Lin Chaoyang embarked on the path of Cultivation after acquiring a Cultivation Technique through a fortuitous Opportunity, so he firmly believed in the concept of Opportunity!
However, upon hearing Lin Chaoyang's excited words, Qi Ping and the other two fell silent.
None of them were easily convinced by things like Secret Realms.
If there truly were good Secret Realms, how could news of them spread so easily?
They would have long been occupied by the upper-level Cultivators of Sects and great Families! How could it be an ordinary person's turn?
Normally, good things wouldn't be left for the lower levels; if they appeared, it was highly probable they were honey Wrapped in poison.
Wang Shan, the elder brother, was mature, steady, and meticulous, and his style meant he wouldn't easily believe such rumors.
Nan Jie was the same, and her vigilance was even higher than Wang Shan's.
As for Qi Ping, he feared just hearing the words Secret Realm.
In Qi Ping's impression, anything involving the words 'Secret Realm,' whether due to the Secret Realm's inherent risks or the conflicts between Cultivators, invariably led to many deaths.
Qi Ping now only wanted to steadily farm and raise Bees, gradually increasing his strength, with absolutely no interest in adventuring.
Moreover, even if Qi Ping hadn't Awakened his Druid profession, he would still prefer to quietly raise his Black Little Bees and live a Mortal life free from worries about food and clothing.
It was a pity that Lin Chaoyang was in high spirits and simple-minded, so he didn't grasp the meaning behind the silence of Qi Ping and the other two.
And to not dampen Lin Chaoyang's enthusiasm, and also to subtly advise the newcomer he brought back, the elder brother Wang Shan pondered for a moment before saying:
"Chaoyang, Secret Realms come in many types. Some offer abundant Opportunities, allowing one to soar to great heights, but such cases are rare…"
"Most Secret Realms are extremely dangerous. There might be killing formations within, or traps set by evil Cultivators, and you might even encounter Advanced Cultivators who enjoy slaughtering and robbing Cultivators."
"There's still plenty of time, so we can wait until we've gathered all the information before making a decision. If the danger is high, we must think twice before acting."
Lin Chaoyang nodded in agreement after listening:
"Brother Shan, you're always so thorough! I'll go gather more information and research it. I'll discuss any new developments with you all!"
Just as Qi Ping and the other two inwardly nodded, thinking Wang Shan's persuasion was effective, Lin Chaoyang's next sentence immediately made them realize Wang Shan's words were in vain.
"When the time comes, we'll formulate a meticulous plan together, seize an Opportunity in the Secret Realm, and then share it!"
After saying this, Lin Chaoyang, without waiting for their reply, eagerly rushed off to gather more information about the Secret Realm.
It seemed as if he delayed even a little, the Secret Realm's Opportunity would slip through his fingers.
Lin Chaoyang's excitement caused the three to fall silent once more.
After a long while, Wang Shan spoke with a complex expression:
"Do you think I was wrong to bring Chaoyang into our Fusheng Society? He comes from a wealthy Mortal Family and has never known the treachery of human hearts since childhood."
"After gaining an Opportunity and entering the Cultivation World, he met our Fusheng Society and hasn't witnessed the cunning of the Cultivation World. Chaoyang is simple-minded; he seems to think most Cultivators in the world are good."
"I suddenly feel that our kindness towards him might have harmed him."
"However, the concept of Opportunity is not entirely false. Although the probability is low, Chaoyang did embark on the Cultivation path because of an Opportunity, so he might indeed be a person of profound fortune; if we forcefully interfere and stop him, would it not be akin to obstructing his Dao? Besides, we may not even be in the right."
Wang Shan's complex words resonated deeply with Qi Ping and Nan Jie.
They also couldn't be certain they were right; they had simply made a more cautious choice.
"If Chaoyang comes to us again then, while refusing him, we'll try to dissuade him subtly. If he insists on going, we can't force him," Nan Jie uncharacteristically said.
