Chương 29: Trading for Talismans

"Tendons from a Level 1 Verdant Snake! An absolute necessity for anyone forging a divine bow! Only three low-grade spirit stones! Come and see for yourselves!"

"Storage pouches of every variety! Modern styles, elegant designs, and vast internal dimensions! A mere single low-grade spirit stone for each one!"

"Offering power-leveling services! If I can't help you break through to the 3rd Level of Qi Condensation within a month, you don't pay a cent! Only five low-grade spirit stones upon success!" Reyn paused, a brief look of bewilderment crossing his face before he shook his head with a faint, wry smile. This was his first time visiting a cultivators' market, and to his surprise, it was hardly different from the bustling, chaotic bazaars of the mortal world.

However, since he had already made the journey, he decided he might as well browse. Who knew? Perhaps some overlooked treasure lay hidden amidst the dross. With that thought in mind, Reyn began to pace slowly through the rows of stalls.

"Senior, would you be interested in some Purple-Gold Grass? It is the primary ingredient for refining Spirit-Condensing Pills—perfect for someone of your stature. The price is a steal: twenty stalks per bundle, and only one low-grade spirit stone for the lot!"

"I also have Night-Languid Grass! It calms the spirit and repels pests. Keeping some dried leaves in your cultivation chamber will undoubtedly double the efficiency of your meditation!" At the stall, a young man in his twenties wore a face full of sycophantic zeal. He pitched his various 'rare' spirit herbs to Reyn with an expression that suggested Reyn would be committing a grave error by passing them up. Reyn could only offer a silent, bitter smile.

Even the neglected herbs growing wild in the abandoned sections of the mountain interior's medicinal garden were of far higher quality than the wilted specimens on this table. Reyn moved fitfully, stopping and starting for over half an hour before he had finally completed a circuit of the market. He had found absolutely nothing of value. Shaking his head in disappointment, he walked directly toward the administrative end of the market.

"Senior, how may I assist you?" The clerk responsible for the ledger sensed Reyn's cultivation level and immediately tensed up, asking with cautious respect. Though Reyn had suppressed his true power, he still allowed his aura to radiate at the 7th Level of Qi Condensation. Had he appeared any weaker, his long period of browsing without buying would have likely earned him a torrent of verbal abuse from the impatient vendors.

"I wish to set up a stall here. What is the fee?" Reyn asked, getting straight to the point.

"It is one low-grade spirit stone for every four hours. Any duration less than four hours is still charged as a full block. However, since a senior like yourself is honoring us with your presence, I can offer you a thirty percent discount," the clerk said, his face a mask of fawning gratitude as if he were doing Reyn a monumental favor. Reyn simply shook his head. He reached into his robes, tossed a single spirit stone onto the desk, and took the numbered wooden tally before walking away.

Between his various alchemical successes and the 'windfall' he had gathered from the corpses of fallen enemies, he had hundreds of spirit stones in his possession. He had no interest in haggling over such a pittance. Because the market had been open for some time, the prime locations were already occupied. Reyn's assigned spot was in a relatively secluded, dusty corner. He didn't mind. He casually placed seven or eight jade vials onto the wooden boards of the stall.

Instead of shouting for customers, he simply sat down, closed his eyes, and began to rest his spirit. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Fifteen minutes passed before a young man approached the stall with a look of suspicion.

"Senior, what kind of pills are these?"

"Spirit-Gathering Pills, Spirit-Condensing Pills, Spirit-Protecting Pills, Minor Restoration Pills, Major Restoration Pills, and Nine-Heavens Jade-Severing Ointment," Reyn recited the names in a single breath, his eyes remaining closed. The young man gasped, his face draining of color as a look of pure disbelief took hold. He seemed stunned by the list, standing frozen for a long moment before whispering, "Senior... may I inspect them?"

"You may." With a look of intense anticipation, the youth carefully uncorked one of the jade vials. Immediately, a refreshing, potent medicinal fragrance wafted out, clearing the surrounding air.

"It's real! It's actually a Spirit-Condensing Pill!" The man's face was a mixture of shock and joy. He reluctantly set the vial back down and asked tentatively, "Senior, what is the price for these?"

"Five low-grade spirit stones per pill," Reyn replied flatly. In truth, this price was not high; it was actually lower than the standard market rate. Pills were always in high demand and rarely appeared in low-level markets like this. When they did, they were usually snatched up instantly, often at a thirty percent premium. The youth's eyes lit up. Without a moment's hesitation, he blurted out, "I'll take three!"

Fifteen spirit stones represented his entire life's savings, but the prospect of owning three Spirit-Condensing Pills was enough to make him weep with joy. With these, he stood a genuine chance of breaking through his current cultivation bottleneck. He placed the stones on the stall, and Reyn swept them into his storage bag with a flick of his sleeve.

"Take them yourself," Reyn said indifferently. The youth's heart hammered against his ribs. The vial appeared to contain at least a hundred pills. If he were to... but then he remembered the oppressive aura of the 7th Level cultivator before him. The greedy thought vanished instantly. He honestly counted out three pills and hurried away as fast as his legs could carry him. Another fifteen minutes passed before a young girl discovered the stall. She gleefully purchased two Spirit-Gathering Pills.

Slowly, word began to spread through the market: a senior in the eastern corner was selling high-quality pills at bargain prices. The market erupted into a frenzy. Countless low-level cultivators swarmed toward the corner like a rising tide. Reyn's stall was soon surrounded by layers of people, their eyes burning with hunger as they stared at the large vials of spirit medicine.

"Senior, I want three Minor Restoration Pills!"

"I'll take two Spirit-Condensing Pills!"

"Senior, I have no money, but I am willing to accompany you for the night if you would grant me just two pills..." The clamor was deafening. Reyn's brow furrowed. Seeing that his goal had been achieved, he decided not to waste any more time. He channeled a sliver of spiritual energy into a sharp cough, and the sound echoed like a thunderclap, instantly silencing the crowd.

"I am no longer selling these for stones. From this moment on, I will only accept talismans in exchange, valued at the standard market rate." Talismans—vast quantities of them—were Reyn's true objective. Since he couldn't significantly raise his cultivation level in the short term, talismans, which required only a spark of Qi to unleash powerful attacks, were the fastest way to bolster his combat effectiveness.

Most of the pills he had put out were leftovers from his previous training and were of little use to him now. Trading them for life-saving measures was an easy decision. As Reyn's voice faded, a timid voice rose from the crowd.

"Senior, are there specific requirements for the talismans? Can any grade be traded?"

"There is no floor. Any talisman can be traded," Reyn replied. Immediately, a boy around seventeen or eighteen years old stepped forward.

"Senior, I have one hundred Fireball Technique Talismans. I crafted them all myself. I wish to trade them for two Spirit-Condensing Pills." As soon as the boy spoke, the crowd erupted in mockery.

"Haha! The lowest-grade Fireball Talismans? Those can only produce an attack equivalent to the 3rd Level of Qi Condensation! You have the nerve to offer such trash?"

"You can buy ten of those for a single spirit stone. A hundred of them should technically be worth ten stones, but in my eyes, they aren't even worth half a Spirit-Condensing Pill!"

"Exactly. Low-level talismans are easy to make, but pills are as rare as phoenix feathers!"

"The brat doesn't know the height of the heavens. If he angers the Senior, he'll be lucky to leave here in one piece!"