Several astonishingly powerful streaks of light shot up from Kunzhong City, startling countless cultivators who looked up.
"That's... the aura of Core Formation cultivators!" a cultivator muttered, gazing at the multicolored streaks of light gathering in the sky.
One, two, three, four... there were actually seven Core Formation cultivators gathered together, a sight that filled these low-level cultivators with both envy and awe.
In a tavern, someone picked at his teeth, spat, and stared at the faintly visible fluttering robes and dazzling streaks of light in the sky, exclaiming, "Damn it, I wish I could be that impressive someday!"
The cultivator at the next table turned to look at him—a burly man with only the fourth level of Qi Refining, ordinary in both attire and cultivation—and sneered, "You? Look at your own aptitude! These Core Formation seniors are all geniuses, each and every one of them. At your age, they'd already reached Foundation Establishment!"
The burly man rolled his eyes, not bothering to argue, and said matter-of-factly, "I was just talking. Core Formation? I'd thank the heavens if I could just reach Foundation Establishment."
This sentiment resonated with most of the low-level cultivators in the tavern. Most of them were merely loose cultivators; Core Formation was beyond their reach, and even Foundation Establishment seemed like a distant dream.
"Sigh. When will I ever form a Core?" the cultivators murmured, gazing enviously at the streaks of light in the sky.
"Fellow Daoist Shoujing, Fellow Daoist Qingwei!" In mid-air, Daoist Kumu greeted the last to arrive, Qin Xi and Mo Tiange.
All seven had now gathered. Qin Xi swept his gaze over them and returned the greeting. "Fellow Daoist Kumu, fellow daoists."
Daoist Kumu and Tong Tianyun smiled and cupped their hands in greeting. Madam Feng, standing on a lotus-leaf-shaped flying artifact, ignored them. Jing Xingzhi watched them with a half-smile. Lei Dongqing, still clutching his wine jar, urged impatiently, "You two are really slow! We've been waiting forever. Let's go, let's go!"
"What's the hurry, Fellow Daoist Lei?" Daoist Kumu chuckled. "The restrictions on Tianmo Mountain will only gradually weaken and disappear over six months to a year. It's only been two or three months since we got the news. We'll have plenty of waiting to do once we reach Tianmo Mountain!"
"That's not certain," Lei Dongqing retorted. "What if it opens earlier? Then we'd just be picking up scraps behind others!"
"Old Man Lei is right," Madam Feng said coldly, her demeanor completely different from her flirtatious act the other day. "We have much to do once we reach Tianmo Mountain. Let's hurry!"
With both of them so urgent and no objections from the others, Daoist Kumu said, "In that case, let's set off now!"
The seven cultivators each employed their own methods, forming a formation as they sped eastward.
Daoist Kumu rode a crane. Tong Tianyun's flying treasure resembled a canoe. Madam Feng stood on a lotus leaf. Lei Dongqing sat atop his wine jar—Mo Tiange shuddered at the thought of him drinking from it every day. Jing Xingzhi, naturally, used a flying sword. Qin Xi rode a cloud. Mo Tiange did not ride Qin Xi's cloud as she had on the way here; instead, she pulled out her White Silk Handkerchief to use as a flying treasure. Among the seven, Qin Xi's cloud, Jing Xingzhi's flying sword, and Tong Tianyun's canoe were the fastest. Mo Tiange kept up with relative ease, and the others were not far behind.
Although this was merely travel, it was also a means of assessing each other. When Madam Feng saw how easily Mo Tiange kept up with the group, she couldn't help but feel surprised and glanced at her a few more times.
"Fellow Daoist Qingwei." Sitting in his canoe, Tong Tianyun was the most relaxed. He drifted closer to speak with Mo Tiange.
Mo Tiange turned her head. "What is it, Fellow Daoist Tong?"
Tong Tianyun said, "I've inquired about that matter. My old friend indicated that since we are heading to Tianmo Mountain, he hopes Fellow Daoist Qingwei can exchange for it with a unique item from within Tianmo Mountain."
Mo Tiange was slightly taken aback. "What does that mean?"
Tong Tianyun smiled. "To be honest with you, Fellow Daoist Qingwei, this old friend of mine is like me—his lifespan is not long. Due to family reasons, it's inconvenient for him to go to Tianmo Mountain with us. He bought the Jade Marrow for alchemy, but it's not an absolute necessity. There is a unique spiritual object within Tianmo Mountain that would be most useful to him. If Fellow Daoist Qingwei is fortunate enough to obtain that object, my old friend is willing to exchange it for the Jade Marrow."
Mo Tiange paused, then said, "Fellow Daoist Tong, this trade isn't fair. What spiritual object from Tianmo Mountain isn't exceedingly rare? Although Thousand-Year Jade Marrow is uncommon, its value is far inferior. Besides, entering Tianmo Mountain and hoping to obtain a specific spiritual object is far too difficult."
Tong Tianyun stroked his beard with a smile. "The value of an item depends on need. If something is needed, any price is worth it. Surely Fellow Daoist Qingwei understands this principle?"
Mo Tiange naturally understood this; otherwise, she wouldn't have spent a fortune to have the Affairs Hall collect those materials. But understanding was one thing; during a trade, one couldn't let oneself be taken advantage of.
"Fellow Daoist Tong is correct, but how badly does your friend need this spiritual object?"
"This..." Tong Tianyun paused, then shook his head with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Qingwei, with the accumulated resources of your Xuanqing Sect, why haggle over petty profits with us loose cultivators? Rest assured, the spiritual object my friend mentioned isn't too difficult to find. Although its value is somewhat higher than Thousand-Year Jade Marrow, if you urgently need the Jade Marrow, it's not too unfair a trade."
