“What I need most urgently right now are second-order spirit medicine seeds or live second-order spirit plants, especially those of the fire attribute!”
Fire-attributed spirit medicines are the foundation for him and Crow Crow to rapidly increase their levels.
In theory, a first-order high-level fire-attributed spirit plant could be cultivated for five hundred years as well, but that growth efficiency is just too slow. Qi Ping estimated it would be at least four or five times slower.
Even though he now has a longer lifespan, he can’t possibly waste that much time on such things.
“And spirit stones are also a problem.”
Buying the second-order formations and the first-order cultivation methods and spell knowledge not only depleted all the spirit stones Qi Ping had saved up, but also cost him a fair amount of star essence.
Right now, Qi Ping could be described as completely broke.
“But it’s not easy to get my hands on second-order spirit medicines right now.”
Not long ago, Meng Yan sent word that he had been put in charge of one of the large spirit veins ceded by the Tianhuo Pavilion. As one of the responsible persons, he now manages the planting and leasing operations there, and no longer has the spare time to help Qi Ping gather these resources.
This is also a learning opportunity for Meng Yan himself, and it’s key to him steadily advancing to core positions within the sect.
So Qi Ping couldn’t really keep troubling Meng Yan and distracting him from his own work.
Of course, the most critical reason was that Qi Ping simply didn’t dare to go into the territory of the Tianhuo Pavilion. After all, he had killed quite a few of their gifted disciples before. The large spirit vein Meng Yan was responsible for was bound to be a place of intense overt and covert struggles right now. Going there would be far too risky.
“So this time, I won’t trouble Brother Meng. Besides, if star essence and moon essence appear too frequently through him, that also carries risks.”
“Coincidentally, the Qingtian Domain has recently introduced a number of trade policies and tax reduction policies. Many merchants are coming out to do business. Maybe I’ll be able to acquire some decent things!”
Thinking of this, Qi Ping couldn’t help but feel a bit of interest. And since the Qingtian Domain now had a basic level of safety, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go out for a walk.
Post-war reconstruction – a hundred things waiting to be revived!
Qi Ping was actually somewhat interested in the post-war reconstruction of the cultivation world. He thought he might take the opportunity to observe the different facets of life and temper his Dao heart. As long as he was careful and cautious, basic safety probably wouldn’t be an issue.
“I’ll go out for a trip then!”
Having stayed in his territory for so long, he was also feeling a bit cooped up.
It would be good to go out, relax his mind, and look around.
After making up his mind, Qi Ping began to prepare seriously.
First, he engraved a [Mysterious Gold Killing Array] onto his [Dark Stone Scale Armor]!
Now, after years of forging and tempering by the Dark Iron Tree, the armor’s strength was already no less than that of a second-order mid-level spiritual tool, and possibly even surpassed it.
The spiritual nature contained within was also extraordinary, with a very unique metal-attribute energy surrounding it.
Based on this foundation, and with the support of [Natural Sanctuary] and [Farming Domain], Qi Ping engraved the second-order mid-level [Mysterious Gold Killing Array] onto the armor.
Once Qi Ping chose to activate it, he could draw upon the spiritual power within the [Dark Stone Scale Armor] and his own spiritual power to briefly unleash power slightly weaker than the Mysterious Gold Killing Array in his territory.
But even if it was somewhat weaker, it was still enough to pose a considerable threat to late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Additionally, he had already cultivated the Foundation Establishment-level spell [Sword Control Technique] to perfection. Based on that, he had improved it into a more suitable spell for himself, the [Armor Control Technique]. Combined with the ability to control metal from his [Metal-Stone Body], his armor control could now be described as elusive.
After finishing the Dark Stone Scale Armor, Qi Ping further improved the [Embryonic Breathing Technique] and the [Facial Changing Bone Shrinking Skill], merging them into a single technique perfectly suited for altering his appearance, body shape, and aura: the [Thousand Transformations Myriad Metamorphoses Art].
The name of this technique also represented Qi Ping’s vision for the future: he naturally wanted to reach a realm of a thousand transformations, so that no one could lock onto his true identity.
However, to make the aura and transformations perfectly realistic, the [Thousand Transformations Myriad Metamorphoses Art] required him to practice each form individually, ensuring the highest degree of verisimilitude.
After making all the preparations, Qi Ping chose a day to step out of the Yunwu Mountain Range.
This time, Qi Ping transformed into a weathered-looking middle-aged man. Beneath his thin robes was a body that had endured wind and snow.
In terms of aura, Qi Ping maintained the early Foundation Establishment realm, but hid his Dao heart realization and his comprehension of the true intent of the laws.
After all, he was going out to buy second-order spirit medicines. If his aura was that of a Qi Condensation cultivator, it might bring a lot of unnecessary trouble.
For example, people questioning why a mere Qi Condensation cultivator wanted to buy second-order spirit medicines.
Or, a Qi Condensation cultivator buying second-order spirit medicines was like a child walking through the market carrying gold.
