Immortality and cultivation begin with alchemy and accounting.

In the vast ocean, with no relatives or friends around, facing this crisis, I can only rely on myself.

Thinking of this, Bai Xuanjing felt a pang of regret.

If he had noticed something was wrong earlier, he would have changed his route no matter what.

Taking a roundabout route will cost more spirit stones.

However, along those connecting routes, there are several islands where the Bai family has a stronghold, which is also known as a "one-day pharmacy".

If Bai Xuanjing finds the Bai family's stronghold and asks for help, he won't have to worry about Bai Xuanlin's little tricks anymore.

Thinking too much was pointless. Bai Xuanjing was only annoyed for a moment before she quickly put aside her distracting thoughts and began to think of a solution.

"Bai Xuanlin's cultivation level is only the third level of Qi Refining, and his status is only a first-level low-grade alchemist. Even if he were to ask for help, he probably wouldn't dare to ask for a cultivator who is too strong."

After all, if he were to find a cultivator whose cultivation level was far higher than his own, it would be like asking a tiger for its skin—a principle he surely understood.

"The person he's looking for is most likely below the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

Bai Xuanjing deduced in his mind that he could roughly determine the cultivation level range of the enemies he might face.

Then he began to devise his own methods.

One first-tier mid-grade defensive magic weapon, three first-tier mid-grade golden shield talismans, three Canglang Escape talismans, and several first-tier low-grade talismans.

Water rhinestone technique...

"Our offensive capabilities are somewhat lacking. Perhaps we should take advantage of the stalls set up on the ship and purchase some offensive talismans?"

Bai Xuanjing quickly figured out her weakness.

With three Canglang Escape Talismans, Bai Xuanjing was confident that he could outrun ordinary mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators if he wasn't marked with a tracking mark.

But with tracking, things change.

Baek Hyun-rim and the people behind him can sense Baek Hyun-kyung's location through tracking marks.

The duration of the Canglang Escape Talisman's blessing is limited. With only three Canglang Escape Talismans, Bai Xuanjing cannot return directly to the Canghuang Islands.

Once the effect of the Canglang Escape Talisman wears off, it will still be easy for them to catch up.

Who knows, I might actually have to make a move in the end.

If one were to take action, offensive methods would be indispensable.

Talismans are naturally the best way to improve one's strength right now.

With this thought in mind, Bai Xuanjing put on the Invisible Spirit Cloak and went out.

Upon reaching the deck, they indeed saw many monks setting up stalls to sell their wares.

The ship was moving at an extremely fast speed, and white waves rolled on the sea, but they were all blocked by the light blue array that appeared on the surface of the ship.

Even standing on the deck, you can't feel any shaking at all.

The Han family's warships are all protected by formations.

Bai Xuanjing looked around.

Among the cultivators setting up stalls were quite a few at the mid-stage and late-stage of Qi Refining.

He didn't rush to buy anything, but instead took a walk around.

The deck area was not large, and the number of cultivators setting up stalls was also limited.

However, after searching around, Bai Xuanjing still couldn't find any trace of Bai Xuanlin.

It seems that Baek Hyun-rim's claim of "taking a stroll on the deck" was also a lie.

This person is probably meeting with his accomplices.

Bai Xuanjing snorted coldly in his heart, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Immediately afterwards, he came to a stall.

The stall owner was a cultivator in his fifties with a stern face and a scar on his face, making him look unapproachable.

Several talismans were displayed on their stall.

Bai Xuanjing looked at several stalls, and the talismans sold at this stall were of a decent quality.

The cultivator who set up the stall was actually at the ninth level of Qi Refining!

Considering that the limit of the Hidden Spirit Cloak's effect was only the ninth level of Qi Refining, Bai Xuanjing felt a little guilty for a moment.

But he still asked, "How much for this Firebird Talisman?"

The cultivator who was setting up the stall had his eyes closed to rest, but upon hearing this, he opened his eyes and glanced at Bai Xuanjing.

