A short while later, Qin Shizhong rushed over.

Arriving with him were a few workers who helped move the materials.

However, Qin Shizhong was afraid someone might poach his connection, so he always sent the workers back as soon as they reached the entrance to the mountain ravine.

Then, he would carefully make his way over alone. It was impossible to overstate his caution. For the better part of a year, Zhang Deming had watched him do this but had no issue with it.

After Zong En let Qin Shizhong in, Spiritual Power surged around him as several vines, wrapped around a pile of materials, carried them over to Zhang Deming.

After setting the items down, however, he didn’t begin their usual exchange.

Zhang Deming looked at him, puzzled. "What is it? Is something the matter?"

Qin Shizhong nodded. "Senior Brother Zhang, I was wondering, would you accept mutated defensive materials?"

Zhang Deming asked, puzzled, "What kind of mutation?"

Qin Shizhong explained, "It’s a Gold Attribute mutation—extremely volatile. It’s not suitable for Artifact Refining, or for things like Training Arrays.

I’m only asking because when it comes to speed-attribute materials, you even accept parts from a Blast Spirit Deer, Senior Brother."

Zhang Deming nodded. "It should be fine, as long as the Spirituality is high enough. Why do you ask?"

Hearing this, Qin Shizhong said happily, "The market has recently been flooded with materials, and prices have plummeted. However, most of them aren’t very pure; they have some mutations.

The pure ones have actually gone up in price a little. So, considering your costs, Senior Brother, I thought it would be most cost-effective for us to switch materials."

Zhang Deming’s eyes flickered at his words. "Right, I heard the Outer Sect issued some kind of notice about half a month ago.

It’s made the entire Outer Sect much quieter. Is that related to this?"

Qin Shizhong nodded. "Yes. A Sect-wide mission notice was issued.

All registered Senior Brothers at the Late Stage of Apprentice who practice the Three Techniques received the notice.

A Sect-wide mission on this scale supposedly hasn’t been seen in years. It’s also the reason why material prices have plummeted.

Meanwhile, items related to Combat and survival have seen a slight price increase."

Zhang Deming asked, intrigued, "Do you know what the mission is? I’ve been a bit of a shut-in lately and haven’t kept up with the news."

Qin Shizhong’s face twitched. ’A bit of a shut-in? For the past half-year, you’ve been the biggest shut-in I’ve ever met.’

"It’s a Demon Beast extermination mission. Apparently, the Demon Beast mutations in the back mountains have gotten serious, so the Sect issued a mandatory, Sect-wide mission.

They’re mobilizing people to hunt Demon Beasts in the southern region of the back mountains. The extra rewards are said to be quite good.

They mobilized hundreds of thousands of Disciples, all Advanced Apprentices or higher, for a full-scale extermination.

I’ve also heard rumors that the Inner Sect has its own mission to find the source of the mutation. The reward is supposedly enough to make anyone’s eyes turn red with envy," Qin Shizhong said.

Images of what he’d experienced in the back mountains flashed through Zhang Deming’s mind.

’It’s been over a year since all that. Hasn’t this matter been resolved yet?’

’It seems this Demon Beast mutation is quite serious.’

"No wonder I’ve felt the Sect has been so quiet lately," Zhang Deming said.

Qin Shizhong added, "Isn’t it? And supposedly it’s even more extreme in the Inner Sect. Their mission has been going on for over six months now."

Zhang Deming already knew about that. He nodded and said, "Let’s talk about the materials."

At this, Qin Shizhong took out a bag. "Since I wasn’t sure if they’d work, I brought some samples.

You can test them out, Senior Brother. If they’re usable, we can take this opportunity to stock up.

Especially the defensive ones. Some of these are Advanced Apprentice-grade materials, but after mutation, their Spirituality is almost on par with One-Star Tai Chi Materials.

If the mutation hadn’t affected their purity, and if the market wasn’t so over-saturated right now, materials this potent would never be this cheap."

Zhang Deming inspected the materials for a moment. "Leave them there," he said. "I’ll let you know once I’ve tested them."

Qin Shizhong nodded. The two of them chatted idly for a few more moments before Qin Shizhong departed in a hurry.

Zhang Deming frowned slightly as he looked at the various shells and bones before him, all flecked with metallic spots.

’Materials like this are somewhat impure. It would probably have a major impact on Artifact Refining.’

’But the mutation has actually enhanced their Spirituality. For my Spirit Nurturing Technique, this should be a good thing.’

’Still, the situation in the back mountains already seemed serious the last time I was there.’

’And now a Sect-wide mission has been issued even to the Outer Sect. It looks like the "skin disease" afflicting the Demon Beasts in the back mountains is getting out of control.’

’But what does any of that have to do with me?’

’I’m just a slacker, a newly-minted Intermediate Apprentice.’

He stuffed all the materials into his storage bag. After half a year of repeated business, the amount of materials Qin Shizhong provided with each transaction was almost always exactly one bagful.

It was getting late, so Zhang Deming took out some materials.

With his current cultivation, he had enough Spiritual Power to cast Tier One Techniques for half a day.

Even with a high-consumption Technique like the Spirit Nurturing Technique, he had enough to create dozens of Tier One Spirit Nurturing Pearls.

He exhausted his Spiritual Power creating a dozen or so Spirit Nurturing Beads. The only problem was that his Magical Power recovered rather slowly here at Qingyou Pool.

’Forget it. If I need to keep my Main Body’s identity completely hidden, then I’ll just create an alternate identity in Celestial Spirit City.’

Having come up with a plan, Zhang Deming tidied up his house. By now, the sky was completely dark, so he didn’t set out immediately.

Zhang Deming prepared a small meal and savored the peaceful moment in his small courtyard under the starry sky.

Early the next morning, Zhang Deming exchanged a few words with Zong En and left Qingyou Pool.

Zong En was already used to Zhang Deming disappearing for long periods, as he had often done so over the past six months.

Besides, Zhang Deming held the status of an Outer Disciple but enjoyed the perks of a Steward without any of the responsibilities.