Cultivation Starts from Farming

"Fellow Daoist Duan, you overestimate me." Xu Ping said modestly.

...

After the three chatted for a while, Xu Ping mentioned the serious matter, "Fellow Daoists, I have invited you here today because I have an important request."

"Please go ahead, Fellow Daoist Xu. Though I must say, with the rampant supernatural threats in Wanzhe Waters and the Luoyun Sect at war with Hu Country cultivators, my meager skills may not be of much help!" Gong Yang slightly frowned, and spoke with a wry smile.

At this moment, Duan Shuang also turned his gaze toward Xu Ping, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoists, rest assured, it is not a dangerous task!" Xu Ping smiled and explained, "I would like to ask for your help in going to the Song family to trade some third-rank Spirit Wood for me."

"Go to the Song family to trade third-rank Spirit Wood?"

Upon hearing this request, Duan Shuang and Gong Yang both breathed a sigh of relief.

This task is indeed not difficult. With their combined efforts, unless they encounter Golden Core-level threats or a large number of Foundation Establishment threats, they should be able to escape safely.

"This task isn't particularly tough, but third-rank Spirit Wood is extremely precious. How much would Fellow Daoist Xu like to purchase?" Gong Yang asked.

"About three feet in length should suffice!" Xu Ping replied.

A three-foot long piece of third-rank Spirit Wood can roughly produce a hundred or so sheets of third-rank talisman paper. Given his current success rate in drawing talismans, it shouldn't be a problem to create a dozen or so Cyan Profound Divine Thunder Talismans.

With so many Cyan Profound Divine Thunder Talismans, he will be able to protect himself effortlessly under current circumstances.

Even if a few Golden Core-level threats come, he won't fear them!

"Three feet long?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Shuang was slightly stunned, a glimmer of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Such a length of third-rank Spirit Wood would cost a fortune in Spirit Stones!"

"Fellow Daoists, please look at this!" Xu Ping smiled slightly, flipped his palm, and a batch of second-stage talismans suddenly appeared in his hand.

Gong Yang and Duan Shuang swept their Divine Sense over them, finding that they were all talismans of the fire and thunder elements, which were effective against supernatural threats.

Moreover, among them, second-stage upper-grade talismans were not in short supply, each emitting a faint spiritual light, indicating extraordinary quality.

"Fellow Daoist Xu... how do you have so many fire and thunder element second-stage talismans?" Gong Yang exclaimed in surprise, unable to hold back his inquiry.

"These were naturally drawn by me."

Xu Ping replied cheerfully, "I was previously a second-stage lower-grade Talisman Master, but I lacked the legacy of second-stage middle-grade or higher talismans.

"Truthfully, I owe Fellow Daoist Duan special thanks for the third-rank talisman legacy he gifted me before."

At this moment it isn't much of a scandal to reveal that he can draw second-stage upper-grade talismans.

As long as he doesn't reveal that he can draw third-rank talismans.

"I see."

Duan Shuang suddenly understood, then curiously asked, "Is Fellow Daoist Xu buying third-rank Spirit Wood to make third-rank talisman paper and draw third-rank talismans?"

"Indeed, although it seems a slim hope, I might as well try!" Xu Ping smiled wryly.

"Fellow Daoist Xu is remarkably talented, you might indeed succeed," Duan Shuang said earnestly.

"I appreciate Fellow Daoist Duan's kind wishes," Xu Ping replied with a smile, then added, "During such rampant supernatural threats nowadays, these many second-stage talismans should be enough to purchase three feet long."

"That should be enough." Gong Yang nodded.

The Luoyun Sect is desperately resisting Hu Country's invasion, and cultivation items like talismans and puppets that can enhance combat power have naturally seen their prices skyrocket.

Not to mention now in Wanzhe Waters, plagued deeply by supernatural threats, the prices for talismans and magical artifacts effective against such threats are astronomical!

"In that case, I hope Fellow Daoists will accept these talismans for self-defense along the way!"

Xu Ping took out seven or eight second-stage upper-grade thunder element talismans from his Storage Ring, handing them respectively to Gong Yang and Duan Shuang.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu..." Duan Shuang and Gong Yang's eyes lit up instantly, quickly reaching out to accept the talismans.

With so many second-stage upper-grade thunder element talismans, as long as they don't meet Golden Core threats, self-protection is more than sufficient.

Under favorable circumstances, they might even acquire them with no cost.

"Fellow Daoists, you're too kind. Since it's in service to me, I naturally wish to ensure your safety." Xu Ping waved his hand sincerely.

...

...

Duan Shuang and Gong Yang set off the next day to seek a trade with the Song family.

However, for safety's sake, they didn't directly head to the Song family's territory, instead going to the market established by the Song family.

Meanwhile, Xu Ping stayed at Thousand Leaves Mountain, quietly awaiting news.

Time passed leisurely by, and a month and a half flew quickly.

On this day, inside the cultivation room.

Xu Ping exercised with closed eyes. As his cultivation technique operated, countless Spiritual Qi was absorbed through his mouth and nose into his body, continuously refined into cyan Longevity Mana.

Suddenly, the mana fluctuations surrounding him were full of vitality and deep in mystery.

Time unknown slipped away.

Xu Ping opened his eyes as his cultivation concluded.

"Hoo!"

He slowly exhaled a breath of impure air, like he usually did, then checked his data panel.

[Name: Xu Ping]

[Life: 49/448 years]

[Realm: Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment: 65/100; Blood Demon Body Refining Stage Two: 99/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Longevity Skill Minor Achievement: 678/800]

...

"Only thirty-five points away from breaking through to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. At the current pace, it'll take about another four years or so." A faint smile appeared at the corners of Xu Ping's mouth.

Nothing is more gratifying than seeing oneself steadily advancing step by step.

"And breaking through to Major Achievement in Longevity Skill requires even less time, a year or two should suffice."

"It's just that the Blood Demon Body Refining has been stuck at a bottleneck for over a year now!"

Xu Ping's eyes rested on the data panel's "Blood Demon Body Refining Stage Two: 99/100" line, causing him to slightly frown.