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Chapter 133: A Small Qing Tan Gathering
Chapter 133: A Small Qing Tan Gathering
"Let's eat!"
Lu Chen paid no heed to the steam as he eagerly cracked open the shell of the bright red crab, revealing the golden, tender meat within. He tore off a claw and gave one each to the Cloud-Treading Lynx and the baby Wind Falcon. Then, man and beasts alike indulged in the delicious feast.
"Tweet!"
Suddenly, a crisp birdcall rang out, startling Lu Chen. He set down the crab shell and looked towards the source of the sound, only to see a white phoenix bird in the courtyard. Its feathers shimmered like snow, and its eyes, like black gemstones, fixed upon Lu Chen with an eager gleam. Lu Chen sensed its yearning for a taste of the delicious food.
"A guest has arrived; would you like to join us?"
The moment Lu Chen laid eyes on the pristine phoenix bird, he felt a slight stir within him. His dwelling was protected by a second-rate Mist-Concealing Spirit Array, yet this bird had entered without setting it off.
He swept it with his spiritual sense and realized that the phoenix bird was likely a third-rate or higher beast. Intrigued, Lu Chen offered a warm and sincere smile, inviting the majestic creature to join him in the feast.
The phoenix bird possessed high intelligence and understood Lu Chen's gesture. Its long, snowy feathers rustled as it gracefully floated towards him. Lu Chen offered it a small piece of the crab's meat, and the bird nodded its head before pecking the morsel into its beak.
"Tweet!"
It let out a crisp chirp, expressing its satisfaction, and then gracefully took its leave without disturbing the spirit array in the slightest.
"What kind of beast is that? It passed through a second-rate protective array without making a sound," Lu Chen marveled. The phoenix bird's ability to move through the spirit array undetected and without setting it off indicated that it possessed an extraordinarily unique ability.
"Most ordinary third-rate beasts would find that difficult. I wonder what kind of background this white phoenix bird has," Lu Chen mused curiously. The phoenix bird was shrouded in mystery, and he knew better than to pry into its origins. After it swiftly departed, his attention returned to the table, where the crab meat was quickly disappearing.
"Hey, you two, save some for me!"
...
"Brother Lu, I'm stuffed!" Bai Li Jianqing exclaimed as he placed his bowl and chopsticks on the table with a satisfied thud.
He had accepted Lu Chen's invitation to join him for a crab feast. Lu Chen's culinary skills had stimulated his appetite, leading him to devour five large bowls of spirit rice.
"Have some spirit fruits to aid digestion," Lu Chen suggested, bringing over several dishes containing a variety of colorful and uniquely shaped spirit fruits. Bai Li Jianqing narrowed his slender eyes, picked up a fruit that resembled a piece of agate, and popped it into his mouth.
As he gently bit into it, the spirit fruit seemed to explode in his mouth, flooding it with a burst of sweet juice.
"Brother Lu, you know how to live the good life! This is truly a heavenly existence," Bai Li Jianqing exclaimed, patting his rounded stomach as he reclined in his chair.
"It's not bad," Lu Chen chuckled. "I recently had a captive Iron Claw Crab mature, so I thought I'd invite you over for a crab stew."
Lu Chen explained that soon after the first Iron Claw Crab had matured, another one had entered its maturity stage, yielding another white light sphere containing the second-rate crab spirit paste delicacy. Knowing that Bai Li Jianqing would appreciate such a treat, he had invited him over for a feast, featuring the crab as the main course, along with meats from other beasts.
"By the way, Jianqing, you mentioned before that there are occasional gatherings within the sect where fellow disciples exchange treasures. Can you tell me more about that?" Lu Chen inquired as he began clearing the table.
"Are you interested in participating, Brother Lu?" Bai Li Jianqing asked.
"Yes, I have some second-rate spirit plants of decent quality. Selling them in the shops in Jianmen Town wouldn't fetch a good price, so I was thinking of trying to exchange them for something I desire," Lu Chen replied.
"There are usually various criteria for participation, including cultivation level, background, and the type of treasures one possesses."
Intrigued, Lu Chen asked, "Is there an upcoming gathering that I could attend?"
"There is one called the Qing Tan Gathering, organized by a special recruit to the Inner Sect named Li Qingtan," Bai Li Jianqing replied.
Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Outer Sect disciples automatically advance to become Inner Sect disciples. However, exceptionally talented individuals may be specially recruited into the Inner Sect during the Qi Refining stage.
"The Qing Tan Gathering is rather exclusive, with a limited number of participants. Newcomers must be introduced by a senior disciple," Bai Li Jianqing continued.
"A wide array of rare treasures, magical artifacts, talismans, pills, spirit plants, and demon beast materials often make an appearance at these gatherings. Almost every session features third-rate treasures. Each participant takes turns presenting the cultivation treasures they are willing to trade and stating their desired items in detail."
"They primarily barter their items, but private transactions using spirit stones and sword seals are also allowed. There are no strict rules regarding that." Lu Chen nodded, indicating his understanding.
"Would you like me to take you there, Brother Lu? The next Qing Tan Gathering will be held in three days," Bai Li Jianqing offered, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"That would be great," Lu Chen eagerly agreed, playing along with Bai Li Jianqing's tone.
"Then, Brother Lu, you should prepare what you want to bring. I'll come by in three days to pick you up," Bai Li Jianqing said his farewells and departed from Lu Chen's cave abode.
Lu Chen reflected for a moment, mentally inventorying his collection of third-rate treasures: the Invisible Spirit Robe, the Xuntian Sword Pill, the Immaculate Jade, the Dust-Descending Pill, and the Spirit-Cleansing Talisman, among others.
However, he had no intention of parting with these items unless he came across some exceptionally rare and high-grade spirit plants that warranted the exchange of the Dust-Descending Pill or the Spirit-Cleansing Talisman.
His primary goal was to trade away the dozen or so Clearwonder Spirit Tea leaves and the second-rate Dark Marrow Herb plant in hopes of acquiring the spirit plants or cultivation techniques he desired.
As for the rest, he would play it by ear, assessing each treasure's suitability and attempting to trade for them if they caught his interest.
Having made his decision, Lu Chen patiently awaited the appointed day.
Three days passed in a flash, and early in the morning, Bai Li Jianqing's voice rang out from outside the courtyard.
"Brother Lu, are you ready? I'm here!"
"All set," Lu Chen replied as he stepped out into the courtyard. Bai Li Jianqing summoned a flying boat artifact, and Lu Chen gracefully leaped onto it, taking a standing position on one side.
A barrier of spiritual energy enveloped the boat, shielding them from the rushing winds as they sped through the mountains.
Soon, the boat landed on a picturesque peak.
Nestled in the mountainside was a picturesque complex of pavilions, winding streams, and elegant buildings.
Bai Li Jianqing led Lu Chen directly to an ancient and elegant courtyard.
"This is Brother Lu Chen, a Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator skilled in cultivating spirit plants. It's his first time attending the Qing Tan Gathering," Bai Li Jianqing introduced Lu Chen to a handsome young man guarding the entrance, who had reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage.
"Welcome, Brother Lu," the young man said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Lu Chen with an air of exceptional bearing.
(End of Chapter)
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