Chapter 310: Chapter 249: Schemes and Plans

"Black Wolf, what are you planning to do to enhance your Qi Blood next?"

Because there’s no system, people in this world have no concept of ’levels.’ For them, the most direct change of becoming stronger is enhancing their Qi Blood.

Upon hearing Yan Qing’s inquiry on the main topic, Pharmacist’s Wish responded earnestly, "I plan to cultivate several Long Spear Secret Techniques to push my Qi Blood to the Third Transformation Limit and see if I can comprehend the Master’s Spear Technique."

After advanced skills, the next level is master skills. Besides the Foundation Establishment Messenger, only a very few mortals can touch this field. Comprehending master skills has two paths: one is comprehending through sheer enlightenment after reaching the maximum level in advanced skills, and the other path, chosen by Pharmacist’s Wish, is to cultivate multiple Long Spear Secret Techniques to raise her spear technique hidden points, potentially allowing her to comprehend the Master’s Spear Technique ahead of time.

For players, cultivating multiple Long Spear Secret Techniques isn’t difficult as they can be bought with money at the Treasure Pavilion. But this isn’t necessarily the case in this world. Yan Qing asked, "Do you have any means to acquire Long Spear Secret Techniques?"

Pharmacist’s Wish shook her head with a wry smile, "It’s a bit troublesome."

"Even as Duke Jin you can’t?" Shang Xinlei asked curiously.

Pharmacist’s Wish said, "Secret Technique Books are only yielded from the Third-Turn Secret Realms, and not every Third-Turn Secret Realm yields Long Spear Secret Technique Books. The only stable source in Zhou Kingdom is the Revolving Lantern, whereas Secret Technique Books like Pear Blossoms, Coiled Snake, etc., either come from hard-to-develop Secret Realms or probabilistic yields. If I want them, I have to fight for them myself, which requires a lot of time."

The only completely exploitable Secret Realms in the Three Central Plains Kingdoms are the First and Second-Turn Secret Realms, while the Third-Turn Secret Realms rely mostly on luck. For example, the origin of the Revolving Lantern is a fully developed Third-Turn Secret Realm. With a perfect strategy using geographical positioning, roughly one person at Third-Turn and several at Second-Turn can complete the strategy in ten days with almost no casualties, making the Revolving Lantern the easiest Secret Technique Book to acquire.

For Third-Turn Secret Realms without perfect guides, one needs to use their lives to break through, even a Third-Turn Messenger might encounter danger.

If Pharmacist’s Wish is willing to wait, everyone would gladly give her the favor and save any yield for her when the time comes. But if she wants to force the Third-Turn Messenger to attack the Secret Realms for her, it’s basically impossible; the face of a Foundation Establishment seed isn’t that significant—unless Pharmacist’s Wish can persuade the Locking Dragon Bodhisattva to lend her voice. Then, the entire country might scour for Secret Technique Books from the Third-Turn Secret Realms for her.

But now, Pharmacist’s Wish doesn’t even dare to see the True Man of Locking Dragon, let alone ask her for help. Therefore, Pharmacist’s Wish can only take the second path and fight for herself.

The Secret Realms across Zhou Kingdom will be open for her, and Military Town will assist, but this requires running back and forth, wasting a lot of time. Moreover, strategizing Third-Turn Secret Realms isn’t a task completed in a day or two. The Corpse Bone Forest is a particular exception: three Great Guardians + Rabbit Heroine + Pharmacist’s Wish, with five top-notch Third-Turn combat powers, no Military Town can match such a configuration!

Before the next mission, acquiring two Long Spear Secret Techniques would be quite fortunate, and her level could reach level 34 at most.

"I can help you acquire Long Spear Secret Techniques," Yan Qing said, "These days, just focus on honing your skills in the Secret Realms, alright?"

"Is it via the trading board?" Pharmacist’s Wish asked.

Shang Xinlei glanced down at Yan Qing, and Yan Qing wasn’t surprised. He might hide his fencing from others, but he definitely couldn’t hide it from Pharmacist’s Wish, who fought side by side with Rabbit Heroine, "I can handle Chu Luoyan’s token for you, which should get you two Long Spear Secret Techniques."

"Duke Jin’s Mansion has hundreds of thousands of Spiritual Jade, which I could give to you all," said Pharmacist’s Wish after some contemplation, "If you need more, I can find a way too."

"I don’t need Spiritual Jade."

"Then how about internal channels? Zhou Kingdom has quite a few specialties that even the Pillar of the Country nobility doesn’t qualify to buy," Pharmacist’s Wish smiled slightly, "The Vajra Unbreakable Talisman of Zhou Kingdom is a unique gem in the Central Plains."

Yan Qing’s heart raced; he had heard of the Vajra Unbreakable Talisman before. Unlike repair kits, this item only works on defense tokens with full durability, allowing them to exceed and add a layer of damage reduction.

"I’ll give you money, buy as many Vajra Unbreakable Talismans as you can," Yan Qing decisively said.

