I Live Forever In The World of Cultivation World

Chapter 92: A Big Pit

As a manager of the medicinal herb garden, secretly selling spirit rices was feasible as long as it was done discreetly to avoid attracting attention.

However...

While He Song was using his free time to sell talismans in the market area and promoting his identity as a talisman master, an unexpected message arrived via a transmission paper crane, abruptly interrupting his plans.

On this day, He Song was preparing to go out as usual to sell talismans and publicize his status as a talisman master, laying the groundwork for selling spirit rices in the future.

But just as he was about to leave, a transmission paper crane descended from the sky and landed right in front of him.

Seeing this, He Song reached out to grab it, releasing a faint trace of his spiritual aura.

Instantly, the glowing paper crane transformed into a sheet of paper, falling into his hands.

"Friend He, it has been years since we last met. Ping’er has now followed her master to Azure Cliff Immortal City. Unfortunately, I couldn't bid farewell before leaving, and I hope you won't hold it against me."

"This message is to remind you of something: Friend He, you once purchased an Introduction to Formations Book from the Spirit Technique Pavilion. I wonder if you have managed to grasp the basics?"

"Recently, Ping’er heard from her master that those who manage to grasp the basics of formations can be directly accepted into the ranks of the Vast Earth Sect as inner disciples."

"If Friend He has such an opportunity, I must congratulate you in advance."

—Ping’er

Reading the delicate handwriting on the paper, He Song's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was in turmoil.

No wonder...

No wonder he had never heard about the fate of wandering cultivators after mastering formations.

No wonder he had never met even one formation master.

No wonder, when he sought a location to cultivate spirit farmlands, he hadn’t found any occupied by formation cultivators.

No wonder...

Clutching the paper, He Song turned back to his room. After closing the door, his face finally showed a trace of inner conflict.

According to Ping’er's letter, if he truthfully reported that he had mastered the basics of formations, he could be accepted as an inner disciple by the Vast Earth Sect, a powerful sect led by Golden Core Realm cultivators.

The Vast Earth Sect—renowned among Golden Core sects.

For most Qi Refinement Realm cultivators, becoming even an outer disciple was an honor.

Only those who had a significant chance of successfully advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm were qualified to become inner disciples.

Once a cultivator broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and became a true Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, they would no longer be referred to as disciples.

Instead, they would become elders!

Although the authority of elders varied, their status was equal.

In other words...

To the Vast Earth Sect, mastering the basics of formations indicated a high likelihood of reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm.

This was why they offered such enticing conditions, recruiting formation initiates early to cultivate their loyalty to the sect.

Sitting at his desk, He Song leisurely brewed himself a pot of tea.

Only after the room was filled with a soothing tea fragrance did his emotions finally settle.

Originally...

He Song had never thought he would one day join the Vast Earth Sect as an inner disciple while still in the Qi Refinement Realm.

But now, looking at the paper in his hand, He Song felt as if the opportunity had suddenly fallen into his lap.

However, cautious by nature, He Song decided to test the waters despite having learned this news.

"Thank you, Friend Ping’er, for your kind concern. I have studied formation techniques for years but achieved nothing. Regrettably, I have since shifted my focus to talismans."

"After years of effort, I am now a well-known talisman master in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market."

"It seems that such an opportunity is not meant for me, but I still appreciate your efforts in sharing this information."

"That said, I have spent years studying formations yet never grasped the basics. I must ask: Why is it so difficult to enter the field of formations?"

"And once initiated, why would the Vast Earth Sect accept someone as an inner disciple?"

—He Song

A thin piece of paper appeared in He Song's hand. With a flicker of spiritual energy between his fingers, he quickly inscribed lines of text onto it.

Then, with a puff of spiritual energy, the paper shot into the sky, flying off into the distance.

In the room, by the desk, He Song no longer had any interest in going to the market area to sell talismans.

He had already mastered the basics of formations. In fact, he had already harvested two crops of spirit rice.

Over 20,000 catties of spirit rice were stored in his small cargo storage bag, ready to be sold once his plans were finalized.

While he did find the identity of an inner disciple of the Vast Earth Sect tempting, the fact that he was about to earn over 1,000 spirit stones annually kept him from being overly affected.

After all...

Whether or not he joined the Vast Earth Sect, he could still live well.

Even if the Immortal Market became unsafe, he could simply move to another safe location.

As long as he had enough spirit stones, he could live comfortably anywhere.

Moments later, as He Song quietly waited for Ping’er's reply, a transmission paper crane descended from the sky, landing before him.

Seeing this, He Song’s eyes lit up. He immediately released his aura and grabbed the paper crane, which transformed into a piece of paper in his hand. He casually unfolded it.

"Congratulations to Friend He on becoming a talisman master. Although talisman crafting does not enjoy the same favor as formation techniques, it is still a respectable trade. Ping’er offers her congratulations."

"As for your question about the difficulty of mastering formations, my master once explained that entering the field of formations requires innate talent. Without this talent, an ordinary cultivator could study for decades and still fail to grasp the basics."

"On the other hand, those with talent can typically master the basics within about five years and learn their first formation, the Spirit Gathering Formation. After another five years, they can usually learn two additional formations."

"Once a cultivator has mastered the basics of formations, they can indeed become an inner disciple of the Vast Earth Sect. This is absolutely true. Moreover, it is almost impossible to hide once you have entered the field of formations."

"Do you know why the three foundational formations in the introductory text—Spirit Gathering, Maze, and Five Elements Formations—are chosen over other formations?"

"My master explained during her leisure time that these three formations, when combined, allow one to open up spirit farmlands to grow spirit rice or other spirit plants."

"However, these three formations were intentionally made available. The output of spirit rice and spirit plants from Immortal Markets and Immortal Cities is carefully controlled."

"If a sudden, untraceable surplus of spirit rice appeared in a certain Immortal Market or City, I’m sure you understand what that would mean."

—Ping’er

Sweeping his gaze over the elegant handwriting on the paper, He Song's expression darkened slightly.

Spirit Gathering, Maze, Five Elements?

Aren't those the very formations described in the Introduction to Formations Book?

The Spirit Gathering Formation provides spiritual energy to the farmlands, the Maze Formation conceals the presence of the spirit farmlands, and the Five Elements Formation protects the farmlands from intrusion.

It was obvious to him that combining these three formations could open spirit farmlands and generate enormous profits.

If even he could figure this out, how could the Vast Earth Sect and other cultivators in this world not know it?

From Ping’er’s description, these three formations were clearly a trap.

A huge trap!

And not just any trap—one meticulously prepared long ago, just waiting for cultivators to walk into it!