Chapter 146: Chapter 142: Wood Essence Qi

Wei Qiuling explained with a wry smile, “Apologies, Patriarch Shen.”

“It’s not that the two of us are unwilling to help the Shen Family refine a magical robe; it’s just that the refinement process is exceedingly difficult.”

“Oh?” Shen Yuan was somewhat puzzled, as he truly did not know the specifics of artifact refining.

Wei Qiuling continued, “Jin’er is now at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer. Without any unexpected circumstances, refining a lower grade magical robe would take at least a year.”

“If there’s any mishap, it could take even longer.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuan and Shen Wenxing were both somewhat astonished.

They could never have imagined that refining a lower grade magical robe would take so much time!

“Immortal Wei, about the Rainbow Magical Robe…” Shen Wenxing hurriedly asked.

“The Rainbow Magical Robe is also a lower grade magical robe, but among lower grade robes, it is considered quite superior.”

“Most of our Luoxia Mountain’s Rainbow Magical Robes come from elders at the Fetal Breathing Realm. Disciples generally wouldn’t waste a lot of time on refining.”

Shen Yuan nodded.

Disciples in the Qi Cultivation Realm are at a crucial stage in their practice, and spending one or two years to refine a magical robe would be counterproductive.

“I was too abrupt, my apologies.”

If refining a magical robe only took a few days, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

But delaying for one or two years does indeed make things difficult for others.

“It’s alright.”

“How about this, Patriarch Shen, you can take out those materials.”

“Let Qiuling know which magical robe or artifact you wish to refine, and once Qiuling returns to Luoxia Mountain, she can request the sect elders to assist in refining.”

“At that time, Qiuling will inform you of the required compensation.”

Wei Qiuling spoke.

Artifact refining is not something she can help with on her own. The sect elders charge a considerable fee when refining magical robes and artifacts for others in Danzhou, and she cannot decide for them to work for free.

Shen Yuan thought for a moment and nodded, “Immortal Wei, please wait a moment.”

“Elder brother, bring over the remaining materials from the Pan Mountain Python.”

The family’s warehouse is stocked with various demon beast materials, mostly related to the Hundred Beasts Mountain, except for the Pan Mountain Python.

Even though Wei Qiuling might not mention it if she discovered it, it’s better to be cautious.

Shen Wenxing nodded and left.

Soon after, he returned carrying a large python hide, a poison sac, and the fangs of the Pan Mountain Python, entering the room.

“Is this… a Giant Python Demon Beast at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer?!”

Yu Jin exclaimed in surprise while looking at the python hide.

“We were preparing to build a Martial Arts Hall in the mountains when this Pan Mountain Python unexpectedly attacked, and it was slain by Wen’an.”

Shen Yuan said with a smile.

Luoxia Mountain maintains good relations with the Shen Family, primarily because of Shen Wen’an.

By asking Luoxia Mountain to help refine magical robes, Shen Yuan not only met the Shen Family’s real needs but also showcased his son’s strength, hoping to enhance Shen Wen’an’s value in the eyes of Luoxia Mountain’s leaders.

“Judging by the wounds on this demon beast, Junior Brother Wen’an must have slain it with overwhelming strength.”

Wei Qiuling said solemnly.

She was indeed a bit surprised in her heart.

The Sword Cultivator is known as the most potent attacker among cultivators, and for Shen Wen’an to slay a Giant Python Demon Beast at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer with overwhelming power, it indicates his cultivation must be at least at the Peak of Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, or even the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.

Such terrifying cultivation speed, it won’t be long before he reaches the Realm of Perfection in Qi Cultivation.

Then, with a few years of focused honing, he could find a suitable Magic Sword as a foundation, cultivate the Sword Embryo, and achieve the Fetal Breathing Realm.

As for the Magic Sword, Wei Qiuling clearly recalled that Shen Wen’an had obtained a crimson longsword in the ruins.

With the quality of that longsword, it would be more than sufficient to act as a foundation for the Sword Embryo.

“How old is Junior Brother Wen’an this year?”

Wei Qiuling suddenly asked.

“He’ll be eighteen after this year,” Shen Yuan replied with a smile.

Eighteen…

Wei Qiuling was a bit amazed.

It seems Shen Wen’an has the potential to achieve the Fetal Breathing Realm before twenty-five.