"That works. After all, we shouldn't interfere with others' choices. We can say what we can, and have a clear conscience!" Wang Shan nodded in agreement.
After Wang Shan and Nan Jie finished speaking, they couldn't help but glance at Qi Ping. They were all young, but the difference in their personalities was too vast!
It wasn't that Lin Chaoyang's personality was bad, as he was sincere and willing to share with others, but could such a personality truly survive in this world?
Even Qi Ping, Wang Shan, and Nan Jie themselves weren't sure they could guarantee their own survival in such a world, so it was even harder to interfere with others' destinies.
After the interlude with Lin Chaoyang and the Secret Realm, Qi Ping and the other two briefly discussed it, then dismissed the matter from their minds, having no desire to explore it.
Qi Ping and Nan Jie soon embarked on their journey to Qing Shi Market.
Qing Shi Market is located in the center of Qing Shi County, managed by the Qingyuan Sect and the three Families within Qing Shi County: Liu, Zhu, and Murong.
The Liu, Zhu, and Murong Families have an extremely close relationship with the Qingyuan Sect. To put it plainly, these Three Great Families were developed by Qingyuan Sect Disciples and are considered Family forces established by Qingyuan Sect Disciples.
The role of these Family forces, under the Qingyuan Sect's overall management, is to meticulously manage various affairs within their designated sphere of influence, including commercial development, industrial development, taxation, rent collection, and public order, as well as searching for Talented Disciples to send into the Qingyuan Sect.
The Qingyuan Sect conducts annual assessments of managers and managing Families in every area below it, including Qing Shi County. Generally, there's a small assessment every three years and a major assessment every ten years, with rewards and punishments determined by the assessment results.
The commercial transactions in Qing Shi Market are one of Qing Shi County's most crucial sources of income, generating a large amount of tax revenue and entrance fees each year.
To ensure a good business environment, the market has strongholds of the Qingyuan Sect and the Liu, Zhu, and Murong Families. It also has an enforcement team with more than two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, specifically responsible for maintaining public order and the business environment within the market.
Also, because Qing Shi County's industries primarily focus on Black Little Bees, Golden Feather Chickens, Yun Ling Fruit, and Jungle Horned Cattle, there are many trading companies in the market specializing in acquiring these goods.
At the same time, they also sell products used in these industries, as well as many Cultivation resources and daily necessities.
Qi Ping and Nan Jie's target this time was a small trading company in the market called Zhishi Trading Company. The boss of this company was a Qi Refining sixth-level middle-aged man named Boss Gao, who was about the same age as Wang Shan.
Members of the Fusheng Society generally came to this trading company to sell goods because the prices here were slightly higher than those of larger trading companies.
In addition, Boss Gao was very amiable and often chatted with people about the latest news.
Therefore, Qi Ping, including Wang Shan and Nan Jie, liked to come here to sell their products. Not only were the prices higher, but they could occasionally gather some rumors they couldn't obtain otherwise.
The Fusheng Society's courtyard is about a hundred kilometers from Qing Shi Market.
Even for Qi Refining Cultivators, such a distance would take a good amount of time to travel.
So, when Qi Ping and Nan Jie arrived at Qing Shi Market along the small path, it was already afternoon.
Fortunately, the journey was smooth, and they didn't encounter any dangerous robber cultivators.
Qi Ping's Gold Marrow Bees had been scouting ahead along the way and hadn't found any suspicious figures.
"Qing Shi Market, we're finally here!"
Upon arriving at Qing Shi Market, Qi Ping looked at the luxurious market, and the anxiety he had been carrying finally eased.
Besides selling honey and purchasing daily necessities, he also planned to ask Boss Gao about information and prices related to Animal Companions.
Qi Ping estimated that the Druid would reach level two in about a week, at which point he would be able to contract a second Animal Companion.
Therefore, he needed to plan ahead to avoid the risk of making an extra trip to Qing Shi Market.
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