Chapter 95: Offering, an Opportunity!

After Su Ping returned to Jinque City from Xuangui Island.

Thanks to the relative stability in the Immortal Sect's territory during this period.

Grain from the Overseas Islands and coastal cities was successfully transported in large quantities, greatly alleviating the food crisis in Jinque City.

This saved Su Ping the trouble of having to transport grain from Water Blue Star for emergency relief.

However, the manager reported that the Body Tempering Medicine Packs available for purchase each period had decreased again.

According to those apothecaries, several cities that were major producers of body tempering herbs had lost contact over the past month, and the scouts they sent out vanished without a trace.

Coupled with the fact that the Immortal Sect showed no reaction to this, they were like ants on a hot pan, waiting anxiously, yet unable to make bricks without straw.

Fortunately, Su Ping was now a Body Cultivator at the Body Refining Late Stage.

The effect of Body Tempering Medicine Packs had become extremely weak, so he now used higher-quality medicinal products like Body Refining Spirit Liquid or Body Strengthening Paste to assist his cultivation.

And with his dual late-stage progress in Qi Refining and Body Refining.

Su Ping gradually discovered that his cultivation progress had slowed down; the progress he made by relying on his own practice within the Dongtian was already greater than the help provided by pills.

Of course, this was also related to the fact that Su Ping did not have better pills.

Auxiliary materials for the late stages of Qi Refining and Body Refining, even if they were Waste Pills, rarely flowed to the outside world.

Su Ping had no channels to obtain them, nor could he entrust others to purchase such high-level Waste Pills.

Blood Qi Pills could be said to be for cultivating martial artists and fierce beasts.

Pills that could only be used at the Qi Refining Late Stage, even if they were Waste Pills, were too eye-catching...

Fortunately, Su Ping was not in a rush; once Young Daoist Zhou Xuan's alchemy skills were leveled up enough, everything would be available.

Su Ping continued to purchase ordinary Body Tempering Medicine Packs, with more being used for Young Daoist Zhou Xuan to conduct substitution research; besides facilitating the training of Registered Disciples, Su Ping also wanted to see if he could use quantity to make up for quality.

Two weeks after Su Ping completed the upgrade mission for the Travel Shop in the Pot Heaven.

He sent Young Daoist Zhou Xuan, who thought he had completed the first stage of the "tempering the heart in the mortal world" mission, back to Zhaoyue Tingfeng Pavilion to continue farming and alchemy.

Having interacted with his parents and accidentally witnessed a mysterious phenomenon, Zhou Xuan returned full of drive.

Especially after discovering that his little companion, the Psychic Civet, had also become stronger, he utilized the environment rich in Spirit Qi without wasting a single second.

This drive, this subjective initiative.

It was quite rare even among the Outer Sect Disciples of the Immortal Sect.

Regarding the substitution of Body Tempering Medicine Packs, although the time was short, the progress was still quite considerable.

This was mainly because the six Registered Disciples, including Huang Zong, served as excellent guinea pigs.

They received the long-coveted Body Tempering Medicine Packs from Shu Daoren, completely unaware that these were all products of various "magic modifications."

Anyway, with Su Ping's Purification Spirit Medicine in hand, Su Ping was not worried that they would break down.

If all else failed, wasting one-tenth of the Spirit Herb would still be enough to save the unlucky ones who ran into trouble!

"Hmm?"

"The Yun Family writes every few days; do they really want to marry their granddaughter to me?"

At Linyue Villa, Su Ping, who had just finished meeting with Ji Hu of the Ji Family, felt slightly stunned after receiving the letter and couldn't help but shake his head.

If he hadn't obtained the Fishing Game to defy his fate, this opportunity would naturally have been excellent for an outsider like him.

But now, there was absolutely no need to agree.

After writing back to thank them for their good intentions, Su Ping continued reading and learned that the Overseas Islands were quite lively due to the migration of many branches of immortal cultivation families.

Several large families had even teamed up to run a Market on an island.

This Market was not even as good as the one at Nine Leaves Mountain; after all, it lacked the bonus of a Spirit Vein and had no participation from Outer Sect Disciples.

It looked more like a black market participated in by Loose Cultivators and martial artists.

The goods traded were naturally of low value.

But it had the advantage of being crowded, large-scale, and drawing people from all directions, and with immortal cultivation families bringing out their mortal foundations to trade, many strange arts and techniques appeared.

It was very well-received by those martial artists who had no hope of immortal cultivation!

Su Ping let out an "oh" upon seeing this, and after thinking of something, he did not go himself but summoned two Loose Cultivators who had come to seek refuge at his Linyue Villa.

