Mortal Alchemy

Chen Ping's heart leaped, an invisible mountain pressing down, making him uncomfortable.

He still managed to smile and said, "I was just saying, Fellow Daoist Zhao only went to the brothel a short while ago. It's only been a few days, and he has money to spend again."

Hong An laughed heartily, "His body is already weak enough. If he wants to find a female cultivator, he can only spend money."

Hong An said, "Fellow Daoist Tang, while that sucker is still around, do you want to join us in fishing and make some quick money?"

Chen Ping looked tempted but hesitant:

"Fellow Daoist Hong, I'd like to go, but I need to go into closed-door cultivation to break through my cultivation level. I can't even go to the island to gather herbs, let alone fish."

Hong An nodded:

"That's a good thing, Fellow Daoist Tang. You must seize the time to break through. Then we can go fishing together and make money."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chen Ping returned to his room.

Then his face suddenly darkened:

"The clue to the Jade Marrow Ganoderma has likely been leaked. Someone wants to determine the possible location of the Jade Marrow Ganoderma by acquiring Flame Blade Spirit Fish."

This method is clever. In fact, Chen Ping could also do this with his financial resources.

But doing so would easily arouse suspicion, and as an unaffiliated cultivator, he would be very unsafe.

He has the Gold-Furred Treasure Seeking Ferret. As long as he tames it, he won't need to socialize with Zhao Han and Hong An to set off together.

He can explore the island alone.

Such a thing happened just after he caught the treasure-seeking ferret.

Chen Ping felt a heavy pressure in his heart, a tangled mess.

However, such news was not enough to make him lose his mind or composure.

"Tame the treasure-seeking ferret, improve my cultivation, find the Jade Marrow Ganoderma, and leave this place to return to the Mu family."

Chen Ping made up his mind, took a deep breath, and took out pills to continue consuming and refining.

Half a month later.

Chen Ping returned home with a grim face.

An ordinary Flame Blade Spirit Fish was selling for five spirit stones. After half a month, many people noticed something was wrong.

Many low-level cultivators were frantically fishing in the lake. Many cultivators had recently eaten so much spirit fish that they were sick of it.

After all, fishing doesn't require any skills or techniques. Even a commoner can do it.

"Idiots! Making such a big fuss!" Chen Ping's eyes were gloomy and cold.

"However, this is also my chance. So many people are fishing in the lake, which also provides me with an opportunity to fish in troubled waters."

From the current market situation, the mastermind behind the scenes has spent at least five thousand spirit stones to acquire Flame Blade Spirit Fish.

This price is enough to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill.

As Hong An said, who knows which nouveau riche young master it is.

If it's not a disciple of a great immortal clan, they simply don't have such financial resources.

Even Chen Ping can't take out five thousand spirit stones right now.

At this rate, I don't know how many more spirit stones it will take to find the gathering place of the Flame Blade Spirit Fish.

Then Chen Ping looked at the iron cage in the house, his eyes filled with worry: "Misfortunes never come singly…"

He underestimated the character of the Gold-Furred Treasure Seeking Ferret. This little thing hasn't eaten or drank for half a month. It's already skin and bones, weak and dying.

If this continues, it won't be long before it starves to death.

This little thing is not easy to deal with, no wonder it was once extinct for thousands of years.

From this little thing, Chen Ping also saw some of his own shadow.

Isn't he also stubbornly seeking freedom in a cage?

"Alas… if it's not mine, it's ultimately not mine…" Chen Ping sighed, squatted down, and took the initiative to open the iron cage:

"Little thing, I give up."

"Eat, eat something and leave if you have the strength. I won't keep you."

The Gold-Furred Treasure Seeking Ferret weakly opened its eyes, its two small eyes were dull, somewhat dim, but still warily looked at Chen Ping.

Chen Ping just said, "I'm not lying to you. Since I can't tame you, I can't bear to starve you to death. Eat something to regain your strength, and then leave."

Chen Ping left a bowl of spiritual water and some spirit beast meat and spirit grass, and then went to sit and cultivate under the eaves.

The Gold-Furred Treasure Seeking Ferret warily looked at Chen Ping for a long time, then weakly stood up and secretly began to eat, recovering its strength.

Chen Ping really didn't care about it at all.

Two nights later, this little thing recovered a lot of strength, ate all the things Chen Ping left for it, and took advantage of the night to slip out of Chen Ping's courtyard.

The several restrictions in the courtyard were like nothing to it.

Watching it leave, Chen Ping breathed a sigh of relief, and then cleaned up and disposed of the iron cage.

Chen Ping told himself: "Perhaps my opportunity is not enough. Even if I have the whereabouts of the Jade Marrow Ganoderma, I am destined not to get it…"

"And I am also destined not to be able to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill myself and establish my foundation by taking the Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Heh, maybe I won't be able to establish my foundation in this lifetime."

Chen Ping showed a self-deprecating smile on his face, but his heart was calmer than ever before.

Seven days later.

"Knock knock!"

A knock sounded on the door.

Hong An's voice sounded outside the door: "Fellow Daoist Tang, are you home?"

Chen Ping went to open the door and saw Hong An standing outside, his eyes showing a look of doubt: "Fellow Daoist Hong, what's the matter?"

Usually, both sides are wary of each other. Even if they want to meet, they send a greeting card in advance.

This kind of direct knocking on the door is the first time in more than half a year.

Hong An rubbed his hands excitedly and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao and I seem to have discovered a Flame Blade Spirit Fish nest, with at least dozens or even more Flame Blade Spirit Fish."

"But Fellow Daoist Zhao and I can't handle it. Fellow Daoist Chen, would you like to go with us? We'll give you 30% of the profits afterwards."

Chen Ping was immediately tempted, his heart pounding.

A Flame Blade Spirit Fish nest, wouldn't that mean the Jade Marrow Ganoderma is nearby!

Could it be that when one door shuts, another opens?

Chen Ping immediately opened his mouth to agree, but the words came out as:

"Sorry, Fellow Daoist Hong, I'm about to enter an important period of closed-door cultivation and can't go."

He was not overwhelmed by the potential benefits.

When walking outside, one can know a person's face but not their heart.

Caution is paramount. Even if he wants to investigate the fish nest, Chen Ping will only go quietly alone.

Hong An was a little unbelievable and anxiously said:

"Oh dear, Fellow Daoist Tang, if you go with us, you can earn at least more than a hundred spirit stones. How long will you have to refine pills to earn this money?"

"With this money, you can also find a wife or dao companion. This is also Fellow Daoist Zhao's intention."

Chen Ping looked tempted, and then changed to a difficult expression: "I'm very tempted, but I really can't these days. I'm about to sprint to break through my cultivation level and can't leave."

"And I'm not good at fighting."

"Fellow Daoist Hong, thank you for your kindness."

Seeing that Chen Ping really couldn't leave, Hong An also sighed and left helplessly.

Back in the room, closing the door, a indifferent and firm light appeared in Chen Ping's eyes.