novelapdf Chapter 69 Intensifying Turmoil
Chapter 69 Intensifying Turmoil
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the conversation naturally turned to the most pressing situation at present.
"The situation is becoming increasingly tense. The Lu and Wang families are constantly clashing in the border area. Last month, a small-scale conflict broke out in Luoxia Valley, and both sides lost several late-stage Qi Refining cultivators."
Su Wanqing frowned slightly, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of the cup, her expression becoming serious.
Market controls are stricter, especially for materials like black gold, cold iron, and red copper, which are the main materials for crafting magical artifacts and puppets, as well as the main ingredients for various healing and mana-restoring pills. Prices have skyrocketed, and supplies are limited.
The two exchanged information and gossip they had gathered about the market, analyzing the potential impact.
"Discarded pills...the number that can be released from the alchemists I know is getting smaller and smaller."
Su Wanqing looked at Yang Changsheng with a hint of helplessness and apology in her eyes, clearly knowing that this would have a significant impact on Yang Changsheng's business.
"Yes, this was expected. War is a machine for plundering and consuming resources. The fact that the fairy was able to maintain this line is already a great help."
Yang Changsheng nodded and said calmly.
He paused, then asked, "So, is everything going smoothly with Fairy Wanqing?"
Su Wanqing understood that he was asking about her pill business: "Fortunately, with the outbreak of war, pills are a necessity. The Qi-restoring pills and Lesser Rejuvenation pills that I refine... are of decent quality and are quite popular with some independent cultivation teams and small families..."
Although the cost of medicinal materials has increased, the profit margin can still be maintained at a high level, which is more than enough to support the needs of cultivation.
The main reason is the high success rate of pill formation, and the ability to earn spirit stones by recycling waste pills, which makes the income much higher than that of other alchemists of the same level.
Her tone was calm, but Yang Changsheng could tell that she hadn't been through it.
The difficulties faced by an alchemist without family support in a chaotic world—ensuring both personal safety and keeping the alchemy furnace burning—are unimaginable.
Her cultivation level has improved so much not only because of her talent, but also because of her survival wisdom.
The conversation then turned to the current situation of old friends, inevitably mentioning Liu Xiaoying.
Su Wanqing sighed softly: "Little Ying left so suddenly, leaving only a letter for you. If you hadn't told us, Fellow Daoist Qingshan and I would still be in the dark."
There was a hint of melancholy in her tone, but not much sadness.
The path of cultivation is long, and gatherings and separations, even the separation of the living and the dead, are common occurrences.
Liu Xiaoying traveled far away with her father, where she had more opportunities in the outside world, which may have been a wider world for her.
I only hope that the other person will have a long and successful career, and that we will meet again someday.
Yang Changsheng didn't say anything. The girl's family background was very mysterious, and she possessed a perfect method for foundation building. He couldn't reveal too much information to avoid causing trouble.
As they were talking, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room, which was then pushed open.
The person who entered was dressed in a dark blue, close-fitting outfit, looking travel-worn.
His face had lost the carefree and frivolous air of his former rich young master; instead, his brows and eyes held a maturity honed by the trials of life, his gaze sharp yet restrained, carrying a hint of barely perceptible vicissitude.
It was Li Qingshan, whom I hadn't seen for three years.
"Fairy Su, Fellow Daoist Changsheng, I apologize for being late, some trivial matters kept me up."
Li Qingshan clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice slightly hoarse, his attitude respectful yet sincere in his apology, his posture very humble.
Yang Changsheng keenly sensed the magical energy fluctuations emanating from the other party, which indicated that they were at the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Although his aura was slightly weak and his foundation seemed far less solid than his own, he was indeed at the peak of the mid-stage of Qi Refining.
"Fellow Daoist Li, you're too kind. We've only just arrived. Congratulations on your progress in cultivation, breaking through to the mid-stage bottleneck." Yang Changsheng stood up and returned the greeting, his tone very sincere.
