62: The spiritual veins are weak; the market seeks fire.

At Green Cloud Mountain, the morning mist had just begun to dissipate.

Qi Yuan stood on the mountain plateau outside the main Immortal Cave.

After a short while, several figures hurried over.

Qi Xuanjin walked at the front with a steady gait and a solid aura; after nine years of bitter cultivation, he had reached the Qi Refining Third Layer.

Qi Xuantian followed half a step behind him, his aura hovering at the Qi Refining Second Layer.

Qi Xuanqing and Qi Xuanlin arrived side by side; both were at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

Qi Xuanqing's aura was deep and heavy, while Qi Xuanlin's spiritual power was active, with a faint sense of overflowing. Clearly, he had reached the Fourth Layer Perfection and had even accumulated enough to Breakthrough to the Fifth Layer long ago, but he was deliberately suppressing it.

Qi Yuan's gaze swept across his sons.

Xuan Lin's Foundation was indeed extremely solid. The "Wood Spirit Art" was a superior foundational Cultivation Technique that could lead directly to the Nascent Soul stage, incomparable to ordinary Qi Refinement Stage techniques.

Back when he was in the Longquan Sect, he had heard of an exceptionally talented Senior Brother who used this technique to break through three realms consecutively from the Qi Refining Sixth Layer during a Secret Realm trial, taking the top spot and causing a sensation at the time.

Such a deep Foundation required no small amount of accumulation and perseverance, but the benefits of the Cultivation Technique were undeniable.

Xuan Lin had enough talent, but his Heart-Nature needed tempering. Forcibly suppressing his realm to consolidate every layer of his Foundation would be of great benefit to his future.

However... Xuan Tong was a Medium Grade triple Spiritual Root, with his fire attribute being the best.

Yet, the wood, earth, and water Qi of the Green Cloud Mountain Spiritual Vein were flourishing, while the metal and fire Spiritual Qi were relatively scarce.

This was somewhat of a hindrance to Xuan Tong's cultivation.

This matter required attention.

"Father."

Qi Xuanjin took the lead in saluting.

Qi Yuan nodded slightly. Before he could speak, Qi Xuanlin, who was beside them, could no longer contain himself. He took a step forward, his eyes filled with anticipation:

"The three-year tribute period is approaching. Can you take me along to the prefecture city market this time to see the world?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Xuantian looked up at his father and then lowered his eyes again.

Qi Yuan looked calmly at Xuan Lin and then swept his gaze over his other sons.

It was indeed necessary to take someone along.

"Regarding the matter of the tribute, I have my own arrangements."

Qi Yuan's voice was not loud, but it made Xuan Lin fall silent instantly, though the anticipation in his eyes did not fade.

"This time, Xuan Jin needs to stay on the mountain to assist Yue'er with secular affairs. Xuan Qing, Xuan Lin..."

He paused, seeing Xuan Lin's eyes instantly light up, and continued, "The two of you will accompany me."

Xuan Qing steadily replied, "Yes." A smile bloomed on Xuan Lin's face, and he had to try hard to restrain himself from jumping up.

Qi Yuan's gaze finally landed on Qi Xuantian, who seemed to have a hint of loneliness in his eyes, and his tone softened slightly:

"Xuan Tian, your cultivation has seemed to progress recently. The mountain is quiet and suitable for consolidation. Cultivate well."

Qi Xuantian looked up, met his father's gaze, and nodded gently:

"Yes, Father. I understand."

On the return journey this time, he could take the opportunity to search carefully within the three counties of Cloud Dream.

Qi Yuan thought to himself, then glanced at the steady Xuan Qing.

This child's progress in practicing techniques was still a bit slow... A few days later, in the faint morning light.

Qi Yuan took Qi Xuanqing and Qi Xuanlin, mounted the azure profound sword, and turned into a streak of azure light, leaving Green Cloud Mountain and heading towards Yunliao Prefecture City.

The sword light was swift, and the mountains and rivers below receded rapidly.

Qi Xuanlin lay at the edge of the sword light, excitedly overlooking the land, pointing at the towns and farmlands below and asking questions incessantly.

Qi Xuanqing sat cross-legged within the sword light, eyes closed in concentration, seizing the time to circulate his Cultivation Technique.

While controlling the Flying Sword, Qi Yuan observed his two sons. That flicker of worry about Xuan Qing's progress in techniques surfaced in his heart again.

In the Nanyue Market, it wasn't that there were no Medicinal Pills to nourish the Spiritual Sense and aid Comprehension Ability.

However, anything involving the Divine Soul and Spiritual Sense was always prohibitively expensive.

This was not surprising, as most Cultivators in the Qi Refinement Stage only focused on the accumulation of spiritual power.

The tempering and nourishing of the Spiritual Sense was often something that would only be truly valued after Foundation Establishment.

But Xuan Qing's problem seemed to lie exactly there.

Arriving near the prefecture city, Qi Yuan lowered the sword light, and the three of them landed.

Qi Xuanqing's mastery of the "Breath Exchange Art" was decent; his aura was currently restrained, making him appear ordinary.

