Chapter 505: Chapter 506: Leaving the Pass
“A top-grade Spirit Stone for two hours, no deceit intended towards young or old, this is already a friendship price given out of respect for the Zong Family. In the past, I would have charged one supreme Spirit Stone.”
Li Xiaobai said indifferently.
These cultivators, although low in cultivation level, occupying the bottom rung, could still afford to produce a top-grade Spirit Stone.
“Supreme Spirit Stone?”
“Why don’t you just rob us!”
“It’s only a bathhouse, it’s one thing to be unrefined, but to then have the audacity to demand exorbitant prices, who gave you the courage?”
“How could the Clan Leader Zong tolerate someone like you running a shop here?”
A group of cultivators was quite angry, feeling as if they were being made fools of.
On ordinary days, Clan Leader Zong treated them quite well, so why was there such a charade today?
“After all, it is the disadvantage of having a narrow vision; whether it’s real or fake, one will know once they try.”
Li Xiaobai gently patted the water surface, saying lightly.
“Heh, I’d like to see what sort of wonders your bathhouse holds. Even Jade Liquor isn’t sold for such a steep price.”
A young cultivator, his eyes flashing with anger, strode over, and without a word, plunged his hand into the water to feel the temperature. In just an instant, his body stiffened.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, his companion, somewhat puzzled, asked.
“What’s the matter, is there anything strange about the bathhouse?”
“Cough cough, nothing, it’s just an ordinary bathhouse,” the cultivator hurriedly stated, his hand still roaming through the water, showing no intention of pulling it out.
“If there’s no problem, why are you constantly standing at the edge of the bathhouse, and why is your hand continuously soaked in the water?”
A hint of shrewdness flashed in the companion’s eyes, ignoring the cultivator’s words, he strode forward, also submerging his hand in the water. In an instant, his body shuddered, and a sharp surge of energy burst forth from his Dantian, a pressure sweeping across the place.
Another direct breakthrough; it seemed that the foundation of the cultivators in Aolai Country was indeed more profound.
“What’s wrong with you all, why keep your hands soaked in the bathhouse water?”
“Is there something odd about this water?”
The other cultivators also sensed that something was off by now, flocking over with puzzled expressions on their faces.
“No, nothing, the water is quite normal. I just felt a bit cold in my hand just now and want to soak it a little longer, you go ahead first,” the two cultivators said with forced smiles. Such a good thing was obviously better known by fewer people; just soaking their palms for a while had significantly increased the Spiritual Power inside their Dantian, saving at least several hours of arduous cultivation.
If this continued, they might even make a name for themselves in the upcoming arena competition.
“Heh, your acting is too poor,” said Li Xiaobai.
The surrounding cultivators did not heed the two, also extending their hands into the water of the bathhouse. In an instant, everyone involuntarily twitched.
Pupils suddenly constricting, faces filled with shock, they exclaimed, “This bathhouse can enhance cultivation level!”
“You guys are not being honest, actually trying to deceive us and enjoy the benefits alone, you’re trickier than a little bit!”
“Right, you look honest and simple, but I didn’t expect you to have such scheming guts, I misjudged you!”
“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get in there to soak!”
“It’s just a premium Spirit Stone. Here, I’ll pay. This bathhouse is on par with a Spiritual Spring. It’s not just worth a top-grade Spirit Stone, even if it were a hundred, a thousand, even ten thousand, it would still be worth it.”
“The owner set the price so low deliberately to accommodate us!”
“My apologies to the owner, I almost failed to appreciate your deep consideration!”
The faces of the cultivators were full of surprise and delight. They very conscientiously handed Li Xiaobai several premium Spirit Stones. Such a treasure level resource for cultivation was not something they could normally access at their level. Not to mention themselves, even if Family Heads came here, they would be green with envy.
At this moment, their hearts were filled with regret and irritation. If only they had known, they would have brought more Spirit Stones when they left home. Missing such an opportunity today, who knows if there will ever be a next time.
“Benefiting the human race’s cultivators is my greatest dream. Being able to contribute to all of you is also my honor,”
Li Xiaobai said with a beaming smile.
“Such noble generosity from the owner, to let cultivators like us use such precious treasure freely!”
“What kind of precious materials did you add to the water in this bath? May I know what they are, owner?”
A cultivator asked curiously. They had closely examined the water in the bathhouse but found nothing. No matter how they looked, it seemed to be just an ordinary pool of water, which only deepened their confusion.
“It’s just ordinary water, don’t worry about it. Just focus on your cultivation,”
Li Xiaobai waved his hand dismissively and said lightly.
“However, if those major familial houses get wind of this, I fear the owner will have no peace in the future.”
“That’s right, those big families would never tolerate such treasures falling into the hands of outsiders, especially not to be used by cultivators with low cultivation levels and no background like us. They will surely take action to fight over it.”
“Indeed, the Zong Family is already marginalized and ostracized. By building Tangneng First-class here, it’s clear that you’re opposing the major families,”
The cultivators said worriedly. They hadn’t known Li Xiaobai for long and were unaware of his intentions, but they knew that if they wanted to grow strong quickly, they couldn’t do without this bathhouse.
Outwardly expressing concern, but actually probing, they wanted to test the owner’s reality and see his views on the major families and whether he had a strategy in mind.
“Heh, rest assured, my friends. Those few families are not yet worthy of my concern. You just enjoy your baths; don’t worry about anything else,”
Li Xiaobai said with a faint smile, fully aware of their little schemes.
Building this bathhouse was meant to attract masters. Just defeating a few family heirs wouldn’t make much difference. Only by killing a few real masters could he induce the big families to truly panic and expose their vulnerabilities.
“I’m out of Spirit Stones. I have to leave now,”
A cultivator said with an anguished expression, a struggle flashing in his eyes, but he eventually stood up and left.
Li Xiaobai narrowed his eyes, watching the figure leave. This person must be a spy sent by some family, now going back to report. This was exactly what he wanted.
He hoped to draw over some masters this time.
Meanwhile, at the same time.
In the woodshed of Zong Mansion, a girl in purple burst through the door, exhaling a breath of foul air, her eyes shining brightly as she calmed the restless Spiritual Power within her.
“I’ve finally made a breakthrough, the Nascent Soul Stage, sixth level. With this realm, I should be able to beat many geniuses, right?”
“During this upcoming tournament, I must stand out and catch the attention of the three Family Heads. Only by doing this can there be hope of reviving the Zong Family from its ashes!”
But then, she was drawn by the rising steam in the sky, which seemed to be coming from the direction of the training ground.
What is that thing that’s causing all the steam?