Wei Zhong lowered his head in thought. He had originally intended to sell the Foundation Establishment Pill to Ning Cankun, his longtime friend, feeling obligated to give him a helping hand. However, Ning had declined, candidly admitting that he had given up hope of achieving Foundation Establishment.
Now, selling it to Daoist Hu Yang seemed like a good alternative. It would provide Chu Zhong, Wei Zhong's disguised persona, with some publicly accessible spirit stones. He would inevitably need spirit stones to lease spirit ground and purchase magic tools and medicinal pills later.
Wei Zhong looked up and said, "Fellow Daoist, you speak the truth. I do indeed have one Foundation Establishment Pill remaining, and I intend to sell it. Selling it to Senior Hu would certainly be preferable to selling it to anyone else. May I ask what price Senior Hu is willing to offer?"
Daoist Hu Yang held up three fingers. "Three thousand low-grade spirit stones."
Wei Zhong frowned. The current market price for a Foundation Establishment Pill was five thousand low-grade spirit stones. Daoist Hu Yang's offer felt insulting.
Daoist Hu Yang maintained his faint smile. "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to rush. First, take a look at the gift this Daoist has prepared for you."
Wei Zhong glanced at the gift box on the table. Upon opening it, he found a fragmented jade slip inside.
He probed it with his divine sense, and his heart leaped with joy at its contents:
A partial Second-Tier Spirit Wine Brewing Technique Inheritance.
It appeared to contain several wine recipes, but they were obscured by Restrictions, making them illegible.
"Well, Fellow Daoist, are you pleased with this gift?" the old Daoist asked. "Your mastery of spirit wine brewing is truly remarkable—this old one humbly acknowledges his inferiority. However, you're clearly constrained by the First-Tier and lack expertise in Second-Tier methods.
While this inheritance is incomplete, missing only a few crucial wine recipes, the core teachings remain intact. One might as well consider it a complete inheritance.
For a Loose Cultivator like yourself, obtaining such a Second-Tier inheritance is exceedingly rare."
Wei Zhong quickly scanned the jade slip and confirmed the old Daoist's words.
While not quite worth the full two thousand spirit stones, it was close enough.
Still, he felt the old Daoist was being a bit dishonest by factoring the gift's value into the transaction.
"Let's proceed with the trade as you've proposed, Senior," Wei Zhong decided.
After the transaction, the two men resumed their discussion about the Guest Elder position.
"Fellow Daoist Chu was wise to decline the Azurewood Sect's offer," Hu Yang remarked, a hint of wistfulness in his aged features. "He has a long-term perspective."
"Oh? Is there some hidden truth about this Guest Elder position?" Wei Zhong inquired.
Hu Yang shook his head. "It's not exactly a secret, but over time, the Azurewood Sect tends to assign these Loose Cultivators who have reached Foundation Establishment particularly thorny tasks. For instance, several Foundation Establishment Fellow Daoists perished during the recent development of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range."
Wei Zhong's heart tightened. He was right to decline Xu Changjun's invitation.
"Ah, it's not as if the Guest Elder position is cursed. It's simply our ill luck to be caught in this situation," Hu Yang sighed. "The Azurewood Sect isn't alone; Han Bamboo City in this prefecture is also preparing for the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range venture. All the major powers in the other prefectures are either fervently preparing or already engaged. Developing the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range has become the dominant trend in the Cultivation World."
Wei Zhong frowned. "Could there be some deeper secret behind this development?"
Although Wei Zhong had heard some rumors from Ning Cankun, he knew Daoist Hu Yang possessed a far more comprehensive understanding.
Hu Yang downed a cup of spirit wine. "Actually, the upper echelons of the Human Race have been contemplating an offensive against the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range for decades. The recent surge in Secret Realm collapses across various sects has only accelerated these plans."
"Secret Realm collapses?" Wei Zhong couldn't help but think of the Clear River Secret Realm.
"The reasons vary, but the prevailing theory is that our world's absorption capacity for these fragmented spatial realms has intensified. Some even speculate that this marks a major upheaval in the Cultivation World, a sign of the world's fundamental strength increasing. They believe this heralds a golden age for cultivation."
