'With the growth speed of Hundred-Spirit Grass, as long as I rent a large enough area and plant a massive amount of it...'
'I'll never have to worry about bee food again. I won't even have to worry if the colony size increases several times over!'
Qi Ping hadn't expected that a common spirit herb would solve both his food and colony expansion problems.
'Truly, one can never look down on anything, no matter how insignificant it seems.'
Who would have thought that the creature that initially looked like a useless pot-bellied bee would evolve into a Brewer Pot-bellied Bee with the rare Grand Brewer talent? Any other insect tamer might have crushed it on the spot. And who would have thought that Hundred-Spirit Grass, which was often considered more trouble than it was worth, would solve his biggest headaches?
'Now the only question remaining is whether the Brewer Pot-bellied Bee can refine and merge the muddled properties of Hundred-Spirit Grass.'
'And how to test a Hundred-Spirit Honey recipe suitable for sale.'
'If I can successfully develop a recipe for Hundred-Spirit Honey, I'll truly strike it rich using it to earn spirit stones.'
The effect of the honey didn't need to be incredible. As long as it reached the level of a normal low-grade or mid-grade first-rank spirit herb, it would be enough. The key was that Hundred-Spirit Grass grew fast and cost very little; selling the honey would be pure profit.
Furthermore, there was the added benefit of not being targeted for it. What Foundation Establishment expert or major power would keep their eyes on a honey that barely reached mid-grade first-rank? As for those below Foundation Establishment... Qi Ping was happy to call them "Gift-Bearing Boys." Once he finished expanding his colony, anyone below Foundation Establishment would be walking into a death trap. Even in the worst-case scenario, Qi Ping could escape without issue.
'There's one more risk I must avoid: I have to ensure people can't tell the raw material of the honey is Hundred-Spirit Grass. As long as the recipe is refined to the point where even someone with my Grand Brewer talent can't distinguish the origin, the risk will be gone.'
As long as he could avoid that risk, it wouldn't matter even if the effect was slightly lower.
Having determined his future path for expansion and wealth, Qi Ping felt refreshed. The most troublesome half of his problems were solved; now he just needed to rent a good piece of spiritual land.
'Once I've earned enough spirit stones, I can consider purchasing a third animal companion.'
'If I can get my hands on the formula and corresponding herbs for Soul-Nurturing Pills, a Shadow Moon White Fox with soul, comprehension, and illusion talents would be a good choice.'
Soul-type spirit beasts were quite rare. In the entire Qingshi County, aside from the Demon Insect King, that fox might be the only one to be found. If he could develop a soul-nurturing honey related to the pill, the fox would make an excellent third animal companion. This would help him strengthen his soul, reduce the difficulty of breakthroughs, and compensate for the bee colony's weakness in soul-based defense.
Of course, Qi Ping wasn't set on the Shadow Moon White Fox; it would depend on future needs and opportunities. If a more suitable and powerful spirit beast appeared, he would consider it instead. Regardless, the immediate plan was to make money and expand the colony... and to help either the colony or the Crow reach the second rank as soon as possible.
'As for that mysterious alchemist Boss Gao mentioned... if she targets me or plots against me, I'll temporarily avoid the brunt of it. I'll use the Spirit-Origin Stone Pillars to help my animal companions break through to the second rank, and then I'll find an opportunity to kill her.'
'As long as she isn't from the Qingyuan Sect, I don't need to worry so much. It just so happens that I'm lacking an alchemist's heritage. At most, I'll have the bees that did the deed flee the Qingtian Domain. It will never be traced back to me.'
If Boss Gao knew what Qi Ping was thinking right now, his jaw would surely hit the floor. Qi Ping was contemplating killing someone even the three major families didn't dare to touch.
While Boss Gao went to purchase the Moon-Sleep Flower, Day-Sun Flower, and Hundred-Spirit Grass seeds, Qi Ping waited quietly within the Zhiyuan Merchant Guild. With Boss Gao's familiarity with the Qingshi Market, it didn't take long for him to gather everything.
For a total of thirty-seven spirit stones, Qi Ping had acquired a massive pile of seeds. These three plants were worth very little; it was only because Qi Ping wanted such a large quantity that it cost that much. Aside from the seeds, Boss Gao also bought three ordinary storage bags for him. With Boss Gao's discount, they were forty spirit stones each, costing Qi Ping a total of one hundred and twenty spirit stones.
At this point, Qi Ping had only five hundred and forty-odd spirit stones remaining. The rent for a spiritual land in District B usually ranged from three hundred to five hundred spirit stones, and with the thirty percent rent hike, his current funds were a bit tight.
Recalling the Black Little Bee honey he had collected recently, Qi Ping sold it to Boss Gao for over fifty spirit stones, bringing his total to exactly six hundred and seven spirit stones. Finally, he had enough to cover the rent for a Grade B spiritual land.
Having purchased everything he needed, Qi Ping bid farewell to Boss Gao. As the manager watched Qi Ping's departing back, his warm face fell into deep thought. He didn't know if Qi Ping would survive this storm, but he hoped the Bone-Shrinking Face-Changing Art would provide some help. He believed that if Qi Ping lived, it would bring him significant benefits. Boss Gao also knew Qi Ping wasn't the type to get bogged down in trifles. If Qi Ping became a major figure in the future, he might have the chance to serve him.
Befriending promising people and avoiding making enemies was Boss Gao's philosophy for survival. This approach had brought him many benefits; otherwise, with his talent, he would never have reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement, and he might even have a chance at the ninth.
Leaving the Zhiyuan Merchant Guild, Qi Ping noticed that the Qingshi Market was significantly livelier than before. However, there were many new faces. Qi Ping could easily distinguish these outsiders who didn't belong to Qingshi County. Living there for a long time gave one a sense of such things.
'It seems the Qingshi Market may no longer be safe.'
'A mysterious alchemist is enough to make Lord Meng Yan, a disciple of a Qingyuan Sect Elder, quite wary. Not to mention everyone else in Qingshi County.'
'Troubles are mounting. I must be even more cautious from now on.'
Thinking of this, Qi Ping only wanted to speed up and get away. It was better to visit this place less often in the future, and even then, only after he had mastered the Bone-Shrinking Face-Changing Art. However, he suppressed the urge to rush and walked out of the market at a normal pace. Being overly hurried could attract unwanted attention.
Yet, ten miles after leaving the market, Qi Ping sighed helplessly. According to the bad news from the surrounding bees: an enemy was following him. He had changed his route several times, but the tail persisted. The bees also sensed hostility and killing intent.
The good news, however, was that there was only one enemy. Their aura was estimated to be around the eighth level of Qi Refinement.
He was officially identified as: the Gift-Bearing Boy.
Despite what looked like a guaranteed victory, Qi Ping still prepared a comprehensive battle and escape plan. Once the enemy was killed, Qi Ping planned to transform into a High-speed Ring-cutter Bee and escape via an unconventional route. He would also have some bees carry storage bags and flee in different directions, returning to him only after safety was confirmed, just in case this was a lure.