Cultivation is just so scientific!

Actually, he has another corpse refining cultivation technique, which is the Sun Concealing Sect's 'Sun Concealing Corpse Refining Technique', but being in the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, he wouldn't dare switch to a corpse refining technique here.

Switching to a corpse refining technique requires maintaining a corpse refining state for some time, and currently, he needs to refine pills for Nascent Soul sword cultivators, leaving no time for long-term seclusion.

However, he has already scheduled the switch to the 'Sun Concealing Corpse Refining Technique', mainly because the 'Evil Corpse Spirit Record' at the Nascent Soul stage hardly enhances the combat effectiveness of the Golden Corpse.

But, the 'Sun Concealing Corpse Refining Technique' is different, it's the most powerful corpse refining method of the Sun Concealing Sect, which includes cultivation methods for the corpse itself.

Reaching the Golden Corpse level, the corpse develops some autonomous consciousness and can often cultivate the corresponding techniques.

For example, the Golden Corpse Black Shield cultivates the 'False Resentment Netherworld Technique'.

The Xuanyin Ghost Fire within Li Yuanba's transformed Golden Corpse automatically balances the energy of the Six Yang Spirit Fire, and the reduced energy of the Xuanyin Ghost Fire is supplemented by the Yin Cold Energy of the nearby Corpse Refining Array.

Li Shiming's days were very peaceful, with no impact from the conflict between the Ten Thousand Beast Sect and Sun Concealing Sect.

His achievement in slaying the Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivator of the Sun Concealing Sect was concealed by his master, Grandmaster Hu, and was unknown to outsiders.

Similarly, the six Nascent Soul Early Stage practitioners who knew about his achievement in slaying a mid-stage cultivator from the Yu Xiang Trading Company, five of them were in seclusion during recovery, with no contact with the outside world.

Jian Wuwei was even less likely to leak the news, so Li Shiming's such formidable achievements surprisingly didn't stir any waves on the Dongqi Continent.

"Master, you called for me?" Li Shiming was summoned to the cave residence in the Four Symbols Cave Heaven by a communication technique from Grandmaster Hu.

As he saluted, he noticed a vigorous and majestic middle-aged cultivator sitting not far from Grandmaster Hu. Although he didn't use his divine sense, he could tell from his intuition that this person was a great cultivator at the same realm as Grandmaster Hu.

"Shizhen, this is my friend, Master Liu Ziyun, you can call him Uncle Liu!" Grandmaster Hu said with a smile, introducing the great cultivator beside him.

Li Shiming was shocked in his heart. Generally, being called Uncle indicates a stronger prowess than the master in non-sect cultivator relationships.

Given Grandmaster Hu's recognition, Master Liu Ziyun certainly must be extraordinary.

"Greetings, Uncle Liu!" Li Shiming thought while bowing and saluting.

"So you're the acclaimed disciple of Old Hu, the renowned Alchemy Master. Here's a small token of my meeting gift!" Master Liu Ziyun greeted Li Shiming warmly, helping him up and presenting a jade box with a smile.

Li Shiming glanced at Grandmaster Hu, who nodded to him approvingly, and then accepted the jade box.

Upon opening the jade box, he found within it a mountain peak type magical treasure, reduced in size.

He couldn't help but take a deep breath; it was a top-grade fourth-grade mountain peak type magical treasure.

Although the magical treasure he held wasn't uniquely special like 'Ten Thousand Sword Peak', its top-grade fourth-grade rating still made it exceptionally rare.

Moreover, upon closer inspection, he found it to be a rough billet of a top-grade fourth-grade mountain peak type magical treasure.

A rough billet refers to barely refined external aspects in artifact refining without involving core runes.

The greatest advantage of such rough billet treasures is that any cultivator can proceed with the refining, becoming the immediate owner after successful refinement, thus shortening the lengthy sacrificial process, and the refinement can more closely align with the cultivator itself from the start.

"This is too valuable!" Despite having seen many fine things, Li Shiming was amazed by the enormity of the gesture.

