Chapter 57 Laying All Cards on the Table

The Azure Cloud Sect's decision to auction off rare resources obtained from the ruins had a very clear purpose.

First, after so many years of working to break the seals and restrictions of the ruins, the expenditure had been enormous. Not to mention other costs, merely to prevent their disciples' cultivation levels from regressing while living year-round in the chaotic spiritual energy environment of the Great Marsh Mountains, the consumption of spirit-replenishing pills alone amounted to an astronomical figure.

Coupled with the recent conscription of family cultivators from within the province, the sect at least had to provide basic provisions.

Bringing out some resources for auction at this moment was a way to convert assets into liquid capital and recover funds.

Second, as the pressure from the two northern provinces intensified, stability in the rear became even more crucial. During ordinary times, they wouldn't even deign to glance at the loose cultivators within the province, but at this juncture, precautions were unavoidable.

Tossing out a few scraps could slightly appease the pent-up resentment and sense of unfairness among the loose cultivators in the rear.

This aligned precisely with Li Ji'an's initial speculation.

While the sect ate meat, it was still entirely acceptable for them to drink a little broth.

Coincidentally, those four rogue cultivators had also served as a reminder to him: over the past year, he had practically struck it rich. Unlike the others in the talent sector who had heavy expenses, anyone with discerning eyes could see that his spirit stone reserves were quite substantial.

It was time to openly spend a sum of spirit stones.

"I wonder what tier of resources the Azure Cloud Sect will bring out this time?"

With a current net worth of nearly sixty thousand spirit stones, backed by a proper status, and attending an auction hosted by the Azure Cloud Sect itself, Li Ji'an could purchase whatever he fancied with absolute peace of mind.

Moreover, he had a premonition that the resources the Azure Cloud Sect was releasing this time wouldn't be too meager; perhaps rare resources that previously couldn't be bought for any amount of spirit stones would finally appear.

He was filled with anticipation.

"Fellow Daoist Li," at that moment, Duanmu Qin's voice came from outside the door.

Li Ji'an stepped out of the main room, and upon seeing the figures before him, his brows furrowed slightly.

Duanmu Qin stood in front, while Xiao Qiao hid timidly behind her.

"Xiao Qiao?"

As she grew older, and having been accompanied by Guagua and the Fire Spirit since the age of six, Xiao Qiao's personality had long since shed its original timidity. Over the past two years, she had also interacted frequently with the family members in the talent sector, acting at most like an introverted girl. It had been a long time since she last exhibited such behavior of hiding behind someone.

Hearing this, Xiao Qiao hid herself even more securely.

"Hehe, Sister Qiao, be a little bolder." Duanmu Qin smiled charmingly, sliding to one side to completely expose the girl standing behind her.

"Sister Qin!" Xiao Qiao cried out in alarm.

"..." Only then did Li Ji'an understand why Xiao Qiao was acting this way.

The young woman, who had always dressed conservatively, was currently wearing a sheer cyan silk dress. Beneath the translucent fabric, a pair of straight and graceful legs were faintly visible.

Especially her upper body: her swan-like, fair, and snowy neck was completely exposed, and right where an exceptionally exquisite gemstone necklace rested, there was a dazzling expanse of snow-white skin, along with a certain alluring cleavage...

"Indeed, she has already grown into a young woman," Li Ji'an sighed inwardly.

Having met when she was six and accompanied her for nineteen years, before he knew it, she was already twenty-five.

To be honest, although he had lived through six lifetimes and possessed rich social experience, he had never raised a child and lacked experience in this regard.

Aside from providing her with shelter, sustenance, and the necessities for cultivation over these past nineteen years, he hadn't invested much emotional thought into her.

"Xiao Qiao, you look very pretty," Li Ji'an praised with a smile.

"Hehe, Sister Qiao, Sister didn't lie to you, did she? Be brave!" Duanmu Qin covered her mouth with a light laugh from the side, cheering her on.

