Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Obtaining the Cultivation Technique
"Middle Grade Cold Iron? That’s material for a Tier One Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact. Of course we’ll take it! It comes to one hundred fifty-nine catties and eight taels... let’s call it an even one hundred sixty. At five Low Grade Spirit Stones per catty, that’s a total of eight hundred Spirit Stones. How does that sound?"
The Shopkeeper’s eyes lit up. He immediately took out his tools and weighed and appraised it on the spot.
"Deal!"
Thrilled by the price, Zhang Chi immediately nodded in agreement.
The Chen Kingdom was just outside the mountain range where the Cold Iron Mine was located. For the past half month, he had been traveling within its borders.
He had passed three Marketplaces along the way, but they were all relatively close to the Cold Iron Mine. He didn’t enter them, wanting to avoid revealing his whereabouts.
Only now, far from that area, did he finally feel safe enough to sell the Cold Iron.
And there was no issue with the price, either.
First, while in the mine, he had learned about market prices from newly captured Mining Slaves through Xiao Yunhong.
Second, he had also just noted the general prices of common Artifact Refining Materials at the roadside stalls.
He chose to sell at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower not just for convenience, but also to reduce risk by avoiding visits to multiple shops.
Besides, the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower was a major establishment. They wouldn’t make a move on him for a mere few hundred Spirit Stones, making it safer than ordinary shops.
"You’re decisive, fellow Cultivator. Here are eight hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones, please take them. By the way, would you like to do some shopping? We have everything here."
The Shopkeeper waved his hand to store the Cold Iron, paid out the Spirit Stones, and immediately began his sales pitch.
"I do need to buy a few things. I’ll take a small Flying Boat, a Flying Sword, and a Magic Robe and mask—the kind that can block scans from Divine Sense."
Zhang Chi was in high spirits after receiving so many Spirit Stones. He didn’t hang onto them, however, and immediately started spending.
The Flying Boat was a must. He had been rushing on foot for so long that his legs were about to break.
And that was just from traveling within the southern region of the Chen Kingdom.
Therefore, buying a small Flying Boat as a means of transport was absolutely necessary.
A Flying Sword and Magic Robe were for self-defense and survival, equally essential.
The mask was to hide his true appearance and prevent being targeted, which was also very important.
As for the Cold Iron Flying Sword and Flying Needle he had made himself, it would certainly take time to refine them into true Magical Artifacts, and he clearly didn’t have the time to wait.
Since he had Spirit Stones, he might as well just buy them.
Besides, he cultivated a Fire Element Cultivation Technique, so a Cold Iron Flying Sword wasn’t a very good match for him anyway.
"No problem, fellow Cultivator, please follow me!"
The Shopkeeper was overjoyed and immediately led Zhang Chi into the main hall, personally introducing him to various Flying Boats, Flying Swords, Magic Robes, and masks.
The hall shimmered with the light of treasures. There were many Magical Artifacts, all exquisitely small. They could grow in size once refined and infused with Spiritual Power. Even though Zhang Chi had heard of this, he still found it amazing.
Of course, Zhang Chi only looked at items at the Low Grade Magical Artifact level. Because Middle Grade magical artifacts were more expensive, even with eight hundred Spirit Stones, he couldn’t afford everything he needed.
"I’ll take these."
Soon, Zhang Chi had made his selections.
The Magic Robe and mask were both black. One was refined from Black Silkworm Silk, the other forged from Ink Silver.
Both offered decent defense and could also block Divine Sense, preventing him from being marked by most methods. They were far better than the cloak and mask he had rented.
The Flying Sword was palm-sized, crimson all over, and radiated a searing aura. Its main material was said to be Fire Copper, which had a significant enhancing effect for Cultivators of Fire Element Cultivation Techniques.
Then there was the Flying Boat. It was pure white, made from Tier One Spirit Wood, and inscribed with Restrictions for Floating and Gale. Not only was it quite sturdy, but it was also fast.
"Oh, right. I’ll also take a Map, a Pill Furnace, and one hundred sets of materials for refining Spirit-Storage Pills. Also, two more Storage Bags and a Spirit Beast Bag."
Seeing that he still had Spirit Stones left, Zhang Chi continued shopping.
He quickly picked out a small, exquisite, jade-green Pill Furnace and a batch of Spirit Herbs and Medicinal Materials.
It turned out he was planning to start practicing Alchemy.
