Chapter 3: Just Say Yes or No

Three male cultivators in tight robes gathered around, bending down to look at the items on the blue stone slab.

"Huh, a Qi Concealment Talisman, what a good thing! How much for one?"

"Five spirit stones each. Essential for home and travel, mountain hunting. In a critical moment, activate this talisman, and even a Thorn Wolf won't be able to smell you!"

"So expensive, why not just rob us?"

"Just say yes or no!"

"Cheaper, we're about to enter the mountains and need to buy many kinds of talismans. Buying a stack from you is also an option."

"Have you inquired? My reputation in the Dahuang Market, my talisman-making skills! Besides, if the talisman is cheap, will it protect you from a beast's bite when it attacks?"

"Three spirit stones for the Qi Concealment Talisman, plus three Earth Spike Talismans, and six Fireball Talismans."

"Four! No less, the Qi Concealment Talisman is my exclusive product, only one is made per month!"

The three male cultivators discussed and decided to buy the Qi Concealment Talisman.

After settling the account, they turned their attention to the jade bottle in the corner.

"Qi Suppressing Pill?"

Luo Chen perked up, "One pill keeps you full, ten pills keep you from hunger for three days and nights. How many bottles do you want?"

"How much?"

"Let me tell you, my Qi Suppressing Pills are made from high-quality first-grade yellow beef, supplemented with ginseng and angelica, and finally refined with the Hundred Flowers Honey from the Medicine King Sect. Truly a great value!"

"Is it really that good?"

"Come, smell the aroma, isn't it fragrant! Look at the color, absolutely no flour added. I dare say no one in this area can match the quality!"

"Brother, it does seem more fragrant than the Qi Suppressing Pills we bought before."

"Right, this fellow clearly knows his stuff. You were probably cheated before. Those Qi Suppressing Pills were probably made with fake beef!"

"How much?"

"Four bottles for one spirit stone!"

"Why not just rob us!"

"Just say yes or no! You won't find better goods at any other stall. I have many regular customers, and I'll be selling out and going home soon."

"Cheaper?"

"Seeing that the three of you are sincere, how about this: one spirit stone for five bottles! Deal? Consider it a friendship, and I'll give you a discount on new pills in the future!"

"Alright, ten bottles. We still have some left from before, but let's try yours this time."

After the transaction, Luo Chen and Chen Lao Dao bowed and wished each other "safe travels and bountiful harvests."

After the customers left, the two shared a smile.

Chen Lao Dao quietly placed another Qi Concealment Talisman on the stall.

Didn't he say he only makes one a month?

As the sun rose, the southwest corner of the independent cultivator area became increasingly lively.

Sellers of pills, cultivation techniques, and beast meat were everywhere.

Buyers and bargain hunters were in constant flow, and occasionally, one or two disciples in the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's uniform could be seen.

The appearance of these disciples made the independent cultivators more spirited, and their prices naturally rose.

Cultivators from sects were big spenders!

However, this had nothing to do with Luo Chen.

Qi Suppressing Pills were the most common, available in any sect.

Moreover, the ones he refined were the lowest grade, not even called pills, just Qi Suppressing Powder molded into pills.

Such items, no matter how well he refined them, had no competitiveness.

By noon, Luo Chen's goods were almost sold out.

Only twenty bottles, not many at all. This was the result of Luo Chen's efforts over six or seven days.

One could only say that low-rank alchemists were truly pitiful!

If not supported by sects or families, independent low-rank alchemists were even more miserable!

Without much to tidy up, Luo Chen gave Chen Lao Dao some beef jerky made from scraps and prepared to leave.

Before leaving, Chen Lao Dao, while chewing the beef jerky with water, called him over.

"Are you going to introduce new pills? Not the incomplete formula you found last year, right?"

"Boy, don't aim too high. I've seen many independent alchemists go bankrupt and lose everything while researching new formulas."

"Your spirit stones are hard-earned. Why not buy two bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills from the Spirit Medicine Pavilion to boost your cultivation?"

This was a rare sincere comment from the stingy old man who liked to take advantage.

Luo Chen could hear the sincerity in his words.

In fact, the original owner had paid a higher price for the incomplete formula than Chen Lao Dao mentioned.

However, Luo Chen had other plans and wouldn't do such a risky thing.

"You should be careful with your teeth, my beef jerky can chip them."

Chen Lao Dao grimaced as he bit into the beef jerky, the fibers getting stuck in his teeth, but he still forced it down.

He glared at Luo Chen.

"Get lost!"

Luo Chen chuckled and disappeared into the crowd.

Still in the southwest corner of the independent cultivator area, but this time he arrived at the herbal market.

Having frequented this area for a long time, he was well-versed in the buying and selling of various goods.

"Sister Wang, did your husband just return from the mountains? They look like they haven't dried yet, and knowledgeable buyers might not be interested."

"Brother, I'll do a good deed today and take ten pounds!"

"This Polygonum multiflorum is probably less than ten years old! Cheaper, I'll take it."

"Yam, yes, fifty pounds. I used to buy twenty pounds for one spirit stone, now it's doubled. Can you give me a discount?"

"Never mind, I won't haggle. Throw in some red spruce fruit, this one, big enough."

For the rest of the afternoon, Luo Chen roamed the herbal market, buying large quantities of the herbs he needed.

Since the goods were sold by independent cultivators, the quality depended on his eyes, and the price on his negotiation skills.

After much haggling, Luo Chen finally completed most of his purchases.

Next, he had to visit the city center.

The Spirit Medicine Pavilion, one of the six top-tier shops in the Dahuang Market, was located in the most prominent spot in the city center.

Five stories tall, with flying eaves and carved railings, it was truly a sight to behold.

However, this place only sold finished pills, which Luo Chen couldn't afford yet.

His destination was the Hundred Herbs Hall next to the Spirit Medicine Pavilion.

It was said that both the Spirit Medicine Pavilion and the Hundred Herbs Hall originated from the Medicine King Sect, but why they had separate storefronts was unknown.

Compared to the high-end Spirit Medicine Pavilion, the Hundred Herbs Hall was much more ordinary.

A row of low houses extended to the back, looking unremarkable.

However, as soon as he got close, a strong herbal scent hit him.

Luo Chen's spirits lifted, and he gently placed his large bag at the entrance.

The fat shopkeeper's eyes narrowed at the bag, and he sniffed, then shook his head.

Luo Chen didn't mind and approached the counter.

"Senior, do you have scallops and Fire Dog Whips?"

Hearing these names, the fat shopkeeper's gaze became playful.

New book release, if you like it, please follow. Xiao Yu thanks everyone.

(End of Chapter)