Encouraged, Xiao Qiao took a deep breath. "Li... Li... Brother Li..."

"Hmm?" Li Ji'an interrupted her voice.

Although he didn't mind forms of address, he couldn't afford to play dumb.

Through Xiao Qiao's actions, he had perceived the underlying clues.

A young girl's heart was awakening to romance.

And as the closest male figure in Xiao Qiao's life, he had provided her with a sense of security and companionship.

Furthermore, they shared no blood ties.

It was entirely understandable that such romantic feelings had taken root in her.

Of course, there was also a high probability that she had been influenced by Duanmu Qin and her surrounding environment.

However, he could never accept this.

Putting aside the companionship of all these years, in his heart, he had always regarded Xiao Qiao as a junior, and his deepest impression of her remained that of her childhood self; he could never cross that bottom line.

Besides, although he was not averse to worldly pleasures and the joys of the flesh—if he encountered someone during his long journey of longevity where they shared a mutual affection, and whose presence did not hinder his ultimate goal of achieving eternal life across ten thousand generations, he would gladly engage in dual cultivation with them. Such a companion could not only alleviate the monotonous repetition of daily cultivation life and soothe his mood, but also embellish his path of longevity, and perhaps even benefit his cultivation should they acquire profound dual cultivation techniques in the future—he was certainly not someone whose willpower was easily swayed by carnal desires and inner demons.

What he wanted was mutual affection, shared appreciation, and spontaneous love.

Just like Ning Sujin.

"Uncle Li, I..." Interrupted by Li Ji'an, Xiao Qiao instantly panicked, looking as though her hidden thoughts had been seen through, her face blushing fiercely.

"Right, that's the spirit. Uncle Li has always treated you like a daughter. Don't let your imagination run wild. As long as you don't wish to leave, you can stay here forever." Li Ji'an nodded, solemnly making his stance clear.

"Understood, Xiao Qiao knows now." Giving Duanmu Qin a resentful look, Xiao Qiao lowered her head and quickly dashed toward the back courtyard.

Only then did Li Ji'an turn his gaze to Duanmu Qin. "Fairy Qin, please refrain from teaching Xiao Qiao such things in the future."

Ever since his suspicions regarding Duanmu Qin's intentions arose last time, Li Ji'an had maintained a polite distance from her—neither getting too close nor causing offense.

"Fellow Daoist Li is truly wronging this concubine." Duanmu Qin laughed vibrantly, swaying like a blossoming flower.

Li Ji-an glanced at her; Xiao Qiao's dress style was entirely a replica of her own.

The only difference was that Duanmu Qin's figure was more voluptuous and much more mature, making the exact same garments exude a far greater sense of allure when worn by her.

"This concubine merely helped Sister Qiao unlock her heart's shackles. As for her true feelings, this concubine is willing to swear a heart-demon oath that she never interfered."

Li Ji'an smiled faintly. "Then I must trouble Fairy Qin to guide her properly in the future, steering her toward a normal emotional path."

"Fellow Daoist Li is truly a man of noble character!" Duanmu Qin gave Li Ji'an a thumbs-up, before her tone abruptly shifted. "However, why is it that this concubine feels you are completely out of place in this cultivation world?"

"How so, Fairy?" Li Ji'an asked, puzzled.

Twisting her waist, Duanmu Qin slowly stepped forward, her slender finger gently tracing across Li Ji'an's chest. "The harmony of Yin and Yang is the foundation of the Heavenly Dao; the affection between men and women is human nature. Moreover, the art of dual cultivation can even refine and advance one's cultivation realm. Yet you, Daoist, are able to peacefully seclude yourself here. You can be considered a paragon among the loose cultivators of the province, completely devoid of the desperation and unfulfilled desires of ordinary, impoverished cultivators. As long as you wish it, countless female cultivators would flock to you. How can you be so self-restrained?"

As she spoke, Duanmu Qin's gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally toward Li Ji'an's lower body.