Mo Tiange thought for a moment and chose to concede a step. "Very well. Fellow Daoist Tong, first tell me what needs to be found. If I happen to find it during this trip, we can discuss the trade then. If not, we'll have to forget it."
Tong Tianyun nodded. "That's fine. At least I can give my old friend an answer."
After speaking, the two returned to focusing on their journey, occasionally exchanging a word or two. Since they were using secret voice transmission, the others didn't know what they were discussing. Only Jing Xingzhi glanced over with a smile.
Mo Tiange saw his peach-blossom-like face and soul-hooking eyes, felt disgust rise within her, and turned her head away, ignoring him.
Jing Xingzhi wasn't angered. He merely smiled faintly and turned back to follow Daoist Kumu at a leisurely pace.
The next few days were spent in the monotony of travel. The skies were often filled with other cultivators flying swiftly like them. Lower-level cultivators, seeing so many Core Formation cultivators, all gave way. Occasionally, they encountered fellow Core Formation cultivators and exchanged a greeting or two before going their separate ways.
Compared to Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators, Core Formation cultivators were clearly more aloof—or perhaps, more arrogant. Anyone who could cultivate to the Core Formation stage either had exceptional talent or great fortune. Which of them didn't look down on ordinary cultivators? Those of higher status were elders of major sects. Those of lower status thrived in minor sects. As for loose cultivators, it was even more remarkable; any loose cultivator who reached Core Formation was undoubtedly outstanding.
Over these few days, Mo Tiange got along quite well with Daoist Kumu and Tong Tianyun. Even Madam Feng, who probably found her less disagreeable now, occasionally spoke a few words. Mo Tiange, who had originally joined the group midway, gradually integrated into this Core Formation team.
However, during a rest break, Qin Xi quietly pulled her aside.
"Junior Sister Qingwei."
By now, Mo Tiange had grown accustomed to his shifting forms of address. If he called her Tian Ge, it meant he was in a good mood. If he called her Junior Sister Qingwei, it meant he wanted to create distance.
Having figured this out, Mo Tiange felt somewhat helpless. Why was it that after the truth was revealed, this Senior Brother Shoujing seemed more displeased than she was? With his level of mental cultivation, shouldn't it be otherwise?
Her thoughts wandered chaotically, her gaze drifting, and she didn't respond.
Qin Xi frowned and called again, "Junior Sister Qingwei?"
He slightly raised his voice, snapping Mo Tiange back to attention. Realizing she had been lost in thought so carelessly, she felt annoyed—for a cultivator, this was not a good habit.
"Senior Brother Shoujing. What is it?"
Qin Xi glanced at her and said calmly, "Junior Sister seems to have gotten quite friendly with them these past few days?"
Them? Daoist Kumu and the others?
Mo Tiange said, "Just casual conversation. Is there a problem?"
"Not really. I'm just telling you it's best to keep some distance from them."
"Hmm?" Mo Tiange was puzzled. "Since we're companions, shouldn't we communicate more? I didn't know them before. Without communication, it's hard to build tacit understanding."
A mocking smile touched Qin Xi's lips. "Normally, it wouldn't matter. But do you remember what happened before we left? That old man Tong exchanged a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb from you."
Mo Tiange nodded. "Yes. What's the issue?"
"Of course there's an issue," Qin Xi said calmly. "A Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb isn't something an ordinary Core Formation cultivator can afford. With his strength in Kunzhong City and no Nascent Soul cultivator backing him, if he possesses a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb, sooner or later a Nascent Soul cultivator will come to take it by force. That old man Tong openly stated at the trade meet that he wanted to exchange for a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb. The news must have leaked. The Core Formation cultivators of the Kunzhong City Loose Cultivators' Alliance are all shrewd. Would they make such a mistake? Yet he exchanged for the Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb and then immediately set off for Tianmo Mountain with us. In such a short time, it's impossible to refine the herb into pills."
Mo Tiange thought for a moment, somewhat shocked. "Then what purpose does Fellow Daoist Tong have for exchanging the Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb?"
"I don't know that either," Qin Xi shook his head and asked her, "Have Daoist Kumu or Tong Tianyun said anything to you these past few days?"
"...Not really," Mo Tiange thought carefully. "Just miscellaneous matters about Kunwu, nothing particularly significant—oh, they both seem quite confident about this trip to Tianmo Mountain."
Qin Xi smiled, but his gaze grew more certain. "That's it then. The Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb isn't meant for alchemy at all."
Not for alchemy? Mo Tiange didn't understand. "Then what else could it be for?"
"A gift."
"A gift?" After a moment's thought, Mo Tiange understood. "For a certain Nascent Soul cultivator?"
Qin Xi nodded. "Very likely." He paused, then continued slowly, "Perhaps initially, they never thought they could obtain a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb. Maybe they just wanted to use that Crystal Soul Jade to exchange for something with a certain Nascent Soul cultivator—although Crystal Soul Jade isn't as rare as a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Herb, gathering so much of it isn't much easier than finding the herb. It probably wasn't collected by Old Man Tong alone, but by pooling the resources of Kunzhong City."
"Then what is their goal?"
"Perhaps to exchange for a specific item." Qin Xi furrowed his brow, thought for a while, then shook his head. "It's just my speculation, without any real evidence. Just be extra cautious on the journey."
"Mm..." Mo Tiange agreed, thinking to herself that as a Core Formation cultivator, she still had much to learn. Qin Xi had deduced this possibility from just a few clues. Whether it was true or not, it at least allowed her to be more vigilant and avoid certain dangers.