A Sword Cultivator at the Fetal Breathing Realm is much stronger than an Immortal Dao Cultivator at the Fetal Breathing Realm.

This matter must be reported to the sect promptly; Luoxia Mountain’s attitude towards the Shen Family might need some adjustments.

With that in mind, Wei Qiuling smiled and said, “This python hide is an excellent material for refining magical robes. If nothing else is added, a common magical robe could be easily refined.”

“But if superior magical robes are desired, the materials and time required would be uncertain.”

“What does Patriarch Shen wish?”

After pondering for a moment, Shen Yuan said, “Then let’s just refine some regular magical robes.”

The Shen Family’s foundation is severely lacking now, with only a few Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators in the clan, making any loss significant.

Magical robes greatly enhance the survival capabilities of Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators.

Ensuring the survival of Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators is the best long-term strategy.

As for superior robes, once everyone’s cultivation level increases in the future, we can think of a way then.

Wei Qiuling nodded.

She also thought that for the Shen Family, refining regular magical robes was much more cost-effective than consuming time and resources to make superior ones.

“Very well, I will accept the materials then.”

“These two fangs and poison sac from the giant python are of good quality; they should suffice as compensation.”

Shen Yuan nodded.

Not having to provide anything extra and using the python’s fangs and poison sac as compensation is quite acceptable.

Wei Qiuling waved her hand to put the objects in front of her into her storage bag. After a moment of contemplation, she said:

“Recently, conflicts have erupted multiple times over the spirit fields between Fengxian County under the jurisdiction of Qiyun Valley and the Western Wilderness Barbarian Tribe under the jurisdiction of Hundred Beasts Mountain.”

“Hundred Beasts Mountain has always been overbearing. As Hidden Dragon Mountain serves as a convergence point of earth veins, the Western Wilderness Barbarian Tribe might make a move soon. Patriarch Shen, you need to be vigilant on this side of Yunshui Town.”

“The He Family is currently focusing most of their energy on Jinghe Swamp, so they might not be able to spare any strength to help at that time.”

Shen Yuan nodded.

Beside him, Shen Wenxing frowned and said, “I’ve heard that various Immortal Sects have been dispatching disciples to descend upon Yangnao Land.”

“In this ongoing conflict, will the disciples of the Immortal Sect get involved?”

Wei Qiuling shook her head slightly, “It’s hard to say.”

“If the disciples of the Immortal Sect all make a move, the situation would undoubtedly spiral out of control.”

“Right now, it depends on the competition between the various factions. If no significant enough benefit presents itself, the disciples of the Immortal Sect might still restrain themselves for a while.”

“But once a significant enough benefit appears, it’ll be another story.”

Shen Wenxing was puzzled, “The benefits Fairy Wei mentioned are referring to…”

Wei Qiuling smiled faintly, “For instance, Spirit Crystal Veins, or perhaps some relics and mystical items, innate spiritual qi, and the like.”

Having said this, she slowly stood up and said, “Patriarch Shen, Brother Shen, there’s nothing else to discuss now; the two of us shall take our leave.”

Shen Yuan and Shen Wenxing escorted them to the door.

After they left, Shen Wenxing curiously asked, “Ah Die, there’s something I don’t quite understand.”

“Fairy Wei clearly intended to buy spirit rice from our family. Why were you so insistent on giving it as a tribute instead?”

Shen Yuan sighed and smiled lightly:

“You must remember, Yunshui Town was bestowed upon us by Luoxia Mountain. If everyone else is offering tributes and we don’t show any gesture, it would be ungrateful.”

“When it comes to favors, even if others don’t mention it, you shouldn’t pretend not to know.”

“Moreover, if we sell the spirit rice to Luoxia Mountain, how much do you think we should sell it for?”

Shen Wenxing was a bit confused, “Fairy Wei implied… Spirit Rice is cultivation resource, the more, the better.”

Shen Yuan nodded, “Since it’s a cultivation resource, we can certainly use it ourselves.”

“If we were to sell it, whether we sell more or less, it would be a transaction without emotional ties.”

“Offering it as a tribute is different.”

“Not only can we gain favor, but we can also keep more of the spirit rice for ourselves.”

Shen Wenxing suddenly understood.

