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“Well… there are certain complications I cannot disclose, but please rest assured, I am confident in slaying our adversary.” A determined expression crossed Ruan Xingling’s face.

Fang Xi was about to press further when Wei Yixin interrupted, “Xianzi Ruan has her reasons, Daoist friend. Insisting on such inquiries is not the conduct of a gentleman!”

‘The hell…’ Fang Xi was speechless; wasn’t his intent simply to ensure everyone’s safety by understanding Ruan Xingling’s trump card? It seemed Wei Yixin had lost touch with reality.

With a cultivation partner already, why would he need to fawn over Ruan Xingling? Or perhaps he was just a hopeless bootlicker?

‘No wait, maybe he truly believes himself to be a gentleman? But then again… gentlemen don’t tend to have long lives…’

Suppressing a cold laugh internally, Fang Xi quickly apologized, “My oversight… Xianzi, please forgive me!”

“It’s alright!” Ruan Xingling’s demeanor visibly softened. “If no one else has any issues, let us exchange Xin Mo Oaths now!”

“I… hereby take the oath!” After confirming that the Xin Mo Oath required only secrecy and mutual non-harm during the operation, Fang Xi was the first to swear.

“Hmph!” Wei Yixin seemed quite disdainful but still took the oath alongside his cultivation partner Hua Chanjuan. Finally, it was the turn of Old Daoist Xiu Mu.

“Alright… everyone can now prepare accordingly. As for the timing, let’s choose one month from today,” Ruan Xingling announced.

“One month later? A wise decision, Xianzi.” Old Daoist Xiu Mu stroked his beard with a smile.

“Fang Xi, could you be referring to the Treasure Ship Market’s annual auction event occurring then? Could it be… Xianzi has received intelligence that Lu Jingqing will attend?” Fang Xi appeared thoughtful.

“Indeed, your insights are sharp, Daoist friend.” Ruan Xingling nodded approvingly.

Noticing Wei Yixin’s displeased expression, Fang Xi shook his head and explained, “I merely have plans to purchase a high-quality defensive magical artifact, so I keep track of auction schedules.”

“Yes, we indeed obtained information confirming that the traitor Lu will be present at this year’s auction. When the time comes, we can directly ambush and eliminate him without needing to assault Peach Blossom Island’s protective array!” Ruan Xingling clarified further.

Attacking a mountain protection array, even if only tier-1, is arduous and risky for a group of Qi Refinement cultivators. There’s a significant chance of being counter-killed unless they possess tier-1 barrier-breaking talismans!

However, a single barrier-breaking talisman might not suffice to dismantle an entire large array! At best, it could create a temporary breach, briefly disrupting the formation’s power, allowing attackers to infiltrate. Once inside, it would become a fight to the death - either them or their target!

The reason Qingzhu Mountain Market’s ‘Skies Azure as Water Formation’ was effortlessly breached by a second-order barrier-breaking talisman was entirely due to its detonation from within the formation!

Most of a formation’s power is directed outward; attacking from inside versus outside presents vastly different levels of difficulty.

If Ruan Xingling could devise a way for someone to detonate a tier-1 barrier-breaking talisman internally, it would indeed have a high chance of destroying the Lu Clan’s protective array.

However, given that there now seemed to be a better option available, this woman likely didn’t wish to ruin the painstakingly established array either.

“Excellent!” Upon hearing they wouldn’t need to assault Peach Blossom Island’s defenses, Wei Yixin and his wife couldn’t hide their relief, their faces filled with joy.

After concluding their discussion, the group prepared to take their leave.

Fang Xi intentionally lingered behind, noticing Old Daoist Xiu Mu accompanying him out.

As they were about to part ways, the old man whispered softly, “Xianzi Ruan wasn’t actually unable to attract late-stage cultivators, but she feared inviting wolves into her fold… Even a great circle of Qi Refinement expert expressed interest, on the condition that Xianzi Ruan first agree to become cultivation partners. However, being deeply devoted to the Great Way, Xianzi Ruan refused to lose her yin essence, thus negotiations never reached fruition…”

“I see,” Fang Xi replied, appearing enlightened yet feeling somewhat torn between laughter and tears. ‘So it seems… my low cultivation base might have inadvertently worked in my favor?’

Nighttime.

Inside Cave Thirty-seven marked ‘C’ at Qingzhu Mountain.

A fist-sized night pearl embedded in the wall illuminated the room brightly, akin to daylight.

Fang Xi took out a book casually purchased from a bookstore and flipped to the section on Peach Blossom Island within Wan Island Lake, studying it carefully.

“Peach Blossom Island… Located in the southeastern chain of Wan Island Lake, nearby islands include White Feather, Black Sand, and Golden Flame Islands!”

“The island stretches over thirty miles north to south and twenty miles east to west… It features spiritual lands such as Twin Peaks, Mirror Moon Lake, and Jade Cliff. Only Mirror Moon Lake has a first-tier spiritual vein, while the rest are considered minor…”

“On the island, there is a large mortal town with several villages, totaling more than ten thousand inhabitants… Tsk tsk, this practically constitutes a small county.”

In Wan Island Lake, cultivators and mortals coexist, primarily on these islands.

Most of these mortals are descendants of cultivators, benefiting from the proximity to abundant spiritual energy. Consequently, the likelihood of their offspring possessing spiritual roots is high, serving as a crucial source for replenishing the ranks of cultivators.

“No wonder that old Daoist Xiu Mu wanted to become the Second Island Lord; it’s essentially being a local emperor…”

“Ruan Xingling has both strength and legitimacy… With my assistance to smooth relations, once Lu Jingqing is eliminated, she’ll undoubtedly secure the island lord position. I could then enjoy centuries of stability… This deal is worth pursuing!”

