Recruiting Rogue Cultivators?

He Song's heart stirred. Lin Cong regarded him as a friend, enough to tell him even something as private as breaking through a realm.

If he still quibbled over those few Spirit Stones, that truly would be improper.

As He Song pondered this, his gaze toward Lin Cong carried a trace of emotion.

They had spent several years together.

Under Lin Cong's deliberate efforts to befriend him, the two had finally become friends.

Now that Lin Cong was willing to tell him about the secrets of breaking through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage, it meant that, at least at this moment, Lin Cong harbored absolutely no ill intentions toward him.

He believed that as long as he maintained his relationship with Lin Cong,

and continued to treat Lin Cong sincerely,

Lin Cong would naturally not treat him poorly.

Thoughts flashed through his mind. Then, inspiration struck He Song, and an idea of returning a peach for a plum immediately surfaced.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Lin, have you ever visited the Spirit Skill Pavilion?" Recalling how, when he had first entered the cultivation world, he had spent several days in the Spirit Skill Pavilion reading miscellaneous books, He Song asked directly.

Besides selling cultivation techniques and spells, the Spirit Skill Pavilion of Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market also had a large number of miscellaneous books available for reading.

These books encompassed everything: basic common knowledge of the cultivation world, introductions to some of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, and even the territories controlled by the major sects of the cultivation world.

However, if Rogue Cultivators wished to read them, they had to spend one Spirit Stone per day.

Since He Song had been an internal member of the Immortal Market at the time, he had not needed to spend Spirit Stones to read.

That had saved him quite a few Spirit Stones.

Though these miscellaneous books could not compare to the collections held by sects and clans, nor to the guidance of senior cultivators, they were still exceptionally precious to Rogue Cultivators.

If Lin Cong had never read them, He Song would recommend that he take a look. That way, he could gain some understanding of basic cultivation knowledge.

At the very least, it would make him less likely to be deceived in the future.

Thinking of how Lin Cong had run everywhere buying so-called breakthrough-assisting items in order to advance to the Qi Refining Middle Stage, He Song could not help but find it amusing.

If He Song himself were about to break through, he would certainly ask his friends first before making any purchases.

Meng Guan and Wei Fan, both at the Qi Refining Middle Stage or even the Qi Refining Late Stage, were far too familiar with the bottleneck between the early Qi Refining stage and the Qi Refining Middle Stage.

And now, with Lin Cong providing a live lesson right before him, He Song certainly would not repeat the same mistakes when he broke through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage.

"The Spirit Skill Pavilion? I did go there before to buy a few spells, but they were too expensive, so I rarely went after that. Whenever I learn spells now, I usually buy them in the Stall Area. They're much cheaper there," Lin Cong said thoughtfully.

But then, as though he had thought of something, a smile appeared on his face, and he continued.

"Could it be that Fellow Daoist He wants to buy spells at the Spirit Skill Pavilion? I'd advise you to buy them in the Stall Area instead. The spells sold there are much cheaper than those in the Spirit Skill Pavilion."

Facing Lin Cong's advice, He Song remained calm on the surface, though inwardly he felt somewhat helpless.

Sure enough.

A Rogue Cultivator was a Rogue Cultivator. All they looked at was the price.

Of course, if He Song himself had been a Rogue Cultivator, he would have done the same.

But He Song was not a Rogue Cultivator in the true sense. He was an Immortal Market cultivator, and also a transmigrator from an era of information explosion. He knew how important knowledge was.

Thus, although he could not compare to sect disciples or clan descendants, he was still better off than true Rogue Cultivators.

Knowledge cost money in the cultivation world as well.

Cultivation techniques required Spirit Stones.

Spells required Spirit Stones.

The Hundred Arts of Cultivation required Spirit Stones.

Even the miscellaneous books in the Spirit Skill Pavilion required Spirit Stones.

Judging from Lin Cong's current mindset, He Song felt that even if he told him about the miscellaneous books in the Spirit Skill Pavilion—that one Spirit Stone a day would quickly allow him to grasp all kinds of common knowledge about the cultivation world—the other man would likely decline to go because of the cost.

After thinking it over, He Song still shook his head.

Whether or not to say it was his own decision.

Whether or not to go was Lin Cong's decision.

Some things only needed to be done. So long as his conscience was clear, that was enough.

As for whether he could help Lin Cong, that depended on Lin Cong's own fortune.

He was not a nanny. He could not chase after Lin Cong and spoon-feed him.

"Not exactly. But the Spirit Skill Pavilion has all kinds of miscellaneous books. Reading them can quickly help one understand the cultivation world. If Fellow Daoist has the time, you can go take a look. It only costs one Spirit Stone a day, and you can probably finish them all in a few days, gaining a basic understanding of the cultivation world."

Though he told him truthfully, He Song did not hold much hope that Lin Cong would actually go.

But now that the words had left his mouth, He Song had no intention of taking them back.

It was enough to tell him honestly.

As for what came next, who could say?

With that thought in mind, He Song swept his gaze around and happened to see the waiter approaching with their dishes.

"Thank you for the advice, Fellow Daoist. Today, let's first drink until we cannot return; we can discuss visiting the Spirit Skill Pavilion tomorrow!" Lin Cong spotted the waiter as well and immediately forgot everything else, his anticipation turning toward the food.

Seeing this, He Song said nothing further. He set down his teacup and waited for the dishes to arrive.

Very soon.

A table full of exquisite dishes was placed before He Song and Lin Cong.

Threads of spiritual energy wafted from the dishes. With only a light sniff, one could feel the exhilarating sensation of spiritual energy entering the body.

The spiritual energy contained in those exquisitely prepared dishes was not to be underestimated.

At the same time, two bowls of spirit rice were brought to the table.

Spiritual ingredients, spirit rice, and demon beast meat.

Together, they formed this table of expensive spirit food.

In the cultivation world,

anything without spiritual energy was worthless.

But if it contained spiritual energy, then even an ordinary stone would be a Spirit Stone!

Once the food was served, He Song and Lin Cong quickly began to feast.

Yet as they ate and chatted idly, they also heard some rumors from the other tables.

The Red Spirit Gold Mine not far from Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market

had begun recruiting Rogue Cultivators ten days ago.

By now,

notices recruiting Rogue Cultivators to mine at the Red Spirit Gold Mine had spread throughout Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.

Besides Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, similar notices had also been posted in several Immortal Markets near the Red Spirit Gold Mine.

Lured by the high monthly pay of thirty Spirit Stones, Rogue Cultivators from several Immortal Markets flocked toward the Red Spirit Gold Mine.

However, the Red Spirit Gold Mine was not willing to recruit just anyone as miners.

Their cultivation had to be at least Qi Refining Layer 3.

Cultivators at Qi Refining Layer 1 and Qi Refining Layer 2 were completely excluded due to their low cultivation.

Only those whose cultivation had reached Qi Refining Layer 3 had a chance to enter the Red Spirit Gold Mine.

Naturally, the higher one's cultivation, the better.

Qi Refining Layer 3.

Qi Refining Middle Stage.

Qi Refining Late Stage.

So long as one's cultivation was high enough, one could enter.

Moreover, it was said that several Foundation Establishment cultivators were stationed within the Red Spirit Gold Mine. It could be said to be as impregnable as a fortress.

Such a powerful lineup, combined with a monthly reward of thirty Spirit Stones, drew countless Rogue Cultivators like moths to a flame.