They chatted for a while.
Li Ping's gaze settled on the Desolate Fire Sparrow and Blazing Sun Bird chasing each other playfully in the courtyard, but he asked calmly, "Yunzhi, what are your plans for a place to attempt core formation?"
Xiao Yunzhi had been lost in thought about something. At Li Ping's question, she looked slightly bewildered.
Only after a moment did she slowly speak, anticipation on her face. "I don't have any particular plans yet. Do you have any suggestions, Brother Li?"
"My suggestions?" Li Ping was momentarily taken aback.
After a long moment of thought, he said evenly, "I provoked a powerful enemy in the Western Wasteland, so I won't return there before reaching core formation. Before the Beast Tide broke out in the Ice Sea, there wouldn't have been much of a problem with you returning to the Western Wasteland alone."
Xiao Yunzhi nodded, though there was no telling what she was thinking.
"But now..." Li Ping changed tack, his expression turning solemn. "With the Beast Tide underway, large numbers of demon beasts have appeared around Snowflight City, including late second-tier beasts. Even I can't be sure whether third-tier greater demons are lurking among them. You might encounter danger if you leave Snowflight City alone."
Hearing his words, Xiao Yunzhi beamed. "Are you worried about me, Brother Li?"
"I'm merely analyzing the situation for you." Li Ping shook his head, then continued, "So I suggest you stay in Snowflight City for now. Later, I'll sound things out through Shi Yutong. If we can negotiate terms with the Snowflight Sect, paying a price to use its third-tier spiritual vein to attempt core formation would be a viable option."
Third-tier spiritual veins were incomparably precious.
Especially in a barren region like the Far North, the eight third-tier spiritual