As soon as Deacon Zhao finished speaking, the outer sect disciples present erupted into an uproar.
The New Year had just recently passed, and many disciples in their fifth year since entry were seizing every moment to cultivate bitterly, terrified that their realm would fall short and they would be expelled from the Sect.
At such a critical juncture, they were raising such a massive commotion to send out the disciples just for a single spirit pet?
Was the cultivation path of outer sect disciples not even worth a crane belonging to an inner sect Elder’s granddaughter?
“Silence!”
“Silence!”
Deacon Zhao also knew this matter was somewhat excessive. Only after shouting several times did he forcibly suppress the crowd, saying sternly, “This matter was ordered by inner sect Elder Wang. Do you dare disobey?”
Late Foundation Establishment, an inner sect Elder with real authority!
This dual identity pressed down upon the many disciples like a great mountain.
For a time, the outer sect disciples fell utterly silent.
Only after a long while did a disciple muster the courage to ask, “Deacon, since it is a spirit pet, there must be a beast-taming formula. Just activate the formula directly and force the crane to return on its own. Why must we search for it?”
Another deacon, Deacon Ma, said indifferently, “You are unaware. Although that White-Feathered Spirit Crane has not yet reached adulthood, it already possesses late Qi Condensation strength.”
“Although Elder Wang Chen’s granddaughter is also at late Qi Condensation, she advanced only recently, and her strength is not yet stable.”
“After receiving the crane bestowed by her elder, she grew impatient. Before returning to the Sect, she forcefully tried to bind the spirit beast while still aboard a flying boat mid-journey. As a result, the White-Feathered Spirit Crane seized the opportunity to break free of her control and fled into the mountains.”
Late Qi Condensation strength?
Hearing this, the many disciples grew even more anxious.
Among the outer sect disciples, most were only at early or mid Qi Condensation. Going out to find a late Qi Condensation Demon Beast—was that not courting death?
Moreover, without a spirit contract, heaven knew where that White-Feathered Spirit Crane had flown.
The State of Liang was so vast; where were they supposed to look?
Seeing the agitated crowd, the expressions of Deacon Zhao, Deacon Ma, and the others turned somewhat unsightly.
But one could not punish an entire crowd. Facing so many disciples, Deacon Zhao could not force the issue too harshly.
He could only reluctantly lower his posture and placate the masses.
“I know what you are all worried about. Rest assured, although the spirit contract was not completed, it has not yet been completely thrown off by that crane. Through that faint connection, Elder Wang’s granddaughter can determine the general direction of the crane.”
“However, this connection can be maintained for at most ten more days before it is completely suppressed by that White-Feathered Spirit Crane.”
“If not for this, Elder Wang’s granddaughter would not be so anxious, and we would not have stirred up such a great commotion…”
And the general direction could be pinpointed?
If that was the case, it was barely acceptable…
Seeing that the disciples’ resistance was no longer as intense as before, Deacon Zhao struck while the iron was hot, “Rest assured, everyone. As outer sect deacons, we will set out together with all of you disciples and will not let you face danger alone.”
“When the time comes, you will search in teams.”
“Five to a team. Each team will be led by a mid Qi Condensation cultivator and provided with a signal firework.”
“Once traces of the White-Feathered Spirit Crane are discovered, you need not fight. Immediately ignite the signal firework, and your assignment will be considered complete.”
“Elder Wang’s granddaughter has issued a bounty. The first team to find the White-Feathered Spirit Crane will be rewarded with one hundred Spirit Stones and five bottles of Origin Condensation Pills.”
“Such a Fated Chance is not easy to come by. You might even gain Elder Wang’s appreciation. Disciples, do not miss this opportunity!”
Only needed to send a signal; no need to fight.
And there were rewards!
Hearing it put this way, some disciples were finally tempted.
Even though most were still unwilling, knowing the chance of claiming the reward was slim, they could not resist the general tide and ultimately had to agree.
Seeing the matter finally settled, the deacons breathed a sigh of relief. They waved for the disciples to disperse, giving them half a shichen to prepare before gathering back at this spot.
Later, inner sect disciples would use Cloud-Bearing Beasts to transport the crowd in batches to the general area where the crane was hiding.
