Cultivation Starts from Farming

The quality of this Moon Shadow Stone far surpasses the one he obtained before. It is entirely sufficient as the main material to reforged a reinforced version of the Soul-Breaking Needle, which can withstand all his present Power of Divine Sense.

Xuanmo True Monarch flicked his finger, and the Moon Shadow Stone floated gently towards Xu Ping.

"Young Friend Xu, take a look. Does this stone catch your eye?"

Xu Ping reached out to receive it, feeling a chill upon touch. After investigating with his Divine Sense for a while, he suppressed the joy in his heart and cupped his hands towards Xuanmo True Monarch:

"The quality is excellent, exactly what I need. Many thanks to Senior Xuanmo for generously parting with it."

Xuanmo True Monarch laughed heartily, waving his hand with generosity, "As long as Young Friend Xu is satisfied."

"In the future... perhaps the two of us can cooperate further." Xuanmo True Monarch said with deeper meaning.

The Elder stroked his beard and laughed as the matter was resolved, "Well, Young Friend has obtained what he needs, and Fellow Daoist Xuanmo, we will certainly not let you bear the burden alone; we will surely compensate you later."

"Since Young Friend Xu has acquired what he needs, let us continue to discuss the specific details of resisting the demonic disaster."

Yun Weifeng’s voice was calm yet carried an inherent dignity that inspired trust.

The previous discussion was merely a rough framework for resisting the demonic disaster.

Now, it’s time to flesh out this framework, assigning responsibilities to each Cultivator.

This concerns the survival of billions of beings, so even the Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivators present dare not be negligent.

Xu Ping suppressed the slight joy in his heart from obtaining a treasure, his expression returning to solemnity, listening intently.

Resisting the demonic disaster is not child’s play. Even though he is confident in his ability to save himself, care is necessary.

The Cultivators in the hall began to discuss meticulously, one word at a time:

It involved a large amount of resource allocation, personnel division, benefit weighing, and even cooperation issues at the junction of various territories, disputes occasionally arose.

Yet, under the mediation and final decision of Elder Yun Lan, who acted like a stabilizing force, one after another complex, yet crucial detail was finalized.

Xu Ping mostly remained silent, not speaking much.

He was a lone figure, without ties to any power, needing not to vie for territorial gains or speaking rights.

Until the meeting was nearing its end, he brought up a personal request:

"Senior Yun, including all the other seniors, Xu actually has a presumptuous request."

"During this demonic disaster, if Xu were to slay ancient demons, could this be considered some form of ’contribution’?"

"And through this ’contribution’, permit Xu to exchange for some rare resources needed for cultivation, or... observe some Fourth Rank Upper Grade technique heritage.

His words were calm, yet they brought a moment of silence within the hall.

Everyone turned their gaze to him.

Yun Weifeng stroked his beard, pondering for a moment, then nodded with a smile, "Certainly, the specific details can be drafted by Yunxiao Sect. What do the fellow Daoists think?"

The other Great Cultivators thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Xu Ping’s request was not excessive; resources and Fourth Rank Upper Grade heritage, when compared to the pressure of the demonic disaster, truly cannot be regarded as significant.

If this could bind a Cultivator with strength comparable to a Late-stage Nascent Soul fully committed to action, the bargain was certainly worthwhile.

At this point, the main agenda of the alliance meeting had concluded, taking nearly an hour.

Everyone stood up, ready to leave.

Behind them, many matters urgently needed arrangement and preparation—under the looming threat of the demonic disaster, time is tight.

Xu Ping also stood up with the others, his solitary figure feeling unburdened, only needing to follow unified commands when the demonic disaster erupts, appearing quite relaxed.

"Young Friend Xu, please stay."

Just as Xu Ping was about to seek out Duan Shuang to leave together, the voice of Shan Tianyou from Mystic Water Sect came from behind him.

Xu Ping turned around to see Shan Tianyou approach with a warm smile on his face.

"Does Senior Shan have any guidance?" Xu Ping cupped his hands.

"I dare not call it guidance."

Shan Tianyou said with a smile, "I wonder if the Young Friend would honor us by visiting the side hall to talk. Shan has some matters to discuss privately with the Young Friend."

Xu Ping’s eyes flickered slightly, with some guesses forming in his heart. He nodded, "With such an invitation from Senior, how dare I refuse?"

Just as he needed a vast amount of materials to upgrade the Sword Array, collecting them on his own would indeed be time-consuming and laborious. If he could leverage the power of a large sect like Mystic Water Sect, it would undoubtedly be much smoother.

The two arrived at an elegant side hall, where a maid served fragrant tea and quietly retreated.

Shan Tianyou did not immediately cut to the chase but first chatted a few words about the alliance meeting with Xu Ping, reviewing some Spirit Tea, the atmosphere rather pleasant.

After a brief exchange, Shan Tianyou put down the teacup, his expression becoming more solemn, looking at Xu Ping sincerely:

"Young Friend Xu, I will be direct. Our Mystic Water Sect earnestly invites Young Friend to serve as Guest Minister Supreme Elder in our sect!"

"Young Friend only needs to be nominally associated, without having to undertake any mundane sect affairs daily, and can enjoy the sect’s highest treatment."

"Permanent use of the Fourth Rank Upper Grade Spirit Vein Cave Mansion, access to all sect classics except core heritage, authority to mobilize some sect resources... Treatment completely equal to Shan’s as Supreme Elder!"

"The only thing needed from Young Friend is, when the sect faces a crisis between survival and death, to assist to the best of one’s ability."

"And should Young Friend assess the crisis as beyond their capability, they are free to leave, without facing any contract backlash or constraints upon the Dao Heart. What say you, Young Friend?"

These conditions cannot be called anything other than generous!

If it were a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator without attachments and in good relations with Mystic Water Sect, they would likely agree.

But ultimately, Xu Ping slowly shook his head, his tone gentle yet firm, "Senior Shan’s kind offer, Xu is immensely grateful."

"The earnestness of Mystic Water Sect touches Xu deeply. However... Xu is used to being carefree, genuinely unwilling to be bound by any sect."