"This... I think I'll pass." Lin Feng shook his head. "I'm not interested in that so-called Strange Treasure right now. I have other matters to attend to..."
If he weren't plagued by the stagnation of his cultivation, Lin Feng would certainly have been tempted to join the excitement surrounding the treasure. But as things stood, his heart simply wasn't in it.
"Not interested?" Sword Guest's eyes widened slightly, staring at Lin Feng incredulously. After all, the emergence of a Strange Treasure capable of triggering celestial phenomena was something few cultivators could resist. The sheer number of cultivators gathered in Star City was proof enough – even several major sects nearby had dispatched representatives. For Lin Feng to declare he was 'not interested' was utterly baffling.
However, Sword Guest then noticed a trace of troubled worry in Lin Feng's eyes. He couldn't help but ask, "You seem troubled by something, Fellow Daoist Lin? Is there anything I can help with?"
"No need, but thank you for your kindness..." Lin Feng began to decline, but then reconsidered. Sword Guest likely had broader experience and knowledge. He asked casually, "Actually, I've been searching for 'Snow Sprout Pills'. I visited every pill shop in Star City today and found none. By any chance, do you have any relevant information, Fellow Daoist Jianke?"
"Snow Sprout Pill?" Sword Guest blinked, then frowned thoughtfully. "Fellow Daoist Lin, are you planning to use it for cultivation? Forgive my bluntness, but while the Snow Sprout Pill has remarkable effects, relying on such pills during the Foundation Building stage is generally ill-advised. Cultivation achieved through steady, diligent effort is always more stable than that forcibly elevated by pills. Considering your long-term future, I believe it's better to minimize pill usage now."
Lin Feng offered a bitter smile. "Believe me, I understand that principle. It's just... to be honest, I've encountered a problem in my cultivation. For some unknown reason, my progress has been stalled indefinitely. Even consuming Spirit Nurturing Pills has no effect. In desperation, I thought of trying the Snow Sprout Pill to see if it could resolve this issue."
"Oh? I see..." Sword Guest nodded in sudden understanding, his expression turning sympathetic. He patted Lin Feng's shoulder reassuringly. "The path of cultivation is fraught with countless difficulties. Hitting an occasional bottleneck is perfectly normal. Don't lose heart, Fellow Daoist Lin. Since you have your own reasons, I won't press further. However..."
He paused, organizing his thoughts before continuing. "The Snow Sprout Pill, despite being targeted at Foundation Building cultivators, is classified as a Grade Three pill. Only a Grade Three Alchemist can refine it. Moreover, as far as I know, the pill's formula has never been made public. What is known externally are merely a few of its constituent spirit herbs. Star City boasts four Grade Three Alchemists, but it's doubtful any of them actually know how to refine the Snow Sprout Pill..."
"Huh? Is that so?" Lin Feng's brow furrowed deeply, a wave of profound disappointment washing over him. He pressed, "Then, Fellow Daoist Jianke, do you know where one might find Snow Sprout Pills?"
"In Floating Snow City, along the western border of the Xia Kingdom, they are frequently sold. But that's quite far away..." Sword Guest's knowledge of the Xia Kingdom's cultivation world proved extensive. He spoke deliberately, "Closer to Star City... the only place I know of is the Lingyue Sect, located about eight hundred li to the west. They possess the Snow Sprout Pill formula and should have the pills within their sect. However, they never sell them to outsiders."
"The Lingyue Sect?" A spark of hope lit in Lin Feng's eyes. He had heard of this sect. The pills sold at the Kou Family's Fragrant Pill Shop in Azure Cloud City were sourced from the Lingyue Sect. Kou Xuyun had mentioned it was a Fourth Grade Sect, primarily focused on alchemy.
Sword Guest confirmed, "Yes, the Lingyue Sect definitely has Snow Sprout Pills. But they never sell them to outsiders. If you intend to seek pills from them, Fellow Daoist Lin, I'm afraid it will be... extremely difficult."
Though the challenge seemed immense, at least it was a tangible lead. Lin Feng clasped his fists gratefully. "Understood. Thank you for sharing this information, Fellow Daoist Jianke."
"Heh, no need for thanks. Honestly, this information isn't particularly valuable. You could have learned it by asking around more," Sword Guest waved dismissively. Then, unable to resist, he tried tempting Lin Feng again. "But, since it's unlikely you'll find the Snow Sprout Pill here in Star City anyway, why not set that matter aside for now? Are you sure you have no interest in the Strange Treasure on Great Python Mountain? To be frank, I acquired a very useful secret piece of information today. If you agree to partner with me, I'll share it with you. How about it?"
"..." Lin Feng stared at the man, feeling a mixture of exasperation and amusement. He shook his head firmly. "I'll pass. A minor Foundation Building cultivator like myself, only at the second layer, has no business wading into such murky waters."
"Aiya!! What a pity..." Sword Guest sighed dramatically, his disappointment palpable.
"Alright, I'll say no more. I'm heading back to my room now. Goodbye."
Worried Sword Guest might persist, Lin Feng gave a quick farewell salute and swiftly retreated into his room.
"The Lingyue Sect, hm? If I truly can't find the Snow Sprout Pill here in Star City, then trying there is my only option..."
Lin Feng mulled over the information Sword Guest had provided, turning it over in his mind. He formulated a rough plan. While Sword Guest had said it was unlikely any alchemist in Star City could refine the Snow Sprout Pill, he still felt compelled to try. He resolved to visit one of the Grade Three Alchemists tomorrow.
"A Strange Treasure... come to think of it, I nearly forgot my original purpose for coming to Star City..."
Another thought surfaced. He flicked his right hand, and an ancient-looking animal hide scroll materialized from his storage ring. This was the 'treasure map' he had acquired from the infamous Thirteen Tyrants of Star City. His initial reason for choosing Star City had been to investigate the location marked on this map. However, the crippling anxiety over his stalled cultivation had almost pushed this objective completely out of his mind.
"Since I'm already here, I should at least look. Finding whatever treasure this map points to would make this trip worthwhile."
Muttering to himself, Lin Feng retrieved another item from his storage ring – a grey jade slip. This was a map of the Star City vicinity he had purchased while browsing the shops earlier.
He first scrutinized the geographical features depicted on the animal hide scroll once more. Then, he focused his spiritual sense into the map jade slip, carefully examining its detailed contents.
"Found it! It's here!!"
Before long, a surge of quiet excitement washed over him. Within the map recorded in the jade slip, he had located an area that bore a striking resemblance to the terrain shown on the treasure map.
"Huh? This place is..." But then, Lin Feng's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He withdrew his spiritual sense from the jade slip and opened his eyes, a look of astonishment flashing within them.
"It couldn't be this coincidental..."
He turned his gaze back to the treasure map spread out before him, his expression utterly bewildered. "Great Python Mountain... it's actually there?!"
The revelation was genuinely shocking. The location depicted on his treasure map was none other than Great Python Mountain, situated north of Star City!
In other words, the place currently buzzing with rumors of the Strange Treasure and the location of the 'treasure' marked on Lin Feng's map... were one and the same!!