Stealthily cultivating in the chaotic world of demons and martial artists

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Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm.

Green Bamboo Mountain.

In a hut area, within an underground chamber.

The chamber had passages in all directions, apparently with secret tunnels leading outside.

Fang Xi's figure quietly appeared, looking at the bag of Demonic Beast Meat in his hand, his expression slightly excited, "Indeed... the magic treasures from there can be brought over, and the materials from the other side can also be brought back, as long as I can carry them..."

The idea of trading between worlds was indeed quite feasible.

"In the early stages, I can carry them myself; in the later stages, it's just a matter of having a Storage Bag... Well, Fang Xi, you're getting ahead of yourself, even the smallest Storage Bag on the market costs twenty inferior Spirit Stones!"

As for the corpse of the cultivation-robber warrior, Fang Xi also felt it up, only to find that it was... nothing but poverty.

With only a hundred and eighty taels of silver on him, just like a beggar, he didn't even carry a book of martial arts secrets. How dare he go out and rob!

"No, wait, if he really had money, why would he go out and rob?"

After complaining, Fang Xi proceeded to check his own assets.

His Cultivation was still at the Qi Refining third layer, solidifying his foundation.

This inferior wood-attribute Spiritual Root certainly made cultivation somewhat difficult.

Besides that, the most valuable item he owned was an inferior magic weapon—the Green Barley Sword.

Beneath the Green Barley Sword was the 'Eternal Spring Skills' manual, which allowed one to cultivate up to the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining tenth layer. It was also the common merchandise in the Green Bamboo Mountain Market, and he had to find another cultivation method after reaching Foundation Establishment.

"There are also 22 Spirit Crystals, 60 jin of Spirit Bamboo Rice, 1 medium-grade 'Minor Thunder Talisman', 1 inferior 'Gold Light Shield Talisman', 2 'Cold Ice Talismans', 5 'Protection Talismans', and several life-assisting talismans like 'Dust Removing Seal', 'Fire Repelling Talisman', 'Water Repelling Talisman'..."

"I feel like a cultivation-robber would cry upon seeing this..."

Fang Xi let out a long sigh, looking at the Demonic Beast Meat and murmuring, "Perhaps, I should sell it... No, not until the middle stage of Qi Refining. I can't take the risk!"

He had also inquired at the White Cloud Martial Arts School, where Han Fatty sold the Demonic Beast Meat under the name 'Taisui Meat', which looked pale and not fishy when eaten.

Moreover, it had the effect of invigorating blood and replenishing qi, and even Mu Piaomiao dared not eat it during those special days...

Although Fang Xi already knew the details, he still didn't plan on consuming the Demonic Beast Meat right away.

"Immortal Cultivators also often cook Monster Beast Meat, which can replenish spiritual energy; for body cultivators, it's considered the most excellent spiritual medicine. Naturally, they have methods of identification..."

Looking at the Taisui Meat, Fang Xi contemplated and cast a spell.

Hum!

A ring of light appeared above the Taisui Meat, its color constantly changing, finally settling at a dark green hue.

"Generally harmless, but it may still damage the body..."

Fang Xi nodded slightly.

"Cultivators have many methods for identifying poisons, even for treating them... just to be safe, it's better to prepare a Detoxification Pill and add a 'Restoring Spring Talisman.'

Thinking of the talisman issue, Fang Xi immediately decided to seek out his new neighbor Chen Ping for a solution.

This new Spirit Farmer seemed to have some skill in drawing talismans and was worth getting closer to.

Moreover, it was also about expanding the network of the original Fang Xi.

The original Fang Xi was dedicated to cultivation alone, without any friends other than his neighbors, and had no contact with any circles.

But Fang Xi had now decided to slightly expand his connections, also in preparation for later selling Demonic Beast Meat and buying rare resources.

No sooner thought than done!

The next morning, Fang Xi was waiting at the door bright and early, and when Chen Ping came out, he greeted, "Mr. Chen... are you going out?"

"Indeed."

Chen Ping looked like any other Spirit Farmer, honest and timid, and replied to Fang Xi's question, "Sir Fang... do you need something?"

"That's right... isn't Mr. Chen a Talisman Master? I'm looking to buy a 'Restoring Spring Talisman', do you have any..."

Fang Xi asked tentatively.

Chen Ping's face changed slightly, then he gave a bitter smile and waved his hands repeatedly, "The art of talismans is vast and profound, how could I dare to call myself a Talisman Master? I've only studied with Master Zong for a few days and I'm still at the beginner stage; I find it difficult to draw even the lowest-grade talismans..."

The Four Arts of Cultivation—alchemy, formations, talismans, and weaponry—each required considerable effort.

Even though talisman work was comparatively simpler, it was no less challenging to master.

If he found it difficult to draw, it meant that the returns were not worth the cost, which would lead to a loss.

"Not bad at all, but does Mr. Chen have a 'Restoring Spring Talisman'?"

Fang Xi added, "I'll buy it at the market price."

"Well... I do have one."

When told of the market price, Chen Ping couldn't resist any longer and took out a green talisman.

Taking this opportunity, the two chatted a few more words before Chen Ping bid farewell and left.

'I didn't expect he was sort of an acquaintance, having studied under Master Zong for a few days?'

Watching Chen Ping's receding figure, Fang Xi suddenly thought of the couple who owned the talisman stall and felt the world was quite small.