"Heh, if this concubine hadn't massaged and relaxed your muscles and bones to know that Daoist you are full of vigor and vitality, I might have truly misunderstood."

Li Ji'an laughed offhandedly, completely unconcerned with what others thought.

"Look at the male cultivators around here, Daoist: Physician Bai is over two hundred years old and has a house full of wives and concubines, and just a few days ago, he took an eighteen-year-old concubine; Alchemist Zou has children and grandchildren filling his halls, without any pretense of avoidance.

Even that Puppet Master Gou across the way—aside from frequently whoring about in the Spring Breeze Pavilion, his back courtyard conceals no small number of female puppets.

As stingy as Array Master Qian is, he still keeps several maidservants.

Only you, Daoist..."

"Previously, this concubine always thought you had such a delicate beauty like Xiao Qiao by your side, which was why you looked down on the damaged flowers and withered willows outside. Never would I have thought... Daoist, you truly are a gentleman of noble character who exercises strict self-discipline." Duanmu Qin's voice grew increasingly bewitching.

Li Ji'an narrowed his eyes slightly.

He realized now that Xiao Qiao had most likely been used by her.

Her objective was also very clear: she was testing him.

"Heh, Fairy flatters me. There are quite a few individuals who exercise self-discipline here, and even higher beings who have severed all emotions and desires. Li is merely a mortal."

Duanmu Qin shook her head. "It's different!"

"Ordinary people who abstain from women are mostly mediocre individuals lacking in cultivation and financial resources, or they are high- discíples of major sects urged on by their masters, or arrogant fellows obsessed with the Great Dao who disdain the art of dual cultivation. But someone like you, Daoist, possessing such wealth and skills while remaining completely unfettered... could it be that you truly carry the Great Dao in your heart?"

Li Ji'an's expression remained calm, but his heart skipped a beat.

The other party had indeed struck upon his deepest secret.

If he didn't possess the Dao of Rejuvenation and had only a single lifetime to live, perhaps he really would have lived recklessly and followed his every whim to avoid leaving regrets after death.

However, before Li Ji'an could reply, Duanmu Qin continued, "Or perhaps, Daoist, you are an exceptionally passionate and sincere person, disdaining superficial affections and finding no joy in carnal pleasure devoid of emotional nourishment?"

Li Ji'an let out a long breath.

Half-jokingly and half-seriously, he said, "Fairy really knows how to read people."

"Heh," Duanmu Qin smiled brightly like a flower.

"Since we've brought this up, why doesn't Fairy lay her cards on the table? Why exactly have you taken a fancy to Li? If you merely want me to act as cannon fodder, for the sake of the acquaintanceship we've shared over the years, I advise Fairy to dispel that thought completely," Li Ji'an asked directly.

Her investigation into him, brought to light today, had caused Li Ji'an's previous hypotheses to shift somewhat.

After all, if she only wanted to trick him into becoming cannon fodder, the temptation of opportunities, drawing blueprints of future benefits, and supplementing them with feigned sincerity would have been more than enough.

Hearing this, Duanmu Qin's expression instantly froze.

She clearly had not anticipated this development.

"Very well! Fellow Daoist Li is truly an upright gentleman." After a moment of silent contemplation, Duanmu Qin suddenly let out a breath of relief.

"To be frank, this concubine does indeed have a grand opportunity this time. However, my strength is humble, and it would be difficult to succeed alone, yet there are ordinary people whom I simply cannot fully trust."

Li Ji'an slowly shook his head, clearly dissatisfied with this answer.

It matched his previous conjecture: in the eyes of outsiders, his strength was humble, and aside from alchemy, he possessed no special skills, making him a poor exploration partner.

"... Furthermore, this concubine noticed earlier that Fellow Daoist Li frequently traded rare medicinal herbs under the pretext of exchanging them for talisman materials with those seeking pills, and... those who have a demand for Tier-2 talisman materials seem..." Duanmu Qin stepped back slightly, and then spoke with renewed frankness.

