Selling the pills naturally went quite smoothly.
Compared to the Inedia Pill, the Qi-Returning Pill, which could accelerate the recovery of Spiritual Power, was undoubtedly more popular.
It took little time for Fang Ping to sell off his stock of Qi-Returning Pills in batches and purchase more pill-refining materials.
Proper business handled, for the first time Fang Ping did not rush straight back to Tiandu Peak. Instead, feeling relatively leisurely, he strolled around the market.
If one had to name the liveliest place in the market, the trading area undoubtedly came first.
Large numbers of Rogue Cultivators set up stalls here, buying and selling all sorts of resources and materials obtained from who-knew-where, or relics scavenged from the cave dwellings of predecessors. Who was to say there weren’t some dust-covered treasures among them?
Almost every year, rumors circulated of outside cultivators successfully picking up bargains here and striking it rich overnight.
No one knew whether these stories were true, nor was it clear why the ones finding these bargains were always outsiders, yet the rumors remained a favorite topic of conversation, passed along by everyone.
But Fang Ping knew perfectly well that while finding a real treasure wasn’t entirely impossible here, forged scams made up the vast majority of cases.
You might think you had a unique eye and could spot a treasure concealing its own brilliance, never realizing that from start to finish, the entire encounter was a carefully designed trap.
In situations like this, where poor judgment and greed led to being duped, even if you sought out the market’s Law Enforcement disciples, it would be incredibly difficult to explain and seek justice.
Fang Ping had a clear understanding of his own luck. He would never go near the stalls, so naturally, he would never be scammed.
After the trading area, the next most interesting place was Tianxiang Tower.
Inside the tower were many female cultivators with graceful figures who were experts in the methods of dual cultivation. Aloof fairies, gorgeous noblewomen, seductive demonesses, pretty and charming girls-next-door… they had every variety.
Of course, to cater to wealthy female cultivators and some cultivators with unique tastes, Tianxiang Tower also had male cultivators, who were said to be equally professional.
For just a few Spirit Stones, one could enjoy the ultimate worldly pleasure—truly a wonderful thing.
When he first got acquainted with Senior Brother Yan Xu, the other man had invited Fang Ping to come here and enjoy himself.
Fang Ping wouldn’t have minded coming in for a critical inspection, but unfortunately, maintaining a pure-yang body during the Qi Condensation stage provided a tiny benefit for Foundation Establishment.
Although this was a classic rumor and no one knew if it was actually true, Fang Ping only had a Four-Attribute Spirit Root, and the quality of his spirit root was extremely poor. He had no capital for indulgence.
Better to believe it exists than to risk it.
Bound by this constraint, when he passed by Tianxiang Tower, he could only look up from afar, confining his critical actions purely to verbal commentary.
As for the gambling den not far from Tianxiang Tower, that was a place of disaster that must never be touched, lest it bring endless ruin.
Fang Ping was irreconcilably opposed to gambling and illicit substances. He took a wide detour whenever he passed by.
No hope for picking up bargains, Tianxiang Tower is temporarily off-limits, and the gambling den is the source of all evil… Looks like I’ll just have to go to Sihai Tower to enjoy myself, Fang Ping thought.
Sihai Tower was one of the famous restaurants in the market, boasting that it served every spiritual wine and delicacy within the four seas. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Of course, that was just boasting. If you believed it, you’d be a fool.
At least in a place like Luoyun Market, if you ordered some obscure Foundation Establishment Demon Beast meat at Sihai Tower, they might not even be able to produce it!
But for ordinary Qi Condensation cultivators, occasionally coming here to satisfy their appetite was more than enough.
As a newly rich poor man whose accumulations were still limited, he couldn’t bear to spend Spirit Stones on a private room.
Fang Ping casually found a seat on the second floor. He ordered a pot of Qingyu Brew, a portion of Qi Condensation Demon Beast meat, two plates of light side dishes, and a serving of ink bamboo spiritual rice. A mouthful of wine and meat, followed by a mouthful of spiritual rice—he ate with immense satisfaction.
The carefully prepared spiritual food had barely entered his stomach before it transformed into strands of Spiritual Qi, leaving Fang Ping completely intoxicated by the comfort it brought.
A rare luxury like this couldn’t be wasted.
Fang Ping immediately slowed his eating speed and devoted himself fully to refining the Spiritual Qi.
