Chapter 21: Sudden Wealth

The辟谷丹 (Pigu Pill) sold for eleven spirit stones, and the 众妙丸 (Zhongmiao Pills) for one hundred and fifty.

In total, that made one hundred and sixty-one spirit stones.

This was Luo Chen's income for the day.

After counting the spirit stones, Luo Chen was so happy he couldn't stop smiling.

After not making a profit for so long, he finally had a small gain this time.

If he added the ninety-two spirit stones contributed by the short-lived ghost, his savings would instantly soar to two hundred and fifty-three!

This was an unprecedented peak!

He could buy two low-grade magical artifacts, or two and a half bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills, or even enjoy a half-month of spiritual energy feasts at Zhongding Family's restaurant.

He could even book a few nights at Tianxiang Tower.

However, these thoughts didn't linger in Luo Chen's mind for even half a second.

With more working capital, what should he do with it?

Of course, he should expand production, grow bigger and stronger, and achieve even greater success!

"Little Brother Luo, shouldn't you return that?"

"Uncle Chen, do you want some fish? I caught it yesterday and roasted it over a gentle flame for half an hour using the Fireball Spell. Just heat it up a bit, and it's very delicious."

"But...?"

"About the spirit stones, I know. I've got it all in my mind. Little Luo is currently in a period of skill improvement and needs more materials to practice with. Once I earn enough, I'll definitely pay you back. At that time, I'll host a banquet at Zhongding Family and personally invite you!"

Zhongding Family, the most upscale restaurant in the Dahuang Market.

Everything they sell is infused with spiritual energy, the drinks are brewed from spirit veins, and even the snacks and fruits are rare items transported by the Lancang River!

Seeing that Old Daoist Chen was somewhat tempted, Luo Chen pressed his advantage.

"Besides, we're both mid-stage Qi Cultivators. Would I be so petty as to not return a mere fifty spirit stones?"

"Don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back then."

"I need to hurry and buy more materials, so I'll be off!"

Watching Luo Chen run off like a streak, Old Daoist Chen felt a bit frustrated.

What a little rascal!

He's a bit like me when I was young, being so frugal with even a couple of spirit stones.

"I hope your promise of a banquet at Zhongding Family isn't just a trick to fool this old man!"

"Double the amount of赤炎鸡血 (Chiyan Chicken Blood)?"

"Yes, as much as possible!"

"Only a few pieces of玉山药 (Yushan Yam) left? I'll take them all. Next time, please save more for me."

"Give me five pounds of this!"

After a big shopping spree, Luo Chen was sweating from the effort.

The independent cultivator market was great in many ways, but they loved to haggle, even if they had done business with him several times, they still liked to talk about the season and market conditions.

In comparison, the items at Bai Cao Tang were more expensive, but at least he didn't have to waste his breath.

Moreover, the high price wasn't a flaw of Bai Cao Tang, it was a flaw of Luo Chen!

"Four hundred scallops, forty fire dog whips! Brother Luo, are you sure you can handle this much?"

The fat shopkeeper, Liu Hecai, was somewhat surprised.

How long had it been? Just two or three transactions, and this small Qi Cultivator's purchase volume had quadrupled.

Even if his body was weak, it wasn't supposed to be used like this!

"Your shop is a four-domain chain, a five-hundred-year-old establishment. Surely you have this much in stock, right?" Luo Chen said.

Liu Hecai shook his head, "The goods are definitely there, but you...?"

Liu Hecai suddenly sniffed and asked in surprise, "Little friend, are you a pill refiner?"

"A crude skill, not worth mentioning, but you have a keen eye, Shopkeeper."

Goodness, a wild pill refiner!

Liu Hecai's gaze toward Luo Chen changed, a mix of ridicule and admiration.

He could tell that Luo Chen was an independent cultivator with no family or sect background, from his attire, aura, and cultivation level.

But precisely because of this, he was surprised.

These days, independent cultivators dare to touch such a high-end skill as pill refining?

The other party was indeed a bit overconfident.

Of course, in business, harmony brings wealth.

