Chapter 144: The Hua Family's Birthday Banquet

Facing the invitation from the Hua family, Li Guanxuan did not refuse.

After all, True Immortal Hua Bai was not only the sect master of the Azure Bamboo Sect but also the master of Huajing Immortal City. He enjoyed an excellent reputation and public standing in the central region of the northeastern Immortal Ruins.

Many cultivators maintained friendly relations with him, making him comparable to another "Cao Feng."

Furthermore, this was a personal invitation letter written by True Immortal Hua Bai himself. If Li Guanxuan were to refuse and not attend, it would appear rather arrogant.

"...A three-hundred-year-old Three-Leaf Golden Ganoderma, the primary ingredient for the Golden Origin Pill, with a starting bid of fifteen thousand lower-grade spiritual stones. Each increment must not be less than five hundred."

When the host on the auction stage announced this auction item, Li Guanxuan immediately raised his bidding plaque and called out:

"Twenty thousand."

A normal three-hundred-year-old Three-Leaf Golden Ganoderma usually traded between twenty thousand and twenty-two thousand spiritual stones.

When combined with the other three auxiliary ingredients, the total cost would range around twenty thousand to thirty thousand spiritual stones, depending primarily on the age of the spiritual herbs.

Naturally, spiritual herbs of different ages commanded different prices.

Therefore, an ordinary Golden Origin Pill had a market price of over fifty thousand, topping out at around fifty-five thousand.

If the quality reached the middle grade, the selling price would be sixty thousand.

High-grade Golden Origin Pills generally hovered between seventy thousand and seventy-five thousand.

As for superior and top-grade ones, those fetched upwards of one hundred thousand...

Golden Origin Pills of such quality could no longer be acquired simply with spiritual stones.

Acquiring them depended on one's relationship with the alchemist or required bartering with equivalent treasures.

Hearing someone directly bid twenty thousand spiritual stones right at the start, many cultivators turned their gazes toward the VIP seating area with expressions of surprise.

"Who is this person?"

Some cultivators who were ill-informed wore puzzled expressions.

"Li Guanxuan."

"Rumor has it that he refined high-grade Golden Origin Pills in Qing'an City, producing two pills in a single furnace."

"It was precisely those two high-grade Golden Origin Pills that enabled the demon Chen Yinshan to form a middle-grade golden core, allowing him to slay Sang Shaoxian, who possessed combat prowess sufficient to rival the mid-to-late golden core stage..."

"..."

Upon hearing of Li Guanxuan's exploits, those cultivators who had newly arrived in this region wore looks of astonishment.

Two high-grade Golden Origin Pills from a single furnace?

And he even helped a demon successfully form a middle-grade golden core?

However, some people maintained calm expressions without the slightest ripple of emotion.

In the vast world of immortal cultivation, Li Guanxuan was far from being the only quasi-third-tier alchemist.

There were other alchemists who knew how to refine superior-grade Golden Origin Pills as well.

To them, any alchemist who associated closely with demons was no good sort.

Ling Jiansheng and Yun Li of the Bright Moon Sword Sect were also present in the auction hall.

By now, both of them had broken through to the late foundation establishment stage. Aside from facing their current predicament, they also needed to start preparing materials for core formation.

After all, that was a major threshold.

Much like how Qi-refinement cultivators required Foundation Establishment Pills to break through their realm.

A trace of battle intent flashed through Ling Jiansheng's eyes.

He had once lost at the hands of Li Guanxuan, and holding a steadfast belief that all evils should be eradicated, he felt that all demons deserved death.

For Li Guanxuan to assist the demon Chen Yinshan in forming his core and breaking through was simply not something a human cultivator should ever do.

However, he could not afford to provoke further trouble at the moment, so he could only withdraw his gaze, look back toward the auction stage, and raise his plaque:

"Twenty-one thousand."

"Twenty-two thousand," Li Guanxuan voiced.

"Twenty-three thousand," Ling Jiansheng said calmly.

Li Guanxuan frowned slightly.

He did not have many spiritual stones left at the moment.

His previous reserves of spiritual stones had all been spent on magical treasures; otherwise, he would never have been able to possess so many flying swords.