Wei Zhong nearly choked on his drink, recalling a pattern from novels in his previous life: whenever a protagonist descended upon a world, calamity invariably followed. Behind every golden age lurked inevitable inevitable disaster. Could I be so unlucky as to have transmigrated into such a situation? This makes even cultivating feel precarious.
"Haha, no need to be alarmed, Old Brother," Hu Yang chuckled. "A golden age is good news! Who knows? With our modest talents, we might even glimpse the Golden Core or Nascent Soul realms."
Wei Zhong wiped away the spilled wine. "Senior speaks the truth."
...
"Well, Fellow Daoist, I've enjoyed our conversation today. This old Daoist has pressing matters to attend to and must depart."
"Farewell, Senior."
Outside the courtyard gate, the two men clasped their hands in a formal bow.
"Oh, by the way, Fellow Daoist, if you're seeking a spirit ground, you might want to investigate the Li Family."
With those words, Hu Yang stepped onto a fiery red Flying Sword and soared into the sky, leaving Wei Zhong alone at the gate, deep in thought.
The Li Family... Could this be the same Li Family that spent seven thousand spirit stones on a Foundation Establishment Pill over a decade ago? I heard their Foundation Establishment Patriarch was nearing the end of his lifespan. I wonder if he's still alive. Since this involves a spirit ground, I should investigate.
Wei Zhong immediately packed his belongings and headed to Market City to gather information.
He learned that the Li Family Patriarch had indeed passed away ten years prior. As for the priceless Foundation Establishment Pill, it had been given to Li Haowen, the clan's most promising Qi Refining "genius" at the time, in hopes of achieving Foundation Establishment. Unfortunately, Li Haowen failed, damaging his foundational essence in the process.
Consequently, his lineage lost favor and was relegated to an insignificant side branch by other factions within the Li Family.
Meanwhile, the newly ascendant main branch had cultivated a connection with a Loose Cultivator named Candle Daoist, who hailed from Han Bamboo City. Originally seeking refuge and a place to settle, Candle Daoist had inadvertently provided the Li Family with an opportunity to latch onto him and secure a favorable position.
With Candle Daoist's assistance, the Li Family managed to preserve much of its influence, barely maintaining its prestige as a Foundation Establishment Family.
Within a few years, the Li Family realized that the foreign cultivator had become increasingly greedy, a veritable leech clinging to their clan. He demanded a large portion of their annual yields, and his demands had grown even more voracious in recent years, leaving the Li Family disciples worse off than those of ordinary Qi Refining families.
Overwhelmed by his Foundation Establishment cultivation base, the Li Family dared not openly rebel. Instead, they secretly spread rumors of his tyranny throughout the region and covertly appealed to other Foundation Establishment cultivators to intervene on their behalf.
Candle Daoist: Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, skilled in fire techniques. Rumored to have been injured upon arriving in this region ten years ago, he has since been compelling the Li Family to collect various healing treasures, a demand that continues to this day.
Injured? More likely a cunning schemer.
Wei Zhong never trusted such intelligence. He simply assumed Candle Daoist was at least at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, if not the Late-Stage. As for Core Formation, that was highly unlikely. The Azurewood Sect would never tolerate an unaffiliated Core Formation cultivator residing so close to their territory. If Candle Daoist had become a Core Formation Guest Elder for the Azurewood Sect, he would have proudly declared it, rather than concealing his true cultivation base and pretending to be merely Foundation Establishment.
This could work.
Wei Zhong made up his mind instantly.
The Li Family's spirit ground also perfectly suited his needs. Located within Sea Moon Lake, it comprised two Second-Tier Spirit Islands: one with a mid-grade Second-Tier spirit vein and the other with a low-grade Second-Tier spirit vein, along with several scattered First-Tier islets.
These lake-bound Spirit Islands were ideal for Wei Zhong's cultivation of the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual.
The Water Refinement Manual is, naturally, a cultivation technique for refining water. The mana cultivated through the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual inherently possesses a hint of water's profound weight and gentle fluidity.
Moreover, it contains a secret art for nurturing one's lifebound magic treasure.
Magic treasures are typically used by Core Formation cultivators or higher.
Although Wei Zhong was currently only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he could already begin nurturing a nascent magic treasure.