"Don’t get your hopes up too high. Although the Vajra Unbreakable Talisman is indeed expensive, many people are willing to buy it for personal protection, so there’s probably not much stock left," Pharmacist’s Wish said, "I’ll give you a list tomorrow, and you can see what else you need at that time."

Shang Xinlei seemed a bit sulky, but as they were discussing serious matters, she dared not interrupt and had to quietly play with Yan Qing’s hair, wrapping it around her fingers.

"Red Snake," Yan Qing suddenly asked, "What’s your plan for the next twenty days?"

"Just continuing to train in the Secret Realm," Shang Xinlei shrugged, "My Secret Technique Wheel of Control is still not fully mastered."

"Can your family possibly prepare Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends for you?"

"No way! Even my father doesn’t have it. Our ancestors have long passed; where could we get Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends?" Shang Xinlei curled her lips, "However, I heard that a few years ago, Quan Family’s direct daughter married into the Chen Family, and the Chen Family offered an Earthly Fiend as a dowry. If I were to reveal my Third Transformation Realm, someone might be willing to use an Earthly Fiend as a marriage gift, right?"

"Alright, I’ll prepare Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends for you then."

"...Huh?" Shang Xinlei was taken aback.

"There are still twenty days. I can only ensure I prepare a pair of Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends for you that can match a superior Dao Foundation; as for a perfect Dao Foundation, it depends on luck," Yan Qing said self-assuredly, "But in any case, you need to absorb the Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends before the next mission."

Yan Qing waited awhile without getting a response, and looked up to check on Shang Xinlei, only to find her staring down at him, with her head resting softly between two soft masses. Just as he intended to retreat, Shang Xinlei reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, refusing to let him move.

Yan Qing froze all over, because in this position, if Shang Xinlei wanted to spit, he couldn’t dodge.

"I only have a private fund of a few tens of thousands of Spiritual Jade. Although I can buy rare Liang Kingdom artifacts, you know my identity. If I pull out so much money, it would quickly arouse suspicion, so I can’t help you." Shang Xinlei stared at him deeply, saying sombrely, "Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends are far more precious than I am; why do you want to help me so much?"

She tightened her grip around Yan Qing’s neck, "Ever since you gave me the Secret Technique Research Manual, I felt something amiss. What’s your real intention? Tell me now!"

Pharmacist’s Wish raised an eyebrow, was it me who gave that Secret Technique Research Manual last time? Did he pass it on to Red Snake? In other words, did he buy the Secret Technique Research Manual on the trading board for Red Snake? Now, he’s also giving Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends?

Pharmacist’s Wish found herself unable to say anything because rounding up, Rabbit Heroine also gifted her Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends compatible for a Perfect Dao Foundation·Greedy Wolf Breaking Army Dao Foundation.

But Rabbit Heroine gave it to me because I am her sworn older sister; why are you so nice to Red Snake as well? Could it be you lack motherly love and want to adopt a cooking mom?

Although Pharmacist’s Wish harbored complaints internally, she also asked, "I too want to know why you are suddenly concerned about my path and helping me buy Secret Technique Books."

For a moment, Yan Qing was caught off guard by the question.

He truly hadn’t thought about this issue beforehand; he just happened to mention it while everyone was gathered today. While having extra Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends, Yan Qing instinctively reserved them for Shang Xinlei without thinking much.

But Yan Qing didn’t feel much panic; he has plenty of reasons, such as his current investment is to exchange for her future rewards from the Thief’s House, or intending to compete for speaking rights in the Thief’s House, or...

But upon meeting Shang Xinlei’s gaze, he realized he had made a mistake. Shang Xinlei was not someone else; she knew Yan Qing’s rhetoric too well, and any excuse he might give would be seen through in an instant, possibly leading to spitting.

Although Shang Xinlei’s posture and tone were playful, her eyes were earnest. If the Secret Technique Research Manual was something she could potentially repay with some effort, then Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends signified a chance to attain the Dao, a seed of Foundation Establishment, a life’s turning point, a second reincarnation, so precious that she didn’t dare to accept.

If he didn’t reveal his true intentions, she probably wouldn’t accept them.

But there was nothing much to hide. Since the first day he arrived at the Thief’s House, since he saw the three of them, this one thought has been with Yan Qing, only now he plans to turn it into reality step by step.

Yan Qing took a deep breath:

"I—"

Pharmacist’s Wish clenched her fist.

"Hope you—"

Shang Xinlei pursed her lips tightly.

"Can complete the Thief’s House tasks without needing me!"

The Thief Hall fell silent, and Yan Qing paused, adding, "To be precise, you complete the tasks, and I get the Thief’s House rewards even if I do nothing."

Shang Xinlei released her grip, and Yan Qing twisted his neck; though the rest was comfortable, continually holding his neck was a bit tiring. They didn’t speak; perhaps they were earnestly considering the proposition—

Woosh!

Pharmacist’s Wish swept toward Yan Qing’s neck with an arm from the front, and Yan Qing instinctively raised his hands to block, but at the same time, great force came from behind his neck. Pharmacist’s Wish and Shang Xinlei, at this moment, shared a common intention, attacking Yan Qing front and back, the lazy worm only wanting to relish in comfort!