Xu Ping's expression became serious, and he said firmly, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Fellow Daoist Gong, but I am focused on my cultivation and do not wish to explore any secret realms."

Gong Yang looked at Xu Ping, his lips moving slightly, but in the end, he couldn't find the words to respond.

Sword cultivators are usually determined individuals. Talented sword cultivators like him, who have comprehended the Sword Qi Thunder Sound, are even more so. Once they make a decision, no one can sway them in the slightest.

"Although I won't be going, I would still like to offer these two Second-stage Middle Grade puppets to you both, Fellow Daoists."

With a wave of his sleeve, Xu Ping made two puppets, clad in black armor, suddenly appear in the pavilion.

These two puppets were, of course, the ones he had previously confiscated from Bai Kun, but he had altered their appearance using other spiritual materials. Now, he could use them openly without any issues.

These Second-stage Middle Grade puppets weren't of much use to him, but for Duan Shuang and Gong Yang, they would be significant allies.

One puppet was for attack and the other for defense. Combined with their cultivation and divine techniques, they could easily escape from Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Seeing the two imposing Second-stage puppets, Duan Shuang and Gong Yang couldn't help but show a touch of delight on their faces. They cupped their hands in thanks, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu, *2."

With these puppets' assistance, they could further explore secret realms and greatly increase their own safety.

"No need to be polite, Fellow Daoists. I hope you both can also keep an eye out for life-extending treasures for me," Xu Ping said with a smile, cupping his hands.

"That will certainly not be a problem," the two of them nodded with smiles.

After exchanging a few more words, Duan Shuang and Gong Yang took their leave.

...

...

Thousand Leaves Mountain.

Training room.

Xu Ping flipped his palm, and a jade box containing a Jade Longevity Peach appeared in his hand. The smooth jade surface emitted a gentle luster.

Xu Ping's lips curled up slightly, "This arrangement where I provide the resources and Duan Shuang and Gong Yang provide the effort seems quite effective. If I can find a few more life-extending treasures, it will be a great profit."

"This way, I can ensure safety and obtain what I desire."

However, this method requires understanding the character of the other person. If they are deceitful individuals, it would be a loss.

Xu Ping opened the jade box, took out the translucent Jade Longevity Peach, and without hesitation, took a bite.

The sweet and fresh juice burst in his mouth, quickly spreading and making him feel delighted.

As he swallowed, the Jade Longevity Peach was continuously refined in his abdomen by his Longevity Skill, transforming into an endless stream of essence to replenish himself.

After a cup of tea, the Jade Longevity Peach was completely absorbed.

Xu Ping looked joyful, eagerly checking his proficiency panel.

[Name: Xu Ping]

[Lifespan: 45/378 years]

[Realm: Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment: 16/100; Blood Demon Body Refining Level Two: 90/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Longevity Skill Minor Achievement: 200/800]

...

"Extended my life by thirty years! My Longevity Skill's proficiency also increased by thirty points!"

"If I come across more life-extending treasures like this, my lifespan could approach that of a Golden Core cultivator!"

Xu Ping felt content within.

For cultivators, their ultimate goal is to live even longer.

...

...

Time passed.

As the restrictions of the deserted island ruins continued to weaken, various life-extending treasures flowed out one after another.

The appearance of a Core Formation spiritual object even spurred several battles among Golden Core and Fake Pill cultivators, eventually being claimed by the Shuize Sect, which held the geographical advantage.

The appearance of the Core Formation spiritual object undoubtedly further stimulated the nerves of many cultivators.

As a result, the cultivators became even more frenzied, and the prices of various cultivation items surged.

However, the external chaos did not impact Xu Ping at all.

He continued to stay at home, silently cultivating with single-minded devotion.

...

A month later.

Thousand Leaves Mountain.

A tall and slender figure was busy in the spiritual field.

Using his mana, Xu Ping dug a small hole in the soil and planted a seedling of Hundred Bamboo Wood.

Then, he covered it with layers of soil of different textures.

After the transplantation was complete.

Xu Ping took out a bottle of Green Liquid and poured it onto the soil near the seedling.

"Spirit Storage Skill!"

After these actions, he pointed his forefinger, and the Green Liquid in the soil suddenly surged with a faint green wave of light.

As the faint green wave of light continuously flowed into the Hundred Bamboo Wood seedling.

It was noticeable that the Hundred Bamboo Wood seedling became more resilient.

This is not the end yet.

Xu Ping's expression turned solemn as he pinched a magic technique with both hands. His fingers lightly pointed, and dozens of strands of Longevity Mana shot out from his fingertips, instantly hitting the spirit plants and spirit medicine planted in the spiritual field.

Swoosh!

In an instant!

The originally lush green spirit plants and spirit medicine quickly turned yellow and withered. In no time, they turned into clusters of black ash, leaving behind clusters of vibrant green light spheres.