Wen Rongxin said softly, "Husband, let it go. I don't really need pills to break through my realm, and Zhiqiao still has a long time before core formation. If we encounter materials for the Golden Origin Pill later, we can buy them then. There's no need to waste spiritual stones on this right now."

"Sister is right. With the materials for the Golden Origin Pill gifted by the Hua family, we actually have almost enough," Qin Jiyue nodded slightly, offering comforting words.

Li Guanxuan knew they were all giving him a graceful way out.

Because if he wanted to refine superior-grade Golden Origin Pills, he would certainly need practice materials.

Therefore, the more materials for the Golden Origin Pill, the better, as that would guarantee a hundred percent certainty of successfully refining superior-grade pills.

With sufficient proficiency, he might even be able to refine top-grade Golden Origin Pills.

However, refining top-grade Golden Origin Pills was far too difficult.

Throughout the entire northeastern region of the Immortal Ruins, as far as Li Guanxuan knew, there were only three third-tier alchemists capable of refining top-grade Golden Origin Pills.

Li Guanxuan still had three portions of top-tier spiritual herb materials given to him by his eldest brother.

Among them, the Three-Leaf Golden Ganoderma had reached an age of five hundred and sixty years.

He had used one portion in a rush previously, which was why he managed to produce two high-grade Golden Origin Pills in a single furnace.

These spiritual herb materials, however, were collected by Li Guanweiyuan specifically for someone to refine top-grade Golden Origin Pills.

If a furnace failed to yield two or three superior-grade Golden Origin Pills, it would truly do a disservice to such top-tier materials.

Because of this, Li Guanxuan had intended to practice first, and once he gained true mastery, he would set about refining superior-grade Golden Origin Pills.

After all, he had previously promised Cao Feng that he would provide him with a superior-grade Golden Origin Pill.

After pondering for a long time, Li Guanxuan nodded slightly and gave up on the bidding.

"Two portions for the Hua family, one for Cao Feng... that's about enough. Fang Xingzhi will probably take dozens or a hundred years to reach the great completion of foundation establishment; his Golden Origin Pill can be refined for him in the future. For now, I need to take care of Cao Feng and the Hua family's Golden Origin Pills."

After analyzing the situation in his mind, Li Guanxuan no longer planned to collect more materials for the Golden Origin Pill.

As long as he could elevate the quality of his Golden Origin Pills, there would be plenty of people willingly delivering spiritual herb materials to his doorstep.

Besides...

Didn't Ruan Dajiang also have a portion of materials?

Li Guanxuan smiled, and his heart instantly felt much more at ease.

In the end, Ling Jiansheng spent twenty-five thousand lower-grade spiritual stones to win the Three-Leaf Golden Ganoderma.

Ling Jiansheng glanced at Li Guanxuan, holding a dismissive attitude in his heart.

The expenditures in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains had probably hollowed out Li Guanxuan's family foundation.

...

Next, even though more auxiliary ingredients for the Golden Origin Pill appeared, Li Guanxuan did not make any bids.

This left Ling Jiansheng somewhat surprised and puzzled. As a quasi-third-tier alchemist, how could he remain unmoved by materials for the Golden Origin Pill?

Could it be that the other party had merely been driving up the price earlier?

Ling Jiansheng frowned slightly; the moral character and reputation of an alchemist who associated with demons were indeed questionable.

After a few more auction lots passed, Li Guanxuan saw that they were all upper-tier second-tier materials and lost much of his interest.

Liu Xiaoxian could easily acquire such materials for him, so there was genuinely no need to waste spiritual stones competing with others here.

Moreover, should someone be in urgent need and he inadvertently drove up the price, it might breed resentment in their hearts.

After staying in the auction hall for over an hour, Li Guanxuan left with his three wives.

As the host, Hua Yongyang personally led Li Guanxuan and his family on a tour of the local sights.

"Such strong sword intent."

Qin Jiyue looked outside Huajing Immortal City, a trace of surprise on her face.

"It's the sect master of the Bright Moon Sword Sect, Yu Hongyao."

Hua Yongyang narrowed his eyes and explained, "Not long ago, she was forced by the three major Demonic sects to form a false core. Now, her momentum is soaring, and she intends to join forces with our patriarch to jointly counter the three major Demonic sects...

