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Chapter 82: Crimson Blood Spirit Rice (In celebration of Alliance Master 67832! )

Chapter 82: Crimson Blood Spirit Rice (In celebration of Alliance Master 67832! )

"Given your standing as a fellow Daoist, couldn't you invite another late-stage Qi Refinement master to assist us?"

Fang Xi inquired with some doubt.

To deal with an eighth-level Qi Refinement cultivator, a group attack was naturally more reliable.

"This. . . this humble one has certain unspoken difficulties, but please rest assured, this humble one is confident in slaying the great enemy."

A resolute expression appeared on Ruan Xing Ling's face.

Fang Xi was about to ask further when he was interrupted by Wei Yi Xin: "Fellow Daoist Ruan has unspoken difficulties, yet you press so persistently. This hardly seems like the conduct of an upright gentleman!"

'What the f***. . . '

Fang Xi was speechless. Wasn't he trying to ascertain Ruan Xing Ling's trump card for the sake of everyone?

He already had a Daoist companion; was he still trying to curry favor with Ruan Xing Ling? Or was he just a pure bootlicker?

'No, it's also possible that he's truly an upright gentleman? But. . . gentlemen don't live long, do they. . . '

He sneered inwardly several times, then apologized: "It was my oversight. . . Immortaless, please forgive me!"

"It's fine!"

Ruan Xing Ling's expression improved significantly: "If everyone has no further questions, then let us each swear a Heart Demon Oath!"

"I. . . agree!"

After confirming that the Heart Demon Oath merely required secrecy and a pledge not to harm each other during the operation, Fang Xi was the first to swear.

"Hmph!"

Wei Yi Xin seemed quite disdainful, yet he and his Daoist companion, Hua Chan Juan, also swore the oath, followed by the aged Daoist Kuchimu.

"Alright. . . you all may return to make preparations. As for the time of action, let us choose one month from now."

Ruan Xing Ling said.

"One month from now? Immortaless is brilliant. " The aged Daoist Kuchimu stroked his beard and smiled.

"One month from now. . . could it be the Treasure Ship Market's annual auction? Is it possible. . . Immortaless has already received intelligence that Lu Jing Qing will be attending? " Fang Xi seemed to realize something.

"Precisely, fellow Daoist is quick-witted. " Ruan Xing Ling nodded in satisfaction.

Noticing Wei Yi Xin's somewhat displeased expression, Fang Xi shook his head and explained: "I was merely preparing to purchase a high-quality artifact for self-defense, which is why I was paying attention to the auction date."

"This humble one has indeed learned that that scoundrel Lu will be attending this auction. At that time, we can ambush him directly, without having to assault Peach Blossom Island's mountain-protecting array!"

Ruan Xing Ling elaborated.

After all, for a group of Qi Refinement cultivators to attack a mountain-protecting array, even a first-order one, was an arduous and thankless task. There was also the possibility of being counter-killed, unless they possessed a first-order Array Breaking Talisman!

But a single Array Breaking Talisman might not be enough to break a grand array!

At most, it could create a temporary passage or briefly interfere with the array's power, allowing attackers to enter the array's interior. Then, it would be a fight to the death!

The reason the Green Bamboo Mountain market's 'Azure Water Array' was so easily breached by a second-order Array Breaking Talisman last time was entirely due to the talisman exploding *inside* the array!

Most of an array's power is directed outwards. Attacking from the inside compared to breaching from the outside presents a completely different level of difficulty.

If Ruan Xing Ling had a way to detonate a first-order Array Breaking Talisman inside the Lu family's grand array, it would indeed be highly probable to destroy that mountain-protecting array.

But it seemed that with a better option available, she also didn't want to destroy the array she had painstakingly built.

"Excellent! " Hearing that they wouldn't have to attack Peach Blossom Island's array, a joyful expression filled the faces of Wei Yi Xin and his wife.

The group finished their discussion, rose, and took their leave.

