"On account of being fellow cultivators, can't we invite another high-level Qi Refinement expert to assist us?" Fang Xi asked with some confusion.
Dealing with an eighth-level Qi Refinement cultivator, it would be safer to attack together.
"Well... I have some difficulties to speak of, but rest assured, I am confident in slaying our formidable enemy," Ruan Xingling said with a hint of determination on her face.
Before Fang Xi could inquire further, Wei Yixin interjected, "Ruan Fairy has her reasons, and it's not right to press her like this. It's not the conduct of a true gentleman!"
Fang Xi was speechless. Wasn't he just trying to understand Ruan Xingling's capabilities for everyone's benefit?
Wei Yixin seemed a bit off. He already had a Dao companion, did he need to fawn over Ruan Xingling? Or was he simply being a sycophant?
"No, it's possible that he is a true gentleman? But... gentlemen don't live long..." Fang Xi sneered inwardly, then apologized, "My apologies... Fairy, please forgive me!"
"It's fine," Ruan Xingling's expression softened. "If everyone is in agreement, let's swear an oath to not harm each other and maintain secrecy during our mission."
"I'm in," Fang Xi was the first to swear after confirming that the oath was about confidentiality and not harming each other during the mission.
"Hmph," Wei Yixin seemed disdainful as he and his Dao companion, Hua Chuanjuan, also swore the oath, followed by the venerable Old Daoist Xuemu.
"Alright... you may go back and prepare. As for the time to act, let's set it for a month from now," Ruan Xingling said.
"A month later? Fairy, you are wise," Xuemu stroked his beard with a smile.
"A month later, could it be the annual auction at the Treasure Ship Market? Is it possible that... Fairy already has information, and Lu Jingqing will come?" Fang Xi seemed to have a realization.
"Indeed, fellow cultivator is quick-witted," Ruan Xingling nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing Wei Yixin's displeased expression, Fang Xi shook his head and explained, "I'm just preparing to purchase a high-quality defensive artifact at the auction, so I'm paying attention to the timing of the event."
"I did receive some information that Lu will attend the auction. We can ambush him directly then, without needing to attack the Peach Blossom Island's mountain protection formation," Ruan Xingling explained.
After all, a group of Qi Refinement cultivators attacking a mountain protection formation, even if it's just a first-tier one, would be quite challenging and could backfire, unless they had a first-tier breaking prohibition talisman.
But even a breaking prohibition talisman might not necessarily break a large formation!
Most likely, it would only create a passage, temporarily disrupting the formation's power, allowing attackers to enter the formation, leading to a life or death situation.
Last time, the 'Azure Water Formation' at the Qingzhu Mountain Market was easily broken by a second-tier breaking prohibition talisman because the talisman exploded inside the formation!
Most of the formation's power was directed outward, so attacking from the inside and breaking from the outside were completely different in difficulty.
If Ruan Xingling could find a way to detonate a first-tier breaking prohibition talisman inside the Lu family's formation, it was highly likely that they could destroy the mountain protection formation.
But now, it seemed that she didn't want to destroy the painstakingly built formation, given better options.
"That's great!" Wei Yixin and his wife couldn't hide their joy at not having to attack the Peach Blossom Island's formation.
After finalizing their plans, they bid farewell and left.
Fang Xi deliberately lagged behind and saw Old Daoist Xuemu coming out to see him off.
Before parting, the old man whispered, "Ruan Fairy can actually attract high-level cultivators, but she fears inviting trouble... even a Qi Refinement Grand Perfection expert is willing to help, but he wants Ruan Fairy to agree to the Dao companion's covenant first. Ruan Fairy is ambitious and doesn't want to lose her essence, so she hasn't been able to negotiate..."
"I see," Fang Xi looked enlightened, but inwardly he couldn't help but feel a bit wry. 'So, it seems like I'm taking advantage of my lower cultivation level?'
...
At night.
Inside Cave 37 of the Bing character.
A fist-sized night pearl was embedded in the wall, illuminating the room as bright as day.
Fang Xi took out a book he bought at a bookstore and flipped to the section about Peach Blossom Island on Wan Dao Lake, reading it carefully.
"Peach Blossom Island... located in the southeastern island chain of Wan Dao Lake, neighboring White Feather Island, Black Sand Island, and Golden Flame Island!"
"This island is over thirty miles long from north to south and over twenty miles wide from east to west... with Twin Peaks, Mirror Moon Lake, Emerald Cliff, and other spiritual places. Only Mirror Moon Lake is a first-tier spiritual vein, the rest are insignificant..."
"On the island, there is a human town with over a dozen villages and a population of over ten thousand... Hmm, it's basically a small county."
In Wan Dao Lake, cultivators and ordinary people coexist on the islands.
Most of these ordinary people are descendants of cultivators, living close to spiritual energy nourishment, with a high probability of producing spiritual roots among their descendants, serving as an important source of replenishment for the cultivator community.
"No wonder Old Daoist Xuemu wants to become the Second Island Lord, this is like a small kingdom..."
"Ruan Xingling has strength and status... coupled with Xuemu's connections, as long as they take down Lu Jingqing, she can secure the position of island lord, and I can enjoy a hundred years of peace... This is doable!"
