At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the array.

"Is Fellow Daoist Xu at home?"

Xu Ping tidied up the puppet's remains and then opened the array.

Looking out into the yard, Xu Zhixuan was beaming at him, "Fellow Daoist Xu, I've come to ask for your alchemy services again."

Ever since his alchemy skills gained a reputation, people began seeking him for alchemy one after another, and Xu Zhixuan was one of them.

"Got rich? Didn't you just come by last month?" Xu Ping teased, inviting Xu Zhixuan in.

"Hahaha, I've had a few more Guest Minister tasks recently, so I earned a little." Xu Zhixuan chuckled.

"More tasks?"

After pouring spirit tea for Xu Zhixuan, Xu Ping asked in confusion, "Aren't Guest Minister tasks usually only once every year or two?"

"That's usually the case, but lately, demon beasts have increased around Qiu Xuan Immortal City, and there are even sightings of second-stage demon beasts, so we're needed to drive them away."

"We're exhausted lately, unlike you, who seem so carefree." Xu Zhixuan's tone carried envy.

Xu Ping merely smiled at Xu Zhixuan's envy.

He was more concerned about the sudden increase in demon beasts: "Has this beast influx happened around the Immortal City before?"

"It has happened before, but only during beast tides. It's only been thirty years since the last, far from the next one."

"It should just be a coincidence." Xu Zhixuan seemed unconcerned.

"Coincidence?"

Xu Ping frowned slightly, feeling that things weren't that simple.

For some reason, he suddenly thought of the loose cultivator he killed.

The man was babbling about people from Yue Country and some plans, surely hiding secrets.

Unfortunately, he was dead, and there was no way to uncover the truth.

"Fellow Daoist Xu need not worry, it should just be a coincidence. After all, the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range is vast, and it's normal for some demon beasts to appear occasionally," Xu Zhixuan reassured with a smile.

"Even if we say the worst outcome happens with a beast attack, the five Golden Core sects in Yue Country, even the Nascent Soul sect Luoyun Sect, will send people to resist the beast tide."

"Why would they help us?" Xu Ping asked in surprise.

These sects never take action without benefit, so why such kind intentions?

"Our 'Qiu Xuan Immortal City' is a defense line against the beast tide. If we're breached, the beast tide will head straight for their territory."

"If not stopped, the losses would be huge." Xu Zhixuan explained with a smile.

"I see." Xu Ping nodded.

"Let me tell you a little rumor." Xu Zhixuan suddenly lowered his voice, "When the sects in Yue Country allowed Qiu Xuan Zhenren to establish 'Qiu Xuan Immortal City', the condition was to resist the beast tide occurring every fifty years."

"Heh... although Qiu Xuan Zhenren is the greatest loose cultivator in Yue Country, he couldn't resist stronger forces, so he had to agree." He shook his head with a laugh.

'You've got guts to joke about Qiu Xuan Zhenren on Qiu Xuan Mountain,' Xu Ping thought silently.

Even though what Xu Zhixuan said was a rumor, it might have some truth.

They chatted a bit more, Xu Zhixuan leaving the herbs, they decided he'd return in three days to collect them, and then he took his leave.

...

As Xu Zhixuan's figure receded, Xu Ping felt a faint sense of worry.

If the beast tide truly happened, it would be no small matter.

The arrival of third-stage demon beasts was certain, and probably more than one.

Even with aid from other sects, it would be extremely dangerous for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Reckless action could easily lead to death in battle.

"Better be prepared, or if the beast tide comes, I'll be helplessly watching," Xu Ping thought to himself.

....

....

Five days later.

After completing his alchemy, Xu Ping quietly left 'Qiu Xuan Mountain'.

Today, descending the mountain, he intended to sell off his second-stage demon beast flesh. A good number of second-stage demon beasts were hunted in the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, and these were stored in his storage ring, yet to be dealt with.

Now that he wanted to buy a top-grade magic sword, he needed to handle this demon beast flesh.

Disguised as an unfamiliar Foundation Establishment cultivator, he sold second-stage demon beast flesh in major stores.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator selling second-stage demon beast flesh wasn't unheard of.

Especially in Qiu Xuan Immortal City.

After successfully selling two second-stage demon beasts' flesh, Xu Ping stopped.

The sale of two second-stage demon beasts' flesh brought nearly six thousand spirit stones, enough to buy a top-grade magic sword.

To avoid attracting attention, he cautiously sold in batches.

"With enough spirit stones, the next step is to buy a top-grade magic sword." Xu Ping thought silently.

...

...

City Center.

Qiu Xuan Commerce Association.

In an antique-styled room.

"Fellow Daoist, please take a look. This top-grade magic sword, the Purple Sun Sword, was crafted by the renowned second-stage upper grade artifact refiner, Xuanzese, using second-stage spiritual ore and various materials. It's incredibly sharp and can even break through second-stage upper grade demon beasts' defenses."

A slightly chubby Foundation Establishment cultivator enthusiastically introduced a dark purple magic sword to Xu Ping.

The slightly chubby Foundation Establishment cultivator was Yu Zhuoqun, a disciple of 'Qiu Xuan Zhenren', Xu Ping had seen him a few times.

However, Yu Zhuoqun clearly didn't recognize Xu Ping, who had used the Bone Shaping Skill to disguise himself.

To make his case, Yu Zhuoqun let mana flow through the Purple Sun Sword.

Buzz!

The sword immediately emitted a sharp aura, filling the entire room.

Even Xu Ping's strong physique couldn't help feeling a chill creep in.

"It's a good sword, but too expensive!" Xu Ping shook his head.

"Can't you give a slight discount?" he tried to negotiate.

This top-grade magic sword was priced at an astounding five thousand spirit stones.

"Fellow Daoist, it's already quite inexpensive. You see..." Yu Zhuoqun began to lavish praise on the Purple Sun Sword, speaking as if there was nothing else like it in the world.

But Xu Ping remained unmoved, and finally, the sword was sold for four thousand seven hundred fifty spirit stones.

"Fellow Daoist, take care. Come again!" Yu Zhuoqun enthusiastically saw Xu Ping off, displaying none of a Foundation Establishment cultivator's airs, looking every bit the businessman.

...

...

After leaving Qiu Xuan Commerce Association.

Xu Ping initially wanted to return directly to 'Qiu Xuan Mountain', but changed his mind, deciding to visit Zhang Yan.

The pharmacy.

As soon as he entered, a young Qi Cultivator at third level came up with a wide smile: "What do you need, customer?"

"Since when did Zhang Yan hire staff?" Xu Ping wondered.

"I'm looking for your shopkeeper. Never mind, I'll find them myself." He strode toward the inner room.

"Huh? Customer!" The young cultivator couldn't stop him in time.

As Xu Ping pushed the door open, a choking cloud of smoke billowed out.

In the small room.

The smoke curled around, and two shadowy figures slumped bonelessly in their chairs.

Each popped a Bliss Pill into their mouths and occasionally puffed on something resembling opium from his past life. Despite their sunken eyes, their faces showed complete enjoyment.

Xu Ping couldn't help but let his mouth drop open.

'These two are in a hurry to die!' he thought.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.