Chapter 162: Taking a Concubine, Redeeming Qi Feng

“Qi family also has some?” Hearing those words, Wei Tu’s first reaction was disbelief. Body-tempering elixirs weren’t the kind of thing you could easily come by. With the strength of the Xuanhou Qi Clan, it would be nearly impossible for them to obtain something like that. Qi Feng was likely just saying this to climb the social ladder and flatter him. —Judging by how the Jiu Yun Merchant Guild treated her, it was clear they held something over Qi Feng and the Qi Clan. Compared to the merchant guild, he, a rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator, would definitely be easier to handle and manipulate. Still, Wei Tu didn’t dismiss the possibility entirely. There was always a chance Qi Feng really did have access to a body-tempering elixir. Prejudice was like a mountain—hard to overcome. Who knew? Maybe she actually did have something valuable. “What body-tempering elixir is it? Just tell me plainly. If it’s worth something, I can consider helping you with the troubles involving your clan and yourself,” Wei Tu replied through voice transmission. Hearing this, Qi Feng was delighted. She quickly said, “Senior Hong, the body-tempering elixir that the Qi Clan has is called Cold Crystal Flower. This spirit herb used to grow alongside our ancestral spirit beast, the Frostveil Monkey.” “Later, the Xuan Frost Monkeywas subdued by one of my clan’s ancestors, and the Cold Crystal Flower fell into our possession along with it.” “But…” A trace of hesitation appeared on Qi Feng’s face. “But this Cold Crystal Flower was harvested more than four hundred years ago. Its medicinal power… likely has faded a lot.” Nothing in this world could escape the erosion of time. Under the weight of years, all things would wither and decay. Spirit herbs were no exception. Unless preserved with some special method— Once enough time passed, their medicinal properties would begin to leak away and lose potency. The Cold Crystal Flower from the Xuanhou Qi Clan had been stored for over four hundred years. Wei Tu didn’t even need to ask further to know—it had already lost most of its medicinal essence. Upon hearing this, Wei Tu didn’t hide the disappointment on his face. He gave a short hum of contemplation and replied, “This Cold Crystal Flower… I’ll assess its value and give you appropriate compensation. You don’t need to worry about that, Miss Qi.” Right now, he couldn’t afford to miss any chance, even if the opportunity was slim. Even if the Cold Crystal Flower had lost much of its effectiveness, it was still likely more efficient than relying on years of hard cultivation. “Senior Hong, I don’t want spirit stones… I just want to stay by your side, as your servant or maid,” Qi Feng quickly said in a panicked tone. She clearly understood the difference between a single full meal and a lifetime of security. In the Qi Clan and under the Jiu Yun Merchant Guild, her future was uncertain. Right now, she was still serving a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him, but in a few years, she might be sold off to the Luange Pavilion under the guild to entertain guests. This Senior “Hong Wen,” even if his skin was dark and his appearance plain, had enough cultivation to give her the protection she desperately needed in these chaotic times. “A servant or a maid?” Wei Tu’s expression turned slightly cold. But he didn’t reject her outright. Instead, he said seriously, “If this Cold Crystal Flower can provide me with real value, then I don’t mind helping you this time. But if it can’t…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but his meaning was clear—everything would depend on whether Qi Feng could offer something truly useful to him. The Xuanhou Qi Clan had existed for nearly a thousand years as a Foundation Establishment family. The Cold Crystal Flower might only be one piece of their heritage. There could be more treasures like it, and Qi Feng might just be holding back. Right now, he was offering her a way to safely turn those things into value. If she trusted him, he was willing to give her fair compensation and help solve her problems. —Providing Qi Feng with a secure place to cultivate wasn’t difficult for him at all. But if she didn’t trust him, or had nothing more to offer, Then this deal would just be for that one Cold Crystal Flower, and nothing more. Qi Feng clearly picked up on the unspoken meaning behind Wei Tu’s words. Her expression shifted repeatedly, and a hint of hesitation surfaced in her eyes. A full stick of incense passed, yet Qi Feng still couldn’t make up her mind. She was afraid—afraid that after driving away the fierce tiger that was the Jiu Yun Merchant Guild, she might fall into the hands of another predator: Wei Tu. But then, she remembered just how terrifying the Luange Pavilion was. Steeling herself, Qi Feng suddenly said with determination, “Senior Hong, what I’m about to tell you may not help you form a Golden Core, but it can absolutely let you take another step forward in your cultivation.” “This item… it’s tied to the very foundation of the Qi Clan’s legacy. If… our old ancestor hadn’t died, and if the clan hadn’t declined to this point, I would never have revealed this to