7: Breakthrough in cultivation level, hidden dangers lurk

In an Immortal Cave, there is no sun or moon; the passage of seasons is unknown.

For a Cultivator, once they enter deep seclusion, time loses all meaning.

Although Chen Daoping was only at the First Layer of Qi Refining, his focus and patience far surpassed that of other Cultivators at the same rank.

After renting this simple Immortal Cave, he completely severed contact with the outside world and began his Arduous Cultivation, forgetting sleep and food.

Although the Spiritual Qi inside the Immortal Cave was thin, it was a world of difference compared to the Mortal Realm.

More importantly, it was safe and hidden enough for him to fully immerse his mind into Cultivating.

He repeatedly pondered every word and every Incantation of the Eternal Spring Secret Cultivation Technique found in the Beast-skin Booklet until he knew them by heart.

He discovered that although the Eternal Spring Secret was only the most basic Cultivation Technique, its advantage lay in its peaceful and balanced nature; the True Qi it produced was long-lasting and resilient, and its recovery speed was slightly faster than ordinary Cultivation Techniques.

This was exactly what he wanted.

Insufficient offensive power could be compensated for with Magical Artifacts and Talismans, but Endurance was the foundation for survival.

Time passed day by day.

On the tenth day, he used up one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

On the fifteenth day, when the light of the last Low-Grade Spirit Stone on his person completely dimmed, turning into a pile of useless white powder, a new force finally roared into existence within the Vortex of Qi in his Dantian!

Boom!

The rotation speed of the Vortex of Qi suddenly accelerated, and its volume nearly doubled. The True Qi, which was originally gaseous, became more condensed and vigorous.

Second Layer of Qi Refining!

Success!

Chen Daoping suddenly opened his eyes, an uncontrollable look of joy flashing within them.

He could clearly feel that the total amount of True Qi in his body was more than double what it had been before.

Whether it was strength, speed, or perception of the outside world, he had achieved a qualitative leap.

If he encountered that Iron-Backed Demon Wolf now, he was confident he could dispatch it within ten breaths without suffering any harm!

However, the joy brought by this Breakthrough lasted for less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and was soon replaced by anxiety.

He spread his hands, looking at the pile of white stone powder in his palm, his smile gradually freezing.

He was out of money.

Nine Low-Grade Spirit Stones were completely used up, having supported his Cultivation for only half a month.

And the lease for this Immortal Cave only had half a month remaining.

Half a month later, if he couldn't earn any more Spirit Stones, he would be shamefully driven out and forced to return to the crowded, insecure Communal Bunkhouse.

He might not even be able to afford the Communal Bunkhouse, forcing him onto the streets.

Thinking of that predicament made Chen Daoping feel extremely restless.

Unacceptable! That situation absolutely cannot happen!

After a brief rest, he immediately left the Immortal Cave.

He had to find a way to earn money.

He first used the still-unfamiliar Qi Concealment Technique to disguise his Cultivation Base as the First Layer of Qi Refining.

This was what the Old Cultivator had taught him: Don't flaunt your wealth, and likewise, don't easily expose your true strength. Before understanding the surrounding environment, showing weakness to the enemy is always the safest choice.

Over the next few days, he frequently visited the Mission Hall and various large shops in the Market.

He wanted to find some work.

But reality was far crueler than he had imagined.

In the Mission Hall, tasks with slightly better rewards, such as teaming up to hunt Yao Beasts or escorting merchant groups, required a minimum of the Third Layer of Qi Refining or higher.

No one was willing to take along a “First Layer of Qi Refining” novice like the one he displayed.

The only jobs he could take were miscellaneous chores with extremely meager pay.

For example, helping out in the Spirit Medicine Garden by turning soil and watering plants; after a full day of exhausting work, he could only earn a pitiful ten spirit fragments.