Fang Xi deliberately lagged a few steps behind and saw the aged Daoist Kuchimu come out to see him off.

As they parted ways, the old man whispered a few words: "Immortaless Ruan isn't actually unable to enlist late-stage cultivators; she's simply afraid of inviting wolves into the house again. . . There was even a perfected Qi Refinement master who was willing to help, but he wanted Immortaless Ruan to first agree to a Daoist companion pact. However, Immortaless Ruan is dedicated to the Grand Dao and unwilling to lose her primordial yin, so they were never able to reach an agreement. . ."

"I see. " Fang Xi showed an expression of sudden understanding, though inwardly he felt a mix of amusement and exasperation: 'So it seems. . . I benefited from my low cultivation level? '

...

Night.

Inside Cave Abode Thirty-Seven, Section C.

A fist-sized luminous pearl was embedded in the wall, illuminating the room as if it were daytime.

Fang Xi took out a book he had casually bought from a bookstore, turned to the section on Peach Blossom Island in the Myriad Islands Lake, and read it carefully.

"Peach Blossom Island. . . this island is located in the southeastern island chain of Myriad Islands Lake, near White Feather Island, Black Sand Island, and Golden Flame Island!"

"This island is over thirty li long from north to south and twenty li wide from east to west. . . It has spiritual lands such as Twin Peaks, Mirror Moon Lake, and Emerald Cliff, of which only Mirror Moon Lake has a first-order spirit vein; the rest are unranked. . ."

"On the island, there's a large mortal town, over ten villages, and a population exceeding ten thousand. . . Tsk tsk, this is practically a small county."

In the Myriad Islands Lake, cultivators and mortals lived mixed together, all on the islands.

Furthermore, most of these mortals were descendants of cultivators and, being nurtured by spiritual energy, had a high probability of producing spiritual roots among their offspring, serving as an important source of replenishment for the cultivator community.

"No wonder that aged Daoist Kuchimu wanted to be a second island master; this is practically being a local emperor. . ."

"Ruan Xing Ling has strength and legitimacy. . . coupled with Kuchimu's efforts to smooth relations, as long as Lu Jing Qing is eliminated, she will surely secure her position as island master, and I can enjoy a century of peace. . . This endeavor is feasible!"

In the cultivation world, no matter how righteous one's cause, it ultimately came down to strength.

Given her status as an artifact refiner, she most likely purchased high-quality artifacts, powerful talismans, or even single-use treasures, such as an 'Yin Thunder Pellet'!

"Of course, Ruan Xing Ling probably doesn't have the financial means or connections to purchase an Yin Thunder Pellet. . . but she should have some other single-use items. This venture is worth it!"

"Unfortunately, this woman is only a first-order mid-grade artifact refiner. Otherwise, after experiencing combat, forming a bond, and confirming her character, I could have given her the serpent-flood dragon materials to refine. . ."

"As a somewhat unorthodox body cultivator, I still prefer to follow the customs of the cultivation world and don a full set of spirit armor before engaging others in combat. . ."

...

A month passed quickly.

As the auction approached, the flow of people in the Treasure Ship Market gradually increased.

Various merchants also took the opportunity to launch promotional activities, with many goods increasing in price—yes, they were selling at a premium!

After all, high-grade pills, artifacts. . . these were items that commanded fierce bidding.

Large shops with good reputations had no trouble selling their wares!

However, more individual vendors set up stalls, leading to internal competition and a slight downward trend in prices.

Fang Xi also seized this rare opportunity to sell all his low-grade spirit beast materials, such as those from the red-eyed raven.

Although he had a considerable amount of spirit beast materials, they were inconspicuous when mixed into the enormous transaction volume of the market.

Having dealt with all his low-grade spirit beast materials, Fang Xi strolled around in a good mood.

In his storage bag, he now only had the hide, bones, and blood of the serpent-flood dragon, as well as the old one-eyed wolf's hide and hair, and the wings and claws of a first-order superior-grade avian spirit beast—his most precious items.

