Cultivation begins with alchemy and collecting runes.

Because the Demon Flame Sect and the Beast Taming Sect joined forces to fight against the Blazing Fire Sect on the front lines of the Wilderness, and even sent elite squads to ambush the disciples of the other four sects, the Chu Kingdom was thrown into chaos.

Many markets and neighborhoods closed down, cutting off the exchange of goods.

It wasn't until Chi Lianxin, a true disciple, led the joint enforcement team of the five sects to quell the domestic unrest that the Chu Kingdom finally returned to peace.

However, markets that Li Xiuyuan was familiar with, such as Black Wind Market, gradually closed down and fell into disrepair.

Although Li Xiuyuan was hiding in the deep mountains and forests, he still looked forward to returning to his sect.

Over the years, he made inquiries and developed his network, and finally managed to find out about a few gatherings of independent cultivators in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains.

He spent 500 spirit stones to purchase a set of the "Ancient Breath Concealing Technique".

Over the years, he achieved some success in his cultivation technique, enabling him to conceal his cultivation aura.

Only cultivators two major realms higher than him can see through his cultivation level.

……

The bright moon hangs high, the stars and moon are cold and the wind is chilly; in the desolate wilderness, the atmosphere is eerie.

There was a dilapidated temple by the roadside, and the statues inside had long since collapsed.

Li Xiuyuan used the Concealing Breath Technique to hide his body refinement cultivation at the mid-stage of the first level.

His Qi Refining cultivation level is still at the peak of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

I casually stepped into the dilapidated temple.

Upon entering the temple gate, I noticed some wandering monks.

There were men, women, young and old among them, but their cultivation levels were only at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, with only four or five at the late-stage.

Some people revealed their true faces, while others concealed their faces with animal head masks or cloaks and veils.

Li Xiuyuan had disguised himself beforehand, and with the help of his mastery of the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic), he simply changed his appearance, now appearing as a young man.

"I, Fellow Daoist 'Water Dragon Prince,' am here to participate in the exchange meeting?"

But next to the divine statue with its beast-like face was a bald old man, who appeared to be at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Then, turning to Li Xiuyuan, he asked, "What is your name, fellow Daoist new here?"

The middle-aged cultivator, dressed in a tattered Taoist robe, seemed to be the organizer of the exchange meeting, staring intently at Li Xiuyuan.

"My name is Yuan Xiu." Li Xiuyuan casually introduced himself and handed over the token.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, please find a place to sit down. The exchange will begin later."

The Taoist priest checked the token and, finding it to be correct, nodded.

About half an hour later.

Finally, a person entered, and the Taoist priest began to speak.

"Thank you all for attending this small meeting. ... Let's exchange what we need first, and then have a discussion."

The middle-aged Taoist first explained the rules, then turned to a cultivator dressed as a hunter and said, "Let's start with this fellow Taoist."

"My surname is Hu. Fellow Daoists, you can just call me 'Old Hu'."

The tiger revealed a set of yellowed teeth: "I accidentally entered the path of cultivation and practiced the common technique, Changchun Gong. Unfortunately, my talent is limited, and I can only cultivate to the late stage of Qi Refining. I wonder if any of you fellow Daoists have any wood-type techniques, at least enough to reach the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Upon hearing this, someone immediately burst into laughter; it turned out to be a disciple of a sect dressed in a purple-gold Taoist robe.

He sneered, "You lowly cultivators from the mountains and fields, you dare to dream of Foundation Establishment techniques? In this land of Chu, the people are restless and the markets are in ruins. If you want Foundation Establishment techniques, you can only ask Foundation Establishment families. If you want Golden Core techniques, you'll have to ask Golden Core forces."

"Is that so?"

Old Hu's eyes were glazed over, and he said in disbelief, "I thought it could be exchanged for spirit rice..."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan couldn't help but chuckle.

Then he thought of himself, thankfully he had switched his cultivation method early.

Although the "Golden Flame Burning Heaven Technique" is incomplete, it may allow him to cultivate to the Golden Core realm.

Below the Golden Core stage, one only needs to focus on refining one's magical power and finding spiritual objects to improve one's cultivation level.

Then, the old man named "Water Dragon" spoke.

"If you are not fixated on wood-based cultivation techniques, I have a technique here that can harmonize the five elements and can at least help you reach the Foundation Establishment stage."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Old Hu's thoughts shifted dramatically. "Fellow Daoist...would you be willing to exchange your cultivation technique for spirit rice?"

"Ahem!"

At this moment, the middle-aged Taoist interrupted, "'Water Dragon Prince,' since you're going to sell this cultivation technique, you should make the potential risks clear beforehand."

"Hidden dangers?"

Li Xiuyuan was startled upon hearing this and turned to look at Shui Longzi.

Shui Longzi acted as if nothing had happened, saying, "I'm getting old and my memory isn't good. I haven't had a chance to explain yet... This technique originated from ancient demonic cultivators. After practicing it, one will transform into a half-demon, half-human being with a confused mind."

