Chapter Forty-Seven: Destroying the Evidence and Erasing All Traces

With such thoughts in mind, He Song quickly began planning how he would spend his spirit stones in the future.

First and foremost: spells.

Spells were inexpensive; an ordinary spell for a Qi Condensation cultivator cost only ten spirit stones. Special spells for the same stage were slightly more expensive, but likely not by much. Even if he learned every spell he wished to master, he would not spend too many spirit stones in total. It was the simplest and most direct way to strengthen oneself. Moreover, many Qi Condensation spells had a myriad of uses, proving useful in more than just combat. Techniques such as Spirit Sight, Sound Transmission, and Breath Concealment were all examples of this.

Of course, practicing spells required a significant investment of time. However, having transmigrated to this world, He Song’s soul was far stronger than that of an ordinary cultivator, and his speed in learning spells far surpassed his peers. Not to take advantage of such an enormous gift would be wasteful indeed.

Beyond spells, there were spirit talismans.

Spirit talismans were invaluable during the Qi Condensation stage. A single low-grade Earth Shield Talisman costing five spirit stones could withstand several attacks from an early-stage cultivator, and even some from those at the mid-stage. A mid-grade talisman, priced at twenty spirit stones, could block several attacks from a mid-stage cultivator and even some from the late stage. A low-grade Golden Light Talisman, also five stones, unleashed devastating power upon activation—without a defensive talisman or magic weapon, a cultivator at the early stage would suffer greatly if struck directly.

The only downside was that these talismans rarely lasted long, usually just several seconds. Because of their short duration and relatively high cost, most cultivators only carried a few, while the more cautious might carry a dozen for self-defense. Still, in the Qi Condensation period, keeping a good stock of talismans was always wise. This was why many cultivators took up talisman crafting as a side profession. Drawing them oneself, once proficient, was far more economical than buying them, and any surplus talismans could be sold to supplement one’s income. Talisman crafters were always in demand.

Aside from spells and talismans, next came magical instruments.

For low-grade magical tools, a trip to the Instrument Pavilion in the Immortal Market would suffice. Depending on age, type, and other factors, the price hovered around one hundred spirit stones. Mid-grade instruments were significantly more expensive, usually around five hundred stones.

In the world of cultivation, early and mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators were generally both too weak and too poor, so they relied mostly on low-grade instruments. Possessing a set for both offense and defense already placed one above most peers at these stages.

After all, He Song had already reached the middle stage of Qi Condensation, yet did not own even a single low-grade instrument. Most of the other cultivators in the Immortal Market were in the same situation. Only rogue cultivators, facing real dangers outside, would grit their teeth and buy a protective tool while still at the early stage. Cultivators at the late stage, with their more abundant spiritual power, would typically wield mid-grade instruments. Wei Fan, for example, had exchanged for a set of mid-grade offensive and defensive instruments three years prior—a standard for late-stage cultivators.

As for high-grade and supreme-grade magical instruments, these were almost exclusively considered after reaching Foundation Establishment. The prices were exorbitant, and the spiritual power required to wield them immense; late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators rarely purchased them. Some late-stage cultivators did use high-grade tools, but the spiritual drain was so great that these were kept as trump cards, good for only a few attacks.

Spells, talismans, magical instruments—these three methods for safeguarding one’s path all demanded copious spirit stones.

After much thought, He Song decided to first thoroughly comprehend the introductory volume on formations and lay down the simplest Spirit Gathering Array to quicken his own cultivation. Only then would he spend his spirit stones on learning spells and buying talismans. Once his finances improved, he would purchase magical instruments. In this way, he would not hinder his cultivation, and his combat abilities would improve as well—a perfect plan.

Though his combat strength would not rise immediately, the Immortal Market was safe enough, protected by a Foundation Establishment master. Barring some catastrophic upheaval, his safety was assured.

Having made up his mind, He Song poured himself a cup of tea and waited in his small courtyard for Wei Fan’s return.

Night fell.

He Song set down his teacup, a thread of worry creeping into his mind. Wei Fan had been gone for so long and hadn’t returned. Could it be…

A troubling thought flashed through his mind. He gazed out of the courtyard into the deepening darkness, his brow furrowing. It didn’t make sense—Wei Fan was a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, newly equipped with magical instruments and well stocked with talismans. How could he possibly lose to Chen Zhou, who was only at the fourth level of Qi Condensation? The difference in strength was immense.

Just as He Song grew restless and prepared to send out a paper crane to investigate, two figures appeared at the courtyard gate.

The two walked arm-in-arm, looking as though they hadn’t seen each other in years, brimming with excitement. For a moment, He Song thought they were two drunken fools. But upon closer inspection, his face lit up with joy.

With a quick succession of footsteps, He Song hurried to the gate and opened it.

“Brother Wei, and this is Old Meng?” He welcomed them into the courtyard before asking.

Indeed, the two figures—arms slung around each other—were Wei Fan and Meng Guan. Meng Guan, who had vanished without a trace for three years at the Chiling Gold Mine, now stood alive before He Song, and he had returned alongside Wei Fan. The sight filled He Song with questions, so he wasted no time in asking once they were settled inside.

“Come, come, let’s sit first and talk at leisure,” Wei Fan said with a smile, leading them up to the attic.

Once the three were seated, each with a cup of tea before them, Wei Fan nodded toward Meng Guan and began to explain.

“This trip outside the Immortal Market was to deal with Chen Zhou. After I had my people expel him, he slipped away like an eel, vanishing without a trace. Fortunately, I happened upon him. Not to boast, but I acquired a tracking spell three years ago. Once I cast it, I followed his trail for half a day. I don’t know how far from the Market I ended up, but as night fell, I finally caught up and killed him.

“As luck would have it, just as I was following your advice and grinding his bones to dust, someone happened by.

“At first, I thought it might be a two-for-one opportunity, but then the newcomer called me ‘Brother Wei.’

“And so, we returned together.”

Wei Fan glanced at Meng Guan beside him, his expression turning a bit odd as he spoke. He too had not expected to run into Meng Guan, who had just left the Chiling Gold Mine and was returning to the Immortal Market in search of him, at the very moment he was disposing of a corpse as He Song had recommended.

At the time, Meng Guan had looked at him in confusion and asked what he was doing.

What else could he be doing…? Erasing all traces, naturally.