No wonder Wei Qiuling requested two hundred pounds of spirit rice as a tribute right from the start; she must have realized Father’s intentions as well. It was the same favor, but it was better to ’conduct it as official business,’ just like other noble families and forces.”

“There’s something else you need to do quickly now.” Shen Yuan contemplated for a moment and then said, “Wen’an killed several disciples from Hundred Beasts Mountain yesterday, and Fairy Wei also mentioned that the Western Wilderness Barbarian Tribe might act soon.”

“We must set things in motion ahead of time.”

“Go and gather the martial artists from each village to fortify along the Pan Mountain Python Nest, two or three hundred miles to the west.”

“If you encounter people from the Western Wilderness Barbarian Tribe, be assertive and try not to retreat.”

Shen Wenxing was puzzled, “Why set up defenses so far away?”

Shen Yuan said solemnly, “Yunzhong and the Western Wilderness are divided by Hidden Dragon Mountain, but the eight-hundred-mile-wide Hidden Dragon Mountain has no clearly defined boundaries.”

“Hundred Beasts Mountain is overbearing; if the Western Wilderness Barbarian Tribe discovers there’s a blessed land or ore vein near us, they certainly won’t let it go.”

“Now we must use half of Hidden Dragon Mountain as our boundary, occupy it first to prevent future conflicts.”

With the revival of spiritual qi in Yangnao Land, Hidden Dragon Mountain is gradually becoming a massive treasure trove.

“If we let Hundred Beasts Mountain invade, not only will we lose other opportunities, but exposure of the Little Pine Tree and innate spiritual qi would surely attract powerhouses of the Fetal Breathing Realm!”

Shen Wenxing understood and cupped his hands, “I’ll take care of it right away!”

…

By September, the martial arts hall courtyard near the Pan Mountain Python Nest had already been built.

For ease of management and to assert sovereignty, after much consideration, Shen Yuan named the hills within a hundred miles of the area as “Dragon Coil Mountain.”

The massive courtyard enclosed more than a dozen Heaven-Reaching Pillars, forming a small city-like structure.

The martial arts hall only occupied one-third of the area, and Shen Yuan was not yet sure how to deal with the remaining space, so he instructed Zhao Shuan to leave it vacant for now and decide later when needed.

After everything was sorted out, Shen Wen’an fully activated two array plates.

The combination of the illusion array and the fog array instantly concealed the location of the martial arts hall in the void.

From the outside, this area appeared as a cloud-enshrouded steep cliff, discouraging ordinary people and beasts from approaching easily.

After finishing all this, Shen Wen’an finally removed the rock column covering the Little Pine Tree.

As night fell, the moon hung high in the sky.

After several months, the Little Pine Tree finally absorbed moonlight essence again.

As if starved for a long time, the Little Pine Tree emitted a rich luster on its surface, greedily devouring the surrounding moonlight essence like a whale.

A moment later, a wisp of emerald innate spiritual qi, unknown where it was hiding, slowly emerged, freely roaming among the branches of the Little Pine Tree.

Having learned the Spirit Gathering Skill, Shen Wen’an could see that this emerald innate spiritual qi was actually Yimu Essence Qi.

Among the many innate spiritual qis, it was considered a higher-grade existence.

Seeing the appearance of Yimu Essence Qi, Shen Wen’an immediately formed a spell seal and performed the Spirit Gathering Skill.

A stream of spiritual qi flew from his fingertips, transformed into a spiritual power net, and precisely enveloped the Yimu Essence Qi.

With the pull of the spiritual power, the Yimu Essence Qi was slowly drawn to the jade bottle.

Shen Wen’an carefully added a spell seal to the bottom of the jade bottle, drawing the Yimu Essence Qi inside and sealed it with a stopper.

“Got it.”

Without the Yimu Essence Qi, the luster on the Little Pine Tree’s surface instantly dimmed considerably.

Shen Wen’an guessed that this wisp of Yimu Essence Qi must have gathered a lot of the Little Pine Tree’s own essence, and it would probably take a long time to birth new Yimu Essence Qi again.

With the two arrays already set up, and the Yimu Essence Qi successfully collected, there was no need for him to continue guarding here for the time being.

He rose from the mountain peak, and with a flash, he immediately flew with his sword towards the direction of the Black Water Pool.

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