No choice.
To increase his cultivation quickly, he had to spend far more cultivation resources. Only with their help could his cultivation rise at such a rapid pace.
Otherwise, without a wealth of cultivation resources—
even with the talent of Three Spiritual Roots and the help of the Attribute Heavenly Book, his cultivation wouldn't be this high.
With a sigh, Zhao Huaian recalled the effects of the Yellow Dragon Pill and couldn't help shaking his head. "I can't buy any more Yellow Dragon Pills. I've been taking them in large quantities over the past few months, and I've already developed a degree of resistance to them. From now on, if I want to cultivate as quickly as before, I'll have to buy Tier One High-grade Pills."
"But there's no rush right now. I still have one bottle of Yellow Dragon Pills. Even if they're not as effective as before, I shouldn't waste them. I'll absorb them first."
"Once I've finished this bottle, I'll head to the Market and buy higher-grade pills that are better suited to my cultivation."
Zhao Huaian thought to himself.
As he spoke, he took out the bottle of Yellow Dragon Pills and swallowed them, then sat cross-legged on the ground and began cultivating.
Because of his resistance, the Yellow Dragon Pills were no longer very effective. Their potency was only around seventy percent of what it had been before.
He continued cultivating in his room.
Just as Zhao Huaian was immersed in cultivation, a crisp knocking suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard.
"Who is it?"
Zhao Huaian opened his eyes, pushed open the door with an annoyed expression, and walked into the courtyard.
He hated being interrupted while cultivating, because it delayed the growth of his cultivation proficiency.
"Junior Brother Zhao, it's me!"
Liu Yuanping's hearty voice came from outside the courtyard.
Hearing that it was Liu Yuanping, the annoyance on Zhao Huaian's face eased slightly. He forced a genial smile, released the courtyard's restrictions, and opened the gate.
Still, being cautious, he had already taken out a Concealment Talisman upon hearing Liu Yuanping's voice and hidden his cultivation at Qi Refining Layer Five.
With the courtyard gate open, Liu Yuanping and Liu Bohu stood outside.
Seeing them, Zhao Huaian smiled. "So it's Senior Brother Liu and Brother Bohu. It's been a while since I last saw you."
Liu Yuanping sized up Zhao Huaian's cultivation and laughed heartily. "Congratulations on reaching Qi Refining Layer Five, Junior Brother Zhao! With your Spiritual Energy so full, I'm sure it won't take more than a few months for you to reach Qi Refining Layer Six."
"I was lucky! I broke through to Qi Refining Layer Five just three months ago. I owe much of that to the courtyard Senior Brother Liu helped me rent. Otherwise, I wouldn't have advanced so quickly."
Zhao Huaian smiled modestly.
At the same time, he sized up Liu Bohu, who stood beside them.
Liu Bohu was also at Qi Refining Layer Five.
However, the Spiritual Energy around him was somewhat unsettled, and his foundation seemed unstable. Clearly, he had broken through within the past two or three days.
Feeling Zhao Huaian's gaze, Liu Bohu gave a bitter smile. "You're the impressive one, Brother Zhao. You reached Qi Refining Layer Five three months ago. Bohu can't compare. At this rate, I'm afraid you'll leave me in the dust."
Zhao Huaian smiled and reassured Liu Bohu. "That's only because of the cultivation resources and environment I've had. I also got some Spiritual Medicine while out on a mission. Otherwise, I wouldn't have advanced so quickly."
Liu Bohu nodded without speaking.
He knew Zhao Huaian was only trying to comfort him.
Over the past few months, he had also used a great deal of cultivation resources.
Even so, despite rushing to catch up, he had only broken through to Qi Refining Layer Five two days ago. That was simply a fact.
Seeing Liu Bohu fall silent, Zhao Huaian said no more. Instead, he looked at Liu Yuanping and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Liu, you and Brother Bohu don't usually come to see me unless something's up. What brings you here today?"