These two Loose Cultivators were both old cultivators in their seventies or eighties who were still stuck at the Qi Refining First Layer.

When the Immortal Sect's recruitment order came down, after a period of internal struggle, they saw their own capabilities clearly and chose to give up, turning instead to seek refuge with Su Ping.

Compared to the Immortal Sect, Su Ping's reputation in the mortal world was at least far, far better.

Especially since the refugees here basically never starved to death.

This made them even more loyal; they moved their families to the vicinity of Jinque City and were willing to work for Su Ping in exchange for the hope that they could die of old age in the family estate, and their descendants could continue to receive some protection.

Su Ping called these two old cultivators over and handed them a Storage Bag.

The bag contained no Spirit Stones, but rather various pills that had not reached the Entry level, mostly of medium quality.

These were all results from Young Daoist Zhou Xuan's recent work, mainly focusing on Bone Strengthening, Healing, and similar effects.

Superior Pills were a bit too sensitive, so Su Ping didn't dare give them away even if they were low-tier; these medium-quality ones were perfect for taking to the Overseas Islands Market to exchange for items or local currency.

"You should know that I have achieved success in body cultivation."

"But I am troubled by being only an Inspector in the mortal world, so many training methods can only be explored on my own."

"Therefore, I have to find another way, adopting the strengths of many schools in the hope of finding a suitable path to advance further."

"This time, when you go to the Overseas Islands to participate in the Market, as long as you find techniques that are not in the registry and have some merit, you can buy them back."

"If you handle this well, I promise that you can both become First-Class Guests of the villa."

After Su Ping gave his promise, the two old cultivators agreed without a moment's hesitation.

And in their hearts, they felt a resonance with Su Ping's words.

It is not easy for a Loose Cultivator, and it is not easy for an Outer Sect Disciple who is not valued to cultivate!

With no Spirit Stones and no techniques, one must even look for the techniques of other Loose Cultivators and martial artists to study and learn after entering the path of body cultivation.

Sigh, everyone... cultivation is truly not easy!

The old Cultivators bowed and withdrew.

Su Ping, however, only sensed their emotional agitation through his Divine Sense, mistakenly thinking they were moved by his trust.

In a Market like this, the cultivation techniques one can obtain are undoubtedly focused on martial arts; it is quite rare to even see so-called divine arts, fumbled together by Loose Cultivators, that barely reach the first or second layer of Qi Refining.

Su Ping only intended to expand his own collection of books.

Who knows when a certain technique might be used as a carrot?

Or perhaps, by combining the compatible characteristics of certain techniques and medicinal herbs, he might find a path where, if one cannot change the herbs, one changes the technique instead.

After finishing all this, by the afternoon, Su Ping placed the medicine capsules between his teeth and tucked the Storage Bag containing his weapons inside his sleeve.

He retracted a portion of his Divine Sense to his skin's surface, suppressing his own cultivation to make himself appear as a minor Qi Refining Fourth Layer Cultivator.

At the same time, he slightly released his Blood Qi, revealing a strength just a bit beyond Body Refining Small Success.

Su Ping walked quickly, leaving Linyue Villa to head to the City Lord Mansion in Jinque City to await orders.

Two days ago, Su Ping had learned through his Immortal Sect Wooden Tablet that a Patrol Envoy would arrive today to inspect and collect the annual tribute.

At the City Lord Mansion, the City Lord and the heads of various families had professional maids prepare tea and summoned singing girls.

Everyone listened to music, watched performances, and sipped tea together.

They waited slowly for a while.

Finally, they heard a whistling wind from the sky.

An Immortal Boat over thirty meters long flew above Jinque City and began to descend slowly.

On the large plaza in front of the City Lord Mansion, Su Ping, the City Lord, and the others naturally rose in a hurry to welcome it.

Su Ping noticed that the person on the deck of the Immortal Boat this time was not the acquaintance with three swords on his back.

Instead, it was a cold-faced female Cultivator who looked like a block of ice, dressed in green.

This female Cultivator carried a long spear on her back; after her gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over the City Lord and the others, she merely paused for a moment upon noticing Su Ping's Body Refining Small Success before shifting her gaze away.

In her view, Su Ping had at most obtained some minor Body Refining fortune, not worth the attention of someone as high and mighty as her.

In terms of cultivation, Su Ping could sense she was about the same as him, at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, having just stepped into the Qi Refining Late Stage.

Her aura felt frivolous, and her foundation was not as solid as his.

She lacked the Body Refining bonus and the aid of Divine Sense.

If both sides had no hidden cards and fought bare-handed, he could probably take on two or three such female Cultivators at once without breaking a sweat!

