Chapter 1015: Banquet

The addition of another void refinement realm expert to Profound Ancient City was a momentous occasion.

Throughout the city's history, there had been few periods with multiple void refinement realm experts. Such eras of prosperity were rare and fleeting.

Each new void refinement realm expert held profound significance for Profound Ancient City, guaranteeing the human race's survival for at least the next few millennia.

The entire city erupted in joy and celebration, cheering Patriarch Si Kong's advancement and festooning every corner with auspicious banners and lanterns.

Riding this wave of festive cheer, the Golden Abundance Trading Company spared no expense, hosting a grand banquet to honor heroes and renowned cultivators from across the city.

Li Qing naturally received an invitation. After some consideration, he decided to attend, bringing a congratulatory gift.

"Could this mark the dawn of a rare golden age for Profound Ancient City?" he mused. "With two void refinement realm experts guarding the city, we can afford to relax our vigilance somewhat."

"Indeed. The war between the Giant Spirit Race and the Tree Demon Clan has dwindled, now confined to cultivators below the body integration realm. We should enjoy a period of peace for a while."

"With the city's protective formation, we need not fear attacks from other void refinement realm experts."

This string of good news filled the entire city with joy and optimism.

The banquet was held on the grounds of the Golden Abundance Trading Company. By the time Li Qing arrived, many guests had already gathered, including some familiar faces.

Among them were the stall owner who had sold him the Lihuo Profound Jade and Alchemist Jian, who had refined the Dustfall Pill for him.

"This Fan congratulates Senior Si Kong on achieving great perfection in his daoist art!"

Guests continued to arrive, presenting their congratulatory gifts.

Li Qing observed the scene and turned his gaze to Patriarch Si Kong, the most radiant figure in the gathering. The patriarch's face beamed with joy, his mood clearly buoyant.

"Li Qing congratulates Senior Si Kong on entering the void refinement realm. The human race gains another pillar of strength for the future."

With these words, Li Qing withdrew a thumb-sized miniature porcelain bottle from his sleeve and personally handed it to Patriarch Si Kong.

The patriarch accepted the bottle with a casual gesture, then chuckled softly. "Ha ha ha, Fellow Daoist Li, you're too kind. It's been a while. I never expected your cultivation progress to be so astonishing. You're not far from the void refinement realm yourself!"

"Then I'll take Senior Si Kong's auspicious words to heart," Li Qing replied with a light smile, clasping his hands in a respectful bow.

After Li Qing took his seat, Patriarch Si Kong subtly removed the bottle's stopper. A barely perceptible shift crossed his face as he hastily resealed the bottle and carefully stowed away the seemingly unremarkable miniature porcelain bottle, handling it with utmost caution.

After confirming the contents, Patriarch Si Kong gasped sharply, taking a long moment to regain his composure.

It was a small vial of Creation Origin Liquid!

He had initially expected a medicinal pill of moderate value, similar to the Jade Bone Pill Li Qing had presented earlier.

He never imagined Li Qing's congratulatory gift would be so precious, leaving him breathless with shock.

However, the amount of Creation Origin Liquid was still insufficient to withstand a full great heavenly tribulation.

With just one or two more vials, a cultivator in the void refinement realm could safely weather their next great heavenly tribulation.

Its value was self-evident—essentially a second life.

After all, not every void refinement realm cultivator dared to claim they could survive multiple great heavenly tribulations and advance to the next realm.

Having only recently entered the void refinement realm, Patriarch Si Kong didn't need to worry about the great heavenly tribulation in the immediate future, but he still had to consider long-term preparations.

"This fellow has truly given me a substantial gift!" Patriarch Si Kong murmured to himself. Noticing that nearly all the invited guests had arrived, he announced the banquet's commencement.

The Golden Abundance Trading Company's resources were undeniably vast. The banquet was lavish, featuring rare spirit wines, fine brews, and a variety of exquisite delicacies to entertain the guests.

Li Qing, who hadn't indulged in spirit wine for a long time, finally satisfied his craving.

"The spirit realm's rare brews are truly remarkable," he mused, smacking his lips. "Does the abundant spiritual energy here have such a profound impact on spirit wine?"

He savored the lingering flavors of various spirit herbs in the mid-grade spirit brew, even sensing a subtle enhancement to his own qi and blood.

If even his formidable fleshly body experienced such enhancement, the other immortal cultivators, less versed in body arts, wore expressions of astonishment, carefully savoring each sip of the spirit wine.

Throughout the banquet, Li Qing remained aloof, focusing solely on his drink and showing no interest in socializing.

He was waiting for Patriarch Si Kong's personal invitation. The Creation Origin Liquid he had gifted earlier was merely bait, and he was confident the patriarch would take the hook.

True to form, after three rounds of wine, Patriarch Si Kong sent a trusted aide to deliver a message to Li Qing.

"Senior Li, the merchant lord has urgent matters to discuss with you. Please follow me to the upper floors."

Hearing this, Li Qing slowly set down his wine cup and chuckled softly. "Lead the way."

Guided by his trusted aide, Li Qing ascended to the top floor of the Golden Harvest Commercial Tower, where a panoramic view of half of Profound Ancient City unfolded before him.

Patriarch Si Kong had been seated for some time. Having advanced to the void refinement realm, his demeanor had undergone a profound transformation. His presence was now restrained yet radiated a harmonious unity, as if he had merged seamlessly with the surrounding heaven and earth.

"Greetings, Senior Si Kong!" Li Qing clasped his hands in a respectful salute.

The patriarch waved his hand dismissively. "I hardly deserve the title of 'senior.' I only recently emerged from seclusion and know little of recent events."

"After making some inquiries, I learned of your extraordinary performance in the Heavenlight Secret Realm, Fellow Daoist Li. You surpassed countless heavenly prodigies with ease."

"Even the Creation Origin Liquid—I never imagined it would be so readily within your grasp. This truly astonishes me."

Despite his advancement to the void refinement realm, Patriarch Si Kong displayed none of the haughtiness typically associated with senior cultivators. He fully understood the immense significance of Li Qing's achievements in the Heavenlight Secret Realm, recognizing that the young man's future accomplishments would undoubtedly surpass his own.

Though Li Qing currently appeared to be merely a late divine transformation realm cultivator, Si Kong saw him as a hidden dragon lurking in the depths, poised to soar to the heavens at the first opportunity.

"Hahaha, Senior Si Kong, you flatter me. It was merely a stroke of good fortune," Li Qing replied modestly, maintaining perfect composure.

Si Kong cut straight to the chase. "Enough with the pleasantries, Fellow Daoist Li. Your generous congratulatory gift has both surprised and delighted me. Is there something you desire in return?"

"To be frank, do you have any Creation Origin Liquid to spare?"

As he spoke, Si Kong activated a powerful restriction around the loft, sealing it completely to prevent any sound from escaping.

"Heh, naturally. If the merchant lord desires it, I happen to have a small surplus—enough to help you weather a great heavenly tribulation," Li Qing replied without hesitation, making his intentions clear: he was here to make a deal.