'Perhaps befriending this woman will be valuable in the future!'
Thinking it over, this was the only reason Qi Ping could find for the "good thing" sensed by his Natural Perception. He couldn't be entirely certain because, in his past games, this skill only worked in specific dungeons. Now that it was applied to the cultivation world, he was still exploring its true effects.
However, as long as he could confirm there was no danger, everything else could be handled as it came.
'Later, I can ask Brother Meng about her. Once I know her background and style, I'll decide what to do next!'
Since the other party had shown goodwill, Qi Ping naturally had no intention of attacking. He still remembered Manager Gao saying there were Foundation Establishment cultivators protecting her.
Even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator attacked, Qi Ping was confident in killing the group before him and then slaying the protector... and finally looting the spoils. While that sounded satisfying, setting aside the losses to the bee swarm, he feared that making enemies like this would eventually lead to a mysterious death. He didn't want to provoke someone with such deep roots and high status unless necessary.
The fact that Meng Yan had killed so many geniuses from rival sects but hadn't touched this woman spoke volumes.
Based on his understanding of the cultivation world, the best way to survive was to cause as little trouble as possible. Otherwise, offending those long-lived, knowledgeable, and calculating old fogies would likely lead to a death one wouldn't even see coming. Every year, many arrogant geniuses died this way. These geniuses thought they were destined for greatness, but in the eyes of those who had lived for centuries, they were merely fools or walking experience packs.
Furthermore, the appearance of this red-robed woman made Qi Ping realize a problem. His channels for obtaining resources and trading were too limited. Currently, he could only buy things through Meng Yan. If this continued long-term, many of his secrets would be exposed.
While Meng Yan was entirely trustworthy, what about the people watching him? Every transaction left a trace. As Meng Yan bought more and more things for Qi Ping, his enemies inside and outside the sect would eventually notice the anomalies. In the end, it would pose a massive risk not just to Qi Ping, but to Meng Yan himself.
'Fortunately, it's not too late to realize this! I must slowly find new trading partners.'
'Only by buying and selling through multiple channels can I better hide myself. Especially as the value of the items I trade increases, a concentrated channel will only make me a bigger target.'
This wasn't just paranoia. From what Qi Ping knew of both his past life and this one, there were too many examples of people being targeted and ruined because of such things.
'Perhaps this is why Natural Perception triggered?'
He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but realizing the issue was a good thing. In the way of survival, he was still too weak and had much to learn. On the path of immortality, one had to think twice before acting and take every step with caution!
Having cleared his mind, Qi Ping decided that if he could confirm this woman was a viable partner, he would try to develop her as one of his trading channels. She wasn't a saint, but she clearly had an extraordinary background and was smart enough. She likely had a talent or item that could sense danger, which was why she had stopped her maid the moment his killing intent flickered.
Her style of handling things—immediate punishment, apology, and compensation followed by an attempt at friendship—showed exactly how she operated.
While the woman was apologizing, the four maids behind her were completely stunned. Especially the one who had been slapped; she was usually her mistress's favorite! Yet today, her mistress had beaten her like this for the sake of a man!
What was the identity of this man dressed like a low-level rogue cultivator? How could he be worth such treatment from their mistress? Given her status, ordinary people couldn't even get through the door to meet her, yet here she was, acting so humbly toward this man named Qi Ping!
They had no idea that if their mistress hadn't acted as she did, all of them—mistress included—would have been reduced to ash. Qi Ping was the type who either didn't make enemies or pulled them up by the roots; he would never give an enemy the chance to go back and call for reinforcements.
"It is a small matter! I will accept the apology, but there is no need for a gift. I happen to need Soul-Nurturing Grass, so I will purchase it at market price!" Qi Ping replied with a smile.
He took out a sum of spirit stones from his storage bag and used spiritual power to deliver them to the woman.
Seeing his actions, the noble woman was surprised. People who didn't like taking advantage of others were rare. This behavior made her think even more highly of him; such people were exactly what her family described as the best candidates for long-term partnerships.
She glanced at the stones and said, "Your magnanimity is admirable. Then this humble one shall shamelessly accept the stones."
After stowing the spirit stones, she gave a radiant smile.
"Young Master, this humble one is named Hong Li, from the Ningshan Family. I have offended you today; I shall seek to make amends another day. I will not disturb you further today."
With another bow, Hong Li turned and led her maids away.
As soon as they were gone, the first thing Qi Ping did was pack up everything of value on the peak—including the spirit-source stone pillars underground—into his storage bag. Then, he immediately transformed into a bee and vanished.
Even though Hong Li hadn't shown hostility, Qi Ping would never leave his safety in someone else's hands.
From now on, he planned to leave this place to the bees. They would handle the sowing, harvesting, and tilling of the Hundred-Spirit Grass while acting as his eyes and ears on the peak.
After flying far from the peak, Qi Ping began to think. 'The Ningshan Family... Hong Li... what kind of power is that?' He had never heard of them.
He sent a message to Meng Yan using a transmission talisman. Then, he wandered through the Cloud-Mist Mountain Range for several days, ensuring he wasn't being followed. Only then did he head toward the location he had scouted, ready to begin building his exclusive territory.