“Perhaps befriending this woman in red might prove valuable in the future!”
After much thought, Qi Ping could only tentatively attribute the [Nature Sense] talent’s premonition of good fortune to this reason.
However, he couldn’t be entirely certain. In the past game, this skill was only useful in specific dungeons. Now applied to the world of cultivation, its true practical effects were something Qi Ping was still exploring.
But as long as he could confirm there was no danger, that was sufficient. Other matters could be handled as opportunities arose.
“Later, I can inquire with Brother Meng about this person, understand this woman’s background and conduct, and then decide on my next steps.”
Moreover, since the other party had shown goodwill, Qi Ping naturally had no intention of taking action.
He still remembered Boss Gao saying this woman had Foundation Establishment cultivators protecting her from the shadows.
Even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator were to attack, Qi Ping was confident he could decisively eliminate the people before him, then deal with the Foundation Establishment cultivator behind them… and finally collect the spoils…
While that might sound exhilarating, not to mention the potential losses to his bee swarm, if he kept making enemies like this, Qi Ping truly feared he might one day be killed in some inexplicable manner—especially when dealing with people of such influential backgrounds and high status.
The fact that Meng Yan, who had eliminated so many geniuses from rival sects, had not moved against this woman was telling in itself.
Furthermore, based on Qi Ping’s understanding of the cultivation world, if one wanted to survive well, it was best to avoid trouble unless absolutely necessary. Otherwise, provoking those old-timers who had lived long, seen much, understood tracking, and were skilled in schemes could lead to a death whose cause remained unknown.
Every year in the cultivation world, many such arrogant, youthful geniuses and prodigies met their end.
These geniuses and prodigies, believing themselves destined by heaven to defy all odds, were, in the eyes of those cultivators who had lived for unknown centuries, merely fools or walking experience points and chess pieces.
However, what concerned Qi Ping more was that the appearance of this woman in red made him realize another issue.
His channels for obtaining resources and conducting transactions were far too limited. Currently, if he wanted to trade for items, he could only make purchases through Meng Yan.
While this might be acceptable in the short term, if it continued long-term, it would inevitably expose many of his secrets.
Although Meng Yan seemed completely trustworthy so far, and he himself might not overthink things, what about others who were watching Meng Yan?
All transaction records left traces. As Meng Yan helped Qi Ping purchase more and more items, Meng Yan’s enemies, both internal and external, would undoubtedly discover many discrepancies.
In the end, this could pose not only a risk to Qi Ping but also a significant danger to Meng Yan himself.
It was only now that Qi Ping realized this problem.
“Fortunately, it’s not too late to realize this now! Therefore, I must gradually seek out new trading partners.”
“Only by using multiple transaction channels to buy and sell items can I better conceal myself.”
“Especially in the future, as the value of the items I sell and purchase increases, the more centralized the channels, the greater the likelihood of attracting unwanted attention.”
This was absolutely not Qi Ping being overly anxious. Based on what he knew, both in his previous life and now, there were far too many examples of people being targeted, leading to the destruction of their families or their own deaths, precisely because of such matters.
“Perhaps this is the reason the [Nature Sense] talent had a premonition?”
Qi Ping wasn’t entirely sure, but realizing this problem was ultimately a good thing. In the art of survival, he was still too inexperienced! There was much more he needed to learn.
On the path of cultivation, one must still think thrice before acting, proceeding with caution at every step!
Having clarified these thoughts, Qi Ping decided that if he later confirmed this woman could be a suitable trading partner, he could try to develop her into one of his transaction channels.
This woman was no pushover, but she likely came from an extraordinary background and was intelligent enough.
She probably also possessed a talent or item for sensing danger.
That’s why she immediately intercepted her maidservant the moment Qi Ping felt a flicker of killing intent, swiftly proceeding with punishment, apology, compensation, and even attempting to build a friendly relationship with Qi Ping.
Her entire sequence of actions was enough to reveal this woman’s style of conduct.
…
While the woman in red was apologizing and offering compensation to Qi Ping, the four maidservants behind her were utterly stunned.
Especially the one who had been struck. Usually, she was the most favored by her mistress!
Yet today, her mistress had beaten her to this state for the sake of a man!
Just what status did this man dressed as a lowly rogue cultivator hold?
To deserve such treatment from their mistress!
Given their mistress’s status, ordinary people couldn’t even get through the door if they wanted to befriend her.
But now, she was acting this way towards this man named Qi Ping!
Little did they know, if their mistress hadn’t acted as she did, all of them, including their mistress, would have been utterly annihilated!
Because Qi Ping was someone who either avoided conflict entirely or eradicated the enemy root and branch. He would absolutely not give an enemy the chance to return and bring reinforcements to kill him.
“It was a minor matter! I accept the apology, but there’s no need for compensation! I do happen to need Soul-Nurturing Grass and can purchase it at market price!” Qi Ping responded with a smile.
As he spoke, he took out a sum of spirit stones from his storage pouch and used his spiritual power to float them over to the woman in red.
Seeing Qi Ping’s action, the noblewoman in red felt a flicker of surprise. People who didn’t like taking advantage of free offers were rare.
This behavior of Qi Ping’s also made the woman in red view him more highly in her heart. Such a person was precisely the type described in her family’s teachings as most suitable to develop into a family partner.
So, after glancing at the spirit stones, she said:
“Young Master’s magnanimity truly impresses this humble one. Then, I shall shamelessly accept this sum of spirit stones.”
Having said that, the woman in red stored Qi Ping’s spirit stones in her storage ring, then smiled brightly again:
“Young Master, this humble one is named Hong Li (Red Carp), from the Ning Mountain Family. For today’s offense, Hong Li will seek another opportunity to apologize properly to you. I shall not disturb you further today.”
After speaking, Hong Li bowed slightly to Qi Ping once more, then took her leave with her maidservants.
After seeing Hong Li depart, Qi Ping’s first action was to place all valuable items from the mountain peak and the spirit-origin stone pillars underground into his storage pouch. Then, he immediately transformed into a bee and left the area.
Although this woman named Hong Li harbored no hostility towards Qi Ping, he would absolutely never entrust his safety to someone else’s discretion.
From now on, he planned to leave this place to the bees. They would be responsible for sowing, harvesting, loosening the soil for the Hundred Spirit Grasses, and monitoring any movements on the mountain peak for Qi Ping.
Only after traveling far from the mountain did Qi Ping begin to ponder the recent events.
“The Ning Mountain Family… Hong Li… Just what kind of force is this?” Qi Ping had never heard of this faction.
So, Qi Ping sent a message to Meng Yan using a communication talisman.
Afterwards, Qi Ping wandered around the Misty Cloud Mountains for several more days, ensuring it was safe, before heading to the location he had chosen, ready to begin constructing his personal territory.
