Chapter 593 - 73: Making the First Move

Upon hearing Wang Ping’s declaration, Yuan Zheng stopped in his tracks. Hu Qianqian and Xia Wen Yi did the same.

As Wang Ping turned to face the three of them, Yuan Zheng was the first to declare, "My Dao Field is at Qianmu Temple now. Your interests are my interests. Just tell me what you want me to do."

"Actually, there is one thing I need to ask of you."

Wang Ping didn’t waste any time, saying directly, "I need you to acquire Third Realm Primordial Spirits at the gathering. The more, the better."

Yuan Zheng nodded, then asked, "Do they have to be from Cultivators?"

"There are no restrictions."

"That makes things easier. The price should be around fifteen million taels. If you want a Third Realm Primordial Spirit from a Cultivator, the price at least triples. As for those from the Mystic Sect or the Heavenly Gate, they’re practically unobtainable."

Yuan Zheng added as a reminder.

Wang Ping nodded and said, "Don’t let anyone connected to us make the purchase. Sun Shulin is the best choice." After speaking, he looked to Xia Wen Yi and asked, "Do we have enough money?"

Sun Shulin was an Artifact Cultivator Wang Ping had met back when he was scheming for the Holy Heart Grass in Hu Mountain Country. He and Yuan Zheng had later recommended Sun Shulin for entry into the gathering. Currently active on Shanwu Road, his network had almost no contact with Wang Ping’s, which made him ideal for this task.

Xia Wen Yi answered Wang Ping’s question decisively, "It’s enough. We can raise fifty million taels on short notice. If you need more than that, it will take a while."

"I plan to refine a batch of improved Power Pills. Their power will be enough to affect Entering Cultivators, and I’ll price them at two hundred thousand taels of silver each!"

As soon as Wang Ping spoke, Xia Wen Yi’s face filled with shock, while Yuan Zheng looked incredulous. Hu Qianqian, however, just gently swayed her tail and extended her tongue to lick the fur at the corner of her mouth.

"Specifically, to what extent can they be affected?"

Xia Wen Yi asked.

It was a good question. After all, anyone could use a Power Pill. If the improved version could kill an Entering Cultivator outright, this batch of Power Pills would inevitably disrupt the current balance maintained by the various powers once they flowed into the market.

"It can only forcefully deplete the True Essence inside an Entering Cultivator. Take a Fire Cultivator for example—one improved Power Pill can directly consume half of their True Essence!"

"That’s enough to change many things!"

Xia Wen Yi said with conviction, "They would most likely use a weapon like that for conventional warfare, not to counter Entering Cultivators."

Wang Ping’s eyes flickered upon hearing this. ’He’s right. My perspective is too lofty now. I subconsciously overlook many things when I think about problems. It hadn’t occurred to me that these Power Pills would be even more devastating to ordinary armies.’

’If the old Power Pill was a Hand Grenade, then the improved version is a large-caliber artillery shell!’

Wang Ping quickly adjusted his mindset.

"The world has been in chaos for so long, it’s time to make some changes. Otherwise, Zhongzhou will remain fragmented. It would be even better if this could bring about the unification of Zhongzhou. I need a relatively orderly external environment for my upcoming advancement."

Xia Wen Yi cupped his fists and said, "Master is right. Only when Zhongzhou is unified will the common people suffer less. A short-term sacrifice is worth it."

"A sacrifice is a sacrifice. There is no such thing as ’short-term’!" Xia Wen Yi’s figure was reflected in Wang Ping’s eyes. "Cultivating one’s humanity is important, but don’t overdo it. Otherwise, you’ll gradually become lost in it."

"Yes, Master. Your lesson is well-received."

Xia Wen Yi lowered his head.

Yu Lian spoke in a human voice, "Wen Yi was just trying to speak up for you, his Master. You don’t have to be so inflexible."

Wang Ping waved his hand, moving on from the topic. He looked at Hu Qianqian and asked, "Does the Demon Race possess a Secret Technique for cultivating Spirit Veins?"

Hu Qianqian paused for a moment, apparently surprised that Wang Ping would suddenly ask this. Then she said, "Such a Secret Technique does exist, but I’ve heard it’s considered a secret of the Demon Realm."

"I need it. Find a way to send a message for me and ask if this Secret Technique is for sale!"

