Yu Ziqing had already gotten used to looking for Yang whenever there was something to discuss or something he needed advice on.

Compared to flipping through books himself not knowing which one to read, looking for Yang was much more convenient.

At the very least, Yang would tell him which book to look in or which direction might be fruitful.

This time he was scolded, and Yu Ziqing didn't dare continue summoning him.

Yang wanting to scold him was probably true, and being really busy with no time was probably true as well.

Yu Ziqing had already gathered enough experience to know Yang's grumpiness was directly proportional to the importance of what he was doing.

"Forget it, I'll respect the old and love the young, and not bicker with him!"

Yu Ziqing walked out of the Seventh Floor ring, sighing deeply.

Getting something for free without showing his face wasn't going to work; he'd have to go to the Lihuo Institute or Langya Institute himself.

The remaining three kinds of Five-Colored Soil—Green Soil, Red Soil, White Soil—were not available on the market.

Typically, they're used as base soil when cultivating Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, but beyond that, Yu Ziqing wasn't too sure because those were the only records he had.

These were bona fide high-tier resources that ordinary cultivators wouldn't find useful even if they had them.

Yu Ziqing bypassed the locust forest to the east and headed for the Lihuo Institute.

After so many years, maybe Wen Lingyou would find him a bit more agreeable?

Yu Ziqing slyly didn't go directly to the Lihuo Institute but first discreetly inquired about Wen Lingyou's whereabouts.

He went straight to block him there.

Wen Lingyou's whereabouts weren't much of a secret; he was currently in a small city, and his research topics in recent years were all related to the Yin Devil.

He was a typical pragmatist; initially, without much understanding, he thought of addressing the potential calamities brought by the Yin Devil.

Now, he was thinking of extracting all possible value from the Yin Devil through research.

On the most basic level, using it as material.

He didn't dare use the Yin Devil's Dharma Method, having learned from others' mistakes, everyone was quite cautious.

Yu Ziqing appeared in front of Wen Lingyou, and the old man's face was as foul as if he were straining on the toilet and had been constipated for days.

Yu Ziqing approached with a thick face, full of respect for the senior.

"Senior, are you having trouble with your recent research? Is there anything you need help with? I could find some people to assist you?"

Wen Lingyou looked Yu Ziqing up and down, clicking his tongue.

"Seeing your scoundrel face, I knew you must have something you needed help with again."

"Senior, your insight is like a torch!"

"If you want to lead someone away from the Lihuo Institute again, just shut your mouth and turn around now, and I might still greet you with a smile."

"..." Yu Ziqing's expression shifted slightly, speaking with a good-natured tone.

"Senior, it's not like that, I'm doing this for a legitimate purpose.

The accomplishments of those seniors at the Lihuo Institute, both in results these past years and their own cultivation, have not been left behind in any regard.

Though the final major project isn't finished yet, the things produced in between are already quite astonishing.

Every year, I personally contribute a considerable amount of resources.

I haven't approached any outsiders; if I were to reach out to those big powers, those willing to offer resources wouldn't be few.

But isn't it because I think that the stewards like us are the most valuable..."

"Who are you trying to lead away this time? I'm telling you, don't even think about it!" Wen Lingyou became somewhat alarmed at the mention of the word "dean."

The other deans might be acceptable, but the example set by Dean Nong is too enticing.

Yu Ziqing currently trying to lead someone from the Lihuo Institute probably wouldn't be difficult.

"Really, it's not necessary, I just..."

"Get lost quickly, don't even think about it!"

Seeing Wen Lingyou's firm attitude, Yu Ziqing sighed deeply.

"Alright, alright, if no dean is available, I want to go find some books to read myself. Is that okay?"

"The Lihuo Institute is currently organizing the library, it won't be easy to find what you need. Tell me which classics you need, and I'll have someone fetch them for you!"

"Classics related to Five-Colored Soil."

"Wait here." Wen Lingyou was very decisive.

Yu Ziqing looked hesitant, thought for a moment, and added.

"Oh, does the Lihuo Institute still have any Green Soil, Red Soil, or White Soil? Could you give me a little of each? Not much, just enough to plant twenty or thirty Spirit Plants is fine. I can trade with Black Soil or Yellow Soil."

Seeing Yu Ziqing seemingly having more to say, Wen Lingyou quickly interrupted.

"Do you think there's a lot of Five-Colored Soil?

There's no Green Soil, no Red Soil, and only a little White Soil that I could spare, enough for cultivating one Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure.

Don't look at me, there's no more, just this little bit, nothing to trade.

Wen Lingyou worked quickly, sending someone to deliver the classics and some sealed White Soil that very day.

He guarded it cautiously, only relaxing after Yu Ziqing left.

Yu Ziqing boarded a Flying Boat, continuing to Langya Institute. That little White Soil wasn't even enough to fill a tooth gap, probably not even enough for juice.

Other Magic Plants were out of the question, and the locust forest was even more impossible.

No wonder Dean Nong's eyes almost sparkled at the sight of Five-Colored Soil before.

This stuff is just too rare, and even purer samples are rarer still, plus it's consumable, so it's bound to be valuable.

Yu Ziqing clutched the classics and studied assiduously; the records didn't actually provide much of a pattern for Five-Colored Soil.

At most, certain environments were just slightly more likely to have it appear.

And the collection process wasn't like Yu Ziqing imagined, grabbing a shovel and digging; it resembled archaeology more, using a small brush to sweep, or akin to gold panning.

To paint a clearer picture, White Soil, for example, Yu Ziqing thought it resembled the process of collecting materials in a toilet to make phosphorus...