Gou Zai created a blessed land in the immortal abode

"What do you mean?"

Li Chengmin quickly asked.

"Recently, many cultivators in the market have been killed and their resources stolen. Most of them are probably a group of robbers who suddenly appeared out of nowhere."

As Zhao Yuan spoke, he waved his hand and said with a smile:

"However, Fellow Daoist Li need not worry. Most of the cultivators who were robbed were independent cultivators from the shore."

"From now on, you will live here, and with our patrols, you will definitely not encounter any thieves."

Hearing this, Li Chengmin felt much more at ease.

Residences along the shore of Moon Lake Market are not protected, so it's normal for them to be robbed.

But the place he is living in now is one that the Kong family specifically provides for their retainers.

There are quite a few cultivators at the mid-stage of Qi Refining residing here, so the safety is quite good.

"That being said, it's always better to be cautious, since there have been instances of cultivators entering the market before."

After saying this, Zhao Yuan got up to leave.

He came today to familiarize himself with the place.

After all, Li Chengmin held a dark green retainer token, which was highly valued by the Kong family.

Moreover, for a cultivator who is either skilled in cultivating spiritual plants or skilled in alchemy, making friends with them is always a worthwhile deal.

Watching Zhao Yuanyuan's departing figure, Li Chengmin pondered:

"As long as I don't leave the market, I should be fine."

With the protection of a large array and the presence of patrol envoys from three families, it is very difficult for treacherous cultivators to appear inside the market.

"What I need to do now is to cultivate steadily and plant spirit-gathering herbs. Once I have more spirit stones, I can try planting other spiritual herbs."

The advantages of Gathering Spirit Grass are that it is easy to grow and has a short growth cycle.

However, the downside is that the profit margin is low.

At most, one acre of Spirit Gathering Grass can produce about half a spirit stone.

Li Chengming is in dire need of spirit stones.

Cultivation requires spirit stones, as do building and upgrading structures.

Moreover, he is currently a complete novice cultivator.

Naked cultivators are those who have no magic techniques, no magical artifacts, no talismans, or other items to rely on in combat.

All of these things undoubtedly require a large amount of spirit stones.

"Take your time, there's no rush."

Li Chengming took a deep breath, then entered the immortal abode, sat cross-legged in the quiet room, circulated his cultivation technique, and began to cultivate.

Besides that, he would go out every few days, and no one knew where he went.

…………

Three months later.

Kong Family Pharmacy.

"Young Li, let me tell you, the Root-Gathering Fruit is not like the Qi-Gathering Grass. It's very delicate. If you're not careful, all your initial investment will be wasted."

Kong Shaowen held a scroll in his hand, his gaze fixed on Li Chengming, and he solemnly warned him.

"Don't worry, Elder Kong. I'm only trying to plant one mu of Yungeng fruit this time. Once I have enough experience, I'll plant more."

In the past three months, Li Chengming has earned a total of six spirit stones thanks to the salary given by the Kong family and the profits from selling Qi-gathering grass.

Two of the coins were used to purchase elixirs for cultivation, and now he has four coins left.

The initial investment cost for one mu of Yun Gen Guo is approximately three spirit stones.

But if it's successful, even if it's of average quality, the price per acre will be around ten spirit stones.

After deducting costs, it costs seven spirit stones. The planting period is four months, so you can earn about two spirit stones per month.

It's seven or eight times the amount of Spirit Gathering Grass!

Seeing that Li Chengming already had a plan, Kong Shaowen stopped trying to dissuade him and slowly said:

"In that case, you can take this book, 'A Brief Guide to Cultivating the Root Fruit'."

Li Chengming accepted the book "A Brief Explanation of Cultivating the Root Fruit" as if it were a priceless treasure, and quickly clasped his hands in thanks.

"Thank you, Master Kong, for the book."

"Go back and study it carefully. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

Kong Shaowen stroked his beard, his eyes filled with anticipation.

For the past three months, he has been secretly observing this young man.

The Spirit Gathering Grass planted by Li Chengming grew exceptionally well, far exceeding the standards of ordinary spirit plant masters, and the quality of each batch was remarkably consistent.

Those who can do this are either exceptionally gifted or possess some special skills.

Regardless of the type, it is worthwhile for the Kong family to invest.

"Oh, right," Kong Shaowen suddenly remembered something, "Are you getting used to your place?"

"Excellent," Li Chengming said sincerely. "It's worlds apart from the houses on the shore."

Whenever he thinks about this, Li Chengming sighs with emotion, reflecting on the hardships he endured in the past.

"You'll get used to it." Kong Shaowen nodded.

"However, I must remind you that things are not very safe in the market lately, so try not to go out at night."

Li Chengming felt a chill run down his spine:

"About the traitor?"

"You've heard? Another rogue cultivator was murdered a few days ago in an alley west of the market. He was carrying a lot of spirit stones, so he was probably being targeted."

"Inside the market?" Li Chengming frowned.

The market is protected by a large array, and there are also patrol envoys from three families. They usually work in pairs of five, and the leaders are all cultivators in the middle stage of Qi Refining.

Those cultivators dared to make a move in the market?

"It's just a suspicion." Kong Shaowen waved his hand, speaking vaguely, "It's also possible that the rogue cultivator attracted thieves by showing off in the city. In any case, just be careful."

Li Chengming nodded and kept this in mind.

After leaving the pharmacy, he didn't rush back, but instead strolled around the market.

Perhaps due to the rampant robbery, Moon Lake Market is not as lively as it was a few months ago.

Especially for the stalls of independent cultivators, fewer and fewer cultivators are setting up stalls, and even fewer are coming to patronize them.

Even the few cultivators who came to purchase spiritual items almost always came and went in a hurry.

Even Li Chengming, who usually stayed in the immortal abode, noticed something was wrong with this unusual scene.

"What on earth has gone wrong?"

"How could a few Tribulation cultivators cause such a huge impact on the markets established by the three Foundation Establishment forces?"

Li Chengming was filled with doubts.

"No, we need to go to Zhao Yuan and ask him for information."

As the inspector, Zhao Yuan must know what changes have recently occurred in the market.

After thinking it over, Li Chengming did not go straight home, but instead turned around and went to Zhao Yuan's courtyard.

…………

"Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao!"

"Who is it?"

The door creaked open.

Zhao Yuan peeked out and, upon seeing Li Chengming, a smile immediately appeared on his cautious face.

"Fellow Daoist Li? A rare guest, please come in."

Li Chengming followed Zhao Yuan into the courtyard, and after sitting down, he didn't beat around the bush and asked directly:

"Brother Zhao, I just took a stroll around the market and found it much more desolate. Are those bandit cultivators really so rampant that even the market itself is no longer safe?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuan's smile gradually faded. He looked around and lowered his voice, saying:

"Since Fellow Daoist Li has asked, I will not hide it from you. The situation in the market recently is even worse than what is being said outside."

"Is it going to get even worse?" Li Chengming frowned.

"What, could it be a Foundation Establishment cultivator undergoing tribulation?"

"Haha, no, that's not it."

After pouring a cup of spiritual wine, Zhao Yuan said in a deep voice:

"However, the appearance of those dead rogue cultivators was truly gruesome."

"What kind of horrific method is this?"