Cultivation begins with alchemy and collecting runes.

"Oh, fellow Daoist, what makes you say that?"

Li Xiuyuan was confused by Pang Dehai's seemingly random statement.

"Is he trying to recruit me into the Lingbao Pavilion?"

He is now able to refine high-grade pills with one-dan pattern, which means he has already taken a step into the next level.

Next, all that's needed is to work diligently and gradually improve one's skills; within six months, one will be able to refine top-grade fasting pills.

With only one step left to advance to the next level, it's not surprising that Pang Dehai made his bet early.

This is the norm in the cultivation world, but no matter how good their relationship is, they still have to talk business and prioritize their interests.

He had a vague plan in mind for his future.

"Dan Ding Sect is like a private company that we used to 'intern' in my previous life. The pay is average, and the promotion path is controlled by the aristocratic families within the sect. As he said, sticking to this place is indeed a hopeless situation."

"The Spirit Treasure Pavilion is backed by the Blazing Fire Sect, with a Golden Core cultivator in charge, making it far stronger than the Pill Cauldron Sect, which only has Foundation Establishment stage cultivators!"

"But my cultivation level is still too low. I am nothing more than an ant between the two major powers and have no say. If I'm going to do something, I should be a player, not a pawn to be manipulated by others."

Li Xiuyuan made up his mind to adhere to the principle of not offending Pang Dehai.

After careful consideration, he said, "It's too early to talk about these things now. At least the first step of entering the next level will stop countless alchemists."

"Fellow Daoist Pang's intentions are kind, but I am aware of my own limitations. If I successfully advance to the next level, I will gladly lend a hand to your esteemed establishment. If I fail, all will be for naught."

Li Xiuyuan's words were sincere and earnest, and Pang Dehai understood the deeper meaning behind them, so he didn't dare to continue trying to persuade him.

He chuckled and changed the subject, saying, "Fellow Daoist Li, are you aware of the recent disturbances caused by demonic beasts in the outer city?"

"I'd like to hear more details!"

Li Xiuyuan naturally knew this, but he was unwilling to refuse Pang Dehai's good intentions, so he pretended not to know.

"That demonic wolf was extremely cunning. It is said that it killed dozens of mid-stage cultivators, and even three late-stage cultivators working together could not subdue it. In the end, it was a great cultivator from the upper sect who stepped in and killed it."

"This...could that demonic wolf be a savage, exotic species?"

Li Xiuyuan had only heard snippets of information from Su Sanmei a few days ago, never imagining that the details would be so dangerous.

A late-stage demonic beast actually killed several mid-stage cultivators, and even the late-stage cultivators working together couldn't defeat it.

Aside from the fact that the monsters are of noble bloodlines or are barbaric species, he couldn't think of any other explanation.

The monsters and strange beasts in this world are different from human cultivators.

They do not possess spiritual roots, but instead cultivate by comprehending the inheritance of their own bloodline.

The higher the bloodline grade, the greater the potential for immortality.

The bloodline level corresponds one-to-one with the classification of a cultivator's spiritual root: miscellaneous bloodline, low-grade bloodline, mid-grade bloodline, high-grade bloodline, earth-grade bloodline, and heaven-grade bloodline.

And the legendary true spirit bloodline that can rival the true immortals in heaven.

True spirits are legendary divine beasts born from the very essence of heaven and earth.

Examples include the True Dragon, the Heavenly Phoenix, the Kunpeng, and the Golden Crow.

The Complete Guide to Basic Knowledge of the Cultivation World records a legend about a certain true spirit using supernatural powers to destroy the cultivation world.

Li Xiuyuan became even more curious about the origins of this demonic wolf.

Pang Dehai continued, "As far as I know, that beast is a high-grade bloodline Earth Rock Demon Wolf. When it grows up, its combat power is comparable to that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It is skilled in earth-type spells and has thick skin and flesh. Although it is only at the late stage of the first rank, ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivators cannot do anything to it."

"That day it actually escaped alive from the hands of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and its fate is now unknown."

Pang Dehai added meaningfully, "Besides that, a group of demonic beasts from the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains have also ventured near the market. Although cultivators from the upper sects have tried to stop them, a few have managed to escape. Fellow Daoist Li, please be careful during this time and try to avoid going out!"