Li Ji'an instantly paused, looking at Duanmu Qin with heightened vigilance.

The cultivation world possessed numerous means, alongside various supernatural techniques unfamiliar to Li Ji'an. He wasn't particularly surprised that Duanmu Qin had uncovered his covert trading of talisman materials.

What surprised him was that he, a mere loose cultivator with no grievances against anyone, had somehow caught Duanmu Qin's eye so early on.

"Coupled with Daoist's relationship with the Nine Caulagongs Chamber of Commerce, this concubine surmises that you must have the capability to acquire high-tier barrier-breaking talismans!" Duanmu Qin added.

"Fairy is truly observant," Li Ji'an chuckled dryly, offering an ambiguous reply.

At the same time, the doubts in his heart were completely resolved.

Duanmu Qin's explanation this time was entirely reasonable and made sense.

For exploring ruins, barrier-breaking talismans were indeed a necessity.

However, because these talismans were extremely effective not only against ruin seals and restrictions but also possessed immense destructive power toward defensive arrays, they were classified as contraband items within Cangyun Province.

"Doesn't Daoist want to know what kind of opportunity it is?" Seeing that Li Ji'an didn't follow up with questions as she had anticipated, Duanmu Qin asked with an even greater look of appreciation after waiting for a moment.

Li Ji-an cupped his hands in a salute. "To be honest with Fairy, although Li is merely a loose cultivator, thanks to my proficiency in alchemy, I have accumulated quite a substantial fortune. Ordinary opportunities might not necessarily move me."

"Heh, Fellow Daoist Li is indeed wealthy and imposing," Duanmu Qin laughed heartily, her charming eyes flashing like silk.

"Then what if this concubine tells you that there is a Seven-Colored Jade Tree, a bottle of Autumn Separation Water, and a heritage of musical Dao waiting there?"

Li Ji'an's expression changed instantly.

The Seven-Colored Jade Tree was a spirit tree for pill formation; when condensing liquid spiritual power into solid medicinal pills, it possessed an extraordinary capacity to facilitate successful pill condensation.

As for the Autumn Separation Water, it was a rare treasure of heaven and earth capable of purifying impurities during pill formation and elevating its quality.

If he could acquire these two items in this lifetime, he would truly have a genuine hope of forming a core.

"Is Fairy speaking the truth?" Li Ji'an's expression turned solemn.

An opportunity for pill formation like this was worth more than gold; if such a possibility truly existed, Li Ji'an would treat it with the utmost seriousness.

If the risks fell within an acceptable range, he would be willing to carefully scheme for it.

Sustaining broken limbs, severe injuries, or having his cultivation path severed were his absolute bottom lines, and if there were uncontrollable risks of death, he would veto the idea outright.

Besides, under the current circumstances, the one who should be anxious was her.

"Fellow Daoist Li, since we've laid everything out in the open today, as an apology for earlier, this concubine is willing to offer you a massage session as compensation. How about it?"

"Naturally, I have no objections!" Li Ji'an accepted readily.

During the previous period, thinking that she intended to use him as cannon fodder, he had deliberately kept his distance.

But now that she had laid her cards on the table, she showed genuine sincerity for cooperation.

Every massage session benefited his physical cultivation realm. Had it not been for the previous misunderstanding, he would have been willing to pay spirit stones for her services.

He had already decided to ask Duanmu Qin to serve him whenever he had free time.

Not long after, lying on the warm jade bed, Li Ji'an felt supremely relaxed. Compared to the previous two times, Duanmu Qin clearly added more techniques this time around.

Moreover, thanks to their frank exchange just moments before, both of them appeared much more open, shedding even the slightest remaining trace of estrangement.

***

One month later, the auction hosted by the Azure Cloud Sect was held as scheduled.

It was on an even grander scale than the one held when the Qi family took over.

Furthermore, this time, it was rumored that several False Core ancestors from the five major families would be in attendance.

On this day, the seven individuals from the core sector agreed to head together to the plaza for the auction.