This technique requires a vast quantity of water. By concentrating it and fusing it with the cultivator's spiritual energy, a unique Secret Treasure known as the Primordial Water Pearl is created.
As more concentrated water and spiritual energy are added, the pearl grows heavier, becoming as weighty as ten thousand jun for enemies, yet as light as a feather for its creator.
Furthermore, as the cultivator's lifebound treasure, the pearl is connected to their spiritual energy, enhancing its density and power.
In other words, the stronger the nurtured Primordial Water Pearl, the higher the quality of the cultivator's spiritual energy.
Even if the cultivator's cultivation base remains unchanged and their total spiritual energy capacity doesn't increase, their overall strength will steadily grow.
This powerful treasure, described in the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual, is precisely why Wei Zhong sought out a water-attributed spirit ground.
Wei Zhong knew he had to act swiftly against the Li Family. He could no longer afford to wait as he had in the past; he needed to strike while their situation remained relatively clear. Otherwise, attracting other cultivators might worsen the situation.
If necessary, he could use the Dao of Time to forcefully seize the spirit ground, as long as he kept his abilities hidden from prying eyes.
With this thought, Wei Zhong immediately contacted his Li Family informant and proposed his plan.
Within days, a member of the Li Family arrived at his door.
"Junior Li Haowen pays his respects to Senior," the somewhat aged man greeted.
Wei Zhong looked at him in surprise. "So, you're the Li Family disciple who took the Foundation Establishment Pill all those years ago."
A bitter expression crossed Li Haowen's face. His failure to achieve Foundation Establishment had plunged the Li Family into crisis, making him a frequent target of ridicule. Though accustomed to the mockery, a flicker of shame still lingered.
To atone for his past failure, he had stationed himself for years at the Bright Moon Market City within the Azurewood Sect, hoping to find a senior expert willing to help the Li Family. However, the Li Family's meager offerings had attracted few takers.
"Indeed, Senior. I implore you to rescue the Li Family from this dire situation."
Wei Zhong chuckled, neither agreeing nor refusing. Instead, he asked, "What exactly is the Li Family's current situation?"
"Hasn't the Candle Daoist, who's been residing with your Li Family all this time, noticed your clandestine activities?" Wei Zhong asked.
Li Haowen gave a bitter smile. "He has, but he hasn't interfered. Perhaps he simply doesn't care."
Wei Zhong frowned. "You've been seeking help for years. Surely some Foundation Establishment cultivators must have responded? Why hasn't your Li Family's situation improved?"
Li Haowen bowed deeply. "To be honest, Senior, two Early Foundation Establishment experts secretly intervened over the past decade, but both were defeated by the Candle Daoist. Moreover, most Foundation Establishment cultivators in Market City have ventured into the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range in search of opportunities, leaving no one willing to stand up for our Li Family. Until now, with your arrival."
"Oh? Two others tried and failed? And you believe this Daoist, who has just reached Foundation Establishment, can succeed? Are you perhaps colluding with the Candle Daoist to lure me into a trap?" Wei Zhong feigned anger.
Li Haowen immediately prostrated himself in terror, pressing his forehead to the ground. "This junior would never dare harbor such intentions! We're truly desperate, Senior. Please, help the Li Family."
"Hmph."
Wei Zhong fell silent, deep in thought. The Li Family's situation reeked of peculiarity. The Candle Daoist, the aggressor, hadn't suppressed their pleas for help. Instead, he had tolerated them, almost as if using the Li Family as bait to lure fish.
Even if they couldn't silence the Li Family completely, shouldn't they have made an example of someone to deter others?
Yet, judging by Li Haowen's demeanor, nothing of the sort had ever occurred.
Strange, very strange.
"Stand up and speak," Wei Zhong said, flicking his sleeve. A surge of dense spiritual energy lifted Li Haowen to his feet. "Tell me everything you know about this Candle Daoist."
"Yes, Senior. The Candle Daoist is a Loose Cultivator who came here from Han Bamboo City to avoid the conflict over the True Monarch's legacy..."
"His Cultivation Technique is unknown, but it's undoubtedly a powerful fire-attribute technique. His cultivation base is in the Early Foundation Establishment stage, and his magic tool is a massive pair of fire shears called the Blazing Stone Treasure Shears.
