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Xunuo pondered for a moment before reaching out to take the Formation Flag, saying, "Since Zuo Qiu is so straightforward, our agreement two and a half years from now is a binding one—no matter what, we will meet."
Zuo Qiu let out a sigh of relief and stood up to take his leave.
Qi Guoren and the others were unaware of the nature of the transaction between the two, but it was clear that whatever it was, it must be significant for Zuo Qiu Jian Ying to regard it so highly. However, since neither of them elaborated, the others merely smiled and pretended not to hear.
Afterward, the group chatted for a while longer. Qi Guoren then shifted the topic to the alchemical and medicinal trades at this Trade Fair. Upon mentioning this subject, everyone except Dongfang Yunqing, including Xunuo, wore expressions of concern.
Qi Guoren remarked, "Ever since the Ten Thousand Great Mountains became a forbidden area, our situation as Loose Cultivators has worsened. It has become difficult to procure Unity Pills or medicinal herbs at this Trade Fair. I have decided to take the risk and venture into Chaotic Valley a year from now. This journey will be fraught with danger, so I intend to invite familiar friends to accompany me. I wonder if Luo Daoist and the others are interested in joining?"
Luo Xuefeng's expression darkened as he replied, "If this Trade Fair yields no results, I will accompany Qi Daoist into Chaotic Valley."
Ji Zenghui thought for a moment before saying, "Unity Pills are already hard to come by; I am willing to venture into Chaotic Valley as well."
Qi Guoren then looked at Dongfang Yunqing. Dongfang Yunqing responded, "I cannot say for certain; there is still a year left. If I decide to go, I will inform Qi Daoist."
Qi Guoren nodded with a smile and said, "That’s fine. I wonder if Black Wind Daoist is interested in going?"
Black Wind laughed heartily and replied, "I won't be going to such a perilous place where one might not return."
Qi Guoren silently lamented: what a pity.
He knew that if he could persuade Black Wind Old Monster to join them, their chances of success would greatly increase. However, with Black Wind Old Monster opting out due to the dangers involved, there was nothing he could do.
Feeling somewhat regretful, Qi Guoren looked at Xunuo and Tang Xianyong. He said, "To venture into Chaotic Valley, one must at least have reached the eighth layer of Basic Skill Method. Those with low magical power would struggle to protect themselves, let alone assist the team. Therefore, I won’t invite you two. However, if within this year you both reach the eighth layer of magical power, you may join us. Just know that the journey is fraught with danger; life and death are left to fate."
In truth, upon hearing Black Wind Old Monster's refusal to undertake this journey, Xunuo understood that Chaotic Valley was a life-threatening expedition. He had no intention of joining but instead sought other means to acquire medicinal herbs.
Yet he couldn't comprehend why someone as skilled as Qi Guoren—master of Basic Skill Method at Eleven Layers—would not seek Foundation Pills instead of risking everything for Unity Pills, which were merely alchemical products of the Foundation Stage.
"Xunuo," he asked, and Qi Guoren sighed. He resumed the demeanor of a wise elder, gentle yet persuasive, reminiscent of his time in the Great Mountains.
He elaborated for Xunuo, "There are hundreds of Cultivation Families surrounding the Great Liang Kingdom, and countless Loose Cultivators. However, only six have reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, and among them, only one Loose Cultivator has advanced to that stage. The Cultivation Families here have some connections with the two remaining Cultivation Sects in this area. Therefore, every few decades, they receive a Foundation Pill from these two Sects, allowing some Cultivators to occasionally advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage."
"But we Loose Cultivators do not have such good fortune; we cannot rely on Foundation Pills for advancement. Thus, we have taken a different path, analyzing the properties of the Foundation Pill and substituting it with other elixirs. In general, the effects of the Foundation Pill mainly include enhancing magical power cultivation, cleansing marrow and refining bones, generating pure spiritual energy, and breaking through the limits of Divine Sense. The senior among us who advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage also followed this path. However, this route is perilous, with a success rate of almost none. My journey to Chaotic Valley is not just to seek materials for the Unity Pill; I also aim to obtain elixirs that can help break through the limits of Divine Sense and cleanse marrow and refine bones."
Xunuo then asked, "Since that Loose Cultivator was able to advance using this method, why can't others do the same?"