"What? Turn into a half-demon? This... never mind."

Old Hu shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this.

The surrounding cultivators looked at Shui Longzi with more apprehension.

"This trade fair is truly a mixed bag; even demonic cultivation techniques are being offered for exchange."

Li Xiuyuan was speechless. He subconsciously moved closer to the entrance of the dilapidated temple, ready to leave at any moment.

Half an hour later, it was Li Xiuyuan's turn.

"Yuan has ten bottles of pills for sale: five bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills, three bottles of Rejuvenating Pills, and two bottles of Qi-Strengthening Pills. The latter are mid-grade pills."

Li Xiuyuan took out ten bottles of pills and said in a sinister tone.

"A mid-grade first-tier pill?"

The people inside the dilapidated temple looked surprised.

Low-grade elixirs like the Qi-Nourishing Pill and the Rejuvenating Pill are quite common.

However, mid-grade pills are less common.

Each time, only two or three appear.

This person sells two bottles at a time.

Li Xiuyuan noticed the burning, greedy gazes of the crowd.

His heart tightened; he had overestimated the level of this exchange meeting. Two bottles of Qi-stabilizing pills, a total of twenty pills.

The medicinal herbs were all picked by the Migu rats while hunting in the mountains, and the cost was almost zero.

Danfang was traded between him and someone else.

At this moment, Li Xiuyuan was mentally prepared to wreak havoc on all sides.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, do you know a first-tier alchemist?"

The speaker was a tall woman at the sixth level of Qi Refining, dressed in bright red, with a gentle and clear voice.

Li Xiuyuan remembered this woman; she was respectfully called "Aunt Hong" by other cultivators and was one of the few late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

"Please don't inquire about its specific origins."

Li Xiuyuan's tone was firm, directly rejecting Aunt Hong and the others' attempts to probe him.

Pills sell well everywhere, especially mid-grade first-level pills, and everyone saw that the price was fair.

In less than a quarter of an hour, all ten bottles of pills in Li Xiuyuan's hands were sold out.

During periods of chaos, markets and shops of all sizes closed their doors, and the prices of consumables such as elixirs, talismans, and magical artifacts fluctuated slightly.

A first-grade low-level pill costs approximately three to five spirit stones.

A first-grade mid-level pill, especially one that has been purified and refined with spiritual energy, costs seven spirit stones per pill.

Li Xiuyuan collected a total of 570 spirit stones.

He also had ten bottles of Qi-strengthening Pills on him, which were of even better quality, approaching the top grade.

But he would never sell here; wouldn't he earn much spirit stone and only cause trouble?

After earning spirit stones.

Li Xiuyuan bought some materials for refining Earth Spirit Fire Marrow.

Three hundred spirit stones were spent.

There are also many materials for sale at the exchange fair, such as monster blood, animal hides, and bones.

Li Xiuyuan was slightly tempted, but did not choose to make purchases here.

He could find them anywhere in the Demon Mountain with some time, without spending spirit stones, and the quality would be even better.

……

Several months later.

Somewhere in the Fiery Immortal City.

Half a month ago, Li Xiuyuan received a unified message from the sect's token.

Speaking of the joint law enforcement team of the five sects led by Chi Lianxin, they completely annihilated the demonic spies within the Chu Kingdom.

The cultivators of the five sects on the front lines of the wilderness joined forces to repel the foreign cultivators, including the Demon Flame Sect, and achieved a temporary victory.

Soon, the sect will hold a grand ceremony to publicly reward Chi Lianxin and others who have made unparalleled contributions in this battle.

As for cultivators like Li Xiuyuan who were defeated by a powerful enemy and barely survived...

The sect will not hold this against you; you only need to return to the sect and report the cause and details of the incident.

"Is the sect really not going to take this seriously? Or is this some kind of entrapment?"

Li Xiuyuan was torn with inner conflict, and he considered fleeing to another country.

However, the borders of the Chu Kingdom were tightly guarded by the allied forces of the five sects. Once it was discovered that he had betrayed his sect, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the law enforcement team would use magic to hunt him down over a thousand miles.

He wasn't confident he could escape with his life from the cultivators in the enforcement team.

But when he goes back, he doesn't know what kind of punishment awaits him.

Faced with two choices, Li Xiuyuan chose to infiltrate Yannan Market to gather intelligence.

……

Yannan Market, Lingbao Pavilion.

Wearing a black robe and with a ferocious expression, Li Xiuyuan walked out of the Lingbao Pavilion gate in a cheerful mood.

"It seems the news that the sect will not hold past grievances against us is true. The sect must have gained a lot from this great battle."

"Otherwise, why would they go to such lengths to hold a grand celebration?"

"I must hurry back to the sect and report that I encountered Zhong Shenxiu's team from the Demon Flame Sect, fought them to the death, and barely escaped. I need to show my contributions to Lord Shangxiu; who knows, I might even get some benefits..."

……