They're a High-Grade Second-Tier magic tool with astonishing destructive power. The two Seniors were defeated because their own magic tools couldn't withstand its might."
Blazing Stone Treasure Shears? What kind of name is that? It even has "Treasure" in it, just like my Time Treasure Record.
"A High-Grade Second-Tier magic tool... He must be a wealthy Loose Cultivator. What happened to the two Fellow Daoists after their defeat?"
"They fled in panic, and their whereabouts are unknown."
Hmph! Wei Zhong sneered inwardly. Most likely, that man secretly pursued and killed them.
Li Haowen continued relaying information about the Candle Daoist, but Wei Zhong found his account increasingly unreliable.
No, the Li Family has been thoroughly deceived. I'll have to investigate myself.
With that thought, Wei Zhong lost all patience for Li Haowen's rambling. With a flick of his sleeve, he swept the man out of the courtyard.
"This Daoist needs time to consider this matter carefully," Wei Zhong said.
Li Haowen watched the newly ascended Senior dismiss him so abruptly after only a few questions, and hearing those words, knew he had been abandoned. A bitter smile twisted his face as he turned and left.
Wei Zhong watched him depart from inside the courtyard, his brow furrowing deeper. The information he had gleaned from Li Haowen was too sparse; he would have to investigate himself.
His gaze shifted to his status panel:
Invisibility Technique · Master (43%)
Breath Concealing Technique · Master (89%)
Cloud Soaring Technique · Master (97%)
Flying Throwing Technique · Grandmaster (11%)
Geng Sword Art · Master (68%)
These five techniques were Wei Zhong's most familiar and frequently used. Though his inherited legacy contained several higher-tier secret arts, he lacked the time to master them. In the short term, he could only grind them to proficiency, which wouldn't surpass the power of these Master-level—or even Grandmaster-level—First-Tier Techniques honed over years of dedicated practice.
The Breath Concealing Technique and Invisibility Technique were both concealment arts, while the Cloud Soaring Technique was an evasion art. The Flying Throwing Technique and Geng Sword Art, on the other hand, were offensive arts.
Among these, the Breath Concealing Technique and Cloud Soaring Technique were nearing Grandmaster-level proficiency, so Wei Zhong decided to focus on them first. Perhaps, like the Flying Throwing Technique, they would unlock unexpected effects upon reaching Grandmaster-level.
Wei Zhong conjured a sphere of spiritual energy in his hand, encasing a small black orb that spun rapidly, propelled by the spiritual energy.
Now at Grandmaster-level proficiency and amplified by Wei Zhong's own Foundation Establishment spiritual energy, the Flying Throwing Technique had transcended the conventional concept of a spell. Ordinary First-Tier Defensive Magic Artifacts were now as flimsy as paper, shattering upon a single strike with minimal reduction in the technique's power.
Moreover, it had gained a hint of spell-breaking properties. When striking a spirit-powered Defensive Magic Artifact, it could dispel small amounts of the artifact's spiritual energy, weakening its defensive capabilities.
In a sense, this greatly enhanced the technique's original penetrating power, but now targeted intangible spiritual energy rather than physical matter.
This strange transformation was precisely why Wei Zhong wanted to continue practicing these spells.
Once he mastered the Breath Concealing Technique and Cloud Soaring Technique to the grand master level, he planned to explore Sea Moon Lake. Grandmaster-level concealment and evasion, combined with the hour of Early Core Formation cultivation granted by the Dao of Time, gave him confidence in escaping even Late Core Formation grand cultivators. As for Nascent Soul experts, he would have no choice but to retreat into his Grotto-Heaven, cultivate in seclusion for centuries until he reached the Core Formation stage himself, and then emerge.
If the situation at Sea Moon Lake proved too perilous, abandoning the Li Family's spirit ground wouldn't be out of the question.
Wei Zhong had initially coveted the Li Family's spirit ground to provide a plausible explanation for the rapid cultivation progress of his alternate identity, Chu Zhong. If that proved impossible, he could always find another First-Tier Spirit Land with a body of water. After all, he already possessed a spirit vein within his Grotto-Heaven.
The only downside was that advancing to Core Formation might arouse suspicion.
Oh well, he thought. If necessary, I'll simply assume another identity.