Wei Shiqin continued with a charming smile, "Moreover, for the Azure Lotus Pill you asked me to find, fellow Daoist Ning can also help."
"He is the Hall Master of the Blazing Wind Hall of the Ning Family. The Ning Family is the second-largest family in Thousand Wave Lake, with numerous clan members. As long as fellow Daoist Ning is willing to let his family help search in Thousand Wave Lake, I believe you all should be able to achieve some results."
Ning Fa's mind raced.
Only then did he understand Wei Shiqin's intention in mentioning his status as an alchemist earlier.
It turned out that the woman named Ling Yue had the Moonstone, and they were looking for the spiritual material called Dark Flame Grass, which was why they had come to Wei Shiqin.
Ning Fa smiled and said, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ning Fa, from the Ning Family. I greet all fellow Daoists of the Huayu Sect."
The members of the Huayu Sect also understood Wei Shiqin's intentions at this point.
Seeing Ning Fa's polite demeanor, and knowing they might need his help later, their expressions softened, and they began to introduce themselves.
Ning Fa then learned that the woman who gave him a sense of familiarity was named Ling Yue.
The man with the red hairband was named Zuo Guanglin, and the man with a slender face and lively eyes was named Kou Zhun.
The last man, with dark skin and a seemingly honest and reliable appearance, was named Li Tieniu.
He appeared rather introverted and hadn't spoken much.
Ning Fa immediately said, "It seems fellow Daoist Ling has the Moonstone I need. We can discuss a trade. Whether it's the Azure Lotus Pill or me mobilizing our family members to help you search for the Dark Flame Grass, we can negotiate."
The members of the Huayu Sect exchanged glances, then looked at Ling Yue.
Ling Yue first glanced at Ning Fa, then took out a stone shaped like a crescent moon and asked, "Is this the Moonstone fellow Daoist Ning is looking for?"
Sensing the stone's special fluctuations and the rich Moon Essence Power, Ning Fa's eyes lit up with joy.
The Moonstone in Ling Yue's hand was even a size larger than the one he had previously obtained from Qian Shouzhong.
He said happily, "Yes, it's this Moonstone. I wonder how many you have, fellow Daoist Ling?"
Ling Yue hesitated for a moment, then asked, "May I ask first what fellow Daoist Ning needs this Moonstone for?"
Ning Fa slowly shook his head, "I'm sorry, I cannot disclose that."
Ling Yue's beautiful eyes flickered, and she calmly said, "It's fine, I was just curious. I do have a few Moonstones on hand, and I can trade them with you."
Ning Fa's face lit up, and he immediately began discussing trade terms with Ling Yue.
Because this Moonstone was a second-tier spiritual material, and its rarity surpassed that of ordinary second-tier spiritual items.
The fact that even Wei Shiqin didn't recognize it, and only found out after searching through ancient texts, was telling.
Therefore, its value was even higher than ordinary spiritual items of the same tier.
In the end, Ning Fa paid a hefty price and obtained five Moonstones from Ling Yue.
This included mobilizing people to help search for the Dark Flame Grass, as well as a significant amount of high-grade first-tier pills.
These included the Azure Lotus Pill, the Water Radiance Pill, and even a few Jade Dragon Pills.
The Jade Dragon Pills, in particular, greatly surprised the members of the Huayu Sect.
Ling Yue first gave Ning Fa four Moonstones, with the remaining one to be given after the Dark Flame Grass matter was concluded.
Afterward, they exchanged contact information, and Ling Yue and her group departed.
Wei Shiqin looked at Ning Fa teasingly and clicked her tongue, "I'm starting to suspect that your need for the Moonstone is just a pretense, and you really just want to get close to Miss Ling Yue."
Ning Fa was not one to be trifled with when it came to Wei Shiqin's teasing. He immediately retorted, "Sister Shiqin, there's no need to be jealous. In my eyes, you are far more beautiful than her."
Wei Shiqin couldn't take it and a blush instantly spread across her pretty face.
Ning Fa chuckled inwardly, So weak, yet so eager to play.
Wei Shiqin shot him a glance and said seriously, "Do you have any leads on that Dark Flame Grass?"
Ning Fa shook his head, "I've never even heard of it. I can only mobilize the family to search for it."
He suddenly noticed Wei Shiqin's composed expression and realized, "Sister Shiqin, do you happen to have the Dark Flame Grass on hand?"
Wei Shiqin chuckled lightly, "While I don't have the Dark Flame Grass myself, I do know its possible whereabouts. I'll let you have it for a good price, you brat."
Ning Fa exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Shiqin, you're so good to me. I wish I could offer myself in return right now."
Wei Shiqin's pretty face turned hot, but she rolled her eyes at him, "Don't just talk the talk, let's do it."
Ning Fa was stunned.
Is she serious?
Wei Shiqin snorted lightly, then tossed a jade slip to Ning Fa before leaving on her own.
Seven days later.
A large flying boat was speeding westward.
There were quite a few people on the flying boat, led by Ning Fa.
Their destination was a remote island called Black Rock Island.
Due to its remote location and the abundance of surrounding demonic beasts, it had not been occupied by cultivators.
According to Wei Shiqin's intel, this island had mature Dark Flame Grass, but it was guarded by many demonic beasts, making it difficult to harvest.
Ning Fa led a team of Blazing Wind Hall members here, while Ning Yuwen was left behind to manage affairs at the family estate.
Xiao Yu was also brought along by Ning Fa.
He was eager to see if Xiao Yu's keen nose could discover any treasures out in the world.
Then there were the individuals from Huayu Sect.
Ning Fa looked at Ling Yue and smiled, "That Black Rock Island is home to many Dark Mist Spiders, which are considered quite troublesome late-stage first-tier demonic beasts. They are particularly adept at spewing poisonous mist, so I advise all fellow cultivators to be mindful and take their Detoxification Pills promptly."
Ling Yue replied gratefully, "We are very much in your debt, fellow cultivator Ning, for your timely assistance. Otherwise, we don't know how much longer it would have taken us to find this place."
Ning Fa chuckled, "No need to be so polite, fellow cultivator Ling. We are simply looking to fulfill our own needs."
Zuo Guanglin and Kou Zhun cast envious glances at Ning Fa again.
Xiao Yu, meanwhile, darted her gaze between Ning Fa and Ling Yue, her large eyes spinning around with a gossipy expression.
Not long after, a dark, dust-covered island appeared before everyone's eyes.
It had a rather oppressive appearance.
The dense demonic energy and the continuous roars of wild beasts sent shivers down their spines.
Zuo Guanglin and Kou Zhun, who had been full of confidence earlier, suddenly looked uneasy.
Li Tieniu, however, remained unfazed.
Of course, it might have been because his face was too dark to tell.
Ning Fa said solemnly, "As we agreed, everyone will follow my lead."
With that, the group stealthily approached the island.
After more than half a day.
In a canyon on the southwest corner of the island, the sounds of continuous fighting and spell bombardment finally ceased.
Dozens of black spider corpses, several feet in size, lay scattered on the pitted ground.
Black mist permeated the air, emitting a nauseating stench.
A soaring flame erupted, burning away the thick black mist.
The members of Huayu Sect looked delighted, and their gazes towards Ning Fa held a hint of reverence.
The powerful strength Ning Fa had displayed during the battle against the Dark Mist Spiders had earned their admiration.
Ling Yue expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, fellow cultivator Ning, for leading your family's cultivators to assist us. It would have been very difficult for us four alone to deal with these Dark Mist Spiders."
Ning Fa smiled, "Let's go check if there's any Dark Flame Grass you need in the spiders' nests."