Chapter 54: The Complete "Nether Scripture

Qin Sang did not rush into these shops; his goal lay ahead. The master of the cultivation market had carved out a specific area for cultivators to trade freely.

A light breeze, a thin mist, and the chirping of swallows.

The plaza, where winding streams meandered, was filled with the clamor of voices. Most cultivators were dressed like ordinary people, but there were also some unconventional ones. Wearing eccentric clothing was a minor matter; some had pythons coiled around their bodies, while others rode tigers, leopards, or eagles.

There were even those shrouded in black mist, exuding a sinister, yin energy, as if terrified that others wouldn't realize they were practitioners of the demonic path.

It seemed that the tension between righteous and demonic cultivators was not so high, perhaps due to a shared fear of the market rules.

These cultivators were much like mortal peddlers, occupying small stalls and displaying their goods before them, while customers squatted by the stalls, picking through items and haggling over prices.

Qin Sang watched, stunned. He had not expected that so-called cultivator trading would involve such a worldly scene.

However, these stallholders were different from mortals. Most sat cross-legged, clearly seizing every spare moment to cultivate, only opening their eyes to communicate when a customer inquired about a price.

Intending to observe for a while, Qin Sang entered the plaza and blended into the crowd.

*Divine Speed Talisman: Five low-grade spirit stones.*

*Wood-Burning Talisman: Two low-grade spirit stones.*

*“Five Elements Spells”: Exchange via formation.*

*Mid-grade Dharma Tool, Cold Glaze Ruyi Ring: Only exchanges for defense-type Dharma tools of the same grade.*

*Nine-Return Pill, effective for strengthening the foundation and nourishing the essence: Price negotiable.*

...

Qin Sang specifically sought out stalls with signs. Looking through them one by one greatly enriched his knowledge. The bizarre talismans, the peculiar Dharma tools, and the mysterious cultivation manuals made his mouth water.

Most of the items listed on these signs were to be exchanged for low-grade spirit stones, suggesting that spirit stones might be the unified currency of the cultivation world. Qin Sang thought of the eight stones in his seven-colored pouch; they were likely spirit stones.

With this thought, Qin Sang began to observe his surroundings. After only two steps, he saw a person in a black cloak standing before a stall, haggling over a Dharma tool with the vendor.

Qin Sang intentionally slowed his pace. Observing the cloaked figure's attire, he mused that he would have to learn this trick in the future. Cultivators fought to the death at the slightest provocation; learning to hide and remain low-profile might help one live longer.

"Brother, can this Ice Bee Needle be a bit cheaper?" the cloaked person spoke in a squeezed, shrill, and very strange voice.

Qin Sang fixed his gaze on the Dharma tool held in the cloaked person's hand. It was a transparent needle, finger-length and even thinner than an ordinary needle. Its texture seemed to be made of ice, crystal clear with a layer of fluorescence, emitting a faint chill. Even from a short distance away, Qin Sang could vaguely feel the coldness.

He then looked at the sign on the stall: *Low-grade Dharma Tool, Ice Bee Needle, thirty spirit stones.*

The stallholder was an elderly man with a face full of wrinkles. Hearing the voice, he lifted his eyelids and said indifferently, "How much is the brother offering?"

The cloaked person said, "Most low-grade Dharma tools are of little use, especially during duels; one careless moment and they can be destroyed by an opponent's spell. Ten-plus spirit stones is a high price. This Ice Bee Needle is the same. If it didn't possess a wisp of cold energy that happens to be useful to me, I wouldn't be buying it. Thirteen spirit stones, how about it?"

The stallholder chuckled. "It seems the brother is a man of discerning taste, but your words are not quite fair. This old man dares to sell the Ice Bee Needle for thirty spirit stones precisely because of that wisp of cold energy. Who knows that this needle is refined from the tail of a Jade Ice Bee? It not only carries cold energy but also the Jade Ice Bee's cold venom. Thirty spirit stones is already a low price."

The cloaked person remained unimpressed. "The Jade Ice Bee's venom isn't that difficult to neutralize. You might fool others with such words, old man, but let's not speak in riddles between honest men. I'll add two more for you. Fifteen spirit stones..."

"Deal!"

The stallholder agreed decisively. The cloaked person gave a light snort—it was unclear if they felt they had overpaid—and took fifteen multi-colored stones from a spatial pouch, tossed them to the stallholder, and walked away without looking back.

Seeing the stones thrown by the cloaked person, Qin Sang's eyes suddenly lit up as he watched from the side. These spirit stones were indeed the eight stones from the seven-colored pouch.

It turned out he possessed some wealth after all; eight spirit stones could buy several talismans.

However, he first had to learn the Art of Object Manipulation.

Just then, the stallholder, having finished counting the stones, suddenly looked up. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at Qin Sang, asking in an odd tone, "Little brother, you've been watching for so long. Have you set your eyes on something you desire?"

Qin Sang was startled. He thought he had concealed himself well, yet he had been discovered.

Qin Sang said respectfully, "I merely found the Ice Bee Needle peculiar and couldn't help but look a few extra times. I apologize for disturbing you, Senior."

The stallholder gave an "oh" and closed his eyes, returning to his cultivation.

Qin Sang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and stepped aside, warning himself to be more careful in the future. At the same time, he was secretly calculating: if a single low-grade Dharma tool could sell for over ten spirit stones, then his Purple Soul Ring on his wrist was a high-grade Dharma tool. In terms of both power and value, it must be extraordinary.

He had wandered for quite a while and had only seen a few mid-grade Dharma tools, all of which required bartering. He hadn't seen a single high-grade one.

He wondered what grade the Ice Silkworm Treasure Armor given to him by the youth surnamed Han was?

Qin Sang tightened his sleeves to hide the Purple Soul Ring more securely and continued to walk, stopping occasionally to observe.

Many stalls sold cultivation manuals and spells, but strangely, even though Qin Sang had traversed nearly half the plaza, he had not seen anyone selling the *Netherworld Scripture* or the Art of Object Manipulation.

Just as he was becoming impatient, he suddenly noticed a familiar object at a stall ahead.

*Spirit Talisman: Water Condensation Barrier, eight low-grade spirit stones.*

The talismans placed beneath the sign were identical to the one Qin Sang had obtained from Xuanji Temple; it turned out they were quite valuable.

Could this Water Condensation Barrier be the same water screen released by that cultivator before his death? It was likely a defensive talisman. Qin Sang pretended to be interested, squatted down, and haggled with the stallholder, confirming his suspicion.

Qin Sang thought to himself that since this Water Condensation Barrier was for defense and its effect overlapped with the Ice Silkworm Treasure Armor, it wasn't an urgent necessity for him. He could use it for an exchange instead of selling the Dharma tool on his person.

With this in mind, Qin Sang quickened his pace, his eyes scanning the stalls rapidly. He still couldn't find what he wanted. Just as he reached the end of the plaza, his gaze suddenly froze, and he breathed a secret sigh of relief. He had finally found the *Netherworld Scripture*.

It was a thick book with several large characters on the black cover: *The Complete Netherworld Scripture*.

Judging by its appearance alone, this book was more than twice as thick as the one Qin Sang had obtained from the black-clad demon. It seemed his copy of the *Netherworld Scripture* truly was incomplete.

Maintaining a calm expression, Qin Sang continued to walk and look around, acting nonchalant. He squatted before the stall and picked up the *Complete Netherworld Scripture*.

(End of Chapter)