Qi Nan City was the largest cultivation city in the southern part of Qi Yun Kingdom (Marquisate), and it was really far from here. Even if Qi Xiu flew nonstop for three days, he still wouldn't make it. Fortunately, Wang Guan agreed to personally take him to meet the Spreading Blossom Sect cultivators, giving him quite the honor.
The speed of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was on a completely different level compared to Qi Xiu, who's still stuck at the bottom of the Qi Condensation stage.
Three days later, Wang Guan summoned a leaf-shaped magical item, and it only took them two hours to reach Qi Nan City—one of the 5 Great Cultivation Cities in the whole Qi Yun Kingdom.
Though slightly smaller than Qi Yun City, another one of the 5 Great Cities located near the Chu Qin Sect, this city was densely packed with towering buildings and magnificent halls. The number of cultivators coming and going was innumerable, shoulder to shoulder in the bustling streets.
The entire city was built atop a mountain with a massive spiritual vein running through it. Protected by towering city walls and an immensely powerful mountain-guarding formation, the city contained countless cultivation-related shops, as well as many cultivation caves specifically for rent to cultivators.
There were also a great number of mortal servants, so many that a whole section of the city had to be set aside just for their housing.
In this city, Qi Condensation cultivators mostly served as attendants or helpers, while Foundation Establishment cultivators were a common sight. Running into Golden Core or Nascent Soul masters wasn't out of the question either. From every angle, it was a truly grand and magnificent cultivation city.
The bustling scene of Qi Nan City, along with the rural scenery of the mortal areas they had passed along the way, brought back memories of Qi Yun City and the Chu Qin Mountain where Qi Xiu had spent most of his life. It left him feeling a strange mix of familiarity and a faint sense of homesickness.
Wang Guan, still acting like the friendly old man, was in high spirits during the journey for some reason. He had pointed out interesting landmarks along the route and even tried giving Qi Xiu some tips on Daoist techniques. But with Qi Xiu's average comprehension and his reserved personality, he just couldn't get into it.
Seeing this, Wang Guan's initial excitement to mentor this junior had started fading bit by bit.
Qi Xiu didn't notice any of this, thinking that he was simply being polite to Wang Guan's conversation. His main focus was calculating the price for his upcoming deal with Spreading Blossom Sect.
The Crimson Jade Formation Plate was a key component of the mountain-protecting formation for Chu Qin Peak. Without this piece, the formation's power was severely weakened.
Given that a Golden Core ancestor had set up this formation, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Spreading Blossom Sect were unlikely to find someone capable of repairing it, making the plate's value quite obvious.
However, the situation was tricky. On one hand, the plate only held value for the Spreading Blossom Sect, making it hard to raise the price by offering it elsewhere. On the other hand, while Qin Si Yuan had taken the disk before the Spreading Blossom Sect had control of Chu Qin Peak—thus not technically violating their agreement with Chu Qin Sect—it still felt somewhat inappropriate.
Qi Xiu had signed that soul contract, agreeing that both parties would go their separate ways, and now, here he was, trying to make a deal with them. Although it was reasonable from a legal standpoint, the emotional side of the situation made things awkward. As such, he expected some major disagreements about the value of the formation plate during the negotiation.
The Spreading Blossom Sect arranged the meeting in a private room at a well-known shop in Qi Nan City. Though the shop wasn't top-tier, it had a decent reputation. Wang Guan and Qi Xiu quickly found their way there.
The Spreading Blossom Sect Leader, whom Qi Qiu hadn't seen in over a month, was already waiting outside. He recognized Qi Xiu from a distance and hurriedly came forward to greet them, leading them into the private room.
Inside the private room, there were also two people waiting. One of them was someone Qi Xiu recognized—the middle-aged female Foundation Establishment cultivator from the formerly Drifting Cloud Sect, who had laughed the hardest when the Chu Qin Sect was being mocked.
She greeted Wang Guan but deliberately ignored Qi Xiu, even as he respectfully bowed.
After the Spreading Blossom Sect had taken over Chu Qin Sect's former mountain, they had reactivated the protective formation, only to find it behaving strangely ever since. Over the past month, they had tried everything to figure out the issue but came up empty-handed.
