**Chapter 47: Destroying the Evidence**

With this in mind, He Song quickly began planning how to allocate his future spirit stones. 

First.

Spells! 

Spells were cheap. An ordinary Qi Refining spell cost only ten spirit stones.

Special Qi Refining spells were slightly more expensive, but the price shouldn't be too high.

Learning all the spells he wanted likely wouldn't cost much.

This was the easiest way to improve his strength.

Moreover, many Qi Refining spells had various unique uses and could be highly beneficial in other areas.

For example, the Spirit Eye Technique, the Sound Transmission Technique, and the Breath Concealment Technique were all like this.

Of course, practicing spells would take a long time.

But He Song, having crossed over from another world, had a stronger soul than ordinary cultivators, and his ability to learn spells was much faster than most.

Such a significant advantage would be a waste if not utilized.

Next.

Talismans! 

Talismans were incredibly useful during the Qi Refining stage.

A low-grade Earth Protection Talisman, costing five spirit stones, could block several attacks from an early-stage Qi Refining cultivator and even mitigate some damage from mid-stage Qi Refining attacks.

A mid-grade Earth Protection Talisman, costing twenty spirit stones, could block several attacks from a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator and mitigate some damage from late-stage Qi Refining attacks.

A low-grade Golden Light Talisman, costing five spirit stones, had devastating offensive power. Without a defensive talisman or artifact to block it, an early-stage Qi Refining cultivator would suffer greatly.

However, these talismans generally didn't last long, with most lasting only a dozen breaths.

Due to their short duration and relatively high cost.

Most cultivators carried only a few, while the more cautious ones carried a dozen or so for self-defense.

But during the Qi Refining stage, carrying more talismans was never a bad idea.

This was also why many cultivators dabbled in talisman-making.

Making talismans yourself, once you became proficient, was more cost-effective than buying them. Plus, selling the talismans you didn't need could supplement your income.

Talisman-making was quite profitable.

After spells and talismans, the next priority was artifacts.

Low-grade artifacts, purchased from the artifact pavilion in the immortal marketplace, varied in price depending on their condition, design, and other factors, but generally cost around a hundred spirit stones.

Mid-grade artifacts were more expensive, typically costing around five hundred spirit stones.

In the cultivation world.

Generally, early-stage and mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators had low cultivation levels and limited resources, so they mostly used low-grade artifacts.

Having a set of offensive and defensive low-grade artifacts already put one ahead of most early-stage and mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

After all, He Song had reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining but didn't even own a single low-grade artifact.

Most other immortal marketplace cultivators were in the same boat.

Only rogue cultivators, facing survival pressures, would grit their teeth and acquire defensive artifacts during the early-stage of Qi Refining.

Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, with their abundant spiritual energy, mostly used mid-grade artifacts.

The artifacts Wei Fan had upgraded three years ago were a set of offensive and defensive mid-grade artifacts.

Among late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, this was considered standard.

As for high-grade and top-grade artifacts.

These were generally only considered after reaching Foundation Building.

They were too expensive and required too much spiritual energy, making them impractical for most late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

Of course, some late-stage Qi Refining cultivators did use high-grade artifacts, but the spiritual energy consumption was so high that they were typically reserved as trump cards, with only a few uses.

Spells.

Talismans.

Artifacts.

These three methods of self-protection all required significant amounts of spirit stones.

After careful consideration, He Song decided to first thoroughly master the introductory chapter of array formation and set up the simplest Spirit Gathering Array to boost his cultivation speed.

Then, he would spend spirit stones to learn spells and purchase talismans.

Once he had enough spirit stones, he would buy artifacts.

This way, he wouldn't hinder his cultivation progress while also improving his combat abilities.

Perfect! 

Although his combat strength wouldn't improve immediately.

The immortal marketplace was relatively safe, with Foundation Building experts providing protection. As long as there wasn't a major upheaval, the safety level was extremely high.

After making his decision, He Song poured himself a cup of tea and waited in the courtyard for Wei Fan's return.

Night fell.

He Song set down his teacup, a trace of worry creeping into his heart.

Wei Fan had been gone for so long and still hadn't returned.

Could it be... 

A troubling thought flashed through his mind as He Song looked at the completely darkened sky outside the courtyard, his brows gradually furrowing.

It shouldn't be. Wei Fan was, after all, a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator with newly upgraded artifacts and plenty of talismans.

Facing a fourth-layer Qi Refining cultivator like Chen Zhou, there was no way he could fail, right?

The difference in strength was enormous.

However, just as He Song was starting to lose his composure and considered sending a paper crane to investigate.

Two figures appeared at the courtyard gate.

They were arm in arm, looking as if they were old friends reuniting after a long time.

At first glance, He Song thought they were two drunkards.

But upon closer inspection, He Song's face lit up with joy.

Clop clop clop... 

Accompanied by the sound of rapid footsteps, He Song quickly arrived at the courtyard gate.

Opening the door.

"Brother Wei, what's going on with Old Meng?" Looking at the two figures arm in arm, He Song first welcomed them into the courtyard before asking.

That's right. The two figures arm in arm were Wei Fan and Meng Guan.

Meng Guan, who had been silent for three years while at the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine, had now appeared alive and well before He Song.

Moreover, he had returned with Wei Fan.

This scene left He Song full of questions.

Naturally, after welcoming the two into the courtyard, he immediately began asking.

"Let's sit, let's sit. We'll talk slowly." Wei Fan, with a smile on his face, led the two to the pavilion.

Once the three were seated, each with a cup of tea in front of them.

Wei Fan pointed at Meng Guan and began explaining to He Song.

"When I left the immortal marketplace, it was to kill that Chen Zhou. After I had him expelled from the marketplace, he slipped away like an eel, disappearing in the blink of an eye."

"Fortunately, I ran into him. I'm not particularly skilled, but three years ago I acquired a Tracking Technique. After using it, I followed the direction he fled for half a day."

"I don't know how many miles I traveled outside the marketplace, but as the sky darkened, I finally caught up with him and killed him."

"Coincidentally, just as I was reducing him to ashes as you suggested, someone passed by."

"At first, I thought I'd get a two-for-one deal, but then that person called out to me, 'Brother Wei.'"

"And so, we came back together."

Looking at Meng Guan beside him, Wei Fan's expression couldn't help but turn a bit strange.

He hadn't expected.

That just as he was finishing the job and reducing the body to ashes as He Song had instructed, he would coincidentally run into Meng Guan, who had just left the Crimson Spirit Gold Mine and was on his way back to the immortal marketplace to find him.

At the time, Meng Guan had even asked, puzzled, what he was doing.

What else could he be doing... destroying the evidence, of course.

(End of Chapter)