"Pill Notes, Complete Collection of Spirit Medicine Properties!"
Qi Ping looked at the two copied notebooks in his hand, a look of pleasant surprise appearing in his eyes.
Even though they were copied, it didn't affect his ability to read them at all!
He truly needed these things right now!
From now on, when setting up honey brewing plans, he would finally have reference materials to consult! He wouldn't have to blindly grope around and experiment anymore.
"This is the Pill Notes of a first-rank Alchemist, containing some common Pill Formulas and records of Alchemy experience, but unfortunately, it doesn't have the Advanced Pill Formulas Brother Qi is looking for," Boss Gao said with some regret.
His strength made it difficult for him to access resources like Advanced Pill Formulas.
The Complete Collection of Spirit Medicine Properties was fine; while not overly abundant, it wasn't particularly precious either.
However, the Pill Notes of that first-rank Alchemist were only copied by chance, so they were not easily obtained.
"This is already incredibly rare! But these things are too valuable, Boss Gao, why don't you accept some Spirit Stones?"
Qi Ping felt that taking these two items for free was too much taking advantage of Boss Gao.
Especially that first-rank Alchemist's Pill Notes, how could Qi Ping not know its value?
"Brother Qi, I already said this is a gift to celebrate our new collaboration. I can't go back on my word. But it's also agreed that all future essence nurturing honey will be sold to me. Business isn't easy these days, and I'm counting on it to support my family."
Through Qi Ping's large business, he could also earn a significant amount of resources at this time.
As for the Alchemy notes, he had copied several copies!
Using these to give to those who needed them as a favor was excellent; it could generally maintain a good relationship.
Moreover, for those who needed it, the value of this item could not be measured by a few hundred Spirit Stones; for them, it was more precious and rare than a valuable Spirit Medicine.
Of course, the prerequisite was that these people were worth befriending and gifting. He was a businessman, and he had to learn to assess the situation and use his resources to gain more connections, only befriending, not making enemies.
After this transaction with Boss Gao, Qi Ping knew that given the current situation, it would be difficult for Boss Gao to find suitable items for him again.
As his strength increased, the things Qi Ping needed could no longer be easily satisfied by an ordinary market.
As such, Qing Shi Market truly held little meaning for him anymore.
The best remaining channel for him to obtain precious Spirit Objects and Cultivation Techniques was the Qingyuan Sect.
Unless he went to Qingtian City, the central city of Qingtian Domain.
It was just that there were too many strong Cultivators there; there were many Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and even Golden Core Cultivators were occasionally seen.
If possible, Qi Ping truly didn't want to go to a place with so many strong Cultivators. In Qing Shi County, where the ceiling was Foundation Establishment, Qi Ping felt more secure.
Moreover, in a place like Qingtian City, where strong Cultivators were as numerous as clouds, Qi Ping would be unable to normally use his beekeeping and Spirit Plant cultivation methods. If exposed, he might be directly targeted by a Golden Core Cultivator, leading to a miserable death.
In short, for now, Cloud Mist Mountain Range was his best place for development!
Now, he just needed to sort out the channels for purchasing Cultivation Techniques and Spirit Medicines.
Furthermore, Qi Ping was still thinking about the Immortal Cave in Area A, Peak Seven, where the "Spiritual Beast Cultivation: Demon Insect Chapter" was found. The Bee Swarm's third-rank and future development depended on it, so Qi Ping would definitely not give up on that place. It was just that he currently didn't have the courage or urgent need to explore that mysterious Immortal Cave.
Led by Boss Gao, Qi Ping once again arrived at the courtyard where the towering man, Meng Yan, resided.
Upon entering, the interior hadn't changed much since his last visit.
It was still that incredibly simple courtyard, almost devoid of decorations. It couldn't even compare to some of the exotic flowers, strange plants, and Immortal Realm oddities Old Zhou used to keep in his original courtyard.
However, on one wall in the living room, many weapons and armors were hung, primarily Medium Grade Magical Artifacts and High Grade Magical Artifacts, ranging from Qi Refining Middle Stage to Qi Refining Late Stage.
Through the display of these decorations, coupled with the clanging sounds coming from underground, the identity and personality of the owner were obvious: a first-rank Artifact Refiner solely dedicated to Artifact Refining.
And the fact that these weapons, each worth hundreds of Spirit Stones, were simply displayed here was enough to indicate the owner's considerable wealth.
After Qi Ping waited for a moment in the living room, the clanging sounds from underground finally stopped.
A moment later, a muscular man, at Qi Refining ninth-layer, as sturdy as an iron tower, and covered in sweat, walked out.
"My apologies, Brother Qi, for making you wait so long!" Meng Yan said with a hearty voice.
"It's no trouble. It is I who am disturbing Senior Meng today."
However, Qi Ping's sentence was cut short by Meng Yan.
"There's no need to be so polite with me. According to Old Gao, you should be a bit younger than me. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Meng! I don't like tea. How about some wine?"
As Meng Yan spoke, he pulled out two gourds of wine from his Storage Pouch, then continued:
"I recently got two bottles of good wine. One is brewed from the snow lotus of the Northern Domain, with a refreshing taste; the other is brewed from Fire Crow roots, spicy and invigorating. Which one do you prefer, Brother Qi?"
