Chapter 26 – The Best Way to Expand the Mine

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Jin So-myeong, who wore the Faceless Mask, checked his future plans while heading to the Inner City.

‘I don’t intend to stay in the Red Yang Sect for long.’

Secret techniques not distributed in the market, high-quality spiritual veins, and so on. Although there were countless things he could obtain, it was not a place to stay for long.

After receiving enough help for cultivation.

Once he found out the preparations needed for Foundation Establishment and the internal information of the Red Cloud Secret Realm, it did not matter if he left at any time.

His goal was always one.

It was precisely to obtain a Foundation Establishment spiritual object from the Red Cloud Secret Realm.

For this, he had to increase his strength as much as possible, even a day faster.

He had to sprint with all his might, not merely exaggerate his efforts.

This was because that place was dangerous even to those in the late stage of Qi Condensation.

‘I just need to learn a decent cultivation method in the Red Yang Sect, focus on cultivation until the secret realm opens, and then obtain the Foundation Establishment spiritual object and leave for another city.’

Of course. Just because he obtained the Foundation Establishment spiritual object in the secret realm did not mean it immediately became his own possession.

That was too naive a thought.

In the first place, this world was not that peaceful.

It was obvious that the numerous experts who would wait at the exit of the secret realm would search his body and take it away.

If he disliked that, he had to belong to various forces and offer tributes to save even a portion of it.

‘But I have my sub-space.’

If he swept and packed all the Foundation Establishment spiritual objects and various treasures into his sub-space and came out, who would know?

Naturally, they would not even be able to take it away.

It was a benefit that only Jin So-myeong could obtain, which was impossible for other cultivators.

‘Whew.’

Taking a deep breath, he steeled his mind.

Now, the remaining task was simple and clear.

It was to mobilize all methods to possess the strength to compete with those in the late stage of Qi Condensation.

Recalling his goal, Jin So-myeong headed straight to the Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

This was to find out a way to leave for another city.

“Shopkeeper. Give me five Qi Condensing Pills.”

To buy a merchant’s favor, one had to spend money.

Before bringing up his real business, he ordered the necessary items first.

“Currently, a Qi Condensing Pill is twenty-five spirit stones per pill. Will that be alright?”

As Jin So-myeong nodded boisterously as if it did not matter, the branch steward’s eyes changed.

Was it because of the smell of spirit stones he subtly revealed?

The owner’s waist bent even lower. He spoke in a polite attitude as if serving a master.

“Guest. Do you perhaps plan to consume these Qi Condensing Pills alone?”

“…That is so, but?”

“I do not know if you are aware, guest, but because the Qi Condensing Pill is on the side of having very strong medicinal efficacy, consuming several of them in a short period leaves pill toxins in the body. It is not recommended.”

“Pill toxins?”

“Yes. Even if it is a medicinal pill made from spiritual herbs, there are bound to be impurities. If you consume too many, although the cultivation speed will be fast for now, it is not good in the long run.”

Jin So-myeong frowned. The matter of pill toxins was a fact he also already knew.

However, it was a bit strange for a merchant selling goods to point out such a disadvantage.

“I also already knew about pill toxins, but… I do not know the appropriate consumption cycle of the Qi Condensing Pill well. Once every how many days should I consume it?”

“Haha. Consuming one Qi Condensing Pill a month is the most ideal dosage.”

“A month?”

His brow furrowed of its own accord. His income had suddenly jumped to ten spirit stones a day before he knew it.

Despite having such an immense income, being told to consume only one Qi Condensing Pill a month was no different from torture.

“Of course!”

The merchant, who suddenly shouted loudly to draw attention, spoke with a smirk.

“It must be a difficult matter for someone wealthy like you, guest. But how many things in the world cannot be done with spirit stones? Naturally, there is a solution.”

“…Hmm?”

“Usually, the quality of the Qi Condensing Pills sold in the market is low-grade. Naturally, above low-grade, there are mid-grade and high-grade, right? Since mid-grade Qi Condensing Pills have fewer impurities, it is alright to consume them frequently.”

Only now did he realize the reason why the opponent went out of his way to tell him the disadvantage of the Qi Condensing Pill.

It was to sell more expensive and better goods.

“So how much is a mid-grade, or rather, high-grade Qi Condensing Pill?”

If he was going to consume them anyway, he had to consume the best. If it was related to cultivation, he had no intention of sparing spirit stones.

“Haha… Guest. I am sorry, but we do not sell the high-grade ones. Because the production volume is extremely small, all quantities enter great immortal sects.”

The branch steward, who apologized by bowing his head awkwardly, spoke next.

“But mid-grade is also fine. The recommended consumption cycle is fifteen days, and the price is fifty spirit stones per pill!”

“Fifteen days… That is certainly not bad.”

It was much better than the low-grade Qi Condensing Pill. Although the price was somewhat expensive, it was manageable with his current income.

“Give me three mid-grade ones.”

“You are truly boisterous! Thank you, guest!”

The gleeful owner held out the mid-grade Qi Condensing Pills packed in a luxurious container, and he paid the spirit stones without a complaint.

