His own combat power was not sufficient, thus limiting his actions. If he were stronger, why would he hesitate to explore an ancient tomb?
Therefore, his next step was to enhance his combat power. It would be best to refine a powerful external Gu. Having an external Gu would greatly enhance his solo abilities.
Debates and controversies abound over whether external Gu or internal Gu are stronger in the Gu world. External Gu are used for combat, while internal Gu provide powerful abilities to Gu cultivators. These two systems are vastly different and difficult to compare.
However, in the Gathering Spirit Stage, external Gu are undoubtedly stronger than internal Gu. This is indisputable.
Gathering Spirit Stage Gu cultivators have just started their practice, with minimal spiritual power stored in their bodies. Even if internal Gu are powerful, they are useless if there isn't enough spiritual power. They may only be used once, or not at all.
Due to the initial stage's spiritual power limitations, the benefits of internal Gu are naturally less than those of external Gu. Therefore, most Gu cultivators in the Gathering Spirit or Marrow Washing Stages primarily refine external Gu, allowing them to stay safe during battles.
Thus, if he wanted to quickly improve his combat effectiveness, refining external Gu was undoubtedly the best choice.
This was also why sales of Resilient Roach Gu had been stagnant for so long.
Gu cultivators were rare, with only a few in the entire market. Additionally, each Gu worm could only be owned by one person, and since most cultivators focused on external Gu, the market for Resilient Roach Gu had long been saturated.
With sales of Resilient Roach Gu plummeting, Long Xuan's income had taken a severe hit, delaying his collection of materials for the Ice God Flame.
With these thoughts, Long Xuan's earlier good mood vanished completely.
To refine external Gu, he first needed to make money. Thus, Long Xuan reluctantly left his house to find a way to amass wealth.
It was better to leave sooner rather than later. Long Xuan went to the market and coincidentally learned that a Yibao Fair exclusively for scattered cultivators in the Juling period would be held today.
Ecstatic, he joined the crowd heading there.
Unlike ordinary market stall trades, Yibao Fairs were on a completely different scale.
"Wealth shouldn't be flaunted. Who would dare put priceless items on a stall? Do they think life is too long?"
Thus, more discreet Yibao Fairs came into existence.
Of course, not all Gu cultivators attended such events. Participants needed wealth and a good reputation, free from rumors of murder or gossiping about others' possessions, to qualify.
Moreover, after each Yibao Fair, participants were strictly forbidden from boasting about their acquisitions, or they would be excluded from future events due to boycotts.
With such restrictions, only a select few qualified for the Yibao Fair, easily fitting into a single secret room.
This elite group possessed significant wealth, guaranteeing a plethora of treasures at the Yibao Fair, items rarely seen outside.
While not all could afford these treasures, participating broadened one's horizons and offered potential bargains.
Long Xuan was determined to find a great bargain, hoping to discover a valuable treasure worth hundreds of millions that others hadn't recognized.
Lost in hopeful thoughts, he followed several female casual cultivators to a second-floor building, then navigated through various corridors until he entered a hidden secret room. The gatekeeper didn't stop him.
His reputation had spread throughout the entire market. As the creator of Resilient Roach Gu, his name carried considerable weight.
Having made a fortune selling Resilient Roach Gu, Long Xuan's wealth among the impoverished casual cultivators was notable, qualifying him for the Yibao Fair.
Upon entering, Long Xuan's eyes widened in awe. Despite being underground, the Yibao Fair venue was surprisingly well-lit and elegantly decorated. Many casual cultivators were already engaged in small-scale transactions.
Taking a quick survey, Long Xuan counted over ten round tables, each surrounded by people. Acquaintances sat together, enjoying desserts, fruits, and tea, with some displaying their treasures.
Roughly estimating, the gathering numbered fewer than a hundred.
Naturally, many other independent cultivators possessed wealth but couldn't attend due to prior commitments.
Despite its size, such Yibao Fairs were held periodically, offering future opportunities for those unable to participate now.
As Long Xuan arrived, curious gazes turned towards him.
"What a rare guest! I didn't expect someone as dedicated as you to attend my Yibao Fair. It's your first time here, right? Don't you have something special to share?"
The voice came from a beautiful independent cultivator in a yellow skirt and veil, standing not far away.
Whether Long Xuan was an entomologist in his past life or a Gu cultivator now, his research obsession isolated him from current events.
Not due to negligence, but unawareness of the Yibao Fair's schedule, Long Xuan understood the art of conversation and knew how to bridge gaps.
Hearing this, Di Xin covered her mouth and chuckled, responding, "I didn't expect to attract such a distinguished guest. I'm honored you've chosen to grace my Yibao Fair. I promise it won't disappoint."