148: Resource integration

The next day, as dawn was just beginning to break.

Qin Feng began his efficient operations. Relying on his status as Vice Pavilion Master and the precise intelligence provided by the System, he acted like the shrewdest hunter, beginning to harvest the fruits of the post-war period.

He first arrived at the seized Warehouse No. 3 of the Cao Gang docks. The place was a mess, with people from the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the City Lord's Mansion conducting a preliminary inventory. Qin Feng entered under the guise of being the Vice Pavilion Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion assisting with post-war matters. He easily avoided everyone's gaze and reached a corner at the deepest part of the warehouse where discarded cables were piled.

Following the intelligence's directions, he moved several heavy old wooden crates and lightly tapped a few times on the seemingly ordinary ground until he found a loose stone slab. Lifting the slab revealed a deeply hidden secret compartment. Inside, dozens of gold bars and some precious jewelry were neatly stacked; a rough estimate put the value at around two hundred thousand gold coins, just as expected!

Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Feng quickly swept these treasures into his Storage Pouch. This windfall, combined with the five hundred thousand gold coins bestowed by the New Emperor and the two hundred thousand gold coins rewarded by Pavilion Master Yue Long, brought his personal liquid capital to a staggering figure approaching one million gold coins! This undoubtedly provided substantial capital for his subsequent cultivation and the nurturing of his forces.

Leaving the docks, Qin Feng quietly slipped into the heavily guarded residence of Vice City Lord Situ Ming. The guard here was tight, but for Qin Feng, who was proficient in the Breath Concealment Art and Wind Spirit Illusion Steps, infiltrating was no difficult task. Like a ghost, he bypassed the patrols and reached Situ Ming's study.

The study had also been searched and appeared somewhat cluttered. Qin Feng walked straight to the bookshelf against the wall. According to the intelligence, behind a thick copy of 'Geography of Great Qian' on the third shelf, he found an extremely well-hidden mechanism. With a light press, a wall panel beside the bookshelf slid open silently, revealing a secret compartment just large enough for an arm to reach into.

Two items lay within the compartment: one was a dark silver Star Key with an intricate star pattern carved into its handle, cold to the touch and made of a material that was neither metal nor iron, radiating an ancient aura; the other was a somewhat archaic parchment scroll. Written on it in special medicinal ink was the complete formula for 'emperor extermination powder,' including the various rare poisonous herbs required, the refining temperatures, and methods of use, all in exhaustive detail.

"The Star Key... it seems the hope of opening that former dynasty's Treasure Trove beneath West Lake has increased by another notch." Qin Feng carefully stowed away the key and the formula. Especially the 'emperor extermination powder' formula—though it was sinister, it might play an unexpected role at certain critical moments.

Finally, he arrived before a secluded courtyard in the city. Living here was an elder of little renown but great research into Formations—Daoist Changhe.

Qin Feng did not demand anything directly. Instead, he first went to the best restaurant in the city and spent ten thousand gold coins to buy ten jars of 'Jade Ice Brew,' a top-tier vintage aged for over fifty years, before visiting with the wine in hand.

Initially, Daoist Changhe was not enthusiastic toward this strange young man, even appearing somewhat aloof. But when Qin Feng broke the mud seals on those ten jars emitting a mellow wine fragrance, the old Daoist's nose twitched, and his eyes instantly lit up.

"Good wine! Kid, you certainly know how to cater to one's tastes!" Daoist Changhe stroked his beard, his attitude softening considerably.

Qin Feng said respectfully, "Junior Qin Feng has long heard of your profound attainments in Formations, Daoist, and has come specifically to seek guidance. These small gifts are a token of my respect."

"Qin Feng of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion? The kid who's been making quite a stir lately?" Daoist Changhe sized him up for a few moments and snorted. "Speak, what business do you have with this old man? If you want to learn Formations, I don't have time to just give pointers to anyone."

Qin Feng smiled and said, "Junior would not dare to presume to ask for your personal guidance, Daoist. I merely happened upon a fragment of a Formation manual, but it is quite obscure to study. I heard that you have authored a book called 'Detailed Explanation of Basic Formations,' which is a treasure for beginners. I wonder if you might allow me to read it? I am willing to compensate you generously."

Hearing 'Detailed Explanation of Basic Formations,' Daoist Changhe's eyes flickered. He looked at the ten jars of Jade Ice Brew that made his mouth water, then at the sincere Qin Feng. After a moment's deliberation, he finally waved his hand. "Forget it, forget it. That book was my life's work in my younger years, but keeping it now serves little purpose. Since you are sincere and know the rules (referring to the good wine), I shall give it to you! Forget the gold and silver; this old man has no use for such things."

As he spoke, he turned and retrieved a well-preserved wooden box from the inner room, handing it to Qin Feng.

Qin Feng was overjoyed and took it solemnly. "Many thanks for your generous gift, Daoist! Junior is eternally grateful!"

Leaving Daoist Changhe's residence, Qin Feng returned to the Green Bamboo Courtyard and immediately opened the wooden box. Inside was a hand-copied manuscript with yellowed pages but clear handwriting—'Detailed Explanation of Basic Formations.' The book not only systematically explained the fundamental principles, energy flow, and placement of Formation eyes, but also detailed the construction and methods for breaking several common Formations. Progressing from the simple to the profound, it was truly a ladder for entering the world of Formations! This would undoubtedly be of immense help in his understanding and cultivation of the Four Symbols Battle Array.

In just a single day, a massive sum of capital, the treasure key, the poison formula, and the detailed Formation guide—all three had been obtained!

Qin Feng sat in his quiet room, looking at the harvest before him with burning eyes.

A million gold coins were enough to support high-intensity cultivation and resource consumption for himself, Xiao Chun, Ji Ruxue, and the others for a long time.

The Star Key pointed toward a potentially even greater Opportunity beneath West Lake.

The emperor extermination powder formula was a dangerous trump card.

And the 'Detailed Explanation of Basic Formations' was the key to quickly mastering the Four Symbols Battle Array and forming immediate combat strength!

All the conditions were converging toward him.

What remained was to digest these resources, go all out to improve the strength of himself and his companions, and simultaneously search for that fourth trustworthy partner who could complete the Four Symbols Battle Array!