According to the records in the Beast-skin Booklet and Jade Slip Chen Daoping obtained, sixty spirit fragments could be exchanged for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

Alternatively, working as an apprentice at a Talisman Shop, helping to grind Cinnabar, would only earn him a few spirit fragments for the whole day.

He gritted his teeth and worked desperately for three days, barely managing to scrape together one Low-Grade Spirit Stone.

This amount of money wasn't even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth.

Just as Chen Daoping was worrying about his livelihood and rushing around, he sharply sensed that something was wrong.

A malicious gaze was constantly spying on him in the dark.

He remained outwardly calm, but a quick glance from the corner of his eye made his heart instantly seize up.

It was that burly man with the coarse face named Hei Hu!

That guy still hadn't given up!

Chen Daoping's mind raced.

He immediately understood the other party's intentions.

That day, he used “Senior” as a shield, which temporarily scared the opponent away, but it likely also aroused the opponent's suspicion.

Would a youngster who could get a “Senior” to help sell items be hiding even more precious treasures bestowed by that “Senior”?

Hei Hu clearly thought so.

Over the past few days, he had seen Chen Daoping running around like a headless fly, doing odd jobs for a few copper coins.

This likely reinforced his judgment—that Chen Daoping was feigning weakness to lure the strong, deliberately pretending to be poor!

He was waiting.

Waiting for Chen Daoping to leave the Market, or for him to expose a weakness, before making his move!

A strong sense of danger prickled his back.

This Hei Hu was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to deliver a fatal strike at any moment.

He must find a way to eliminate him!

A cold glint flashed in Chen Daoping's eyes.

But immediately, he calmed down again.

Making a move inside the Market would be seeking death. But outside the Market... a Second Layer of Qi Refining facing a Third Layer of Qi Refining, even if he won, it would inevitably be a Pyrrhic victory.

If the opponent had some hidden trump card, he might even fail miserably in the simplest task.

The risk was too great.

Just as his mind was filled with thoughts and he felt incredibly troubled.

Suddenly, a familiar tremor faintly emerged from deep within his heart.

Deep within his mind, the warm, long-dormant sphere of light seemed to show a sign of waking up.

Is it coming?

Instead of fear, a faint sense of anticipation arose deep within Chen Daoping's heart.

He knew that the arrival of such a major crisis was the perfect time to trigger the Lottery Luck of his Golden Finger!

A daring plan quickly formed in his mind.

Since you want to wait, I will create an “opportunity” for you!

He decided to fight fire with fire!

Over the next two days, he outwardly continued to play the role of the down-and-out newcomer worried about Spirit Stones.

He stopped doing miscellaneous chores and started wandering around the various shops in the Market, especially those that bought miscellaneous items.

Each time, he pretended to be hesitant, lingering at the doorway for a long time before sighing and leaving.

He perfectly portrayed the image of someone who had reached “the end of the road and was preparing to sell off their last possessions.”

And sure enough, the gaze coming from Hei Hu grew hotter and hotter.

Chen Daoping knew that the fish was about to bite.

His final target was locked onto a general store called the Hundred Arts Pavilion.

This shop was famous in the Market; it bought and sold everything, a place where the good and bad mixed.

It was rumored that many Cultivators who had killed people and obtained illicit goods would come here to fence their stolen property.

This place was notoriously known for treasure hunting and fencing stolen goods.

It was also the most suitable place for something to happen.

That afternoon, Chen Daoping arrived at the entrance of the Hundred Arts Pavilion again.

He could clearly feel that Hei Hu was hiding in a nearby alleyway entrance, staring intently at him.

Chen Daoping took a deep breath, his face showing struggle, heartache, and finally, the fierce determination of having made up his mind.

It was as if what he was about to sell was not an item, but half his life.

The bait had been cast.

Now, it was time to see what reaction the greedy fish, and the sphere of light in his Sea of Consciousness, would give.

He lifted his foot and slowly stepped across the threshold of the Hundred Arts Pavilion.