Chapter 181

In the blink of an eye, two years passed.

He Pingsheng's cultivation had reached Foundation Establishment second layer.

He had swallowed over eighty of the original two hundred and forty supreme Qi-accumulating pills.

One hundred and sixty remained.

But He Pingsheng did not continue his seclusion.

He stepped out of the small courtyard.

The *True Cultivation Miscellany* recorded: after reaching Foundation Establishment, a cultivator must not remain in perpetual seclusion.

Even without hitting a bottleneck, prolonged seclusion causes cultivation to stall temporarily, for blood and qi circulation are vital during cultivation; long-term isolation allows impurities to cling to the blood and qi. Thus, disciples above Foundation Establishment must leave their seclusion periodically to travel.

Otherwise, how could travel even exist in the cultivation world?

After breaking through to Foundation Establishment second layer, He Pingsheng felt turbid qi rising within him.

It was time to go out.

He planned to first visit the Jiaoyi Society to see if any needed items were available, then leave the city to inquire about the Grand Void Gate.

He Pingsheng entered the Dingxiang Jiaoyi Society again.

Due to his two-year seclusion, He Pingsheng had received four updated notices from this society.

He focused on the content regarding the True Cultivation Alliance.

The True Cultivation Alliance had some news, but nothing relevant to He Pingsheng—no mention of the Grand Void Gate.

It seemed nothing had changed.

"Third-rank talismans?" The Dingxiang Jiaoyi Society's shopkeeper smiled at He Pingsheng. "We don't sell them. To be frank, such third-rank materials or goods are not sold to disciples below Jin Dan level!"

"Our society holds exclusive auctions and Jiaoyi Societies!"

"Only there can you find higher-tier items!"

He Pingsheng asked: "When do you usually hold auctions?"

The shopkeeper shook his head: "I'm sorry, you're not qualified to participate."

He Pingsheng immediately felt insulted.

But the shopkeeper quickly explained: "Don't take offense, young master. This rule isn't aimed at you—it's the same for every Jiaoyi Society in Dingxiang City."

"Identical rules apply everywhere."

"To attend an auction, you must have an invitation."

"Normally, invitations are given only to Jin Dan cultivators, major clans, or large sects!"

"Or to Foundation Establishment disciples carrying valuable items!" The shopkeeper smiled at He Pingsheng. "If you can produce something that would interest a Jin Dan cultivator, I can apply for an invitation on your behalf."

He Pingsheng shook his head: "I… truly don't have anything like that."

"Very well, farewell."

After leaving the Dingxiang Jiaoyi Society, He Pingsheng visited the Shanhu Jiaoyi Society and the Imperial Jiaoyi Society—both gave the same reply.

Third-rank materials were essentially unavailable.

Not only could he not buy third-rank materials, even the 【Poison Pills】 he urgently needed were scarce; after scouring all three societies, he found fewer than ten Poison Pills.

He wandered aimlessly until he found himself back at the entrance of the Xuanyuan Alchemy Shop.

"Ah… Congratulations, young master! Two years gone, and you've broken through to Foundation Establishment second layer—remarkable!" The tall, white-haired Xuan Yuan Changgeng greeted him in surprise.

He Pingsheng hadn't expected the man to still recognize him after two years.

"Thank you," He Pingsheng bowed. "May I ask, Master Xuan, do you have any second-rank Poison Pills in stock?"

Xuan Yuan Changgeng shook his head: "No."

He added: "These are hard to find. Even when cultivators sell Poison Pills to Jiaoyi Societies, the societies usually refuse them."

"They're difficult to sell, and if unsold for long, the pills dry out and their toxicity fades—no profit in holding them."

"Over time, Poison Pills have become exceedingly rare."

He Pingsheng asked: "Could you help me gather some? I'll pay a fee."

Xuan Yuan Changgeng didn't answer immediately. He smiled: "Are you truly a Poison Cultivator?"

He Pingsheng replied: "Not exactly. I've merely cultivated a poison-affinity technique."

"Oh?" Xuan Yuan Changgeng looked intrigued. "Might I see your poison technique?"

"Of course—I mean no harm, only curiosity."

"If you're uncomfortable, you may refuse."

He Pingsheng said: "I have nothing to hide."

*Ssssh…*

As he spoke, a thin, finger-width vine of wood-affinity thorns erupted from the ground, its emerald-green stems covered in poison barbs.

Each barb could strike and injure from afar.

In truth, He Pingsheng could now summon dozens of such poison thorns at once—but he showed only one, concealing part of his ability.

"Strong poison!" Xuan Yuan Changgeng studied it closely. "Even a Foundation Establishment peak cultivator struck by this would lose the ability to fight instantly."

He Pingsheng neither confirmed nor denied.

"Young master," Xuan Yuan Changgeng's expression turned grave. "I have a profitable task for you—interested?"

He Pingsheng said: "Tell me."

He still hoped Xuan Yuan Changgeng would help gather Poison Pills, so he couldn't refuse outright.

Xuan Yuan Changgeng said: "Recently, I discovered a second-rank 【Mist God Flower】 in a secret realm. You're a cultivator, so you know what the Mist God Flower is, yes?"

…

Xuan Yuan Changgeng had overestimated He Pingsheng.

Though He Pingsheng could brew elixirs, his knowledge of alchemy paled compared to ordinary alchemists—by ten thousand miles.

He recognized almost none of the herbs beyond the thirty-six listed in the manual.

"Er… I'm ashamed…" He Pingsheng said. "I don't know what the 【Mist God Flower】 is."

"Huh?" Xuan Yuan Changgeng was puzzled. "You don't know the Mist God Flower?"

"Never mind. Let me put it this way: the Mist God Flower is a second-rank spirit herb—a rule-based spirit herb."

"It's one of the main ingredients for the second-rank elixir 【Double Soul Pill】, and exceedingly rare."

"You've heard of the Double Soul Pill, yes?" Xuan Yuan Changgeng asked.

He Pingsheng rubbed his forehead. "Er… I've never heard of it."

"Alright. The Double Soul Pill is an elixir that enhances spiritual sense," Xuan Yuan Changgeng explained. "It works only on Foundation Establishment disciples. After consuming it, regardless of your current spiritual sense strength, your spiritual sense doubles for one hour."

"You don't need me to explain how extraordinary this elixir is, do you?"