Wait… I’m a Druid in a Cultivation World?! - Chapter 17

Seeing the grim expressions on Wang Shan and Nan Jie’s faces, Qi Ping immediately guessed the general situation.

Things must be really bad…

“The rogue cultivators are still around—it’s even worse than a month ago…”

Wang Shan’s words sent a chill down Qi Ping’s spine.

Nan Jie picked up the conversation then. She wasn’t one for small talk, but when it came to serious matters, she always had her own insights.

“What I’ve heard matches what Brother Shan said. The rogue cultivator situation hasn’t eased—it’s gotten worse.”

“I know someone—that beekeeper from Peak 032 in District Ding, a third-level Qi Refiner. Half a month ago, he was hacked to pieces while out foraging. No signs of resistance…”

“So the rogue cultivator must be extremely strong. Everything on his peak was looted quietly—the queen bee, the honey, all gone.”

Nan Jie’s words made Qi Ping’s blood run cold.

A third-level Qi Refiner, killed without even putting up a fight?

That meant the rogue cultivator had to be at least close to the fifth level of Qi Refining, if not higher!

In other words, if Qi Ping were ambushed, he might be killed before he could even react.

Even if his Golden Marrow Bees fought back in time, the attacker could still break through their defense and kill him.

That was the weakness of insect-type spirit beasts like the Golden Marrow Bees—unless they could overwhelm the enemy instantly, there was always a chance the opponent could break through and strike at Qi Ping directly.

Qi Ping had met that beekeeper from Peak 032 in District Ding a couple of times. He was an acquaintance of Old Man Zhou. Who would’ve thought he’d been dismembered by rogue cultivators half a month ago?

Hearing this news left a bitter taste in Qi Ping’s mouth.

Wang Shan then added:

“I’ve heard about this too. The fact that the rogue cultivator could locate Peak 032 in District Ding suggests they’re very familiar with this area.”

A heavy silence fell over the group.

This was an extremely dangerous sign. If the rogue cultivator knew the terrain and the people around the Cloud Mist Mountains well, the threat level would skyrocket.

With the enemy hidden and them exposed, if they were targeted, the chances of dying were far too high.

After a long pause, Wang Shan let out a deep sigh.

“I really don’t understand why the Green Yuan Sect stopped maintaining order in Qing Stone Town. I miss the old days…”

Back then, life was hard, and they didn’t make much money, but at least safety was guaranteed.

With some effort, they could earn a decent living, occasionally gathering with fellow cultivators to drink and share a meal—life had its small joys.

Now? Just stepping outside carried the risk of being killed by rogue cultivators.

Times were tough.

Wang Shan continued:

“So unless absolutely necessary, we should avoid going out these days.”

Hearing this, Qi Ping and Nan Jie could only smile wryly.

Clearly, both of them had reasons to leave.

Qi Ping sighed helplessly.

“I don’t have enough spirit stones to pay next month’s rent. I need to sell some honey, and I also have to restock on daily and cultivation supplies.”

Previously, the honey from his Black Minor Bees had been barely enough to cover expenses for him and Old Man Zhou, though it wasn’t as comfortable as when Old Man Zhou lived alone.

Old Man Zhou had told him to stop buying Blood-Nourishing Pills for him and to just get cheap wine instead, but Qi Ping refused.

Without the pills, Old Man Zhou’s vitality would decline faster, cutting his lifespan by several years.

Since the Black Minor Bees’ output was just enough to sustain both their cultivation and living expenses—though barely—Qi Ping couldn’t justify taking away the old man’s remaining years after inheriting all his knowledge and wealth.

Now, Qi Ping no longer had that problem—Golden Marrow Honey was far superior to Blood-Nourishing Pills. But he still needed to sell honey to gather enough spirit stones.

Nan Jie nodded in agreement.

“Same here. I need to sell a batch of Spirit-Nurturing Fruits and buy materials for spiritual fertilizer. If the fertilizer runs out and the trees wither, it’ll be a disaster.”

She and Qi Ping exchanged a glance, both seeing the resignation in each other’s eyes.

Wang Shan could only shake his head helplessly. His own spirit stones were barely enough for rent—he couldn’t help much.

As for risking himself to escort Qi Ping and Nan Jie to Qing Stone Market… in his younger days, he might have. But now, he had a wife and child.

Responsibilities had long since outgrown the age of reckless bravery. He wouldn’t refuse what he could manage, but he couldn’t abandon his family.

The three of them chatted about recent events in Qing Stone County while waiting to see if anyone else would show up, hoping for more companions to travel to the market together.

More people meant more safety.

Especially since all members of the Fortunate Life Society practiced the Art of Concealment—rogue cultivators would hesitate to attack if they couldn’t gauge their strength.

It was worth mentioning that Wang Shan had freely shared this technique with all society members, hoping to give everyone an extra layer of protection.

That alone spoke volumes about his character.

Unfortunately, after a long wait, no one else arrived.

Most were likely avoiding travel due to the rogue cultivator threat.

“Looks like it’s just the two of us, Little Qi. But don’t worry—Nan Jie’s got your back! With both of us together, most rogue cultivators won’t dare make a move. We’ll just take backroads and stay cautious.”

Sensing Qi Ping’s unease, Nan Jie reassured him.

She knew his cultivation wasn’t high, so for the past few years, she’d made a habit of bringing him along whenever their paths aligned.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Nan Jie.”

Qi Ping didn’t refuse—he knew she meant well.

Even with his Golden Marrow Bees, having Nan Jie—close to fifth-level Qi Refining—by his side would greatly improve their safety and margin for error.

Just as Qi Ping and Nan Jie bid Wang Shan farewell and prepared to take a side path to Qing Stone Town, a young man brimming with energy strode into the Fortunate Life Society’s courtyard.

“Brother Shan! Sister Nan! Brother Qi! You’re all here!”

That youthful face and lively tone could only belong to Lin Chaoyang, the second-youngest member of the society.

Two years younger than Qi Ping and already at the second level of Qi Refining, Lin Chaoyang had better talent than him.

He came from a wealthy mortal family and, perhaps due to being overly sheltered, still retained an almost naive enthusiasm. Still, he was a good-natured person.

Wang Shan had met him during one of his wanderings and, seeing his decent character, introduced him to the society.

True to form, Lin Chaoyang burst into excited speech the moment he entered:

“Listen! I just heard that a minor secret realm is about to appear at the border between Qing Stone County and White Cloud County! Any Qi Refining cultivator can enter to seek opportunities—have you all heard?”

“A secret realm accessible to Qi Refiners?”

Qi Ping, Nan Jie, and Wang Shan all shook their heads—this was news to them.

“Then let me tell you!” Lin Chaoyang launched into an animated explanation:

“The situation with the secret realm is… well, that’s the gist of it! It’ll probably open in about a month!”

“In the path of cultivation, opportunities come first—no opportunities, no immortality!”

“Brother Shan, Sister Nan, Brother Qi, why don’t we all go try our luck? Who knows—we might stumble upon a great opportunity!”