Song!" Seeing Song Qingming agree, Chen Yuting's face lit up with joy, and she happily walked up to start choosing from the many spiritual items Song Qingming had brought out.

The items Song Qingming brought out this time included talismans, magic treasures, arrays, and spiritual medicines. These were basically third-grade inferior spiritual items he had accumulated over the years.

Although Song Qingming no longer had much use for these items, for Chen Yuting, they were the perfect things to help her resolve her current worries.

Before long, Chen Yuting had selected spiritual items of equivalent value that were easier for her to sell, and then exchanged the third-grade medium flying boat and magic treasure with Song Qingming.

Song Qingming exchanged some less valuable third-grade inferior spiritual items for higher-value third-grade medium spiritual items; he certainly wouldn't lose out, and it would be convenient for him to exchange them for other high-grade spiritual items in the future.

Chen Yuting, on the other hand, converted the two precious spiritual items in her hand into third-grade inferior spiritual medicines, talismans, and other lower-value items that were easier to sell, which would allow her to better exchange them for other cultivation resources in the future.

This transaction between the two was purely a case of each getting what they needed; no one took advantage of the other. After the exchange, both Song Qingming and Chen Yuting were quite satisfied.

After putting away the spiritual items she needed, Chen Yuting glanced at the spring eye nearby, which was emitting rich spiritual energy, and couldn't help but say, "There is a spiritual spring eye here; it's a pity to let it go to waste by leaving it here."

"Senior Song, if you often come to the East Sea in the future, this cave dwelling is very suitable for staying. Do you have any thoughts of using this place as your own cave dwelling?"

Hearing Chen Yuting's reminder, Song Qingming looked around, then nodded with a smile and said, "Your words have reminded me; this place is indeed quite suitable for a temporary stop."

"I'll see if I can renovate this cave dwelling later and set up a Spirit Gathering Array here to further increase the spiritual energy in the cave."

"If you two also reach the step of Core Formation in the future, this place would be quite suitable for your secluded cultivation to break through. Rest assured, if you really need it then, I certainly won't turn you away."

"However, I must remind you of one thing: regarding anything here, you two are not allowed to reveal it to anyone in the future, including close relatives and friends."

"I will leave a high-grade sound-transmitting talisman at the entrance of the cave dwelling. If you have any urgent matters you want to tell me in the future, you can come here to send a message."

"But no matter what happens, you must come alone; you are not allowed to bring others to the island. I like quiet; if it gets too lively here, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay long."

"Please rest assured, Senior. Even if you hadn't said so, we two would definitely keep our mouths shut and would never mention it to anyone else."

Upon hearing that Song Qingming intended to turn this place into his own cave dwelling, both Chen Yuting and Luo Li showed a hint of joy and hurriedly agreed.

Although they knew that Song Qingming was not a cultivator from the East Sea and would certainly not live here often, even if he only came occasionally, being able to build a relationship with Song Qingming was an extremely beneficial thing for their future Dao path.

A Golden Core senior like Song Qingming, who was approachable and willing to teach them, was hard to come by in the cultivation world. For Chen Yuting and Luo Li, Song Qingming was now a great opportunity on their path of cultivation.

Now that they had each obtained cultivation resources worth tens of thousands of spirit stones, if they could receive Song Qingming's guidance in the future, they might really have a chance to form a Golden Core and become high-and-mighty Golden Core ancestors like Song Qingming.

For Chen Yuting and Luo Li, Song Qingming also regarded them as promising newcomers with whom he had an affinity. If he had the opportunity to offer some guidance, he naturally wouldn't be stingy. However, whether they would have the opportunity to successfully impact the Golden Core Great Dao in the future, Song Qingming would not want to interfere too much for now; it would all depend on their own good fortune.

After nodding slightly to the two, Song Qingming took out a bamboo scroll and handed it to Chen Yuting, saying, "The way of arrays is not like other skills; it requires extensive knowledge to improve quickly. You still have some talent in this area."

"Here are some array classics I have recorded in my spare time. You can take them to study. They will definitely be helpful for your future cultivation of this path. If there is anything you don't understand, come find me if you have the chance to meet in the future."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. This junior will definitely not let you down." Receiving the array classics handed over by Song Qingming, Chen Yuting's face lit up with joy, and she immediately bowed in excitement to thank him.

