Cultivation Starts from Farming

"Even the position of Guest Minister may hinder the heart, unfavorable to cultivation. I beg senior’s understanding."

Joining a sect, no matter how lenient the conditions, inevitably involves causality and entangles one in disputes.

What he pursues is carefree leisure and steady longevity, reluctant to be easily tied to a war chariot.

Shan Tianyou’s eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment, but being a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator with a broad mind, he quickly concealed it and laughed heartily:

"No matter, everyone has ambitions, Shan would never force you!"

"If Young Friend ever changes his mind, Mystic Water Sect’s doors are always open for you!"

The reason Shan invited Xu Ping was actually because he was quite old, with less than a hundred years of life left.

And in the current Mystic Water Sect, no one sees hope of breaking through the late-stage Nascent Soul.

Once he passes away, Mystic Water Sect might fall out of the ranks of top sects, hence the desire to invite Xu Ping, who is on good terms with the disciples and has good character.

Unfortunately, the other party is unwilling.

"Thank you, senior, for your understanding." Xu Ping cupped his hands.

"However..."

Xu Ping changed his tone, took out a prepared jade slip, and handed it over, "Xu does have one matter, hoping Mystic Water Sect can assist."

"Of course, it is not for free. Xu is willing to exchange with a Fourth Rank talisman or equivalent items."

Hearing this, Shan Tianyou’s spirit lifted.

Though he couldn’t recruit successfully, maintaining good relations and having transactions is also beneficial.

He received the jade slip: "Friend, speak freely. As long as Mystic Water Sect can do it, we won’t refuse."

However, when his Divine Sense penetrated the jade slip and saw the list of materials inside, his expression was startled.

This list of materials is indeed somewhat exaggerated.

It not only includes dozens of extremely rare artifact refining materials but the required quantity is also astonishingly large.

Even if Mystic Water Sect exhausts the entire sect’s power, it cannot gather such a large number of top-grade materials in a short period!

"Young Friend Xu... this..." Shan Tianyou looked troubled.

Xu Ping naturally knows the difficulty, smiling slightly, "Senior needn’t be troubled, Xu does not demand it to be gathered in a short time."

"Just have your sect watch for collection during routine purchases and transactions, accumulate slowly, without time constraints."

"The cost required will be paid by Xu with Fourth Rank talismans or other resources."

Upon hearing this, Shan Tianyou’s expression softened, pondering for a moment, he nodded heavily: "If it is so... then there’s no problem."

"Now that demon disasters are approaching, Fourth Rank talismans are hard currency, their value will only increase. We, Mystic Water Sect, will take on this matter and will strive to search for Young Friend."

With the agreement reached, the atmosphere in the side hall became harmonious again.

After a bit more idle chatter, Shan Tianyou got up to leave, needing to return to the sect to arrange demon disaster defenses.

Xu Ping escorted him to the side hall entrance where Shan Tianyou once again enthusiastically invited: "Young Friend, if you have leisure, be sure to visit my Mystic Water Sect as a guest, let me fulfill my duty as host."

"Certainly, thank you for your kindness, senior." Xu Ping answered with a smile.

Sects like Mystic Water Sect are indeed worth befriending.

...

Seeing off Shan Tianyou, Xu Ping soon found Duan Shuang waiting in another side hall.

"Xu Lang, after the discussion, how did things go?" Duan Shuang approached with concern in her beautiful eyes.

Xu Ping briefly narrated the alliance’s general outcome and Shan Tianyou’s invitation.

Upon hearing Xu Ping’s promise to participate in combating late-stage Nascent Soul ancient demons, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, showing a trace of worry: "Late-stage Nascent Soul ancient demon... Xu Lang, isn’t this too perilous?"

Xu Ping, knowing her concern, smiled confidently: "Shuang’Er, don’t worry, since I promised, I have full assurance. When have you seen me act without confidence?"

Duan Shuang saw his determined expression, feeling slightly relieved, gently nodding: "I trust you, but everything should be handled carefully, don’t overextend."

"Naturally." Xu Ping smiled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

In the following days, Xu Ping and Duan Shuang did not immediately leave Yunxiao Sect.

With such a gathering of high-tier cultivators, it was an excellent opportunity for trading materials and gathering intel.

Xu Ping mainly took out some Fourth Rank talismans he crafted and some Spirit Medicines and Spirit Plants obtained from Ancient Demon Hall, not useful to him, to exchange for Spirit Stones or specific materials.

With his reputation outside and Fourth Rank talismans being strategic resources amidst a demon disaster, the transactions proceeded smoothly with substantial gains.

Duan Shuang focused on searching for several yin-based materials to enhance her Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, also achieving results.

After seven or eight days, feeling no immediate urgent needs, Xu Ping and Duan Shuang decided not to linger, using Escape Light to leave Yunxiao Sect’s mountain gate.

...

Three months later.

Xu Ping and Duan Shuang returned to Blood Bone Island.

The familiar Yin Sha sea wind greeted them, yet carried a reassuring feeling.

The first thing upon returning to the island, Xu Ping went directly to the deepest part of the underground cave in the Artifact Refining Room.

The upgrade of the Soul-Breaking Needle begins at this moment.

Xu Ping sat cross-legged on a central mat, breathing quietly, with his heart’s lake clear as a mirror, calm and unruffled.

In the Artifact Refining Room, Earth Fire surged, runes flickered.

Xu Ping opened his mouth, spraying out a pure and unmatched Nascent Soul True Flame, enveloping the deep-blue Moon Shadow Stone and the two Soul-Breaking Needles.

At the same time, Xu Ping pinched the Magic Technique, casting complex artifact refining spells into the Earth Fire and surrounding Array.

The temperature in the Artifact Refining Room suddenly rose, Spiritual Qi seemed to ignite, an immense energy forcibly gathered, assisting Nascent Soul True Flame in refining and merging.

Sizzle!

Soul-Breaking Needle emitted a slight sound, its surface gradually turning red, slowly beginning to integrate and purify with numerous precious materials.