Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

The moonlight flowed like water, spilling over the stone table and chairs in the courtyard.

A freshly brewed pot of sobering tea sat on the table, its fragrance curling into the air.

Shen Xiuyong leaned back comfortably in his chair, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips as he watched the still-sullen Qiao Hongyun across from him.

Qiao Hongyun shot him an annoyed glare before finally speaking up. "You old coot, you never show up without a reason. Are you really here for the Treasure Gathering Square’s auction?"

"What else?"

Shen Xiuyong picked up his teacup and blew on the steam. "Of course. I’m here to buy some top-quality Profound Iron Essence, then head to the Forging Hall and have a suitable Weapon reforged. Now that I’ve reached the Astral Force realm, I need to have a certain presence, don’t I?"

His tone held its usual teasing quality, but when he mentioned the new blade, a flicker of anticipation showed in his eyes.

Qiao Hongyun snorted. "I figured as much. Lin’an Prefecture City has seen a lot of new faces lately. It seems they were all drawn in by the ’biggest in five years’ gimmick."

"Oh?"

Shen Xiuyong took a sip of tea, looking slightly surprised. "Treasure Gathering Square uses that same line almost every year. It’s just a tactic to grab attention. I saw the catalog they released; they have a few more items than usual, and the variety is wider, but there don’t seem to be any particularly breathtaking treasures. How many people could that really attract?"

He had wandered the Jianghu for many years and knew all the promotional tricks of the various merchant guilds like the back of his hand.

"You’re out of the loop, aren’t you?"

Qiao Hongyun glanced at him and lowered his voice. "You only know half the story. That pair of blades... they’re not simple. They were personally forged by Elder Hong of the Forging Hall, who poured his heart and soul into them. They’re named ’Cangming Shuangyao’."

He paused, then continued, "Although the pair is currently ranked as Top-Grade Treasure Artifacts, their core already contains a trace of a Spiritual Embryo. You could call them a ’Half-Spirit Treasure.’ You know that true Spiritual Treasures are rare because they possess ’spirituality.’ Their owner can use True Qi and True Astral to nurture them. Over time, their spirituality will grow, and their power will continuously increase."

"This Cangming Shuangyao has that potential! If an Astral Force master is willing to expend their Primordial True Gang to nurture and refine them over many years, there’s a real chance they could fully awaken them, gestate a complete Artifact Spirit, and become true Spiritual Treasures!"

"A Half-Spirit Treasure?!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiuyong immediately sat up straight, a sharp glint in his eyes. "No wonder it’s the final item... In that case, the value of this pair of blades far exceeds that of ordinary Top-Grade Treasure Artifacts!"

"Now you get it?"

Qiao Hongyun wore an ’I-told-you-so’ expression. "The news hasn’t spread completely, but the powers that matter have all gotten wind of it. Why else do you think so many people have been drawn here?"

Shen Xiuyong rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "People from Fengle Prefecture and Pingyang Prefecture are here? Who else?"

"A lot of masters have come."

Qiao Hongyun’s expression grew a little more serious. "As far as I know, Wanchong Mountain, the ’Shockwave Hand’ and Vice Tower Master of Fengle Prefecture’s Rain Listening Tower, has arrived. An Elder from Pingyang Prefecture’s Fiery Sun Sect has also secretly taken up residence in the city. And..."

He paused, his voice dropping even lower. "That Grand Elder from your Yunlin Prefecture’s Cold Jade Valley, ’Granny Hanzhuang,’ has also arrived quietly. She even paid a visit to the Sect Leader of the Earth Element Sect first."

"Granny Hanzhuang is here too?"

Shen Xiuyong’s brow twitched. ’That old woman’s power is unfathomable, and her status in Cold Jade Valley is revered.’ "If she makes a move, her target is probably not just that pair of blades. She might be after something else... It seems this auction will be even livelier than I thought."

"Livelier is an understatement."

Qiao Hongyun gave him a meaningful look. "The waters are already muddied. A fierce struggle between titans is inevitable."

A flicker of excitement flashed in Shen Xiuyong’s eyes at his words, and the corner of his mouth curled up. "Muddied water is good. When the water is muddied, there might be a chance to fish in it."

A penchant for shrewd calculation was part of his very nature.

Qiao Hongyun knew his old friend’s character well and warned him, "Don’t do anything reckless. There are more Astral Force masters here, both in the open and in the shadows, than you can count on both hands. Your Cultivation, having just broken through, might not be enough to matter."

"Relax."

Shen Xiuyong just smiled, resuming his lazy posture as he leaned back again. "I, for one, cherish my life more than anything. If the water isn’t muddy enough, or if there are no big fish to catch, I absolutely will not enter the fray. It’s fine just to watch the show."

Only then did Qiao Hongyun nod, knowing that while Shen Xiuyong seemed impulsive, he was actually very measured and knew his own limits.

The topic seemed to come to a close, and a brief silence fell between them.

A night breeze swept through the courtyard, and the bamboo leaves RUSTLED.

Qiao Hongyun stared at the tea leaves in his cup and suddenly asked softly, "Speaking of which... have you seen Ruan Lingxiu in the past few years?"

At the sudden mention of this name, Shen Xiuyong’s hand, holding his teacup, paused slightly. The smile on his face faded, and for a moment, his gaze drifted far away.

He was silent for a few breaths before slowly shaking his head. "No. It’s been six years. I haven’t seen her since we parted ways in the depths of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp."

Qiao Hongyun sighed as well. "Same here. The last news I had of her was also six years ago. I heard that not long after she returned to her family, she successfully broke through to the Astral Force realm."

His tone was tinged with a complex mix of emotions.

Shen Xiuyong said in a low voice, "The heritage of a thousand-year-old Noble Family is truly extraordinary. What’s more... she’s also a disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. The resources and opportunities in a place like that are far beyond what local Sects like ours can compare to. She and we... are ultimately different."

It was as if he were stating a fact, but also trying to convince himself.

"Yes."

Qiao Hongyun looked up at the night sky, where the starlight was dim. "That sky... that is the place that can truly nurture a True Dragon. We may seem impressive here in Lin’an Prefecture and Yunlin Prefecture, but in reality..."