Chapter 239 – Discomfort

The crowd was stunned by this woman’s ruthlessness. She was powerful, violent, and beautiful. This was the owner of the Yunding Auction House, Qian Qiusui—a cultivator who stood half a step away from the Divine Transformation Realm.

No one had expected Qian Qiusui to have business dealings with the three black-cloaked people.

Wang Heyang hung his head and trembled uncontrollably. Warm urine ran down his legs. He was petrified. Sixth Elder Lu Yu, who’d been half a step into the Nascent Soul Realm, had been killed before his very eyes without even a chance to resist. He didn’t even get a chance to beg for his life.

And then, his corpse had been tossed aside like trash.

All of Wang Heyang’s earlier arrogance was gone. Thinking back to how he had been beaten in the auction room, he realized he was lucky to have walked away alive.

Qian Qiusui did not spare him a glance. She lit her pipe, exhaled a long plume of smoke, and said, “If the Cloud Pill Pavilion wants to take revenge on me, the doors are open.”

With that, she led Li Guanqi and his companions out of the hall, leaving behind a wave of speculation from the crowd. For them to have won her favor, and for her to show it so openly, was no small matter.

They descended to an underground floor nearly a thousand zhang across.

The whole place was Qian Qiusui’s private area, and no one was allowed to enter without her permission.

They were met with an unexpected sight: elegant pavilions, a flowing stream, and even a little bridge. Clearly, she was a woman of taste.

She brought them to the edge of an array and took out a storage pouch. “The things you asked for are inside. There are many eyes watching you outside. Once you leave the transport array, you’ll have to be careful.”

Li Guanqi smiled and bowed with the others. “Thank you, Senior. Our cultivations may be weak for now, but if you ever need our help in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.”

The woman burst out laughing, doubling over until tears streamed down her cheeks.

She wiped her eyes with her delicate fingers and said, “Alright then! I’ll let you know if I need your help. And if you kids refuse, I’ll kill you.”

The three froze at her words, but before they could react, the array lit up and whisked them away. As its light warped, a faint, almost imperceptible shadow slipped in after them.

Left alone, Qian Qiusui toyed with a jade slip as she drew on her pipe.

“

Hoo...”

A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes as she murmured, “If I ever need help...

Hehe

. That’s an interesting boy.”

Light shimmered beneath her feet, and in the next instant, she was lying on her bed. She murmured, “You’d better not die.”

Ten li away, in a secluded room at the back of a pill shop, light flared and three figures appeared.

Ye Feng looked around and muttered, “Where did she send us?”

Li Guanqi said nothing, simply leading them out.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The people in the backyard weren’t surprised when the three of them came out, keeping their focus on their tasks at hand.

Just like that, they walked out of the pill shop as if nothing had happened. The staff seemed to know where they had come from, but they didn’t ask.

Donning their black cloaks, they melted into the night.

As they flew out of the city, a map appeared in Li Guanqi’s mind, and he realized they were a hundred li away from the Yunding Auction House, which was enough for them to shake off everyone.

Li Guanqi said, “Throw away your clothes and change into new ones. We need to move quickly.”

Ye Feng and Cao Yan obeyed. All of them changed their faces and auras slightly.

If they returned to the auction hall, no one would suspect they were the same people.

After flying a few hundred li farther, they finally stopped to rest in a deserted cave. They looked at each other, then burst into laughter. None of them had expected to walk away with the Longevity Grass for free, all thanks to Cao Yan.

Li Guanqi’s lifespan crisis was resolved.

Cao Yan grinned. “That bastard had real skill in alchemy, but once I rattled him, he lost his focus.”

Ye Feng arched his brows. “If it hadn’t been out of place, I would’ve set up bets on the spot.”

Li Guanqi smiled. “And if you were the house, who would you have wagered on?”

Ye Feng clapped Cao Yan’s shoulder. “On him, of course! Didn’t you see how those people fawned over Wang Heyang, like they were ready to kneel and lick his boots? All I had to do was stir them up, and by the end I’d be swimming in winnings while they bawled like children.

Tsk, tsk...

what a shame I couldn’t.”

Cao Yan blinked in surprise. “Second Brother’s a gambler?”

Li Guanqi pursed his lips. “Yeah. He’s a gambling addict.”

Cao Yan took out the cauldron and stroked it carefully. “It’s a good cauldron.”

Then he looked at Li Guanqi and said earnestly, “Don’t worry, Brother Guanqi. Once we gather all the supplementary herbs, I’ll refine you a batch of perfect Longevity Pills.”

Li Guanqi met his confident gaze and smiled. “I trust you.”

He continued, “Let’s head into the mountains. There are demonic beasts to fight, natural treasures, and money to be made.”

Ye Feng pursed his lips. “Earn money? Forget that. Just take Big Head to the Pill Palace for the alchemist exam. Once he’s a third-tier alchemist, making money will be child’s play.”

Li Guanqi paused. That... was a good idea.

Their conversation tapered off as they slipped into cultivation.

But as dawn neared, Li Guanqi suddenly opened his eyes. A gnawing unease kept him from settling into his meditation. The feeling only grew worse.

Ye Feng and Cao Yan were still absorbed in cultivation, unaware.

The mountains lay in silence...

Li Guanqi frowned. Too silent. No insects, no birdsong, no beastly roars.

There was no time to think. His pulse raced, dread rising in his chest.

“Wake up!”

The low shout, charged with vital force, roused his companions.

Li Guanqi urged, “Let’s go! Hurry!”