Qi Guoren smiled wryly. "Everyone's constitution is different, and their Cultivation Methods vary. Although we all exist within the Eleven Layers realm, there are still distinctions in magical power levels. Therefore, this senior's success cannot be fully replicated. The main reason is that the Foundation Pill can merge various medicinal properties without conflict. While we seek various elixirs as substitutes, we cannot eliminate the conflicting properties between them. This method of breaking through to Foundation Establishment is fraught with danger; success leads to ascension while failure results in death—there is no third option. This is why most of us Loose Cultivators prefer to focus on maintaining our health rather than walking down that irreversible path."
Xunuo pondered for a moment before asking, "Is our inability to obtain Foundation Pills due to their formula being hard to find or because the materials are rare?"
Qi Guoren appeared somewhat dejected and clearly did not want to dwell on this topic that troubled him.
He shook his head. "In any case, Xue Dao You should give up on pursuing the Foundation Pill. If you wish to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, you must start preparing various elixirs now. Otherwise, time waits for no one; don't wait until it's too late like an old fool scrambling at the last moment."
Then Qi Guoren began recounting rumors about Chaotic Valley to Luo Xuefeng and others, discussing what preparations were necessary for their journey. Xunuo had little interest in this trip and paid little attention to their conversation; he merely listened in on their lively chatter but felt a growing sense of dread.
After a moment, Qi Guoren mentioned that during the upcoming Dome Mountain Golden Family Trading Conference's auction in a few days, several Unity Pills might be up for bid. However, given that Unity Pill prices were skyrocketing, they would likely reach an unaffordable level. Yet the highlight of this auction would not be the Unity Pills but rather an Artifact Fragment.
Xunuo's eyes lit up as he asked, "If it's an Artifact Fragment, its value must be significantly diminished; why not repair it before auctioning?"
Qi Guoren chuckled. "Although an Artifact Fragment loses much of its power, those with strong magical abilities can still harness most of its effectiveness."
At this point, Qi Guoren seemed to glance casually at Black Wind Old Monster before continuing. "In our Great Liang Kingdom region, those capable of repairing artifacts are mostly more name than substance. They often cannot restore even half of an artifact's original efficacy—most can only recover about thirty percent of its power or even ruin it entirely. Thus, very few people would attempt to repair such Artifact Fragments."
Xunuo had hoped to gain some information about artifact repairs but felt disheartened by Qi Guoren's words.
After sitting for a while longer, Qi Guoren took his leave and departed.
Xunuo returned to the house, feeling somewhat disheartened. After pondering for a moment, he decided he should find a Refiner to attempt to repair that Armor Artifact. Even restoring just thirty percent of its protective capabilities would surpass all his defensive talismans. He felt too vulnerable in terms of defense at the moment.
The next morning, Xunuo handed Dongfang Yunqing several Demon Beast Materials that he had no use for, asking him to sell them on his behalf. The real intention was to keep Dongfang Yunqing occupied and prevent him from following along, which would only hinder Xunuo's movements. With that settled, Xunuo headed straight to the Refining Materials Market.
Last night, Xunuo had quickly reviewed "Refining Tools and Materials Comprehensive Guide," gaining a general understanding of Refining Materials. The scale of the Refining Materials Market was second only to the Alchemy Material Market; however, the number of Cultivators lingering there was significantly lower than in the Alchemy Material Market.
As Xunuo walked through the market, he remained silent, simply observing and mentally categorizing the various materials. After half a day of exploration, he had seen nearly everything in the Refining Materials Market. Eventually, he turned back and approached a stall selling Refining Materials.
The stall owner was a frail young man who looked malnourished with a pale complexion. Behind him stood a banner with the words "Refined Materials" written on it.
Xunuo stopped in front of the young man's stall and began inquiring about the prices of Refined Materials. Seeing a potential customer, the young man eagerly showcased his wares. He pulled out a palm-sized piece of metal from his storage bag and urged Xunuo to take a closer look. After probing with his Divine Sense for a while, Xunuo concluded that this material had indeed reached its limit in terms of smelting and purification. He then invited the young man to discuss further in a designated private room for transactions.
The young man noticed Xunuo's mysterious demeanor and sensed a significant business opportunity. He quickly packed up his stall, leaving only the banner behind, and followed Xunuo into a private room.
These private rooms were located in a corner of the Trade Fair and were designed to shield Divine Sense, provided free for both parties involved in transactions. Some discreet dealings could be negotiated here.
Once inside the private room, Xunuo asked if the young man had any experience repairing artifacts. The young man sheepishly admitted that he had studied it but lacked practical experience.
Xunuo understood that among Loose Cultivators, few had even seen artifacts, let alone repaired them. After considering this, he took out a small piece of chestplate fragment, about the size of his finger, and handed it to the young man.
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