Chapter 138

After the few waves of people teleported from the cave left, the ox-head person and the horse-head person also took off the bronze masks they had been wearing on their faces and placed them together on the pile of bronze masks that had just been recycled.

"Old Ghost Wu and Shorty Lu from Pengdeng Mountain just now seem to have stared at that young man wearing a bamboo hat." The ox-head person who was organizing that pile of masks suddenly said to the horse-head person on the side.

The horse-head person nodded and said: "Since they have already left this mountain, what happens outside has nothing to do with us. Holding an auction requires us to come out and be busy for half a month. This time, we can finally go back and cultivate for a period of time."

"Fellow Daoist is right. Staying in this ghost place with insufficient spiritual energy, I am truly fed up."

"By the way, what is the name of that young man you mentioned just now? Do you remember?" The horse-head person seemed to have thought of something again, raised his head, and asked the ox-head person again.

"I really forgot this. I haven't seen this person before. It seems he is participating in the auction for the first time. I only remember that what was written on the identity invitation card he took out at that time seemed... to be surnamed Li. That’s right, it is surnamed Li. This surname is somewhat rare, and I remember it very clearly." The ox-head person pondered for a while and answered seriously.

The horse-head person nodded again and said: "Turn around and register this matter in the alliance. That young man is already at Foundation Establishment at such a young age, so he might not be an ordinary rogue cultivator. In case the victim comes to the door in the future, we can at least give an explanation."

"Right, Fellow Daoist is still thoughtful!"

After the two organized all the bronze masks, they soon disappeared into the teleportation formation.

——

One day later, on a main road a few dozen miles away from Yangshan Market, a mortal caravan with over a dozen horse-drawn carriages, fully loaded with quite a few goods, was advancing toward Yangshan Market. Around the caravan were over a dozen guards riding horses, all of whom were acquired mortal martial masters.

There were basically no beasts near Yangshan Market, but such caravans still had some possibility of encountering robbers who were also acquired martial artists. Therefore, people doing business near here would go to hire some martial masters as guards to be responsible for escorting the goods. When encountering valuable things, they would even spend a lot of money to invite some Qi Refining cultivators to escort them.

In a carriage at the very back of the caravan, Song Qingming, with a calm face, was sitting opposite a white-clothed cultivator who was also at the Qi Refining stage, talking. On the small table between the two were also two steaming teacups.

"Fellow Daoist Song, this spiritual tea of yours is truly top-grade. It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but I, Old Fang, have been mixing for decades, and this is truly the first time I have tasted this quality of spiritual tea. I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Song to be so generous to me."

The white-clothed cultivator who spoke looked about the same age as Song Qingming, but his cultivation was quite far from his, and he had not yet been able to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining. If Song Qingming hadn't had the help of the remnant map back then, he estimated that his cultivation should be about the same as his now.

After hearing the white-clothed cultivator’s praise, Song Qingming smiled slightly, filled a cup for the white-clothed cultivator again, and then said: "This junior also felt like old friends at first sight with Fellow Daoist Fang, which is why I took out the spiritual tea I have treasured for many years. It’s just a pity that I only have this much on me. When I have good tea next time, I will definitely bring it to Yulou Pavilion to invite Fellow Daoist to taste it together."

"Fellow Daoist Song has the heart, then Fang will thank you."

One day ago, when the Heavenly Elixir Alliance auction had not yet ended, Song Qingming, who was in the hall, took the initiative to propose a request to the auction side through the cat-faced maid serving on the side that he wanted to use the teleportation formation alone once immediately.

Although some people had exited the hall in advance after obtaining the spiritual items they needed, these people had not left immediately and were still staying in the lounge prepared by the Heavenly Elixir Alliance.

This was also because whether they came over or left, the spirit stones needed to take the teleportation formation were paid by the Heavenly Elixir Alliance side, and there must be enough people to teleport and leave together. Otherwise, if everyone used the teleportation formation once, the Heavenly Elixir Alliance estimated that this auction would still lose money.

He was holding the mentality of giving it a try, but unexpectedly, the Heavenly Elixir Alliance side did not refuse him this time, only requiring him to bear the thirty spirit stones needed for this single teleportation. Therefore, Song Qingming had actually already left the auction hall half an hour before the auction ended.

There were over three hundred people in the hall, and a cultivator missing in the corner didn't attract the attention of too many cultivators. They still thought Song Qingming was like those cultivators earlier, having exited the hall in advance and gone to the lounge to wait for the auction to end.

After returning the mask to the Heavenly Elixir Alliance cultivator on the other side of the teleportation formation, Song Qingming immediately left that cave and ran wildly toward the direction of Yangshan Market for over a hundred miles. Finally, he encountered this caravan going to Yangshan Market at a place a hundred miles away from Guyang Mountain.

As soon as Song Qingming saw the Yulou Pavilion written on the caravan, it was precisely a shop he had dealt with in Yangshan Market for a year. After pondering for a while, he decisively chose to mix directly into the caravan.

Quite a few people participating in the auction were Foundation Establishment cultivators who could fly with swords. He couldn't possibly return to Yangshan Market before them in terms of speed. Traveling urgently alone would also easily attract the attention of other cultivators. In case he really encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator who participated in the auction, that would be dangerous.

In comparison, choosing to mix in the mortal caravan and go to Yangshan Market slowly was actually safer for Song Qingming, who didn't want to attract attention now.

The person in charge of the caravan was named Fang Yan. Hearing that Song Qingming wanted to hitch a ride with them to Yangshan Market, he hesitated for a while but didn't dare to refuse him, taking the initiative to respectfully invite him into his carriage. After all, people had the cultivation of the ninth level of Qi Refining. If he didn't agree and angered Song Qingming, this was not a wise choice.

Fortunately, Song Qingming’s personality was very easy to talk to, and he had dealt with his proprietor, Yulou Pavilion. After getting on the carriage, not only did he not make things difficult for him, but he also generously took out some spiritual items he treasured to share with him. In less than half a day, Fang Yan became familiar with Song Qingming, who got on halfway.

Just like this, Song Qingming hid in the carriage with Fang Yan all the way. Two days later, he returned to Yangshan Market safely. Only when he stepped into the gate of the market did he finally let out a long sigh of relief and put down the spiritual sense that had been tense for the past few days.

After bidding farewell to Fellow Daoist Fang who sent him back to Yangshan Market, Song Qingming immediately returned to the cave dwelling he rented.

Although this trip cost him quite a few spirit stones, the spiritual items for Foundation Establishment he urgently needed recently were finally all in hand.

A Marrow-Cleansing Pill, a Foundation Establishment Pill, were all prepared. Looking at the two spiritual elixirs he had obtained through all kinds of hardships this time, Song Qingming’s eyes were full of excitement, and he almost shouted loudly in his cave dwelling. The spiritual items for Foundation Establishment he needed were now complete, and next, he had to prepare for Foundation Establishment with all his heart and strength.