Coupled with the discovery that she truly had not detected his real cultivation, Su Ping felt completely at ease, watching with growing relaxation as the City Lord negotiated with the attendants beside the female Cultivator.

The Chiyuan Immortal Sect would collect a certain amount of tribute from the mortal cities within its jurisdiction.

The tribute was not much, and it would be waived or postponed in the event of natural or man-made disasters.

It primarily served to demonstrate the existence of the Immortal Sect and provided an incentive for the Patrol Envoy to pick up scraps.

Retaining a portion of the tribute for the Patrol Envoy's own use was also one of the benefits tacitly permitted by the Immortal Sect.

As the City Lord signaled the martial artists to transport the Spirit Rice, medicinal herbs, and various strange items from the warehouse to the deck.

The tribute was not much, or rather, there were not many mortal cities that could collect enough to qualify in a year.

Soon, everything was transported onto the Immortal Boat.

Just as everyone was waiting to see if the Patrol Envoy would take a short rest—with everyone accompanying her for food and drink—or simply leave.

Beside the cold female Cultivator, a female Cultivator familiar to Su Ping appeared.

It was that girl from the Ji Family who was suspected of having a special Spirit Body at the Ascension Meeting!

This female Cultivator was now at the Qi Refining First Layer, and judging by her attire, she was highly valued.

That brand-new Dharma Robe and the ornaments on her head were all graded Dharma Artifacts!

When the cold female Cultivator turned back to look at her, the corners of her mouth also curled into a faint smile.

Afterward, the cold female Cultivator looked toward the Ji Family and moved her lips to speak in a Secret Language.

Ji Hu's originally joyful expression gradually turned awkward and flushed red.

Su Ping possessed Divine Sense and had not intended to eavesdrop.

But unfortunately, Ji Hu was right beside him, and the cold female Cultivator's Secret Language leaked quite heavily into Su Ping's ears.

He had no choice but to hear the content as he passed by, and he also understood Ji Hu's feelings.

It turned out that the girl from the Ji Family, on whom the Ji Family had pinned their hopes, had been spotted by an Inner Sect Elite Disciple after entering the Immortal Sect through the Ascension Meeting.

Moreover, that Elite Disciple came from a major cultivation family within the Immortal Sect, which could be traced back to a highly experienced Elder.

This was the greatest fortune of the Ji Family girl's life!

It was also the good fortune of the Ji Family!

Therefore, so that the Ji Family girl could cultivate without distractions.

They had come this time to have the Ji Family girl personally sever her ties with the Ji Family.

Oh, right, the Ji Family girl was no longer surnamed Ji.

From today on, she would change her surname to Chunyu!

"The Chunyu clan?"

Su Ping was slightly shaken, and memories of the Immortal Sect's records regarding this surname surfaced in his mind.

The Chiyuan Immortal Sect did indeed have a Chunyu Elder, but this Chunyu Elder had quite a few descendants of his Bloodline.

If one was not of the direct line, the treatment might be similar to that of small cultivation families like the Yun Family or the Dongli Family.

However, for the other party to actually make the Ji Family girl change her surname... it seemed they really valued her Bloodline and intended to marry her to add bricks and tiles to the family?

Yet they did not want to be related by marriage to poor relatives in Jinque City, so they pulled this move?

Of course, there was another possibility: this girl's Spirit Body was suited for certain techniques that required severing emotions and desires, and the other party was paving the way for her.

Letting her change her surname to be accepted as a member of the Chunyu clan was a layout made in advance to recoup the investment later!

However, no matter which one it was.

It seemed to have nothing to do with him, the Inspector?

Su Ping watched silently as Ji Hu finally cupped his hands and bowed again and again toward the Immortal Boat.

Immediately after, a Storage Bag was tossed down by the cold female Cultivator and landed at Ji Hu's feet.

"I am Chunyu Qiu, and I should be the Patrol Envoy here for the next ten years."

"The Chunyu Family rewards merit and punishes faults."

"The Ji Family has merit; you may contact me if you have any matters within these ten years."

The cold female Cultivator gave this promise in front of the crowd.

The people around did not understand the situation and assumed the Ji Family girl had been favored by the other party, leading to love for the house and its crow.

A clan head could not help but exclaim aloud and enviously cupped his hands toward Ji Hu.

Ji Hu gave a bitter smile in his heart, but he thanked the Patrol Envoy once again.

The situation was stronger than the person; he had to yield even if he did not want to!

At least this Chunyu Family Cultivator was not giving nothing at all.

This single sentence was equivalent to ten years of protection.

