Chapter 131 - 130: Meeting Zhao Xiaoshu Again, The 2-Year Plan

Chapter 131: Chapter 130: Meeting Zhao Xiaoshu Again, The 2-Year Plan

"A Tier One High-Grade ape-type demon beast carcass?" A look of astonishment flashed across Lin Yuanshan’s face, quickly replaced by deep delight. He solemnly cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Lu! My sincerest congratulations! Does this mean you’re on the verge of becoming a Tier One High-Grade Puppet Master? Bixia Marketplace is about to gain another top-tier expert!"

A thought struck Lu Zhao. ’Does this mean that in the entire Bixia Marketplace, there isn’t a single Tier Two Puppet Master?’

Lin Yuanshan shook his head. "I’ve never heard of any Tier Two Puppet Masters in the Marketplace. There might be some in the Bixia Sect, but that’s beyond my knowledge." Lu Zhao fell silent, marveling internally at just how few practitioners of this art there truly were.

Seeing that Lu Zhao had no more questions, Lin Yuanshan steered the conversation back to the demon beast carcasses. He stroked his beard, a troubled look on his face. "Tier One High-Grade demon beasts are not something ordinary Wanderers or small teams can hunt easily. And among them, ape-type demon beasts are in a class of their own. They aren’t just immensely powerful; their Spiritual Wisdom is also quite high, making them extremely difficult to deal with. The supply... well, there’s never enough to go around. They’re always in high demand."

"With the Spirit Puppet Tower’s usual channels and connections, I can guarantee securing two to three a year without a problem. If we’re lucky, maybe even four. Any more than that will depend on the Demon Hunting Teams’ success and sheer chance."

"As for the price, it depends on the specific type of Ape Demon and how fresh and intact the carcass is. It usually fluctuates between one hundred fifty and two hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones each."

Lu Zhao had expected this answer. He gave a calm nod. "That’s fine. I’ll trouble you to keep an eye out for them, Fellow Daoist Lin. I’ll buy as many as you can get. As long as the price is fair and follows the market rate, I’m good with it." Though his tone was even, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. With the Spirit Puppet Tower as a relatively stable supply channel, he could at least be spared the hardship of searching for them himself.

The two finally agreed that Lu Zhao would return in one month to pick up the first batch of demon beast carcasses.

Leaving the Spirit Puppet Tower, Lu Zhao expertly made his way to find Hu Ming.

Hu Ming was as enthusiastic as ever to see Lu Zhao. Lu Zhao restocked on the Tier One Middle-Grade turtle-type demon beast carcasses needed to craft the Water Spirit Turtle Puppet, and then mentioned his need for Tier One High-Grade Ape Demon carcasses as well.

Hu Ming’s response was largely the same as Lin Yuanshan’s. "Brother Lu, that stuff is a hot commodity! I’d be lucky to get my hands on one a year; two would be the absolute limit! I can’t promise any more than that. As for the price, it’s between one hundred fifty and two hundred Spirit Stones."

"Alright. Please do your best to keep an eye out for me too, Brother Hu. Same deal: I’ll buy however many you can find." Lu Zhao settled on a delivery date and approximate quantity with Hu Ming, paying a portion of the deposit upfront.

Finally, Lu Zhao arrived at the simple courtyard belonging to Zhao Xiaoshu, tucked away at the edge of the shantytown.

Having not seen him in over a year, Zhao Xiaoshu was so flustered with excitement at the sight of Lu Zhao that he practically tripped over himself. He hurriedly welcomed him inside and eagerly recounted every piece of news from the Marketplace, big and small, that had occurred in the past year or so.

Which shops had changed hands, which materials had gone up in price, where Tribulation Cultivators had been spotted, which factions were having disputes... The information was a jumble, but Lu Zhao listened intently, sifting through it for anything useful.

After listening to Zhao Xiaoshu’s report, Lu Zhao gave a slight nod and, as usual, tossed him a few Spirit Stones as payment. Zhao Xiaoshu accepted the Spirit Stones, but the usual delight was absent from his face. Instead, his gaze was shifty, and he looked hesitant and uneasy, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t bring himself to.

"Speak your mind." Lu Zhao had noticed his odd behavior.

At this, Zhao Xiaoshu gritted his teeth and fell to his knees with a THUD. His voice was filled with bitterness and the finality of an all-or-nothing gamble. "Senior! I... I am useless! I’ve been stuck at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer for nearly three years. I cultivate tirelessly every single day, yet my progress is minuscule!"

