Chapter 135: Absolutely Fake

Seeing the expression on Qing Xi's face, Xia Dang assumed he was skeptical and quickly said, "My benefactor, do not worry. I am the renowned 'Treasure-Laden Youth.' Even Zhou Shitong, the top-ranked prodigy on the New Star List, is not as wealthy as I am."

Afraid that Qing Xi still didn't believe him, he added, "Actually, my true identity is not just the second inner-disciple of the Zixiao Sect; I am also the Young Sect Master of the Spirit Medicine Sect in the Southern Region. That is why I have a bit more wealth than the average person."

As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, worried about provoking Qing Xi's displeasure.

Qing Xi was even more surprised.

The Spirit Medicine Sect was the leader of the three great powers in the Southern Region and the only sect among the twenty-four star-level powers of the Yunchuan Prefecture that specialized in alchemy. More than half of all alchemists in the entire Yunchuan Prefecture were essentially disciples of the Spirit Medicine Sect. Qing Xi knew that alchemists were generally very wealthy. As the Young Sect Master, Xia Dang would naturally not be short of funds.

"You startled me. So, you are the Young Sect Master of the Spirit Medicine Sect. No wonder you are so rich! I thought everyone on the New Star List had half my wealth!" With that thought, Qing Xi breathed a sigh of relief.

However, he still found it strange. Why would someone choose to join the Zixiao Sect when they could be a proper Young Sect Master? It was truly baffling.

After a moment of silence, Qing Xi asked, "I am currently looking for Gale Stones. Do you know where I can buy some?"

He had originally planned to return to the Lingyuan Sect to consult with Sect Master Qiu Mingzi, but since a Young Sect Master with wealth rivaling a sect-leader-level expert was right in front of him, asking him first might yield results.

"Gale Stones?"

Xia Dang looked completely unbothered and waved his hand. "I have plenty of them back home. If you need them, Benefactor, I can give you a few to play with."

To him, Gale Stones were like cheap toys, completely worthless.

Qing Xi’s mouth twitched, and he silently told himself that he had finally met his match. He had thought that after leaving the Thunder Dragon Valley, even if his wealth couldn't keep up with the big shots who had cultivated for years, he could at least easily crush the younger generation. He never expected to run into Xia Dang, the Young Sect Master of the Spirit Medicine Sect, who was so filthy rich that he was almost half as wealthy as himself.

Qing Xi felt a sense of crisis. Cultivation relies on wealth, companions, methods, and locations, with "wealth" being the most important. To keep one's strength up, not spending money was unrealistic. Even a pig could cultivate faster than a so-called Spirit or Profound-grade genius if it had enough cultivation resources.

However, upon second thought, Qing Xi calmed down. In terms of high-end combat power, the Spirit Medicine Sect definitely could not compare to the three two-star powers, but when it came to wealth... that was not necessarily the case. It made sense for Xia Dang, as the Young Sect Master, to be this wealthy. With that in mind, Qing Xi felt confident he could maintain his title as the "wealthiest" of the younger generation in Yunchuan Prefecture.

He decisively waved his hand and said, "No need. I’m not short on money. If you really have Gale Stones, I will buy them from you when the time comes."

Although he spoke with an air of authority, he added in his heart, *However, if you insist on giving them to me, I can accept them gracefully.*

"Little Assistant," the system chimed in, "You are the most shameless person ever!"

"This is called carrying on the traditional virtue of thriftiness. Understand?" Qing Xi remained composed, leaving the system speechless.

"How could I do that? You saved my life, Benefactor. What is a mere Gale Stone worth?" Xia Dang laughed, silently adding to himself, *You are the brother-in-law I’ve picked out; how could I treat you poorly?*

"So, brother-in-law, where are we heading next?" Xia Dang accidentally let it slip in his excitement.

Qing Xi glared at him. "What did you just call me?"

"I didn't call you brother-in-law!" Xia Dang said with a look of utter sincerity.

Qing Xi curled his lip, thinking this guy was truly thick-skinned—almost as much as himself. But then, he realized that since Xia Dang matched him in strength, temperament, and wealth, he would make the perfect sidekick! However, given that the other party was the Young Sect Master of the Spirit Medicine Sect, it was clearly unrealistic to expect him to be a subordinate.

Qing Xi diverted his attention and used his scanning function to survey the surroundings. Suddenly, he threw a punch, shattering the stone wall. A head-sized ore radiating golden light fell out. This was an Earth-grade ore, used for crafting Earth-grade spirit weapons. Even to a sect-leader-level expert, it was a valuable treasure. Yet, Qing Xi didn't even bother to bend down; he simply used spirit threads to wrap the ore and store it in his system space.

"Brother-in-law, you are truly incredible!" Xia Dang looked on with envy. To him, Earth-grade materials were not rare; he was simply envious of the unique treasure-hunting ability Qing Xi had displayed.

*My brother-in-law has such powerful methods; he must be extremely wealthy. No wonder he dismissed my wealth—he’s a hidden powerhouse! I’ve set my heart on this brother-in-law!* Xia Dang's eyes sparkled, and remembering the powerful strength Qing Xi had previously demonstrated, his admiration grew even deeper.

"I need to return to the Lingyuan Sect first and then head to the Southern Region, so we shall part ways here." It was imperative to go to the Southern Region for Gale Stones, but he had to return to the sect to learn the *Condensing Qi Art: Spirit Gale Chapter* first. Otherwise, even with the stones, he would just be staring at them, not knowing how to use them.

"Brother-in-law is from the Lingyuan Sect? Well, I’m not in a rush to go back, so I can go to the Lingyuan Sect with you and have a look."

Xia Dang was very surprised. In his eyes, this young prodigy with a Peak Innate cultivation base was definitely a Saint secretly cultivated by some peak one-star power. Otherwise, how could he have never heard his name?

"So what if I'm from the Lingyuan Sect? Is that strange? But if you want to follow, I don't mind." Qing Xi took a step forward and led the way.

"No... not at all! Not strange in the slightest!" Xia Dang waved his hands hurriedly, then asked, "By the way, brother-in-law, what is your name?"

Hearing himself called "brother-in-law" repeatedly, Qing Xi felt a strange sensation. He felt that Xia Dang’s talk of introducing his sister was not just idle chatter but a genuine intention.

*Do I have that much charm?* Qing Xi asked himself. He felt that while he was handsome, strong, and eloquent, the way Xia Dang was trying to "sell" his sister made him feel something was off.

"My name is Qing Xi. And for the record, I am not your brother-in-law!" After throwing that out, he quickened his pace.

"Brother-in-law... I mean, Benefactor, wait for me!" Xia Dang quickly corrected himself and trotted happily after Qing Xi as they returned to the surface.

Along the way, Xia Dang kept singing his sister’s praises, painting a picture of a woman who was beautiful, pure, sincere, gentle, and incredibly talented—a glowing recommendation. The more Qing Xi heard, the more cautious he became; he felt there was more to Xia Dang's words than met the eye. What kind of brother was so desperate to marry off his sister? Was there a trap?

Thinking this, Qing Xi performed another prediction and found himself in a state of "Minor Good Fortune," confirming that Xia Dang was not plotting against him. So, was Xia Dang genuinely trying to be a matchmaker? Had his romantic luck finally arrived?

*Pah! What kind of nonsense am I thinking? Xia Dang’s words must be fake!* Qing Xi shook his head to clear his thoughts, determined to stay focused. He prepared to cross the Xisha River, but just then, he saw a shocking scene on the river in the distance.

Xia Dang followed Qing Xi’s gaze and was so startled that he sat down on the riverbank, eyes wide with utter disbelief.