Su Wanqing nodded with a smile in response.
Li Qingshan sat down, chuckled self-deprecatingly, and said, "I'm ashamed. I relied entirely on a Breakthrough Pill to force my way through the barrier, which damaged my foundation. My foundation is damaged... I can't compare to you fellow Daoists who are taking a more steady approach."
He readily admitted that he had broken through his limits with the help of elixirs, his tone revealing little resentment but rather a sense of relief and pragmatism after recognizing reality.
The constraints of a low-grade spiritual root mean that without taking a gamble, one might never hope to reach the late stage of Qi Refining. Reaching the sixth level now is already a stroke of luck.
Yang Changsheng understood.
Although the Breakthrough Pill can help people break through cultivation bottlenecks, its potent properties can damage meridians, deplete potential, and affect future cultivation paths.
Li Qingshan's choice is a microcosm of the helplessness of countless mediocre cultivators under the cruel reality.
His breakthrough and the elevation of his cultivation to the sixth level of perfection must have come at a considerable cost and with considerable effort.
"A breakthrough is a good thing. In these chaotic times, every bit of strength we have is a bit more power to protect ourselves."
Su Wanqing spoke gently, her gaze calm, without a hint of disdain.
If she hadn't had a mid-grade spiritual root and had some fortuitous encounters before coming to Biyue Lake, her cultivation level would probably only be at the sixth level of Qi Refining, struggling to break through the bottleneck in her cultivation.
"What the fairy says is absolutely right."
Li Qingshan nodded, then solemnly got to the point, saying, "I'm late this time because I've heard some rumors. It seems the Lu family is really serious, and their counterattack is faster and more ruthless than we expected..."
According to his reliable sources, a medium-sized supply point set up by the Wang family on the outskirts of the Hantie mining area was completely uprooted three days ago.
The dozen or so Qi Refining cultivators in the mid-to-late stage who were stationed there, including a manager at the ninth level of Qi Refining, all perished. Only some special wounds, suspected to have been caused by the Lu family's secret technique, the Azure Wave Thousand Layer Force, were left at the scene.
The Wang family was furious, but lacking direct evidence, they could only suffer in silence for the time being.
Yang Changsheng and Su Wanqing exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.
The Lu family's counterattack was indeed as the Supreme Elder Lu Zhengxuan had said: swift, ruthless, accurate, and leaving no room for error.
This is not only a demonstration of strength, but also a stern warning to the Wang family, and it foreshadows a rapid escalation of the conflict.
"In addition, the Wang family is also retaliating fiercely. In the past two months, several small families and caravans that are affiliated with the Lu family have been repeatedly attacked by unidentified cultivators while traveling, resulting in heavy losses."
Li Qingshan continued, "There are even rumors that a Foundation Establishment stage rogue cultivator has been bribed by the Wang family with a large sum of money, preparing to target the Lu family's important industries. Now, outside, especially in areas near the border and resource points, there is a great deal of tension, and rogue cultivators are suffering the most, with countless deaths and injuries."
Silence fell over the private room for a moment.
The hustle and bustle outside Zuixianlou seemed to be isolated by an invisible barrier, leaving only a gentle breeze seeping in through the cracks in the windows, carrying the unique moisture of Biyue Lake and a faint smell of blood and rust.
The shadow of war spread, like a thin mist gradually enveloping the lake outside the window, weighing heavily on everyone's heart.
Yang Changsheng picked up the teacup, feeling the warmth of the porcelain with his fingertips. His gaze swept over his two old friends as he pondered something.
Su Wanqing's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a layer of worry shrouding her beautiful face. Her slender fingers tapped the table unconsciously, clearly thinking quickly about the possible chain reaction of the situation, especially the impact on her alchemist business.
Li Qingshan appeared even more somber, with a hint of weariness and uncertainty about the future hidden deep in his eyes.
The news he brought confirmed the root cause of the strict control over the market and the scarcity of resources, making the word "chaotic world" seem even colder and more chilling.