Chapter 49: 22 Spirit Stones

"May I ask what the name of your cultivation technique is?"

"Black Water Technique."

"Ah, it's this one. Then, Senior, it might not fetch a very good price, as the first seven levels are quite common in the market."

"This copy can be cultivated up to the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage, and it comes with three additional spells that can be cultivated all the way to the Foundation Establishment stage."

After hearing this, Qi Er immediately patted his chest, guaranteeing that he could sell it for a good price.

"However, if Senior trusts me, you can sell this cultivation technique to Old He. He specializes in selling cultivation techniques at his stall. He has always wanted to collect the complete Black Water Technique and knows the value of the full nine levels and the three accompanying spells. Even if you sell it to the stall, they will likely resell it to him, so it's better to skip the middleman."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai's eyes lit up.

Indeed, it makes sense to sell things to these local figures. He also knew Old He, who sold the first seven levels of the Black Water Technique in the market.

If Chen Mobai set up a stall to sell the ninth level of the Black Water Technique, it would clearly be a direct challenge to his business, which would greatly offend him. It would be better to sell it directly to him, not only to get some spirit stones but also to gain a favor.

Qi Er led Chen Mobai to a stall, where he first approached an old man with a goatee and a gaunt face, and they quickly got to the point.

"Not bad, I've compared the first seven levels, and it's the genuine article."

The old man's name was He Qun, and he was at the seventh level of the Qi Condensation stage. He took the newly copied first eight levels of the cultivation technique from Chen Mobai, carefully compared them, and nodded in approval.

"How much do you want for the complete Black Water Technique, Senior?"

"How much do you want to buy it for?"

"Fixed price, 20 spirit stones. What do you think?"

Chen Mobai had spent a lot of time at He Qun's stall in the past few days and knew the price of the Black Water Technique. The price he offered was right at the limit, making He Qun's eyes twitch, and he habitually began to haggle.

"Brother, there are few cultivators among the scattered practitioners who need the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage. Your Black Water Technique, though complete, is difficult to cultivate and not easy to sell. Moreover, I already have the first seven levels and two spells. Isn't 20 spirit stones a bit too much?"

Chen Mobai, lacking experience in haggling, was at a loss for words when he heard this.

"He Senior, the Black Water Technique might not be easy to sell for others, but for you, isn't it just right?"

At this point, Qi Er spoke up, taking over the conversation.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

He Qun's eyes narrowed, looking at Qi Er with a hint of threat. Qi Er was slightly intimidated but, thinking of his slim chances of cultivation, decided to take a risk and spoke up.

"He Senior, it seems you are cultivating the Black Water Technique. For you, it must be essential to collect the complete set. After all, for us scattered practitioners, only reaching the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage can we join one of the seven major sects and have a chance to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill."

Upon hearing this, He Qun's eyes widened, and he glared coldly at Qi Er.

"Senior, isn't the later part of the cultivation technique more valuable? And isn't it only after mastering the Ice Spell that the technique can be fully utilized?"

After Qi Er spoke, Chen Mobai also reacted and stepped forward, blocking He Qun's cold gaze. He Qun felt his cultivation level and reluctantly nodded.

"Alright, 20 spirit stones, but you must swear that after selling this Black Water Technique to me, you won't sell it to anyone else."

Chen Mobai thought for a moment. Although he felt that 20 spirit stones for the technique was a bit low, since he had decided to focus on the talisman business, it was better to get the startup funds as soon as possible. He immediately nodded.

"Here."

He Qun counted out 20 spirit stones from his gray cloth bag and reluctantly handed them to Chen Mobai, who immediately handed over the remaining ninth level of the Black Water Technique and the Ice Spell.

After they both inspected the goods, they exchanged glances, and Chen Mobai smiled, waving goodbye as he left the stall with Qi Er.

Next, he sold three bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills with the Return Heaven Valley mark to a cultivator who specialized in selling pills at another stall. Although they were second-hand, the medicinal properties were intact, but he could only sell them for 2 spirit stones each.

Even so, Chen Mobai was quite satisfied.

The remaining bottle of Spirit Recovery Pills, without any mark on the bottle, could not be sold, despite the cultivator identifying no major issues.

Finally, the crossbow was sold for 450 taels of gold through Qi Er's introduction, and he helped convert it into gold notes at the Five Elements Sect's bank.

While selling the pills, a thought of making money flashed through Chen Mobai's mind.

Could he buy the empty bottles of Return Heaven Valley pills and pass them off as genuine?

However, he dismissed this idea, preferring to do business honestly. The education he received on Dizun Star taught him that good credibility is the key to continuous wealth.

"Thank you for your hard work today. I'll give you this talisman as a token of appreciation."

Chen Mobai, with 22 spirit stones and a stack of gold notes in his pocket, was in high spirits. He took out a Green Arrow Talisman and gave it to Qi Er.

"Thank you, Senior. If you have similar matters in the future, just find me. There's no one in the Nanxi Market we don't know."

Qi Er, though unsure of the grade of the spirit talisman, knew that even a low-grade talisman could fetch hundreds of taels of gold. Without hesitation, he took the Green Arrow Talisman from Chen Mobai, beaming with joy.

"By the way, you've offended He Qun today. Will he cause you trouble?"

Before leaving, Chen Mobai remembered this and didn't want Qi Er to get into trouble because of him.

"Senior, don't worry. Although our cultivation levels are low, we have connections. Our club president is a guest of the Liu family, a prominent figure in the Nanxi Market. He Qun is usually very cautious and won't take action against me over this."

Qi Er patted his chest, boasting about his connections.

"Liu family? The Liu family that cultivates the Crimson Blood Carp?"

Chen Mobai thought of the ledger recorded by Liu Lingpei, which mentioned this family. The Crimson Blood Carp fry in the Biyun Lake were all purchased from this family.

"Yes, the Liu family, one of the four major Foundation Establishment families in the Nanxi Market. It's said they have connections with the Five Elements Sect. A few years ago, the Liu family sent two true spirit root children to the Five Elements Sect, seemingly aligning themselves completely."

Qi Er said mysteriously, but Chen Mobai, unfamiliar with these matters, could only laugh it off.

However, reminded of this, he went to the largest bookstore in the market before leaving and bought the unfinished "Introduction to the Eastern Wasteland Major Sects," along with "Introduction to Local Cultivation in Nanxi" and "Map of Cultivation Forces in Yun Country."