After Pang Dehai finished speaking, he personally got up and served Li Xiuyuan a cup of tea.

"Come, have some Lingyun afternoon tea, which comes from the front lines of the wilderness. It's very beneficial for Qi Refining cultivators."

Li Xiuyuan didn't hesitate and politely accepted the tea, savoring it carefully.

The aroma of tea fills the air, clearing the senses.

Before long, a trace of spiritual energy arose in his dantian.

"Excellent tea!" Li Xiuyuan exclaimed.

"Ha ha!"

Pang Dehai clapped his hands and laughed loudly.

Seeing that Pang Dehai had laid the groundwork for so long, revealing the secrets of the market and offering top-quality spiritual tea, Li Xiuyuan realized that Pang Dehai had been preparing for this for so long.

Next, we're most likely going to get down to business!

He knew this friend very well: if someone was being unusually attentive, they must have something in mind.

Li Xiuyuan pondered in his heart.

Manager Pang Dehai knew all these secrets related to the Blazing Fire Sect like the back of his hand, which probably meant he had close ties with those powerful figures in the sect.

He sighed inwardly, "Good deeds are indeed rewarded. My kindness back then has brought me such a reward today."

"Fate is truly a wonderful thing."

Pang Dehai was willing to deepen the relationship between the two, and he was not opposed to it.

"Thank you for informing me, Fellow Daoist Pang!"

"But is there anything else?" Li Xiuyuan asked, feigning ignorance.

A smile appeared on Pang Dehai's lips as he cut to the chase, saying, "Fellow Daoist Li is still as quick-witted as ever."

"Then I won't hold back. Once you successfully advance to the next level, could you exclusively supply our shop with pills? I'll pay 10% more than the market price!"

Li Xiuyuan was shocked; he never expected that Pang Dehai held such high hopes for him.

"Fellow Daoist Pang, you think too highly of me. I won't refuse any longer. Buying and selling goods through exclusive channels is a small matter. It's just that I'm all alone, and searching for medicinal herbs for alchemy is extremely time-consuming. Perhaps you could lend me a hand?"

Li Xiuyuan subtly passed the buck to Pang Dehai, saying, "If we lower the purchase price of medicinal herbs, it wouldn't hurt to offer you a small discount on the special pills."

Pang Dehai was a shrewd and capable man, and naturally understood the implication in Li Xiuyuan's words.

"Can!"

Without saying a word, he agreed immediately.

He smiled, raised his teacup, and said with a smile, "Wishing us a pleasant collaboration!"

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

……

An hour later, Li Xiuyuan left Lingbao Pavilion.

He and Pang Dehai have reached a preliminary cooperation agreement, and he plans to advance to the rank of low-grade alchemist in the future.

He can purchase alchemical elixirs at a 20% discount at Lingbao Pavilion, with a five-year exclusive alchemy agreement signed at once.

Minor modifications can be made every year thereafter.

"If it were an ordinary alchemist, they might think this deal wasn't worthwhile, since supplying only one company would severely limit their options."

"It's nothing to me, after all, I'm extremely efficient at alchemy and have a large output."

"Relying solely on selling at the independent cultivator market will inevitably attract the covetous eyes of others over time. By using the Lingbao Pavilion platform, even if we earn less spirit stones, we can consider it as paying 'protection fees,' which at least saves us a lot of trouble."

……

He had just stepped out of the store.

We saw a joint enforcement team of twenty people rushing towards the outside of the market.

They looked like they were preparing for war, exuding a fierce aura.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist. May I ask what has happened?"

Li Xiuyuan casually asked a wandering cultivator by the roadside.

"It seems they're going to hunt monsters."

"Don't worry, our market town is the stronghold of the Blazing Fire Sect. Even if a group of Foundation Establishment demonic beasts attacks, they can't break through our impenetrable second-tier formation!"

Li Xiuyuan nodded in agreement, but was actually thinking to himself.

"You'd better be! Blind confidence is no good sign. I'd better hurry home and practice!"

He had just gotten home and hadn't even had a chance to sit down properly.

"Bang bang bang!"

Then a series of urgent knocks came from the door.

"Is Brother Li home?"