She is probably attending this birthday banquet to unite with others in order to preserve the heritage of the Bright Moon Sword Sect."

At this point, Hua Yongyang offered a reminder: "Fellow Daoist should be somewhat careful. Everyone in the Bright Moon Sword Sect is an obstinate zealot incapable of rational thought; it is best to converse with them as little as possible during the banquet.

However, Fellow Daoist can rest assured. You were invited here through a personal letter written by our patriarch, and the Hua family takes full responsibility for your safety. Anyone who makes things unpleasant for Fellow Daoist is making things unpleasant for the Hua family."

When uttering the latter sentence, Hua Yongyang wore a grave expression.

This was something he had strongly requested.

And it had received the approval of both the patriarch and the grand elder.

After all, Qin Jiyue was a demon cultivator, and given the deep-seated blood feud between the Bright Moon Sword Sect and the Demonic sects, there was no telling whether some unpleasant incident might erupt at the banquet.

Seeing that Hua Yongyang had handled every detail meticulously, Li Guanxuan nodded slightly and said with a smile:

"Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist."

"Not at all. Saying that is much too polite."

Hua Yongyang replied, "Our Hua family needs to grow, and that requires a second true immortal. The Golden Origin Pill you refined allowed Chen Yinshan to form a golden core, so it can certainly enable someone at the great completion of foundation establishment in our Hua family to form a true core.

With the emergence of a second true core immortal, our Hua family can prevent a recurrence of an incident like the one with the 'Thunderfire Sect'."

Li Guanxuan smiled.

It seemed the Hua family had been psychologically traumatized by the Thunderfire Sect.

Yet it was only natural. As the saying goes, once bitten by a snake, ten years shy of a well rope. If an immortal cultivation family failed to plan for the future, its destruction would not be far off.

It had to be said that True Immortal Hua Bai possessed considerable capability.

...

On the day of the birthday banquet.

Li Guanxuan produced a third-tier Wind-Thunder Treasure Talisman and presented it as a birthday gift.

When the announcer called out the third-tier Wind-Thunder Treasure Talisman, many people turned their heads to look, their eyes revealing a hint of surprise.

"He's also a third-tier talisman master?"

"Rumor has it that his cultivation talent is mediocre, but his skill talent is quite extraordinary. It seems that is indeed the case."

"Someone coming out of the Sword Immortal Li family, even an outlying branch descendant, is still distinct from low-level rogue cultivators..."

"..."

The cultivators attending the banquet felt many emotions. Li Guanxuan's name now resounded across the surrounding immortal cities.

However, upon learning that he had helped a demon form a middle-grade golden core, human cultivators inevitably felt somewhat uncomfortable in their hearts.

After all, in their eyes, Li Guanxuan was a human cultivator.

Helping a demon grow stronger was undoubtedly a danger to other human cultivators.

December, snow fluttered through the air.

During this period, Li Guanxuan had also heard quite a few murmurs regarding "helping demons grow stronger."

To this, he offered no elaborate explanations.

Such rumors and idle gossip would completely vanish after some time; hardly anyone truly cared.

Besides...
Making friends among cultivators required discernment.
Not just anyone was worthy of association.

Guided by Hua Yongyang, Li Guanxuan caught sight of an elderly man with the demeanor of an immortal crane.

The man wore azure robes and carried a warm smile. Although his face was lined with wrinkles, one could still sense his spirited vitality, completely devoid of any frail, twilight aura.

"Greetings, Senior Hua."

Li Guanxuan cupped his hands and bowed.

Wen Rongxin and the other two wives offered formal greetings as well.

True Immortal Hua Bai nodded slightly, extending a hand with a smile: "Alchemist Li, please take your seat."

Li Guanxuan sat beside Hua Yongyang, while Wen Rongxin and the three women took their places behind him. Inside the grand hall, spiritual Qi condensed into white mist, making the place resemble a fairyland.

As the birthday banquet commenced, numerous Qi-refinement dancing maidens took the floor to sway gracefully. Melodious music slowly filled the air, colorful silk ribbons fluttered amid the clouds, and numerous cultivators offered their congratulations to True Immortal Hua Bai.