Of course, it might just be because Green Bamboo Mountain Market itself was small, and there were only a few Talisman Masters around.

Regardless, the outcome of this venture was rather satisfactory.

'I've already got the Restoring Spring Talisman, now all I need is a poison antidote pill…'

Fang Xi muttered to himself as he entered the Green Bamboo Mountain Market.

Pill Furnace Pavilion!

The six-story wooden building was exquisitely constructed, emitting a faint scent of grass and wood from its eaves.

When it came to ingestible items like pills, Fang Xi was always very cautious.

The pills sold at the stands of individual cultivators might be cheaper, but there was no guarantee they were completely harmless.

However, the pill shops of the major powers were usually much better.

Pill Furnace Pavilion had a reputation and credibility that had lasted for centuries, even stronger than that of the Situ Family behind the scenes.

For them, maintaining their brand and reputation was the biggest interest, so the quality of their pills was relatively trustworthy.

Of course, trustworthy was all they were, and even after a purchase, he would still need to inspect them carefully.

"Sir, what kind of pill would you like to purchase?"

While Fang Xi was admiring Pill Furnace Pavilion, a girl in a green-grain colored dress stepped up to greet him: "My name is Zhuo Lvting, and I know a bit about the common pills."

With peachy cheeks and almond eyes, she was very pretty, and she didn't bother to conceal the aura of her cultivation level, allowing Fang Xi to see that she was a Qi Refining stage Immortal Cultivator.

'Damn it, even a sales clerk at Pill Furnace Pavilion is at the Qi Refining stage…'

'Alright, they are impressive.'

Feeling a tinge of envy, Fang Xi managed a wry smile: "I need a detoxification pill."

"For detoxification medication, our pavilion has the lower grade Clear Spirit Pill, which is quite effective against a variety of toxins. If you find the effect unsatisfactory, we also have the medium grade Poison Expelling Pill and even the higher grade 'Ten Thousand Spirit Pill', though the price is..." Zhuo Lvting answered with a charming smile.

"I have a friend who accidentally consumed some unknown Monster Beast meat…"

Fang Xi began 'inventing friends'.

Zhuo Lvting thought for a moment: "Generally speaking, Monster beasts don't poison their own blood and flesh. As long as your friend didn't accidentally consume a poison sac, the poisoning shouldn't be too severe. The Clear Spirit Pill is quite effective for alleviating beast poison. You can buy one to try; if it doesn't work, you can bring your friend here so that our pharmacist can have a look…"

"That's fine, how much does one Clear Spirit Pill cost?"

Fang Xi nodded his head.

"One lower grade Spirit Stone." Zhuo Lvting answered with a smile.

'That's expensive!'

'The stands outside ask for no more than seven or eight Spirit Crystals at most!'

Fang Xi had many thoughts running through his mind but still maintained an expressionless face as he handed over the Spirit Crystals in exchange for a small jade bottle.

"Do you have any other needs, sir?" Zhuo Lvting was in a good mood after making a sale.

"I'll have a look..."

Fang Xi, with his hands behind his back, took a good look around the first floor of the Pill Furnace Pavilion.

Soon, he stopped in front of a counter.

On the counter's wooden shelf, there were bottles of Spirit Wine, some sealed in jars, others in bottles.

"This is Spirit Wine, made primarily from Spirit Rice and mixed with a variety of Spirit Medicines, fermented in cellars..."

Zhuo Lvting explained to Fang Xi: "Many among us Cultivators have a taste for the item in this cup. Moreover, many Spirit Wines have multiple effects. For example, 'Grain Avoidance Wine' can completely replace Spirit Food; a sip can keep you without the need for food and water for three days… There's also 'Hundred Flower Brew', which is not only exquisite in taste but also beneficial for female cultivators in Qi Refining... If your friend's poisoning is from snake venom, then this 'Hundred Serpent Wine' has excellent detoxifying properties!"

"I see..."

Fang Xi kept his expression blank, exuding the demeanor of a big shot.

In the Cultivation World, besides the Four Arts of Cultivation, there are other side businesses.

Like physicians who treat injuries, Spiritual Chefs who make various kinds of Spirit Food, as well as winemakers, Spiritual Vein masters, ore-seeking masters, and so on...

This winemaking skill could be considered a minor sideline or a branch of Alchemy Skill.

Fang Xi looked at the prices and then directly took his leave.

Even if he spent his entire fortune, he probably couldn't afford a jar of Spirit Wine.

"As for the winemaking recipes, there's no need to think about it, I definitely can't afford them..."

Fang Xi felt regret. Being a Spirit Farmer, he was quite suited for winemaking.

"Or maybe... if Pill Furnace Pavilion isn't an option, I should browse the stands for a bit, take a chance on my luck?"

With that thought, he began wandering among the various mobile stands.

Ever since he had crossed over, Fang Xi had been influenced by novels to visit these market stalls, hoping to stumble upon some fortune.

But that goes without saying.

Novels are deceiving!

Forget about stumbling upon an earth-shattering opportunity; he hadn't even come across a small oversight!

Not to mention himself, even observing others for a year, he hadn't seen a single individual cultivator get a good deal from the stands.

Instead, there were those who felt cheated, even swindled out of all they had; he had seen plenty of such cultivators.

Some of them even wanted to create a ruckus in the market, only to be thrown out by the law enforcement team of the Situ Family… How pitiful can it get?