“This is it?” A newly promoted outer disciple said. Mingwei, on the other hand, was impressed. This was a main-sect level of wealth back home, but clearly the other disciples weren’t very impressed. The outer disciples went in and out quickly, and soon, Mingwei was the only one left in there.

That was fine, of course. He enjoyed having the entire warehouse to himself. It was an incredibly pleasant thing, anyway.

Various 3-star and 4-star items were at display. Mostly soul-bound weapons, and the newly promoted outer disciple had quickly raided the storeroom for all the better soul-bound weapons, pendants or amulets. There were some cultivation pills on display, too, but they seemed to be just condensed versions of their raw materials, and have not gone through any proper process of refinement.

But Mingwei was quite fascinated with a set of pills that didn’t exist back home.

“Those pills? Ah... those are used to correct meridian imbalances. They are extracts of some Qi-beasts that had the ability to suppress certain kinds of natural Qi-defects.”

One of Mingwei’s past lives made him feel like crying. Simply because one of his past lives had a daughter who suffered from a Qi-defect that caused her growth to be unstable. This 4-star pill, had it existed back home, would’ve been able to cure it!

“So, there are pill types that they don’t know too, eh.” Mingwei said to himself. It made sense, their world’s theme was scarcity. They were masters of refinement, extraction and recycling, but there’s little one can do if the raw materials did not exist in their world. He wondered what would happen if the raw materials that made these pills were refined using their old world processes.

His thoughts were interrupted, when he saw a small vial containing a silverish liquid. A 4-star Liquid Metal Marrow, enough for one dose! Extracted from the bones of a metallic Qi-beast, the liquid metal marrow was exactly what he needed to partially repair his Qi-cauldron and get it to a 4-star state! Without saying, he took it.

Then, he saw something else that he wanted. A 3-star Qi-Carving knife. A knife used to process the corpses of Qi-beast. Ah, but he only had 1 slot left. Should he take it now? Or should he use a different item for the upcoming beast-hunt?

Then... he saw something else that was unique. A beast-repelling pendant! The moment he saw, he ran to it and he picked it up.

[4-star beast repelling pendant]

Increases all Qi-damage dealt to Qi-beasts below 5-stars by 200

Reduces all Qi damage received from Qi-beasts by 500

Prevents damage from one Qi-beast attack per day. Only works on Qi-Beast rated 5-star and below

Less Likely to be detected by Qi-beasts

Ah. It’ll take up one Soulbound slot, but this seemed like the perfect item for a hunting sect like the Longbow Sect? If Mingwei didn’t want to die, this seemed like the perfect item to take along.

-

“Alright outer disciples. We’ll be forming up into groups of ten. Our targets are 3-star Redmaw Giant Gators, and 4-star Giant Greenducks.” Elder Ma and Elder Fang announced. There were about 200 disciples gathered, a mix of Core, Inner and Outer disciples. This was almost everyone! “Our goal is just the mountains immediately next to Redmaw Town. No matter what you do, do not cross over the Stream of Yellow Waters, as 5-star and 6-star Qi-beasts lie on the other side.”

Everyone nodded. Each group of ten will be led by one Inner Disciple. Some groups will be led by a Core Disciple.

All of the elders are participating, but Mingwei wouldn’t feel safe, not unless an 8-star was present.

Mingwei processed the words he had heard. Giant Greenducks? Giant versions of greenducks? Is that why this world is so wealthy and full of cultivation resources? Because of these ‘giants’?

“For all of you newly promoted outer disciples.” Elder Ke walked over and talked to the new bunch specifically. “Stay back and watch. Remember, these Qi-beasts have the strength of a pinnacle-level cultivator for their realm.” That meant, the 3-star Redmaw Giant Gator, was as strong as a peak-3star cultivator. So, a 4-star greenduck would be very difficult to defeat!

“But doesn’t that mean Greenduck will kill us in one shot?” An outer disciple clearly caught the message.

“Yes. Which is why, stay back. Let us handle it, or Core Disciple Ke-ying or Core Disciple Shenhu.”

Mingwei nodded. He would do exactly that. Elder Qing handed a set of pills for everyone. Three 3-star healing pills that would recover 5,000 Core Toughness and 2,000 Stored Qi each, and one poison-removal pill. Of course, Mingwei brought more pills of his own... just in case.

“Remember, stay safe. Work with your teams.”

They were arranged into teams, and Mingwei’s leader was Core Disciple Ke-ying herself. Those led by Inner Disciples will be watched by accompanied by Elders in the vicinity.

“Ah, you’re the newbie alchemist.” An outer disciple said. “I’m Chanshao, I’m pinnacle 3-star!”

Ke-ying frowned. “Hey, Chanshao, don’t bully the newbie.”

“I’m just introducing myself!”

“Sounds like bullying to me.” Ke-ying said. “Anyway, we’ve done this many times, and this time, nothing’s different. Our goal is to just hunt 3-star and 4-star Qi-beasts, and retreat. We do not go past the Stream, or anywhere near there, really. We just stay mostly around the middle. Everyone clear?”

“Yes!”

“Good. Newbie, you got it?”

“Yes.”