Purple Mansion is currently holding the last spot (15th) on the overall recommendation chart. Thank you to all the brothers and sisters for your full support in recommending it; let’s keep pushing upwards! －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ For cultivators, mastering a spell doesn't mean immediately accessing its full potential just because it has been learned. True proficiency, allowing for the maximum exertion of a spell's power, demands years, sometimes decades, of relentless, repetitive practice.

Because low-level cultivators have extremely limited reserves of internal mana within their meridians, casting even moderately potent spells—such as the Quicksand Art, Earth Evasion Technique, or Entangling Spell—can easily drain them completely. Once depleted, they must rely on meditation or wait patiently for their mana to slowly replenish, a process that often takes over a day. During this extended period, they are essentially incapable of casting any further spells.

Every cultivator's rate of mana recovery is severely restricted. This natural bottleneck, forcing a slow wait after exhaustion, fundamentally limits the pace at which a cultivator can advance their spell mastery.

Despite Ye Qin's diligent daily practice of the six basic spells he had mastered, running through them even once was enough to deplete his mana, leaving him unable to continue his drills.

He could only rely on day-after-day repetition to slowly enhance the proficiency of his techniques.

Ye Qin vaguely suspected that the key to breaking this bottleneck lay in using items like Spirit Stones. Acquiring more Spirit Stones, as many as possible, would certainly be immensely helpful for improving his spell familiarity.

With that thought, a wry smile touched his lips.

Elder Huang of the Treasure Gang, even mobilizing all the strength of the disciples under him, could secure at most only one or two Spirit Stones per month. That meager supply was barely enough to cultivate the Dew-Gathering Grass; how could there be enough left over for him to indulge in the luxury of constant spell practice?

He found it impossible to believe that any cultivator in this world would expend such precious resources on daily magical training.

It seemed Spirit Stones were best reserved for emergencies—a timely supplement of mana only when facing imminent danger.

Ye Qin carefully put away his Spirit Stones, leaped down from the wooden post, and strode into the small courtyard’s blue-brick house. He changed into dark clothing and donned a bamboo hat, deciding to pay a visit to the Yongfu Tavern to meet Elder Huang of the Treasure Gang.

Yesterday, while passing the Yongfu Tavern, he had noticed a small, inconspicuous red wooden plaque hanging from the third-floor window, upon which a specific time had been carved with a small knife. This was the prearranged contact method between him and Elder Huang.

If Elder Huang needed to summon him urgently, he would use this signal. A red plaque signified an emergency contact. Ordinary passersby on the street could never clearly discern the time carved onto the small wooden sign hanging in the third-floor window, but for Ye Qin’s sharp vision, it was simple to read.

Ye Qin resolved to go check; he needed to know why Elder Huang was in such a rush to meet him. He planned to arrive an hour earlier than their agreed time. Since his trust in Elder Huang wasn't absolute, arriving an hour ahead would give him time to prepare mentally.

As he stepped out, Ye Qin paused, surprised. An enormous red lantern bearing the insignia of the Medicine King Sect had been stuck into the ground by the entrance of his residence. The red candle flickered, and looking down the entire secluded alley, nearly every doorway displayed such a large red lantern.

He frowned slightly.

When had the Medicine King Sect become so generous? Lamps for thousands of households across the entire city—that represented a considerable expense.

As dusk settled, Ye Qin, clad in a black close-fitting outfit and a wide bamboo hat, a golden Treasure Token hanging from his waist, arrived a li away from the Yongfu Tavern. A large section of the street here had already been jointly sealed off by disciples of the Treasure Gang and the Medicine King Sect. Numerous patrol squads stood guard, preventing common folk from moving through the area.

Ye Qin couldn't help a soft scoff, transforming into a wisp of smoke, swiftly drifting past the patrolling figures. Without alerting a single guard, he bypassed the layers of sentries surrounding the Yongfu Tavern and materialized in an inconspicuous shadow next to the establishment, waiting silently.

Over the next period, he coldly observed the high-ranking officials from Pingzhou's Ten Great Gangs arrive and enter the Yongfu Tavern. Most of the so-called top masters from these ten gangs barely registered in his sight, yet three individuals caused his gaze to sharpen suddenly, eliciting a moment of inner alarm.

Ye Qin knew today was the day the Medicine King Sect held its exchange fair, and the most critical session was taking place within the luxurious Yongfu Tavern in Zhuqi County. However, the presence of three peerless experts at this fair was somewhat unexpected for him.

When the leadership of the Ten Great Gangs, along with Hall Master Li and Vice Hall Masters Ma and Ji of the Herb Gathering Hall who stood greeting guests at the tavern entrance, had all ascended to the Yongfu Tavern, the agreed-upon meeting time between Elder Huang and Ye Qin arrived.

Moments later, Elder Huang emerged from the tavern, scanning his surroundings. Fortunately, his eyes were sharp enough to finally detect a faint glimmer of golden-yellow light hidden in the shadows, revealing Ye Qin’s concealed position. The Elder hurried over and bowed deeply in greeting.

“Young Master, you have arrived!”

“Mm. What is it that you needed to see me about today?”

“Young Master, this is the situation. I have been exerting myself to the utmost to search for Spirit Stones and various spiritual items for you, but my findings have been meager, and I feel ashamed. However, I know the Medicine King Sect possesses a large quantity of rare herbs; they are renowned for their medicinal ingredients and stocks. I surmise that at tonight’s top-tier exchange in the Yongfu Tavern, the Medicine King Sect will definitely put forth a substantial collection of rare and seldom-seen medicinal materials for trade. It’s highly likely that the spirit herbs you desire will be among them. That is why I specifically requested the Young Master to come and personally appraise them. Whichever spirit herb the Young Master favors, I will step forward and purchase it on your behalf.”

Only then did Ye Qin understand the reason for Elder Huang’s summons, and he nodded slightly. He knew the Medicine King Sect did indeed possess a considerable amount of rare medicinal materials, but ordinary disciples rarely had access to such treasures. This exchange, dedicated solely to the finest rare herbs, presented an excellent opportunity; perhaps he could indeed find a few spirit herbs. It seemed Elder Huang was genuinely dedicated to his search for spiritual materials.

“Well done!”

Ye Qin rarely offered praise, letting a brief smile surface.

Elder Huang was overwhelmed by the compliment, feeling unexpectedly moved, and quickly urged Ye Qin to follow him upstairs.

The muscular men in dark livery guarding the Yongfu Tavern, along with the Embroidered Uniform Enforcement Team from the Herb Gathering Hall, looked on in confusion at the identity of the black-clad man Elder Huang was leading upstairs. However, none of them possessed the audacity to question a distinguished guest personally escorted by the Great Elder of the Treasure Gang! Even given ten times the courage, they would not dare approach to inquire.

Without incident, Ye Qin followed Elder Huang up to the third floor of the Yongfu Tavern and was seated at an inconspicuous table in the far rear of the exchange hall.