Chapter 17: Following (Please keep reading! Please support!)

Chapter 17: Following (Please keep reading! Please invest~!)

A few more days passed, and Li Zhirui finished processing the first batch of mature spiritual rice from his space, ultimately obtaining over 2,400 catties of spiritual rice.

Looking at the brimming storage bag, Li Zhirui prepared to head to the market alone. However, before doing so, he needed to apply to the clan for permission to go out.

This was a rule established by the Li family to protect their members and prevent disciples who had not yet fully grown from falling in battle.

The clan regulations stated: Those who are underage or not at the late stage of Qi Refinement are not allowed to leave the clan territory.

Because they were young and had low cultivation, it would be difficult for them to escape safely if they encountered any danger.

Even if one met these two conditions, they still needed to apply to the clan and report their destination for the clan to track; only Foundation Establishment cultivators could come and go as they pleased.

However, generally speaking, if a qualified clan member applied, the clan would not refuse, so Li Zhirui easily obtained his Island Departure Token.

Li Zhirui walked to the edge of Big Banyan Island and tossed a paper crane into the sky. As he cast his incantations, the paper crane grew in the wind, and with a movement, Li Zhirui leaped onto it.

This was the cheapest flying magic tool Li Zhirui had previously purchased; it was slow, lacked protective spiritual light, and could only carry one person—in short, it had a long list of flaws.

But its only two advantages were enough for Li Zhirui, or most Qi Refinement cultivators, to choose it: one was the low price, and the other was that it did not consume too much magic power.

One must realize that flying magic tools are the most taxing on magic power. Spirit ships are manageable since they can be driven by spirit stones, but most other flying tools require the cultivator to pilot them using their own magic power.

The paper crane's flight speed was very slow; the journey of over two hundred miles took a full hour and a half.

Fortunately, the journey was smooth sailing; he encountered neither robber cultivators nor demon beasts.

After landing safely, Li Zhirui did not rush into the market. Instead, he found a secluded spot to change his clothes, specifically donning a black gauze bamboo hat.

In truth, these mortal items on Li Zhirui's person could not block the scrutiny of divine sense, but under normal circumstances, most cultivators would not engage in such an offensive gesture.

Li Zhirui's attire was not conspicuous in the market, as many people dressed similarly.

Upon entering the market, Li Zhirui did not head to the street stalls but instead picked a random grocery shop.

"May I ask what Fellow Daoist wishes to buy?" A cultivator at the early stage of Qi Refinement immediately approached him.

Li Zhirui intentionally lowered his voice and said, "I wish to sell some spiritual rice. Does your shop accept it?" He placed particular emphasis on the word "some."

"Please, come inside, Fellow Daoist." The most important trait for a shop assistant was being quick-witted, and this man naturally understood Li Zhirui's implication.

Once they entered a small partitioned room, the man asked, "May I ask how much spiritual rice you have in hand? And what kind is it?"

"Mid-grade Tier 1 Green Glow Spiritual Rice, five hundred catties in total."

Since Li Zhirui possessed Water and Wood spiritual roots, the rice he grew naturally possessed these two attributes. Aside from this batch of mature Green Glow rice, his space also contained high-grade Tier 1 Cloud-Water and Green-Stalk spiritual rice.

"The purchase price for Green Glow Spiritual Rice is one spirit stone per catty."

Li Zhirui frowned slightly upon hearing this price. The market price for one catty of Green Glow rice was two spirit stones!

Of course, he knew the purchase price would be lower, but he hadn't expected it to be exactly half!

Seeing that Li Zhirui did not speak, the man knew he was dissatisfied with the price and explained with a smile, "Fellow Daoist, our Linlang Pavilion offers very fair prices. No other shop will offer more than one spirit stone."

"Fine, I'll sell it to you then." Li Zhirui did not insist. Whether he was telling the truth or lying would be revealed soon enough.

After receiving five hundred spirit stones, Li Zhirui left Linlang Pavilion and wandered around the market. He then entered another shop, which specialized in selling spiritual rice, but they offered a price of nine spirit stones for ten catties.

Li Zhirui's expression darkened. The initial purchase price of one spirit stone per catty had already dissatisfied him, and now they were offering even less?! Without saying another word, he turned and left.

Subsequently, Li Zhirui visited several more shops. The best price they offered was one spirit stone per catty. He sold five hundred catties each at the two highest-paying shops.

Even so, Li Zhirui still had nearly a thousand catties of spiritual rice left!

Left with no choice, Li Zhirui went to the street stalls and rented a temporary stall. He laid out a portion of the Green Sprout rice, pricing it at fifteen spirit stones for ten catties—five spirit stones cheaper than the shops.

Because of the low price, he did attract many cultivators to buy, but after several hours, he had only sold five or six hundred catties. Even so, he couldn't sell much more.

"Sigh!" Li Zhirui sighed silently, stood up, and packed his stall. The sun had begun to set, and it was time for him to return to Big Banyan Island.

Judging by today's sales, the next few waves of spiritual rice would likely not sell much either. How should he handle the remaining rice?

This question lingered in Li Zhirui's mind, so much so that he failed to notice three suspicious cultivators following behind him!

When Li Zhirui reached the seaside and prepared to summon his paper crane, the three cultivators following him finally lost their patience and made their move.

The sudden sound of breaking air set off alarm bells in Li Zhirui's heart. Without hesitation, he activated the Water Mist Bead. A thick mist rapidly spread out, enveloping him.

Within a single breath, three large fireballs slammed into the mist, exploding and scattering the vapor. Fortunately, they did not break through the mist or harm Li Zhirui.

Although Li Zhirui had never encountered such a situation, it did not mean he didn't know how to fight back.

"Da Qing, next, aim your Water Arrow Technique at those three." As a vassal family of the Beast Taming Sect, the Li family members never fought alone when engaging in magical combat.

Da Qing nodded blankly. He opened his large mouth, and instantly, a water arrow formed within it and shot out.

Seeing Da Qing's cooperation, Li Zhirui's panicked heart steadied slightly. He quickly injected a stream of magic power into the Water Mist Bead to strengthen his defense.

Then, he took a Spirit Supplementing Pill from his storage bag, held it in his mouth, and slowly replenished his magic power to prevent running dry.

Li Zhirui scattered a handful of seeds toward the three men. As his fingers danced, streaks of green spiritual light flew from his palms, followed by thick vines that surged into the sky, attacking the three men with clawing movements.

These vines were specially cultivated by Li Zhirui; some were covered in barbs, some carried toxins, and some were exceptionally tough. In short, while they weren't spiritual creatures, they were not easy to deal with.

Faced with the airtight attack of the vines, the three men were momentarily in a state of chaos, occasionally being lashed by the vines.

As time passed, the toxins carried by the poisonous vines had already permeated every corner of their bodies due to their violent movements!

It wasn't that they hadn't noticed they were poisoned, but rather that Li Zhirui gave them no opportunity to use detoxification techniques. After all, the floating Green Wood Sword beside him was not just there for intimidation!

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(Thanks to Xia Dong, Leng Ye De Feng, and Worker Brother Huang for the tips)

(Thanks to Da Yu Dynasty, Leng Ye De Feng, and Tian Ai Lulu for the monthly tickets)

(Thanks to all friends for the recommendation votes and comments)

(By the way, requesting another wave of investments!)

(If investments reach 100 people, I will add one more chapter! For every additional 100 investors, I will add another chapter!)

(End of Chapter)