On the other hand, although Qi Xuanlin had also used a technique, that youthful vigor and the lively look in his eyes were still difficult to completely conceal.

"Restrain your mind, do not look around aimlessly."

Qi Yuan instructed in a low voice and led the way toward the market entrance.

The market was still the same as before, the bluestone path polished smooth by countless footsteps.

Qi Xuanlin looked around, the excitement in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a hint of disappointment as he muttered softly:

"It looks... like there's nothing new."

Then, not knowing what he had thought of, he started laughing to himself, rubbing his hands together and whispering to his Elder brother:

"Last time, Eldest Brother was swindled out of a few Spirit Stones by an old fox here. This time I have to look around properly and catch a few of them!"

Qi Yuan pretended not to hear and directed his gaze toward a three-story building deep in the market with a sign that read "Tao Family Pill Pavilion."

The Tao Family was famous for their Medicinal Pills in Yunliao, so they naturally had a shop in the market of Yunliao Prefecture City.

Qi Yuan took his two sons and arrived at the entrance of the "Tao Family Pill Pavilion" with practiced ease.

The shop was not large, but it was kept clean and tidy, with a rich and pure medicinal fragrance permeating the air.

The shopkeeper was a fair-faced, beardless middle-aged man. Upon seeing Qi Yuan, a familiar smile immediately appeared on his face:

"Family Head Qi, you've arrived! The Second Master already gave instructions that if you arrived, we should invite you directly to the private room on the second floor for tea."

Clearly, Tao Mingqian had already sent word.

Qi Yuan nodded, signaled for Xuan Qing and Xuan Lin to wait on the first floor, and followed the shopkeeper up the stairs.

The private room on the second floor was quiet, and a corner of the market street could be seen through the window.

Tao Mingqian was already waiting in the room. Seeing Qi Yuan enter, he rose to greet him and said with a smile:

"Brother Qi, it's been a long journey."

The two of them took their seats as host and guest. After the shopkeeper served the spiritual tea, he quietly withdrew and activated the soundproofing and sense-shielding formation embedded in the private room.

A faint spiritual light flashed by, and the room was instantly isolated from the noise outside.

"Regarding the Formation matter at Green Cloud Mountain last time, I am much obliged to Brother Tao for the introduction.

That Formation master's craftsmanship is exquisite, and he works reliably. I, Qi, thank you for this."

Qi Yuan picked up his teacup and spoke sincerely.

Besides the mountain protection array, the auxiliary Formations in several important places on the mountain were all set up by that Formation master.

Although they didn't involve the core, they still needed to be handled by a reliable person. He would remember this favor from Tao Mingqian.

As he spoke, Qi Yuan took out a jade box from his Storage Pouch, placed it on the table, and gently pushed open the lid.

Inside were three spirit plants of different shapes and shimmering spiritual light, all of which were Medium Grade first-tier.

"A small token of my gratitude, please do not decline it, Brother Tao."

Tao Mingqian's gaze swept over the jade box, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

These three spirit plants were in perfect condition and full of Spiritual Qi, worth no less than ten Spirit Stones.

He laughed heartily and didn't act ceremoniously, accepting the jade box:

"It seems Brother Qi has had quite a harvest this time."

He was, of course, referring to the matter of the Jiang Family in Suibo County.

Although he hadn't gone personally that day, a Late Stage Qi Refining Elder from the Tao Family happened to be hidden outside Suibo County and watched the whole process.

Qi Yuan being able to charge into the Jiang Residence alone, force Jiang Heming to bow his head and yield, and finally retreat safely—this courage and these methods were enough for him to re-evaluate this man's weight.

The two of them chatted for a while longer about the recent situation in the market and anecdotes in the prefecture. After two rounds of tea, Qi Yuan finally brought up the main topic:

"Brother Tao, to be honest, I have another matter to consult you about.

My Qi Family's Green Cloud Mountain Spiritual Vein has flourishing wood, earth, and water Qi, but the metal and fire Qi are relatively scarce.

If there are clan children with Spiritual Roots leaning towards metal and fire, it will inevitably be a hindrance to their cultivation.

I wonder... is there a way to compensate or harmonize this?"

Hearing this, Tao Mingqian pondered for a moment and slowly shook his head:

"Brother Qi, Spiritual Veins are formed naturally, and their attributes are often difficult to be complete. This is a common occurrence.

Initially, one might rely on Spirit Stones to assist cultivation, but this method is extremely costly, and the Spiritual Qi in Low-Grade Spirit Stones is mixed, requiring specific Formations to purify it, which is half the result for twice the effort."

He paused and looked at Qi Yuan: "If it is only to help that child with the best metal and fire attributes Cultivate, the resources consumed over the years would probably not be a small amount.

Unless... one can find things that naturally contain pure metal and fire spiritual energy, or move to a place with a metal or fire attribute Spiritual Vein. However, both are no easy task."

Qi Yuan sighed inwardly.

He knew all too well how difficult it was.

But he thought of Xuan Tong's Spiritual Root endowment—Wood: 25, Water: 30, Fire: 38.

It would be a real pity if that fire attribute advantage of thirty-eight was wasted due to the limitations of the Spiritual Vein.