Chapter 176

"Please follow me!"

The shopkeeper had no suspicion whatsoever.

Because maps were also one of their traded goods, and sales were quite good—many cultivators came specifically to purchase them for traveling through Dingxiang County.

To the guild, this was not unusual at all!

The shopkeeper led He Pingsheng to a shelf.

He pointed to the maps there and said: "We have three types of maps for Dingxiang County!"

"The first type is a simple diagram showing only distances and mountain terrain markings!"

"The second type marks not only distances and terrain, but also all factions within Dingxiang County."

"The third type is the most complex—it marks all factions, plus secret realms, resources, mineral deposits, and locations where heavenly treasures emerge within Dingxiang County. Which one do you want, cultivator?"

The shopkeeper introduced them slowly.

He Pingsheng asked: "How much do they cost?"

The shopkeeper smiled and said: "The first type is cheapest—only one hundred spirit stones; the second is five hundred; the third is two thousand!"

"Of course, I'm referring to low-grade spirit stones!"

He Pingsheng nearly jumped up: "Two thousand spirit stones? Shopkeeper, that's way too expensive!"

It's just a map.

And this kind of map isn't a consumable—you can copy it endlessly.

And you still charge this much?

"Can you lower the price?" He Pingsheng looked at the shopkeeper. "Otherwise, I'd rather go outside and buy from someone privately!"

Maps aren't something you must buy from the guild—you can buy one from others and copy it.

"Hehe…" the shopkeeper chuckled. "That's true, but maps bought outside aren't as accurate as ours, and can you be sure the seller hasn't tampered with them?"

"Besides, the maps they sell are from years ago—some are even hundreds of years old!"

"Even if you get one, the information on it won't be accurate!"

"Here's what I'll do—if you want the third type, I'll give you a fifty percent discount: one thousand spirit stones!"

"And… I'll throw in a piece of information for free!"

He Pingsheng frowned: "Information? What kind of information?"

The shopkeeper said: "Dingxiang County has a complex web of cultivation factions, with changes almost every year. We compile and organize these updates, releasing a new faction change map every half-year—I can give you this update for ten years straight!"

"Effectively, you get twenty free map updates!"

He Pingsheng nodded. "Fine!"

He pulled out one thousand spirit stones and purchased the top-tier map.

He glanced at it, confirmed it was fine, then put it away.

"Is there anything else you need?" the shopkeeper smiled at He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng nodded. "I'd like to buy a few grade-two poison pills. Do you sell any?"

Originally, he had pre-ordered five thousand spirit stones' worth of poison pills—totaling one hundred—from Fenghe Manor on Mount Matou.

He even asked his master to retrieve them.

Unfortunately, before he could get them, his sect collapsed.

What a loss!

But there was nothing to be done—who could have predicted such rapid changes? He'd just have to buy again.

After all, it's only five thousand spirit stones?

"We have…" the guild did not disappoint him—the shopkeeper led him to another section. "We have thirteen grade-two poison pills!"

"All at the same price—one hundred spirit stones per pill!"

One hundred spirit stones!

That's double the price he paid back at Mount Matou.

But what could he do? After all, this was Dingxiang City!

"Fine!" He Pingsheng said. "Give them to me—I'll take all of them!"

After purchasing the thirteen poison pills, He Pingsheng did not linger—he walked out.

He had originally intended to buy herbs for brewing 【Spirit Gathering Elixir】, but later abandoned the idea.

He Pingsheng felt he shouldn't buy too much from a single shop—who knew if someone was watching him?

The cultivation world was full of deceit and trickery.

After leaving the Dingxiang Guild, He Pingsheng strolled slowly, aimlessly, pulling out the map and pressing it to his forehead, sending a thread of spiritual sense into it to examine.

The map contained too much information to memorize all at once.

But it didn't matter—he only wanted to locate Dingxiang City and determine how far it was from Grand Void Gate and the Daoxuan Alliance.

He found it quickly.

Dingxiang City lay almost exactly at the center of Dingxiang County, with the entire county radiating outward from it—ten to twenty thousand li in every direction.

Surrounding Dingxiang City were mountains, many of which supported spiritual veins, so numerous sects clustered around the city.

The Daoxuan Alliance lay in the northwestern corner of Dingxiang County.

The map not only marked the Daoxuan Alliance's territory, but also the precise locations of every sect and cultivation family within it.

Extremely detailed.

Even the Hou Clan, extinguished just a few years ago, had a note: "Former location of the cultivation family Hou—now destroyed!"

From the map, the Daoxuan Alliance occupied less than one percent of Dingxiang County's territory, and there were roughly twenty other factions of similar size across the entire county!

This doesn't even count the factions within Dingxiang City itself.

Seeing this, He Pingsheng exhaled deeply in relief.

Compared to the entire Dingxiang County, the Daoxuan Alliance's strength was negligible—how much more so the Beast Tamer Immortal Sect?

It was clear that neither the Daoxuan Alliance nor the Beast Tamer Immortal Sect could possibly extend their influence into Dingxiang City—even if they had some connections, they could never dominate it.

"I'll stay in Dingxiang City for now," He Pingsheng murmured. "It's safe here, and I can stay updated on developments in the Daoxuan Alliance."

Besides maps, faction markings, mineral deposits, and heavenly treasure locations, the map contained plenty of text.

Text was necessary—some things couldn't be drawn.

From this text, he learned Dingxiang County was merely a large county of the 【Qi State】.

But what exactly was the Qi State like? How large was it? Where was its map? How many neighboring states did it have?

None of this information appeared on the map.

He put away the map, slowed his pace, and let his gaze sweep across the buildings lining the street.

Not far ahead was a place called 【Cultivation Miscellaneous Goods Shop】.

He Pingsheng approached the shop and noticed, beneath the large sign, a smaller line of text: "This shop sells only items needed by Qi Refining disciples."

Well, well!

That's awfully low-tier.

Still, He Pingsheng walked inside.