Qiu Xuan Mountain peak, a hall in a grand palace.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, what do you seek from me?" Hongyi rubbed his temples, a hint of fatigue in his voice.

As the Sect Leader Senior Brother of 'Qiu Xuan Mountain,' with the beast tide imminent, there are evidently many matters to attend to.

"It's nothing major. I have a Qi Cultivation friend who wishes to leave on the spiritual boat, but there are no spots left. I wonder if the Sect Leader could make an exception?" Xu Ping cupped his hands in a salute.

Although he did not know who was in charge of spiritual boat transportation, seeking Hongyi was surely the right choice.

"It's a small matter."

Hongyi took out a jade pendant from his storage ring, placed it on the table, and pushed it over. "Give this jade pendant to the steward of the spiritual boat, he will naturally arrange everything for Fellow Daoist Xu's friend."

"Thank you, Sect Leader." Xu Ping's eyes brightened.

Indeed, having strength makes things easier. If you're a Qi Cultivator without backing, who would care about you?

"If the Sect Leader has no other matters, I shall take my leave, as my friend is waiting at the foot of the mountain." Xu Ping cupped his hands again, preparing to leave, but Hongyi stopped him.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, hold on."

"Does the Sect Leader have further matters?"

"With the beast tide about to erupt, there are too many things to do, and reinforcements from other sects have yet to arrive, leaving us short-handed. Hence, I wish to delegate a task to Fellow Daoist Xu." Hongyi said slowly.

"What might the task be?" Xu Ping asked, cupping his hands.

He had long anticipated having to undertake tasks, for every Foundation Establishment cultivator at 'Qiu Xuan Mountain' usually had tasks to fulfill.

Ordinary Guest Ministers like Xu Zhixuan had already been assigned to purge the demon beasts.

He hoped to weaken the beast tide as much as possible before it struck.

Naturally, he could not stand on the sidelines.

"Fellow Daoist Xu need not worry; it's not a dangerous task, merely to guard a Foundation Establishment family a thousand miles away." Hongyi explained.

"Guard a Foundation Establishment family a thousand miles away?" Xu Ping showed doubt.

What's the significance of this Foundation Establishment family?

Why would 'Qiu Xuan Mountain' send a Foundation Establishment cultivator to guard it?

"This Foundation Establishment family has some connection with the ancestor." Hongyi explained.

"With the approaching beast tide, although the family has an array for protection, it only has one Foundation Establishment cultivator. Thus, another Foundation Establishment cultivator is being sent as a precaution."

Xu Ping, being a Pill Master who broke through to Foundation Establishment only a few years ago, would not be assigned to eliminate demon beasts unless absolutely necessary.

Guarding a rear Foundation Establishment family is undoubtedly much safer.

"The Foundation Establishment family is located on a Second-stage spiritual land, and a Spirit Gathering Array is set up there. You can also cultivate and practice alchemy there." Hongyi added.

"Understood." Xu Ping nodded; he had no reason to refuse.

Moreover, such an arrangement is quite beneficial; if anything happens to Qiu Xuan Mountain, he could easily escape.

"When should I depart?" Xu Ping asked.

"In half a month, someone will come to inform Fellow Daoist." Hongyi replied.

"I am duty-bound, then I'll take my leave for now." Xu Ping cupped his hands in salute before leaving the hall.

...

...

Foot of Qiu Xuan Mountain.

"Simply give this jade pendant to the steward of the spiritual boat; he will arrange everything for you." Xu Ping handed the jade pendant to Zhang Yan.

"Thank you, Senior!" Hearing this, Zhang Yan was overjoyed. Having connections indeed makes things easier!

The pill legacy was truly given to the right person.

"Where are you planning to go?" Xu Ping inquired.

"Planning to return to my old home, 'Ten Thousand Mountains,' for a visit. It's been over twenty years since I last went back." Zhang Yan laughed.

"Ten Thousand Mountains?"

Xu Ping was momentarily stunned. Zhang Yan's plan to travel truly covered quite a distance, almost crossing half of Yue Country.

Ten Thousand Mountains is located in the southwest of Yue Country, a vast range of continuous mountains, and going further leads to bordering with Nightmare Swamp.

The swamp is shrouded in mist all year round, even able to block the divine sense of Foundation Establishment cultivators, and its area is vast. It's said that the swamp contains Third-stage demon beasts capable of poisoning Golden Core insects.

Golden Core cultivators dare not easily set foot there.

It is said that if one could cross 'Nightmare Swamp,' they could reach further south to an even more powerful and prosperous cultivation realm than Nanchuan.

Scattered throughout 'Ten Thousand Mountains' are countless peaks, among which are those possessing spirit veins, occupied by small sects and families.

Nevertheless, there are no Third-stage spirit veins, hence the strongest influence remains Foundation Establishment.

"Years ago, I had a dispute with my family, left in anger, and didn't return for over twenty years. But now it's time to go back and take a look." Zhang Yan sighed.

"After all, they are blood-related family members." Xu Ping followed up on his words.

After a few more casual conversations, Zhang Yan bid farewell.

...

Returning home.

Xu Ping sat on a stone bench in the small courtyard, watching the spiritual fish swimming in the spiritual pool, silently pondering this task of guarding.

In truth, this task isn't all that dangerous, but it's uncertain how long the guarding would be.

Preparedness must be ample for provisions.

If Qiu Xuan Immortal City can't hold out, it would be easier to escape.

...

Three days later.

Xu Ping descended the mountain and arrived at Qiu Xuan Immortal City.

After some disguise, he started selling various unused spirit medicines and pills.

These spirit medicines and pills came from exploiting 'Qiu Xuan Mountain' resources to earn.

During this time, he noticed a significant price surge for magical artifacts, with minor increases also for talismans and pills.

The prices of low-grade materials related to demon beasts showed a certain downward trend.

Taking advantage of the favorable market, Xu Ping sold his spirit medicines for thousands of spirit stones.

"Perhaps I should inquire about the availability of Second-stage lower and middle-grade blood essence from ape-type demon beasts." Xu Ping thought to himself.

Although the beast tide hasn't erupted yet, hunting teams have already slain many demon beasts, including numerous Second-stage beasts.

There might be Second-stage lower and middle-grade blood essence from ape-type demon beasts.

Through years of honing, his Blood Soul Body Refining level has nearly reached its peak, allowing him to practice the second level.

With the beast tide imminent, increasing his strength as much as possible is imperative.

Xu Ping visited various shops but collected only three kinds of Second-stage lower-grade ape-type demon beasts, with no leads on Second-stage middle-grade.

Fortunately, he heard there would be some at the auction in five days.

...

Five days later.

Xu Ping, disguised, attended the large-scale auction in Qiu Xuan Immortal City.

"This Daoist friend's cultivation is not insignificant, how should I address you?"

"Would you be interested in joining our Qiu Xuan Immortal's demon hunting team? The compensation will certainly satisfy you..."

Humorously, upon entering the auction venue, his Foundation Establishment cultivation attracted attempts at recruitment by the direct lineage of Qiu Xuan Mountain, disciples of the Golden Core ancestor.

Evidently, he had not been recognized as Xu Ping disguised as an unfamiliar Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Having Foundation Establishment cultivation places one as a formidable strength outside the sect, deemed as high-end combat power.

"I, Li, am only here for the auction, disinterested otherwise."

Xu Ping declined straightforwardly.

This auction was not as lively as previous ones, yet some upper-grade and top-grade magical artifacts were auctioned at higher prices.

Xu Ping also successfully acquired what he desired - Second-stage ape-type blood essence.

After attending the auction, he wasted no time and returned directly to Qiu Xuan Mountain.

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