The eighth day of the first lunar month was hardly a major occasion for cultivators.
Wang Ran paid a visit to Outer Sect Deacon Ma Xianliang, carrying two bunches of purple-gold grapes. Over the past year, through deliberate cultivation, Ma Xianliang had formed an exceptionally favorable impression of him.
"You brat, are you seriously thinking about building up a family clan? If so, there is an errand that can be handled at the same time. It's a good thing for you, and once completed, it will count as your once-every-five-years external assignment. Remember to come to me for your contribution points then."
Ma Xianliang accepted the grapes. For someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage like him, these grapes could do little more than satisfy a craving. Yet, being members of the Sword Sect immortal gate, very few disciples within actually understood interpersonal networking. A disciple like Wang Ran, who knew how to handle affairs, was clever, and spoke sweetly, appeared all the more precious.
Nowadays, Wang Ran's skill in cultivating spiritual herbs was a matter of record among the Inner Sect elders. After all, the people of the Sword Sect generally disliked external matters, and spiritual planting was a particular weakness of theirs. Therefore, upon learning that Qiu Yongzhen was willing to take Wang Ran under her wing, Ma Xianliang's attitude toward him naturally grew even warmer.
As for talent, although Wang Ran could not compare to the sect's proud heavenly geniuses, he was by no means as mediocre as others imagined. Raising his cultivation to the Qi Refining 3rd Layer in a single year meant his talent could at least be considered upper-middle.
In the words of the Sect Master, "If a sect wants to develop, it needs not only heavenly geniuses, but even more so those of ordinary talent who excel at management. Over time, such people can instead become the pillars of the sect."
Thus, Wang Ran actually held a weighty position in Ma Xianliang's heart. Consequently, he intended to do Wang Ran a favor before Wang Ran achieved success.
"Oh? As expected, nothing can be hidden from you, Deacon. My family does have such intentions, but everything naturally revolves around me. My father and fourth uncle's idea is to proceed gradually, making minor adjustments only after I raise my cultivation or my position within the sect stabilizes. At present, the family's primary task is to branch out and multiply, striving to produce another one or two descendants with outstanding Spiritual Roots. After passing through one generation or perhaps two or three, the family might finally flourish. Of course, the premise of all this is that I have the opportunity to make a run at Foundation Establishment, or even better, become a Foundation Establishment cultivator like yourself, Deacon."
Upon hearing this, Ma Xianliang's face revealed an expression of profound approval, and he nodded repeatedly. "Extremely well said! Advancing steadily without blind risk-taking. I truly never expected the elders in your family to possess such far-reaching wisdom. I certainly underestimated them before."
Wang Ran hurriedly waved his hands and responded with modesty, "Not at all, not at all. These are just some insignificant little tricks, utterly unworthy of such high praise from you, Deacon."
Changing the subject, Wang Ran curiously inquired, "By the way, what exactly is the mission Deacon just mentioned?"
Ma Xianliang smiled slightly and explained, "This mission is to search for promising youths with the potential for immortal cultivation. Normally, such important tasks should be handled by Inner Sect or personal disciples. However, Senior Sister Qiu holds you in high regard, so I specifically arranged this heavy responsibility for you."
He continued, "You are now granted a month of leave. Once you have properly settled your family affairs, you are to carefully screen all powers within Sihaicheng and a radius of three thousand miles around it. If you are fortunate enough to discover youths with exceptional talent who are suited to step onto the path of cultivation, you may bring them directly back to the sect for examination. Should you manage to find talents possessing dual Spiritual Roots or a single Spiritual Root and successfully introduce them to the sect, that will be a great contribution, and the sect will certainly bestow generous rewards." Ma Xianliang looked at Wang Ran earnestly, his eyes filled with anticipation and encouragement.
"This... thanks to your high regard, Deacon, this disciple will surely go all out and handle this matter impeccably! Furthermore, some time ago, this disciple accidentally stumbled upon a fifty-year-old 'Crimson Gold Ganoderma'. Because I couldn't tell its authenticity, I never dared to use it lightly. Knowing that Deacon is well-versed in identifying spiritual herbs, this disciple has specifically brought it here for your perusal, sir. However, this Crimson Gold Ganoderma is of little use to a Qi Refining Early Stage cultivator like myself. If this medicine is genuine, it can be presented right here to Deacon to express this disciple's gratitude for your multifaceted care since entering the sect."
Wang Ran took out a jade box from his Storage Bag. The jade box still bore a talisman sealing in spiritual power, clearly showing that this item was extraordinary.
"Crimson Gold Ganoderma? One of the three main ingredients used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills? This item is rarely circulated on the market, so it's normal that you didn't recognize it. In that case, let old man me take a look for you."
Ma Xianliang felt a surge of joy. Having guarded the outer sect for a long time, he naturally knew the preciousness of this Crimson Gold Ganoderma. Moreover, the younger generation in his family had already reached the Qi Refining Late Stage, and this spiritual herb happened to be something he urgently needed.
*No matter what, I must secure this spiritual herb. I originally just wanted to do this kid a favor, but I never expected him to pull out such a treasure. I have no idea where he managed to find it; he truly has great luck.*
Felt with such internal emotion, he cautiously took the jade box, effortlessly brushed away the talisman above with his vital Qi, and revealed a purple spirit fungus emitting a faint golden light.
"It truly is a Crimson Gold Ganoderma, and its condition is pristine, looking as if it were freshly plucked, with not a shred of medicinal potency lost."
Half an hour later, Wang Ran walked out of the Outer Sect Deacon's room with a satisfied heart, his hands holding an extra token and a Storage Bag containing over a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones. This was naturally the result of his transaction with Ma Xianliang, and also the favor he deliberately gave away in accordance with his master's instructions.
In reality, this Crimson Gold Ganoderma had been found by Lu Ming on a cliff in the back mountain, and had since been kept and cultivated by Lu Ming. Given the value of a Crimson Gold Ganoderma, even five hundred Spirit Stones might not have been enough to buy it. Selling it to Ma Xianliang at a low price not only greatly reduced the risk of going out to buy medicine, but also threw in a favor on the side.
With the help of the white jade porcelain bottle, this Crimson Gold Ganoderma had already been revitalized with the aid of spiritual liquid the moment it was plucked. It counted as having yielded a second, smaller Crimson Gold Ganoderma; in a few years, it would surely have grown once again to the point where it could be used in medicine.
Time was tight, with only a short two days remaining! Wang Ran pondered inwardly and decided to visit the rogue cultivator marketplace once more. The purpose of this trip was clear: to find some precious pills capable of strengthening the body and prolonging life for his father and fourth uncle. As they grew older, their physical health became increasingly vital, and these pills might provide them with some extra security.
Additionally, Wang Ran hoped to try his luck in the marketplace to see if he could discover any rare and uncommon spiritual plants. If he were fortunate enough to encounter such a treasure, he would buy it without hesitation and present it as a gift to his esteemed master. For a practitioner, spiritual plants held extremely high value, capable of assisting cultivation and enhancing strength.
Of course, aside from those two points, Wang Ran also needed to purchase some simple array disks. Although these array disks might look ordinary, after being studied and improved by his master, they might just unleash unexpected effects. Thinking of this, Wang Ran's pace grew firmer; he lifted his chin, puffed out his chest, and walked step by step toward the mountain gate.