Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 908 - 400: Soul-Breaking Needle Enhancement_2

"Even taking the Guest Minister position might disturb the heart and impede cultivation. Please forgive me, senior."

Entering any sect, regardless of how relaxed the terms might be, always brings about karmic ties and pulls one into conflicts.

His goal remains a life of free ease and reliable long life, unwilling to get bound hastily to another's battle wagon.

A flicker of regret appeared in Shan Tianyou’s gaze, yet as a late-stage Nascent Soul expert with vast tolerance, he hid it swiftly and burst into loud laughter:

"It’s fine, people have their own goals, and Shan won’t compel you!"

"Should Young Friend reconsider someday, Mystic Water Sect will always welcome you!"

Shan had invited Xu Ping mainly because he himself was advanced in age, left with fewer than a century to live.

Within today’s Mystic Water Sect, nobody holds promise of advancing past late-stage Nascent Soul.

Should he perish, the sect could drop from elite status, which is why he sought to bring in Xu Ping, who got along well with the disciples and showed solid integrity.

Regrettably, the man declined.

"Many thanks for your tolerance, senior." Xu Ping saluted with clasped hands.

"That said..."

Xu Ping shifted his words, pulled out a ready jade slip, and offered it, "Xu has a single request, hoping Mystic Water Sect might lend a hand."

"Naturally, it won’t be without compensation. Xu offers Fourth Rank talismans or items of equal worth in trade."

At these words, Shan Tianyou’s mood brightened.

Failing to enlist him didn’t matter; fostering ties through deals still proved advantageous.

He accepted the jade slip: "Speak your mind, Friend. If Mystic Water Sect can manage it, we certainly will."

Yet, as his Divine Sense swept into the jade slip and scanned the material roster within, his face froze in shock.

The material demands were truly excessive.

They encompassed scores of ultra-rare refining components, and the amounts needed were staggeringly huge.

Mystic Water Sect, pouring all its resources into the task, couldn’t amass so many premium goods anytime soon!

"Young Friend Xu... this..." Shan Tianyou appeared distressed.

Xu Ping was well aware of the challenge, offering a faint smile, "No need to fret, senior; Xu isn’t asking for quick assembly."

"Simply keep an eye out during your sect’s normal acquisitions and trades, build it up gradually, no rush on deadlines."

"Any expenses involved, Xu will cover via Fourth Rank talismans or alternative assets."

Hearing that, Shan Tianyou’s look eased; after brief thought, he nodded firmly: "Under those terms... we have a deal."

"With demon calamities looming, Fourth Rank talismans serve as prime barter, their worth set to rise. Mystic Water Sect accepts this task and will diligently hunt for Young Friend’s needs."

Deal sealed, the side hall’s vibe warmed once more.

Following some casual talk, Shan Tianyou rose to depart, required back at his sect to organize defenses against the demon threats.

Xu Ping saw him to the side hall doorway, where Shan Tianyou issued another warm summons: "Young Friend, when you find time, do come to my Mystic Water Sect for a visit; allow me to play proper host."

"Definitely, I appreciate your generosity, senior." Xu Ping replied smilingly.

Powers like Mystic Water Sect truly merited alliance.

...

After sending off Shan Tianyou, Xu Ping quickly located Duan Shuang in a separate side hall.

"Xu Lang, how went the talks?" Duan Shuang drew near, worry shining in her lovely eyes.

Xu Ping summed up the alliance’s broad results and Shan Tianyou’s overture.

Learning of Xu Ping’s vow to fight late-stage Nascent Soul ancient demons, her fine brows knit faintly, revealing concern: "Late-stage Nascent Soul ancient demon... Xu Lang, doesn’t that sound overly dangerous?"

Xu Ping, sensing her fretfulness, grinned assuredly: "Shuang’er, rest easy; I pledged only because I’m completely prepared. When have I ever moved without certainty?"

Duan Shuang noted his resolute face, her tension easing a bit as she nodded softly: "I believe in you, yet please stay cautious and avoid pushing too hard."

"Of course." Xu Ping grinned while encircling her shoulder with his arm.

Over the next few days, Xu Ping and Duan Shuang lingered at Yunxiao Sect instead of departing right away.

Such a convergence of top cultivators offered prime chances for swapping goods and picking up vital news.

Xu Ping primarily offered some self-crafted Fourth Rank talismans along with Spirit Medicines and Spirit Plants from the Ancient Demon Hall that proved useless to him, trading them for Spirit Stones or targeted materials.

Thanks to his fame abroad and the vital role of Fourth Rank talismans as strategic assets during the demon calamity, the exchanges flowed seamlessly, bringing hefty rewards.

Duan Shuang concentrated on acquiring various yin-attributed materials to upgrade her Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, securing success as well.

After seven or eight days passed with no pressing demands left, Xu Ping and Duan Shuang chose to depart without delay, activating Escape Light to exit Yunxiao Sect’s mountain gate.

...

Three months later.

Xu Ping and Duan Shuang made their return to Blood Bone Island.

The familiar Yin Sha sea breeze welcomed them back, infused with a comforting sense of familiarity.

Upon arriving on the island, Xu Ping headed straight to the deepest chamber of the underground cavern in the Artifact Refining Room.

The enhancement of the Soul-Breaking Needle commenced right then.

Xu Ping settled cross-legged on the central mat, his breaths steady and soft, his mind's lake mirroring perfect clarity, utterly serene and still.

Inside the Artifact Refining Room, Earth Fire blazed fiercely as runes glimmered and pulsed.

Xu Ping parted his lips, unleashing a pristine and peerless Nascent Soul True Flame that engulfed the deep azure Moon Shadow Stone and the pair of Soul-Breaking Needles.

Simultaneously, Xu Ping formed hand seals with the Magic Technique, channeling intricate artifact refining incantations into the Earth Fire and the encompassing Array.

Heat in the Artifact Refining Room surged abruptly, Spiritual Qi appeared to blaze up, while vast energy converged forcefully to aid the Nascent Soul True Flame in refining and fusing everything.

Sizzle!

A faint hiss arose from the Soul-Breaking Needle, its surface slowly reddening as it began merging and purifying with the host of precious materials.