The Blue Serpent Gang.
It was a group centered around Qing Hualan, a late-stage Qi Refinement mountain gatherer.
There was a commotion in the Blue Serpent Gang, which had been growing rapidly recently.
"Do you know why the elder brother called us to gather?"
"Who knows?"
More than ten people looked at each other and talked.
They were all young, but, having suffered quite a bit in their childhoods, they were covered in scars. Most were rough-looking men, with just a few women.
"When will the elder brother arrive?"
"Wait patiently. They'll come soon."
Despite their rough appearances, they were surprisingly docile.
Each one stretched their necks, examining the entrance like dogs waiting for their owner.
How much time had passed?
"You've arrived, brother!"
"Elder Brother!"
A slender woman appeared in the hall.
Everyone stood up and bowed their heads. Not a single person was an exception. Their expressions were all filled with respect.
"Mm."
The woman, who had responded briefly, crossed the hall. She was Qing Hualan, who had established the Blue Serpent Gang, and she naturally took the main seat.
Her attire was modest despite being a late-stage Qi Refinement practitioner. The black martial outfit without a single accessory contrasted with her snow-white skin.
Her upright posture subtly revealed her personality. Perhaps due to the sword at her waist, the atmosphere was very unique.
At a glance, she looked like a female Daoist who enjoyed simplicity, or a sword practitioner who trained in swordsmanship.
As the entire hall quieted down...
Qing Hualan, with blue eyes, frowned.
"Where is the fifth? Didn't I tell everyone to gather?"
The atmosphere sank at her cold voice.
While everyone was at a loss, a man at the front spoke in a cautious tone:
"Elder Brother. Actually, this morning at dawn, I caught a glimpse of Wang Xin leaving with some newcomers. I don't know where he went, but he hasn't returned yet."
Qing Hualan sighed and said:
"Didn't I clearly tell you all to be careful in your actions for the time being? Now that I've reached Qi Refinement level 8, the Zeyang Sect's checks will become more severe. Even the Duan family's movements have been suspicious lately."
"...Level 8? Elder Brother! Don't tell me you've broken through to another realm!"
"Congratulations! As expected, Elder Brother's talent is the best under heaven! You'll soon be able to become a Foundation Establishment master!"
"That's right! Sincere congratulations!"
Amidst the suddenly noisy hall, Qing Hualan waved her hand.
"Enough. How could becoming a Foundation Establishment master be easy? To break through, I need a Foundation Establishment Pill, and obtaining one is no simple matter. The old fogies have monopolized them all."
"Foundation Establishment Pill...!"
"Moreover, if it becomes known that I've reached Qi Refinement level 8, the threat from the Zeyang Sect, which has been checking us discreetly, will grow larger. They might even attempt assassination without regard for face. So keep my advancement to level 8 a secret."
"Yes! Don't worry. Even if a knife is put to our throats, we'll never tell! Huhu."
Qing Hualan, who had been watching her subordinates rejoice as if it were their own achievement, shook her head.
A rare smile formed on her face, which had only been cold.
"Find Wang Xin quickly and warn him sternly. His character is too light. He has no secrets when he drinks, so don't let him near brothels for the time being."
"Yes. Please don't worry, Elder Brother, and focus on your cultivation. Becoming a Foundation Establishment master is most important. Then we won't need to worry about the Zeyang Sect's checks and such."
※※※
At the entrance of Mount Zeyang.
Rustle!
A boy in shabby clothes emerged from the dense undergrowth.
Qin Zhaoming, who had been hiding between rocks, carefully surveyed the surroundings.
"Whew."
Though he had been observing for a long time, there was no sign of anyone. However, he didn't let his guard down and continued to wait.
He had to be careful, as there might be other trackers.
'It seems no one is here...?'
He considered returning. Though Zeyang City had terrible security, it was at least safer than Mount Zeyang.
'Wait.'
Qin Zhaoming, who was about to come out from between the rocks, paused.
Unlike when he had climbed Mount Zeyang at dawn today, his bundle was heavy.
This was because of the gifts that kind Wang Xin had provided before departing for the afterlife.
'Is it okay for me to just take this?'
Cultivators had many secretive means. They were beings who wielded all sorts of superpowers unimaginable to ordinary people.
Among the rumors he had heard during his time as an ordinary person, there was one like this:
'They say immortals leave invisible marks on their belongings so they can retrieve them even if lost. So don't pick up objects carelessly.'
He carefully examined the items he had brought again.
From the sharp flying sword with blue spirit qi swirling around it to the pouch that somehow looked luxurious.
No matter how closely he looked, he couldn't tell anything.
Just as he was pondering what to do...
"Huh?"
Qin Zhaoming's mouth fell open.
It wasn't because he had discovered a mark. He was simply surprised by an unexpected harvest.
"...Could this be a storage bag?"
He had thought the flying sword was the most precious treasure among the items Wang Xin had left. This was because the shield the man had primarily used was already shattered.
But that wasn't the case. There was an even more precious item.
Qin Zhaoming's fingertips trembled. He examined the fist-sized bag several times.
His excitement grew with each repetition of the action.
"It's real. It's a real storage bag."
A valuable item he had only heard of in rumors! It was the famous storage bag, an essential item for cultivators.
Simply put, a storage bag was a spatial storage bag. Despite being smaller than a fist, it could hold countless items.
Given its overwhelming convenience, it was naturally exorbitantly expensive.
Even the cheapest 3 cubic meters storage bag cost at least 300 spirit stones.
Gulp.
The moment he carefully opened the bag and infused spirit qi...
The usage method of the storage bag appeared in his mind. It was like an instruction manual.
"Amazing."
Indeed, luxury goods were different. He couldn't help but be moved by the user-friendliness typically found only in high-grade magical artifacts.
Whoosh!
Everything from the flying sword, which had been difficult to carry without a scabbard, to the gourd bottle containing dew.
They all went into the fist-sized bag.
"This is incredible."
His thought of abandoning the items due to concern about tracking completely disappeared. Hundreds of spirit stones were worth the risk.
Spirit stones weren't just money.
They were precious resources that increased cultivation speed and ultimately gave the possibility of breaking through to higher realms.
Over 300 spirit stones could save at least 4-5 years of time.
5 years.
No matter how he thought about it, it was too precious to give up just because of worry.
'...I can't give it up. But I should prevent tracking.'
He took everything out of the storage bag.
57 spirit stones, miscellaneous books, the flying sword, unknown elixirs, and even a strange mask.
Looking at them spread out, the harvest was abundant.
He wanted to examine each item carefully, but there was no time. This was a dangerous outdoor location.
He concentrated his mind while looking at the items poured on the ground.
Crack!
Five Supreme Great Power spheres turned to dust. A mysterious wave swept through the items.
Though startled by the unexpectedly high consumption, he soon understood.
'Well, I don't know anything about preventing tracking.'
It was similar to spells. If one didn't know the method, the price for fulfilling the wish was high.
Anyway.
He purified all items, including the storage bag.
Whatever marks had been engraved, they would have been erased by the omnipotent power of the Supreme Great Power.
Only now truly at ease, Qin Zhaoming emerged from between the rocks.
While walking toward Zeyang City, he contemplated what to do next.
'The outer city is too dangerous. I should find a house in the safer inner city.'
It couldn't be postponed any longer.
Dwellings located in the inner city were expensive, but he could afford them now. This was thanks to the inheritance passed on by Wang Xin.
With a fuller pocket, his options widened.
'After finding a house... let's check what's in the storage bag.'
Forcibly holding back the smile that kept escaping due to anticipation.
He moved his lightened steps.