Wei Zhong suppressed his impulsive urge. His hard-earned lifespan was too precious to waste on mere curiosity, especially not seven and a half years of it.
Hmm, but perhaps once I reach the Late-stage Qi Refining realm, I could spend fifteen years experiencing Foundation Establishment firsthand, gaining invaluable insights for my future breakthrough.
He sighed.
Wei Zhong longed to take a few Jade Marrow Mushrooms out for a lark, wondering if he might encounter some foolish Robber Cultivators. He imagined unleashing his Dao of Time, likely startling them witless.
No, no. I still have a spirit mine in my Grotto-Heaven. I don't need the paltry pickings of those Robber Cultivators.
Come to think of it, ten years had passed. He wondered how the Azurewood Sect's development of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range was progressing.
And what about that Second True Disciple? Had he fed himself to a demon beast yet?
Wei Zhong didn't consider himself vindictive, but Lu Yibin, who had stolen his spirit mine and once hunted him down, was an exception.
It was time to venture out, check on things, and catch up with Old Ning.
Throughout these ten years, Wei Zhong had devoted himself entirely to cultivation. Even the harvesting and selling of spirit rice from his Spirit Field had been entrusted to Loose Cultivators who took on the task.
With Ning Cankun's connections, Wei Zhong was confident no one would dare embezzle his spirit stones.
After tidying up, Wei Zhong set out with two jugs of spirit wine.
"Well, Brother Chu, you're a rare guest!" Ning Cankun exclaimed in surprise as Wei Zhong approached. This was Wei Zhong's first voluntary visit in a decade, making Ning Cankun's reaction understandable.
Ning Cankun accepted the spirit wine, brought out some snacks, and the two began chatting about everything under the heavens.
"Old Brother, you've been immersed in cultivation these past years. Surely you've made considerable progress?"
Wei Zhong popped a spirit bean into his mouth. "Not much. I barely managed to break through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement. I'm still some distance from the Eighth Layer, but it's not too far off."
Although Wei Zhong had temporarily regressed to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement due to switching cultivation techniques, he had used the Dao of Time to borrow a past version of himself, creating an illusory Seventh Layer appearance. This was merely a mirage, however, lacking the true power of a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator.
"I never imagined you'd break through that barrier in just over a decade, Brother Chu. That's remarkably fast compared to ordinary cultivators. If you maintain this pace, Foundation Establishment should be within reach during your lifetime."
"The late-stage of Qi Refinement... it's incredibly difficult!" Ning Cankun lamented, as if Wei Zhong's words had struck a nerve. He gripped his wine cup tightly, falling silent, lost in thought.
Wei Zhong clinked glasses with him, then remarked, "On my way here, I noticed Bright Moon Market seems much quieter these days. Do you know why?"
Ning Cankun composed himself and said, "Old Brother, you may not realize this, but thanks to the sect's development of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range over the past decade, Human cultivators have firmly established themselves in this region of the Wild Plains Prefecture. Demon Hunting and medicinal herb gathering have become significantly safer, and the region's abundant resources have attracted many cultivators. As a result, the Bright Moon Market is declining day by day. At this rate, they might not need an Outer Sect Elder like me much longer."
"Brother Ning is joking," Wei Zhong replied. "Only a few cultivators dare to take such risks. Many still prefer the stability of cultivating spirit fields. With you overseeing things, the Azurewood Sect's spirit fields remain secure."
Wei Zhong wasn't just flattering Ning Cankun; he genuinely believed it. Having worked spirit fields for the Yan Clan in the past, he'd often clashed with other spirit farmers over land disputes. But since joining the Azurewood Sect, Ning Cankun, as the Outer Sect Elder, had managed such matters impeccably.
"It's merely due to the sect's authority," Ning Cankun demurred. "Speaking of which, prices in the Cultivation World have recently decreased because of the developments in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. Spirit Pills, in particular, have seen reductions of ten to twenty percent for common varieties. Even Foundation Establishment Pills, once rarely seen, now occasionally appear at auctions."
"Oh?" Wei Zhong's interest was piqued. "What are the prices like?"
Ning Cankun drained his cup and said, "Around five thousand spirit stones, though the highest bid I've seen at auction was seven thousand. The Li Family, a nearby Foundation Establishment Family, secured it."
