Embarking on the Path to Immortality, Mastering a Hundred Arts Chapter Nine: A Meticulous Plan

"Still one year of lifespan; select all."

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining twenty-three years of cultivation base!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining twenty-three years of alchemy experience!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining twenty-three years of talisman-making experience!]
...
Name: Li Feng
Age: 19
Spirit Root: Ten-fold Spirit Root
Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 5
Lifespan: 4

Through so many simulations, Li Feng understood that relying on individual cultivation offered no way out, nor could it maximize the efficiency of the simulator.

"If I can make good use of the forces behind Sister Hong, perhaps it will be of great help to my cultivation path."

Li Feng pondered for a long time before making a decision in his heart.
...

Inside the largest library in Anhe City, Li Feng spent two spirit stones to rent several books related to the Tianqi Kingdom. These books contained the history, culture, and identifying information of the Tianqi royal family. He could have directly absorbed this information through simulation, but to save his lifespan, he had to endure the labor.

After spending an entire morning, Li Feng had gained a basic understanding of various details regarding the Tianqi Kingdom. A century ago, a genius spirit planter had emerged from the Tianqi imperial family. Countless rare treasures had been cultivated through his hands, and it was thanks to this spirit planter that the Tianqi Kingdom had risen rapidly. However, due to its sensitive geographical location, it had inevitably marched toward destruction.

"Legend has it that the genius spirit planter mastered a powerful wood-element technique capable of cultivating spirit plants on a massive scale, which led Tianqi to prosperity."

"If I can gain their resource support, my cultivation speed will at least double."

Li Feng's gaze was burning, his heart stirred. The main problem now was how to make them willingly provide him with cultivation resources.

"The Departure Wood Fruit is a good entry point, but unfortunately, such a Tier 3 spirit plant is too rare. Even if I had one, I fear I would be reluctant to give it away."

Li Feng racked his brains for a long time but could not find a breakthrough.

"Must I simulate again?"

Through simulation, perhaps he could find a way. However, if he failed to make a breakthrough in this simulation, his lifespan would drop to just over two years, and his margin for error would be greatly reduced.

"Forget it, take the gamble—from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment."

Li Feng no longer hesitated, his gaze becoming firmer.

"System, simulate."

[This simulation consumes 1.2 years of lifespan; remaining lifespan: 2.8 years.]
[Simulating...]

[Age 19: You learn that Sister Hong was once a princess of the former Tianqi Kingdom and desires to restore the nation. She frequently visits a Spirit Plant Hall in a marketplace; you stake out the location for a long time and gradually realize that the shop is a stronghold for the Tianqi clan.]

[Sister Hong is desperately searching for a Departure Wood Fruit, solely to repair her spirit root and gain the qualifications for cultivation.]

[After long deliberation, you decide to take the initiative to reveal your identity as an alchemist, lying to her that you have another method to help her repair her spirit root.]

[Sister Hong is surprised by how deeply you hid your identity and feels wary. She feigns interest in winning you over while secretly sending people to restrain you and subject you to torture, demanding your true intentions.]

[You clench your teeth and endure the ordeal, temporarily gaining Sister Hong's trust, though she remains suspicious and keeps people monitoring you.]

[You tell Sister Hong that you need to reach the Foundation Establishment stage before you can help her repair her spirit root.]

[Sister Hong agrees to provide you with cultivation resources but keeps you strictly imprisoned.]

[Age 20: With the support of a deep-rooted faction, you no longer worry about resources and only need to cultivate daily.]

[Your appetite is massive; you consume over a hundred catties of spirit plants every day, placing immense pressure on the Tianqi lineage.]

[Age 21: You break through to Qi Refining Level 6, and your lifespan increases by two years.]

[Sister Hong senses something is wrong and uses the Five Spirit Orbs to test your spirit root. Upon learning you possess five spirit roots—a total waste for cultivation—she is consumed by rage, cursing herself for being a giant sucker.]

[You attempt to escape but are slain by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.]

[You have died!]

[Simulation ended. You may retain one of the following:]
[Twenty-one years of cultivation base.]
[Twenty-one years of alchemy experience.]
[Twenty-one years of talisman-making experience.]
...

"Cultivation base."

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining twenty-one years of cultivation base!]
[Host's remaining lifespan: 4.8 years.]

In this simulation, there was not much progress in alchemy or talisman-making. On one hand, most of the time in the simulation was spent on cultivation. On the other, it was a matter of strength; being too weak limited the upper ceiling of alchemy and talisman-making skills. Currently, Tier 1 Superior was Li Feng's limit. Unless his cultivation reached Qi Refining Level 9, it would be difficult to advance further.

Through this simulation, Li Feng summarized some experience.

"I cannot cause Hong Ling to feel a sense of crisis. This woman looks soft and weak, but her methods are ruthless."

"If the conditions are right, I can guide Hong Ling's attention, let her discover my potential value on her own, and thus invite me to join Tianqi."

A Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator might not have much value, but a Tier 1 Superior alchemist combined with a Tier 1 Superior talisman-maker would definitely make many factions offer generous terms.

After summarizing, Li Feng had a suitable strategy. This method could ensure he obtained abundant resources safely without provoking Hong Ling's murderous intent.

He first disguised himself and went to that Spirit Plant Hall to purchase spirit herbs. Calling it a purchase was merely a pretext to expose his identity.

"Boss, Heart-Protecting Grass, Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Cold Smoke Dew... I'll take three thousand of each."

Li Feng pointed at the spirit plants in the cabinet and waved his hand with great bravado.

The boss was a middle-aged cultivator at Qi Refining Level 8. Seeing a big deal, he beamed and treated him with great enthusiasm.

"What should I call you, Fellow Daoist?"

"Surname Shan, given name Zhang."

"So it is Fellow Daoist Shan. Long admired, long admired."

Li Feng waved his hand to stop him: "Enough with the pleasantries; hurry and get me the goods."

The boss nodded repeatedly, urging the clerks to work while asking curiously: "Fellow Daoist Shan, if I'm not mistaken, these are materials for refining Spirit-Enhancing Pills. Are you a Tier 1 Superior alchemist?"

Li Feng put on a cautious look and said impatiently: "Are you selling or not? If not, I'll go buy from someone else."

"Selling, selling, please wait a moment."

The boss had made his assessment and dared not be negligent, personally moving the goods. Soon, three thousand portions of materials were packed.

The boss rubbed his hands and smiled: "Six thousand low-grade spirit stones in total. Since it's your first time, let's consider it a gesture of friendship—five thousand spirit stones will suffice."

"Is this appropriate?"

"It is. I hope you will continue to favor the Spirit Plant Hall with your business in the future."

There is no such thing as a merchant who loses money in this world. Li Feng took out his storage bag and intentionally shook it in front of the shopkeeper for a long time, hoping to leave a deep impression. This storage bag was exactly what he had obtained when he killed the Tianhe Sect cultivator. Coming here today to self-expose was crucial; the storage bag was the key. Li Feng had to ensure that the information he wanted to convey would reach the Tianqi forces behind the Spirit Plant Hall through the shopkeeper's mouth.

"Five thousand low-grade spirit stones, check them."

After the transaction, Li Feng put all the spirit materials into his storage bag.

"No need to count; I trust Fellow Daoist Shan."

The shopkeeper politely saw him out, then returned to the shop to verify the number of spirit stones. Li Feng went to a prominent stall in the market and bought some materials for making talismans. He could feel that from the moment he stepped out of the Spirit Plant Hall, a gaze had been following him.