Chapter 54

Qin Sang did not rush into these shops. His goal was ahead, in the free trading area that the owner of the cultivation market had opened for cultivators.

A gentle breeze and a light mist, with swallows chirping.

The square, with its winding streams, was bustling with noise. Most of the cultivators were dressed normally, but some were unconventional, wearing strange costumes. Some even had pythons coiled around their bodies, or were riding tigers, leopards, and eagles.

There were also those shrouded in black mist, exuding a sinister aura, as if they were afraid others wouldn't recognize them as cultivators of the demonic path.

It seemed that cultivators of the righteous and demonic paths were not as hostile to each other as one might think, perhaps out of fear of the market rules.

These cultivators were like vendors in the mortal world, setting up stalls and displaying their goods for sale. Customers would squat in front of the stalls, picking and choosing, haggling over prices.

Qin Sang was taken aback, not expecting the so-called cultivator trading to have such a mundane scene.

However, these stall owners were very different from ordinary people. Most of them were sitting cross-legged, clearly taking any opportunity to cultivate, only opening their eyes to communicate when a customer asked about prices.

Qin Sang decided to observe first, so he walked into the square and mixed with the crowd.

Spirit Travel Talisman, five low-grade spirit stones.

Firewood Talisman, two low-grade spirit stones.

*Five Elements Spell*, exchange for an array formation.

Cold Crystal如意Ring, a mid-grade magical tool, only exchanges for a defensive magical tool of the same grade.

Nine Return Pill, effective for consolidating the foundation and nurturing the essence, price to be negotiated.

...

Qin Sang focused on the stalls with signs, looking at each one, greatly broadening his knowledge. The strange talismans, peculiar magical tools, and mysterious cultivation techniques made his mouth water.

Most of the items listed on the signs were for exchange with low-grade spirit stones, suggesting that spirit stones were the unified currency in the cultivation world. Could the eight stones in the seven-colored brocade pouch be spirit stones?

Thinking of this, Qin Sang began to observe carefully. After taking a few steps, he saw a person in a black cloak at a stall, haggling over a magical tool with the stall owner.

Qin Sang slowed his pace, noting the cloak's attire and thinking he should learn this trick. Cultivators often fought to the death, so learning to hide and be low-key might help him live longer.

"Brother, can you lower the price of this Ice Bee Needle a bit?" The cloaked person spoke in a high-pitched, strange voice.

Qin Sang focused on the magical tool in the cloaked person's hand, a transparent needle about the length of a finger, finer than a regular needle, with a texture like ice, crystal clear, and emitting a layer of fluorescence and a chill that even Qin Sang, standing a bit away, could faintly feel.

The stall sign read: Low-grade magical tool Ice Bee Needle, thirty spirit stones.

The stall owner was an old man with a face full of wrinkles. Hearing the voice, he lifted his eyelids and said indifferently, "Brother, how much are you willing to offer?"

The cloaked person replied, "Most low-grade magical tools are not very useful, especially in battles. A single misstep can result in them being destroyed by the opponent's spell. More than ten spirit stones is a high price. This Ice Bee Needle is the same. If it weren't for the cold aura it carries, which is useful to me, I wouldn't buy it. Thirteen spirit stones, how about that?"

The stall owner laughed, "It seems you know your stuff, but your words are not entirely fair. I dare to sell the Ice Bee Needle for thirty spirit stones because of this cold aura. Do you know that the Ice Bee Needle is made from the stinger of a Jade Ice Bee? It not only carries a cold aura but also the Jade Ice Bee's cold poison. Thirty spirit stones is already a low price."

The cloaked person was unconvinced, "The Jade Ice Bee's cold poison is not a difficult poison to cure. Your words might fool others, but let's be honest. I'll give you two more, fifteen spirit stones..."

"Deal!"

The stall owner agreed decisively. The cloaked person grunted, seemingly feeling he had overpaid, took out fifteen stones of various colors from his storage bag, threw them to the stall owner, and left without looking back.

Seeing the stones the cloaked person threw, Qin Sang, who had been secretly observing, suddenly brightened. These spirit stones were the same as the eight stones in the seven-colored brocade pouch.

So, he had some wealth after all. Eight spirit stones could buy several talismans.

However, he still needed to learn the Object Control Technique.

Just then, the stall owner, who had finished counting the spirit stones, suddenly looked up, squinted his eyes, and asked in a mysterious tone, "Young brother, you've been looking for so long. Is there something you like?"

Qin Sang was startled. Despite his efforts to hide, he had been discovered.

Qin Sang respectfully said, "I just found the Ice Bee Needle interesting and couldn't help but look a bit longer. I apologize for disturbing you, Senior."

The stall owner said "Oh" and closed his eyes, resuming his cultivation.

Qin Sang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, walked to the side, and reminded himself to be more careful in the future. He also began to consider that a low-grade magical tool could sell for more than ten spirit stones. His wrist's Purple Soul Ling was a high-grade magical tool, likely very powerful and valuable.

He had been wandering for a while and had only seen a few mid-grade magical tools, all of which required bartering. He hadn't seen any high-grade magical tools.

He wondered what grade the Ice Silkworm Armor given to him by the young man surnamed Han was.

Qin Sang tightened his sleeve, hiding the Purple Soul Ling more securely, and continued to walk and observe.

Many stalls sold cultivation techniques and spells, but strangely, Qin Sang had almost walked halfway through the square and hadn't seen anyone selling the *Netherworld Scripture* or the Object Control Technique.

Just as he was getting impatient, he noticed a familiar item at a stall ahead.

Spirit Talisman Water Barrier, eight low-grade spirit stones.

The talismans below the sign were identical to the one he had obtained from Xuanji Temple. They were indeed valuable.

This Water Barrier must have been the water curtain released by the cultivator before dying, likely a defensive spirit talisman. Qin Sang pretended to be interested, squatted down, and haggled with the stall owner, confirming it was indeed a defensive talisman.

Qin Sang thought to himself that since the Water Barrier spirit talisman was defensive and overlapped with the Ice Silkworm Armor's effect, it wasn't as urgent for him. He could use it for bartering without selling his magical tools.

With this in mind, Qin Sang quickened his pace, scanning the stalls, but still couldn't find what he was looking for. As he approached the end of the square, his eyes suddenly focused, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally found the *Netherworld Scripture*.

A thick book with a black cover, the title *Complete Netherworld Scripture* written in large letters.

Just by looking at the book, it was at least twice as thick as the one he had obtained from the black-clothed demon. It seemed his *Netherworld Scripture* was indeed incomplete.

Qin Sang maintained a calm expression, walked around, and casually squatted in front of the stall, picking up the *Complete Netherworld Scripture*.