Chapter 51: Purchase

Chapter 51: Purchase

“Five Spirit Stones, five White Essence Fruits, and ninety jin of Spirit Rice,” Li Tongya counted, reassessing his possessions. The White Essence Fruits were common ingredients in pill concoctions. His family lacked the expertise to put them to good use, so he decided to sell them instead. The Spirit Rice, however, brimming with spiritual qi, was worth keeping for personal consumption.

“We still owe Xiao Yuansi ten Spirit Stones,” he mumbled, feeling an impending headache.

It seems Xiao Yuansi understands it’s not a debt he can collect quickly. Even the envoy has already departed. For now, I’ll have to let the debt stand... perhaps for a few more years.

As Li Tongya strolled through the bustling market, he marveled at the array of spirit objects but found nothing related to the hundred arts of Immortal Cultivation.

He crouched before a stall, rifling through the items, when the stall’s owner, wearing a black face veil, inquired softly, “What are you looking for, fellow Daoist?”

Li Tongya only realized that she was a woman when he heard her gentle voice. He smiled wryly at her and asked, “Do you have anything related to the hundred arts of Immortal Cultivation?”

“This must be your first time here at the market,” the woman remarked, her voice tinged with amusement.

“Yes.”

The woman’s eyes twinkled as she began explaining, “The talismans, pills, and formations around Lixia Prefecture usually come from one of three sources: the Azure Pond Sect, various prominent clans, or rogue cultivators.”

“The Azure Pond Sect, being the largest supplier, restricts the sale of Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation here. This allows them to continuously gather materials at low costs, which they then process into finished goods for sale to us.”

“As for the prominent clans, they too, have little interest in selling what sustains them. In an unspoken agreement with the Azure Pond Sect, they help restrict the circulation of anything related to these hundred arts of Immortal Cultivation. This way, they can ensure their slice of the market remains intact.”

Li Tongya nodded as he listened intently to the female cultivator’s explanation. He looked at her in perplexity and asked, “So, there are quite a number of rogue cultivators in Lixia Prefecture?”

The female cultivator shook her head, leaning in slightly to elucidate, “In the vast lands of Yue State, with millions of inhabitants, even a single prefecture like Lixia houses six to seven hundred thousand people. Within the five prefectures under the governance of the Azure Pond Sect, there could easily be three to four thousand individuals with spiritual orifices, and that’s not even considering the long-established lineages of the prominent clans. The number of immortal cultivators could well exceed five thousand.”

“You sure know a lot, fellow Daoist.” Li Tongya remarked as his gaze wandered over the items in her stall. The talismans seemed not particularly useful and were hardly worth his Spirit Stones.

“Three talismans for one Spirit Stone,” the woman said.

When Li Tongya heard the price, he quickly shifted his gaze away to a light blue sword.

Li Tongya paused, then shook his head and said, “Your beasts seem fine, but any cultivator could easily deal with them with just a few spells. On top of that, they need to be fed with Spirit Rice. My family can barely afford such rations for ourselves, let alone for these creatures...”

The young man hesitated for a moment before nodding in understanding. He perked up, saying, “Wait, I have something else that might interest you, fellow Daoist.”

He pulled out a small silver box and held it out with hope in his eyes. “This contains Wuzha Worms. They produce Wuzha Spirit Silk and only require Spirit Bran or similar substances rich with spiritual qi for nourishment. They aren’t fussy eaters; they’ll consume the leaves or stems of Spirit Paddies. In the absence of spirit substances, they can survive on animal meat as well.”

Li Tongya’s interest was piqued as he took the silver box. Inside, he found several small blue-gray worms wriggling amongst mulberry leaves.

“What’s the use of this Wuzha Spirit Silk?” he asked.

“It can be woven into spirit garments and fabrics that are resistant to ordinary weapons. It can also be sold for a good price,” the young man explained.

Li Tongya contemplated the leaves and stems he had stored at home. Though tempted, he feigned concern and said, “I’m not sure I can manage their care...”

“If it interests you, I can include a detailed manual on their care and breeding. This guide, along with the spirit worms, would be yours for just two Spirit Stones!” the young man gritted his teeth and offered with a determined expression.

“Deal,” Li Tongya agreed after a moment of consideration.

He carefully put away the silver box and wooden slip handed over by the young man. As dusk set in, he bid the stall owner farewell and made his way to the carriage, where he found the driver dozing off. He chucked and waited quietly.

Soon, Wan Yuankai returned, looking quite worn but cheerful. Seeing Li Tongya with a bow, he asked, “Found any good stuff, Brother Tongya?”

“Just an Embryonic Breathing-level bow, hardly a treasure.” Li Tongya chuckled, passing the bow to Wan Yuankai after they got on the carriage.

While Wan Yuankai examined the bowstrings, Li Tongya asked, “What do you think?”

“Ebony wood and ox tendons,” Wan Yuankai remarked as he tugged the bowstring.

He frowned then continued, “Worth about three Spirit Stones, no more, or it’s a loss.”

Li Tongya nodded with a smile. As they chatted, the carriage began its bumpy journey back home. Both men, who were lost in their thoughts and lulled by the motion of the carriage under the dark sky, soon drifted to sleep.