The thirty spirit stones from Ning Xilin might not seem like much, but for a mortal like him, they represented years of hard-earned savings. As the manager of the Ning family’s mortal branch, even he didn’t earn spirit stones easily.
When Rong Yu hesitated to accept, Xilin smiled faintly. “What’s wrong, Xiao Yu? Think thirty stones are too few? There’s more. Your uncle Zhengqian also asked me to give you fifty spirit stones.”
Rong Yu was stunned. He hadn’t expected his uncle to send such a generous gift.
Swallowing his hesitation, Rong Yu took the spirit stones, bowing deeply. “Uncle Xilin, I will repay you for this kindness.”
Xilin waved his hand with a chuckle. “No need for that, Xiao Yu. Use it well.”
With that, Xilin and Xu Changtai bid their goodbyes. Rong Yu stood at the door, holding the two small pouches of spirit stones, his heart a storm of emotions.
In a single day, he had experienced the cold greed of some family members and the genuine warmth of others.
Looking at the 180 spirit stones in his hands, Rong Yu felt a surge of determination. With these stones, he could purchase enough materials for over a dozen attempts at refining Qi-Boosting Pills. If he could successfully refine waste pills and restore them using the mysterious scroll, his path forward was clear.
Wasting no time, Rong Yu set off for Jinchang Island, where the family’s internal market was located.
Jinchang Island, the hub of the Ning family’s trade and resources, lay hundreds of miles from Pyeongchang Island. Without sufficient magical power or a flying treasure, he had to rely on the family’s spirit boats, which ferried members between islands daily.
Arriving at the dock just as the spirit boat was departing, Rong Yu silently thanked his luck and quickly boarded.
The spirit boat was modest, about ten feet long, with a towering flying fish-shaped sculpture at its bow. Its sides were fitted with wing-like appendages that glowed faintly.
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The elderly helmsman cast a spell, activating the wings, which began to shimmer with light. A gust of wind propelled the boat forward, and it glided smoothly across the lake.
Rong Yu marveled at the craftsmanship, his first glimpse of a spirit boat in action leaving him in awe.
Two hours later, they arrived at the bustling dock of Jinchang Island
Jinchang Island was a gourd-shaped landmass teeming with activity. As the central hub of the Ning family’s territories, it housed a second-grade lower spiritual vein and served as the distribution center for resources traded with the outside world.
The dock was a hive of activity, with mortals unloading cargo, cultivators moving supplies, and dozens of spirit boats of various sizes anchored along the shore. Among them, Rong Yu spotted a massive vessel nearly a thousand feet long, its grandeur a testament to the Ning family’s growing power.
He couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and pride. Despite its flaws, the Ning family was undoubtedly at its peak. Four foundation-building cultivators led the clan, and their recent victory over the Qian family had solidified their position as the second-strongest force in Thousand Waves Lake, second only to the Xue family.
But that victory hadn’t come without cost. Many elites, including Rong Yu’s parents, had perished in the war. Even the great elder Ning Zhongyuan, a mid-stage foundation-building cultivator, had been severely injured and rarely appeared in public since.
Still, the clan’s future seemed bright. Prominent among the younger generation was the Fifth Elder, Ning Huarong, whose talent and combat prowess were the pride of the family.
Navigating the market streets, Rong Yu forced himself to stay focused. The bustling stalls, overflowing with spiritual treasures, were tempting, but he couldn’t afford distractions.
His destination was a large pavilion atop a high slope—the largest spiritual material shop in the market. This was where he had purchased alchemical materials in the past, and he knew they would have what he needed.
Entering the pavilion, Rong Yu paused, his excitement dimming as his gaze locked on an unexpected sight.
Standing in the center of the hall was a young woman in a flowing white gauze dress. Her elegant figure, creamy skin, and delicate features made her a striking beauty, and many of the male cultivators in the room were openly stealing glances at her.
Beside her stood a fair-faced young man in pristine robes, exuding an air of confidence. His cultivation, at the seventh level of Qi Refinement, marked him as someone in the late stage, a feat that placed him well above most of his peers.
“Qinghui,” the young man said, his voice soft and gentle, “it seems this shop doesn’t have any moon orchids. But don’t worry—I’ll accompany you to Tianshui Market. I’m sure we’ll find it there.”
Rong Yu’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the pair. The woman, Ning Qinghui, was a rising star among the younger generation, while the man, Ning Yuanhang, was her constant companion and admirer.
Their paths had crossed before, and Rong Yu knew all too well that Ning Yuanhang harbored a deep disdain for him.