Chapter 18: The True Purpose (Revised)

After Wen Rongxin and Madam Shen had left, Li Guanzhuan looked at Lady Qin with a helpless expression and sighed.
“Fellow cultivator, what exactly are you trying to do?”
Lady Qin replied with utmost seriousness, “I saved your life, so you owe me a favor. That is only fair.”
“That is not fair at all!”
Li Guanzhuan retorted, “Fellow cultivator, I am merely an unremarkable little Qi Refining cultivator. I have no wish to be involved in any trouble. I hope you can understand.”
“I do understand,” Lady Qin nodded lightly and sighed, “But I have no other choice. Cultivators without an identity token for Qing’an City can only remain in this spirit city for one year; after a year, they must leave, and can only return once every three years…
You must know well that the region surrounding the Hundred Thousand Mountains is fraught with peril. For Qi Refining cultivators, seeking shelter in or near a spirit city is the only way to survive.
So, if I marry you, who possess a Qing’an City identity token, and become your concubine, I can rightfully reside here for as long as I wish.
Rest assured, I will never cause you any trouble!
As I said, should I bring you any calamity, you won’t need to expel me—I will vanish from your sight at once!
Fellow cultivator… I saved your life. I hope you can save mine as well.”
Although Lady Qin’s words were sincere, Li Guanzhuan could not fully trust her.
He could tell that Lady Qin was indeed very young—perhaps truly only eighteen and as beautiful as a flower.
Moreover, to have reached the sixth stage of Qi Refining at such an age, her talent must surely meet the standards of any immortal sect. Why should she struggle to survive?
Besides, what sort of kind and chivalrous person would disguise their appearance, or even dress as a man?
There had to be something shady at play!
Li Guanzhuan had no intention of probing into her real reason for coming to Qing’an City, for he didn’t want to know.
The more one knows, the more one fears, and the greater the danger becomes.
The world of cultivation is filled with powerful individuals. Should he stumble into some deadly secret, he might be discovered to have had contact with Lady Qin and then suffer all manner of soul-searching and spirit-interrogating…
After careful thought, Li Guanzhuan took out three talismans and gently slid them over to her, his face earnest.
“These are three protective talismans. They should be enough to repay the debt of my life. Please, fellow cultivator, take them… and spare me and my wife.”
“You… you really are completely unyielding!” Lady Qin was somewhat exasperated.

“Houses in the outer city are usually patrolled by guards. Lady Qin, please be cautious.”
Li Guanzhuan bowed and said, “I have some knowledge of talisman craft. I can assure you that the two Golden Blade Talismans in my possession are enough to keep me safe.”
He had said all he could. If Lady Qin insisted on pestering him, he would have no choice but… to move out and leave Qing’an City.
Lady Qin saw that Li Guanzhuan was already contemplating departure—if she pressed further, even if he didn’t turn hostile, he would leave with resentment in his heart.
“Very well, I can confess one thing to you, but first you must swear an oath before the heavens never to reveal it for the rest of your life, or else be struck by five thunders and have your soul scattered!”
Lady Qin’s face became solemn as she spoke with great gravity, “This matter might even help you form your foundation, perhaps even reach the Golden Core stage!”
However, Li Guanzhuan’s response left Lady Qin utterly incredulous.
“…I’m sorry, I don’t want to hear it.”
Lady Qin pressed again, “But this is about forming your foundation and reaching the Golden Core, perhaps even the Nascent Soul! Are you not tempted in the slightest?”
“…The pie you’re painting is certainly tempting.”
“I’m not just painting a pie—it’s real! It’s true! It’s true!”
Lady Qin was almost at her wit’s end.
She truly was not deceiving Li Guanzhuan!
She had discovered these secrets in an ancient immortal’s records.
Combined with her own years of investigation, she had come to believe that such miraculous treasures really existed in this world.
Seeing Li Guanzhuan push the three talismans toward her again, Lady Qin took a deep breath, her expression grave.
“You’ve lived near Qing’an City for years; you must know of Joy Mountain, yes?”
Li Guanzhuan froze for a moment and nodded.
But Lady Qin’s next words set his nerves on edge.
“Then you must also know that Joy Mountain once had a sect treasure tree, the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree?” Lady Qin said.
Li Guanzhuan’s heart was shaken.
So, there really was someone else who knew all the secrets of the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree!
He nodded again, reaching for his teacup to mask the shock in his eyes.

Fortunately, Lady Qin did not notice and continued,
“It can also be called the Hehuan Immortal Tree. I read about it in ancient records left by an immortal.
It is said that the cultivator recognized by this tree can use it to enhance their talent, elevate their cultivation, and even attain immortality!
Regardless of whether one’s spiritual roots are inferior or low-grade, with its aid, they can eventually become the finest heavenly spiritual roots!
With such qualifications, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, or even the Divine Transformation stage—all are within reach!”
Li Guanzhuan said quietly, “If the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree is so miraculous, why are the sect leader and elders of Joy Mountain only at the Foundation Establishment stage? Shouldn’t they be Nascent Soul or Divine Transformation cultivators by now?”
“They simply don’t know how to use the tree.”
Lady Qin sneered, “Those two old fools only know how to seek furnace companions. How could they realize that only when both man and woman are honest and open with each other, their hearts in harmony and their music in tune, can they gain the true recognition of the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree and receive its blessing?”
Just as I thought, only with the unity of a husband and wife will the pure energy within the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree be revealed. Such matters in broad daylight yield no benefit, only sore kidneys and wasted essence… Li Guanzhuan thought to himself, feeling a touch of relief.
He truly had no hope for cultivation back then.
If he hadn’t awakened the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree that night, he might have already fled to the mortal world with Wen Rongxin, giving up entirely on the path to immortality.
Seeing him silent, Lady Qin assumed he was stunned and smiled,
“Well? You must believe me now, surely?”
“Why would you share such an important secret with me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn around and tell the sect leader and elders of Joy Mountain?” Li Guanzhuan asked.
Lady Qin snorted lightly, “I’ve observed you for some time and found you to be honest and upright, if a little timid and cautious…
So even if I told you, you’d never tell anyone else. You’re too afraid of getting yourself into trouble.”
Li Guanzhuan: “???”
So I’ve been watched by an infatuated woman all this time?
Li Guanzhuan then exposed Lady Qin’s true intentions: “The recognition of the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree requires honesty, mutual understanding, and perfect harmony… After you acquire it, you intend to dual cultivate with me, don’t you?”
Lady Qin no longer bothered to hide it. “And if I do? Don’t you want to advance your cultivation and attain immortality?”
As a cultivator, she believed no one could resist such a temptation.
If anyone could, then there was definitely something wrong with them!