“In order to establish one’s foothold, one needs to solidify his reputation first.”

As per instruction, Qai left the hill in his old robe.

It was the robe he wore from before he left the Kamaria Island. After all, it was the only spare robe he had in possession.

He was back to his old country bumpkin look.

Meanwhile, in the much bigger scheme of things, Crimson Edge Continent witnessed a world-changing event.

The invasion of Devil Dao cultivators coming from the neighboring continent caught everyone off guard hiding behind the Broken Moon Sect’s declaration of war.

Plus, the early defeat of the Precious Tree Sect was what many did not expect.

Of course, the rise of another Nascent Soul stage cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Sect immediately changed the power rankings in the continent.

And many believed that even if the Scarlet Feather Sect eventually lost—and followed the same path as what Precious Tree Sect did for self-preservation—the Broken Moon Clan would think twice before staging another campaign against the Heavenly Sword Sect.

When Qai arrived at his shop, he immediately broke the news about the disbandment of the Precious Tree Sect. Of course, he also made the Crag Brothers not to worry about the matters of his Ant Soldiers.

“After we have collected two more Foundation Establishment Pills, we should pack up this shop and leave. The Broken Moon Sect might collapse anytime soon.”

In the following days, Qai heard that many from the defeated disciples of the Precious Tree Sect and of some other clans went to sporadically establish smaller sects.

As for Qai, he still didn’t know where to go. He just stayed in the shop to personally manage his shop.

So far, the income had been steady.

Evidently, Qai’s conjecture to sell the most basic of the necessities of war for a cheaper price proved to be a wise decision.

And with the addition of the items from the spoils, the shop established itself some fame among the lower realm cultivators.

“How’s your proficiency in Talisman refinement and Pill alchemy?”

“Young Master, as per your instruction we bought several available Jade slips to study further about our endeavor. As a result, we can now refine and concoct much higher grade talismans and medicinal pills.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“It’s all thanks to your generosity. Otherwise, we brothers would still settle on bullying low leveled Qi Condensation stage cultivators until now.”

“Don’t flatter me too much. Such antics don't work on me. At any rate, the two of you should not forget to cultivate as well. I can see that until now, you haven't advanced in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.”

“Young Master..”

“Teng Hu, these are some of the medicinal pills I acquired from 2 Core Formation stage Devil Dao cultivators. Try your best to study their effects, they might be useful to increase our cultivation bases.”

And so, during the past days, Qai studied how to control the Ape corpse puppet from one of the Jade slips he acquired. He wanted to use it since it had the strength comparable to a cultivator in the great circle of Foundation Establishment stage.

One day, however, Ji Wuheng came to his shop with an uncertain look on his face.

“Brother Qai, now that the Precious Tree Sect is gone, this shameless brother of yours can only rely on you. Please, allow me to follow you, brother.”

“Brother Ji Wuheng, even I do not know where to go.”

“It doesn't matter. With your talent, you’ll definitely bloom wherever you go. If you want to become a full-time merchant, then allow me to follow you. If you start your own clan or your own sect, I will still ask you to bring me along with you.”

“Well, it appears that you have already made up your mind. Then you should just stay here with me and the Crag Brothers for a while. We don't have concrete plans yet. For now, we are trying to gather a few more Foundation Establishment Pills for my future use.”

“Then let me help you gather some information about where to find them.”

“That would be for the best.”

Qai and his group thus spent another couple of weeks in the shop before they were finally able to collect 3 more Foundation Establishment Pills.

During that period, the Mo disciples dropped by and expressed their gratitude but relayed that they decided to return to their Mo branch family territory.

Qai on the other hand finally decided to leave the Scarlet Feather Sect area.

They opted to head to a place outside anyone’s territory—in the southeastern part of Crimson Edge Continent.

Apparently, their chosen destination was relatively still close to both the Scarlet Feather and Broken Moon Sects which were located in the East and South of the continent respectively.

To them, the safest place should be just around the corner of the enemies.

There was no large organization of cultivators in the area because the spiritual Qi energy in there was quite thin. And for their current level, they had to look for the best possible location with enough spiritual Qi energy to progress in their cultivation.

In the end, Qai and his group picked a small-sized mountain to settle in—although, before they were able to, they had to kill a small group of low-leveled cultivator bandits to claim the territory whose leader was unexpectedly a mid Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

However, apart from the leader, the rest of the bandits were just in level 5 of the Qi Condensation stage and below.

‘No wonder the leader could lord it over to his subordinates. With a flick of his hand, he could kill any of them.’

Of course, with Qai and his group’s overwhelming strength, it did not take long for them to decimate the entire bandits.

In the process, they pillaged the latter's wealth as well.

Although the bandits’ possessions did not amount much, they would still be of use to them in order to start their lives in the new territory.

Just few miles below the mountain, a city called Rising Sun City—mixed in with mortals and cultivators alike—was bustling with thousands of population.

In Qai’s mind, he planned to finally establish a fixed shop in there.

Meanwhile, Qai discarded the thought of absorbing the bandits in their own group—except for one—since for now, they would not be able to maintain such force, plus the fact that they would not be able to ascertain their loyalty.

Besides, he still had his giant Ant colony to serve as his own force.

At any rate, the cultivator that they allowed to live was an old looking male cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage. Apparently, he was the bandit group’s captive.

Qai actually considered 2 reasons why he let the captive live.

First, the old cultivator did not belong to the bandits, and secondly, he was a decent tool refinement master.

Of course, he was not at the same level as Old Nanfeng, but he was probably the best one Qai would find in the area.

When Qai first saw the captive, he was immediately reminded of Master Han—apparently, the two had similar demeanor.

“Old Ye Mo, you now work for us. But you don't have to worry, we won't hold you hostage.”

“What good will it do to me to work for you?”

Even if the old cultivator was still technically a captive, he still had the audacity to be arrogant in front of Qai. After all, Qai was merely a Qi Condensation stage cultivator.

Qai, however, could see the lack of respect on the part of Old Ye Mo, so he did not waste time and immediately surrounded the latter with 3 level 5 Ant Soldiers.

Dang!

There was no intimidation showing from Qai’s face, but the sudden appearance of his Spirit Beasts meant otherwise.

Immediately, a sense of shock and dread at the same time, welled up in the old cultivator’s mind.

“Old Ye Mo, as I said, once you work for us, you will become one of us. And therefore you will have a share of all the gains our group would achieve.”

The old cultivator couldn't help but swallow his arrogance.

“Actually, I am starting an organization called ‘Saints Hall’ and I will definitely be needing your services.”