Chapter 1016 - 717: Phoenix Perched on Spirit Mountain

Chapter 1016: Chapter 717: Phoenix Perched on Spirit Mountain

His gaze was filled with awe and respect.

A few days ago, her identity as "Golden Core Sword Cultivator of the Sword Storage Pavilion" and her extraordinary swordsmanship left a deep impression on people’s hearts.

Tang Qingyan seemed to rather enjoy this reverence, maintaining a cold and aloof demeanor, only nodding slightly to the greetings around her and rarely responding.

However, when her gaze fell upon Shen Xuan, she actively stopped in her tracks, nodded lightly to him, and even slightly bowed.

For the always cold Tang Qingyan, this was a rare display of enthusiasm and courtesy.

"Fellow Daoist Tang, have you found anything to your liking?" Shen Xuan reciprocated with a smile.

Tang Qingyan slightly shook her head, her voice clear: "They are all ordinary things, nothing I fancy."

Shen Xuan smiled knowingly, saying no more, and continued walking.

After only a few steps, he noticed a crowd gathered around another stall.

It was Lady Hu selling goods.

Shen Xuan approached to take a closer look.

Lady Hu’s stall had more items, a dazzling array, ranging from Low Tier Talisman Paper and ores to broken Magical Artifacts and inexplicable bone fragments, all sorts, even more chaotic than Wu Jiajun’s stall.

Moreover, the overall grade was relatively low, only Tier Two.

The prices were also relatively affordable, attracting many passengers to stop and pick through the items.

With just one glance, Shen Xuan could make a judgment.

This was not about selling idle items, clearly disposing of spoils of war.

The estimation was that it came from looting corpses.

The chaotic items indicated varied sources.

"Pill Master Shen, are you out?"

Lady Hu, sharp-eyed, spotted Shen Xuan, her eyes lighting up, greeting him with a smile.

"Just came out to have a look." Shen Xuan nodded.

Beside Lady Hu’s stall, Zhang Bufan was sitting on a chair, holding an ancient Jade Scroll, engrossed in reading.

The noisy voices and bargaining clamor on deck seemed completely isolated from him.

Seeing Shen Xuan looking over, he merely glanced up from the Jade Scroll, nodded in greeting, and then immersed himself back into his own world.

"Do not mind, Pill Master Shen, my husband is just this kind of person, once he touches a book, he forgets everything else."

Lady Hu explained with a slight apology.

"No problem, people of character don’t need to adhere to formalities."

Shen Xuan smiled, showing his understanding.

Hearing this, Lady Hu displayed a radiant smile and said to the peeking Gu Xiaoyao: "Fellow Daoist Gu, you’re quite affluent now, why not choose a few treasures from here? The prices are negotiable."

"Not buying, not buying!"

Gu Xiaoyao shook his head like a rattle: "This Spirit Stone of mine is meant for purchasing top-notch Spirit Rice and Spirit Fruit, to brew even better Spirit Wine! It mustn’t be spent recklessly."

Just then, a guard of the Commerce Alliance of Fu Hai passed through the crowd and came before Shen Xuan, saluting respectfully: "Senior Shen, Captain Liang requests your presence in the cockpit for a discussion."

Shen Xuan nodded, gestured to Lady Hu and Gu Xiaoyao, then turned and headed alone towards the depths of the ship to the cockpit.

...

"A few days ago, it was thanks to Pill Master Shen who turned the tide during the disaster, saving the entire ship from peril. This grace, Liang and the Commerce Alliance of Fu Hai keep close to heart."

Inside the cockpit, Liang Shixing spoke with a sigh, positioning himself rather humbly.

"Fellow Daoist Liang overstates it, just part of the duty, sharing the same ship, that’s all."

Shen Xuan’s expression was indifferent.

"Pill Master Shen is the esteemed guest specifically instructed by Vice Alliance Leader Xu to pay special attention to. Letting Pill Master Shen personally face danger, furthermore with the Commerce Alliance having traitors like Tian Haoran and Qin Shiya, Liang feels truly ashamed."

Liang Shixing shook his head, showing an apologetic expression.

He pondered briefly, then looked at Shen Xuan with a solemn expression: "On behalf of the Commerce Alliance of Fu Hai, Liang asks Pill Master Shen a question, I wonder if Pill Master Shen is interested in joining our Commerce Alliance as a Tributor?"

Here it comes.

Shen Xuan understood in his heart, a slight smile appearing on his face.

"I appreciate Fellow Daoist Liang’s kind offer, but Shen himself is just a Loose Cultivator, accustomed to freedom, disliking constraints. This is my first visit to Myriad Phenomena Immortal City, I still need to settle and familiarize myself. Regarding joining your esteemed alliance, let’s discuss it later."

He didn’t even inquire about the terms of tribution, instead choosing to tactfully decline.

Indeed, being backed by such a giant as the Commerce Alliance of Fu Hai, spanning several nations, is incredibly tempting for a Pill Master.

Vast amounts of Pill Formulas, stable high-quality material supplies, generous rewards, and strong protection...

But his ambition was not in Alchemy Dao.

Shen Xuan seeks the path of immortality, aiming for Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, and even higher realms.

Not a high-level craftsman bound by alliance rules, refining pills day in and day out for the alliance’s profits.

The Commerce Alliance’s headquarters is overseen by a Divinity Transformation Celestial Monarch, delving deeply into it carries unpredictable gains and losses.

Liang Shixing did not give up, persuading: "Our Commerce Alliance of Fu Hai is one of the top-tier alliances in the Profound Origin Realm, rich in heritage. If Pill Master Shen joins, rare Pill Formulas and precious Spirit Medicines kept within the alliance would be open as deemed suitable. The tributer’s treatment is very generous, far better than struggling alone as a Loose Cultivator. Shouldn’t Pill Master Shen listen to the conditions first?"

"Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Liang."

Shen Xuan slightly cupped his hand, his tone gentle yet firm: "Let’s drop this matter for now. My current focus is solely on Myriad Phenomena Immortal City, seeking opportunities for my own path."

It’s not an excuse.

With his current status as a Tier Three Alchemist, having the Alchemy expertise to refine special Spirit Pills like the Golden Transformation Pill and Life-Extending Pill, wherever he goes, he remains a sought-after guest.

Even colossal entities like Myriad Phenomena Daoist Palace would open their doors as long as he wishes.

The Tier Three Alchemist holds a transcendent status.

Shen Xuan possesses sufficient choice.

"Shen does not plan to join the alliance for now. However, I believe there should be numerous opportunities for collaboration with your alliance in the future. What does Fellow Daoist Liang think?"

"Collaboration?"

Liang Shixing was momentarily startled, then came to realization, showing a genuine smile.

"What Pill Master Shen said is absolutely right! With recommendations and guarantees from Vice Alliance Leader Xu and Liang, the alliance would certainly be delighted to work with such individuals as the Pill Master, forging a win-win long-term cooperation!"