Typically, this kind of mountain peak type magical treasure holds the highest value among treasures of the same grade due to the immense amount of materials required in its creation.

Considering this top-grade fourth-grade mountain peak type magical treasure seemed capable of exhibiting extremely powerful effects even in the hands of a great cultivator.

"It's just a meeting gift, you take it!" Master Liu Ziyun waved dismissively and said.

"Shizhen, since your Uncle Liu insists, you may accept it!" Grandmaster Hu, mildly surprised himself, gestured to Li Shiming to take the treasure.

He too was taken aback by the grandeur of Master Liu Ziyun's gesture but soon regained composure knowing Master Liu Ziyun's background.

"Thank you, Uncle Liu!" At that, Li Shiming gratefully accepted the top-grade fourth-grade mountain peak type magical treasure.

"Given my relationship with your master, I'll just call you by name!" Master Liu Ziyun said, smiling as Li Shiming accepted the gift.

"You may call me Shizhen!" Li Shiming cared little about formalities.

He was well inclined to forge good relations with such a powerful figure, as encounters with them are rare.

"Shizhen, I won't beat around the bush, I've come to invite you to become a Guest Elder at Central State Commerce!" Master Liu Ziyun directly put forth his offer.

Li Shiming glanced at Grandmaster Hu once more, noting no surprise from him, indicating that Master Liu Ziyun had already conferred with Grandmaster Hu beforehand.

Central State Commerce was a name he hadn't heard before.

Yet, a commerce named after 'Central State' undoubtedly signifies substantial backing.

"May I inquire what obligations I'll have as a Guest Elder at Central State Commerce?" Li Shiming didn't consent immediately but asked.

"Being a Guest Elder at Central State Commerce entails crafting one furnace of Great Cultivator Spirit Pills yearly, after which there aren't any stringent tasks, you can choose whether to refine pills for Central State Commerce.

Central State Commerce offers fixed resources annually, decided upon your cultivation level.

Also, you're entitled to utilize the commerce's long-distance flying boat for cross-continental voyages, summon help in peril using emergency signals, and exchange contribution points for cultivation techniques and resources, etc.

However, being a Guest Elder limits you from accepting pill refining tasks from other commercial powers, private tasks excluded, unless through Central State Commerce!" Master Liu Ziyun earnestly explained to Li Shiming.

As a great cultivator, he personally came to see Li Shiming, valuing his alchemy talent greatly.

More aware than other Nascent Soul cultivators of Li Shiming's alchemy skills, upon learning of his proficiency in crafting Great Cultivator Fourth-grade Spirit Pills through various channels, Master Liu Ziyun came seeking him in person.

"Would becoming a Guest Elder at Central State Commerce affect my sect?" Li Shiming inquired, still somewhat apprehensive.

"Haha, certainly not, after all, Old Hu doesn't object!" Master Liu Ziyun responded with hearty laughter.

He remained unperturbed by Li Shiming's numerous questions, rather feeling that each inquiry showed Li Shiming's contemplative nature.

An intricate analysis ensued in Li Shiming's mind, judging from Grandmaster Hu's attitude, Grandmaster Hu clearly approved him becoming a Guest Elder at Central State Commerce.

A person of Grandmaster Hu's stature wouldn't lead him astray, and he indeed desired a commercial channel given he had large amounts of materials to procure, vital for research comprising various types and quality that ordinary trades were unwilling to handle.

"I am willing to become a Guest Elder at Central State Commerce!" Li Shiming resolved and stated.

"Welcome, Shizhen, to Central State Commerce! Here's your Guest Official Jade Plate, a dedicated representative has been assigned for liaising, and any requirement can be conveyed through the jade plate!" Master Liu Ziyun joyfully announced.

Li Shiming received the Guest Official Jade Plate, noting its quality surpassed that of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's Identity Jade Disc, and observed the jade plate could directly interface with a formation to receive distant messages.

He was mildly surprised as this was within the mountain gate of Ten Thousand Beast Sect, typically supporting only sect Identity Jade Disc for communications.