I Have a Compass for Opportunity

Before he was brought to the Erosion Land for punishment, Liou Yuan was at Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, close to breaking through to Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.

Advancing from Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer to Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer merely requires piling up elixirs, which doesn’t take much time.

Liou Yuan immediately replied, "Big brother, I am already at Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer."

"Very good!" From his voice, it was obvious that Liou Zhen was significantly pleased knowing Liou Yuan’s cultivation had progressed.

Then, Liou Zhen asked, "I heard you chose the Grade C Foundation Establishment Skill ’Geng Metal Refining Form Skill’ from the Cultivation Skill Pavilion. This skill necessitates Geng Metal Spiritual Qi for assistance in cultivation."

"Have you found any leads regarding Geng Metal Spiritual Qi?"

Liou Zhen, being an Inner Sect Disciple, found it effortless to inquire about his brother’s choice of Cultivation Technique from the pavilion.

Today, he asked about Liou Yuan’s cultivation, clearly showing concern over whether Liou Yuan had access to the Geng Metal Spiritual Qi, since it would be hard to obtain without a channel.

Given that Liou Zhen questioned him, he must certainly have a solution.

Liou Yuan’s heart warmed, and he promptly replied, "I already have a lead. Little brother plans to go to Jiuli State to the Black Crystal Ore Vein and collect Geng Metal Spiritual Qi."

Liou Zhen remained silent for a while, then responded, "That place is under the jurisdiction of Lingxiao Sect, and it’s not easy to gather the Qi."

"Moreover, Geng Metal Spiritual Qi is bound to Lingxiao Sect’s Grade C Foundation Establishment Skill, and the disciples there always need it. There’s hardly any Qi left for collection, and as an outsider, you surely won’t obtain any."

This news was unexpected for Liou Yuan, and upon hearing it, he paused in surprise.

Though reasonable, Geng Metal Spiritual Qi, being a rare form of Spiritual Qi, is of course controlled by the sect.

Outsiders hoping to get a taste are likely out of luck.

Liou Yuan could only respond with a wry smile, "It seems I can only hope for the Jin Dynasty’s two places where Geng Metal Spiritual Qi is nurtured."

"Rare Spiritual Qi like Geng Metal Spiritual Qi, even the Jin Dynasty won’t easily give it to others, and if they do, the cost is significant."

Liou Zhen continued talking, extinguishing Liou Yuan’s fantasies.

Of course, he had a solution, and after saying this, he immediately added, "Since Five Extremes Mountain has the ’Geng Metal Refining Form Skill’ inheritance, it surely has a stock of Geng Metal Spiritual Qi."

"You can surely go ask Fang Yu; he’s the guide for the fifth peak and responsible for the allocation of Foundation Establishment Skill related spiritual Qi."

"Find out the price, then I’ll think of a way for you."

Liou Zhen’s words enlightened Liou Yuan.

"Indeed, our Five Extremes Mountain is no small sect. Since it has the ’Geng Metal Refining Form Skill’ inheritance, it surely has reserves of Geng Metal Spiritual Qi."

"Fortunately, big brother reminded me. Otherwise, alone, who knows how long I’d struggle to cultivate that Foundation Establishment Skill."

Liou Yuan felt pleased.

Since there’s direction, he might as well also inquire if Five Extremes Mountain has reserves of Wood Spiritual Qi.

"If there’s reserved Wood Spiritual Qi, it would be perfect for preemptively cultivating the ’Longevity Scripture’"

Of course, although Liou Yuan is a disciple of Five Extremes Mountain, the sect has always been merit-based.

Disciples seeking spiritual objects must make corresponding contributions for exchange, and the criteria for measuring contributions are merit points.

Thus, whether Geng Metal Spiritual Qi or Wood Spiritual Qi, they won’t be given freely to Liou Yuan, and a price must be paid.

This is why Liou Zhen mentioned thinking of ways for Liou Yuan, evidently believing Liou Yuan’s current position can’t secure the Geng Metal Spiritual Qi.

But over the years, Liou Yuan has gained a fair bit of wealth with the Fixed Star Compass.

Yet, given Liou Zhen’s goodwill, Liou Yuan couldn’t directly refuse, and replied, "Thank you, big brother, I’ll go ask Mr. Yu Fang."

"Alright, once you’ve found out, return to me with Thousand Mile Ear." As he spoke, the glow of Liou Zhen’s Thousand Mile Ear Jade Scroll gradually faded.

Liou Yuan promptly took out the Thousand Mile Ear previously given by Fang Yu from his Storage Ring.

Directly asked Fang Yu, "Mr. Yu Fang, I’d like to know the exchange price for Geng Metal Spiritual Qi."

After a brief pause, Fang Yu’s response came from the Jade Scroll, "Hey, I’ve heard that you chose the ’Geng Metal Refining Form Skill’, and looking for Geng Metal Spiritual Qi inevitably leads to me."

Fang Yu’s side then quieted for a moment, seemingly searching for information related to Geng Metal Spiritual Qi.

After quite a while, he responded, "Consider yourself lucky; the sect still has two shares of Geng Metal Spiritual Qi stored."

"You know, this item’s price is set by the sect. I’m just responsible for recording and transferring; I can’t make decisions on the price."

From Fang Yu’s tone, Liou Yuan sensed trouble.

Clearly, the price of the Geng Metal Spiritual Qi was expensive.

But at this point, Liou Yuan could only press on courageously and say, "I understand, Mr. Yu Fang, please just tell me directly."

"Three hundred merit points." Fang Yu’s voice came through, without any discernible emotion.

"How much!" Liou Yuan’s eyes widened, questioning if he heard wrong.

Crafting a Foundation Establishment Magical Artifact costs five hundred merit points, yet one share of Geng Metal Spiritual Qi is three hundred merit points, almost equivalent to half a Foundation Establishment Magical Artifact?

"Three hundred indeed; this is one share of Geng Metal Spiritual Qi. The Jin Dynasty’s two ore veins collect less than a share annually."

"Did you think it was that cheap type of Spiritual Qi? This is Foundation Establishment Spiritual Qi for cultivating Grade C Skills."

Fang Yu rambled on over the Thousand Mile Ear.

"Our sect’s Geng Metal Spiritual Qi is also in short supply. If you want it, I’ll need to report it up and have the Sect Leader approve before dispatching."

"Take my advice, decide quickly; there are only two shares left, once used, they’ll be gone."

Originally, Liou Yuan wanted to say he’d wait, but after hearing this, he could only make a resolve, gritting his teeth and said, "Alright, please bother Mr. Yu Fang to seek a share for little brother. I will send over the merit points tomorrow."

As he said this, Liou Yuan’s face twitched.

Three hundred merit points, his current savings are not even three hundred, only two hundred ninety-eight points. Mainly because after his training in the Outer Sect, he barely took on sect missions and relied mostly on previous savings.

He can only exchange star stones for the remaining merit points.

Fortunately, Liou Yuan has managed to accumulate over a thousand star stones by vanquishing ruffians such as Zhai Yuzhu, Zhou Meng, and others, like Liou Tao and Zhan Huaping.

Converting those assets yielded quite a few merit points for him.