Chapter 21 Damn it, Even Bandits Cultivate Immortality

However, Chen Xun did not enter. Instead, he walked to the side with the big black cow. The Immortal Ascension Conference would not officially begin for several days, and it was currently the time for casual cultivators to enter. He silently observed this group of casual cultivators. They were dressed differently, some wearing straw hats, some wearing masks, all exuding a mysterious air. They all stepped into the mist and then disappeared. Suddenly, Chen Xun understood. "Moo~ Moo!" The big black cow seemed a bit impatient, wondering why they hadn't entered yet. "Let's go!" Chen Xun shouted, taking out a bandit's headscarf from his pocket and putting it on his head. Leading the big black cow, they stepped into the thick fog. A buzzing sound filled the air, and the fog gradually dispersed, revealing a brand new world before their eyes. The Nine Star Valley was much larger than he had imagined, stretching endlessly with countless casual cultivators walking within, their voices murmuring softly. Surrounding them were stalls, but there were no vendors shouting. The items displayed were all unfamiliar to Chen Xun, he couldn't even name them. In the distance, there were some pavilions, the usual residences of small sects and factions, coming every year to purchase items from casual cultivators. "Impressive..." "Moo~~" Chen Xun walked slowly through the valley with the big black cow, keeping a distance from the vendors. Standing still, he observed as they traded not with gold or silver, but with hexagonal crystal stones known as spirit stones. Many casual cultivators also exchanged pills for goods. Chen Xun's throat felt dry as he widened his eyes. The big black cow looked bewildered, wondering what all this was, how had they lived for so many years without seeing any of this before. "Old cow, we're really out of touch here." Chen Xun spat out, his heart beating rapidly, feeling like a country bumpkin in a big city. The big black cow nodded continuously, its large eyes like copper bells growing even wider, nudging Chen Xun and pointing in a direction. "Oh, are those spiritual herbs?" Chen Xun looked in the direction indicated, unable to resist stepping closer to a stall run by a young maiden. There, he saw three spiritual herbs, lush and emitting a faint spiritual aura. They were completely different from ordinary herbs, both in appearance and fragrance, belonging to different species. The maiden was busy arranging them, but suddenly noticed two legs and four cow hooves. "Friend, do you..." The maiden raised her head slowly, then her expression changed drastically, "What are you trying to do!" "Miss, please don't misunderstand, we mean no harm." Chen Xun smiled kindly, "We're just looking." The maiden broke out in a cold sweat, feeling a chill under that face mask. This person was no ordinary man; perhaps he used to be a bandit who robbed homes. "Alright, alright... take a look." The maiden took a step back, looking nervous, the face mask exerting a strong pressure. "Miss, how do you determine the age of these spiritual herbs? I once..." "Are you buying?" "I don't have any spirit stones at the moment." "Do you have any pills that can enhance cultivation? I can trade for them." "I don't have any at the moment." "Then why ask." The maiden replied impatiently, already quite scared and feeling mocked. "Sorry for the disturbance." Chen Xun felt embarrassed and walked away with the big black cow. Doing business in the cultivation world was completely different from dealing with ordinary people; he needed to adjust his mindset. They simply stood nearby whenever someone was at a stall, listening to the explanations of the items' names and functions. In doing so, they gained some knowledge about talismans, seal pens, cinnabar, and pills. "Old cow, I've remembered all of it. I can boast a bit more confidently in the future." Chen Xun was in high spirits, having learned a lot of new things. "Let's go, check out that one." "Moo~ Moo~" The big black cow happily called out, having remembered as well. Beside a stall, a spirited old man was surrounded by many casual cultivators, proclaiming, "This is the Qi-Enhancing Pill. With prolonged use, one bottle can enhance one's cultivation by a level!" "This old man spent forty-nine days refining it. Even those at the fifth level of Qi Refinement can benefit from it. Three low-grade spirit stones, a fair deal!" After speaking, he opened a bottle, releasing a spiritual aura and medicinal fragrance that enticed many casual cultivators, ready