During the banquet, Li Guanxuan spotted Hua Luoyao. Once a direct-line fairy of the Hua family and the apple of their eye, she had now also stepped into the late foundation establishment stage.

Of the former four great fairies, only Hua Luoyao, Yun Li, and Zixi of the Dan Ding Sect remained.

"Alchemist Li, this junior offers you a toast."

Hua Luoyao walked over, holding a wine cup with a smile on her face.

Out of courtesy, Li Guanxuan raised his cup in return, though he said nothing further, maintaining a relationship of mere nodding acquaintances.

"Alchemist Li, this junior is also a talisman master. Having just observed your Wind-Thunder Talisman, I found its profound mysteries inexhaustible. Might I ask you for some instruction?" Hua Luoyao asked with a sincere expression.

Upon hearing this, Qin Jiyue and Song Zhiqiao exchanged glances, their expressions turning slightly peculiar.

The Wind-Thunder Talisman was, after all, a third-tier item. What could Hua Luoyao, a mere upper second-tier talisman master, possibly perceive in it?

Could it be...
That the Hua family intended to win over her husband through such tactics?

Yet at a banquet like this, Qin Jiyue and Song Zhiqiao found it inconvenient to voice their thoughts.

Furthermore, their Li family was not somewhere just anyone could casually infiltrate.

"I occasionally record some insights during my leisure time. They are all recorded inside this; I present it to the fairy as a gift." Li Guanxuan smiled, his fingertips brushing across his storage ring as he handed over a booklet.

Hua Luoyao was momentarily stunned, but to avoid discourtesy, she smiled and accepted it: "Many thanks, Alchemist Li."

Hua Yongyang, standing to the side, shook his head slightly.

Hua Luoyao had once looked down upon practitioners of dual cultivation, yet now she had come over to offer a toast. If there was no guidance from others behind this, surely no one would believe it.

"Alchemist Li, might I have a drink here?"

At that moment, Ruan Dajiang walked over holding his wine cup.

From the start of the banquet until now, Ruan Dajiang had been drinking alone in a corner, rarely interacting with anyone.

It was only when Ling Jiansheng came over to look for him that Ruan Dajiang, finding himself with no way to avoid it, had chosen to seek out Li Guanxuan instead.

Li Guanxuan had noticed as well.

After all, the Bright Moon Sword Sect's purpose in attending the banquet was crystal clear—to seek allies.

A renowned rogue cultivator like Ruan Dajiang was naturally a prime target for recruitment by the Bright Moon Sword Sect.

"What are you saying? Fellow Daoist Hua is the host here; we are merely guests," Li Guanxuan said with a smile.

He had also taken note of Ruan Dajiang's predicament, but to avoid being targeted by the Bright Moon Sword Sect, he deliberately distanced himself slightly.

Hua Yongyang instantly grasped Li Guanxuan's intention and smiled, "Brother Ruan, take a seat. I've recently been wanting to learn some saber techniques, and taking advantage of this occasion, I hope Brother Ruan can clear up some of my doubts."

Hearing this, Ruan Dajiang was momentarily stunned. Having grown up navigating the mortal Jianghu since childhood, he possessed his own measure of worldly discernment and quickly understood the intentions of the two men.

"Many thanks."

A slight smile broke across Ruan Dajiang's stern, unsmiling face. He then sat down beside Hua Yongyang and began conversing with him.

...

Witnessing this scene, Ling Jiansheng tightly knitted his brows.

"Don't overthink it. Ruan Dajiang is a rogue cultivator; what they dread most is getting entangled in such sect warfare. Refusing is completely reasonable."

Yun Li held no particular thoughts on the matter, though she could tell that Ling Jiansheng harbored deep resentment toward Li Guanxuan.

After all, back in the Chilian Mountain Range, Ling Jiansheng—heralded as the top swordsman of the Bright Moon Sword Sect—had suffered a direct defeat at the hands of Li Guanxuan, a nobody.

For the habitually proud Ling Jiansheng, that was a very difficult pill to swallow.

"This Li Guanxuan, even after helping a demon form his core, still enjoys such good popularity," Ling Jiansheng muttered, taking a sullen sip of his wine.

Yun Li sighed softly, having no words left to say.

Someone trapped within their own stubborn obsessions was the hardest person to persuade.