It wasn't until Wang Guan's message came through that they realized they had been tricked by two generations of Chu Qin Sect leaders—Qin Si Yuan and now Qi Xiu. Now, facing Qi Xiu again, the female cultivator couldn't bring herself to smile, knowing that she would likely have to pay a large sum of spirit stones to retrieve the formation plate.
And although she likely held a grudge, the soul contract prevented her from doing anything about it. All she could do was avoid looking at Qi Xiu, hoping to keep her frustration in check.
The other person was an elderly man, a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator.
"This is Senior Brother Yu Jing, a high-ranking person from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in Qi Nan City," the leader of the spreading blossom sect introduced him.
Wang Guan nodded, and Qi Xiu quickly performed a bow. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was one of the largest magical item merchants in the city, and Yu Jing appeared to be a person who was accustomed to high-profile events, showing no sign of fawning over the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
He simply returned their greetings in a manner that was calm and according to the rules.
After the initial pleasantries, Wang Guan got straight to the point, stating that he was merely acting as a mediator and wouldn't be involved in any other matters. The Foundation Establishment female cultivator was quite content with this arrangement.
It wouldn't be worth it to clash with another Foundation Establishment cultivator over this matter.
Moreover, with Wang Guan, who was known for cultivating good relationships, acting as a middleman, the conversation proceeded smoothly.
The Spreading Blossom Sect had taken over Chu Qin Sect's foundation. Now that they had gained the benefits, they needed the recognition and reputation. They didn't want to continue bullying the weak anymore, and with Wang Guan mediating, they had no reason to push the issue too far.
The Foundation Establishment female cultivator didn't hide her stance and made it clear that before coming, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Spreading Blossom Sect had agreed to entrust the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, which has a good reputation, with appraising the value of the crimson jade formation plate.
After Yu Jing's appraisal, whatever price he determines will be accepted by both sides completing the transaction on the spot and not owing each other anything afterward.
"This way, we won't have to deal with endless wrangling with your Chu Qin Sect. But you'd better not hide anything from us," the female cultivator concluded.
"Hmm," Wang Guan stroked his beard and turned to Qi Xiu. "I think this works. What do you think, young friend?"
Qi Xiu fell silent. While other aspects seemed manageable, he was worried about the valuation process. The biggest concern was that the Spreading Blossom Sect and Yu Jing from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion might collude to set an unacceptably low price.
Chu Qin Sect was stuck in the Black River with no progress and was living off its dwindling resources. Until they found a stable source of income, the money from this deal would have to last quite some time. If the sale price was too low, it could severely impact the sect's ability to survive. Faced with this, Qi Xiu hesitated and kept quiet, unable to make a decision on the spot.
"Ahem, no need to worry, fellow Daoist," Yu Jing, who had been standing quietly, spoke up. His sharp eyes seemed to see through Qi Xiu's concerns. "Our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will give both sides an appraisal report. If either side feels the valuation is unfair, you can come to us. We'll make it right—one mistake, tenfold compensation. How does that sound?"
"Alright, if that's the case!" Qi Xiu said. With Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion guaranteeing the deal, he felt reassured. He took out the crimson jade formation plate from his robe and handed it confidently to Yu Jing.
"Aside from this, there are no further matters between us and your sect," Qi Xiu said solemnly to the Spreading Blossom Sect's leader. Back then, the Qi Yun Chu Clan was in power, and both sides were somewhat forced to sign the soul contract. This time, he wanted this transaction to officially close any ongoing relations between the two sects once and for all.
The Spreading Blossom Sect master nodded slowly, saying nothing more. His attention shifted to Yu Jing's appraisal skills.
Despite only being in the late-stage of Qi Condensation, Yu Jing clearly had his skills. How else could he be in a high ranking position at a top shop in this grand cultivation city? He skillfully took out various appraisal items and examined the crimson jade formation plate with precise calculations.
After about the time it takes to burn three incense sticks, Yu Jing stopped, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes in deep thought. After a moment, he murmured something and formed a hand seal.
Suddenly, a phantom of an ancient mirror appeared behind him. The mirror emitted a beam of white light, striking the crimson jade formation plate. The formation plate seemed to be activated by this, emitting a red glow that filled the room.The engraved runes on the plate lit up one by one, transforming into illusory figures that grew increasingly larger and clearer.
"This is... his Fate Source ability!" Qi Xiu gasped in his heart.