Chapter 70: Five Elements Sect Shop

He Qun listened and nodded definitively.

“Of course, to gain anything in Yunmeng Marsh, you basically have to fight demonic beasts. The deeper you go, the stronger the demonic beasts become, and the greater the rewards you get after defeating them. Demonic beasts of the second tier and above have inner cores, which are essential for alchemy. Major sects will pay high prices to acquire them. Many rogue cultivators, if they want to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills from large sect merchant guilds, can only risk their lives by venturing deep to hunt third-tier or higher demonic beasts for their inner cores.”

Chen Mobai was greatly surprised to hear this. He had not expected that alchemy in the Heavenly River Realm would use demonic beast inner cores; this was completely different from the methods on Earth Star. However, upon closer thought, it was understandable. On Earth Star, classified demonic beasts were extremely rare, and most were on the verge of extinction, listed as protected spirit beasts by immortal sects. Killing them for their cores, or even harming them, would be major news.

It seemed that the alchemy methods of the Heavenly River Realm, if the elixirs met purity standards, had their merits. With this in mind, Chen Mobai then asked how to get to Yunmeng Marsh.

“As it happens, I’m forming a team to hunt Cold Serpents. If you follow instructions, I don’t mind taking you along.” He Qun knew a bit about Chen Mobai; he knew that Chen Mobai was at least at the sixth level of Qi Condensation and possessed several powerful talismans. Having him join the team would be a significant asset.

“When do you plan to depart, fellow Daoist?” Chen Mobai was intrigued, but for caution’s sake, he didn't agree immediately.

“In three days. With you, that makes seven people in total. After hunting the Cold Serpents, the spoils will be divided equally. However, I require the snake galls. If there’s a price difference, it will be compensated with spirit stones.”

“I’ll go back and consider it, and give you an answer tomorrow, fellow Daoist.” After saying this, Chen Mobai left He Qun's stall.

He then first sought out Qi Er to inquire about He Qun’s reputation in Nanxi Market. He found it to be decent; cultivators who accompanied He Qun generally returned safely, with only occasional casualties. Given the dangers of Yunmeng Marsh, this was already a very high survival rate for a team.

Chen Mobai felt somewhat relieved. Just then, one of his stall neighbors, Lu Shu, returned, so he asked an additional question.

“You mean old He? He’s still a bit suspicious.”

“Oh, how so?” Chen Mobai’s eyes widened immediately, and he leaned closer to Lu Shu.

“His team’s survival rate is too high. Although I only operate in the markets on the outskirts of Yunmeng Marsh, I know that roughly one or two tenths of the members in most teams that enter are lost each time. Yet, his team almost always ensures everyone returns intact. This has always puzzled me.”

As soon as Lu Shu finished speaking, Chen Mobai began to ponder the reason behind this. For a team to consistently return safely, there were only two explanations: First, they didn’t venture into areas beyond their capabilities. Second, the team’s average cultivation level was high, they were well-prepared, and their teamwork was excellent, enabling them to handle various unexpected situations.

Lu Shu listened to his analysis, shook his head, and suggested a possibility that sent shivers down Chen Mobai’s spine. “Perhaps it’s a team specifically designed to build a good reputation and attract outsiders to join.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai suddenly shuddered, recalling the scene when he first entered the Water Mansion: the elderly man and the young boy, who had initially partnered, suddenly turned on each other mercilessly when it was time to collect their rewards. No, he needed to be even more cautious.

After thanking Lu Shu, the latter then informed him of various precautions for traveling to Yunmeng Marsh and even gave him a biographical novella. It was titled ‘The Dragon-Slaying Chronicle of True Monarch Yiyuan in the Great Rivers of Yunmeng’. This was a palm-sized book, a collection of immortal cultivation legends that Lu Shu used for amusement while manning his stall. Since he had just finished it, he conveniently gave it to Chen Mobai, who thanked him and put it in his pocket.

“By the way, Brother Lu, do you know anyone else in the market who cultivates the Black Water Art?” Chen Mobai asked another crucial question.

In the Eastern Wilderness, where bravery and combat were prized, cultivators generally practiced many defensive spells. If anyone cultivated the Black Water Art to the late Qi Condensation stage, they would likely refine some black water for personal use.

“Quite a few, actually. After all, this cultivation method originates from the Water Vein of the Five Elements Sect; it has a complete system and an orderly lineage. However, if a rogue cultivator wishes to achieve Foundation Establishment by cultivating this method, they must join the Five Elements Sect. It’s essentially one of the major Eastern Wilderness sects’ ways of controlling rogue cultivators. The black water you mentioned, I do recall seeing Five Elements Sect cultivators use it in Yunmeng Marsh. However, I’m unsure if it can be traded. Oh, by the way, aren’t there shops run by the Five Elements Sect in the market? You could go ask there!”

Lu Shu’s words indeed reminded Chen Mobai. He immediately took his leave and eagerly walked towards the large shops on the central street of the market.

The Five Elements Sect was one of the governing powers of Nanxi Market, operating five shops there. They dealt in spirit stones and gold, pills and spirit herbs, talismans, magical artifacts, and formations. They were considered a powerful and prosperous organization.

Chen Mobai went to the apothecary shop that sold pills and spirit herbs.

“Esteemed guest, regarding the black water you mentioned, our sect indeed has it available for exchange, but regrettably, this shop does not have it in stock.” The proprietor of the pill and spirit herb shop was a middle-aged man at the sixth level of Qi Condensation. He showed no arrogance typical of a major sect and had an apologetic expression after hearing Chen Mobai’s inquiry.

“Then, shopkeeper, could you arrange for it to be transferred from your sect’s main branch?” Chen Mobai asked again, but was met only with the proprietor’s shake of the head.

“Guest, we don’t have the authority to transfer goods. The items in the market are only those that are surplus within the sect, sent here for us to handle. This black water you’re looking for is primarily used by those of the Water Vein, and even if there were extra, it would only be stocked in the markets near Yunmeng Marsh.”

After hearing the shopkeeper’s words, Chen Mobai understood. It seemed that going to Yunmeng Marsh was unavoidable. But he certainly couldn’t join He Qun’s team.

Before leaving, he also inquired about the price of black water within the Five Elements Sect. It was indeed not cheap: 10 spirit stones per bottle. This was the internal price; if sold in markets outside the sect, it would be at least 15 spirit stones.

“Thank you, shopkeeper.” After getting the information he needed, Chen Mobai found He Qun at his stall again and stated that due to an urgent matter, he would not be joining the team to hunt Cold Serpents in Yunmeng Marsh. He Qun frowned upon hearing this but said nothing more.

Chen Mobai paid no mind to He Qun’s thoughts. Following Lu Shu’s directions, he located the spiritual camel caravan service in the market. There were three ways to travel to Yunmeng Marsh: First, to go on foot; second, to take a ride with one of these cargo caravans; and third, to pay spirit stones for a teleportation array, costing 10 spirit stones per trip.