Facing Meng Yan's straightforwardness, Qi Ping also replied directly:
"Brother Meng, then let's drink the Fire Crow wine. Thank you for the hospitality!"
Meng Yan then poured a large, full bowl for both Qi Ping and himself, and without another word, he grabbed one of the bowls and took a big gulp!
After one mouthful of wine, the fatigue on Meng Yan's face seemed to vanish instantly.
Meng Yan's face also showed a satisfied expression, exactly like Old Zhou's after finishing his wine.
Seeing Meng Yan's straightforward nature, Qi Ping no longer maintained his cautious demeanor. Instead, he also picked up his bowl and took a big gulp.
He had just sensed this bowl of wine with his Natural Perception and felt nothing amiss.
And Qi Ping now had a clearer understanding of Meng Yan. This person possessed a special temperament, similar to the Green-robed Woman Lin Qingshu.
This special temperament was also consistent with the type of Sword Intent.
In other words, Meng Yan was likely also a Genius with an extraordinary Heart-Nature. Such Geniuses were top-tier in both talent and Heart-Nature, possessing their own unwavering Immortal Dao philosophy, unaffected by common worldly notions of status.
In fact, in the Cultivation World, true Immortal Dao Geniuses generally possessed a firm Dao Heart and would not be easily swayed by the Mortal World.
"The taste is like a raging fire, spicy but not harsh. Good wine!"
After taking a sip, Qi Ping praised.
Meng Yan also looked at Qi Ping in surprise after hearing this.
"It seems Brother Qi is also a connoisseur of wine!"
"My Master usually enjoys this kind, so I occasionally drink some too."
"Your Master is?"
"A small old man at Qi Refining fourth-layer, not famous at all!"
"To be able to teach a Disciple like you, he's certainly not ordinary!"
"I am but an unknown person, how can I bear such praise from Brother Meng?"
Hearing this, Qi Ping was a bit confused. Could this Meng Yan see through illusions?
"Brother Qi, don't be modest! That Fire Crow has extraordinary vision; it would certainly not recognize an ordinary person. So, Brother Qi must possess outstanding qualities, that's one thing; and secondly, Brother Qi, do you know of a Dao Concept, which is: when the Dao Heart solidifies, the Concept is born?"
"When the Dao Heart solidifies, the Concept is born?"
Qi Ping shook his head. He had read many ancient texts but had never seen this saying.
"Brother Qi is a Loose Cultivator, so it's normal that you don't know. This was also told to me personally by my Master. Comprehending a true Concept is a prerequisite for advancing to Golden Core, you should know that, right?"
"I know that, but what does that have to do with the Dao Heart?"
Qi Ping nodded to this. He did know this.
True Intent is the prerequisite for comprehending the Law. To condense a Golden Core, one must comprehend a true Law and condense the Golden Core with that true Intent.
At the same time, Meng Yan's words made him serious. Meng Yan's Master was a Golden Core Stage powerhouse!
"Of course, it's related, because my Master said that the further one Cultivates to the Golden Core Late Stage, the more one can perceive the importance of the Dao Heart. Only those with a firm Dao Heart can truly grasp the power of the Law and not be controlled or enslaved by the Law itself, becoming true Cultivators!"
"Those with an unstable Dao Heart are easily controlled by the power of the Law, unable to see through the true essence of power! Heart Demons devouring the Master, Spiritual Qi going out of control, becoming slaves to the power of Law—these are not new occurrences in the Cultivation World. The more extreme the Law, the more difficult it is for Cultivators to control."
"Cultivators are not, as many ordinary Cultivators believe, just brute force practitioners who can advance with resources. These people will never be able to explore the true essence of Cultivation, because that is merely the most basic part."
"My Master told me that comprehending the Dao Heart and giving birth to a Concept is best started from the moment one embarks on the path of Cultivation. This way, one can more completely comprehend their entire Cultivation path and truly understand their Dao Heart. Some insights, once missed, can never be experienced again."
"And the initial first stage for those with a firm Dao Heart is to condense a Concept. The most representative ones are Sword Intent and Saber Intent; they are the embodiment of the combination of Law and personal Dao Heart. For example, Ruthless Sword Intent, Mortal World Sword Intent, Guardian Sword Intent... these are all combinations of Law and Dao Heart."
"And the moment I saw Brother Qi, I sensed that you possess a Concept that is about to condense, just like mine. This Concept cannot be concealed by your ordinary Qi Concealment Art."
"Use this!"
Meng Yan finished speaking and took out a Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch, handing it to Qi Ping.
"This Cultivation Technique is called Embryonic Breath Art. It can conceal your Spiritual Qi Realm, Divine Soul, and Concept. And this communication Jade Talisman, consider it a meeting gift!"
"The Qingyuan Sect is currently facing severe internal and external troubles. I want to find an ally who is not within their expectations or surveillance!"
"The path of Immortality is not easy. Brother Qi, for you to have come this far as a Loose Cultivator is enough to prove your extraordinary talent; besides that, I also truly believe in that Fire Crow's intuition."
"Today, I've spoken a bit too presumptuously. I wonder if Brother Qi is willing to form an alliance with me? I can try my best to provide you with the Cultivation Techniques and resources you desire."
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