anyone.” “As for what I’m asking in return, it’s not much.” One, I humbly ask that you take me in as a concubine. This is my first time serving anyone. I’m still clean. I won’t shame you. Two, I beg that once you’ve obtained the item, you give me a single Condensed Foundation Pill. As she reached this part, Qi Feng also tactfully voiced her request. Her demand was clearly higher than before—no longer a servant or maid, but a concubine with official status. “Of course, if Senior doesn’t care for women, I won’t pester you. I only wish to become your concubine because I want a peaceful environment to cultivate without interference.” Qi Feng remembered Wei Tu’s previous indifference and, after thinking for a moment, added this sentence. She understood that many male cultivators in the cultivation world pursued purity, aiming for immortality and rejecting romantic entanglements altogether. Taking a concubine, to those types, was a burdensome matter. “Concubine…” Wei Tu’s expression turned contemplative upon hearing the word. He had to seriously consider what kind of consequences taking Qi Feng as a concubine might bring. After all, he wasn’t some nameless rogue cultivator anymore. Even so, what Qi Feng said about the “foundation of her clan’s legacy” was definitely stirring his curiosity. If that treasure was truly as useful as she claimed—capable of helping him push his cultivation forward—then giving her a Condensed Foundation Pill and the title of concubine wasn’t much at all. Qi Feng, having finished her bold proposal, quietly studied Wei Tu’s face. She was afraid he’d accept too easily, but also terrified he’d reject her outright. Among all the Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators she’d come across, Wei Tu’s character stood out. In her eyes, he wasn’t bad at all. But one can know a person’s face and not their heart. She couldn’t tell if he was a true gentleman or a hidden villain. All she could do now was hope this gamble would turn out well. In that restless silence, Qi Feng anxiously awaited his reply. On the auction platform, several groups of cultivators had already taken their turns, but Wei Tu hadn’t spoken. Her heart slowly sank. “Did he reject me?” A flash of disappointment welled up in her chest. But just as that thought surfaced, and she cautiously glanced up to see Wei Tu’s expression— A single word entered her ears, rekindling her hope. “Alright.” Wei Tu finally opened his mouth, perfectly seizing Qi Feng’s vulnerability and hesitation. Compared to him—a seasoned cultivator in the world of cultivation—Qi Feng was far too naive. Her age didn’t even come close to his. “As long as your offer is worthwhile, then a concubine’s status and a Condensed Foundation Pill are nothing to me,” Wei Tu added, reassuring her. … Half a day later. The underground auction ended and the guests dispersed. Wei Tu brought Qi Feng to the backstage area of the auction to finalize the spirit stone payments. Once the Earth Dragon Flesh was secured, Wei Tu turned his gaze to Manager Yao—the scholarly middle-aged man he had seen near the teleportation array earlier. “During the auction, Miss Qi served me quite well,” Wei Tu said as he wrapped his arm around Qi Feng’s waist, wearing the expression of a man infatuated with beauty. “Manager Yao, I wonder if I could take her back with me for a bit of enjoyment.” “Hm… taking her with you isn’t impossible,” Manager Yao replied with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “But Miss Qi’s status isn’t low, so the price… naturally won’t be cheap.” Manager Yao inwardly chuckled. Another one who couldn’t control his lower half. This whole event with female attendants serving Foundation Establishment cultivators was part of a strategy. It wasn’t just about boosting goodwill toward the Jiu Yun Merchant Guild—it was also a chance to sell these women and make a fortune. —After all, no amount of groping in the VIP seats could compare to the real thing back home. “My purse is a bit tight,” Wei Tu laughed casually. “If your price is too high, I may have to pass and look elsewhere.” Hearing this, Manager Yao nodded slightly and silently lowered the price he had in mind. “May I ask,” he said smoothly, “does Fellow Daoist Hong only want a night’s pleasure, or are you planning to redeem her fully?” “To redeem her,” Wei Tu replied flatly. And with that— The two of them began negotiating. “Seven hundred spirit stones. Not a single coin less,” Manager Yao insisted. “Miss Qi is still young and an excellent cauldron candidate. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth.” “Fine,” Wei Tu said with a reluctant sigh, nodding in agreement. But just as it came time to hand over the spirit stone pouch, Wei Tu didn’t immediately pass it to Manager Yao. Instead, he asked, “Miss Qi is from a reputable clan—the Xuanhou Qi Clan. How did she end up in the hands of the Jiu Yun Merchant Guild? If I don’t know the reason, then taking her away might mean taking on a major headache.” Seeing this, Manager Yao didn’t grow suspicious. He simply assumed that Wei Tu’s impulsive phase had passed, and now he was in the “cooling-off period.” Cultivators in the cooling-off period tended to think more rationally. He smiled faintly and explained, “The Xuanhou Qi Clan once had substantial dealings with our Jiu Yun Merchant Guild. They owed us quite a large debt. After the death of the clan’s Foundation Establishment cultivator… we pressed them for repayment, and in response, they mortgaged Miss Qi and three other clan women to our guild.” Manager Yao’s tone was light and casual, as though he were talking about some everyday matter—nothing more than routine business. “I see.” Wei Tu nodded and didn’t probe further into the details. Selling women to settle debts had existed since ancient times. It wasn’t rare. Qi Feng was not the first. She wouldn’t be the last either. All he needed to confirm was that her troubles were limited to the Jiu Yun Merchant Guild. There was no need to dig deeper. Most of the female attendants present today likely had similar stories to Qi Feng. It’s just that they hadn’t met someone like him—or, more accurately, didn’t carry any other “added value” a Foundation Establishment cultivator might deem worthy. After paying the spirit stones, Wei Tu and Qi Feng left the auction hall one after the other. Once they had walked some distance, Wei Tu withdrew the hand he had placed on Qi Feng’s slender waist. A flash of yellow light burst forth, and by the time Qi Feng realized what was happening, she was already standing atop Wei Tu’s Huangyan Boat. Before entering the underground auction, Wei Tu had arranged to meet Kou Hongying afterward at Changzhou City, near Xiaoyao Mountain. A quarter-hour later, Wei Tu and Qi Feng landed and stepped into an inn within the city. “What a stunning woman!” Qi Feng, following half a step behind Wei Tu, was instantly struck by the sight of Kou Hongying sitting near the window the moment she stepped inside. Whether it was her temperament or her beauty, Kou Hongying far surpassed her in every aspect. Next to Kou Hongying, she felt dull and dim, as if all her light had been stolen. “I can’t sense her cultivation? Could she be a Foundation Establishment senior?” Qi Feng wondered. Thinking that, the way she looked at Kou Hongying gained a subtle hint of awe. “Uncle Wei, why did you bring this junior along?” Kou Hongying slightly furrowed her willow-shaped brows, visibly puzzled. At the underground auction, she had seen Wei Tu with Qi Feng in his arms… but she hadn’t thought much of it then, assuming he was merely playing along with the event’s ambiance. In the world of cultivation, such things were almost inevitable. What she hadn’t expected— Was for Wei Tu to bring this female attendant with him even after leaving the auction. “Uncle Wei even rejected Zhao Qingluo. For him to redeem this woman… there must be another reason.” Kou Hongying mused inwardly. She had known Wei Tu for over a hundred years and was well aware that he was a devoted cultivator who pursued the Dao with all his heart. There was no way he would redeem Qi Feng purely for lust. Hearing Kou Hongying’s question, Wei Tu immediately laid bare the reason he had redeemed Qi Feng. —For something that didn’t touch upon Golden Core-level opportunities, he had no reason to keep it secret. “I see.” Kou Hongying let out a quiet sigh of relief, and her smile returned. “Miss Qi.” Kou Hongying greeted her gently. With her perception, she could tell that Qi Feng did have some potential. Even though she’d received the title of concubine and was promised a Condensed Foundation Pill, in all likelihood, she wouldn’t live to reach Foundation Establishment. She would most likely die still in the Qi Refinement Realm, becoming nothing more than a passing memory in Wei Tu’s long cultivation journey. “Senior Kou.” Qi Feng lowered her head respectfully in reply. “The Xuanhou Qi Clan isn’t far from the Hongyan Mountain Marketplace. This time, I’ll accompany Uncle Wei on this trip,” Kou Hongying said, after accepting Qi Feng’s respectful gesture, turning her gaze to Wei Tu as she spoke in a calm but firm tone. Unlike Wei Tu, who was a rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator, Kou Hongying was a Foundation Establishment cultivator from an immortal sect. Her presence would help avoid many unnecessary complications when visiting a minor local power. This time, Wei Tu and Qi Feng would be traveling to the Xuanhou Qi Clan to retrieve the Cold Crystal Flower. With her joining them, everything would go much more smoothly. “Thank you, Hongying.” Wei Tu accepted her kindness and expressed his gratitude. “This is a Wood Thunder Talisman I’ve recently drawn. It’s a second-tier high-grade talisman…” Wei Tu said as he returned the favor, selling Kou Hongying two Wood Thunder Talismans at a discounted price for use as life-saving items. After the transaction, Wei Tu took the opportunity to inform Kou Hongying of the contents of Fu Lin’s second letter. “Zheng Kingdom is about to become the main battlefield?” Kou Hongying’s expression turned noticeably grim upon hearing that. Although she was also part of one of the Three Great Immortal Sects, her status in Mirror Water Pavilion was that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. Worse yet, due to sect politics, she had been forced to head to the front lines this time. Because of that, she had no idea about the news of Jing Kingdom’s collapse.