"Since that's the case, I won't stand on ceremony."
Fang Qing didn't refuse. He accepted the Ten-Thousand-Year Skyblue Essence outright.
He was still some distance from reaching the limit of his Core Formation Early Stage cultivation, so this item was just what he needed.
Once his cultivation reached perfection, with the Mystic Star Flying-Waterfall Pill in hand, he could immediately advance to the middle stage of Core Formation!
Then, when he went to explore secret realms and seek his fortunes, he would be safer and better prepared.
"This man really does take whatever benefits he's offered..."
Zhan Hongxiu's heart stirred. For some reason, she felt a little more at ease. After a moment's thought, she finally spoke. "Fellow Daoist, your swordsmanship is divine... This humble woman has one more matter for which she'd like to ask your help." "Oh? What is it?"
Fang Qing replied calmly. He knew that the great fortune foretold by his divination was about to arrive.
"I wish to explore a secret-realm ruin..."
Zhan Hongxiu spoke after a moment's thought. "This secret realm lies in the East Sea. I discovered it while traveling during Foundation Establishment. It's extremely dangerous inside. Without Core Formation cultivation, no one would dare explore it deeply... Even now that I've reached Core Formation, I may not have much confidence. But with you joining me, things would be different."
"A secret realm?"
Fang Qing didn't agree right away. Instead, he asked, "What benefits does it hold?"
"How would I know? But judging by what I've seen from the outskirts, it was at least left behind by a Nascent Soul faction... Perhaps there's even a Nascent Soul opportunity inside."
Zhan Hongxiu said, "To be frank, there's something in that secret realm that I'm determined to obtain. It's needed to refine my Life-Bound Artifact...