In the cultivation world, regardless of one’s noble intentions, ultimate success hinges on power.

As for Ruan Xingling’s confidence in defeating her enemy? As an artificer, it’s likely she acquired high-quality magical artifacts, potent paper talismans, or even single-use treasures, such as those ‘yin thunder pellets’!

“Of course, Ruan Xingling probably lacks the resources and connections to purchase yin thunder pellets… But she may have other disposable items at hand, making this transaction worthwhile!”

“It’s unfortunate that she’s only a mid-tier first-rank artificer; otherwise, after witnessing her combat skills, building camaraderie, and confirming her character, entrusting her with the snake-dragon materials for crafting would be viable…”

“As a somewhat unconventional body cultivator, I still prefer adhering to cultivation customs - wearing complete spirit armor before engaging in battle…”

A month swiftly passed.

As the auction approached, the foot traffic in the Treasure Ship Market gradually increased.

Major merchants seized this opportunity to launch promotional events, often raising prices—yes, actually increasing them!

After all, high-grade medicinal pills and magical artifacts were always in high demand, leading to intense bidding wars.

With their established reputation, these large shops had no trouble selling at premium rates!

On the other hand, more individual stalls began popping up, resulting in fierce competition and slight price reductions among vendors.

Fang Xi took advantage of this rare moment to sell all his low-grade materials from beasts like the Red-eyed Crow.

Although he had quite a few items, they blended seamlessly amidst the massive volume of transactions happening in the market, remaining inconspicuous.

Having disposed of all his low-grade mythical beast materials, Fang Xi felt quite content as he started strolling through the streets.

In his bag of holding, only the snake-dragon’s skin, bones, and blood remained, along with Old One-Eye’s wolf hide, fur bristles, wings, claws from a high-grade first-stage flying creature, and other most valuable items.

Fang Xi decided to keep these materials for personal use or wait for the right opportunity to sell them.

Meanwhile, after purchasing several legacies previously, he had around four hundred low-grade spirit stones left.

‘Indeed, being a merchant between two realms pays off handsomely!’

With a relaxed mindset, Fang Xi strolled among the vendors, not specifically seeking any hidden treasures but simply browsing casually.

“High-grade magical swords on sale, only one hundred spirit stones each!”

“First-tier high-grade ‘Flying Talisman’! Experience the flight technique of a great Foundation Establishment cultivator… Selling with regret at twenty spirit stones!”

“Various rare minerals, waiting for the destined buyer!”

“Mythical beast meat at bargain prices, fifteen pounds for one spirit stone!”

“Diverse cultivation techniques and secret arts - buy ten books and get a bonus ancestral treasure map!”

Fang Xi approached a stall selling cultivation techniques and examined the treasure maps, his lips twitching slightly.

Throughout his time in the cultivation world, he had never indulged in the popular pastime of seeking hidden treasures or exploring ancient immortal caves’ ruins. He was well aware of how treacherous it could be!

Most treasure maps were fake, while some of the remaining few might even lead to plunderers’ traps!

Only one in ten thousand, perhaps even one in a hundred thousand, would point towards genuine treasures like those found in the Zi You Mountain secret realm.

However, obtaining such significant opportunities without sufficient strength often led to tragic outcomes, much like what befell the Situ Clan and Red Leaf Valley…

After browsing for quite some time, Fang Xi found no promising deals and couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.

‘I guess I don’t have that protagonist luck after all…’

With an inward sigh, he stopped at a stall selling spirit rice.

The vendor was an elderly farmer wearing a conical hat, with only an Initial Stage Qi Refinement cultivation base. He greeted everyone warmly, exuding cautious humility that strangely reminded Fang Xi of Old Man Mai.

Fang Xi squatted down, sifted through the spirit rice on display, and picked up a handful of black grains.

“Daoist friend, this Ninth Water Spirit Rice is rich in water elemental essence. As you can see, each grain is plump and full, priced affordably, and there are discounts for bulk purchases.” Seeing Fang Xi’s interest, the old farmer promptly began his pitch.

“Hmm, indeed impressive!” Fang Xi, having thoroughly studied the legacy of the spirit farmer, knew that ‘Jia Feicai’ dedicated his life to farming and possessed exceptional insights into spirit rice cultivation.

As a spirit farmer himself, Fang Xi resonated with these insights, making his understanding progress much faster than studying formations or paper talismans.

With a gentle touch at his fingertips, he could tell that the spiritual energy contained within this Ninth Water Spirit Rice was even more abundant than what shops typically sold - it seemed like a small batch of high-quality grains.

However, Fang Xi swiftly put down the Ninth Water Spirit Rice and instead picked up a handful of nearby crimson-colored spirit rice.

This spirit rice had a deep fiery red hue, accompanied by a slightly unpleasant, pungent odor.

“Is this ‘Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice’? It looks quite good, suitable for next year’s seeds,” Fang Xi remarked appreciatively.

“Ah, Daoist friend knows quality!” The old farmer gave him a thumbs-up. “This Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice is indeed my proudest creation… Consumed regularly, it greatly benefits one’s physical strength. Unfortunately, its taste isn’t appealing; only body cultivators occasionally buy some.”

The coarse texture and difficult-to-remove pungency made Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice sell cheaply.

But Fang Xi didn’t mind… After all, most of his harvest would be used for brewing wine or feeding Tai Sui.

Since he planned to become a spirit farmer, self-production and sales were essential, creating a sustainable cycle.

One acre of spirit field requires around seven to eight pounds of spirit seeds. Fang Xi decided to err on the side of abundance, calculating ten pounds per acre, and smiled, “Give me a hundred pounds of ‘Scarlet Blood Spirit Grains’…”

“Sure thing!” The old farmer beamed, delighted as business commenced.