"A mere five-spirit root, yet you can bring such tremendous changes to the spirit fields. Then... you must possess a special constitution found in one person out of ten thousand!"
"This special constitution should at least ensure you reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. When that happens, we can entrust the sect's Mystic Tier spirit plants to you."
"Even if you can't do anything as terrifying as halving their growth cycle outright, as you do now, increasing their growth rate by ten or twenty percent would still be astonishing!"
A sect's prosperity could not be sustained by a single supreme expert.
But with someone like Lin Mo, its logistical problems fell into place like a blade cutting through bamboo.
Liu Xianzong was deeply envious when he heard this.
Reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining would be the absolute limit for him in this lifetime.
Lin Mo, however, would get to see an entirely different world.
"I'll report this to the Sect Master and secure the treatment you deserve."
Wang Qiuru had barely finished speaking when Lin Mo stopped her again.
Lin Mo leaned down and whispered something into Wang Qiuru's ear. Understanding dawned on her face, and after a moment's hesitation, she nodded. "Rest assured. I know what to do."
"But as the steward of the Spirit Plant Courtyard, I must show my appreciation somehow."
"From now on, your benefits will be issued according to the standards for Inner Sect Disciples. If you need anything, just send someone to let me know."
With that, she smiled again, gave Lin Mo an approving look, and finally turned to leave.
She's finally gone.
Lin Mo let out a sigh of relief.
Liu Xianzong pursed his lips, then stepped forward and draped an arm around Lin Mo with a grin. "Kid, you've soared straight into the heavens overnight. You have to treat me to a meal."
He was a clever man who knew what to say and what to keep to himself.
In truth, what Lin Mo had said just now was very simple.
He had merely mentioned, "The Sect Master has known for some time."
Not only had he successfully sent Wang Qiuru on her way, keeping himself out of the sect's upper echelons' sight while he was still weak, but he had also provided an explanation for Zhou Ge's different attitude toward him.
Two birds with one stone.
Steward Wang also believed she had glimpsed some plan of the higher-ups, so she would never casually share this matter with outsiders.
That evening, Lin Mo changed into dark clothes for moving at night, put on a mask he had never worn before outsiders, and headed toward the Black Market.
The Qi Refining Realm was really just the foundation of the cultivation path. Its cultivators had yet to transcend the mortal category, and their means were limited.
With a mask and a few additional disguise techniques, even a Golden Core True Lord would have difficulty discovering Lin Mo's true appearance unless they deliberately examined him.
Besides, how could a Golden Core True Lord be so easy to encounter? This was more than enough to conceal him from Qi Refining disciples.
He made a circuit of the Black Market, traded for a minor art, then came to the black-robed man's stall.
"Business has been quite good for you these past couple of days."
After two transactions, he and the black-robed man had become considerably more familiar.
Recognizing Lin Mo's voice, the black-robed man smiled and cupped his hands. "I've earned quite a bit from commissions alone these past few days. The Azure Cloud Sect hasn't been peaceful lately, and I've reaped the benefits."
What did he mean?
He wasn't from the Azure Cloud Sect?
This was inside the Azure Cloud Sect's grounds, and everyone coming and going was a disciple. How could an outsider be here?
And why did everyone treat him respectfully while keeping their distance?
"I'm from the Penglai Commerce Association."
The black-robed man smiled.
The Penglai Commerce Association was one of the most powerful forces in this world, its tendrils reaching into every inch of land.
Thus, even in the Vast Mountains, there were people from the Penglai Commerce Association.
Early in their expansion, they had already proclaimed their strength with blood and bones.
The Azure Cloud Sect naturally knew this as well, and therefore did not dare offend the Penglai Commerce Association.
Even if the black-robed man belonged to the association's lowest ranks, or was merely an insignificant Qi Refining Realm cultivator, those Inner Sect Disciples-and even the Inner and Outer Elders-had to treat him courteously.
One could even say that this Black Market was a bridge connecting the Azure Cloud Sect with the Penglai Commerce Association.
"Forgive my lack of courtesy."
Lin Mo cupped his hands in return.
There was no trace of surprise in his voice.
This was not because Lin Mo was shrewd enough to keep his emotions from showing.
Rather, his standing was simply too low for him to know what the Penglai Commerce Association represented.
He merely guessed from the black-robed man's tone that the association must be a very famous organization.
There was no better illustration of a newborn calf having no fear of the tiger.
"I've been keeping that cultivation method for you all this time. Have you brought what I wanted?"
The black-robed man asked.
After pondering for a moment, Lin Mo said, "I have something here that I'd like you to appraise, to see exactly how much it's worth."
This black-robed man might know the effects of the advanced Fire Spirit Fruit.
After activating a screening formation, the black-robed man said confidently, "Take it out and let me have a look."
Although his cultivation was unremarkable, he had seen and learned much and came from the outside world. Even the Azure Cloud Sect's higher-ups would not dare claim that their knowledge necessarily surpassed his.
Yet when he saw the fruit Lin Mo took out, he still fell silent for a long time.
A moment later, spiritual energy appeared around the black-robed man's hand. He supported the fruit in his palm and examined it repeatedly, evidently using some minor art.
But even after studying it from every angle for quite some time, he failed to uncover any clues.
"Where did you get this?"
"A spirit plant mutated. I just picked it."
"Oh... this fruit looks somewhat like a Fire Spirit Fruit. Could it have mutated from one? I've never heard of Fire Spirit Fruits mutating and rising in tier. How novel."
A mutated Fire Spirit Fruit...
The black-robed man lowered his head, seemingly calculating the fruit's value.
Only after a while did he look up, his pale blue eyes brightening as he smiled. "An ordinary low-grade Mystic Tier fruit is generally worth fifty contribution points. I believe yours is worth more. Many alchemists would likely be fond of it, so I can give you the cultivation method plus a Yellow Tier minor art. How does that sound?"
Lin Mo had truly given him quite a surprise.
Not only did he have exceptionally high-quality Fire Spirit Fruits and Golden Coin Grass, but he could even cultivate a mutated spirit fruit the black-robed man had never seen before.
As a result, Lin Mo's standing in the black-robed man's estimation had unknowingly risen another notch.
It seems this kid might be a promising cultivation seed favored by one of the Azure Cloud Sect's higher-ups!
"Can I choose any minor art?"
Naturally, Lin Mo would not let this unexpected windfall slip away.
The black-robed man nodded. "As long as it's a Yellow Tier minor art."
Yellow Tier cultivation methods were only suitable for the Qi Refining Realm and were not worth much money.
Lin Mo thought for a while, then raised his head and asked, "Do you have an Aura Concealment Art? The more advanced, the better."
As the cultivation resources he encountered rose steadily in grade, his cultivation would also undergo a rapid improvement. The slightest carelessness could expose his secrets.
Thus, a suitable Aura Concealment Art was very important.
Before you continue