Chapter 14: Plan and Dharma Artifact
Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Plan and Dharma Artifact
The Western Wilderness was home to dozens of kingdoms, both large and small.
The Jiang Kingdom was located in the central region, while Fenglan Immortal City lay within the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, at the far western edge of the Western Wilderness. Several countries and tens of thousands of miles separated the Immortal City from the Jiang Kingdom.
The journey was far from safe, plagued not only by roaming Demon Beasts but also by predatory Loose Cultivators.
When Li Ping had first come to the Immortal City, he had traveled with a merchant caravan. It was only because of their large numbers, and the fact that the caravan’s leader was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, that he had been able to arrive safely.
But what he had seen along the way had convinced Li Ping that a Qi Refining Cultivator could never cross that region alone.
Therefore, after arriving in the Immortal City, Li Ping had never returned to the Jiang Kingdom, prioritizing his own safety.
Although he could have returned with a caravan, they were large and slow, and their fees were quite expensive. For these reasons, Li Ping had never considered it.
But now, he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. In the Cultivation Realm of the Western Wilderness, he could barely be considered an expert.
He could now cross the territories of several nations and travel to the Jiang Kingdom all on his own.
In fact, Li Ping had already been planning to return to the Jiang Kingdom after reaching Foundation Establishment and making the proper preparations.
But now, Daoist Ji’s letter made him feel an even greater sense of urgency to return.
’So Master is already bedridden?’ Li Ping fell silent at the thought.
He was thirteen when Yan Guikai brought him back to Sword Casting Manor. At the time, Yan Guikai was already over sixty. Twenty-seven years had passed since that day, and his master was now a venerable eighty-seven.
In his youth, Yan Guikai had wandered the martial world and accumulated numerous hidden injuries from his duels. If Li Ping hadn’t stepped onto the Immortal Dao and found many Spirit Medicines to treat him, he likely wouldn’t have lived this long.
However, for a mortal to live to such an age truly meant he had reached the end of his life. No medicine could help, and his decline could not be delayed by mortal means.
Unless Li Ping could find a true life-extending Pill, his master would not be able to live much longer. But even for Cultivators, life-extending Pills were incredibly precious.
A mere Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator like him had no way of obtaining one. Perhaps a Core Formation Cultivator like Fenglan Master would have the means.
’It’s not just Master. Daoist Ji is probably nearing his end, too.’
Li Ping then thought of Ji Xiu, the man who had guided him onto the Immortal Dao. Daoist Ji had retired to that small mountain village to live out his final years. He had already been over eighty back then; now, he was over a hundred.
Although a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator’s constitution was stronger than a mortal’s, their lifespan wasn’t much longer.
Daoist Ji, too, was not far from the end of his life.
His master, Yan Guikai, had saved his life when he had transmigrated and was about to freeze to death. Daoist Ji, in turn, had led him to the Immortal Dao, giving him the chance to witness the wonders of a much wider world.
It was no exaggeration to say that these two were the most important people in his current life.
And now, both of them were reaching the end of their lives.
Thinking of this, Li Ping couldn’t help but sigh. ’As soon as everything is ready, I’ll go back to the Jiang Kingdom and see Master one last time.’
He did not leave for the Jiang Kingdom immediately.
First, Daoist Ji’s letter had stated that his master was bedridden, which meant that as long as he returned before the end of the year, he would be able to see him one last time.
Second, the road back to the Jiang Kingdom was fraught with danger. He had sold even his Dharma Artifacts to fund his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, leaving him unable to wield the true combat power of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
He would have to prepare at least one Tier Two Dharma Artifact before he could dare to set out.
...
「Four days later, at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.」
Over these four days, aside from meditating and resting, Li Ping had spent nearly all his time drawing Talismans.
Now, his Storage Bag contained a stack of over a hundred Tier One Upper Grade Spirit Talismans, including Cyan Thunder Talismans, Ice Arrow Talismans, and Fire Snake Talismans.
A single Tier One Upper Grade Spirit Talisman, once activated, was equivalent to a full-power strike from a late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator.
Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators with Dharma Artifacts in hand would certainly look down on them. The primary buyers were typically the wealthier among early- and mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivators.
The sales volume for any single type of Spirit Talisman had never been high, which was why Li Ping had drawn a variety of them before coming to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion to trade.
As for Gumu Sheng’s little shop, it couldn’t possibly handle his production capacity.
The one who received Li Ping was the same beautiful woman, Miaorou, known for her love of red robes, her ample bosom, and her graceful figure.
When she saw that Li Ping had managed to draw over a hundred Tier One Upper Grade Talismans in just four days, she couldn’t help but show her surprise. After all, considering the failure rate of drawing Spirit Talismans, it should have been impossible for a Tier One Upper Grade Talisman Maker to work so quickly.
’Could this Fellow Daoist Li be a Talisman Master on the verge of breaking through to become a Tier Two Talisman Maker?’ Surprised by this thought, Miaorou’s gaze toward Li Ping took on a flirtatious edge.
If she could win Li Ping over, a Tier Two Talisman Maker would do wonders for her sales figures.
At this thought, Miaorou leaned forward, pressing her magnificent chest against the table. The sight of those surging waves made Li Ping unable to resist a few extra glances.
Pretending not to notice his gaze, Miaorou’s expression suddenly turned serious. "Fellow Daoist Li, you have quite a large quantity of Talismans this time. I can’t buy them back at the same price as last time. I can only offer you the market rate of four Spirit Stones per Talisman."
Tier One Upper Grade Spirit Talismans sold on the market for five to six Spirit Stones each, so a buyback price of four couldn’t be called low. The last time had been a special price to build a friendship, which was naturally different.
’In that case, I’ll only get a little over four hundred Spirit Stones. And Tier Two Lower Grade Dharma Artifacts start at over two hundred Spirit Stones...’ Li Ping couldn’t help but frown slightly.
Seeing Li Ping’s apparent displeasure, Miaorou quickly added, "I can’t raise the purchase price, but considering you’ve sold so many Spirit Talismans to our Pavilion, we will grant you a membership. In the future, you can enjoy a five percent discount on all purchases here."
Hearing that he could get a five percent discount on purchases, Li Ping’s brow relaxed slightly. "Very well. That price will do."
After counting the Talismans, Miaorou was about to take out the Spirit Stones to complete the transaction, but Li Ping stopped her.
He smiled and said, "Fairy Miao, I was just about to purchase a few Dharma Artifacts. Would you be so kind as to show me some?"
A little over four hundred Spirit Stones wasn’t enough to buy a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique. Since he was in a hurry to return to the Jiang Kingdom, his top priority was to buy two Tier Two Dharma Artifacts for self-defense. The Cultivation Technique would have to wait.
When she heard that Li Ping wanted to buy Dharma Artifacts, a look of delight appeared in Miaorou’s eyes.
Whether she was buying Spirit Talismans from Li Ping or selling Dharma Artifacts to him, it all counted toward her sales performance.
"Fellow Daoist Li, please take a look at this ’Red Shadow Sword’..."
...
「Half a day later,」 when Li Ping emerged from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, a satisfied smile was on his face.
He had spent every last one of the four hundred-odd Spirit Stones he received from selling the Talismans.
In return, his Storage Bag now held two Tier Two Lower Grade Dharma Artifacts: one for offense and one for defense.
With Tier Two Dharma Artifacts in hand, he could finally be considered a true Foundation Establishment Cultivator.