Cultivating Immortality: What kind of cheat can you use if you don't have money?

Chapter 40 Dying Knowing Why

Seeing her expression change drastically, Li Qingyi immediately recounted the events of the day in detail.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiyue frowned. "That city lord is problematic."

"I feel the same way. At first, I didn't think anything was wrong, but when he said the market was destroyed, I realized there were many suspicious points."

He gave me the feeling that he was deliberately leading me up the mountain.

I just can't understand why he would scheme against me like this.

Qin Xiyue pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"Perhaps... he never expected that you, at such a young age, would have such profound cultivation, even able to kill a heretical cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyi suddenly understood: "They want me to die on the mountain to complete some kind of evil magic?"

"Very likely," Qin Xiyue replied.

Before she finished speaking, a chilling killing intent appeared in Li Qingyi's eyes.

He showed no mercy to those who intended to harm him.

Li Qingyi then asked, "So, what is the origin of this box?"

"This is a secret box used by the Youyue Kingdom to seal confidential items. It may contain extremely important information or items."

Opening requires a secret technique of the Youyue Kingdom; otherwise, the secret box will self-destruct. Only a True Person of the Purple Mansion can forcibly open it.

"How could a heretical cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining possess such a thing?"

Li Qingyi couldn't figure it out for a moment.

He felt that such a thing should be kept by a cultivator at the late stage of Qi Refining or the Foundation Establishment stage.

Qin Xiyue shook her head at this, as she was also unaware of the intricacies involved.

However, Li Qingyi's heart was already in turmoil—this secret box had now become a hot potato.

Since the other party used the Ghost Moon Secret Box to seal it, the contents must be extraordinary.

Suddenly, he gasped:

"Wait, why don't they send this away? Could it be... they're waiting for someone to come and collect it?"

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a glance, their expressions both as solemn as iron.

"It seems that this city lord must be killed." Qin Xiyue's voice was icy.

Li Qingyi nodded:

"He colluded with evil cultivators, and now that the secret box is in my hands, he will find out sooner or later."

If the person who retrieves the box cannot find the evil cultivator, they will definitely come to the city lord.

Even worse, I've now gained notoriety in Yishan City, and I must flee immediately after the murder.

Qin Xiyue didn't waste any words, "I have already refined the Heaven-Mending Pill, and my injuries have also healed. It's better if the two of us go together, so we can look after each other."

Li Qingyi nodded, not surprised by this.

During their escape, Qin Xiyue had already informed them:

Only cultivators in the early stages of Qi Refining who possess the bloodline of the Qin family can take the Heaven-Mending Pill.

Furthermore, Qin Xiyue promised to compensate Li Qingyi for the loss of the Heaven-Mending Pill in the future.

Seeing Qin Xiyue get up to leave, Li Qingyi called her back:

"Wait a moment."

"Okay." Qin Xiyue agreed without asking why; perhaps this was the unspoken understanding between the two.

Li Qingyi turned and went back into the house, feeling that acting rashly was too risky.

What if the other side has a backup plan? What if the person who retrieved the box has already arrived?

After careful consideration, Li Qingyi decided to conduct a simulation.

"Deep Blue! Simulate it for me!"

[Simulation begins...]

[As you push open the door, Qin Xiyue lightly makes a hand seal, and the spiritual light of the array flows, casting a spell to conceal your presence.]

As night deepened, you stealthily made your way to the city lord's mansion.

The journey was surprisingly smooth; in less than half an incense stick's time, they had already reached the outside of Li Jinghong's bedroom.

Through the crack in the window, you could see Li Jinghong fast asleep on the bed. A cold glint flashed in your eyes, and a wisp of sword energy swept through, instantly killing Li Jinghong.

However, the trip going too smoothly makes you uneasy, and a sense of unreality lingers in your mind.

So you decided...

First, eliminate all traces and slaughter the entire city lord's household.

Second, if the harm does not extend to family members, leave immediately.

Third, conduct a preliminary search to see if any other clues or valuables can be found.

As a young person with a modern education, Li Qingyi found it difficult to bring herself to kill an innocent person.

He had no grudge against Li Jinghong's family; his purpose in coming here was solely to eliminate the ringleader.

"Now that a third option has appeared, perhaps there really is something hidden here..."

"I choose three."

You will inform Qin Xiyue of your intention, and she will nod in agreement, and the two will split up to search.

[After a thorough investigation, sixteen spirit stones were indeed discovered in a secret chamber of the City Lord's mansion! Looking at this fortune, comparable to the legacy of True Immortal You, you were secretly delighted.]

Strangely, you discover that Li Jinghong's family members are sitting motionless in the room, like puppets.

Confused and unwilling to cause further trouble, you left the City Lord's Mansion with Qin Xiyue.

Back at your lodgings, you prepare to leave Yishan City for the capital of Xuan Kingdom.

However, Qin Xiyue declined the suggestion to travel with them, stating that she would go to the Qingchi Immortal Sect alone.

You were utterly perplexed, unable to understand why she would venture alone into such a dangerous place.

She reassured you, claiming she had her own means of survival.

After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade her, you finally respected her choice and stopped trying to force her.

Qin Xiyue looked apologetic and explained that her secret technique could only protect one person, and therefore could not bring you to the Qingchi Immortal Sect for cultivation.

[You don't care about this? Where can't you cultivate? As long as you can earn more spirit stones.]

You two have parted ways.

[After more than a month of arduous journey through wind and rain, you are getting closer and closer to the capital.]

The closer you get to the imperial city, the more cultivators you encounter along the way, most of them at the early Qi Refining stage. You sold a few Golden Body Talismans along the way, earning a small profit.

You feel a sense of relief and can't help but realize how limited your perspective was in the past.

Upon arriving in Xuan Ce City, you hear of a momentous event: the Dao Sect, the foremost of the three sects, will be recruiting disciples here in three days! Only then do you understand why cultivators are gathering here in such large numbers.

[You finally understand why you've encountered so many cultivators on the road; they're all cultivators who want to join the Dao Sect.]

You suddenly became interested, so you decided...

First, continue on the journey to the capital to seek development.

Second, participate in the trials and try to join the Daoist sect.

"The Daoist sect is recruiting disciples? That's quite an opportunity."

After weighing the options in her mind, Li Qingyi finally decided to choose option two.

Han Feiyu once said that the Dao Sect was mysterious and unpredictable. Now that we have the opportunity to explore it, how can we miss it?

Besides, joining a top-tier sect is much more stable than being a rogue cultivator.

"I choose option two."

You will settle in Xuan Ce City and await the start of the Grand Competition.

Late on the second night, you tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, when suddenly you felt uneasy. You abruptly opened your eyes to find two more people in the room!

[You recognize one of them; it's Li Qinglian! The other, an unfamiliar man, stands with his hands behind his back, his aura deep and profound.]

[You were shocked and attacked with all your might without hesitation. Perhaps driven by a sudden surge of excitement, Li Qinglian engaged you in a fierce battle. After a few moments of fighting, you were astonished to discover that she possessed the cultivation of the fifth level of Qi Refining!]

Seeing that Li Qinglian was struggling to gain the upper hand and that the commotion was attracting attention, the man nearby immediately intervened.

[The overwhelming pressure of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator erupted, and with a single strike, you were critically injured and on the verge of death!]

Confused as to how they found you, you mustered your last breath and asked, "How did you find me? Let me die knowing why..."

Li Qinglian explained to you that they had their own way of locating the Youyue Secret Box.

[The words had barely left your mouth when a sharp palm print descended upon you.]

[You're dead. Rewards are being calculated...]