If it were in the past, the Ji Family might have been able to rely on this sentence to develop and grow, and it was not impossible for them to succeed the next City Lord.

It was just that... Ji Hu looked with some worry at his daughter, who was keeping her head down and did not dare to look at him.

He always felt that this opportunity was too great, and his daughter might not be able to handle it.

And once something went wrong, he would have neither the power nor the reason to help.

The Immortal Boat flew to the Ji Family's villa in the city, which was also the place where the Ji Family girl grew up.

Ji Hu excused himself and left, going to see his daughter for what might be the last time as a Ji Family girl.

When they met again in the future, she would be a heaven-gifted daughter surnamed Chunyu...

He watched them leave.

Su Ping resisted the urge to go to the Ji Family to eavesdrop, turned around, and returned to Linyue Villa to eat fish and cultivate.

When the Immortal Boat turned into a streak of Golden Light and fled into the distance.

Only then did Su Ping restart the Pot Heaven and disappear from the Cultivation World.

In the sky, on the deck of the Immortal Boat.

The cold female Cultivator looked at the red-eyed Ji Family girl and said indifferently:

"Cry, cry out all the emotions accumulated in your heart."

"That way, you won't cry anymore in the future."

"Your constitution is the most suitable for our clan's divine ability."

"When we return to the clan, the clan head will personally change your bones and blood for you, and from then on, you will become a true member of the Chunyu clan!"

"Mm!"

The Ji Family girl nodded silently, a trace of worry flashing through her heart, but now that things had reached this point, from the moment she chose to be recruited by the Chunyu clan, it seemed there was no turning back...

…………

Water Blue Star, Nierbojiade City.

In a large villa quickly built with modular units.

Huang Zong popped his round head out of a one-meter-deep bathtub with a splash and shouted: Comfortable!

The hot water in the bathtub had long since turned cold, and the color had changed from the initial dark green to light green.

Moreover, the water in the bath had long exceeded forty-eight hours.

Yet Huang Zong could not bear to change the water.

After all, this was Spirit Water soaked from a Body Tempering Medicine Pack that he only received once a week!

Without repeatedly heating it to squeeze out every bit of the medicinal power.

He, Huang Zong, could not bear to change it!

And!

If it weren't for Shu Daoren sternly warning him that he couldn't drink it, that he really couldn't drink it!

Huang Zong would have loved to drink all this water as daily drinking water to slowly steep tea after soaking.

"True cultivation techniques are really different!"

"Even with my constitution, I can develop muscles so quickly."

"My sleep also feels better than ever!"

Huang Zong looked in the mirror and felt that he in the mirror was healthier and more radiant than ever before.

This made him feel that the cost of spending money like water during this period was absolutely worth it!

Afterward, he checked the time and remembered what he had to do today.

Huang Zong's expression turned serious; he put on formal attire, thought for a moment, then took it off and changed into a custom-made Dharma Robe.

And after draping on a black cloak and putting on a rat-patterned mask.

Only then did he, full of mystery, take advantage of the night to drive to the temple where the Dharma Assembly was held.

In the temple, those Dharma masters who worked for free or even paid to work were respectfully waiting for Huang Zong's arrival.

"Your efforts are seen by the Master, and they are seen by me."

After Huang Zong entered the back hall of the temple, he skillfully used the Master's name to intimidate those Dharma masters:

"I also know what you are seeking, but whether it can be achieved depends on fate."

"I... can only provide you all with an opportunity."

After Huang Zong finished speaking, the mages nodded repeatedly to show their approval.

Afterwards, they knelt and kowtowed in a very standard manner, and held the golden trays in their hands high up.

On the trays were the blood samples they had collected, including their own and those of trusted friends and family.

The mages believed that the Huang Zong before them could take their blood to that mysterious master or even before a Ghost God.

Thereby giving them a chance to be favored and obtain a true extraordinary inheritance!

Had they not been working for free so hard during this time precisely to seek this?

And Huang Zong had indeed not lied to or deceived these hardworking mages.

Huang Zong had merely sensed the little schemes of this group and, following the trend, let them become collectors of blood specimens.

This could also be considered a win-win transaction happening in a foreign land, right?

At the same time, several other Registered Disciples were also rushing about in various places, collecting blood specimens from different groups of people, hoping to help Shu Daoren find the disciple for the Burial Ground Inheritance.

Thereby performing a great service!

After Huang Zong put away the specimens respectfully delivered by the mages, he silently packed them into a box and left.

Then Huang Zong deliberately walked very slowly, just as he was about to step over the threshold.

Right in front of those mages.

This Huang Zong actually... vanished in an instant!

Causing those mages to widen their eyes and once again kneel down in unison to worship!