Chapter 36: News of Cultivation Methods

At Treasure Gathering Workshop, outside the gate of Virtue Cloud Pavilion, Wang Ping transformed into the appearance of a handsome young gentleman and appeared here.

Having left the Artifact Refining Cave Dwelling, over three days he changed his appearance, entering and leaving over a dozen shops, not only searching for the herbs on that miraculous prescription, but also inquiring about news of top-tier cultivation methods.

Unfortunately, after three days he got nothing; not only were the spiritual medicines and herbs on the prescription unknown to anyone, but there was not even a hint of news about top-tier cultivation methods.

The shop he has come to now is neither the most famous in Treasure Gathering Workshop nor the strongest in strength.

But it is indeed the shop with the longest history in Treasure Gathering Workshop.

Upon entering Virtue Cloud Pavilion, he discovered that there were actually quite a few people inside.

Perhaps they were too busy, so no one came to greet Wang Ping.

Wang Ping didn't mind, and just casually strolled around inside the shop.

After making a round, Wang Ping felt very satisfied; the items here were mostly uncommon things.

Some materials could be said to be extremely rare, giving Wang Ping the urge to purchase them.

Crimson Feather! It is the sole true feather of a second-rank ferocious bird, an excellent material for crafting fan-shaped magical treasures!

Seeing it made Wang Ping's eyes heat up; although his current level is still somewhat distant from crafting magical treasures, it doesn't hinder him from first collecting it.

He glanced at the price: three thousand spirit stones. Hehe, Wang Ping shook his head; with his current wealth he could afford it, but thinking that he still needs to buy top-tier cultivation methods later, even twenty or thirty thousand spirit stones might not be enough to purchase the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment volumes.

As for the complete set, a top-tier cultivation method that can cultivate up to the Nascent Soul stage, Wang Ping didn't even dare to think about it.

Such a method cannot be bought without tens of millions of low-grade spirit stones.

In the world of cultivation, methods that can only cultivate up to the early Foundation Establishment stage are defined as entry-grade methods, generally consisting of six layers.

Wang Ping's Azure Wood Longevity Technique is such a method.

Methods that can cultivate up to the great perfection of Foundation Establishment are refined-grade methods, generally consisting of eight layers.

Above that are methods that can cultivate up to the Golden Core stage, powerful methods, at least ten layers.

As for the Nascent Soul stage, at least seventeen layers are required.

The definition of a top-tier method is eighteen layers; above that there are peak-tier methods with twenty-one layers.

However, such methods are extremely rare, basically existing only in legend.

Entry-grade, refined-grade, powerful, top-tier, peak-tier—these are the definitions of cultivation method grades in the world of cultivation.

In the world of cultivation, refined-grade and entry-grade methods are often not valuable; their basic price is three thousand or fewer spirit stones, and they are not exclusively owned.

Just like Treasure Gathering Pavilion, relying on its strong business network, a single entry-grade or refined-grade method can be sold in hundreds or even thousands of copies.

But once it reaches the powerful-method tier, things are no longer the same.

Such methods are often bought outright; even prices of over ten thousand cannot hold them, and as for the even higher top-tier and peak-tier methods, they tend to be even more expensive.

Even prices in the millions or tens of millions cannot hold them.

Who could bear such prices? Therefore, methods above the powerful tier are often sold in tiers.

For example, one price for the Qi Refining stage, another for the Foundation Establishment stage, and yet another for the Golden Core stage.

The benefit of this tiered purchasing is that some cultivators with money can buy them; as long as they don't buy the full set, they can sell multiple copies.

Those capable of doing the business of buying and selling cultivation methods are without exception the colossal powers of the Spirit Realm.

Like Treasure Gathering Pavilion, like the chamber of commerce supported by the Hundred Nations Alliance, they grasp the methods of each level in their hands; these cultivators must pay spirit stones to purchase them each time they break through.

Until they have purchased the complete method in hand.

The advantage of doing this is that the profits these powers earn from this method often far exceed expectations.

Upon learning of this purchasing system, Wang Ping couldn't help but sigh, capital truly is everywhere, whether among mortals or cultivators.

If Wang Ping wants to purchase a top-tier level cultivation method, even if he can only cultivate up to Foundation Establishment, he needs at least ten thousand spirit stones as a base.

While an entry-grade method might need only two or three hundred spirit stones, a six-layer top-tier method similarly requires over ten thousand; this gap is too large.

However, top-tier methods in the world are hard to find; from ancient times to the present, already ten thousand years have passed, and the major top-tier methods basically have sects and power transmissions.

Few top-tier methods are available for tiered purchase, let alone the legendary peak-tier methods.

This is also why Wang Ping, after visiting over a dozen shops in Treasure Gathering Market, heard not a whisper of news.

As for Lan Bing's claim that the Reverse Fire Curse can advance two cultivation methods, or that it is of peak-tier level, Wang Ping still harbors some doubt.

If it were truly so miraculous, the cultivation world would surely have already begun research on it; the channels by which those great powers obtain information are certainly not something that a mere young master of the Lan family could rival.

Inside Virtue Cloud Pavilion, Wang Ping had already walked around several times; at this moment, the shopkeeper beside him finally finished his work, seeing that the young gentleman in blue clothing seemed to have lingered in the shop for a long time, he hurried over and, with a smiling face, said:

"Greetings, fellow Daoist; I am Huang Tai, the shopkeeper of Virtue Cloud Pavilion. Fellow Daoist, do you have any intention to purchase some materials?"

