Chapter 455: Chapter 301: Journey to Flying Dragon City, Gathering Storms, Yellow Dew as Bait! The Lady’s Lure?

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-October. Li Xian subdued the Ghost Python Spear, and his strength advanced further. The Broken Demon Spear, the Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture, and the Minor Five Elements Extraordinary Escape were steadily improving.

The "Essence of Heaven and Earth" within his body was completely digested. Initiating the tripod required arranging the "Initiation Banquet," purchasing "Dew," acquiring "Yin Bamboo Charcoal," employing manpower... costing several thousand taels of silver. Although Li Xian had over a thousand taels of silver, it was still difficult to initiate the tripod on his own.

This idea had to be temporarily suppressed.

Recently... elders have been renting the Water Stone Treasure Tripod to simmer Essence Treasure Meat. After being cooked by fire, the dew drifted between Wanglong Mountain, ethereal and beautiful, as if celestial mist had descended upon the world.

In the various towns, several floral boats were anchored in the lanes for a long time without departing. The Flower Cage Sect was brewing something significant behind the scenes.

In the peaceful and stable life, November arrived.

The harvest season for the "Stiff-Tailed Shrimp" at Dongran Lake had already passed. The Shrimp Beasts dived to the lake’s bottom, stirring up cold waves. The people of Taohua Town gradually added extra layers of clothing.

In the deep alleys of Taohua.

Li Xian ordered a jar of Taohua Fairy Brew, two Drunken Flower Eggs, accompanied by a few small dishes and a bowl of plain porridge. Whenever he was exhausted from Martial Arts practice, he would stroll through the streets, and when craving struck, he would casually find a tavern to order some food and wine to enjoy.

The weather was cool and the breeze was gentle during this season.

The wine was fragrant and sweet, the eggs aromatic and fresh... a bite of a Drunken Egg, a sip of fine wine, then a drink of porridge to cleanse the palate, enhancing the flavor of the dishes. Life was leisurely and comfortable, and looking into the distance, the mountains were majestic, the lake waves tranquil, occasionally a gentle breeze would caress the streets and alleys, bringing a faint floral fragrance to the nose.

Truly like a paradise on earth.

He pondered with a feeling: "Everything in the world has two sides, or even more. The Li Mountain Sword Sect, a renowned orthodox sect, boasts elders claiming to be righteous. Yet there’s Sheng Yunfei, such a hypocrite. While the Flower Cage Sect is despicable and shameless, the base at the Water Altar has people living peacefully and happily, like a paradise on earth, unparalleled elsewhere."

"Though I yearn for a carefree life, I first became a Flower Thief."

Slightly tipsy, he laughed at himself.

He savored the Taohua Fairy Brew, finding its taste truly unique.

Seeing the owner busy delivering wine and dishes, constantly earning money, albeit mostly broken silver and scattered copper, but each effort brings some reward. He couldn’t help but think:

"Even though I have a bee farm and a fruit orchard... collecting nectar and making honey, as well as waiting for the fruits to mature, require time and effort. Although these ventures have their benefits, ultimately it’s ’dependent on the weather,’ not within my control. Enjoying the fruits of others’ labor isn’t bad on its own, but...if I had the means to truly earn money and control it myself, things would be much better."

"Sister Liuli also mentioned to me that when she was with the Nangong Family, she took over a jewelry shop at the age of twelve, and over the years, it grew significantly. Her daily necessities are all earned by herself, and many family children even owe her money. If I could set up some businesses and let Sister Liuli help manage them..."

Nangong Liuli felt bored during confinement at home. Having this contact with the outside world would certainly be beneficial. As he sipped the Taohua Brew, he thought that with his current capabilities, perhaps he could open a "brewing business"?

If he used "honey" and "flowers" to brew excellent wine, he would earn money much faster. Li Xian’s "Consumption" skill was perfect, comprehending the "Appraisal" trait, along with a perfect "Cooking Skill." Every time he tasted fine and delicious brews, he could mentally appraise the method and temperature.

He appraised the taverns in the alleys. Discovering various brewing techniques, he could learn from them and try to brew fine wines by gathering the strengths of many. His thoughts turned lively, and upon returning home, he discussed it with Nangong Liuli.

Upon hearing his desire to manage a brewing business, Nangong Liuli’s interest sparked. She was quite interested in the ways of business. Having been exposed to it since childhood, she knew well about this field. She might be able to offer some help.

That night, the two sat down and had a long talk. Li Xian took out paper and pen, and based on his understanding, wrote down the brewing process. Nangong Liuli planned how to manage, run the brewery, and recruit labor...

The idea of the brewing business was a spur-of-the-moment thing, but during the detailed discussion, it seemed promising. From that day, Li Xian started to attempt brewing alongside practicing Martial Arts. Using the Five Elements layout in the courtyard, in just over ten days, he forcefully brewed a few jars of fine wine.

The two drank the delightful wine together.

Both found it delicious and sweet, with distinctive characteristics. Li Xian used several hundred taels to start a small brewing business. He decided to make a small trial, leaving it to Nangong Liuli to manage. Although Nangong Liuli found it difficult to go out, she could manage the brewery properly through correspondence. She also practiced Martial Arts usually, but not as diligently as Li Xian, using this to pass her leisure time, which wasn’t bad at all.

Things were going well.

[Broken Demon Spear]

[Skill Level: 2689/35000 Perfection]

[Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture·Five Viscera Chapter]

[Skill Level: 1210/24000 Great Success]

[Minor Five Elements Extraordinary Escape]

[Skill Level: 65/100]

In such a stable period, Li Xian had the foundational bee farm and fruit orchard, and with the brewing experimental attempt, he steadily expanded his business and Martial Arts ventures, solidifying them. He had a reputation outside and a beloved companion within.

Li Xian’s "Magic Dao·Golden Light" recipe still lacked one "Dew of Dawn" element. Now that the situation was stable, he attempted to investigate clues about the Dew of Dawn. However, due to the lack of information and trusted eyes and ears, getting into the Water Altar was difficult, and no clues were found after a long time.

On the island, only Yan Hao was the one he trusted most. They were both mentors and friends. Yan Hao was considered a "fool," solely obsessed with the Minor Five Elements Extraordinary Escape, even neglecting Martial Arts. He had no interest in Human Yellow Essence Treasure either.

Paradoxically, he held a high position in the Water Altar, with more access to information.

Li Xian asked him for help in paying attention. Yan Hao nodded without much thought and assured Li Xian that he would inform him if he got any clues.