Wait… I’m a Druid in a Cultivation World?! - Chapter 106

Conflicts in this world are inevitable. Even though Meng Yan possessed extraordinary talent and had a Golden Core master as his backer, he couldn’t guarantee his own survival in this complex dispute.

Forget about him; could even his Golden Core master, or the Yuan Infant Ancestors within the Qingyuan Sect, truly rest easy?

The higher one’s position, the closer one is to the center of resource distribution, the more eyes are watching.

He had come to Qingshi County precisely to avoid the most intense whirlpools of conflict and focus on comprehending the Dao and breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

He was fortunate to have a Golden Core master; otherwise, he too would find himself forced into actions against his will in many situations.

But even so, he felt entangled in schemes, constantly under watch.

Qi Ping’s appearance sparked an idea in his mind: to find an unexpected source of help and an ally for himself.

His choice of Qi Ping was the result of careful consideration.

The first time he saw Qi Ping, cloaked in black robes, he couldn’t discern much and didn’t pay much attention.

But when the Blaze Crow decisively chose Qi Ping, he realized Qi Ping was no ordinary man.

Later, out of concern for the Blaze Crow and curiosity about Qi Ping, he specifically inquired about Qi Ping from Boss Gao.

Through various deductions, he came to understand that Qi Ping likely concealed unusual strength. He also learned from Boss Gao about some of Qi Ping’s past actions, style, and character.

Consequently, he instructed Boss Gao to be sure keep Qi Ping’s information confidential.

But that alone was far from sufficient for Qi Ping to qualify as his ally.

It wasn’t until today that he discovered Qi Ping actually seemed to be on the verge of condensing an Intent!
That meant Qi Ping was close to reaching the first stage of Dao Heart cultivation – condensing Intent!
For a rogue cultivator like Qi Ping, this was utterly astounding!

Moreover, Qi Ping had just said he hadn’t even heard of the saying ‘A solidified Dao Heart gives birth to Intent’ – meaning Qi Ping had reached this stage spontaneously!

Whereas he himself had only gradually embarked on this path under the guidance of his Golden Core master!
This suggested that Qi Ping’s innate talent might even surpass his own.

Having reached this point, condensing Intent and comprehending a Rule’s True Intent shouldn’t be far off for Qi Ping. With the resources and techniques he could provide, it was hard to say which of them would break through to Foundation Establishment first!
This, combined with the Blaze Crow’s recognition of Qi Ping and Boss Gao’s high regard for him, solidified his resolve.

Boss Gao had seen countless people and rarely misjudged character. Along with the Blaze Crow’s presence, he was certain that Qi Ping was a worthwhile ally.

Bonded by rapport and mutual benefit, such cooperation should be stable enough.

As for Qi Ping being a rogue cultivator, what he needed went without saying, and the items he sought to purchase this time precisely proved that point.

As for the opportunities and secrets Qi Ping might possess, Meng Yan wasn’t overly interested. Every cultivator had their own resources; it was normal.

Being a disciple of a Golden Core cultivator, possessing innate talent himself, and having already comprehended a Law’s True Intent…

All he awaited was the solidification of his Dao Heart and the birth of his Intent. That would be the moment he could fuse the power of the Law’s True Intent and break through to Foundation Establishment!
From there, his path would be smooth, advancing triumphantly all the way to Golden Core!

What use did he have for vague, elusive chances?
His goal was to tread the path of immortality, to become a supreme powerhouse, not to be one of those brute force mages, enslaved by power without even realizing it!

Meanwhile, Qi Ping’s inner world was roiling with shock after hearing Meng Yan’s words.

The impact of these words was simply too great for him!
So, cultivating the heart and comprehending the Dao was far more important than ordinary cultivators realized.

Without understanding one’s Dao Heart, one ultimately remained merely a slave to the Laws and spiritual power!

The power of the world’s Laws is so vast and profound; how could mediocre individuals ever hope to easily control it?

No wonder, after his two epiphanies and continuously clarifying his true heart, Qi Ping’s ability to control spiritual power had grown stronger and stronger!
So that was why!

Thinking of this, Qi Ping immediately stood up and bowed solemnly to Meng Yan.

“Thank you, Brother Meng, for resolving my confusion!”

The kindness of imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and resolving doubts fully warranted such respect from Qi Ping, especially since what Meng Yan spoke of were Golden Core stage insights.

As for Meng Yan deducing his hidden strength, it was perfectly normal. If Boss Gao could see Qi Ping’s unusual qualities, how could Meng Yan fail to notice?
The only thing that truly surprised Qi Ping was the discourse on the Dao Heart. Not only did it explain his easily detectable Dao Heart Intent, but it also clarified a fundamental aspect of cultivation that had puzzled Qi Ping, making his path forward suddenly clear and bright!