Wang Ping showed no sign of impatience, nodded his head, Huang Tai extended his hand to gesture invitingly, and the two sat down at the tea table at the back of the shop.

Huang Tai personally brewed a cup of tea for Wang Ping, and with an apologetic tone said: "Sorry for keeping you waiting, fellow Daoist; this cup of tea is my apology."

Wang Ping remained unmoved; in Treasure Gathering Pavilion he would dare to drink tea, but here it is better to maintain caution.

Huang Tai smiled; he showed no displeasure at all, having seen many such cultivators before, long past the age of getting angry.

"I don't know what materials you wish to purchase; perhaps I can be of help here."

Wang Ping said nothing, directly handed over a prescription; written on it were exactly the spiritual medicines needed for that prescription.

He had no fear of the prescription being leaked; first of all, the names of the spiritual herbs on it are unrecognizable to anyone, and even if recognized, no one would know what they are used for.

More importantly, he had concealed two kinds of spiritual herbs.

Huang Tai, full of confidence, took the prescription and began to examine it.

At first he was full of confidence, but the more he looked, the graver his expression became; the spiritual herbs listed above, he had never even heard of.

Wang Ping had been watching the shopkeeper's expression; seeing that it was the same as those of other shopkeepers, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of disappointment welling up inside.

"Huh!" Huang Tai seemed to recall something, taking out a yellowed book from his storage bag and carefully flipping through it.

"A book?"

Wang Ping felt somewhat surprised; such a book is uncommon in the world of cultivation.

Seeing how yellowed it is, it must have been many years.

Huang Tai flipped through it for nearly half an hour, comparing back and forth multiple times, before excitedly slamming the table and shouting:

"Found it!"

A flash of excitement crossed Wang Ping's eyes, and with a smile on his face he asked:

"Brother Huang, did you find which spiritual herb?"

Huang Tai nodded excitedly, then shook his head, explaining:

"It's not a medicinal herb, but a demonic beast's hair; the 'Purple Origin Ghost Grass' in the prescription you gave is not a spiritual herb, but the hair of an extremely ferocious beast."

Wang Ping nodded, indicating for him to continue.

Huang Tai pointed at the yellowed book and said:

"Purple Origin Ghost Grass is an ancient name; now it's called Purple Origin Whiskers, and they are the hairs of the Six‑Eyed Ferocious Fox listed on the ancient ferocious beast ranking."

"In ancient times, because the Six‑Eyed Ferocious Fox slaughtered excessively, its fur was dyed black‑red; when it ran, its fur looked like countless ghost herbs dancing, and because its six eyes are purple‑origin eyes, it was also called Purple Origin Ghost Grass."

"Nowadays, among humanity, this ferocious beast no longer dares to slaughter cities as it did in ancient times, so its fur has reverted to its original color and become smoother and finer; therefore it is now called Purple Origin Whiskers."

Huang Tai finished speaking in one breath, feeling a bit parched, and directly gulped down the water in the tea cup on the table.

Finally having found one, Wang Ping let out a sigh of relief; on that prescription were nine kinds of spiritual herbs and medicines.

Each of them is an ancient name, possibly related to the spirit realm, so in the short term he actually didn't hold much hope.

He never expected to actually find one right now.

"Do you happen to sell it in your shop?" Wang Ping asked.

Huang Tai gave a wry smile, shook his head, and said:

"Such a rare material isn't something a small shop can obtain; an adult Six‑Eyed Ferocious Fox is a peak Foundation Establishment beast—who would dare provoke it lightly?"

Wang Ping nodded, a bit disappointed; today's events gave him some insight—these ancient things still need to be sought from shops with a long history.

For example, the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, but he'd have to wait until he breaks through to mid‑Foundation Establishment.

Then Wang Ping asked again: "Do you know where top‑tier cultivation methods for the Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment levels are sold?"

Huang Tai glanced at Wang Ping's cultivation level, smiled, and said:

"Methods of this level haven't been seen for sale in our Western Verdant region for over a thousand years."

Wang Ping nodded once more, disappointed; at that moment, Huang Tai added:

"However, I've heard that our country's Treasure Gathering Pavilion will hold an auction, where you should be able to find what you're looking for."

An auction?

Wang Ping recalled that Tie Lanshan had also mentioned wanting to attend the auction to bid on Foundation Establishment spiritual items.

Perhaps it's the auction hosted by the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

Having gotten a hint about the cultivation method, Wang Ping no longer lingered and was about to rise and leave, when Huang Tai mysteriously said:

"Fellow Daoist, if you have no urgent matters, could you wait a few more days before departing?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Ping curled the corner of his mouth into a smile and asked: "Why?"

Huang Tai whispered:

"Several fellow Daoists have organized a private gathering of very high standard; those without cultivation near the Great Perfection and without financial resources of over three thousand spirit stones are not allowed to enter."

"Moreover, every cultivator entering must hold an invitation."

"Fellow Daoist, the items this time are all of excellent quality; there's surely nothing you wouldn't want, and furthermore, by exchanging with many fellow Daoists you might obtain some crucial information."

"For instance, regarding the cultivation method you desire, there may be further news."

Wang Ping gave Huang Tai a half‑smile glance and said nothing.

Huang Tai gave a hehe laugh: "I'm not talented, but I am one of the initiators; fellow Daoist, please accept this invitation!"

Having said that, he threw a black card over.

Wang Ping took it in his hand, glanced at it, casually slipped it into his storage bag, and said:

"If I haven't left by then, Lan Mou will go take a look."

Having said that, he directly left the Virtue Cloud Pavilion.