When they finished the transaction cleanly, at that moment when the branch steward, who had become even more polite, bent his waist at a right angle.

Jin So-myeong brought up his real business.

“Shopkeeper. I have something I am curious about; is it alright if I ask a question?”

“Yes? Of course. If I know it, I will tell you everything.”

Certainly, the power of wealth was formidable.

It had changed even the attitude of the branch steward, who previously tried to sell information.

“It is nothing major. Could you tell me if there is a city near Red Yang Market that is good for cultivating? I came here by chance, but I do not like it very much.”

“Ah. I see.”

A sense of relief flickered on the owner’s expression. He seemed relieved that it was not a difficult question.

The branch steward, who was about to say something, faltered. Tilting his head, he spoke as if finding it strange.

“Guest. The Red Cloud Secret Realm will open soon. Do you intend to leave on purpose? Lately, everyone is anxious to come here.”

“That is why I intend to leave even more. All sorts of riffraff will gather, so how could I cultivate when it is noisy?”

“Indeed. If it is someone wealthy like you, guest, you would not need to hang onto the Red Cloud Secret Realm. It is enough to cultivate leisurely…”

The branch steward, who agreed as if convinced, spoke.

“There is Yellow Wind Market two hundred li to the east. Also, if you go south…”

Listening to the explanation that continued on, Jin So-myeong drew a map in his mind.

‘There are incredibly many places similar to Red Yang Market. With my ability, leaving is not impossible either.’

For almost five minutes.

The branch steward, who explained the surrounding geography without resting even for a moment, laughed awkwardly.

“Actually, those places are all Foundation Establishment-level forces, having no big difference from Red Yang Market. If you do not like it here, it will be the same even if you go elsewhere. I would rather recommend going to a Golden Core-grade city.”

“A Golden Core-grade city?”

“Yes. Azure Elixir City is located two thousand li away. It is a place dozens of times larger than Red Yang Market.”

Red Yang Market was also quite large. The number of cultivators excluding mortals was at least tens of thousands.

But dozens of times. Although it was hard to believe easily, it was reasonable upon careful thought.

Golden Core was the realm after Foundation Establishment.

Just their lifespan alone exceeded five hundred years, a true transcendent.

Half of a thousand years was a massive amount of time that even ordinary countries found hard to endure.

Since a single living organism endured the weight of that time, it was hard to even imagine how great it would be.

“The Azure Elixir Merchant who rules Azure Elixir City is very generous to rogue cultivators. Azure Elixir City is a place so good to cultivate that it is called the holy land of rogue cultivators.”

A holy land of cultivation. As he murmured that word, his heart trembled for some reason. He had a premonition that he would go there someday.

“Shopkeeper. Do you also sell maps at the Thousand Treasures Pavilion?”

“Of course we sell them, but… you do not plan to fly there directly yourself, do you, guest?”

Naturally, he did not.

Jin So-myeong was occasionally bold, but he did not overdo it unless it was necessary.

A few hundred li was a distance worth challenging, but two thousand li was absurd.

However, he asked back without showing it off particularly.

“…Is there some problem?”

“Phew! It is a relief that I asked out of anxiety. I have saved a human life.”

The branch steward, who was exaggeratingly relieved as if boasting of his merit, spoke with a laugh.

“It is just that the straight-line distance to Azure Elixir City is two thousand li. To actually go, you have to detour tremendously. Also, because there are many dangerous zones in between, you will die along the way with a Qi Condensation cultivator’s skill.”

“Hoh. Is it that dangerous?”

“Of course. To go to Azure Elixir City, one must pass through the outskirts of the Myriad Desolation Mountain Range, and the mountain range is swarming with all kinds of demonic beasts. Demonic beasts at the Foundation Establishment level are also spread everywhere, making it an extremely dangerous place.”

Jin So-myeong scowled at the sight of him trembling as if it was terrifying just to imagine.

One never knew how things in the world would go.

If the worst situation struck, there would be no choice.

In case he had to leave even a moment sooner, he had intended to try flying directly, but looking at it now, it was an impossible task.

“Shopkeeper. I heard that the Thousand Treasures Pavilion is a giant chamber of commerce connected to other regions as well. Is that correct?”

“Yes? That is correct, but…”

To the branch steward who was bewildered by the sudden question that even changed his tone, he asked in a subtle voice.

“Then there must be transport means to go to other regions as well?”

“Uh, mm.”

He thought it was not a very difficult question, but the answer was slow.

For some reason, the branch steward, who hesitated slightly, spoke with a sigh.

“So you wish to ride our Thousand Treasures Pavilion transport ship to Azure Elixir City, guest? Haa! It is possible. You just need to pay five hundred spirit stones.”

“…Five hundred?”

His brow furrowed of its own accord at the enormous rip-off that blatantly fleeced him.

Why was it this expensive?

Five hundred spirit stones was a fortune that ordinary low-grade cultivators could not even dream of.

