The Terrifying Path of Immortal Cultivation

Upon hearing this, Li Qing's heart sank, "Damn it, I've run into bad luck."

Feeling like his lungs were about to explode, he had worked hard to obtain the materials, thinking he would make a profit, but ended up suffering a huge loss.

He was so angry that he wanted to curse, but he held back from using foul language.

Turning to other stalls, he inquired about the prices of various materials one by one.

He took out his notebook and made adjustments to the surveyed material prices.

Soon, there were significant changes in the prices of materials on the Jade Tablet.

The prices of all materials had increased to varying degrees, doubling or even tripling.

At the bottom of this new material list, there was an additional line of remarks.

(Note: According to historical information, the rise in the prices of various cultivation materials indicates that all the Dao lineages are preparing for war.)

Seeing this remark, Li Qing took in a sharp breath, his eyes filled with suspicion.

He no longer felt like leisurely strolling around, "It never rains but it pours."

"This is troublesome."

Li Qing's expression changed constantly, "No, I can't delay any longer. I must find another way to quickly accumulate enough Essence Qi stones."

"To reach the Body Strengthening realm, something significant may happen in Dragon Path City."

A sense of horror inexplicably rose in his heart, making him feel jumpy.

"What should I do? By what means can I earn enough Essence Qi stones?"

With an uncertain expression, Li Qing looked around and rapidly pondered in his mind.

"Should I go grave robbing? But those tombs usually pose dangers."

"Perhaps they conceal extremely dangerous anomalies. With my current level of cultivation, going there would probably mean certain death."

"Money, money, money, money makes the world go round."

Just as Li Qing was distressed, suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind.

"Materials for artifacts, artifact gold, seem to be refined using different materials through special methods."

In my 'Encyclopedia of Artifact Refining of the World,' there are methods for refining Law Weapons."

"What materials are needed for each type of Law Weapon, and what kind of heat and spells are required."

"But what's lacking are the methods for producing these basic materials."

Evidently, these basic materials are the most confidential secrets of each Great Dao lineage.

"If I were to research a new type of artifact gold myself and then optimize it to a certain extent using the Jade Tablet."

"Could it be possible to create an entirely new type of artifact gold?"

"With this continuous source of wealth, perhaps I could cooperate with Jixia Academy."

Jixia Academy also has its own sources of wealth, primarily a large number of minerals and numerous industries in Dragon Path City.

These industries can bring in a large amount of funds.

This was some of the truth that Li Qing had reconstructed on the Jade Tablet based on numerous pieces of information.

The truths reconstructed by the Jade Tablet are very random. Basically, when enough information is available, some hidden content will be reconstructed.

However, this content is uncontrollable and random, requiring Li Qing to find and record these truths himself for future preparations based on these truths, just like the technological reserves of the industrial age. Researching them may be useless, but they might come in handy someday.

One of them seemed to be useful today.

Jixia Academy produces three different types of artifact materials.

Five Elements Divine Iron, Essence of Five Metals, and Azure Jade Divine Iron.

Each type has very good sales in the market, allowing Jixia Academy not to rely entirely on the support of Daoist resources.

In the Grotto-Heaven of Jixia Academy, there is a mysterious workshop specifically for producing these three types of artifact materials.

"If I can deduce a completely new formula for artifact materials and sell it through Jixia Academy, even if I only take a 10% profit, I won't have to worry about resources in the future."

"Once and for all, solving the problem of money forever."

A faint smile appeared on Li Qing's face, "But things are not that simple."

"From what I know, there are probably hundreds of types of artifact materials, with varying qualities."

"Low-priced artifact materials may cost only one or two Essence Qi stones, while the prices of expensive ones are unimaginable."

"My goal is the lowest-level artifact materials, and then to optimize them through the Jade Tablet."

"If I could obtain the formula for the lowest-level artifact materials, that might be enough."

"I wonder if the Repository Pavilion has such a level of artifact material formulas for sale?"

Having clarified his train of thought, Li Qing immediately went to the Repository Pavilion.

As soon as he entered, the shopkeeper warmly greeted him.

The shopkeeper, in his thirties, exuded a faint scholarly aura.

With a square face and a gentle smile, he was quite likable.

"Fellow Daoist, I am Bai Qilai, the shopkeeper of the Repository Pavilion in Dragon Path City."

"Are you here to buy something or to sell something?"

"I want to buy the formula for artifact materials."

Upon hearing Li Qing's words, Bai Qilai furrowed his brows slightly.

"Formula for artifact materials? Fellow Daoist, are you serious?"

Bai Qilai looked at him strangely.

Li Qing nodded, "Yes, of course I'm serious."

Bai Qilai shook his head, "I'm sorry, but it's impossible for me to have such things for sale here."

Li Qing nodded at the words, knowing it wouldn't be that easy, so he was just trying his luck.

"Alright."

Li Qing stood up to leave, but Bai Qilai waved his hand and said, "Although I don't have them for sale, I know where you might find them."

"I can tell you this information."

"What information?" Li Qing's eyes lit up.

"Outside Dragon Path City, there is a mountain called Wulingyuan."

A few days ago, there was a flash of treasure light in the mountain, attracting many Daoist cultivators to explore it.

There was news that it seemed to be a relic of a Left Dao Sect in the mountain.

The sect was called the 'True Teaching.'

This Left Dao Sect existed 1,000 years ago and was stationed in Wulingyuan at that time.

But one day, it suddenly disappeared without a trace.

A few days ago, it suddenly reappeared, drawing many people to explore it.

The 'True Teaching' happened to have a formula for artifact materials - Five Sparrow Red Copper.

Although it is only a low-level material for refining Law Weapons, it can also be considered a treasure of a small sect's heritage.

If Fellow Daoist is interested, you can go take a look."

Upon hearing this, Li Qing's face lit up with a smile, "I didn't expect this. Thank you for letting me know."

Bai Qilai smiled faintly, "You're welcome. This information will spread quickly, and many people will go there soon."

"Anyway, thank you," Li Qing smiled faintly and turned to leave.

Watching Li Qing's departing figure, Bai Qilai's eyes revealed a strange look.

"Hehe, go ahead, the more the better."

"The Left Dao Sect is not that easy to deal with."

"Serve the king and the country, that's what you should do."

"Hehehe."

The cold and deep laughter slowly spread in the Repository Pavilion.