He chose Alchemy not only to earn Spirit Stones in the future but also for his own convenience.
Furthermore, his Jade Pendant could be put to use again.
If he produced Substandard pills from Alchemy—in other words, Wasted Pills—he could use them directly all the same.
He could also consume qualified Spirit Pills freely, without any worry of Pill Poison accumulating and damaging his foundation.
As for the remaining Storage Bags, the Spirit Beast Bag, and the Map, there wasn’t much to choose from, and they weren’t very expensive.
"Including the Element Transformation Secret Technique, I’ll round it off for you, making the total one thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones. The itemized list is right here. Take a look, fellow Cultivator," the Shopkeeper said with a broad smile.
Zhang Chi studied the list carefully but shook his head slightly and immediately started to haggle. "That’s not going to work. How about a discount? Seven hundred and fifty Spirit Stones. Look, this one, and this one... you can definitely go cheaper on these."
"Eight hundred Spirit Stones! That’s the lowest I can go, or the shop will take a loss!"
After a brief war of words, the Shopkeeper finally revealed his "bottom line."
"Alright, but you have to throw something else in," Zhang Chi said, seeming somewhat dissatisfied.
"How about this? I’ll give you the Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment portions of the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique. That should do it, right?" the Shopkeeper said, struck by a sudden idea.
"What good is that Cultivation Technique? Whatever. I can’t be bothered to waste any more time. Fine, I’ll take it."
Zhang Chi nodded reluctantly, though inwardly he was overjoyed.
’I was just wondering if I should try to guide him into offering this Cultivation Technique, or if I’d have to go buy it secretly at another Marketplace.’
’But he offered it himself! This is exactly what I wanted, and it won’t arouse any suspicion.’
’On second thought, it’s not that surprising.’
’After all, we mentioned this Cultivation Technique before, and for the Shopkeeper, it’s something he can’t sell anyway.’
’Using it as a freebie is the most logical choice.’
A moment later, the two officially completed the transaction, and Zhang Chi finally walked out of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.
The Shopkeeper, beaming, saw him all the way to the entrance before turning back.
Zhang Chi was also very satisfied.
He now had one Spirit Beast Bag and two gray Storage Bags on him.
Inside the Spirit Beast Bag were the Four-legged Strange Snakes.
Because they were small, low-level, and of the same species, they were all put together.
As for the Storage Bags, the first one contained the Communication Jade Talisman and the Black Coffin.
The second held the Elemental Transformation Technique, the Flying Boat, the Magic Robe, the mask, the Flying Sword, the Pill Furnace, the Map, and the Spirit Herbs and Medicinal Materials.
As for the black Storage Bag left by Xiao Yunhong, he had sold it to the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower for ten Spirit Stones.
When transferring the coffin and the Communication Jade Talisman, he used his Divine Sense to move them directly between the two Storage Bags without taking them out.
Therefore, he wasn’t worried about the Shopkeeper finding out what had been in his old Storage Bag.
He had switched Storage Bags precisely to prevent any markings left by the Profound Yin Sect from being found.
As for the Black Coffin, even if it had a mark on it, it couldn’t be sensed while inside a Storage Bag.
’This might be overly cautious, but it’s better than running into trouble due to carelessness.’
’If possible, I wouldn’t even want the Shopkeeper to know that I plan to join the Golden Sun Sect.’
This shopping spree was a massive upgrade, greatly improving his survival and combat abilities, as well as his travel speed. However, it also left him with only twenty-seven Low Grade Spirit Stones.
’It’s fine. Money spent can be earned again. Once I retrieve that batch of Ore, I’ll have more Spirit Stones.’
But Zhang Chi wasn’t worried.
He had already taken a quick look at the Map and found that the route to the Golden Sun Sect required him to backtrack a bit.
When he passed by the Cold Iron Mine, he could just take a detour to retrieve the Ore.
Leaving the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, Zhang Chi strode towards the Marketplace exit.
"Fellow Cultivator, what are the prices for these Elixirs?"
Along the way, however, he stopped in front of a few roadside Elixir stalls to browse and ask questions.
But he didn’t buy anything. Instead, he was scoping out the market and laying some groundwork.
"Do you have any Wasted Pills? I’m looking for Wasted Pills from Tier One Spiritual Pills. If the price is right, I’ll buy some," he finally revealed his true purpose after a moment.