Fang Xi kept these items, intending to use them himself or sell them at a more opportune moment.

At the same time, after several purchases of various inheritances, he still had over four hundred low-grade spirit stones remaining.

'Indeed, being a merchant between two worlds is truly profitable! '

With a relaxed mindset, Fang Xi wandered among the stalls, not necessarily looking for any hidden treasures, but simply browsing.

"Superior-grade flying swords for cheap, only one hundred spirit stones!"

"First-order superior-grade 'Flying Talisman'! Allows cultivators to experience the physical flight technique of Foundation Establishment grand cultivators in advance. . . Selling with tears for twenty spirit stones!"

"Various rare ores, waiting for their destined owner!"

"Spirit beast meat for cheap, fifteen jin for one spirit stone!"

"Various cultivation methods and secret arts, buy ten and receive a family heirloom treasure map as a bonus!"

...

Fang Xi arrived at a cultivation method stall, and his mouth twitched as he looked at the treasure maps.

He had never engaged in the popular activities of exploring hidden realms or ancient cultivator abodes in the cultivation world because he knew how treacherous they were!

Most treasure maps were fake, and the remaining small portion were likely traps set by rogue cultivators!

Only one in ten thousand, or even one in a hundred thousand, had the potential to lead to a treasure like the Purple Mystical Mountain mystic realm.

But even after obtaining a great opportunity, without sufficient strength, the outcome was often as tragic as that of the Situ Clan and Red Leaf Valley. . .

Fang Xi browsed for a long time but found no opportunities for a bargain, and he couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.

'I really don't have that protagonist's aura. . . '

After a sigh, he stopped by a stall selling spirit rice.

The vendor was an old farmer wearing a bamboo hat, his cultivation only at early Qi Refinement. He greeted everyone with a smile, his cautiousness tinged with humility, which inexplicably reminded Fang Xi of Old Mai Tou.

He squatted down, rummaged through the spirit rice on the stall, and picked up a handful of black spirit rice.

"Fellow Daoist, this Ren Water Spirit Rice is rich in water-attribute spiritual essence. Look at my spirit rice, every grain is plump, and the price is cheap, with discounts for larger purchases."

Seeing that Fang Xi seemed interested in buying, the old farmer immediately introduced his wares.

"Hmm, it's indeed good!"

Fang Xi had thoroughly read the Spirit Farmer's inheritance; that 'Jia Feicai' had focused on farming his entire life and indeed possessed extraordinary insights into spirit rice.

Coupled with Fang Xi being a spirit farmer himself, he resonated with the content, making his progress much faster than with arrays or talisman crafting.

As his fingertips rubbed the grains, he knew that the spirit energy contained within this spirit rice was even more abundant than what was sold in shops, making it a small premium product.

However, he quickly put down the Ren Water Spirit Rice and picked up a handful of crimson spirit rice from beside it.

This spirit rice was fiery red throughout, with a hint of a fishy smell that made it somewhat unappealing.

"This is 'Crimson Blood Spirit Rice', isn't it? The quality is good; it can be used for next year's seeds."

Fang Xi exclaimed.

"Fellow Daoist has discerning eyes! " The old farmer gave a thumbs-up: "This Crimson Blood Spirit Rice is my proud creation. . . Long-term consumption is very beneficial for the physique, but unfortunately, it doesn't taste good, so only body cultivators occasionally buy some."

This Crimson Blood Spirit Rice was coarse to eat, and its fishy smell was difficult to remove, so it sold very cheaply.

But Fang Xi didn't care. . . after all, most of what he farmed was for brewing wine or feeding his Taisui.

Since he was going to be a spirit farmer, he naturally intended to be self-sufficient and create a cycle of production.

One mu of spirit field required seven to eight jin of spirit seeds. Fang Xi calculated ten jin for a good margin, then smiled: "Give me one hundred jin of 'Crimson Blood Spirit Grain'. . ."

"Alright! " With business starting, the old farmer's face was filled with joy.