In the cultivation world, no matter how noble the cause, it ultimately comes down to strength.
As for why Ruan Xingling is confident in dealing with her enemies?
With her background as an artifact refiner, she most likely purchased high-quality artifacts, powerful talismans, or even disposable treasures like the 'Yin Thunder Seed'!
"Of course, Ruan Xingling probably doesn't have the means to acquire the Yin Thunder Seed... but she should have some other disposable items, she's good at this trade!"
"Unfortunately, this woman is only a mid-grade first-tier artifact refiner. Otherwise, after establishing a bond through battle and confirming character, I could have entrusted her with refining the materials for the snake and dragon... As a somewhat unorthodox body cultivator, I still want to follow the customs of the cultivation world, putting on a full set of spirit armor before engaging with others..."
...
A month passed quickly.
As the auction approached, the crowds in the Treasure Ship Market began to swell.
Various major businesses took the opportunity to launch promotions, with many items being marked up - yes, they were selling at a higher price!
After all, top-grade elixirs, artifacts... are in high demand.
Reputable large stores have no trouble selling!
On the other hand, there were more stalls set up, leading to competition and some price reductions.
Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, Fang Xi sold off all the materials of the low-grade demon beasts, although he had quite a lot, they were insignificant in the vast market turnover.
After dealing with all the low-grade demon beast materials, Fang Xi, in a good mood, began to stroll around the market.
In his storage bag, he only had the snake and dragon's skin, bones, and blood, as well as the one-grade high-grade flying beast's wings, claws, and other precious items.
These items were kept by Fang Xi for his own use or for the right opportunity to sell.
At the same time, after purchasing several other inheritances, he still had over four hundred pieces of low-grade spirit stones.
"Indeed, being a shrewd merchant is profitable!"
With a calm mind, Fang Xi casually browsed among the vendors, not necessarily looking for any treasures to pick up, just browsing.
"Top-grade sword for sale cheap, only one hundred spirit stones!"
"A first-tier high-grade 'Flying Sky Talisman'! Allows cultivators to experience the flesh-flying technique of foundation building in advance... reluctantly selling for twenty spirit stones!"
"Various precious ores, waiting for the right person!"
"Demon beast meat for sale cheap, fifteen pounds for one spirit stone!"
"Various martial arts secrets, buy ten books and get a family heirloom treasure map as a gift!"
...
Fang Xi arrived at a martial arts stall and looked at the treasure maps, his mouth twitching.
He had never engaged in the popular activities of exploring ancient ruins and seeking treasures in the cultivation world because he knew it was very risky!
Most of the treasure maps were fake, and the remaining few might be traps set by rogue cultivators!
Only with a one in a million or even one in a hundred thousand chance could they lead to treasures like the Purple Hidden Mountain.
But without enough strength after obtaining a great opportunity, the outcome would be as tragic as the Situ family and the Hongye Valley...
After browsing for a while and not finding any opportunities to seize, Fang Xi couldn't help but smile wryly.
"It seems like I'm not destined to be a protagonist..."
After sighing inwardly, he stopped by a stall selling spirit rice.
The stall owner was an elderly farmer wearing a straw hat, only at the initial stage of Qi Refinement, greeting everyone with a smile, showing humility beneath his cautious demeanor, reminding Fang Xi of Lao Maitou.
Squatting down, Fang Xi sifted through the spirit rice on the stall and picked up a handful of black spirit rice.
"Friend, this Ren Water Spirit Rice is rich in water vein essence. Look at these grains, each one is plump. It's cheap, and you'll get a discount for buying more."
Seeing Fang Xi's interest, the old farmer immediately introduced.
"Well, it does look good!"
Fang Xi had read the Lingzhi Fu's inheritance, where Jia Feicai, who focused on farming all his life, had some extraordinary insights into spirit rice cultivation.
Combined with Fang Xi's own experience as a spirit farmer, he resonated with the text, making progress much faster than with formations or talisman crafting.
With a touch of his fingertips, he could tell that the spiritual energy contained in this spirit rice was even more abundant than what was being sold in the shop, making it a small treasure.
However, he soon set down the Ren Water Spirit Rice and picked up a handful of crimson red spirit rice next to it.
"This is 'Crimson Blood Spirit Rice,' right? The quality is good, it can be used as seeds for next year's planting."
Fang Xi remarked.
"You have a good eye, friend!" The old farmer gave a thumbs up. "This Crimson Blood Spirit Rice is my pride and joy... with long-term consumption, it's very beneficial for the body. Unfortunately, the taste is not good, so only body cultivators occasionally buy some."
This Crimson Blood Spirit Rice had a coarse taste and an unpleasant smell, hence it was sold cheaply.
But Fang Xi didn't mind... after all, most of his farming was for brewing wine or feeding the Taosu.
One acre of spiritual land required seven to eight pounds of spirit seeds. Fang Xi calculated with ten pounds for a margin of error, and he immediately smiled, "Give me a hundred pounds of 'Crimson Blood Spirit Rice'..."
"Alright!" Business was booming, and the old farmer's face lit up with joy.
(End of this chapter)