After passing a set of array classics to Chen Yuting, seeing a hint of envy flash in Luo Li's eyes, Song Qingming smiled slightly and took out another bamboo scroll, placing it before her.

"You cultivate the way of alchemy, which is not a skill I am good at. I cannot give you much help in this area for now. If we have the chance in the future, I will help you get an introduction."

"This contains a secret technique I cultivated before forming my Golden Core. It will be of no small help in tempering a cultivator's soul. You can take it and try to cultivate it. If you can successfully get started, it should be of no small help to your future cultivation or alchemy."

The cultivation method Song Qingming took out was the "Soul-Devouring Art" he had obtained from Feng He back then.

Although this cultivation method was very difficult for ordinary cultivators to practice in the early stages, as long as one could successfully get started, the subsequent improvement to one's own soul was very significant.

Over the years, Song Qingming had also benefited a lot from cultivating this method. Whether fighting others or learning other cultivation methods and skills, Song Qingming, whose soul was much stronger than others, could often be more relaxed in these aspects.

Tempering a cultivator's soul, although it did not directly help in improving one's cultivation base, was of no small use when a cultivator encountered situations like inner demons interfering while breaking through cultivation realms.

Song Qingming had always attached great importance to this cultivation method in his heart. Over the years, he had only taught it to cultivators in his family above the Foundation Establishment level. Luo Li was the first non-Song family member he had taught.

Seeing the "Soul-Devouring Art" Song Qingming took out, Luo Li did not refuse this time and accepted it generously. She then followed Chen Yuting's example and bowed solemnly to Song Qingming.

After giving the two a few more instructions, Song Qingming left the cave dwelling with them and then piloted the flying boat to send the two back to "White Sand Island."

This treasure-hunting trip had taken a total of seven days.

After returning to "White Sand Island" and parting ways with Chen Yuting, Song Qingming immediately returned to "Profound Heaven Sect" to tidy up. He then directly bid farewell to Luo Li and Chen Jianghai and the others, and took a flying boat back to "Black Cloud Island."

This time, Song Qingming spent quite a bit of time thoroughly renovating the cave dwelling of "Daoist Heavenly Corpse."

He burned all the miscellaneous spiritual items he had collected and things related to "Corpse Refining" on the spot, throwing them into the volcano outside, leaving only the things he needed for daily life. Suddenly, the entire cave dwelling became clean and refreshing.

Subsequently, Song Qingming set up a third-grade Spirit Gathering Array near the "Spiritual Spring Eye," concentrating the spiritual energy in the spring and raising it to the third-grade medium level.

Feeling that the spiritual energy in the cave dwelling was enough to satisfy his usual cultivation needs, Song Qingming walked out with satisfaction.

Before leaving, Song Qingming set up an additional concealment array at the entrance of the cave dwelling and left a ten-thousand-mile sound-transmitting talisman in case Luo Li and the other came to find him in the future, before he took the initiative to leave the "Black Cloud Island" cave dwelling and headed west by flying boat.

Renovating the "Daoist Heavenly Corpse" cave dwelling took a total of nearly a month, which meant Song Qingming had already spent nearly two months on this trip to the East Sea cultivation world.

Having not returned for so long, Song Qingming was also afraid that Huang Siyuan and the others at home would worry about him, so after leaving "Black Cloud Island," he did not linger and headed straight for the Floating Cloud Mountain Range.

In the following time, Song Qingming hurried on his journey and finally returned to "Qinghe County" smoothly more than ten days later.

Just as he arrived outside the family's spiritual vein, "Mount Funiu," Song Qingming saw a streak of light flying toward him from afar. Thinking it was Huang Siyuan coming to welcome him back, Song Qingming stopped his "Phantom Boat" and halted.

After this streak of light, which Song Qingming found somewhat familiar, came to his side, it quickly transformed into a woman in green, who spoke to Song Qingming with a smiling face:

"Seventh Brother! It's been many years; have you missed me?"

"What kind of question is that, you girl? You've been gone for so many years without sending a message home. How could your sister-in-law and I not be worried about you?"

Seeing that the person coming to welcome him was none other than Song Qingyu, who had been out traveling for many years, Song Qingming's face was filled with unexpected joy.