Liu Hecai smiled warmly, "To be able to refine pills at your age, you must be exceptionally talented. If you refine good pills in the future, feel free to show them to me."

This made Luo Chen curious.

"Do you buy pills, Shopkeeper?"

"The neighboring Spirit Medicine Pavilion and our Bai Cao Tang both come from the Medicine King Sect. You understand, right?"

Luo Chen's eyes lit up, realizing something.

If he could sell his pills at the Spirit Medicine Pavilion, it would be like a small workshop's liquor getting a prime-time ad slot on CCTV.

Spirit stones would flow in like a river!

Without saying more, the most basic Qi Nourishing Pills for Qi Cultivators were sold at the Spirit Medicine Pavilion for one hundred spirit stones per bottle.

Heh, no haggling, take it or leave it.

Once you leave this door, you won't find it anywhere else!

Luo Chen didn't expect that this Liu Hecai had the means to get pills into the Spirit Medicine Pavilion.

However, this wasn't relevant to him at the moment.

Even though the demand for Zhongmiao Pills was high, his proficiency and production were not up to par, and he wasn't ready to collaborate with the Spirit Medicine Pavilion.

After a few more words, Liu Hecai promised to ensure the supply of scallops and fire dog whips.

According to him, the fire dog whips came from a cultivation family under the Medicine King Sect, with a very stable and reliable annual output.

With Xiao Ling's strange gaze, Luo Chen packed the materials into his storage bag and took his leave.

After he left, Liu Hecai marveled.

"Where there are many trees, there are all kinds of birds. These days, even low-rank independent cultivators dare to touch pill refining."

"Spit!"

Xiao Ling spat, her face slightly red, "I'm afraid he won't refine anything good!"

Is the Zhongmiao Pill a good pill?

That depends on the perspective.

For those who aspire to the Dao but also want to enjoy human pleasures, it is a blessing for men!

For those who have no interest in the Dao and indulge in pleasure, it is a powerful tool!

The only ones who might feel wronged are the fire dogs.

Every time someone uses the Zhongmiao Pill, a fire dog somewhere unknown would let out a heart-wrenching howl.

Truly, it's a case of "I did not kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of me."

On the way back, Luo Chen was very happy.

This was the easiest time he had ever gone to the market.

No more carrying a snake skin bag and walking through the streets.

The storage bag was a great invention, the greatest in the cultivation world.

Priced at a minimum of ten thousand, it was worth every bit of its noble status.

He didn't know which sect produced these, but they must be counting spirit stones in bed every day, laughing all the way to the bank!

Since it was still daytime, the outer city looked quite safe.

Although there were always some colorful bloodstains on the road, Luo Chen was already used to it.

With his Proficient-level Free Roaming technique, he zipped through the bustling market, eager to return home.

This time, he spent over two hundred spirit stones, leaving only forty for emergencies.

Materials for the Zhongmiao Pills, materials for the Pigu Powder, and daily necessities.

It felt like going to a big supermarket once a month in his past life to do a big shopping spree.

After getting home, he sorted everything out and began his cultivation for the day.

Besides the Fireball Spell, he also picked up the Entangling Spell.

It was a basic spell that came with the Eternal Spring Technique, and with a proficiency of 176/200, it was close to reaching the Proficient level.

Although this spell was generally rated low,

It was a wood-type spell, perfectly suited to the Eternal Spring Technique, and its power depended on the amount of spiritual energy consumed.

If he could increase the proficiency of the Entangling Spell, Luo Chen would have another means to deal with enemies.

And who says the Entangling Spell can't kill? (A certain god secretly gave a thumbs up!)

At night,

After washing up, Luo Chen sat cross-legged on the bed, his five hearts toward the sky, and circulated his cultivation technique to restore his spiritual energy.

The Perfect-level Eternal Spring Technique was excellent, short in duration, high in efficiency, and seemed to be tailor-made for his body.

Even without the Qi Nourishing Pills, Luo Chen could feel a distinctly different cultivation speed compared to before.

After finishing his cultivation, he lay down to sleep.

Suddenly, just as he closed his eyes, Luo Chen opened them and stared straight at the door.