Such actions would be too likely to cause unnecessary conflicts, and Qi Ping had no interest in deliberately playing the pig to eat the tiger.
In addition, this time when Qi Ping went out, he also brought along Crow Crow, who had already broken through to the mid-second order with the help of the Blazing Sun Wood; the Hundred Pupils Flower Demon, who had broken through to the early second order after systematic training; and a swarm of Ground Armor Bees that had practiced an improved formation battle array.
Beyond that, Qi Ping brought his [Dark Stone Scale Armor] and a set of exquisite spells.
For his first stop, Qi Ping chose the Qingshi Market, the closest one to him. On the way to Qingshi Market, Qi Ping saw many loose cultivators, both old residents of Qingshi County and quite a few outside cultivators.
“It looks like the Qingyuan Sect’s methods to attract outside cultivators have worked. In less than a year, they’ve drawn in so many!”
Among these people, Qi Ping’s keen senses picked up a vibe of vitality and hope. Their eyes had even become more spirited.
“It seems that as long as the environment is good, the cultivation world will never lack ordinary loose cultivators.”
“Other places are plagued by internal competition and high pressure. But now, Qingyuan Sect is offering preferential rent and tax policies. Saving dozens or even hundreds of spirit stones a year under these conditions, there’s really no reason not to come.”
Putting himself in their shoes, Qi Ping felt that if he had been an ordinary loose cultivator back then with such an opportunity, he would inevitably have been tempted. And he could predict that for many years to come, as long as there was no war, the best time to make money would be to enter now.
Walking along, with Qi Ping’s Foundation Establishment speed, he quickly arrived at Qingshi Market.
Seeing the bustling scene inside, Qi Ping couldn’t help but marvel at the tenacious vitality of loose cultivators.
With the suppression of the three great families gone from Qingshi County, the vibrant energy pervading the loose cultivator community seemed even more intense than before the war.
After entering the market, Qi Ping neither deliberately suppressed nor released his aura. When the loose cultivators saw Qi Ping, they voluntarily made way for him.
Regardless of Qi Ping’s specific identity, the mere fact of his Foundation Establishment aura was enough to make them feel awe and fear. There was no one foolish enough to provoke Qi Ping; some even respectfully waited for Qi Ping to pass before moving on.
Only after Qi Ping had walked a good distance did these cultivators start discussing in hushed tones:
“Who is this Foundation Establishment cultivator? I haven’t seen him before?”
“I’ve inquired about all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in Qingshi County, and I don’t recall anyone like him.”
“Could he be an outside Foundation Establishment cultivator?”
Discussions buzzed around, and looks of envy, awe, and fear showed on every face.
This was the deterrent power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator among loose cultivators!
After walking for a while, Qi Ping chose the most luxurious shop in Qingshi Market, the [Treasure Gathering Merchant Guild], and stepped inside.
This guild had been operating in Qingshi County for several hundred years. In the past, Qi Ping wouldn’t have dared to set foot inside; back then, he was truly poor and weak.
But this time was different. As soon as Qi Ping stepped into the Treasure Gathering Merchant Guild, the staff inside sensed his aura. The most beautiful female cultivator in the shop immediately welcomed him with great enthusiasm, carefully and warmly asking what kind of tea and refreshments Qi Ping would like.
Qi Ping finally experienced first-hand the change in status that came with the Foundation Establishment realm.
Indeed, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, beautiful female cultivators without talent were no longer considered anything rare. If he wished, a large number of female cultivators would willingly offer themselves to serve him.
After Qi Ping had waited for a moment, a manager at the peak of Qi Condensation hurried out and respectfully escorted Qi Ping into a private room.
“Senior, our humble shop has received you poorly, please forgive us!”
Although this manager was at the peak of Qi Condensation, he clearly knew that this was a chasm he could never cross in his entire lifetime.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m just here to buy some things today.”
Qi Ping told them to relax. He hadn’t expected to receive such high-standard treatment just for buying something.
“May I ask what you would like to purchase, Senior? I will give you the biggest discount within my authority!” the manager said respectfully.
“I want to buy some second-order spirit medicines. Which second-order spirit medicines do you have for sale?”
Qi Ping didn’t have high demands. He could buy any type back for the pharmacist bees to research for honey, but fire-attribute spirit medicines would be best.
But as soon as Qi Ping spoke, an awkward expression appeared on the manager’s face. He spoke somewhat nervously.
“Senior, our humble shop doesn’t sell any second-order spirit medicines.”
“Hmm? Isn’t your shop one of the best in Qingshi Market? How come you don’t even have second-order spirit medicines?” Qi Ping looked at the manager in confusion.
“Senior, this is your first time in the Qingtian Domain, isn’t it? To be honest with you, second-order spirit medicines are scarce here and are also strictly controlled resources. To buy second-order spirit medicines, you have to pay a high price and get them from people within the Qingyuan Sect’s system… or occasionally they might be sold in larger cities.”