Over these past four months, Zhao Huaian had only seen Liu Yuanping and Liu Bohu a handful of times.
They also knew he had been quietly cultivating in seclusion, so they wouldn't come bother him without a reason.
Now that the two of them had shown up together at his door, they had to have come on business.
Liu Yuanping nodded and smiled. "You're as sharp as ever, Junior Brother Zhao. I won't beat around the bush. Bohu and I came to invite you to join us on a trip to Black Wind Island."
"Black Wind Island?"
Zhao Huaian furrowed his brow and looked at Liu Yuanping in confusion. "That island is a long way from here. What business do you have there?"
As far as he knew, Black Wind Island lay outside Greenwood Sect's territory, as well as that of the other sects. It was a gathering place for Rogue Cultivators and small sects.
Liu Yuanping's sudden invitation to Black Wind Island left him puzzled.
Seeing Zhao Huaian's confusion, Liu Yuanping explained, "Junior Brother Zhao, do you remember how I once told you I planned to take that Sword Dao inheritance to an auction hosted by Rogue Cultivators?"
Zhao Huaian nodded. "Of course. But at the time, Senior Brother Liu was short on Spirit Stones, so you sold it to my Sword Cultivator friend for six hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones."
As he spoke, Zhao Huaian suddenly understood. "I see. So that auction hosted by Rogue Cultivators is on Black Wind Island?"
Liu Yuanping nodded. "That's right. We're heading to Black Wind Island to attend an auction held jointly by the Rogue Cultivators.
"On the one hand, our Task Team has acquired quite a few valuable items over the past few months, and they should fetch a better price at an auction hosted by Rogue Cultivators.
"On the other hand, we've heard some things. They say this auction on Black Wind Island will feature several precious items. There are even rumors that a Foundation Establishment Pill will be up for sale, so we want to see if we can find a bargain."
Hearing Liu Yuanping's explanation, Zhao Huaian slowly nodded. He looked at him hesitantly and said, "I understand the situation now, but why invite me along, Senior Brother Liu?"
That was what Zhao Huaian couldn't understand.
By rights, Liu Yuanping's Task Team could attend the auction on their own. Why invite him?
After all, the strength he showed on the surface was only Qi Refining Layer Five.
As if he could see Zhao Huaian's hesitation, Liu Yuanping smiled and explained, "The journey to Black Wind Island is long, and it isn't Greenwood Sect territory. If we run into some Rogue Cultivators looking for trouble, there could be a fight.
"But with Junior Brother Zhao by our side, things will be different. Your Medical Skill is superb. If any of us is badly injured or gets poisoned in a sneak attack, you'll be able to treat us in time.
"Of course, your safety will be my top priority. After we return from Black Wind Island, I'll also give you a handsome reward."
"So that's it..."
Zhao Huaian understood.
No wonder Liu Yuanping had suddenly come to see him. So that was what he was after.
But Zhao Huaian didn't care about the handsome reward Liu Yuanping had offered.
After all, he had the Art of Drawing Spirit Talismans. He wasn't short of a few measly scraps.
After some thought, Zhao Huaian shook his head and declined. "I think I'll pass. You know I'm a quiet person, Senior Brother Liu. My greatest pleasure is cultivating in seclusion. The journey to Black Wind Island is long, and I'm afraid I'm not up to the task."
Liu Yuanping didn't take offense at Zhao Huaian's refusal. He simply nodded with a smile. "In that case, I won't disturb you any further, Junior Brother Zhao. But if anyone from my Task Team comes to you for help with treatment or detoxification in the future, I hope you won't turn them away."
Zhao Huaian nodded with a smile. "Of course. As long as it's within my abilities, I'll do my best."
"Very well!"
Liu Yuanping smiled and cupped his hands in farewell, then left with Liu Bohu.
Watching them go, Zhao Huaian shook his head and returned to the courtyard.
But he didn't resume cultivating.
Instead, he lay back in a chair in the courtyard and gazed at the peach tree, as if pondering something.
Before you continue