"Two seeds?"
Qi Ping's heart leaped! After searching for so long, was he finally going to have a harvest?
"Yes, Senior! Rank 2 herbs are too sought after now; they're impossible to buy. Only these seeds are left," the manager replied. Even in a large city, a Foundation Establishment master's status was high.
"What seeds are they?"
"Senior, please wait. May I bring them for you to see?"
"Of course!"
A moment later, the manager returned with two exquisite jade boxes. Inside the first was a fruit pit radiating wood-attribute spiritual power. Inside the second was a grass seed carrying the aura of a cold pond.
"Senior, these are a Rank 2 Low-grade Blue Moon Fruit pit and a Rank 2 Low-grade Cold Pond Grass seed."
The moment Qi Ping saw the Blue Moon Fruit, joy flared in his heart. The Blue Moon Fruit was excellent! Although it wasn't a fire-attribute herb, it was wood-attribute. In the cycle of the five elements, wood was the best support for a fire-attribute cultivator. For Qi Ping, who practiced both wood and fire techniques, the conversion would be easy.
And it was a fruit tree! As long as he nurtured it, he didn't have to worry about reproduction; the tree could produce harvest after harvest of fruit!
On the surface, however, he remained calm. This man wasn't a trusted contact like Manager Gao; if he appeared too desperate, the price would be hard to negotiate. He showed only a slight interest and successfully traded some Moon Essence for the seeds. This Moon Essence had been produced when his Moon-Glow Tree reached Rank 1 Great Perfection, so while the quality was high, it only just touched the Rank 2 level.
To Qi Ping, this was a massive profit! The manager was also excited. For a Foundation Establishment master, rare items like Moon Essence were highly prized; he could sell it for a much better price than the seeds. The transaction ended on a very pleasant note.
Only after leaving Chiyang City did Qi Ping stop hiding his smile. With the Blue Moon Fruit, his and Yaya's breakthroughs were guaranteed, and he could begin mass-producing Rank 2 bees.
'I have the seeds. Even if they aren't fire-attribute, I'll stop for now.'
Reflecting on his actions over the last two days, he realized there were risks. Although he had used Natural Perception to avoid danger, he still felt it was better to be safe than sorry. If he lacked seeds, he would risk his life for the immortal path—he never expected the road to be easy. But now that he had the fruit, there was no need to risk his life for a fire-attribute herb that might not even be able to reproduce.
He decided to return to his territory.
However, he hadn't gone far when a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator blocked his path. Qi Ping looked uneasily at the elder holding a blood-red longsword. The man clearly had ill intentions.
Yet, Natural Perception had given no warning!
There were only two possibilities. One: the man's strength posed no real threat to Qi Ping, nor did he carry any significant treasures, so there was no "fortune or disaster" to speak of—this would be the safe outcome. Two: the man's strength exceeded the range of Natural Perception's prediction, or he carried something that shielded him from divination. This was what Qi Ping feared most.
Regardless, he hated things that fell outside his expectations. He suppressed his unease and asked politely:
"May I ask why Senior is blocking my path? I am in a hurry."
The elder let out a dark laugh. "Before you answer my questions, the Malice Sword in my hand won't let you leave. So you had better speak truly!"
"Someone told me you've been looking for Rank 2 herbs for the last two days, even seeds. I was thinking... is it possible you know where a hidden Rank 2 spirit vein is?"
"If you admit it, we can cooperate. If not... you'll have to answer to my sword."
While the old man was talking, Qi Ping had no desire for idle chatter. He was already simulating various combat scenarios. Since the old man was clearly hostile and targeting his spirit vein, there was no chance he was a hidden powerhouse.
The only path forward was to kill!
Qi Ping struck before the old man could finish his sentence! He launched a zero-frame, instantaneous full-power attack!
Soul Technique—Hundred-Eyed Illusion Realm!
Armor-Taming Art—Profound Gold Killing Array!
Yaya!
Ground-Shield Bee Battle Array!
Flameburst Art!
In a single instant, he exploded with everything he had. He had to kill the man as fast as possible, leaving him no room to breathe, and then transform into a bee to flee.
His sudden strike caught the elder off guard. Before he could react, his soul was pierced by a sharp pain as a terrifying illusion hit him! Fortunately, he was experienced and activated a Heart-Clearing Art to break free. But the illusion had still wounded his soul.
Before he could recover and teach the "arrogant" early-stage cultivator a lesson, a scene that chilled his heart appeared. Countless pitch-black scales radiating an extraordinary aura surrounded him in a heartbeat, and a terrifying array began to form!
That wasn't all. A fire crow at the mid-stage of Rank 2, surrounded by the power of a scorching sun, came screaming toward him! Behind it, a swarm of Rank 2 bees closed in.
"What the...!"
The elder was completely dumbfounded. But Qi Ping didn't care what he thought. If you have ill intent, then die!
"Profound Gold Killing Array... Activate!"