"Go!"

Xu Ping's fingers moved continuously, and in an instant, the clusters of green light spheres were embedded into the sapling seeds of the Hundred Bamboo Wood.

Buzz!

After absorbing the green light spheres continuously, the sapling seeds of the Hundred Bamboo Wood suddenly emitted a faint green light. The life force contained within the green plants became increasingly strong.

And it was apparent that they had grown significantly in size.

"Finally, the sapling of the Hundred Bamboo Wood is planted!" Xu Ping nodded with satisfaction.

This sapling of the Hundred Bamboo Wood was a carefully selected second-stage upper-grade spirit wood sapling.

Its characteristic is renowned for its sturdiness, and if refined into a magical sword, it would be far more solid than an ordinary magical sword.

If Geng Metal is added during the refining process, its hardness might not be much inferior to a magical artifact.

By then, once the sword array is completed, its power and sturdiness will be enough to astonish Golden Core Cultivators.

"In the future, it will only require the Spirit Storage Skill and Tribulation Spirit Skill to be performed every two months."

"The Spirit Storage Skill is fairly manageable, but after performing the Tribulation Spirit Skill, having to replant spirit medicine and spirit plants is quite troublesome," Xu Ping frowned slightly at the vast spiritual field covered by the black ash of the spirit medicine.

Replanting spirit medicine and spirit plants is not a difficult task for him, but it does consume considerable time and effort.

Even though he has a long lifespan, he doesn't wish to handle these trivial matters.

"Now that most of the matters are dealt with, it's time to visit the Zhou Leqi family and purchase mystical beasts!" Xu Ping contemplated silently.

The spirit wood has been planted; once it grows to a sufficient size, refining the magical sword can begin.

Therefore, purchasing a demon beast capable of spitting demon fire to aid in artifact refining should be a priority.

Additionally, buying a demon beast that can care for spirit medicine and spirit plants would relieve him of personally tending to the spiritual field.

To avoid wasting time.

That afternoon, Xu Ping set out on his Spiritual Boat towards the Zhou Leqi family.

He now needs to perform the Spirit Storage Skill and Tribulation Spirit Skill every two months and cannot afford to delay too long outside.

...

...

Half a month later.

Xu Ping successfully reached the Zhou Leqi family.

The Zhou family's territory was built along a vast plain, dotted with villages and manors.

On the plain, Xu Ping also saw many spirit beasts reared by the Zhou clan.

"With its open terrain and dense Spiritual Qi, this is quite an excellent place for rearing spirit beasts!" Xu Ping thought, nodding.

...

"Fellow Daoist Xu has arrived." As soon as Xu Ping disembarked from the Spiritual Boat, Zhou Letian greeted him with a beaming smile.

"I hope I didn't disturb you, Fellow Daoist Zhou." Xu Ping responded with a smile.

"How could you disturb me? It's my honor for you to visit our clan!"

"Fellow Daoist Xu must be exhausted from the journey. I have prepared food and drink; please proceed to my cave residence," Zhou Letian enthusiastically invited.

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Zhou." Xu Ping cupped his hands slightly.

.....

Inside Zhou Letian's cave residence.

Zhou Letian, along with seven or eight important family members, kept him company. Each had their own table, filled with gourmet food and spirit wine.

On the carpet in the middle of the hall, a dozen young girls entered in succession, fluttering like butterflies, starting to dance and adding some lively atmosphere.

After half an hour.

Seeing that the banquet showed no signs of ending, Xu Ping couldn't sit still and took the initiative to say, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, with the spirit wine already had our fill, could you take me to see the spirit beasts now?"

"Of course, that's no problem at all. The spirit beasts have long been prepared for you, Fellow Daoist Xu, and you can choose at your leisure." Zhou Letian put down his wine glass and said with a smile.

"In addition to buying spirit beasts that can aid in artifact refining, I also want to purchase one capable of caring for spirit plants and spirit medicine," Xu Ping expressed his requirements along the way.

"That's a trivial matter."

Zhou Letian instructed an elder from the clan, "Go and bring the spirit beasts needed by Fellow Daoist Xu so he can choose."

"Yes!" A thin elder respectfully nodded and then left the cave residence.

At this moment, Xu Ping and Zhou Letian began to chat again.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, have you ever been to those ruins on the deserted island?" Zhou Letian asked curiously.

"No, but Fellow Daoist Gong and Fellow Daoist Duan have teamed up and explored it several times, with abundant harvests. Fellow Daoist Zhou, would you like to join them and give it a try?" Xu Ping replied with a smile.

Zhou Letian had dealt with him several times before and also had his family as a vulnerability, so he wanted to draw the other party into his team to help him search for life-extending treasures.

After all, strength lies in numbers!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.