“Actually, we cannot help it either. Going to other cities is incredibly difficult and dangerous. Since we must take responsibility for that safety, it is naturally expensive.”

The branch steward himself seemed to feel guilty. Muttering excuses that were not even asked, he slily surveyed the surroundings.

He whispered quietly as if talking behind someone’s back.

“And the most important reason is… the people above do not really like low-grade cultivators moving around freely.”

“Ah.”

All situations became clear at the words the owner added.

Earth also prevented laborers like serfs from leaving randomly in the past.

This was because labor itself was a kind of wealth.

“I understand. I am not leaving immediately anyway, so just give me a map. I will visit with spirit stones later.”

“Hahaha. Good. Just let me know at any time. I will arrange a seat on the transport ship.”

Certainly, spirit stones were good.

Leaving behind the kind owner who came out of the door and bowed his waist, he strolled through the market.

‘I have found the escape route. If things go wrong, I can just leave.’

Now, the important thing was the way to flee from right before the eyes of the Foundation Establishment old monster.

Frankly, the moment he became the target of a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator, he judged the possibility of surviving intact was low, but there was nothing bad about preparing.

‘If I pour the Breath Concealing Art mastered up to the proficiency stage along with the Supreme Great Ability… will it work even against Foundation Establishment?’

If the stealth spell worked, there was a possibility of fleeing even if he diverted their attention for just an instant.

He wanted to test it, but it was impossible. Because there was no kind senior who would play along according to his intentions.

“Eh, whatever.”

What couldn’t be done, couldn’t be done.

Shaking off his regret, he decided to be satisfied with just doing his best.

Strolling through the market, he looked around to see if there was any item that would help in fleeing.

“Poison Smoke Bomb ?”

He discovered a fairly decent item in a shop.

The cultivator sitting at the counter spoke with a smirk.

“You have quite an eye. When that Poison Smoke Bomb explodes, it spreads thick toxic smoke within a radius of three zhang. It is perfect for escaping in dangerous moments.”

“Hmm. If it is toxic smoke, isn’t it dangerous to me as well?”

“Naturally, you must take the antidote. If you inhale the poison without the antidote, your dantian will harden stiffly, so it must be handled carefully. I will sell it for twenty spirit stones, including the antidote.”

“It disappears after a single use, yet it is too expensive. If it is ten spirit stones, I will buy two bundles.”

“…Thirty-five for two bundles.”

Only after arguing for a long time did the transaction barely finish.

Jin So-myeong, who stored the Poison Smoke Bombs in his sub-space, was satisfied.

With just this one, it would not work against the Foundation Establishment old monster, but if similar items accumulated, one never knew.

His eyes gleaming, he diligently wandered around the market.

If it seemed useful, he purchased it without hesitation.

Around the time when the sun set and the sunset dyed the sky.

Jin So-myeong, who finished the transactions, shook his head. This was because the spirit stones he had diligently gathered in the meantime were almost depleted.

‘An income of ten spirit stones a day is not small, yet I spent it all already.’

As expected, money was useless no matter how much one had. Because the more one earned, the larger one’s spending became.

For reference, So Yo-gwang’s storage pouch obtained this time was completely empty, so he simply absorbed it into the Secret Realm of the Mind.

The fellow was a pauper. It was a part from which one could know how poorly Beom Chang had treated him.

‘…Should I expand the mine further?’

In fact, there was no need to even contemplate. If only it was possible, Jin So-myeong naturally wanted to do so.

But there was a problem.

【The Spirit Stone Mine has reached the limit of Rank 1 low-grade.】

He could only let out a sigh at the information provided by the status window, the information system he had created.

Originally, it was fine to invest even a small amount of spirit stones into the mine. It grew steadily, albeit little by little.

But.

【To grow the mine to Rank 1 mid-grade, 1,000 spirit stones are required.】

Breaking through ranks was different. Just like a cultivator breaking through realms, some conditions were required.

‘To think I have to invest 1,000 spirit stones at once.’

To gather a thousand spirit stones, he had to not spend a single penny for a hundred days.

Of course, that was not an easy task.

Putting other things aside, he could not reduce medicinal pills for cultivation and cave dwelling rent.

Currently, it was an important period.

He could not slow down his cultivation speed even slightly.

This was because strong power was needed to beat the competitors and obtain the Foundation Establishment spiritual object in the Red Cloud Secret Realm.

In a life-and-death fight, life and death were decided by a hair’s breadth.

No one knew what kind of outcome that slight lack of a single step would bring.

To avoid regret, he had to do his best.

Because if he missed this opportunity, the next secret realm would open only thirty years later.

‘…No. There is a way.’

Suddenly, a decent idea came to mind.

He had a wealthy slave called Beom Chang.

He just needed to squeeze the fellow for about 1,000 spirit stones.

‘Since he is a fellow with plenty of spirit stones, it should be fine. It is also insolent of him to be richer than his master.’

With this method, he did not have to gather spirit stones with difficulty for a hundred days.

Since his cultivation also would not slow down, it was a perfect solution!

Of course, Beom Chang would dislike it, but it was not particularly important.