Those who haven’t reached this stage would struggle to understand the true meaning of Meng Yan’s words, but for those genuinely perplexed by it, the effect was no exaggeration to call ‘enlightening’.

Furthermore, Meng Yan’s invitation also surprised him quite a bit.

He didn’t doubt the sincerity of these words.

Because his natural perception had reacted earlier, but not as a warning; it was more a feeling of sudden clarity and inspiration.

Thus, this matter posed no misfortune for him, but rather promised significant benefits.

Qi Ping just hadn’t realized the situation in the Qingyuan Sect had deteriorated to this extent, with internal strife and external threats forcing even someone like Meng Yan, a disciple of a Golden Core elder, to begin preparing contingencies.

This complex conflict had reached a point where even someone of Meng Yan’s status couldn’t avoid it.

As for Meng Yan’s proposal of an alliance, Qi Ping was naturally very willing.

As an ally, it would be much more convenient for him to ask Meng Yan to help him obtain sufficient resources.

If he could earn enough spirit stones, having Meng Yan as a channel would simplify acquiring many precious techniques and resources. Of course, Qi Ping naturally wouldn’t let Meng Yan suffer losses either.

So, Qi Ping continued earnestly:
“To be able to become Brother Meng’s ally is a fortune for me. If there is ever a need, I will certainly assist with all my strength!”

“Good, good, good! Forming an alliance with Brother Qi is also my fortune. I’ll finish this bowl of wine first!”

Meng Yan laughed heartily, then downed the entire large bowl of wine in one go!

Qi Ping didn’t lag behind either, similarly raising his wine bowl and draining it.

The spicy heat of the Fire Crow wine instantly penetrated Qi Ping’s entire body, and dense spiritual energy immediately filled him. This spiritual energy was even more concentrated than that from the Fire Ginseng Honey.

After spending some time refining the spiritual energy within him, a fiery, pleasant sensation spread throughout Qi Ping’s body.

It was indeed a rare, fine wine!

Then Meng Yan took the initiative to speak again.

“Brother Qi, regarding comprehending the Dao Heart, how about we each describe our experiences and the process of understanding our Dao Hearts? The Dao Heart is difficult to grasp. If we can compare and verify our understandings, it would benefit us both.”

“Nothing would please me more!”

“Then let me speak first!”

“Please, Brother Meng!”

“I was born into a blacksmithing family, learning the art of artifact refining from a young age… Later, I was recognized by my master and brought into the Qingyuan Sect…”

Meng Yan then spoke of his many experiences and the insights he gained from them, how they tempered his Dao Heart.

Every experience and every insight Meng Yan shared resonated deeply with Qi Ping.

Especially the many interwoven concepts and understandings about cultivation, which helped Qi Ping fill many gaps in his foundational knowledge.

After Meng Yan finished his account, Qi Ping also began to describe his own process of comprehending the Dao…

Their conversation lasted for over two hours without them even realizing it!
During this discourse on the Dao, Qi Ping and Meng Yan gradually came to know each other.

Meng Yan used artifact refining to comprehend the Dao, and also used the methods of refining to temper his cultivation and Dao Heart. For him, refining was the best way to understand the Dao.

Qi Ping’s path was more complex – farming, beast taming, engaging with the mortal world…
These two different approaches to Dao comprehension gave both men significant inspiration. Even during their discussion, they pondered and gained new clarity, causing both their Dao Heart Intents to grow slightly more potent.

Their control over spiritual power and Law’s True Intent also improved by a level.

After the discourse ended, the two looked at each other and smiled. This exchange was an unexpected delight for both, and their harvest was plentiful!

It also fostered a deeper sense of mutual appreciation between them.

Finding a fellow Daoist with whom one could sincerely discuss the Dao was quite a rare occurrence for each of them.

If before the discourse, their relationship was primarily a cooperation based on benefit,
after the discourse, they began to genuinely respect each other from the heart.

Because a person’s words and experiences can be fabricated, but one’s comprehension of the Dao and cultivation of the heart cannot be falsified, especially when verified by that special Dao Heart Intent. It most accurately reflects a cultivator’s true state.

For example, a cultivator practicing the Path of Emotionlessness could never convincingly pretend to be deeply sentimental and righteous, because once bound by emotion, their Dao Heart would collapse, breeding inner demons and half-destroying their cultivation!

So, after the discourse, the two gradually became more familiar, shedding the initial sense of strangeness.

Once the discourse concluded, Meng Yan brought up the matter of the Blaze Crow again.

He was still concerned about the Blaze Crow’s condition, after all, it had indirectly helped him, and he had once saved its life.

“By the way, Brother Qi, how is the recovery of the Blaze Crow you bought from me last time?”

Qi Ping smiled in response:

“Brother Meng, you can see for yourself.”

Then Qi Ping directly released Ya Ya. When Meng Yan saw Ya Ya’s appearance, his eyes instantly widened!