Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation
Chapter 349 - 3: Spirit Village Marketplace (Part 2)
It is said that this grand array was built with the collective funds of the Eighteen Spirit Strongholds, and the Late Second Tier was already their limit.
Nowadays, the Elder Council of Spirit Village manages both the village and market rather casually.
The means of profit are quite singular: apart from entrance fees, there are only shop, stall, and Dao Field rental fees within the market.
However, after paying the Spirit Stones and entering the market, Li Ji’an was secretly amazed along the way.
The market level is not high, but the resources sold within are indeed remarkable.
Tier One resources were surprisingly few; most were Tier Two and even Tier Three resources.
Located in a zone not governed by two provinces, transactions here have no restrictions, strategic resources and looted treasures are all openly displayed for sale.
Moreover, Li Ji’an had only walked through two streets when he already encountered three disguised Fake Pill True Men and a True Pill Master.
"As long as the profit is big enough, these people dare to take any risk." After half a day, Li Ji’an walked a few streets, shaking his head at some vendors he encountered.
He had already seen a few Early Foundation Establishment cultivators selling Tier Three talisman materials at stalls.
There was even some Qi Cultivation Stage junior cultivators selling Upper Grade Magical Artifacts without knowing where they obtained them from.
Clearly, this market simply could not guarantee their safety.
The victorious party of the Eighteen Spirit Strongholds back then were mostly Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators and some Early Foundation Establishment family clans, and the Spirit Vein here was only Upper Grade Second Tier, incapable of giving birth to a Fake Pill True Man.
Moreover, although the Eighteen Spirit Strongholds seemed to be united and formed the Spirit Village Elder Council, it was inevitable that once facing a strong enemy like a Fake Pill True Man, they would collapse and fend for themselves.
And even if it’s safe inside the market, wanting to leave the Great Marsh Mountain alive would be as difficult as reaching the skies for those junior cultivators.
Yet, Li Ji’an understood the fundamental reason these people still chose to sell here despite knowing the risks.
Apart from here, if they went elsewhere to sell, the conspicuous resources might be confiscated by those from the Holy Palace Sect as strategic materials or snatched away at a low price, only here can they trade freely.
"Fellow Daoist, the base price is three thousand Spirit Stones, this is a Tier Three Golden Phoenix Leaf, truly a Tier Three talisman material, the best material for attack-type talismans!" The Early Foundation Establishment stall owner eagerly promoted.
Simultaneously, he continuously used Divine Sense Perception on Li Ji’an.
It’s no longer a secret that some True Men often use disguises to buy goods in the market, after all, besides those Fake Pill Clans, even some sect’s Fake Pill Elders lack Tier Three spiritual talent.
"Pity this leaf has been buried underground for too long, losing much of its spirituality. To successfully draw it requires high talisman art skills, and only the palm-sized center can be used." Li Ji’an shook his head slightly disappointed.
"Senior is a connoisseur!" The stall owner, hearing this, had no further doubts, the person before him must be a True Man, and also a great figure in Talisman Dao.
Li Ji’an faintly smiled.
"Senior, I am willing to trade this leaf for two thousand Spirit Stones, but... please also escort me when you leave." The stall owner hurriedly offered the Golden Phoenix Leaf with both hands.
By luck, he found an Ancient Tomb, obtaining many treasures, and now that he has almost sold them all, this last piece of talisman material makes his earnings close to seven thousand Spirit Stones, enough for him to retreat and break through to Middle Foundation Establishment.
Originally his plan was to hire Escort Masters in the market after selling his goods and accompany someone, costing just one hundred Spirit Stones alone.
But judging Li Ji’an’s True Man identity, he spared no effort, preferring to spend more stones for safety.
Li Ji’an took the Golden Phoenix Leaf, casually flipping through it, the Gold Spiritual Mechanism within was especially strong, even better than he had just sensed.
"Where does the young friend wish to go?"
"Reporting to senior, I wish to go to Nine Yang Immortal City, senior only needs to escort me out of this mountain range!" The stall owner answered respectfully.
Upon entering the Celestial Origin Province, with Law Enforcement Cultivators patrolling, Tribulation Cultivators would be fewer, additionally, the Fiery Sun Sect is located in the southern part of Celestial Origin Province, Nine Yang Immortal City under its name is not far from the border.
"Alright!" Li Ji’an nodded in agreement.