"I... I just can’t accept wasting my life away like this, completely without hope! I beg you, Senior... please grant me a Realm-Breaking Pill! I am willing to work like an animal for you, and I will forever be indebted for this second chance at life!"

Lu Zhao saw the desperate yearning in the young man’s eyes and sighed to himself.

With Zhao Xiaoshu’s innate aptitude, however, reaching even the Late-stage Qi Cultivation realm in this lifetime was doubtful without the external aid of Pills.

After a moment of silence, he retrieved a Jade Bottle from his Storage Bag. Inside was a Pill he had found in Qian Yuan’s Storage Bag long ago. It was suitable for helping Early-Stage Cultivators break through their bottlenecks, and Lu Zhao had kept it, thinking it might one day prove useful.

"This Pill can help you break through to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. But relying on a Pill’s power is ultimately an external shortcut; you must still temper your own foundation. After taking it, you must cultivate even more diligently to stabilize your new Realm. As for your path from here on out..." Lu Zhao tossed the Jade Bottle to him, his tone flat. "You’re on your own."

Zhao Xiaoshu’s hands trembled violently as he cupped the Jade Bottle as if it were a priceless treasure. His eyes instantly turned red. He kowtowed repeatedly to Lu Zhao, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, Senior! Thank you for giving me a new lease on life! I, Zhao Xiaoshu, swear an oath here today that I will serve you until death and never have a single disloyal thought! If I break this vow, may I be struck down by the heavens and the earth, and may my very Spiritual Soul be annihilated!"

After saying this, he clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.

Seeing this, Lu Zhao said nothing more. He left Zhao Xiaoshu’s place, walked down the main thoroughfare of the Marketplace, and returned to the Bixia Sect.

Back in his familiar 210 Cave Mansion of the Xin Character, the heavy stone door rumbled shut. The shimmering light of the Restriction flared to life, completely sealing off the noise of the outside world. Lu Zhao sat cross-legged on the cold stone bed, the Lighting Bead on the ceiling casting a cool, clear light.

He took out a Blank Jade Scroll. A faint Spirit Light blossomed at his fingertip as he began to organize and plan his cultivation path for the next two years:

First, becoming a Tier One High-Grade puppet master. This is the top priority. The primary goal is to craft the "Cyan Wood Giant Ape." This will require an all-out effort to collect Tier One High-Grade Ape Demon carcasses and a Cyan Spirit Wood Tree Heart. At the same time, I must continue to refine my existing Puppet crafting techniques to improve my success rate and their quality, ensuring a stable source of income.

Second, advancing my Cultivation Realm. I must break through to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer within two years! I will take full advantage of this two-year exemption from mandatory Sect missions, using my cave’s Spirit Vein and Pills to focus on cultivating the Little Cloud Rain Technique.

Third, accumulating Spirit Stones and Merit to get in line for a Foundation Establishment Pill. While ensuring I have the resources for the first two goals, I will continue to save up Spirit Stones. As soon as I have over ten thousand Spirit Stones again, I will immediately go to the Merit Hall, hand over ten thousand Spirit Stones and the required Merit, and officially get in the queue for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Finally, deepening my knowledge at the Library Pavilion. I will use my free time to visit the Sect’s Library Pavilion more often. My goals there are clear:

Research the origin of the Yin Thunder Bead I took from Qian Yuan. Read widely on High Tier Puppetry, Arrays, and related texts.

Read widely about current events in the Cultivation Realm, consult the Spiritual Object Atlas, and study secret histories and anecdotes. This will broaden my horizons and help me avoid missing opportunities or falling into traps out of ignorance.

Under the Spirit Light, the characters on the Jade Scroll were sharp and cold. Each point was clear and distinct, and each one would consume a massive amount of resources and effort.

Lu Zhao lowered the Jade Scroll, his calm gaze fixed on the cold stone wall of his cave mansion. The path ahead was still long and fraught with peril, but his goals were now crystal clear. These next two years would be a critical period of consolidation and accumulation, a time to prepare for a decisive leap forward.

He took a deep breath. Rich Spiritual Qi flooded his lungs, dispelling the last wisp of distraction from his trip. His eyes became sharp and focused once more.

His two years of cultivation had officially begun.