During this process, he also listened to the other cultivators in Sihai Tower chatting about rumors from all over the world. Aside from broadening his horizons, it was quite a pleasant experience.
Just as he finished his meal and prepared to leave, the casual conversation of several newly arrived Rogue Cultivators caught his attention.
“Did you hear? The cultivation clan, the Sun Family, had their Foundation Establishment cultivator pass away a few days ago when his lifespan ran dry.”
“The Sun Family? You mean the Foundation Establishment family on Dangyan Peak?”
“That’s the one. This family was quite prominent a few hundred years ago, boasting three Foundation Establishment cultivators at their peak. To think they would fall to such a state, and now even their only Foundation Establishment cultivator is gone…”
“Hiss… Doesn’t that mean the Sun Family is in danger?”
A family with some remaining foundation, yet lacking even a single Foundation Establishment cultivator to fight for them—in a Cultivation world where the weak are prey to the strong, what difference was there between them and a massive piece of fat meat?
“Who could say otherwise? If you ask me, if the Sun Family can’t find a backer soon, or produce a new Foundation Establishment cultivator, I’m afraid they won’t last long!”
“Truly, the affairs of the world are unpredictable!”
…
The Foundation Establishment Sun Family?
Fang Ping had heard of this family, located on Dangyan Peak in the southwest of Yongzhou in the State of Liang.
It was said that several decades ago, after the new Headmaster of the Luoyang Sect took office, he had tried to recruit them. However, they had no intention of becoming vassals to the Luoyang Sect. Combined with the considerable distance, even if the Sect forcefully subdued them, they would be difficult to control. Thus, the Luoyang Sect dropped the matter.
Everyone coexisted peacefully, minding their own business.
He never expected that such a Foundation Establishment family would also face a day of decline.
Fang Ping didn’t think too much about it. Feeling a brief wave of lamentation, he stood up, settled the bill, and left the Sihai Tower.
But to his surprise, the moment he returned to his courtyard on Tiandu Peak, he found himself encountering this matter again. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Is Junior Brother Fang in?”
A familiar voice rang out from beyond the courtyard gate.
Fang Ping, who was adjusting his condition in preparation to refine Qi-Returning Pills, frowned. “Senior Brother Zhang? Coming.”
He opened the courtyard gate.
Fang Ping saw two people who slightly surprised him.
Zhang Feihu, who had called out, was considered an old acquaintance.
What surprised Fang Ping was mainly the other person.
If memory served, the other man’s surname was Chu. He was heavily built, and a scar on his left cheek added a touch of ferocity to his appearance.
This man had become a mid-stage Qi Condensation outer sect disciple a long time ago and had almost never interacted with Fang Ping.
Why had these two come together to find him?
Fang Ping felt a bit puzzled, but he didn’t invite the two in. Instead, feigning ignorance, he greeted them. “Ah, it’s Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Brother Chu!”
Chu Chengwen and Zhang Feihu exchanged a glance. Finally, the latter spoke, “Junior Brother Fang, if I remember correctly, we entered the outer sect in the same year, right?”
Fang Ping nodded, still not understanding what Zhang Feihu was trying to say.
Seeing Fang Ping confirm, Zhang Feihu looked left and right, then put on a mysterious air. “Since that’s the case, I have a Fated Chance that I wish to discuss with you in private. This is not the place to talk. Could we…?”
He looked toward the inside of the house.
A Fated Chance?
Usually when we go down the mountain to drink spiritual wine, I’ve never seen you rush to pay. If there really was such a good thing, would you actually think of me?
Fang Ping muttered inwardly. Still, after a moment’s thought, he stepped aside and let the two in, curious to hear what this Fated Chance was.
They entered the front hall and took their seats.
With no outsiders present, Zhang Feihu no longer hesitated. “Junior Brother Fang surely knows that before long, the Sect will open its gates to take in new disciples, as it does every five years. At the same time, it will mark the five-year deadline since our batch of outer sect disciples entered the mountain.”
As he spoke, he lowered his voice and observed Fang Ping’s expression. “As far as I know, Junior Brother Fang is currently stuck at the second level of Qi Condensation and has been unable to break through, correct?”
Hearing this, Fang Ping vaguely guessed the purpose of their visit.
He pondered for a moment, then said, “So, Senior Brother Zhang means that this Fated Chance can help us break through to the third level of Qi Condensation as quickly as possible?”