Chapter 51: Purchase

"Five spirit stones, five White Essence Fruits, and ninety catties of spirit rice."

Li Tongya counted the belongings on his person. White Essence Fruits were a common auxiliary ingredient for most pills; since his family lacked a legacy in alchemy, he could sell them for now. The spirit rice, rich in spiritual energy, could be kept for consumption upon his return.

"I still owe Xiao Yuansi ten spirit stones."

Li Tongya felt a sudden headache, thinking to himself

"Xiao Yuansi seems to know that I won't be able to pay him back anytime soon, and that Envoy has already departed. I'll just owe him for now... I'll deal with it in a few years."

He wandered aimlessly along the street for a couple of laps, spotting various magical techniques and spiritual items, but he couldn't find a single inheritance regarding the Hundred Arts of Cultivation.

Li Tongya crouched down to rummage through a nearby stall. The vendor, veiled in black gauze, spoke up

"What is the Fellow Daoist seeking?"

The voice was soft and melodious; it turned out to be a woman.

Li Tongya gave a bitter smile and inquired

"Does Fellow Daoist have any inheritances regarding the Hundred Arts of Cultivation?"

"This is your first time at the market, isn't it?" the woman asked with a light chuckle.

"Indeed."

"In the vicinity of Li Xia County, talismans, pills, and formations come from only three sources: the Qingchi Sect, the Great Clans, and rogue cultivators."

The female cultivator smiled, staring at Li Tongya with bright, spirited eyes as she explained

"The Qingchi Sect is the largest supplier. To ensure a continuous harvest of cheap materials to produce finished goods to sell to us, the Qingchi Sect has always forbidden any market under its jurisdiction from selling inheritances of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation."

"As for the Great Clans, who would sell the very tools they use to make their living? They and the Qingchi Sect have a tacit understanding to blockade the circulation of these arts so they can share the spoils."

Listening to this, Li Tongya nodded. He glanced at the female cultivator and answered with some confusion

"Are there truly that many rogue cultivators in Li Xia County?"

The woman shook her head and leaned in slightly, explaining

"The State of Yue has tens of millions of people; a single county alone has six or seven hundred thousand. Under Qingchi's rule, there are five counties, which must account for at least three or four thousand individuals with spiritual apertures. Not to mention the bloodlines of the Great Clans—the number of cultivators is likely upwards of five thousand."

"You are quite perceptive, Fellow Daoist."

Li Tongya looked around the stall. A few talismans were of little use, and he was reluctant to buy them.

"Three talismans for one spirit stone."

Hearing this, Li Tongya quickly shifted his gaze away from the talismans and onto a pale blue dharma sword before him.

"Forged from Azure Smoke Stone and tempered with snow-field frost. Not only is its draw lightning-fast, but its strikes can also carry a chilling frost against enemies."

The woman's tone grew much more enthusiastic as she said with a smile

"This sword is excellent. If I hadn't just acquired a new dharma tool, I wouldn't be willing to part with it. It's only ten spirit stones."

Truly short on funds, Li Tongya scanned the stall with some reluctance. Seeing that darkness was approaching, he picked up a dark-colored bow from the stall and asked

"How about this bow?"

"Ho! It is forged from Azure Crow Wood and uses the sinew of a Green Essence Wheel demon. By infusing it with dharma power, you can attach sharp qi to the arrows. I'll sell it to you for four spirit stones."

Li Tongya gave a light laugh and replied

"Two spirit stones."

"Not enough," the woman said, shaking her head.

Li Tongya pointed at the bowstring and said

"One can tell this bow has been used for a long time. Two spirit stones plus five White Essence Fruits—call it two and a half spirit stones and sell it to me."

The woman bit her lip, glanced at the sky, and finally replied

"Deal."

Li Tongya gave the spirit stones and fruits to the woman, stood up holding the bow, and tightened his pocket containing the remaining three spirit stones. Seeing that people were already packing up the surrounding stalls, he quickened his pace to finish browsing the market.

The shops ahead sold items meant for the Qi Refinement stage, which Li Tongya could not afford, so he didn't bother looking and kept his head down, searching the stalls.

After walking only a few steps, Li Tongya saw a youth dressed in hemp clothes and a beast-hide vest standing by the roadside. Beside him was a large iron cage containing a dozen furry canine beasts.

"Fellow Daoist, would you like to take a look at these Sulin Beasts!"

The youth had been standing there with a long face, but upon seeing Li Tongya stop to look at the beasts, he was overjoyed. He explained

"These beasts have gentle temperaments. Once they reach adulthood, they possess the cultivation of the second stage of Fetal Breathing, the Brightening Wheel. They have sharp teeth and move like the wind; taking down dozens of mortals is no problem. Usually, you just need to feed them some spirit rice..."

Hearing this, Li Tongya immediately understood that the boy had likely failed to sell anything all day. He said in a heavy voice

"What use is taking down mortals?"

"This! This... these beasts are very intelligent! They can scent objects on the wind and distinguish demonic qi..."

"How much?"

"One spirit stone per beast..."

Li Tongya turned and began to walk away. The youth, his face turning red with panic, grabbed the corner of Li Tongya's clothing and cried out

"One spirit stone for two! Two beasts!"

Li Tongya had no choice but to stop. He shook his head helplessly and explained

"Your beasts look alright, but if you actually encounter a cultivator, they could be dealt with from a distance with a few spells. Besides, do you want spirit rice or demon beast meat to feed them? I don't even have enough of these cultivation resources for myself; how could I use them to feed livestock..."

The youth froze, then nodded thoughtfully, pouting as he said

"Wait a moment, Fellow Daoist, I have something else."

He then pulled a small silver box from his robe and said with anticipation

"This is called the Wuza Insect. It can spin Wuza Spirit Silk. You only need to feed it things containing spiritual energy, like spirit bran. These insects are not picky; they eat spirit rice leaves or stalks. If you truly have no spiritual items, you can use some animal meat to keep them alive so they don't starve."

Hearing this, Li Tongya became interested. He took the silver box and saw several grayish-blue insects crawling about, shaking their heads, resting on a few mulberry leaves.

"What is the use of this Wuza Spirit Silk?"

"It can be used to weave spirit garments and silks that are difficult for ordinary blades and spears to damage. It can also be sold."

Remembering that he still had several batches of spirit leaves and stalks at home, Li Tongya felt tempted, but he expressed his concern

"I am afraid I won't be able to keep them alive..."

"If Fellow Daoist is willing, I will include an insect manual containing all the rearing essentials. I'll sell them along with these insects for only two spirit stones!" the youth said, looking at him imploringly.

"Fine," Li Tongya replied after a few moments of thought.

Having stowed away the silver box and the wooden slip handed to him by the youth, Li Tongya saw that it had grown dark. He bid the boy farewell and walked slowly toward the carriage. The driver was dozing on the vehicle; Li Tongya gave a low chuckle and waited silently.

When Wan Yuankai arrived, he was covered in dust but wore a look of joy. Seeing Li Tongya leaning against the carriage holding a bow, he smiled and asked

"Brother Tongya, what treasure have you obtained?"

"Just a bow of the Fetal Breathing level. It hardly qualifies as a treasure."

Li Tongya smiled and climbed into the carriage. He handed the bow to Wan Yuankai. Seeing him test the string, he asked

"How is it?"

"Azure Crow Wood and ox sinew."

Wan Yuankai pulled the string, frowning as he inspected it repeatedly before answering

"Three spirit stones at most. Any more would be a loss."

Li Tongya nodded with a smile. The two chatted for a while, each lost in their own thoughts under the dim night sky, and soon fell asleep in the swaying carriage.

(End of Chapter)