It was unclear whether he had seen through Bai Xuanjing's true cultivation level; he simply said, "A first-grade high-level talisman costs eighty-six low-grade spirit stones!"

Talismans are consumables, so their value is lower compared to magical artifacts of the same rank.

However, talismans also have many abilities that magical artifacts cannot replace, namely, they consume less magical power.

A cultivator at the mid-stage of Qi Refining often finds it difficult to wield a high-grade first-tier magic weapon. Not only can they not unleash the weapon's power, but they also waste a lot of their mana.

It would be better to use a powerful first-tier mid-grade magic weapon.

However, talismans are different. As long as magical power is poured into them, they can unleash their full power.

In addition, the consumption of talismans is relatively low, which means that even cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining can activate first-grade high-quality talismans.

Bai Xuanjing estimated that with his current cultivation level of the fourth level of Qi Refining, he could probably only barely activate a first-grade high-quality talisman.

However, talismans are not cheap.

A single high-grade first-level talisman can sell for eighty or ninety low-grade spirit stones.

Unless one is truly wealthy and powerful, very few cultivators at the mid-stage of Qi Refining would use such a talisman.

It should be noted that Bai Xuanjing's annual salary for alchemy is only a little over a hundred low-grade spirit stones!

If one is merely a family alchemist who follows the established methods of alchemy, one is not fortunate enough to enjoy talismans of this rank.

"What about this Water Dragon Talisman and this Earth Spear Talisman?" Bai Xuanjing immediately asked about the price.

"A mid-grade first-tier talisman, each costing thirty-three low-grade spirit stones!" The answer remained concise.

After a moment's thought, Bai Xuanjing gritted his teeth and put the Firebird Talisman, Water Dragon Talisman, and Earth Spear Talisman into his pocket.

The Firebird Talisman is extremely powerful. If it hits a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator or a demon beast, it will be an instant kill.

However, it also requires a high level of magical power. After casting it, Bai Xuanjing's magical power will be depleted, so it can only be used as a backup for survival.

On the contrary, the Water Dragon Talisman and the Earth Spear Talisman are more likely to be used.

After spending 152 low-grade spirit stones, Bai Xuanjing's storage bag was empty again, with only 10 or 20 low-grade spirit stones left to use.

After buying the talisman, Bai Xuanjing did not leave immediately, but instead wandered around the various stalls again.

They did encounter a cultivator selling elixirs.

Bai Xuanjing, despite her reluctance, used a bottle of Yellow Jade Pills and several pieces of Red Fire Stone as spirit stones in exchange for a mid-stage first-tier Profound Dew Pill.

The Mysterious Dew Pill is a kind of pill that replenishes spiritual energy.

Just one of these can instantly replenish Bai Xuanjing's spiritual energy.

With this pill as a backup, Bai Xuanjing finally had the confidence to use the Firebird Talisman.

After finishing all this, Bai Xuanjing hurriedly returned to her residence.

Baek Hyun-rim has not yet returned.

……

Inside a private room (class C) on the ship.

Although it's only the second to last brand name, the treatment of a Class C brand is much better than that of a Class D brand.

At least the space is more spacious.

Bai Xuanlin sat cross-legged in the guest seat, opposite a man and a woman.

Bai Xuanlin's cheerful expression, which he had when he was talking to Bai Xuanjing, was completely gone; instead, his face was gloomy.

Bai Xuanlin said in a low voice, "I'm warning you, my cousin's identity is not ordinary."

His elder brother is a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator with a prominent position in the family, capable of mobilizing the Bai family's killing cultivators. His second uncle is also a steward in our lineage.

"After you kill him, return to the outer sea immediately. Do not linger in the vicinity, and do not sell any spiritual items from his storage bag."

The female cultivator chuckled, gave her a flirtatious wink, and said sweetly, "It's rare to see Master Bai being so cautious. Don't worry, we've been traveling the outer seas for many years, and we're very familiar with things like killing and robbing to escape alive."