Conflict in the world is inevitable; even with his extraordinary Talent and a Golden Core Stage Master as his backer, Meng Yan couldn't guarantee his survival in this complex struggle.
Let alone him, could his Golden Core Master, or even the Nascent Soul Old Ancestor within the Qingyuan Sect, truly rest easy?
The higher one's position and the closer one is to the center of resource distribution, the more attention one receives.
He came to Qing Shi County precisely to avoid the most intense vortex of conflict and to peacefully comprehend the Dao and Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
This was also thanks to him having a Golden Core Master; otherwise, he would have been involuntarily drawn into many matters.
But even so, he felt as if he was caught in a scheme, constantly being watched.
The appearance of Qi Ping sparked an idea in his mind: to find an unexpected helper and ally for himself.
He had carefully considered his choice to select Qi Ping.
The first time he saw Qi Ping, Qi Ping was cloaked in a black robe, and he couldn't discern much, nor did he pay it much mind.
However, when the Fire Crow decisively chose Qi Ping, it made him realize Qi Ping's extraordinary nature.
Later, out of concern for the Fire Crow and curiosity about Qi Ping, he specifically inquired about Qi Ping's information from Boss Gao.
Through various means of deduction, he realized that Qi Ping might be hiding extraordinary strength, and he also learned some of Qi Ping's past conduct and personality from Boss Gao's mouth.
Thus, he instructed Boss Gao to keep Qi Ping's information strictly confidential.
But this alone was far from enough for him to be considered an ally.
Until today, he discovered that Qi Ping was subtly on the verge of condensing a Concept!
This meant that Qi Ping was close to reaching the first stage of Dao Heart Cultivation: condensing a Concept!
How astounding this was for Qi Ping, a Loose Cultivator!
What's more, Qi Ping had just said he hadn't heard of the saying that a Dao Heart condenses and a Concept is born, meaning Qi Ping had spontaneously reached this point!
And he himself had only gradually embarked on this path under the guidance of his Golden Core Stage Master!
In other words, Qi Ping's Talent might even surpass his own.
Having reached this point, Qi Ping shouldn't be far from condensing a Concept and comprehending the true meaning of Law; as long as he provides the resources and Cultivation Technique, it's hard to say who between him and Qi Ping will achieve a Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm first!
This, coupled with the Fire Crow's recognition of Qi Ping and Boss Gao's high regard for Qi Ping, solidified his resolve.
Boss Gao had met countless people and rarely misjudged, and with the Fire Crow involved, he was certain that Qi Ping was a worthy ally.
With emotional connection as the bond and mutual benefit, such a cooperation should be sufficiently stable.
As for Qi Ping, being a Loose Cultivator, his needs were self-evident, and the items he was seeking to purchase this time precisely proved this point.
As for the Opportunity and secrets surrounding Qi Ping, he wasn't overly interested; it was normal for every Cultivator to have their own resources.
And as a Disciple of a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, with extraordinary Talent, he had already comprehended the true meaning of Law.
He only needed to condense his Dao Heart and give birth to a Concept, and then it would be time for him to integrate the power of the true meaning of Law and Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment!
From then on, his path would be smooth, and he could advance rapidly, breaking straight through to Golden Core!
What benefit could illusory Opportunities bring him?
He wanted to embark on the path of immortality, to become the supreme powerhouse, not a brute with magical power who was unknowingly a slave!
However, upon hearing Meng Yan's words, a surging tide rose within Qi Ping's heart.
The impact of these words on him was simply too great!
It turned out that cultivating the mind and comprehending the Dao was far more important than what ordinary Cultivators imagined.
Without comprehending the Dao Heart, one would ultimately only be a slave to Law and Spiritual Qi!
The power of Law in the world is so vast, how could it be easily controlled by mediocre people?
No wonder ever since Qi Ping's two Epiphanies, he had continuously clarified his original intention, and his control over Spiritual Qi had become increasingly strong!
So that's how it is!
Thinking of this, Qi Ping immediately stood up and bowed solemnly to Meng Yan.
"Thank you, Brother Meng, for dispelling my confusion!"
The grace of imparting the Dao, teaching, and dispelling confusion was completely worth Qi Ping's actions, especially since Meng Yan was speaking of Golden Core Stage insights.
As for Meng Yan guessing his hidden strength, it was perfectly normal; if Boss Gao could discern Qi Ping's extraordinary nature, how could Meng Yan not?
The only thing that surprised Qi Ping was the Concept of the Dao Heart, which not only revealed his easily discoverable Dao Heart Realm but also explained the essence of Cultivation that had been perplexing Qi Ping, making the path ahead suddenly clear to him!
Those who hadn't reached this step would find it difficult to understand the true meaning of Meng Yan's words, but for those truly perplexed by it, its effect could be described as an Epiphany, no exaggeration.
