Wait… I’m a Druid in a Cultivation World?! - Chapter 105

“Notes on Alchemy, Comprehensive Guide to Spiritual Herb Properties!”

Qi Ping looked at the two handwritten copies in his hands, a flash of pleasant surprise appearing in his eyes.

Even though these were just copies, it didn’t affect his reading of them in the slightest!
He needed something like this far too much right now!

When formulating honey brewing plans in the future, he finally had reference materials to consult! No more groping in the dark through trial and error.

“This is the notes of a first-grade alchemist, containing some common pill formulas and recorded refining experiences. It’s a pity it doesn’t include the advanced formulas Brother Qi was hoping for,” Boss Gao said, sounding somewhat regretful.

Given his standing, it was difficult for him to access resources like advanced pill formulas.

The Comprehensive Guide to Spiritual Herb Properties was somewhat better; while not exactly common, it wasn’t considered particularly rare either.

But that first-grade alchemist’s notes… he had only managed to get a copy by a stroke of luck, so obtaining them wasn’t easy.

“This is already incredibly valuable! But these items are too precious. Boss Gao, perhaps you should accept some spirit stones for them?”

Getting these two items for free made Qi Ping feel he was taking far too much advantage of Boss Gao’s generosity.

Especially those first-grade alchemist notes – how could Qi Ping not know their true worth?

“Brother Qi, I already said this is a gift to celebrate our new partnership. I can’t go back on my word… But remember, all future Spirit-Nurturing Honey must be sold to me. Business isn’t easy these days; I’m counting on this to support my family.”

Thanks to this major deal with Qi Ping, he could also earn a substantial amount of resources during this period.

As for those alchemy notes… he had made several copies!
Using these to gift to those who needed them was perfect for building goodwill, generally helping to maintain good relationships.

Moreover, for those who truly needed them, their value couldn’t be measured in a few hundred spirit stones. To them, it was more precious and harder to obtain than even a rare spiritual herb.

Of course, the prerequisite was that these people were worth befriending and gifting to. He was a businessman, after all; he had to learn to assess situations, using the resources at hand to gain more connections – fostering friendships, not enmities.

After this transaction with Boss Gao, Qi Ping realized that, given the current circumstances, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Boss Gao to help him find suitable items.

As his strength increased, the things Qi Ping required were no longer easily satisfied by the ordinary market.

Thus, the Qingshi Market truly held little significance for him now.

If he wanted to obtain those precious spiritual materials and techniques, the best channel remaining for him was the Qingyuan Sect.

Unless he went to Qingtian City, the central city of Qingtian Domain.

But that place was full of powerful experts. Foundation Establishment cultivators were numerous, and even Golden Core cultivators could occasionally be seen.

If possible, Qi Ping really didn’t want to go to a place with so many powerful figures. Here in Qingshi County, where the ceiling was Foundation Establishment, Qi Ping felt much more secure.

Furthermore, in a place like Qingtian City, teeming with experts, Qi Ping wouldn’t be able to freely use his methods of beekeeping and cultivating spiritual plants. If exposed, he might immediately attract the attention of a Golden Core cultivator, leading to a fate where he’d die without a burial place.

In short, for now, the Cloud Mist Mountain Range was his best place for development!

Now, he just needed to secure the channel for purchasing techniques and spiritual herbs…
Also, Qi Ping still had his eye on the cave dwelling at Mountain Peak A-7, the one that yielded [Spirit Beast Cultivation: Demonic Insects Edition]. The advancement of his bee colony to the third rank and their future development depended on it. So, he definitely wouldn’t give up on that place. It was just that, for now, he lacked both the courage and the urgent need to explore that mysterious cave.

Led by Boss Gao, Qi Ping once again arrived at the courtyard where the iron-tower-like man, Meng Yan, resided.

Upon entering, he found the interior largely unchanged from his last visit.

It was still that extremely simple courtyard, almost completely devoid of decorations, even less adorned than Old Man Zhou’s former courtyard with its exotic flowers and rare plants, and mystical objects…
The only notable feature was one wall in the main room, hung with numerous weapons and armor, primarily mid-grade and high-grade magical artifacts, suitable for those at mid to late Qi Refining stage.

The display of these items, combined with the ding-ding, clang-clang sounds coming from underground, made the owner’s identity and personality abundantly clear – a first-grade artifact refiner wholly dedicated to his craft.

The casual display of these weapons, each worth over a hundred spirit stones, was also sufficient proof of the owner’s considerable wealth.

Qi Ping waited in the main room for a short while before the clanging sounds from below finally ceased.

Shortly after, a man built like an iron tower, drenched in sweat and at the ninth level of Qi Refining, emerged.

“My apologies, my apologies for keeping you waiting, Brother Qi!” Meng Yan’s voice was hearty and clear.

“It’s no trouble. Rather, it is I who am disturbing you today, Lord Meng…”

But before Qi Ping could finish, Meng Yan interrupted him.

“No need for such formality with me. From what Old Gao said, you’re probably younger than me. If you don’t mind, just call me Brother Meng! I’m not fond of tea. How about some wine instead?”

As he spoke, Meng Yan pulled two jars of wine from his storage pouch and continued:
“I recently got my hands on two fine jars. One is brewed from snow lotuses of the Northern Domain, refreshing in taste; the other is made from Fire Crow roots, strong and spicy. Which one would you prefer, Brother Qi?”

