The current environment of Qingshi County and the broader Qingtian Domain was one of extreme chaos. Even the usually arrogant sect disciples were no longer safe. Yet, Qi Ping had no complaints.
'Chaos and peace are both natural states for the world.'
'No place is peaceful forever, just as no conflict lasts for eternity.'
'I must adapt. Chaos has its benefits, just as peace does.'
'My task is to use the advantages of this state to seek more opportunities for my path to immortality.'
With this realization, a sense of clarity washed over Qi Ping. Previously, he had felt occasionally annoyed by the turbulence, thinking it hindered his farming. Now he saw that no environment was perfect. He simply needed to find the best way to develop within whatever state the world was in.
This shift in mindset was a significant step in his growth.
'This talisman from the green-robed woman is quite good—far stronger than those from the black-robed talisman cultivator.'
He sensed the power within it; it contained a lightning-based attack at the Great Circle of Qi Refinement, and a powerful one at that.
'On the market, it should be worth at least several hundred spirit stones.'
He couldn't help but marvel at her wealth. To give away something worth hundreds of stones so casually... if it were Qi Ping, he would have been loath to part with it. Earning money was hard, after all! Even with his bee legion, every step of his profit-making had to be carefully planned. Several hundred stones represented half a month of his hard work.
However, he had no intention of selling it. A lightning talisman of this caliber was an excellent insurance policy. It might serve an unexpected purpose in a crisis.
As for how she knew about the white-robed pair, her explanation of being the mountain range manager cleared all doubts. As the one in charge, she would naturally know everything that moved within her domain. And as for her wealth—the revenue from the Cloud-Mist Mountain Range was staggering. Lin Qingshu was undoubtedly rich.
But what truly moved Qi Ping wasn't her wealth or the talisman. It was her Sword Intent.
'The True Meaning of the Sword... so this is what "Intent" feels like?'
This was his first time witnessing the true essence of a law, and it felt strangely familiar. He had felt something similar during his enlightenment when he broke through to the sixth level. While he was far from Lin Qingshu's level, he had indeed touched upon it.
It wasn't Sword Intent, of course. With his cautious, safety-first mindset, he could live ten thousand years and never comprehend the Sword. Sword Intent required a singular, often extreme state of mind—be it heartlessness, slaughter, or protection. None who comprehended it were simple characters.
Lin Qingshu was proof of that. Could a normal person kill two cultivators of nearly her own level with just two strokes? Qi Ping knew he couldn't.
What he had sensed was the True Meaning of Fire!
This path of researching the fundamental nature of the world was far more suited to him. When his Wood-Flame Manual reached Small Accomplishment during his enlightenment, his Sun-Fire Physique had erupted with powerful flame energy. At the time, he had vaguely sensed a powerful fire-attributed law within the world. He had assumed it was just a special feature of his technique or physique.
'So that was the True Meaning of Fire!'
'That was it!'
Qi Ping grew immensely excited. If he could comprehend the True Meaning of Fire, the Foundation Establishment stage would no longer be an impassable chasm! Even without a Foundation Establishment Pill, he would have a high chance of success!
In the cultivation world, the difficulty of breaking through to Foundation Establishment was greater than all the levels of Qi Refinement combined. Countless cultivators failed at this step every year, resulting in ruined foundations or even death. This had led to the creation of the Foundation Establishment Pill, which increased the success rate by twenty to thirty percent. Naturally, the price of such a pill was astronomical. Many sects and clans used their monopoly on these pills to amass vast fortunes.
Qi Ping's original plan was to reach the Great Circle with a solid foundation and then find a way to acquire a pill. Now, he might not need one. Comprehending "Intent" was more effective than any pill, and a foundation built upon it was far more stable. Most who comprehended an "Intent" succeeded in their breakthrough.
He had underestimated his Sun-Fire Physique; that wisp of True Sun Fire within him was far more powerful than he imagined.
'If I can master Fire Intent, I won't have to risk my life fighting for an overpriced pill.'
This would not only save him a massive headache but also grant him a stronger foundation and higher combat power.
'The hardest part of comprehending Intent is the first step—going from zero to one...'
'But I've already touched it during my enlightenment. Whether I use the Crow's natal flame, sense the growth of high-grade fire-type spirit plants, or find manuals on Fire Intent, I can slowly master it.'
His eyes brightened. Furthermore, the Druid's Nature Affinity talent would provide an additional boost.
'And on top of all that, it's time to consider a third animal companion with soul or comprehension talents.'