Furthermore, Meng Yan's invitation also surprised him quite a bit.
He didn't doubt the authenticity of these words.
Because his Natural Perception had reacted just now, but it wasn't a warning; rather, it was a feeling of inspiration.
Thus, this not only brought him no misfortune but rather considerable benefits.
It was just that Qi Ping hadn't expected the situation of the Qingyuan Sect to have reached such a point, with internal and external troubles causing Meng Yan, a Disciple of a Golden Core Elder, to begin preparing backup plans.
This complex conflict had reached a point where even someone of Meng Yan's status could not avoid it.
As for Meng Yan's proposal of an alliance, he was naturally more than willing.
As an ally, it would be much more convenient for him to ask Meng Yan to help him obtain sufficient resources.
As long as he earned enough Spirit Stones, with Meng Yan as a channel, acquiring many precious Cultivation Techniques and resources would be much simpler; furthermore, Qi Ping naturally wouldn't let Meng Yan suffer a loss.
So, Qi Ping then continued seriously:
"It is my fortune, Qi Ping's, to be able to become Brother Meng's ally; if there is ever a need, I will certainly assist with all my might!"
"Good, good, good! It is also my fortune, Meng Yan's, to be able to form an alliance with Qi Ping; I'll drink this bowl of wine first!"
Meng Yan laughed heartily, then drained the large bowl of wine in one gulp!
Qi Ping was not to be outdone and also raised his wine bowl, drinking it all.
The fiery sensation of the Fire Crow Wine instantly permeated Qi Ping's entire body, and a dense Spiritual Qi immediately filled him; this Spiritual Qi was much denser than that of Fire Ginseng Honey.
After spending some time refining the Spiritual Qi within his body, Qi Ping felt a fiery, comfortable sensation throughout his entire being.
It was indeed a rare good wine!
Then Meng Yan spoke again, taking the initiative.
"Brother Qi, we just talked about comprehending the Dao Heart; let's each share our experiences of comprehending the Dao Heart. The Dao Heart is difficult to comprehend, and if we can verify each other, it will be beneficial to both of us."
"I couldn't ask for more!"
"Then I'll go first!"
"Please, Brother Meng!"
"I was born into a forging family, learned Artifact Refining methods from a young age, and was later favored by my Master, who brought me into the Qingyuan Sect..."
Meng Yan then spoke of his many experiences and the insights he gained from them, and how he tempered his Dao Heart.
And every experience and every insight Meng Yan recounted deeply touched Qi Ping.
Especially the numerous cultivation philosophies interspersed within, which helped Qi Ping fill many gaps in his cultivation knowledge.
And after Meng Yan finished speaking, Qi Ping also began to recount his own process of comprehending the Dao.
The two chatted for over two hours without realizing it!
And during this discussion of the Dao, Qi Ping and Meng Yan gradually came to know each other.
Meng Yan comprehended the Dao through Artifact Refining, and he also tempered his cultivation and Dao Heart using Artifact Refining methods; for him, Artifact Refining was the best way to comprehend the Dao.
Qi Ping's path, however, was more complex: farming, beast taming, entering the mortal world...
These two different ways of comprehending the Dao each gave them great inspiration, and even during the discussion of the Dao, they re-examined and enlightened themselves, making their Dao Heart Realm even more profound.
Their control over Spiritual Qi and the true meaning of Law also improved by a notch.
After the discussion of the Dao, the two smiled at each other; this discussion was an unexpected pleasant surprise for both of them, yielding rich rewards!
This also deepened a sense of mutual appreciation between them.
It was quite rare for each of them to meet a fellow Cultivator with whom they could genuinely discuss the Dao.
If before the discussion, their relationship was more based on mutual benefit for cooperation.
But after the discussion, they began to truly acknowledge each other from the heart.
Because a person's words and experiences can be faked, but in the cultivation of the mind and comprehension of the Dao, one cannot fake it, especially with that special Dao Heart Realm as verification, which best reflects a Cultivator's state.
For example, a Cultivator who practices the Path of Ruthlessness can never feign deep affection, because once bound by emotion, their Dao Heart will collapse, giving rise to a Heart Demon, and their cultivation will be half-destroyed!
So, after the discussion of the Dao, the two gradually became familiar with each other, losing that initial sense of unfamiliarity.
And after the discussion of the Dao, Meng Yan again brought up the matter of the Fire Crow.
He was still concerned about the Fire Crow's condition, after all, the Fire Crow had indirectly helped him, and he had also saved the Fire Crow's life once.
"By the way, Brother Qi, how much has the Fire Crow you bought from me last time recovered its strength?"
To this, Qi Ping replied with a smile:
"Brother Meng, you'll know once you see it."
Then Qi Ping directly released Crow, and when Meng Yan saw Crow's appearance, his eyes widened instantly!
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