Qi Cultivation Starting from the Repair Panel

It was exceedingly difficult to make close friends.

Dudu——

Two figures stepped onto the small boat, and the already cramped space suddenly seemed even more suffocating.

Song Lingqing's face retained her smile, appearing harmless to humans and animals, seemingly without any defenses, yet her eyes sized up the two men before her from head to toe.

One wore a blue shirt with a medium build and a scholarly demeanor, carrying a long box on his back, while the other was dressed in black tight-fitting clothes and appeared somewhat lean.

It was impossible to tell the ages of cultivators from their appearances, but as cultivators of the Spirit Spring Realm enjoyed prolonged life, if one had entered the realm at a young age, they would appear much younger.

However, the two men before her both looked to be nearly forty, which meant they were at least a hundred years old.

One was at the Mid Spirit Spring Realm and the other at the Early Spirit Spring Realm, respectable ranks among loose cultivators, but rather unimpressive compared to sect disciples.

After enduring the many trials of the past half-year, Song Lingqing's cultivation had improved a level more; she had now reached the Mid Spirit Spring Realm. Handling these two was not too troublesome.

Song Lingqing slightly relaxed, her mana circulated within, maintaining vigilance as she softly inquired:

"May I ask how the two Daoist brothers are called, and from which sect do you come?"

"Cheng Xuan, loose cultivator,"

said the one carrying the long box, a cultivator from the Mid Spirit Spring Realm, identifying himself and then pointing to the other man in black:

"This is Wu Taiyun, Daoist Brother Wu, also a loose cultivator, without a sect or faction."

After revealing their backgrounds, Cheng Xuan began to subtly probe for information about Song Lingqing:

"May I inquire which sect the Daoist friend is from?"

"Loose cultivator, my master passed away early, and afterwards, I was left to cultivate alone, no old acquaintances. Recently, the Spirit Stones left by my master are nearly depleted, compelling me to leave the mountains in hopes of finding a way out."

Song Lingqing's smile didn't diminish, her aura mild, giving off an impression of naivety.

Cheng Xuan and Wu Taiyun exchanged glances, their expressions indiscernible, as if hiding a smile.

"We happen to have quite an appealing business opportunity. Would the Daoist friend care to join us?"

Cheng Xuan extended the invitation and then retrieved a portrait, slowly unfolding it:

"Finding this person could bring us a great fortune."

Looking at the portrait in front of her, Song Lingqing who originally planned to find an excuse to leave, paused momentarily, intrigue sparked in her eyes.

She took the portrait and examined it closely. Although the facial features were somewhat ambiguous, she could tell at first glance, the person in the painting was Chu Zheng.

"Daoist brothers, may I ask about the origin of this fortune?"

Song Lingqing looked puzzled, slowly rolling up the portrait in her hands, surreptitiously surveying her surroundings while quietly asking, "What do the two of you want with this man?"

"His head can fetch us fifty thousand high-quality Spirit Stones, and even mere information can be rewarded with a thousand high-quality Spirit Stones. This is the reward I can procure; others may not receive as much,"

Cheng Xuan's lips curved slightly, undeniable greed in his eyes.

Hearing this, Song Lingqing's eyes flickered, feigning hesitation, "Such a high bounty must mean that his cultivation is extraordinary, right?"

"Merely at the Late Spirit Spring Realm, nothing to fear," Cheng Xuan dismissed with a wave of his hand.

If the cultivator were of a higher caliber, they wouldn't dare contemplate it.

But given that the cultivation was only at the Late Spirit Spring Realm, this was trivial compared to the promised bounty.

Fifty thousand high-quality Spirit Stones, if converted to lower-quality, that would be five million—enough to buy a lower-rank sect.

Such a bounty on the head of a Late Spirit Spring Realm cultivator, was indeed a rare and lucrative opportunity.

Even a mere piece of information held immense value—undeniably tempting to any loose cultivator.

Song Lingqing subconsciously clutched the portrait in her hand, a heaviness settling in her heart. She couldn't understand how Chu Zheng had drawn such massive trouble.

Upon reflection, she deduced some hints: Chu Zheng, capable of repairing even a shattered Immortal Bone, must possess earth-shattering secrets that likely attracted this deadly intent.

These people... truly deserved death.

Suppressing her rising killing intent, Song Lingqing steadied her emotions, her curiosity thinly veiled, "Such generosity with rewards, may I know which faction is issuing this bounty?"

"The specifics are unclear, but with his head, one can claim the reward at various sects. Rumor has it that this is backed by a Holy Land, probably involving them,"

Cheng Xuan elaborated calmly. Beside him, Wu Taiyun, who had been silent, seemed somewhat impatient:

"Brother Cheng, just deliver her to Autumn Water Island; why waste words with her?"

Cheng Xuan turned his head towards Wu Taiyun, his expression slightly cold, clearly displeased with his interjection.

"What is Brother Wu implying?"

Song Lingqing took a step back, slightly lowering her head, her demeanor visibly flustered.

"You need not worry, Daoist friend. We've been conducting business around these islands and have connections with cultivators from various islands."

Cheng Xuan turned back, smiling as he reassured, "You mentioned earlier that your Spirit Stones were running low and you were looking for a way out? Autumn Water Island is a prime location for earning Spirit Stones, an ideal place for you."

"No need, I visited Autumn Water Island a few days ago."

Song Lingqing spoke lightly, slowly raising her head, a fierce Spiritual Light burning in her pupils as she looked straight into Cheng Xuan's eyes, the earlier panic completely replaced by indifference.

The Phantom Spirit Technique was especially proficient in mental illusions, capable of intimidating an opponent's mind during combat. In low-grade cultivator clashes, it effectively secured the upper hand.