CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: MAP OF YUE COUNTRY

Zhang Changqing’s home is still so clean and tidy.

"I wonder what Zhang Daoist is seeking me for?" Xu Ping asked directly.

The two were quite familiar with each other, so there was no need to beat around the bush.

"The sect has news."

Zhang Changqing started right away with a bombshell, leaving Xu Ping momentarily stunned: "News?"

Zhang Changqing held a significant position in the Longevity Sect; his grandfather was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Yes." Zhang Changqing nodded.

"Recently, a Foundation Establishment master in the sect has broken through to the Golden Core, so the sect was sealed off, and no messages came through."

"Now, the Foundation Establishment master has successfully broken through to Golden Core!"

At this, a smile naturally appeared on Zhang Changqing’s face.

As a member of the Longevity Sect, its strengthening filled him with genuine joy.

"So how does your sect plan to handle Dongwu Market?"

Xu Ping wasn’t concerned about who had broken through to Golden Core; he was more interested in what the Longevity Sect would do about Dongwu Market.

"Plan to rebuild."

Zhang Changqing paused for a moment, organizing his words, "The sect will dispatch two Foundation Establishment cultivators and a group of Qi cultivators to rebuild Dongwu Market."

"Rebuild, huh?" Xu Ping murmured to himself, a neutral expression on his face as he calmly inquired, "When will your sect members arrive?"

"The personnel are confirmed and will depart tomorrow, arriving in about ten days," Zhang Changqing replied.

After a brief silence, Xu Ping clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Daoist Zhang, for informing me in advance."

That Zhang Changqing would inform him early on this matter made him a person worth befriending.

"It’s a small matter." Zhang Changqing waved his hand dismissively.

"I have another matter to inquire about, Daoist Zhang."

"Feel free to ask."

"I’m not familiar with the nearby geography, and I wonder if Daoist Zhang could enlighten me?" Xu Ping asked.

"This is a simple matter."

Zhang Changqing took a scroll from his storage pouch and spread it on the table; it depicted mountains and rivers—a map!

For people of ancient times, maps were precious items.

Even for cultivators, they were invaluable.

"This is a map of the entire Yue Country."

"Daoist, please look, Dongwu Market is located here!"

Zhang Changqing pointed to a very small place on the map.

Xu Ping looked carefully and finally found Dongwu Market, standing in isolation near the wilds on the edge of ’Yue Country.’

Then Zhang Changqing began to describe the geography of the entire cultivation region.

This cultivation boundary is called "Nanchuan."

The area is vast, with over a hundred countries, ’Yue Country’ being one of them.

Each country varies in strength, with the Core Formation Stage as the ceiling for smaller countries.

Medium to large countries have Fourth-stage spirit veins suitable for Nascent Soul stage cultivation.

The ’Yue Country’ he was in could only be considered a medium-sized country, with the strongest force called the "Luoyun Sect," having a Nascent Soul True Monarch presiding as the ruler of this area.

Under the Luoyun Sect are five major sects, each with at least one Core Formation Stage Zhenren.

The Longevity Sect is one of them.

Following closely behind are eight great cultivation families, known as the strongest in ’Yue Country.’

Each of the eight families has a long lineage, with at least a Fake Pill Zhenren and multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Nascent Soul sects, Golden Core sects, Foundation Establishment families..."

Xu Ping thought about the structure of the ’Yue Country’ in his mind.

Truly, being a disciple from a sect, his knowledge was indeed abundant.

"Thank you for explaining, Daoist, otherwise I truly would know nothing about the nearby geography," Xu Ping sincerely thanked.

"Daoist Bai, no need to be so formal, these are simple matters to inquire about, and I’ll give this map to you as well," Zhang Changqing waved his hand.

"I couldn’t possibly accept."

"It’s not something valuable anyway."

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony."

Xu Ping actually really needed this map right now.

After chatting a bit more, Xu Ping prepared to take his leave: "If Daoist Zhang has no other matters, I’ll take my leave now."

"Daoist Bai, please stay." Zhang Changqing suddenly called out to Xu Ping.

Xu Ping turned in curiosity.

"This is a Bone Shaping Skill, capable of perfectly altering body shape and concealing one’s aura. Though body refining can change shape, it’s not perfect and still reveals clues."

Zhang Changqing took out a scroll from his bosom and handed it to Xu Ping, with a meaningful look.

Xu Ping gave Zhang Changqing a deep look after taking the scroll: "No words can express the great kindness."

"Daoist Bai is too kind."

Zhang Changqing apologized, "If it wasn’t for me inviting Daoist Bai to jointly subdue demons, Daoist Bai wouldn’t have exposed the Sword Qi Thunder Sound. I hope Daoist Bai doesn’t blame me."

"It’s all my choice, I can’t blame anyone else." Xu Ping shook his head.

"Farewell!" Xu Ping clasped his hands.

"Safe travels!" Zhang Changqing returned the courtesy.

...

...

Returning home.

Xu Ping silently took a sip of water, set down the teacup, and sighed quietly: "Ah, it’s time to leave."

Realizing the Sword Qi Thunder Sound at the Qi Refining Realm is indeed a big deal.

Big enough that not even a Golden Core sect like the Longevity Sect could contain it; perhaps only Yue Country’s overlord, the Luoyun Sect, could.

If fortunate enough to be taken in by the Luoyun Sect, it could mean a smooth path to immortality; if unlucky, death might even be a relief.

Although he used the identity of Bai Zhiyuan, even Zhang Changqing could spot clues, staying in this place is undoubtedly courting death.

Better to change identities and flee.

"But where to go?"

Xu Ping took out the map again and began studying.

He now needed to find a relatively stable and resource-rich place to slowly cultivate his Qi Refining to Perfection, then obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill and form his Foundation.

Xu Ping’s gaze moved upward, toward the north of Yue Country.

Qiu Xuan Immortal City.

Qiu Xuan Immortal City was established by Qiu Xuan Zhenren, the first loose cultivator in the Yue Country’s cultivation realm, neighboring the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range.

The Yellow Dragon Mountain Range is rich in demon beasts and spirit medicines, making it quite resourceful, and no major battles have occurred for decades, offering relative peace.

Also, several Second-stage Pill Masters are present in the city, with the capability of refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

It meets all his requirements.

However, the journey is quite far, several tens of thousands of miles from Dongwu Market.

"Tens of thousands of miles away?" Xu Ping pondered for a moment, but still decided to go to Qiu Xuan Immortal City.

With his current strength, such a journey is manageable.

"I’ll leave Dongwu Market tomorrow, but before that, I’ll first study the Bone Shaping Skill."

Xu Ping pulled out the scroll recording the Bone Shaping Skill and began his research.

The skill wasn’t difficult, by the end of the night he had already reached the Entry Level.

"Indeed much more natural than forcefully altering my body shape."

Looking at his reflection in the water, Xu Ping nodded in satisfaction.

"Time to sleep, I’ll leave early tomorrow morning." He stretched lazily and fell asleep.

...

The next day.

Xu Ping got up early, quietly leaving without saying goodbye to anyone.

He intended to bid farewell to Zhang Chenyu, but decided against it.

To avoid unnecessary trouble.

Also, with the people from the Longevity Sect about to arrive, he wouldn’t encounter danger.

May we meet again someday.