"The Foundation Establishment Pill didn't come cheap," Wei Zhong remarked, swirling his wine. "Why would the Li Family overpay so drastically? Could something have happened at home?"
"I heard the Li Family Patriarch's lifespan is nearing its end," Ning Cankun replied.
"No wonder. If they can't produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator, they'll be in trouble."
"Exactly. Without a Foundation Establishment cultivator to anchor the family, they'll become a tempting target. Countless vultures are already eyeing their resources."
Ning Cankun took a bite of spirit beast meat, clearly unfazed by such matters. As an Outer Sect Elder of the Azurewood Sect, he had witnessed the rise and fall of countless Foundation Establishment Families.
"Speaking of which, Old Brother, are you planning to remain a Spirit Farmer forever?"
Wei Zhong's hand, gripping his wine cup, paused slightly. "Most likely. I'll strive to reach the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining and see if an opportunity for Foundation Establishment arises. If not, I'll return home and secure a legacy for my family."
Ning Cankun offered his cup, and they clinked glasses and drained them in one gulp.
"If you ask me, Brother Chu, you'd be better off seeking a position within the Azurewood Sect instead of continuing to farm. Doesn't that True Inheritance disciple owe you a favor? It's time to cash it in."
Wei Zhong simply gripped his cup, silent.
Ning Cankun sighed, realizing his old brother hadn't given up on his Foundation Establishment ambitions. "Good luck, Fellow Daoist!"
After leaving Ning Cankun, Wei Zhong wandered through Market City.
He needed to verify Ning Cankun's claims for himself.
Sure enough, after inquiring around, he found that most medicinal pills in the market were significantly cheaper than before.
For example, the High-Grade Qi Nourishing Pills, which Wei Zhong often used for cultivation, had plummeted from two hundred low-grade spirit stones per bottle to just one hundred and sixty. Bulk purchases offered even greater discounts.
This dramatic price cut filled Wei Zhong with regret. If he'd known, he wouldn't have bought so many pills earlier.
Though the lost spirit stones were a mere drop in the bucket compared to the spirit mine in his Grotto-Heaven, every spirit stone still mattered.
Having lived a frugal life in his previous life, Wei Zhong had never endured such waste.
"Sigh... Shopkeeper, three bottles of High-Grade Qi Nourishing Pills, please."
Based on his past experience, Wei Zhong knew it was time to stock up.
He changed his appearance and bought several more bottles from other shops, ensuring he had enough for his upcoming cultivation.
"Shopkeeper, do you have any three-hundred-year-old Jade Marrow Mushrooms?"
Sensing the mysterious cultivator's Ninth Layer of Qi Refining cultivation base, the shopkeeper dared not be negligent.
"Jade Marrow Mushrooms? This humble shop doesn't keep any in stock, Fellow Daoist. But if you're not in a hurry, a shipment from the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range will arrive in three months. You're welcome to check back then."
Wei Zhong mused inwardly, "Times have truly changed. Even the Jade Marrow Mushroom, the primary ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill, is no longer a rarity."
"What's the price?" he inquired.
"Two thousand spirit stones at market value," the shopkeeper replied. "If you're genuinely interested, Fellow Daoist, you can pay a deposit now and settle the balance later. The Jade Marrow Mushroom will then be yours. Many cultivators in this Market City have their eyes on it."
To Wei Zhong's surprise, the price didn't strike him as exorbitant. He suddenly realized he was no longer a struggling Loose Cultivator eking out a living from his spirit fields. His family now owned mines and was swimming in wealth. His mindset had subtly shifted.
No, I need to change this. How can a Spirit Farmer act so nonchalant?
Wei Zhong suddenly adopted a more awkward demeanor. "Could you... perhaps lower the price a little?"
The shopkeeper's expression remained unchanged. "Fellow Daoist, this is already a fair price."
Embarrassed, Wei Zhong tugged at his beard. "Allow This Daoist to consider it further."
He left the shop under the shopkeeper's watchful gaze.
As he walked away, he faintly heard the word "pauper" behind him, which his unusually keen spiritual sense picked up clearly.
Wei Zhong's refined composure prevented him from taking offense at the shopkeeper's petty remark.
At least his inquiries had confirmed that possessing a Jade Marrow Mushroom was no longer considered extraordinary.
Hmm, once I reach the peak of Qi Refining, I'll bring the Jade Marrow Mushroom to an alchemist to refine it into a pill.