Nearly ten years had passed since Song Qingyu went to travel in the East Sea with Li Xuanyi, and Song Qingyu's cultivation had also broken through from the original fourth level of Golden Core to the fifth level.

After carefully examining the Song Qingyu in front of him, Song Qingming nodded with some gratification and said, "You've been out for a trip, and your cultivation has improved quite a bit. It seems you've had quite a harvest."

"That's for sure. But no matter how fast my cultivation improves, it's still quite a bit behind Seventh Brother's. Congratulations to Seventh Brother for breaking through to the late stage of Golden Core. It seems I will still have to follow behind you and bask in your glory in the future."

Having received Song Qingming's affirmation, Song Qingyu first showed a look of joy, then stepped forward and bowed to congratulate Song Qingming, whose cultivation had also broken through to the seventh level of Golden Core.

"Seventh Brother, you must be tired from just returning from the East Sea. Come with me to rest for a while; I've already sent someone to notify Sister-in-law."

After the two stood in mid-air and exchanged a few words of congratulations, they returned to the top of "Mount Funiu" under Song Qingyu's lead and walked toward the family's "Meeting Immortal Pavilion."

"Qingyu, did Senior Sister Li come back with you this time, or has she already returned to Donghuang Kingdom?"

"Junior Brother Song, are you still so anxious and looking forward to my return?"

Just as they reached the entrance of the family's "Meeting Immortal Pavilion," Song Qingming suddenly thought of Li Xuanyi in his mind and asked Song Qingyu, who was beside him.

Unexpectedly, before Song Qingyu could answer, a somewhat displeased voice came from in front of them, causing Song Qingming, who had just been full of joy, to show a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Seeing Li Xuanyi in white standing in front of him, staring at him calmly, Song Qingming smiled helplessly and immediately took the initiative to step forward and bow to her.

"What is Senior Sister Li saying? I was just worried that you had left without saying goodbye, so I asked in a hurry. Please don't misunderstand your Junior Brother."

"Senior Sister, since you have just returned from the East Sea, please rest here for a while. When you want to go back, I will go back to the sect with you, and it will be a good opportunity to visit Master."

Hearing the meaning behind Song Qingming's words, Li Xuanyi also knew that Song Qingming was still worried about her safety, which was why he wanted to send her back personally. A hint of a smile appeared on her face as she said:

"Hmm! That's more like it, Junior Brother. But don't worry, I've been out for so long that it's about time I went back."

"If you are not in a hurry, I will stay here for a few more days. If Junior Brother is really impatient to return to the sect, we can set off tomorrow."

"This time I won't make things difficult for you; it's all up to your own thoughts."

Song Qingming heard this and immediately nodded with a smile: "Senior Sister, rest assured, I have no urgent matters, so waiting a few more days is fine."

"If Senior Sister likes this Mount Funiu of mine, just treat it as your own home and stay for as long as you like. Later, I'll have Qingyu accompany you to look around properly."

"Hehe! Senior Sister, just feel free to stay. You are a great benefactor to our Song family. How could Seventh Brother not like you being here? He's just a bit clumsy with his words; Senior Sister, please don't mind."

"In a few days, I want to take Senior Sister to Taiyue Lake to look around. The scenery there is no worse than the East Sea, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed."

Seeing that Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming always misunderstood each other as soon as they met, Song Qingyu was also a bit helpless and hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over and change the subject.

Hearing Song Qingyu's words, the displeasure finally vanished from Li Xuanyi's face, and she nodded with a smile: "Hmm! That's good, it's settled then. We'll go to Taiyue Lake to play in a few days."

"Qingyu is still the one who knows how to speak and knows what I like, unlike Junior Brother Song, who always likes to say things I don't like to hear as soon as we meet. Can you blame me for misunderstanding you?"

After Li Xuanyi happily agreed, she didn't forget to tease Song Qingming, who was beside her, and then pulled Song Qingyu into the "Meeting Immortal Pavilion" while chatting and laughing.

Seeing this, Song Qingming also helplessly revealed a bitter smile.

Song Qingming was always worried about Li Xuanyi's safety, not because he really liked to meddle in other people's business, but because he had promised his Master, "Daoist Lingxu," to look after this Senior Sister Li, which was why he couldn't help but care about her affairs.

Although he had long known that Li Xuanyi didn't like this, Song Qingming had no other good way.