Chapter 49: 22 Spirit Stones

Good book.

“May I ask, senior, what is the name of your cultivation method?”

“The Black Water Art.”

“Oh, so it’s this one. Senior, you might not get a good price for it, as the first seven levels are quite common on the market.”

“This version I have can be cultivated up to the ninth level of Qi Refinement, and it comes with three accompanying spells, allowing one to cultivate all the way until before Foundation Establishment.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Er immediately patted his chest, guaranteeing a good price.

“However, senior, if you trust me, you can sell this cultivation method to Old Man He. He specializes in selling cultivation methods at his stall. He has always wanted to collect the complete Black Water Art and understands the value of a full nine-level version with three accompanying spells. Even if you were to sell it to a general vendor, it would likely end up being resold to him anyway, so it’s better to skip the middleman.”

Chen Mobai’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Indeed, there was wisdom in seeking out these local experts for selling things. He knew Old Man He, the very person who sold the seven-level Black Water Art in the market.

If Chen Mobai were to set up a stall and sell the nine-level Black Water Art, it would clearly be an attempt to poach his business, which would greatly offend him. It was better to sell it directly to him, which would not only yield spirit stones but also create goodwill.

Qi Er led Chen Mobai to a stall. He first approached an old man with a goatee and a lean face, striking up a conversation. Before long, the three got down to business.

“Good, I’ve checked the first seven levels; it’s authentic.”

The old man, named He Qun, was already at the seventh level of Qi Refinement. He took the newly copied first eight levels of the cultivation method from Chen Mobai, carefully cross-referenced them, confirmed there were no issues with the method, and nodded in satisfaction.

“How much would Senior He offer for this complete Black Water Art?”

“How much do you wish to sell it for, fellow cultivator?”

“A flat price, twenty spirit stones, how about that?”

Chen Mobai had spent a good deal of time at He Qun’s stall in the previous days and knew his prices for the Black Water Art. The price he offered was right at the maximum, causing He Qun’s eyelid to twitch, and he habitually began to haggle.

“Fellow cultivator, among rogue cultivators, those who need a ninth-level Qi Refinement cultivation method are ultimately a minority. Although your Black Water Art is a complete version, it’s difficult to cultivate and not easy to sell. Furthermore, I already possess the first seven levels and two of the spells for this method. Isn’t asking for 20 spirit stones a bit excessive?”

Chen Mobai had no experience haggling. Hearing He Qun’s words, he froze on the spot, momentarily unsure how to respond.

“Senior He, you jest. This Black Water Art might be difficult for others to sell, but for you, it’s perfect, isn’t it?”

“Oh, what do you mean by that, young man?”

He Qun narrowed his eyes, looking at Qi Er with an implied threat. The latter flinched slightly but, recalling his slim hopes of immortal cultivation and knowing that if he didn't take a gamble, he might remain stuck at a low level of Qi Refinement for life, he mustered his courage and spoke.

“Senior He, it seems you cultivate the Black Water Art yourself, don't you? For you, collecting the complete version of this method should be a priority, no matter what. After all, for us rogue cultivators, only by reaching the ninth level of Qi Refinement can we hope to join one of the Seven Great Sects and contend for a Foundation Establishment Pill.”

At these words, He Qun’s eyes widened sharply, and he glared coldly at Qi Er.

“Senior, aren't the later parts of this cultivation method more valuable? And doesn't this method only unleash its full potential after mastering the Ice Manipulation Art?”

After Qi Er spoke, Chen Mobai also caught on. He couldn't help but step forward, blocking He Qun's cold gaze. The latter sensed Chen Mobai's cultivation level and nodded, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

“Alright then, 20 spirit stones. But you must swear that after selling this Black Water Art to me, you will not sell it to anyone else.”

Chen Mobai considered it. Although he felt that selling the cultivation method outright for 20 spirit stones was somewhat undervalue, he had already decided to pursue a business in talismans later on, and obtaining initial capital sooner rather than later made sense. So, he immediately nodded.

“Here.”

He Qun counted out twenty spirit stones from the gray cloth pouch at his waist and reluctantly handed them to Chen Mobai, who immediately presented the remaining ninth level of the Black Water Art and the Ice Manipulation Art.

After both parties had verified the items, they exchanged glances. Then, Chen Mobai smiled, waved his hand, and left the stall with Qi Er.

Next, he sold three bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills bearing the mark of Return-to-Heaven Valley to a cultivator specializing in pills at another stall. However, because they were secondhand, even though their medicinal properties were undiminished, he could only sell them for 2 spirit stones.

Even so, Chen Mobai was quite content.

The remaining bottle of Spirit Recovery Pills had no distinctive mark on its body, and although the pill merchant also recognized that there were no major issues, he refused to purchase it at all.

Finally, the crossbow was sold for 450 taels of gold, thanks to Qi Er's introduction, and he even helped exchange it for gold notes at the Five Elements Sect's money exchange.

While selling the pills, a thought of getting rich flashed through Chen Mobai’s mind.

Could he acquire empty bottles of Return-to-Heaven Valley pills and pass off his own pills using the empty bottles?

However, this was just a fleeting thought. He still wanted to conduct business honorably. The education he received on Earth Prime had taught Chen Mobai that only good reputation could lead to continuous prosperity.

“You’ve worked hard today. I’ll give you this talisman as payment for your efforts.”

Chen Mobai, with 22 spirit stones and a stack of gold notes in his possession, was in high spirits. He took out an Azure Arrow Talisman and gave it to Qi Er.

“Thank you, senior. If anything like this comes up again, please find me. There's nothing in Nanxi Market that we're not familiar with.”

Although Qi Er didn't know the grade of the spiritual talisman, he knew that even a low-grade first-tier talisman could fetch over a hundred taels of gold on the market. Without any hesitation, he immediately accepted the Azure Arrow Talisman Chen Mobai handed him, beaming with joy.

“Oh, by the way, you've offended He Qun today. Will he cause you any trouble?”

Chen Mobai remembered this before leaving. He didn't want anything to happen to Qi Er because of him.

“Don't worry, senior. Although our cultivation levels are low, we have connections. Our guild leader is an honored guest of the Liu family, a well-known figure in this Nanxi Market. Old Man He is always discreet and wouldn't attack me over something like this.”

Qi Er patted his chest, boasting about his backing.

“The Liu family? Is that the Liu family that cultivates the Jadeblood Carps?”

Chen Mobai recalled Liu Yongpei's ledger, which prominently mentioned this family. The Jadeblood Carp fry in Jade Cloud Lake were all purchased from this family.

“Yes, that’s right, the Liu family, one of the four Foundation Establishment families in Nanxi Market. It’s said they’ve already established ties with the Five Elements Sect. A few years ago, the Liu family even sent two cultivators with True Spiritual Roots to join the Five Elements Sect, seemingly to fully align themselves with them.”

Qi Er said mysteriously. Chen Mobai, completely unfamiliar with these matters, could only offer a vague laugh.

However, this reminder prompted him to visit the largest bookstore in the market before leaving. He bought the unfinished 'Introduction to the Great Sects of the Eastern Desolation,' along with 'Introduction to Local Cultivation in Nanxi,' 'Cloud Nation Cultivation Force Distribution Map,' and other similar books.