"Once my exclusive territory is built, I can find a way to bring Zhou old man back. By then, this lazy old geezer will probably be stunned..."

As Qi Ping grew increasingly familiar with illusion and concealment arrays, he knew that day would come soon.

Zhou old man had been in the mortal world for a long time. Given the thinness of spiritual qi in the mortal world, his lifespan would shorten once resources were depleted.

So as long as the territory could guarantee Zhou old man's safety, he could bring him back.

Qi Ping didn't want an accident to cause Zhou old man to pass away alone in the mortal world, which would leave Qi Ping feeling guilty for life.

Zhou old man had already met one such disciple. If Qi Ping did the same, no matter how open-minded Zhou old man was, he would probably be utterly disappointed.

Thinking of this, Qi Ping's urgency to study arrays grew stronger.

However, just as Qi Ping was delving into Tier One intermediate illusion arrays, unexpected guests arrived.

A stunning woman, dressed in luxurious red attire full of nobility, descended upon Qi Ping's mountain peak with several maids.

And at first glance, Qi Ping recognized the identity of this stunning woman:

That mysterious alchemist who used the Divine Soul Pill as bait to gather information everywhere in Cyan Stone Marketplace!

The reason Qi Ping could recognize her was that Boss Gao had later shown him a portrait of this mysterious alchemist.

A woman in red, stunning beyond compare, probably she's the only one in Qingshi County.

Qi Ping couldn't help but sigh at this.

This group of people finally sought him out; Boss Gao's previous worries and warnings were validated at this moment!

Traces left from purchasing Yaya were finally exposed at this moment!

However, Qi Ping didn't feel much panic inside.

The highest cultivation level on the opposite end was only the ninth-layer of Qi refining, which posed little threat to Qi Ping at present.

The Natural Perception talent didn't sense danger, further proving the other side didn't have the ability to threaten him.

However, what puzzled Qi Ping most was that the Natural Perception talent vaguely sensed that something good was going to happen!

This piqued Qi Ping's curiosity.

Otherwise, if not for this, he would've transformed into a bee and fled by now, not even considering looting and killing.

Even if the other party was a wealthy alchemist, Qi Ping didn't want a life-and-death confrontation unless necessary.

Of course, if there was a reason for battle or provocation, Qi Ping wouldn't hold back... and he never has.

Even though robbing might bring instant wealth, it still held limited appeal for Qi Ping.

Besides the high risk, the main reason was that Qi Ping preferred to accumulate spirit stones through farming.

And being a Druid is incredibly suitable for accumulating spirit stones through commerce!

Currently, one difficulty was that the output of Spiritual Nectar had almost reached a limit. It wasn't that Qi Ping couldn't expand production, but if the output increased again, the risks would be huge.

Qi Ping didn't want to be targeted by high-level cultivators for this reason.

So the prudent path forward was to produce and sell other items, and it couldn't be honey. The output of honey had to stay within a level corresponding to Qi Ping's power, such that any enemies attracted could be assuredly dealt with by Qi Ping.

Fortunately, Qi Ping had awakened as a Tree Shepherd and could use the Tree Spirit Contract ability to contract and cultivate spirit trees like Star Spirit Wood, capable of producing resources like Essence of the Moon, Spiritual Liquid, and Ore Essence, which could be sold for spirit stones.

As long as Qi Ping changed identities to sell these items, he wouldn't be targeted by high-level cultivators for amassing many spirit stones.

All he had to do was figure out how to acquire the corresponding spirit trees and magic; currently, Qi Ping could contract only the Star Spirit Wood and the corresponding Spirit Gathering Technique.

The Spirit Gathering Technique could greatly enhance the Star Spirit Wood's ability to gather spiritual qi, thereby continuously concentrating spiritual qi to create a spiritual land.

Yet, Qi Ping was most curious about why the red-dressed woman before him would cause the Natural Perception talent to sense an impending good event.