Wang Ping stated his intention.

’To test the success rate of advancement with a puppet, it would need to be at least at the Second Realm. Cultivating it myself would be too time-consuming, so I plan to raise one artificially. While this means the puppet will inevitably lack a certain spiritual quality, or even become twisted, I only need the Spiritual Material from after its attempted advancement. The rest doesn’t matter.’

"I will do my best."

Hu Qianqian made no promises.

Wang Ping didn’t elaborate on the matter. He glanced at Yuan Zheng and said, "You two go bring Shuang’Er and Rong’Er over."

Xia Wen Yi and Hu Qianqian immediately bowed and took their leave.

A moment later, the master and disciple pair, Liu Shuang and Yang Rong, arrived at Wang Ping’s side.

"Have you two been cultivating the Wood Gathering Skill all these years according to the Secret Technique I compiled?" Wang Ping asked.

"Yes. The general cultivation path of the Secret Technique Grandmaster compiled is correct. I can clearly feel my divine soul growing stronger, and my Spirit Body cultivation is also progressing smoothly. Using the fixed Array that Grandmaster designed, I have already transformed my lungs into a Wood Spirit without any complications."

Yang Rong answered first, while Liu Shuang just nodded silently.

"Very good!"

Wang Ping nodded in satisfaction, but his tone immediately shifted. "The world is unstable right now. From this day forward, you two will focus on cultivating in seclusion. Strive to break through to the Third Realm within two hundred years. When the time comes, I will serve as your Guardian."

Both of them were taken aback.

Yu Lian looked at them and said, "Are you not satisfied with this arrangement?"

Liu Shuang said, "Thank you, Master. It’s just that Qianmu Temple is currently short-handed..."

"It’s of no concern. Just focus on your cultivation!"

"Yes, thank you, Grandmaster!"

Yang Rong once again replied first.

Wang Ping reached out and gently patted Liu Shuang’s shoulder. He then looked toward Yuan Zheng and asked, "Who do you think will win this game?"

His tone was light, and as he spoke, he gestured for Liu Shuang to walk over to where the game was being played.

"Ruan Chunzi, I imagine. I’ve seen Fellow Daoist Wu’s playing skill before. It’s an absolute mess. He probably rarely plays against anyone and only knows the general rules."

"Is that so?"

Wang Ping’s expression turned curious. "Shall we go see?"

As the words left his mouth, Yu Lian had already mounted a cloud, flying toward the Spirit Wood Tree beside the game board.

The game was indeed on track for Wu Fu to lose, and it was only the middle game. Wu Fu played without any strategy, simply surrounding and blocking according to the rules of Go, which naturally left him unable to mount an offensive. He played his moves quickly, of course, which only made him lose all the faster.

The third game was a match between Xia Wen Yi and Hu Qianqian.

As the two made their moves, Wang Ping, holding a jar of fine wine, personally poured for everyone. Then, raising his cup, he looked to Ruan Chunzi, Wu Fu, and Dongcan and said, "Regarding those four Cultivators from Guangshan Temple, I don’t think we need to take such a roundabout approach."

As he spoke, he raised his cup to touch it against Ruan Chunzi’s, Wu Fu’s, and Dongcan’s. After drinking the fine wine, he continued, "When the time comes, we will go straight to their door and demand our people. If they refuse, we’ll fight our way in. I don’t care what the common people say about me. So many people cursed me after the True Yang Mountain battle ended, and I didn’t care then, let alone now."

"Of course, we cannot break the rules set by the powers that be. So, the battle should not spill over into nearby towns, and we must not kill Court-appointed officials. We are only there for revenge. This is a private grudge between sects and has absolutely nothing to do with the Zhongzhou Divine Artifact!"

Having made his stance clear, Wang Ping set down the bowl in his hand, flicked his sleeves, and asked, "I wonder, will the three of you Fellow Daoists support me?"

"Of course!"

Ruan Chunzi was the first to respond. "This place of yours is very comfortable. I wouldn’t want you to kick me out!"

He cracked a joke.

Dongcan, on the other hand, cupped his fists solemnly and said, "True Man, you have given me shelter. I am bound to repay this kindness with all I have!"

Wu Fu cupped his hands. "I will be in Zhonghui County Town."