After leaving Master Immortal Liu's place, Lu Ping had a rough understanding of the current situation. At the same time, he also learned from Master Immortal Liu about Zhenling's plans.
Lu Ping didn't find it strange that Master Immortal Liu knew so much about Zhenling's higher-ups. Ever since Master Immortal Liu advanced to the Late Blood Condensation Realm, he had always been steady, had a solid cultivation base, contributed to the sect, and was also the disciple of the sect's true disciple, Black Tortoise Enlightened Master. He was already a core disciple of the sect.
Lu Ping suggested to Master Immortal Liu that he build a cave abode on Huang Li Island. Although Master Immortal Liu was puzzled that Lu Ping didn't build a cave abode on Tian Ling Mountain, he didn't ask. The sect actually encouraged disciples to build their cave abodes outside of the sect's territory. This way, not only would it reduce the burden on Tian Ling Mountain's spirit vein, but it would also strengthen the sect's control over its territory. Master Immortal Liu only suggested that Lu Ping build his cave abode on the seabed. This way, it wouldn't be destroyed during the war between the two sects.
Master Immortal Liu's suggestion was exactly what Lu Ping wanted. It reminded him of Sheng Tao's Spiritual Herb Garden and the Green Sea Snake's nest. However, the Green Sea Snake's nest was in Xuan Ling Sect's territory, which was obviously not suitable. Moreover, the reef island had been ravaged by several battles, which limited the size of the cave abode.
Perhaps he could build his cave abode on Huang Li Island and move the spirit vein there. However, moving the spirit vein was not an easy task. The movement of the spirit vein would cause the ground to shake, which would inevitably attract the attention of other cultivators. He could only take it slow. For now, he had to build his cave abode first.
After entering the Blood Condensation Realm, not only was Lu Ping's divine sense twice as strong as an ordinary person's, but his senses were also much more sensitive. Lu Ping could sense several powerful auras on Xuan Qi Island. They should be Core Forging Enlightened Masters, but he couldn't guess the exact number. When Lu Ping stepped out of Xuan Qi Island, the auras suddenly disappeared. This surprised Lu Ping, and at the same time, he realized that this was probably a ploy against Xuan Ling Sect.
If the auras were spread all over Xuan Qi Island, the hundreds of cultivators on the island would understand the strength of the Xuan Ling Sect, and they would naturally be confident against the enemy. This was good for dispelling the panic before the war. At the same time, if the auras were not out of Xuan Qi Island, Xuan Ling Sect wouldn't be able to find out the truth of Zhenling's plan. If they misjudged the situation on Xuan Qi Island, Xuan Ling Sect would be in deep trouble again.
Lu Ping looked down on Xuan Ling Sect's series of actions. At the end of the day, the battle between the two sects was a battle of interests and cultivation resources. These were all related to whether a cultivator could achieve the Dao or not. In the cultivation world, there was a saying, "Stopping a cultivator from achieving the Dao is equivalent to killing one's parents."
On the other hand, Xuan Ling Sect was blindly trying to gain the upper hand in public opinion. After all, a battle of words and tongues was a mess. How could others know who was right and who was wrong? It was just a case of the winner taking all.
Just like the time when Zhenling insisted that Xuan Ling Sect and the other sects were spying on Xuan Ling Sect's secrets. Without any explanation, Xuan Ling Sect seized more than a dozen islands from Xuan Ling Sect and the other sects. How could Xuan Ling Sect have a chance to refute? When the dust settled and Xuan Ling Sect tried to defend themselves, they found out that in the eyes of the North Sea Alliance, they were already guilty of spying on others.
From Lu Ping's point of view, Qiao Xipeng entered Zhenling's waters to hunt down the Green Sea Snake in the name of avenging his brother was probably connived by Xuan Ling Sect. Xuan Ling Sect used this to provoke Zhenling. When Zhenling expelled Qiao Xipeng, Xuan Ling Sect could then use Zhenling's conspiracy to kill Xuan Ling Sect's disciples to unite with the other sects in the North Sea Alliance to punish Zhenling.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Xipeng's body was destroyed by Lu Ping, and the Green Sea Snake was killed in its own lair. Now, there was no evidence left, and Xuan Ling Sect's plan became useless.