…
Heading out for ten days on short notice to search for a late Qi Condensation Demon Beast!
This sudden assignment threw the unprepared disciples into a flurry of activity.
Although the deacons guaranteed that they would not need to fight, who could promise that the White-Feathered Spirit Crane would not actively attack the Luoyang Sect disciples who found it?
Not to mention the other Demon Beasts they might encounter during the mountain search!
Preparing extra defensive Talismans, Pills, and medicinal powders to repel poisonous insects was always a prudent choice.
While searching the wilderness, whether lighting fires to cook or carrying large amounts of dry rations, neither was suitable—scents and firelight could attract Demon Beast attacks.
Therefore, Inedia Pills also became an absolute necessity.
“Who has a Divine Travel Talisman for fleeing? This Junior Brother urgently needs one!”
“Damn it. Last week I went to Luoyun Market and passed by Treasure Pavilion. I wanted to buy a low-grade defensive Magical Artifact, but hesitated in the end. If I had a defensive Magical Artifact in hand, this trip would be much less dangerous.”
“Inedia Pills, who has extra Inedia Pills? Sell this Junior Brother two!”
“I want some too!”
Fang Ping, who had only made a few simple preparations, had not expected a flood of business to suddenly fall into his lap. For a moment, he was overjoyed.
“I still have a few bottles of Inedia Pills here, top quality. Those who want them, come quickly!”
If truly in a bind, one could also exchange Sect contributions for them.
But this incident was too sudden, and nearly all the outer sect disciples were being deployed. Even if only one in ten had failed to prepare and was unwilling to waste precious Sect contributions, that alone was enough for Fang Ping to make a hefty profit.
“Junior Brother here, give me one bottle!”
“I want two. What is your price?”
“The five of us will split a bottle!”
“Are there any left? I can pay a little extra!”
In less than a quarter of an hour, the dozens of bottles of Inedia Pills Fang Ping had recently refined were sold out.
Only two bottles of Inedia Pills remained in his Storage Bag, kept for his own use.
Fang Ping did not pinch pennies with the Spirit Stones he earned. He immediately bought a bottle of Antidote Pills capable of neutralizing common poisons, along with two Divine Travel Talismans and one Protection Talisman.
The low-grade Divine Travel Talismans were one thing, but the Protection Talisman was a genuine middle-grade basic Talisman. Once activated, the shield it raised was sturdy enough to withstand several full-force strikes from a mid Qi Condensation Demon Beast.
With these three Talismans, his safety on this trip would undoubtedly increase significantly.
Beside him, Zhou Yang and Zhang Feihu, who had just witnessed Fang Ping selling Pills, could not hide their surprise. “Junior Brother Fang, where did you get so many Inedia Pills?”
When an ordinary person stocked up, they would at most hold onto one or two bottles.
Who would be idle enough to carry dozens of bottles of Inedia Pills on their person?
He couldn’t have had foresight, knowing this would happen in advance, and deliberately hoarded them, could he?
Fang Ping had never intended to hide his identity as a Pill Dao apprentice. Since his acquaintances had noticed, he spoke as if mentioning something trivial, “These Inedia Pills? I refined them myself in my free time.”
“You are a Pill Master?”
How could that be!
Zhou Yang and Zhang Feihu were greatly shocked.
Back then they had all agreed—everyone was a Four-Attribute Spirit Root waste. How did someone suddenly become a Pill Master?
Facing their scrutiny, Fang Ping could not help but laugh. “I just refine Inedia Pills. I wouldn’t even dare call myself a Pill Dao apprentice, let alone a Pill Master.”
That made sense!
Remembering that Inedia Pills were merely low-grade basic Pills, the most common kind, the two finally relaxed.
But even so, Zhou Yang could not help but feel a touch of envy. “Even if it is just Inedia Pills, they cannot be refined casually, right? As long as you can raise the success rate of Pill refinement, you could live quite comfortably just off Inedia Pills.”
Glancing at his expression, Fang Ping shook his head. “You said it yourself—the success rate has to be raised first. How could that be so easy? I have studied Pill refinement for many years, pondering over it even before joining the Sect. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve tried since then, and even now I can barely recover my costs!”