Besides trying his luck here, his main aim was to go to the auction at Nine Yang Immortal City, it’s said that the Fiery Sun Sect planned to sell some unused spiritual talent to gather resources for its newly promoted True Inheritor for their Core Formation spiritual talent.
"Thank you, senior, thank you, senior, junior’s name is Zhu Qi, a mere Loose Cultivator." The stall owner joyfully exclaimed.
"Hmm, keep an eye on the Communication Talisman, I will let you know when I leave." Li Ji’an handed him a Communication Talisman.
"No need for trouble, no need for trouble, junior has nothing left to sell, seeing senior seems not too familiar with the market, how about letting junior guide you?" Zhu Qi eagerly volunteered.
"Alright!" Li Ji’an agreed, he indeed needed a guide, otherwise wandering aimlessly like a headless fly would be too inefficient.
Soon, Zhu Qi packed up his stall and respectfully followed behind Li Ji’an.
"Senior, what kind of spiritual talent are you looking to purchase?"
"Tier Three and above talisman materials, Tier Two and above puppet materials, Tier Three spirit medicines would do."
Zhu Qi noticeably paused, his gaze toward Li Ji’an became more respectful.
It’s not hard to guess, this senior should be a Sect Elder.
Otherwise, it’s impossible to have such varied needs.
In common eyes, even at the True Man level, being adept in one Tier Three skill is extremely rare, impossible for someone to be proficient in so many.
The person must be helping sect friends procure supplies.
"Senior, please move to the back street, there are mostly stalls of Tomb Raider friends, many resources prohibited outside are there." Zhu Qi immediately led the way.
Li Ji’an gave Zhu Qi an unexpected glance; he had a slight earthy smell on him.
Initially, Li Ji’an thought he was a Tomb Raider.
"Senior misunderstood, junior has been relying on herb gathering, this time was by chance discovering that Cave Mansion, not really a true Tomb Raider.
Those Tomb Raiders are truly ruthless people with their heads tied to their belts, incomparable, incomparable." Zhu Qi explained with a smile.
"Where does the young friend usually gather herbs? Do you have Tier Three spirit medicines?" Li Ji’an casually asked.
"Junior has been gathering herbs near the Black Water Swamp." Zhu Qi replied.
"So, you know the Black Water Swamp well?" Li Ji’an showed interest.
"Just a little, just a little, senior wants information on the Black Water Swamp?" Zhu Qi also noticed Li Ji’an’s interest, feeling delighted.
"Tell me." Li Ji’an nodded.
"Reporting to senior, the Black Water Swamp is connected east to the Qingmen Sect, west to the Illusory Phantom Forest Forbidden Land, junior used to reside in an Immortal City under Qingmen Sect, the Black Water Swamp stretches thousands of miles,
Its black water exposed, corroding the earth into silt,
Inside there’s not only no place to set foot, but a poisonous fog drifting, the closer to the western forbidden land of Phantom Forest, the thicker the fog,
However, amid the black poison fog, there occasionally are spots where Holy Light shines, containing spirit plants.
Junior’s cultivation is shallow, can only explore the swamp’s perimeter... " Zhu Qi shared his experiences over the years.
Li Ji’an compared Zhu Qi’s words with the information he actively gathered over the years, verifying them, having a grasp.
Soon, they reached the back street of the market.
Upon entering, Li Ji’an immediately sensed a strong earthy smell.
Looking at the stalls, indeed there was everything, mostly ancient items.
"Humph! Wu Weixiong, others may fear you, but Jiao isn’t afraid, come out and compete if you dare!" Just as Li Ji’an discovered a piece of Li Fire Essence, the main material for crafting a Second Tier puppet at a stall, he was instantly attracted by a loud shout from the end of the street.
Looking up, sure enough, he saw the familiar Wu Weixiong.
Facing him was a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator arguing with a stall owner.
"Senior, that is Martial Dharma Protector Wu, specially hired by Spirit Village, responsible for market security." Zhu Qi promptly informed Li Ji’an through voice transmission.
"Dharma Protector." Li Ji’an smiled slightly, previously, when Wu Weixiong invited him to visit the Spirit Village, he mentioned he had settled there.
Looking at Wu Weixiong, Li Ji’an’s gaze changed.
Coveting the Liu Family’s Sacred Beast Pill, he could forcibly demand it under the guise of a Fake Pill Elder’s identity, but he couldn’t force Wu Weixiong’s Body Refining Technique.
Unlike the Liu Family, he has no family to care for.
Moreover, Wu Weixiong’s combat power is no less than an ordinary Fake Pill True Man.