When Xuan Ling Sect realized what was going on, Zhenling was already prepared, but Xuan Ling Sect was in a difficult position. To fight or not to fight became a problem.
If they fought, they wouldn't have the upper hand in public opinion. If they didn't fight, Xuan Ling Sect would suffer a huge loss for no reason, but they didn't have the guts to retaliate. What would happen to their pride as the number one sect in the North Sea?
After all, Xuan Ling Sect still didn't have the confidence to defeat Zhenling in terms of strength. Yet, they still claimed to be the number one sect in the North Sea. They forgot that dignity was earned by themselves, and status was supported by strength.
Lu Ping once again arrived at Di Kun Island. It was still bustling with activity, and there was no sign of war.
Lu Ping decided to build a cave abode on Huang Li Island. Coupled with the recent tense situation, he naturally had to make ample preparations.
When Lu Ping arrived at the Multi-Treasure Pavilion, the staff immediately brought him to the second floor. This was the place where Blood Condensation Realm cultivators frequented.
A steward came up to him and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist, you don't look familiar. Is this your first time coming to our pavilion?" His friendly demeanor made one feel a sense of familiarity.
Lu Ping didn't act pretentious and went straight to the point. "I've just entered the Blood Condensation Realm and am building a cave abode. I need a set of defensive formations. Do you have any suitable formation disks?"
The steward made an inviting gesture and led Lu Ping to the living room to serve him tea. After some small talk, Lu Ping learned that the steward's surname was Jia. A moment later, a staff came in with three sets of formation disks on wooden trays.
Steward Jia pointed at the three sets of formation disks and explained, "Lu Xiaoyou, these three sets of formation disks are top-notch formations for Blood Condensation Realm cultivators. The first set is engraved with the 'Lesser Three Talents Formation'. It's powerful and simple to set up. It's a common formation used by cultivators to protect their cave abodes, but it's also a formation that most cultivators are familiar with. The second set is called the 'Misty Sea Mirage Formation'. It's not very powerful, but it focuses on creating illusions. It's also quite effective and simple to set up. Most importantly, it's not too expensive. As for the third set, it's called the 'Ice River Killing Formation'. This formation isn't any weaker than the 'Lesser Three Talents Formation'. However, because it's complicated to set up and consumes a lot of energy, cultivators don't use it often.
It's also troublesome to decipher. Naturally, it's also the most expensive. Lu Ping thought for a moment and asked, "What requirements do these three formations have for the cultivator?"
Steward Jia praised and said, "Lu Xiaoyou is very thoughtful. The 'Lesser Three Talents Formation' can be used in a wide range of areas and doesn't have any special requirements. The 'Misty Sea Mirage Formation' is best used by cultivators who cultivate wind, water, ice, or wood elemental cultivation techniques. As for the 'Ice River Killing Formation', it's only suitable for cultivators who cultivate ice and water elemental cultivation techniques. "
Lu Ping's expression was calm. He pondered for a moment and asked, "How much is this' Ice River Killing Formation 'worth?"
Steward Jia's face lit up when he heard Lu Ping's answer. He knew that Lu Ping was a potential customer, so he said, "This formation is worth 5,000 spirit stones. However, since you're a new Blood Condensation cultivator, this Old Man will give you a 10% discount to celebrate your breakthrough!"
When Lu Ping heard the price of 5,000 spirit stones, his heart skipped a beat. Only then did he realize that he was no longer a Blood Refining cultivator. Lu Ping might be considered a wealthy man in the Blood Refining Realm, but in the eyes of a Blood Condensation cultivator, he was still a poor man.
Lu Ping gritted his teeth and took out 45 mid-grade spirit stones from his interspatial pouch and handed them to Steward Jia. With this, Lu Ping's gains from Qiao Xipeng and the 1,000 spirit stones given to him by the sect were almost used up.
Before leaving, Lu Ping told Steward Jia that he needed to take care of some miscellaneous items that he didn't need. At the same time, he also needed to consign some items for sale at the Multi-Treasures Pavilion's auction. Steward Jia ordered a shop assistant to bring Lu Ping to the auction. When Lu Ping came out of the Multi-Treasures Pavilion, he had 20 mid-grade spirit stones and an invitation to the Blood Condensation Realm auction that would be held on the 12th of April next year.
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