Faced with Meng Yan’s directness, Qi Ping responded in an equally straightforward manner:
“Brother Meng, then let’s have the Fire Crow wine. Thank you for your hospitality!”

Upon hearing this, Meng Yan poured a full, large bowl for both Qi Ping and himself. Then, without another word, he grabbed one bowl and took a large gulp!

A mouthful of wine later, the weariness on Meng Yan’s face seemed to vanish completely.

His face revealed a look of satisfaction identical to the one Old Man Zhou had after drinking.

Seeing Meng Yan’s forthright nature, Qi Ping also shed his usual cautious and careful demeanor. He similarly picked up his bowl and took a hearty swig.

He had already sensed the wine with his natural perception and found nothing amiss.

And this time, he managed to get a clearer read on Meng Yan. This man possessed a unique aura similar to that of the green-robed woman, Lin Qingshu.

This special aura was also consistent with the type associated with Sword Intent.

In other words, it was highly likely that Meng Yan was also a genius with extraordinary mental fortitude. Such talents were top-tier in both aptitude and temperament, possessing their own steadfast understanding of the path of immortality, largely unaffected by mundane concepts of hierarchy and superiority.

In fact, within the cultivation world, true prodigies of the immortal path almost always possessed a resolute Dao Heart, not easily disturbed by worldly matters.

“Tastes like raging fire, spicy yet not harsh… Excellent wine!”

After taking a drink, Qi Ping praised it.

Meng Yan looked at Qi Ping with surprise.
“It seems Brother Qi is also a man who understands wine!”

“My master was fond of a drink, so I’ve had some exposure.”

“Your master is…?”

“Just a minor old man at the fourth level of Qi Refining, not famous at all.”

“Anyone who could teach a disciple like you can’t be ordinary!”

“I’m merely an unknown nobody. How can I bear such praise from you, Brother Meng?”

Qi Ping was somewhat baffled by these words. Could it be that Meng Yan could see through false appearances?

“Brother Qi, you are too modest! That Blaze Crow has exceptional judgment; it would never acknowledge an ordinary person. So, you must have exceptional qualities. That’s the first reason. And the second, Brother Qi, are you aware of the concept: ‘A solidified Dao Heart gives birth to Intent’?”

“‘A solidified Dao Heart gives birth to Intent’?”

Qi Ping shook his head. He had read many texts but never come across this saying.

“It’s normal you haven’t heard of it, being a rogue cultivator, Brother Qi. This is something my master personally told me. You are aware that comprehending a True Intent is a prerequisite for advancing to the Golden Core stage, right?”

“I am aware of that, but what does it have to do with the Dao Heart?”

Qi Ping nodded; he was aware of this point.

True Intent was the prerequisite for comprehending the power of Laws. To condense a Golden Core, one must comprehend a Law’s True Intent and use that Intent to form the core.

At the same time, Meng Yan’s words made him pay serious attention. Meng Yan’s master was a Golden Core stage expert!
“Of course, it’s related. Because my master said, the further one cultivates into the late Golden Core stage, the more one perceives the importance of the Dao Heart. Only those with a firm Dao Heart can truly master the power of Law’s True Intent, without being controlled and enslaved by the power of the Laws themselves, becoming true cultivators!”

“Those with an unsteady Dao Heart are easily controlled by the power of Laws, unable to see the true nature of power! Inner Demons devouring the master, loss of control over spiritual power, becoming slaves to the power of Laws – these are not uncommon occurrences in the cultivation world. The more extreme the Law’s True Intent, the harder it is for a cultivator to control…”

“Cultivators are not what many ordinary practitioners believe them to be – mere brute force mages who can advance just with resources. Those types can never hope to explore the essence of cultivation; that’s just the most basic level.”

“My master told me that understanding the Dao Heart and giving birth to Intent is best started from the very beginning of the cultivation path. Only then can one fully comprehend their entire journey and understand their own Dao Heart. Some insights, once missed, can never be regained later.”

“And the initial first stage for those with a firm Dao Heart is the condensation of Intent. The most representative are Sword Intent and Blade Intent. They are manifestations of the combination of Law’s True Intent and personal Dao Heart. For example, Emotionless Sword Intent, Mortal World Sword Intent, Protective Sword Intent… these are all combinations of Law’s True Intent and Dao Heart.”

“And the moment I saw you, Brother Qi, I sensed that you possess an Intent about to condense, just like me. That ordinary Art of Concealment you use can’t hide it…”

“Use this instead!”

Having said this, Meng Yan took out a jade slip from his storage pouch and handed it to Qi Ping.

“This technique is called the Art of Fetal Breathing. It can conceal your cultivation level, soul aura, Intent… And this communication jade token, consider them gifts for our meeting today!”

“Currently, the Qingyuan Sect is plagued with internal and external troubles. I wish to find an ally outside their predictions and surveillance.”

“The path of immortality is not easy, Brother Qi. The fact that you, as a rogue cultivator, have reached this stage is sufficient proof of your extraordinary talent. Besides, I also firmly believe in the judgment and intuition of that Blaze Crow fellow…”

“I’ve been presumptuous and spoken too much today. I wonder if Brother Qi would be willing to form an alliance with me? I can do my best to provide you with the techniques and resources you desire.”