to take out their spirit stones. "It's that old swindler again, deceiving people at the Immortal Ascension Conference!" Suddenly, several loud voices rang out from a distance, full of anger. "Friends, I suddenly feel something in my heart. Perhaps my cultivation has advanced. I'll come back tomorrow!" The old man's face changed, and with a swift movement, he ran off, disappearing into the crowd, showing his expertise in such deceitful acts. "Friends, do not trust this man. Those pills are all fake, with no effects after consumption." Several newcomers hurriedly warned those around them, their eyes filled with determination, having been deceived to some extent. The casual cultivators around them thanked them with folded hands, feeling a sense of relief and regret, nearly falling for the scam, unable to detect any issues with the pills. After the crowd dispersed, Chen Xun sighed, "Old cow, you see, there are swindlers in the cultivation world too, not much different from us ordinary folks." "Moo Moo!" The big black cow nodded heavily, its pupils trembling, having also believed the old man's lies just now. Chen Xun continued walking with the big black cow, eavesdropping on conversations, gathering information, behaving quite stealthily, though he himself was unaware of it. "The Immortal Ascension Conference will begin in three days. The top ten immortal sects of Qian Kingdom will gather. If one can enter, it's like a carp leaping over the dragon gate." "Haha, we shouldn't even think about it. It's good enough to enter an ordinary immortal sect. How can people like us with mediocre talents enter the top ten immortal sects?" "True, but it's hard to accept not giving it a try." "Each of the top ten immortal sects has five checkpoints at the center of the valley. Without great wisdom and perseverance, it's best not to think about it." "I heard there are many casualties every year. It's better not to go without reaching the seventh level of Qi Refinement." "Sigh..." Several casual cultivators shook their heads and sighed as they passed by Chen Xun, the path to immortality akin to walking a tightrope, full of challenges, unlike those with exceptional talents who were taken away at birth. "The valley center, the top ten immortal sects, five checkpoints." Chen Xun and the big black cow remembered the key points once again, sharing a smile, feeling like they had gained something. "Old cow, let's go over there. It seems they're selling weapons." Chen Xun shouted excitedly, being an expert in forging iron. Leading the big black cow, they walked over to where a crowd had gathered. Standing on the outskirts, Chen Xun was disappointed to find that they were not selling weapons but magical tools, not made by forging iron. Displayed were flying swords and various peculiar items that could only be operated with magical power. "Incredible." Tears of envy flowed from Chen Xun's eyes. If he could forge his axe into a magical tool, he might really be able to split a mountain with one strike in the future. "Moo~" Drool dripped from the big black cow's mouth. If it could turn its own horns into magical tools, who could withstand its charge? In sync with each other, they began to fantasize, saliva flowing continuously, causing the surrounding casual cultivators to furrow their brows, wondering where these bumpkins had come from, even the cow had the same demeanor. Ignoring the gazes of others, they spotted another stall. "Old cow, it's all skills... no, spells." Chen Xun's words were incoherent as he led the big black cow closer, surprising a burly casual cultivator, "Damn, even bandits cultivate immortality." "Beast Taming Technique," "Fireball Spell," "Qi Concealing Technique," "Immobilization Spell," and various spells were laid out on the ground. Chen Xun and the big black cow couldn't help but salivate, wanting them all but lacking spirit stones. It was the first time they felt so short of money. "Friend, do you see anything you like?" "Where did you get all these spells, big brother? There are so many..." "What do you mean?" The burly man frowned, thinking this person couldn't make a living here. He discreetly took out a talisman, preparing to call someone. "Big brother, please don't misunderstand. I'll come back to buy when I have spirit stones next time." Chen Xun quickly waved his hand, feeling a bit embarrassed, and hurriedly left with the big black cow, his heart still pounding, feeling overly excited. "What a strange thing." The burly man put the talisman back, looking at the direction Chen Xun had left with a fierce gaze.