'What I need most now are Rank 2 spirit seeds or living Rank 2 spirit herbs, especially fire-attribute ones!'
Fire-attribute herbs were the foundation for his and Yaya's rapid progression. While he could nurture a late-stage Rank 1 fire plant to five hundred years, the efficiency was too low—four or five times slower than a Rank 2 herb. Even with a long lifespan, he couldn't afford to waste that much time.
'And spirit stones are an issue too.'
Buying the Rank 2 array manuals and the knowledge for Rank 1 techniques had drained his savings and cost him a significant amount of Star Essence. He was currently penniless.
'But getting Rank 2 herbs won't be easy.'
Recently, Meng Yan had sent a message saying he was put in charge of one of the large spirit veins ceded by the Sky-Fire Pavilion. As an administrator of planting and leasing, he no longer had time to procure resources for Qi Ping. This was a great opportunity for Meng Yan to climb into the core positions of the sect, so Qi Ping didn't want to distract him.
Moreover, Qi Ping didn't dare set foot in Sky-Fire Pavilion territory. He had killed many of their geniuses in the past, and the spirit vein Meng Yan managed was bound to be a focal point of hidden conflicts. It was too risky.
'I won't trouble Brother Meng for now. If Star and Moon Essences appear in his hands too frequently, it will create risks for him as well.'
'Fortunately, many trade and tax policies have been issued recently. Many merchants will be coming out; perhaps I can find something good!'
Qi Ping felt a flicker of interest. Security in the domain was basically guaranteed now, so taking a walk outside seemed like a good idea. Reconstruction after the war—the world coming back to life! He wanted to see the various states of humanity and temper his Dao Heart. As long as he was careful, he should be safe.
'Then I shall go!'
He had been in the territory for too long and felt a bit stifled. He made serious preparations. First, he engraved a Profound Gold Killing Array onto his Ghost-Stone Scale Armor!
Under years of forging and tempering by the Ghost-Iron Tree, the armor's strength was already superior to a Rank 2 Mid-grade spirit tool. Its spirituality was extraordinary, surrounded by a unique metal-attribute energy. Aided by his sanctuary and domain talents, he successfully engraved the array.
Once activated, he could use the spiritual energy within the armor and his own power to briefly unleash a force only slightly weaker than the killing array in his territory. Even so, it was enough to pose a threat to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Coupled with his mastered Sword-Taming Art and his customized Armor-Taming Art, combined with the Golden Stone Physique, his control over the scales would be unpredictable and lethal.
After finishing the armor, he refined his Breath-Holding Art and Bone-Shrinking Technique into a comprehensive Myriad Transformation Art. This name represented his future goal: to be able to change into a thousand forms so that no one could ever pin down his true identity. To ensure the aura and appearance were authentic, the technique had to be practiced one form at a time.
Once ready, he stepped out of the Cloud-Mist Mountain Range.
This time, he transformed into a weather-beaten middle-aged man with a body that had clearly endured much wind and snow. He maintained his aura at the early stage of Foundation Establishment but hid his Dao Heart and comprehension of laws. Since he was going out to buy Rank 2 herbs, appearing as a Qi Refining cultivator would only bring trouble. Why would a lowly Qi Refining cultivator want Rank 2 herbs? It was like a child carrying gold through a busy market. He had no interest in playing the part of a hidden master just to provoke people.
He also brought along Yaya, who had reached the mid-stage of Rank 2 via the Sun-Blaze Wood, the Hundred-Eyed Flower Spirit who had reached the early stage of Rank 2, and the Ground-Shield Bee swarm trained in refined battle arrays.
His first stop was the nearest Qingshi Market. On the way, he saw many wandering cultivators—both old faces from Qingshi County and many outsiders.
'It seems the sect's methods for attracting outsiders are working. In less than a year, so many have come!'
In these people, Qi Ping sensed a flicker of vitality and hope.
'As long as the environment is good, the cultivation world never lacks ordinary wandering cultivators.'
'Other places are too crowded and high-pressure. The Qingyuan Sect is offering rent and tax breaks that can save a cultivator dozens or even a hundred spirit stones a year. There's no reason not to come.'
If Qi Ping were still an ordinary wandering cultivator, he would have been tempted too. As long as there was no war, this was the best time to make money.
Soon, he reached Qingshi Market. Seeing the bustling scene, he marveled at the resilience of the wandering cultivators. Without the suppression of the three great clans, the community seemed even more vibrant than before the war.
As he entered the market, he didn't suppress or release his aura intentionally. The wandering cultivators instinctively made a path for him. Regardless of his identity, the aura of a Foundation Establishment master was enough to inspire awe and fear. No one was blind enough to provoke him; some even waited respectfully for him to pass before moving.
Only after he had gone far did they begin to whisper:
"Who is that Foundation Establishment master? I've never seen him."
"I've asked about every master in the county; there's no one like that."
"Perhaps he's an outsider who just arrived?"
Envy, respect, and fear flickered in their eyes. This was the deterrent power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Qi Ping entered the most luxurious shop in the market, the Treasure-Gathering Chamber. This shop had been in the county for hundreds of years. In the past, Qi Ping wouldn't have dared to set foot inside; back then, he was both poor and weak.
But things were different now. As soon as he entered, a beautiful female cultivator sensed his aura and greeted him with extreme warmth, carefully asking what tea or snacks he preferred. Qi Ping truly felt the change in status. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a beautiful female cultivator without talent was no longer a rarity; many would throw themselves at him if he so much as gestured.
After a short wait, a manager at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining hurried out and respectfully invited Qi Ping into a private room.
"Senior, please forgive our poor hospitality!"
The manager knew clearly that the gap between them was a chasm he would never cross in his life.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just here to buy some things."
Qi Ping told them to relax. He hadn't expected such high-level treatment just for a purchase.
"What may I get for you, Senior? I will give you the maximum discount within my authority!" the manager said respectfully.
"I want to buy some Rank 2 spirit herbs. What do you have in stock?"
Qi Ping wasn't too picky; any Rank 2 herb would be good for the Apothecary Bees to study, though fire-attribute ones were preferred. But as soon as he spoke, an awkward look appeared on the manager's face.
"Senior... our shop has no Rank 2 spirit herbs for sale."
"Hmm? This should be one of the best shops in the market. How can you not have any?" Qi Ping looked at him with doubt.
"Senior, you must be new to the Qingtian Domain. To be honest, Rank 2 herbs are scarce here and are strictly controlled resources. If you want to buy them, you must pay a premium to those connected to the Qingyuan Sect... or occasionally find them in the larger cities."