Chapter 14: Farewells and Journeys

Li Xuanji observed his panel, noting that his Fire and Wood spiritual roots had exceeded the threshold for lower-grade and were ready for a breakthrough. Without hesitation, he confirmed the breakthrough. Previously unaware of any phenomena accompanying a spiritual root breakthrough, he now had no concerns.

As the breakthrough commenced, a sour sensation emanated from his body, and his bones and meridians underwent a mysterious transformation. It was like a nearsighted person suddenly wearing glasses; after a brief adjustment, the world seemed much clearer. His perception of spiritual energy increased, and he advanced to the third level of Qi refining.

"Amazing," Li Xuanji muttered, pondering the experience of those with superior spiritual roots or special physiques. "What kind of world do they see?"

Days later, at the Mo Yu Xuan…

"Leaving the solitary city for life in the market town?" The old shopkeeper raised his voice, asking cautiously, "Xuanji, have you been troubled these past two years?"

"No troubles," Li Xuanji replied with a smile. "I am a cultivator. What's wrong with living in the market town?"

"A second-level Qi cultivator is also a cultivator?" The old shopkeeper scoffed. "With your level of cultivation, even within our solitary city, I could find a hundred and eighty like you."

"Wrong, I am now at the third level of Qi refining."

The old shopkeeper's wrinkled face twitched, and after a thorough examination, he asked seriously, "Are you determined to go?"

"Determined," Li Xuanji affirmed. "Old Li, I know what you want to say. My cultivation is low, and life in the market town won't be easy. My parents passed when I was eight, and I am well aware of the dangers in the cultivation world."

He paused, then continued, "But I am still young. I don't want to spend my life here, nor do I want to lie on a bed waiting for death a hundred years from now."

Sighing, the old shopkeeper said, "Don't blame me for being nosy. I've seen too many young people like you. I know you can't settle down."

After retrieving a sack from the accounts room and tossing it to Li Xuanji, he said, "I've been collecting your dividends from 'The Peach Blossom Chronicles' for the past two years. It totals three hundred and fifty-six lower-grade spirit stones. I exchanged them for a few mid-grade spirit stones to avoid the hassle."

"Thank you," Li Xuanji chuckled, scanning the sack with his divine sense. To his surprise, there were five mid-grade spirit stones among the lower-grade ones!

Weighing the spirit stones in his hand, he asked with raised eyebrows, "Old Li, what does this mean?"

"Keep it," the old shopkeeper huffed, waving his hand dismissively. "You've helped me earn quite a bit over the years, and as a lone man, I have little use for spirit stones."

Li Xuanji joked, "You scared me. I thought you had only a few years left."

"Can't get ivory out of a dog's mouth," the old shopkeeper glared at him, saying, "Once you're in the market town, who knows who will die first. Consider this an early parting gift."

"Enough," Li Xuanji, focusing on the matter at hand, asked pointedly, "Old Li, I heard Mo Yu Xuan has business in the market town too?"

"Laughable," the old shopkeeper scoffed, stroking his beard. "Not to boast, but wherever there's a cultivation market, there's a Mo Yu Xuan sign."

"Is that so?" Li Xuanji feigned realization, asking, "Then you must be very familiar with the market town?"

The old shopkeeper stiffened, not wanting to lose face, he reluctantly said, "The Mo Yu Xuan sign belongs to the owner. As the shopkeeper here, I can't wander off, so I'm somewhat familiar."

"May I inquire about something?"

"What is it?"

"How to find a companion in the market town…"

The old shopkeeper hesitated, unsure how to respond. Li Xuanji teased, "You're not fooling me, are you? You're not familiar with the market town at all, and you've never even left the solitary city, right?"

"You… you're talking nonsense!" The old shopkeeper blushed with annoyance, patting his chest, he said, "The nearest market town to our solitary city is Bi Bo Tan No. 4. The shopkeeper there, surnamed Qiu, is my junior."

"Really?" Li Xuanji exclaimed in surprise, "I underestimated you. You have such connections?"

"Laughable. How many years have you eaten spiritual rice?" The old shopkeeper looked down on him, knowing his thoughts. He proudly said, "Just wait for my letter. Take it to Shopkeeper Qiu, and she will help you."

"You are respected and well-connected," Li Xuanji flattered, "Don't worry. Once I make it big, I won't forget your kindness."

"Flatterer who never gets up early without profit," the old shopkeeper huffed, ignoring his latter words.

He wrote a letter and handed it to Li Xuanji, then shooed him away, saying, "Go on, don't delay my business."

Li Xuanji drained his tea, stood up, and bowed as a farewell.

The old shopkeeper watched him leave, his dim eyes filled with helplessness, knowing that this farewell might be their last encounter…

"If you have time later, come back to visit. If I die first, finish writing 'The Peach Blossom Chronicles' and burn it for me," he said, as if giving instructions and blessings.

"Don't worry," Li Xuanji cheekily replied, "Besides 'The Peach Blossom Chronicles,' I'll also burn a couple of paper fairy companions for you."

"Rascal!"

"Goodbye."

After leaving Mo Yu Xuan, Li Xuanji intended to head straight to the market town, but then remembered an old friend he had yet to bid farewell to. He detoured towards Chun Yin Fang…

"Yiyi, where's your mother?"

Soon, the still-charming Madam Liang approached with a palace fan. Upon seeing the visitor, she spoke in a strange tone, "Oh my, isn't this Official Li?"

Li Xuanji pinched her curvy behind, teasing, "Two years apart, and the elasticity hasn't diminished. But why have you become androgynous?"

"I wouldn't dare to be androgynous with you, Official Li," Madam Liang fanned away his tofu-eating hand, retorting sarcastically, "After tasting the flavor of immortals, you disappeared for two years. Us mundane women can no longer catch your eye."

"Stop joking," Li Xuanji sighed, speaking seriously, "Shihan, I'm preparing to go to the market town. I came today to say goodbye."

Madam Liang was momentarily lost upon hearing the long-absent 'Shihan,' and the fan in her hand paused mid-air.

Her face's mockery and derision faded, and after a long silence, she asked, "Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"When are you leaving?"

"Uncertain."

"Then…"

Madam Liang seemed to want to say something but hesitated. After a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "Shall we go to the private room to discuss the itinerary?"

Li Xuanji, seeing the anticipation and shyness in his old friend's expression, felt a sense of déjà vu, as if returning to their first meeting over a decade ago…

He nodded and smiled, "Sure! Need to touch up your makeup?"

"You go first; I'll touch up my makeup."

Madam Liang also smiled, then sashayed to the backstage makeup area, just like when they first met over ten years ago…

Before long, in the private room of Chun Yin Fang…

The two old friends began discussing the itinerary. Madam Liang initially suggested revisiting old paths, while Li Xuanji proposed a bolder idea, combining old, new, and traditional methods.

Challenged by his boldness, Madam Liang used her years of experience to counter, holding her own for a while.

After some time, Li Xuanji's satisfied voice emerged from the private room, "I admit you're strong, but compared to my fully mastered Inch-Stop Divine Technique, you're still a bit naive."

"…"