It seemed to be the first time such a trigger had occurred since Qi Ping obtained the Natural Perception talent.

Just that the curiosity in Qi Ping's heart made it hard to hold back in the next second...

...

"The master wants to ask you some questions, hurry over!" a maid shouted at Qi Ping.

As she spoke, the ninth-layer of Qi Refining spiritual power suddenly swept toward Qi Ping, wanting to seize him for questioning.

Seeing this, Qi Ping's face immediately darkened.

Good event?

Is this the good event that was supposed to happen?

Could it be that the Natural Perception talent sometimes fails?

It's just that Qi Ping had tested this talent many times and was mostly certain it had no issues.

But how to explain the current situation?

Just as Qi Ping's gaze fixed and he prepared to act, the maid's actions were interrupted.

"Xiao Lan, don't be rude!"

The noble-looking woman in red lightly reprimanded, immediately intervening to block the ninth-layer Qi Refining maid's spiritual power.

Then, she slapped the maid heavily on the face.

The maid named Xiao Lan spat out a mouthful of blood with teeth, her cheek swelling high.

This maneuver surprised Qi Ping slightly.

The red-dressed woman was no ordinary strength!

At the same ninth-layer of Qi refining, she managed to intercept the maid's attack even with a slower reaction, a strength comparable to Meng Yan. No wonder Boss Gao said Meng Yan was wary of her.

After hitting the maid, the woman in red turned to Qi Ping and slightly bowed.

"My maid was rude and unknowingly offended Young Master Qi. I apologize on her behalf; I hope Young Master Qi won't hold a grudge..."

With that, the woman in red took out a special jade box from her storage ring, wrapping it and a jade talisman with spiritual power, and placed them at a not too far or close distance to Qi Ping.

This was the safe distance for strangers transmitting items to each other; after all, no one can be sure if what the other party is handing over is dangerous.

"These are two Soul Nourishing Grass, a specialty from my home, offered as an apology for the maid's recklessness. I hope Young Master Qi will accept them..."

The red-dressed woman finished speaking, bowed again to Qi Ping, and meanwhile, observed Qi Ping somewhat curiously with her peripheral vision.

Her actions weren't out of kindness but because, at the moment the maid acted, she was instantly engulfed by a huge sense of terror and crisis.

So she immediately stepped in to interrupt the maid and then punished her before offering the rather precious Soul Nourishing Grass. Judging from Qi Ping's demeanor, he seemed inclined towards cultivating spirit plants, hence choosing two still-living Soul Nourishing Grass instead of a Soul Nourishing Pill.

As conferred by her choice, once she sent the Soul Nourishing Grass, the crisis that enveloped her heart gradually faded, allowing her to secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Good heavens, she almost bit the dust!

The jade talisman signaled an obvious intent too; it was a gesture of friendship.

Her family excelled in trade, best known for forging potential friendships far and wide, a crucial factor in her family's prosperity.

Qi Ping, being younger, yet capable of evoking such an overwhelming sense of crisis in her, was worthwhile enough to pursue for friendship from that reason alone.

As for coveting the secrets Qi Ping carried, she harbored none, as her family principles dictate never to provoke individuals like Qi Ping. If offense occurred accidentally, they must immediately apologize and endeavour to mend relations.

If grievances persisted, they would notify the family, permitting the family to decide whether to extend further apologies, feign reconciliation, or fully eradicate the threat!

This understanding, grounded in countless generations of business and interpersonal acumen, sustained her family's continued flourishing.

Qi Ping was also caught off guard by the Soul Nourishing Grass suddenly presented to him.

The apology was quite sincere.

However, while the Soul Nourishing Grass was precious, it certainly didn't warrant such a strong response from the Natural Perception talent; he could procure it himself through Meng Yan.

"Could it be because of this jade talisman?"

Having read many books, Qi Ping naturally knew it meant a desire for friendship and future exchanges.

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